Bewitching Insight

2011

2011-01-06T10:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's Cafe

Happy New Year to everyone reading this because everyone reading this, is most likely, only the people I love to pieces! I hope this new year bring you all the things that you have hoped for in years past and haven't quite achieved or gotten! I have a feeling that this is the year to expect great things!!! So watch for them.... those great things are right under your noses!

The holidays were nice! I quickly jumped out of my Grinch like mood and began the Jolly Spirit with out hesitation on Christmas Eve. LOL It was pouring on Christmas Eve.... and though it wasn't snow.... the wet was nice!!! I can't complain! Actually, the lightening that went along with the wet was even cooler! Santa visited our house and the kids woke us up at 4:30.... okay it was closer to 5:00 am to tell you the truth, but it felt like I didn't sleep at all. :) We enjoyed a wonderful day with just us.... and Cody..... It was nice.

No one close your eyes this time! hahah Smart Alecks

So then.... My parents came for a visit! With them came the freezing cold temperatures! hahahaha It got down to as low as the 30's.... I think only at night....BUT I needed a jacket! We went on an adventure with them and found my great grandpa's grave at an old airport in the middle of the DFW airport.... Wierd right? I thought so.... Not that it was in the middle of the airport.... that I found basically ordinary...it was the fact that I actually had family buried in this state! HAHAHAHA That I found amusing as heck!!!! While at the airport we picked up one of my other daughters from Idaho! Miss Hayley!!! We were all so excited to see her.... she was only here a few days, but while she was here she went out on blinde date, (I was awkwardly surprised that he wasn't actually blinde? hahaha) and caused a headache for the rude boy bugging Tabitha while at a party they crashed on New Years Eve! .... hahaha I love KIDS!!!! New Years Eve we went and ate at the coolest hole in the wall BBQ Joint ever..... Outlaw BBQ by my house..... Even on New years they have strict rules about leaving clothes on! hahahahah We were horribly sad to have both her and my parents leave on the 3rd.....

So now life is back to REALITY in a sense..... in another.... I must just ask what's reality? HAHAHA Definitly not normal..... "When are you ever going to learn that being normal isn't actually a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage...."

Only the coolest Bronze statue ever!!!

Me and Hayley

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! HAPPY 2011....... Be Safe and Take Care of All of You!!!

Grandma and the kids with Great Grandpa's grave! Family Pics!

Mom and Dad At Outlaw BBQ

Christmas Time

2010-12-22T07:50:00.000-08:00

Tis' The season.... To run around frantically hoping to get all the last minute things done..... Cooking and Cleaning.... Laundry and decorating..... Wrapping and shopping.... Chauffeuring and phone calls.... It seems as though the list never ends.... And then you add to it again! And this is the moment that once again we should say.... "THANK YOU FOR THIS CRAZY LIFE."

I was going to write something Cutesy and poetic about this time of year, but couldn't quite find the words. Something like.....
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care... there was no fire just the cool conditioned air....
With a cast on one foot and a few temperatures high....

BUT see I couldn't come up with any pithy lines.... :) Texas is beautiful but I am uncertain how it will be this year having the temps in the 80's. It will be normal considering the sick kids. What would Christmas be like without someone sick? I suppose a fever and soar throat is better than the year the kids had the stomach flu.... Laying on the bathroom floor all Christmas day was just pathetic!

So a quick "Review of the Year"
The kids are all great!
Angelo is in the 5th grade and making lots of good friends!!! Boys and Girls that fit in well with our families warped sense of humor, slowly but surely gaining their own nicknames. This making their welcome official. He is doing amazing in sports and in school with his grades. He has gained sarcasm into his life and uses it well! Props go out to him.... he is learning well! He still hasn't managed to ignore his sisters torments but that to shall come. He is hobbling around on crutches due to the broken ankle and is now going by the name Tiny Tim.
Natalie is cheering up a storm... Not a snow storm but she is very enthusiastic! She has made some great friends... But there is not now and never will be a replacement for our Wonderful Emily whom we had to leave in Idaho.... (Hope she will return this year as she has every year since we left Idaho) Natalie is doing amazing in school, even with her one detention! We do not hold this against her and actually feel it has humbled her a little! ;) She is a wonderful cheerleader and though we miss competition cheer this is holding us all with our cheer with drawls.
Tabitha is surviving High School, barely but still managing. It is amazing the days I think I would do it all over again.... and then I see what my own kids are surviving and I remember why I really hated school! However, she is becoming a bigger person because of the smaller minds she deals with on a regular basis. She is excelling in school and thriving in art. She was given 90 days probation and a dollar fine for her adventure with the neighbor, but we feel she will not murder anyone in that time, therefore, are not too concerned.
Samantha is still wishing we had let her finish High School in Idaho. She would rather be a Grizzly than an Eagle. She has mad a few acquaintances but no great friends.... We keep those in Idaho and California and hope to have them visit us soon. She has however, acquired a wonderful Boyfriend whom all of us adore.... we even hall him along on family outings. She has been amazing in her art and is coming up with quite the portfolio. She won her first art contest this year which I am certain will not be her last. Though she graduates in June, we hope that she will continue to live at home, and if we had a basement, would be happy to let her live there as long as she wanted. She is not happy to be working all the time, but enjoys spending her money, and is the newest member of the Khol's work force. Shoe dept if you were wondering and regularly goes out with the older women on their smoke breaks to talk.... we find this funny... but it gives her something to do on her own breaks.... not smoke but to talk.
Life is good and I wouldn't have it anyother way!

My Crazy Life.....

2010-12-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

This Photo was actually taken June 2010 LOL Tabs camera is off!

I have thought that my life is so simple.... HAHAHAHA. I have never actually thought that. My life is not simple..... but why in the world would I want for anything more than this beautiful Chaos that I call my own?

My little man broke his ankle about a week ago. I was assured it was an accident with no horsing around invovled.... As if I was an idiot.... Boys will be boys, however, in my home I wish they would be more like girls that were less accident prone. Mommy hates to worry and in a way it is a little unfair to do to me.... The one thing every mommy should be comfortable with is knowing that her little man is safe, unharmed, and happy..... She should know this about her girls too.... ;) I can't get him into the orthopedic until friday... 2weeks after the orignial accident. He has been immobile laying on my couch sad and in pain. Wish I could wiggle my nose and fix it all..... but I suppose if I could wiggle my nose and fix it.... I suppose i could jump on my broom stick and get a lot accomplished as well......

Me and my Tabalouie had our day in court..... AND I must say my faith in our justice system has been fully restored! Bravo America! I was extremely nervous, even knowing the truth and that it should go our way.... I never assume, assumptions get you into trouble. Tabitha went first, juvenile court.... LOL Delinquent. The judge immediately said, "This angel face.... I can't hardly believe any of this is true. Tell me what happened." She didn't even give Tab's a chance to plead.... Funny right? So Tabi tells her..... and at one point the judge says, "What did the lady say? But just say the first letter.Don't swear." Tabi said, "Oh don't worry I never swear." hahahaha The innocence of kids. She doesn't though. I love it. The judge gave her 90 days probation and as long as she doesn't get into a knife fight in that time it will be permanently off her record. She was given $1 fine and court cost of $68. Not bad.... I was so relieved.... Except for the fact that I was supposed to go back that afternoon.

Fast forward to the afternoon..... I was first on the schedule.... The judge was just going to give me the same fine she gave my neighbor.... My neighbor showed up in all her lady like glory.... and then said she was scared to be in the same court room as me.... Not that she had made a big to do with her husband and lied about what happened..... She is 6 inches taller than me and 50 lbs heavier according to the police report.... haha. Anyhow.... I had said that the fine of $300 and $75 probation and $67 court fees was fine as long as I could tell this sweet judge what happened..... She agreed.... commented on the fact that I looked scared to death.... i must appear much more fragile than I think I do.... Between her and the prosicuting attorney.... after I finished telling them my version..... the dropped all charges and let me go.... :) I was so happy.... It is a good thing that I am a pathetic baby who had my butt kicked in my own yard protecting my children....

Sami with her work that won!

so lighter side of life.... Sami won her big art contest.... 2nd place but that is first in my book! I will add photos tomorrow showing her unbelievable talent..... And more on that later!!!

YEAH ME!!!

2010-12-02T09:23:00.000-08:00

I started school again in October of this year. I was a little scared at first. I don't like the unknown....Don't like to go into most events blind folded.... ;) I like to know what to expect. It can be easier that way. Don't get me wrong a surprise here and there is fabulous, if its a good surprise. Anyhow, I am going to school to be a teacher. I had always thought I would do something different, and I don't mean the going to beauty school different, (not that there was anything wrong with it. It just wasn't me.) I mean like I would be a journalist or something like that. Except the fact that I always said I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I just never thought I would do it, if that makes sense? It seems that a lot of people never end up doing the one thing they always wanted to do, for one reason or another. Little kids are so amazing! They believe that the world is a good place, they believe simple fixes most, and they believe in dang near everything....WHY? Because they see the beauty in life! I love it!!! I am so looking forward to being an encouraging force in the lives of little kids.... Sounds Cheesy! ;)
I had started to think I would be a hack though..... I have done wonderful on all of my assignments, but when it came to tests... I second guess myself to death, I change things til they are definitely wrong, I panic!!!! So needless to say my tests have been less than stellar..... Thank God I can write a paper!!! BUT Today....why I am tooting my own horn... I took a deep breath..... I didn't second guess my choices.... And I ended up with a PERFECT SCORE!!!! So if I can remember this technique for next week, i might be onto something!

I want SNOW!!!!

2010-12-02T08:33:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful holiday season is upon us and in full swing. It is crazy to me how quickly this time of year ascends upon our lives..... and then before you know it, it's over with. Almost like a hit and run. Probably not the ideal way to refer to this beloved time of year, but it works.
I have found myself, once again, in the lack of holiday spirit. I love life, love, love, love reasons to be surprised entertained....whatever, BUT for some reason I don't get too excited about Christmas. I adore it for the sake of the kids but since high school, it isn't so fabulous for me. Perhaps, if it was a feeling that lasted longer.... rather than the stress of getting everything done before it was over and then *BAM*.... I know.... there is a reason for the season... Which is not Santa and presents.... But realistically kids get excited for the materialistic aspects of this day..... and it doesn't matter how they are raised or taught, it is just a side effect of our society.

Anyway..... I have been trying to become the happy little elf, full of Christmas Cheer and good tidings... Then I hear that Idaho has been blanketed with a beautiful wonderland of white.... Fabulous for them, BUT why in the world didn't it do that when I lived there? I want snow.... I want to jump up and down...throw a fit.... and demand it!!! Childish? Nah...my right as a girl to want it and want it now. I understand that when i lived there I complained about the cold.... Not the cold in general, but the cold minus the snow. For heavens sake if it is going to be cold surround me in the freezing beauty of ice.... Blanket me in snow.... Make it worth while.... That is what I disliked. So it makes me sigh to hear when the ones I love complain about the beauty that was given them... I want to trade places. I want to be snowed in. I want to drink hot chocolate, watch movies, and wear big fuzzy socks. I want to freeze my butt off..... I want to go caroling in sub zero temps, I want to rush from the car to the store and hope my nose doesn't fall off..... Is this asking for much?
Dear Santa..... Bring me snow and cold to Texas.... i promise I will be better next year! ;)

Off to listen to horrible renditions of fabulous Christmas songs.... And decorate! Good Luck finding your own holiday cheer!

If you can't say something nice

2010-10-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

This was an after thought to my wonderfully lady like neighbors actions..... I was raised this way.... And I try to raise my children this way,...... And though my children remain better at putting this classic wisdom into their lives than I am....It is still the best choice of actions....

Another bit of wonderfully classic advice comes from those Zany Madagascar Penguins..... "Smile and wave boys.....Just smile and wave."

Its a classic problem that most of us....ok me.... suffer from! Open mouth, Say unkind words, insert foot, and walk away embarrassed..... Skip that entire scenerio and just smile and think to yourself what an idiote jerk the person is..... Right? I can try..... hahahaha Or I can get tackled and well..... you know the story! :)

Fifth Grade Field Trip....Clark Gardens

2010-10-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

It is amazing at how quickly time flies when you are raising your children. One minute you are changing diapers, waking up at ridiculous hours to tears, and wishing that you could sleep....just a few minutes longer. I often find myself wishing I could have another sleepless night with my babies..... And all the beauty that goes along with our kids growing up to quickly. Heck, I have a senior in high school, my baby is in the fifth grade, and I can't figure out where in the world the time went.....

Anymore, it feels as though each day is over before it has begun....

I have been blessed through out the children's school careers (hehe I said school careers...) to beable to be involved and participate in activities. Granted since moving to Texas I haven't been as involved as I was in Idaho.... But in a way I am... Just in a different sense. I mean I am t the schools A LOT subbing.... And all the kids know me.... So that is pretty involved! I love it.

So anyhow, yesterday my involvement included a field trip to The Clark Gardens with the Brock Fifth Grade students....BUT most importantly my favorite little man! Though this wouldn't have been my first choice of field trips to take children on.... It's a large garden.... The middle school went to the State Fair....and I believe its the 3rd graders went to some Nascar thing (Welcome to the South). But I have to admitt under the right cirrcumstances and a fun attitude it was a good time. I was lucky enough to only have one other boy in our group! He was a well behaved young man, just like my kiddo. I was, however, happy to hear that more of Angelo's friends wanted in our group BUT the Sub wouldn't let them be. Anyway.....It was such a good time!!! After the Gradens it was off to the park for a picnic and then early release for my little man! It was a fun Mommy day out with her little guy!

Gotta love those fleeting moments.....

The Beauty of being Level Headed and Sensible...

2010-10-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

The amazing thing about the title of this post is that I often find myself being the complete opposite, not because I don't want to be level headed or sensible....I would love to be that way always. Both are amazing attributes to have as an individual, and I personally am jealous (yes...another quality I am not proud of.) Of those individuals who have these qualities all of the time. I suppose one could call me 'hot headed' though not easily angered. I am the sort of person who can remain calm on the outside and quietly come to a boil and be the unstoppable angry person...the "tiger by the tail" syndrome. I have been trying to overcome this quality that I seem to shine at.... after all I have four amazing children that have been raised the opposite of how I react and they have done a fabulous job at maintaining their beautiful personalities of the peace makers.... the gentle souls. (Really, I don't mean this sarcastically at all. They are all so loving and patient.)

So in today's world how are we able to teach and encourage our children to be kind hearted, level headed, strong individuals who demand respect, and kindness in turn? How can we encourage them not to let people walk all over them, or say things to them that obviously cut, in a passive way that does not result in them allowing others to treat them like garbage? WOW, does that task even seem possible?

This weekend I was put in a lose lose situation... You ask...How can one be put in this sort of situation, and still want to participate? This is easy...I was unaware of the Murphy's law that was attached to the entire event... AND I was a Mama protecting her 'Cubs'.

I think I had shared an event where my son had dealt with a neighborhood bully a few months back. Apparently, this bully has parents who think discipline is optional. My beautiful 11 year old son was having a birthday party over the weekend. It was exciting because when sports are in full swing the boys don't have a lot of time to just hang out and have fun....SO...needless to say...we do not have friends over very often for him to do 'boy things' with. Anyway, the boys were outside, with my younger daughter, and the neighbor girl when the neighborhood bully and his friends started bugging them. I had everyone of the kids staying at my home come in and tell me that their were problems with these other boys. I told them to ignore them and to stay away.... Easier said than done when the bullies are following them and hanging on the street by our house calling them cuss words.

So one thing lead to another, and apparently the situation outside had escalated into needing an intervention. Tabitha and her friend Kayla went out to ask the boys that are their age to stop bullying the kids so that parents didn't have to get involved. Apparently, these bullies decided they would be in less trouble if they were the ones tattling... Seriously. So one of them ran right in to get the original bully's mother. She came out and proceeded in cussing at all of the children outside. Now, I will be the first to say, I am not perfect, my children aren't perfect, my children will do naughty things, BUT they weren't doing anything wrong this night. They were trying to have a birthday party...night games....minus the bullying. All of the little boys, and the neighbor girl were terrified over this woman...thinking that they had done something wrong. After all she is an adult, she was yelling, cussing and telling them all to stay right there. She was wrong...if she believed there was a problem she should have come to me. My youngest daughter and one of my sons friends were terrified and despite her yelling ran into the house to get me.

Now, I thought I was going into a situation with someone with two sense.... I had on no shoes and my Jammie's.... completely unprepared for what was about to happen. Before I walked out the door, my Natalie said to me..."Mom....stay calm and don't cuss at her. It will embarrass Angelo." It's true.... my daughter knows her Mommy oh too well! I have a mouth like a sailor and when my children are involved I become aggressively boisterous..... Again, not something I am proud of....BUT I walked out to the front yard, head held high, fully determined to keep calm....to remain sensible and level headed. Which I did an amazingly perfect job of.....no Hell's, damns, or anything colorful....Until she punched me. I had gone out there and asked her if she could refrain from cussing at the young children. I asked her if she could keep her son under control and away from the boys and girls that are a good 4-5 years younger than him.... I asked her to have him stop referring to them as Mother F*****Er's.... Which set off this already unstable woman. She proceeded in telling me that her son never cusses... Snotty I said She had better keep a better eye on him... it was wrong I know I should have remained completely unchildish. I just couldn't help it with her ranting and flailing in my yard. She then turned and made the most ignorant remark she could possibly make....and got into my 14 year olds face, who then asked if she had indeed said what she had obviously said. The woman was almost nose to nose with her and replied "I said it." Tabitha....hit her in the mouth. I was in shock! Everyone was in shock...I had no idea what to do and how to handle the situation from that moment. I yelled, "Don't you hit my daughter." The woman looked at me and punched Tabi in the mouth. I ran to get in the middle so she couldn't hurt my baby anymore than she had.....Keep in mind I was trying to stay calm and the mature one in the whole matter.... The woman proceeded in punching me in the face. It all happened so quickly. She hit me a few times and latched on to my hair. She pulled a couple of handfuls of hair from my head and kicked and tackled me to the ground. She is a much larger lady than I am and I couldn't do much else than struggle beneath her weight...which makes me feel pretty silly too. Trying to get her to let go of my hair I grabbed her forearm and squeezed it with my nails.....she pulled harder. I grabbed the front of her shirt thinking if I tear it she won't want to be half naked in front of all the kids....YES...the kids were still watching all of this nightmare..... Thank goodness a few of the kids ran off to find Tony, who did pull her off of me. Thank goodness.... And he did call the Police! Again, thank goodness!

In the end....Tabitha got a ticket. Which I can see...she shouldn't have hit the woman. After the comment she made...I was glad that she had. The best reason for a ticket if you ask me. The woman obviously received her own disorderly conduct citation....BUT I did as well.....I was attacked in my own front yard while trying to protect my children from an unstable lady...I was given a citation because I left finger nail marks on her arm in self defense.

In today's society how are we supposed to teach that bullying is wrong and that you shouldn't let people attack you if you get into trouble for defending yourself on your own property. Doesn't this example show that no one cares who is right or wrong? Isn't this a prime example of why bullied kids...or adults for that matter....keep it to themselves? Allow it to continue? I am not saying this is the right way to deal with it.... physical violence is never a good thing..... But then what do not defend yourself no matter how threatened you feel?

Again...I am proud of Tabitha for standing up for herself.... No one should be talked to the way she was.... An adult has no right to attack a child the way that woman did.... Kids shouldn't have to be bullied by other children.... And no one should be in trouble for defending themselves and their family on their own property which is suppose to be their safe territory!

Happy Birthday Little Man!

2010-09-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

I forgot to turn this photo....I keep doing that! Angelo is 11 today! I can't believe how quickly the time has flown.....My baby....WOW! He is awfully handsome though! :) This photo was a quick snap on the way to school today.....YES....I am well aware of the fact that driving and taking photos is a dangerous activity...But birthdays only come around once a year!

Happy Birthday little man!!! I love you tons and bunches....to the moon and back! And then on forever!

MY BROCK KIDS

2010-09-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Its really weird.... You grow up in an area and you find yourself always cheering for your high school....even years later as an adult. Me, I was a Blackfoot, Bronco!!! Go Green, Black, and White!!! (I was also a Highland RAM.....and the beloved Snake River Panther......But you can't name them all!) Then you have children of your own..... You become attached to their school, (if it happens to be different from your own.) I had actually found myself growing quite fond of my children's schools! The High School in subject SKyline Grizzlies.... Which was a rival of my own High School growing up. It was fun getting involved in the school spirit! Going to the sporting events....the huge rival game....The Emotion Bowl.....

BUT..... What happens when you move? You have children ready to graduate.... and other kids spread evenly through out the different grades...... You have to change....You have to become attached to another school... You have to encourage new loyalties..... SO NOW......

We are Brock Eagles............ Go Blue and Gold!!! Angelo is getting involved in sports, Natalie is a cheerleader, and Tab's is even a member of the Blue Crew at the High School...... Sami as a senior.... Well.... I am not pressing my luck!!!

Lenka- Don't let me fall w/Lyrics

2010-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Fly Me Away - Annie LIttle (Lyrics In Description )

2010-09-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Another Summer Gone.....

2010-09-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

It was a crazy summer at the Locascio home.... A lot of driving..... A lot of very HOT days. It was a good summer one that will go into the books. Into the books as what? I am not quite certain but it will be there.... it will be spoken about, laughed about, and loved.... Why? I am not quite certain about that either.... But it will be!
My children doing what they love.... Photo's in random stores, doing random things! I love it!!! I especially loved Sami and Tabi in Wal Mart with the Halloween Hoodies on that zip over your face and look like skeletons or half eaton werewolves.....running around making monster sounds.... Classic!!! ;)

Okay the date on the photo isn't right..... This photo was actually the beginning of June 2010 and we are going on the Tram in El Paso.... It was a fabulous trip with me and the kids! We went on the tram and at the top you can actually see into Mexico.... not that its hard considering Mexico is right there.... But the entire city of El Paso and all the surroundings and the mountains were so B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L.

The kids and I also drove to Arizona the end of June to visite Grandma and Grandpa. This was a fun trip and also memorable. El Paso is essentially half way and we had done that before..... so it wasw kind of a building point for our 16 hour drive! This photo we are at the Casa Grande Ruins...also beautiful and extremely warm! Minus the humidity of Texas.....

I start to think my children are never serious! LOL Of course why would I want them to be?

Angelo, Nati, and Tab's at the ghost town..... Sami was in San Fransisco.

Miss Natalie and I in another Ghost town as Angelo was rock climbing!

Natalie Jane the first day of 7th Grade!!! Just turned 12 and gorgeous as ever and so grown up!

Tabitha Jai.....The ever beautiful Freshman starting her first year at the high school!

Angelo....My handsome little man beginning his first day of his last year in Elementary school!

Last but not least Samantha Jae..... My Beautiful Senior! The first day of her last year before she heads off to college! WOW.....where does the time go?

Sami with her best friend Carley in San Fransisco!!!

Angelo in his new car! :) At the ghost town in Arizona!

Tabi, Nat, and Emily when Emily was visiting us!!! We miss that girl!!!

Tabi, Sami, and Cody at the Drive-in in Granbury!!! That was a good time even in the rain!!!

Night of the living dead!

Tab's enjoying Gram and Gramps Pool in AZ!!!

The girls enjoying the racks at good will, playing America's Next Top Model!

My four musketeers at Gram and Grampa's

Miss Nat Jane Birthday Girl!!!! 12 years old!!!! :)

Nati and our other daughter Emily!

Glamorous Girls at the Dr Pepper Plant in Dublin!

Angelo and Emily at the Bottling Plant! Cute aren't they?

The Worlds Largest Rocking Chair! So says the Genius Books!

Tab's Photography skills!

Sisters!!! Get one!

The FIZZ FACE thank you San Fransisco!

The Golf Cart Died.......... Tabi pushed it all the way home!! Emily worked hard too!

Natalie's Cheer team leaving for cheer camp at the Great wolf lodge................

Nat's team at cheer camp!

The Carousel in the Grapevine Mills Mall!

Nat and Tab school shopping!

Sam and Bo school shopping!

Once again smiling at Tab's!!!

Angelo Rock climbing!

Nat, Bo, and Grandma Rock hunting!!! Dangerous buggers!

YEP!

Hmmmmmmmm....

Of course.....

Sure!

My caged birds singing!!!

Grandpa and the kids...minus sam!

Grandma, me and the kids minus sami!

The pool!

Nat and Bo enjoying it!

AND THE END OF OUR PHOTO SUMMER!!!

Learning When To Get Over It...Let Go

2010-04-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

(Okay.....so the creepy rabbit has nothing to do with that....I just wanted to add it....This was outside the schools the friday before Easter.....and it scared my kids. LOL Like something off a Stephen King movie)

Me and the Kids were talking about how long is long enough to be angry with someone....and when do you know if the "I am sorry," is real....if intentions are good or not. I just love it when children bring to mind things that weigh heavy on my own mind....causing me to think more deeply....to look at my faults....and to wonder. Wonder is one of those beautiful virtues of the young mind.

It has been a different year.....the kids have new friends whom all act differently than the friends they had in Idaho.....in fact....one of the groups of kids is in a constant cycle of drama....fighting, talking behind backs, denying, hating, and then getting over it.... sometimes in a matter of 5 minutes. While this cycle is going on, you can also watch the cycle of embarrassment, hurt, saddness....heartbreak...laughter.... its funny sometimes how quickly they can get over some things and yet hang onto others. This baffles me....only because the things that I would hold onto are the things that they find trivial...and vice versa....

SO my answer to my angelic children..... "You always know when it's time to let go.....to get over it..... You know when your friends are truly your friends or just trying to get information out of you..... You just know....and it's ok not to have a constant war and to be friends with everyone.....even though you might not be friends with everyone all the time."

"We attach our feelings to the moment when we were hurt, endowing it with immortality. And we let it assault us every time it comes to mind. It travels with us, sleeps with us, hovers over us while we love, and broods over us while we die. Our hate does not even have the decency to die when those we hate die--for it is a parasite sucking OUR blood, not theirs. There is only one remedy for it. [forgiveness] -Lewis Smedes

How can you ever know who your friends are?
A true friend is someone who is always there for you, with no agenda other than the friendship itself. We rely on our friends to lift us up in bad times, but most importantly, to be there for us when we need nothing at all.

"A true friend will stab you in the front." -Oscar Wilde

SO just some random ramblings of conversations with my wonderful children.....from whom I learn something from daily.

On the lighter side...this morning was fabulous....Sami wouldn't wake up....and then I went in and hugged her...then Tabi went in and hugged her too.....then asked why we did that....which in turn got her a hug. Nat and Angelo laughed over breakfast.....then we sang to "Crazy like the Wolf"......something like that.....it was a funny morning....then Dixie Chic's, Sin Wagon, and Killin Earl started the school day! I love life!

The Stars and Bars....first and most popular flag of the Confederate States....Angelo's project

2010-04-22T11:05:00.000-07:00

Another Texas project. Angelo had been inundated with Texas history projects this year... Which I have come to the realization that this is part of the fourth grade.... State history. Though we loved learning about Idaho history, (A little boring) it is always fun to learn another states facts. Angelo has taught us all some fun things that we otherwise would never have learned....Some things that we like....some that we don't.

I do want to say....a little off the subject but Texas related....I refuse to make my children Pledge to the Texas flag. I wouldn't say it and think my children shouldn't have too. Weird.... a little creepy that they do this everyday....but more power to ya.

Back to this project.......When told he was going to have to make this flag all the possibilities came to mind. We chose, however, to go a somewhat cheap route considering between the four kids, since moving to this beautiful state we have done more projects than we ever did the entire time in Idaho. We purchased a cheap white pillow case, some acrylic paint (fabric paints were more expensive and we didn't think this would go through the wash), some sponge brushes that came in a pack of 5 for $1.

First off we ironed the creases out of the case. Then Angelo and I measured out the boxes that would make up the red, white, and blue areas. Angelo painted in these spaces, then we let it dry. Angelo is left handed, it was never more obvious that I couldn't be as talented as he was painting, left handed.....it looked awkward...and I had to let him set it all up because right down to where I sat the paints to where the pillow case was, was awkward for him.

After the box of blue and the stripes dried we stenciled on the stars...... then with the same sponge brush he painted on the stars. There were touch ups after the fact....but for a kids project this was a huge score and relatively easy!!!

Sami's Junior Prom

2010-04-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

Princess......In my dreams, I could be a Princess, and that's what I was. Like most little girls, I believed nothing less than a Prince could make my dreams come true. (Though Sami fits in well with her prince she has over come all the stereo types of princess....except the graceful and beautiful parts!)

-Loretta Young
I couldn't believe how quickly the Prom was upon us....and considering Samantha hates going to dances, we were all suprised that when her boyfriend informed her that they were going....she didn't throw a fit!
The Prom for Brock HS was held in the Fort Worth Hilton....which is a very exclusive hotel....well...as far as hotels go. The day was Prom event filled at our home.....
Samantha started the day by getting up quite early.....she was actually up at 10:00 am to get her nails done. That was my job.... it is amazing how close sisters become when it comes to making one another beautiful....Tabitha was proudly incharge of hair and photos at our home.... Unfortunatly, our normally beautiful Texas weather had turned into a torential down pour and it rained ALL day and flooded.... of course!
Well...after Tabitha was finished with the beautiful princess hair....Sami made her finishing touches....and Cody Arrived.... Such a cute couple.... Both quiet....both polite....though Sami isn't serious.... and so far Cody seems to be quite serious.....personality wise... He does put up with her though....except won't go so far as to act like a dog for her....However....on her birthday he did play a catalog game with her.... "On this page what would I buy?" Yes he played along in good spirits. Back to the prom.....
From our house Sami and Cody went out to Sugar Tree....Fancy Golf Course Sub division huge houses... Well...Monstorous Mansions.... one of the girls in the large group of Prom goers had their gardens done for photos.....unfortunatly it rained.... I guess they had planted so many flowers around their pool and it was fairy tale like for the professional photographer to take fun pictures of them all..... Then from there the group went to the botanical gardens for more photos.....The Hummer Limo picked the group up from their and took them to dinner....
The kids went to the Macaroni Grill which was funny to Cody who didn't think it would be fancy enough with the name Macaroni....LOL. Once there he kept telling Sami to give him her Italian Expertise on ordering.....he went with a pizza. LOL Sami said that it was so wonderful being at the restaraunt all dressed up.....she loved the OOOO's and Awwwwww's.... BUT her favorite was this little girl who obviously wanted to dress up to go to dinner with her family......even adorned with a tiara..... So the little girl was staring at Sami out of the rest of the girls....watching her....pretending she had on a big fluffy dress..... Sami walked over to her.....leaned down and said...."I love your crown....you look like a princess." Which of course made the little girls night. Sami said it was her favorite thing. I love that...... Such grace....such heart..... I am so proud of little things she does that she knows matters....only she does it not thinking anything self serving...she doesn't even realize how special it makes her....make sense?
Anyway....after dinner...the kids were taken via limo to the Hilton...They danced and had fun....Sami spent a bit of time dancing like a goof with Adam.... (Not her Boyfriend....but the cool autistic kid from her school....she is so wonderful to Adam.) She was dissappointed to have the night come to an end.....It seemed so short to me as well.... the prom itself lasted from 7-11....You would so have to know the Principal.... :) The were driven home....Sami and Cody watched an episode of the Office....and then she was home and in bed by 1.....didn't even turn into a pumpkin..... Where is the time going??? We are looking at Universities..... She has been made a National High School Scholar....and she is 17....of course she can't drive so thumbs up to me.... :)

Menu For The Week; headache solution and wonderful holiday gift

2010-04-14T09:11:00.001-07:00

Menu For The Week; headache solution and wonderful holiday gift

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Easter....First Baseball game...

2010-04-06T07:23:00.000-07:00

First up to bat at the first game. (My layout is weird FYI...because I can't move these photos) Angelo got hit by a 70 mph pitch this bat.... he didn't cry....it hit him in the back...in the kidney... as the other team was on their knee...and ALL the coaches were fussin over him....he asked if he could just take his base.... The hit left the lace marks on his back.... His sisters were ready to go beat up the pitcher.... LOL Sisterly love! He didn't cry til he was in the car and they were fusin over him...and then at home.... he called me while he was in his room....he needed a hug from his Mommy! I love kids!!!

So Natalie and Angelo were the only egg decorators this year....because I was a party pooper and didn't want the mess at midnight. Go figure. Oh well.... it was still fun even if I am a bully.

Sami at the first baseball game for Angelo.... Natalie was there too but the wind was blowing and it was cold....like 50 degrees....LOL

Angelo did an awesome job at pitching.... he can throw an accurate 65-70 mph pitch at 10 years old. He is the only left handed pitcher in the league...and the only 10 year old pitcher in the majors. :)

A night of shining stars

2010-03-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

So we move to Brock Texas and they fall in love with the kids! Every year they have this thing where kids vote on the kids in their grade levels for certain titles.... No one runs for these titles it is just the luck of the vote and random. Apparently it is unheard of that more than one child from a family ever wins this honor..... if they ever win at all.... And I have to say Tab's got the bummer of it because she had been home sick the week of the voting....everyone loves her....she is like the IT girl of the 8th grade.... But Angelo was named 4th grade rep..... Natalie was the friendliest in the 6th grade..... Samantha was the friendliest Junior! I was so proud!!! I couldn't take photos during....silly rules.... But got a few before. I love my kids......where did I go so right?

Spring Break In San Antonio was fricken Hillarious

2010-03-22T12:26:00.000-07:00

San Antonio is a Beautiful city! We decided that since the weather was against us we would travel there rather than the gulf....and save that road trip for the summer time. I was suprised that the best part of the trip wasn't the historical significance of the Alamo.....the picture is it....Crazy...and a good thing it was free to look at. The river walk was fabulous! A story below the city streets is miles of river surrounded by a walkway.....there are gondola rides....and several restaurants....you can dine riverside or inside....there are different shops.....its beautiful.....a little texas meets Venice..... I loved it. It truly was wonderful and I would go back anytime.

Our family does trips funny....we try to plan....but plan as we may it doesn't always work out the way we thought. We punched in our address for San Antonio into our Garmin Navigator....wonderful bday present....after our first one was stolen from our car...."Welcome to Texas' So anyhow....this navigator drove us halfway to Abilene then took us off onto tiny one lane backroads....some gravel....some not so nice....twisting and turning us in all directions all the way to San Antonio....It was a beautiful drive.... It was apparently one of those short cuts people take in scary movies....not another car on the road...no cell service (If I remembered mine) Scary movie material right down to the abandoned service station with the creepy old man with the long ZZ Top beard sitting on an old bench holding a cat.....Literally Weird....Twilight Zone.... The whole town was empty! BUT we did stumble across a town definitly worth a trip of its own. Fredricksburg....it is a touristy town all done up like Germany....pretty cute! So needless to say the trip home was kinda what we expected main highways...freeways.... I doubt we would ever go on the exact same trip there again.....I couldn't find it if I tried....not even using a map! But it was well worth the drive....and it made for a fun spring break.

It was cold though..... So we froze as we walked.....originally we wanted to sit on the gulf and soak up the sun....

Baseball Stud/State Basketball/The crazies

2010-03-17T07:38:00.001-07:00

So my little stud monkey is going to be his Majors team left handed Pitcher.......he is 10. ;0) He throws consistantly straight and accurate at about 55 miles and hour. He has been practicing at 1st base and is an all around stud. His coaches got him after a draft battle.....and are now in love with him. They have informed me that if I have plans in moving before his stretch of little league is up they are taking over guardianship and raising him. LOL As if I would let them have him.....they are also the football coaches in Brock and are already talking QB. Funny....when we asked them in the fall if it was too late to get him on the team....before games started.... and they wouldn't consider adding this potato state boy on the team..... They are wishing they had!

Long Horn Basketball court.....photo courtesy of Nat....picture taken from her seat at the state game! Go Brock! I need to add a photo of her all dolled up in blue and gold! She has taken on school spirit in this new place.....Glad someone has! ;-)

Me, Sami, and Tabs being our normal idiote selves in Wal Mart....good thing we can't embarrass eachother.....we are all too busy being dorks!

I didn't fall off the earth...it just forgot me as it was turning...... LOL

2010-03-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be cool if you really could disappear sometimes though....and yet still be here....and you could watch everyone do their thing but they couldn't see you..... LOL So a quick rant..... Had my PC fixed.... Then it crashed AGAIN less than a week later....then my internet is turned off because I couldn't pay it online.... but I couldn't use my pc....and to explain this to idiotes on the phone is hillarious.... a little like a 3 stooges episode..... or a bad dream of stupid people....who think you are stupid....and it just doesn't end.... I am back.... Kinda. My PC is still amongst the undead.... LOL perhaps Dr Frankenstien will revive it..... or I will light it on fire and enjoy the glow. So there......

So what have we all missed in the life of Jennifer? LOL As if I am that exciting that we must all keep up to date with me..... That would be cool though wouldn't it? If everyone really truly wanted to know what I was doing moment to moment..... Wouldn't it be cool if my life was that exciting..... i suppose the kids want to know what I am doing moment to moment..... "Can't you see the door is closed? I am peeing...." LOL Anyhow.....

Thurber Ghost Town
This was a fun and exciting little visit to the past. One of my all time favorite things to do is to visit places of the past. I LOVE ghost towns. This wasn't my favorite town....and they wouldn't let us in the cemetery but it was fun! I looked like I was a two kid mom.....Angelo and Tab's were all that went...... Sami stayed in bed asleep not up for the ultra exciting adventure.....Natalie was in Austin at the schools State Basketball tournament.....And yes our team WON! Not that I truly care.....but its cool!
Thurber is an old coal mining town. Underneath the tall tower sits well over a 100 million tons of coal....Pretty cool. There is the old fire dept with Tab and Bo in front of it. The picture of the old service station that Angelo wanted to break into.... Exciting stuff.

Another year older.......

2010-02-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

I am another year older.....wiser....bolder.....definitly stronger. Through out the past year I have learned to appreciate again...I have learned to hope....to wish....to have faith in the unseen.... I am thankful for the opportunity to grow....to watch my family grow...... I do not believe that growing older is a curse...just a fun path to travel and learn.....while trying not to trip...and if you do....learning how to fall gracefully..... I was given some extra luck this year by my daddy..... and a lot of encouragement from my mommy..... ;-) I look forward to seeing how it all turns out....
I am thankful for sharing this wonderful day with my mom.....what a great present....ME.... Just kidding....but it is nice to know that every year someone loves this day too......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

2010-02-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

Well.... the photo didn't turn out as well as i would have liked.... it was cute and wanted it here...... Happy Birthday Mom!!! Even though we are miles apart we are spending the day together in our hearts..... I am lucky and get to share my birthday with my mom!

Samantha's Art Project

2010-02-22T08:45:00.001-08:00

Though the weather wasn't the greatest....it was neither raining nor snowing...... Samantha set out with her school to Arlington to compete in the UIL Art competition..... there were several highly talented competitors against her piece.

Not only did her talent have to shine with her art work, she also had to defend her piece to the judges. She did a fabulous job and received the highest score on her piece..... I am extremely proud of her..... She said that one of the greatest things she was able to do on Saturday was experience the talent and artwork of others..... the sign of a true artist!

Saturday also brought Baseball tryouts...... My little man was nervous as could be.... as was I. He had talked himself out of batting before we even arrived at the fields.....figures! However, saving grace, no one could hit off the batting machine.... it was High and slow.... he fielded the ball the way I knew he could.....nothing got past him and his throws from third to first were fast and accurate..... he is such the little stud! I can't wait to have baseball in full swing...... the smell of fresh cut grass..... the hot sun shining down.....the sound of the ball hitting the bat.....

2010-02-17T06:18:00.000-08:00

It was absolutely beautiful! Starting the Thursday before Valentines day....school was cancelled. Of course our schools decided to send the kids on the Thursday, long enough to call it a full day....so they sent the kids home starting at 9:30 am..... We ended up with record snowfall here in this one storm.....12 and 1/2 inches..... the heavy snowman snow broke power lines leaving 100,000's of people with out power.....closing roads and schools and leaving Texas under a beautiful blanket of white......

Actually this was bigger than most of the storms we left behind in Idaho..... The kids were elated.... So was I! It was wonderful to see the beautiful sight...... even if it was cold and nearly impossible to get around. Heck...Sami was snowed in at her Boyfriends......but wanted us to put it in 4 wheel drive and bring her home.....Thank goodness for 4X4's........

Sami is an artist....

2010-02-01T06:42:00.000-08:00

It is amazing to me watch the art work that Sami is creating unfold into the masterpiece it is becoming. I always knew she was talented.... but I just never realized how talented she was until she was asked to represent her school in the state wide art competition. SO then her normal style of cartoon sketching turned into these amazing protraits. Above is the amazing collage of faces she is putting together......Carly is on there.....Hailey.....Tabi.....Angelo.....and Tony.....Natalie and I will be on there too.....and I think Cody....

This is Carley......and looks just like her......FYI.

This is the beginning of Angelo.......what I actually saw of it this morning is almost complete and looks just like the handsome little stinker.

This is Tabi.......and is looking more and more like the beauty she is......

This is going to be a part of the puzzle pieces that will go over the other face from her life.....this is my sami's smile.......... I am so proud of her ability and the desire she has put into her accomplishments. Though art is a touchy career.....I believe she will put her talents to good use through out her life.....

Snow in Texas???

2010-01-29T11:28:00.000-08:00

Come on already winter...... Snow in Texas? Don't get me wrong, I adore a wonderful winter wonderland....and if we had 20 feet of the powdery cold....I wouldn't complain. However, when we moved here.......I had been told of how warm it was......actually how hot it got......and how the winters were nice and mild....there was a week with some ick for weather......BUT this is ridiculous! We have had several weeks of this weird weather.......Xmas we got snow....that was a blessing for the kids sake and needing a white Christmas......then it FINALLY warmed up and we were in the mid 60's to 70's......Yesterday we received 3 1/2 inches of rain....I was thinking we were going to need a boat.....now we have snow.......I suppose we are lucky that the tornadoes missed us....YES VERY LUCKY!!!!!!!!!! "Toetoe, I don't think we are in Idaho anymore......

Another year older....

2010-01-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

Monday was Sami's 17th birthday! It is hard to imagine that she is another year older......I can believe she is another year wiser, more beautiful......where does the time go?

It was a fun and entertaining day! After the kids got home from school we ran into Fort Worth for Jamba Juice....which is her favorite. (We took Cody.....who is also a favorite!)

After she blew out her candles all the kids played rockband.....in my room. Weird!

Hopefully she gets her birthday wish. It took her long enough to make it....then she scared the heck out of us all when she.....all of a sudden blew up......and blew out all the candles! Funny!

Tabi's friend Jack joined us for the birthday fun too! What would life be like with out a few extra kids?

My Texas life.....

2010-01-25T06:51:00.000-08:00

So for those of you who don't know....we moved to Texas though I think I said that in previous posts. We have been here for just over half a year. I can't say as to whether or not I love it or not. It's beautiful here.....it was beautiful in Idaho as well.....so its a different beautiful. I love the fact that there are a million leafy trees here, and lakes everywhere.....i know that not all of Texas is that way......I miss the mountains.......We have wild life in our back yard....deer, armadilos......humm.....raccoons possums.......its fun.
The kids are in the smallest school district here. I love that.....there are only about 500 kids in all. We are getting to know so many people in the schools....its nice. Sami and Nat have been voted the friendliest kids in there grades, and Angelo has been made class rep for the 4th grade.....along with these honors comes a dinner and award ceremony along with a red carpet walk. This should be cool! Tabi was disappointed not to have won anything. She is still fabulous to me....and has been so invovled with school it is okay......not everyone can win everything all the time.
I have been subbing.....that is fun! Junior high rocks! I love the kids and it helps being in a new place being able to be close to my own kids! Its funny to have kids come up to me and hug me....that aren't my own.....and say Mrs. L who's class are you in today......and then to see either the excitment or disappointment when I tell them.......I love being loved!!!
I miss my friends and family....it's so hard not knowing people my own age here. I wish I had a friend. Sounds pathetic and perhaps if I tried harder i would meet some people.....other mom's to hang out with? But if you know me you know that I just am not like that......SO I would have more luck moving a friend out here.......LOL
I can't get over the "Texas Pledge" or the fact that so many people are so strongly oppinionated over it. Oh well......I can't bring myself to say it.....I am an Idaho girl at heart.......

My new life....

2010-01-22T12:18:00.000-08:00

I believe in Santa Claus

2009-12-22T09:32:00.001-08:00

I believe in Santa Claus

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Menu For The Week; headache solution and wonderful holiday gift

2009-12-15T06:37:00.001-08:00

Menu For The Week; headache solution and wonderful holiday gift

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Treasury of family photographs

2009-12-08T10:36:00.001-08:00

Treasury of family photographs

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Christmas tree decorations of the ones you love

2009-12-08T10:34:00.001-08:00

Christmas tree decorations of the ones you love

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Critical words do not make a child

2009-11-02T12:21:00.001-08:00

Critical words do not make a child

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1945 real life horror story in the skies over Weatherford, Texas

2009-10-30T05:25:00.001-07:00

1945 real life horror story in the skies over Weatherford, Texas

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Blue is for nightmares young adult book series

2009-10-28T13:08:00.001-07:00

Blue is for nightmares young adult book series

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Celebrating traditions of Halloween, pumpkins

2009-10-24T18:38:00.001-07:00

Celebrating traditions of Halloween, pumpkins

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Time is the most important gift we can give to our kids

2009-10-20T07:34:00.001-07:00

Time is the most important gift we can give to our kids

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Family meals create happier healthier children

2009-10-19T11:19:00.001-07:00

Family meals create happier healthier children

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Teaching children a love for reading is an amazing gift

2009-10-10T09:23:00.001-07:00

Teaching children a love for reading is an amazing gift

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Halloween a time of mystery and superstition

2009-09-18T06:57:00.001-07:00

Halloween a time of mystery and superstition

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A Grand Hello From Texas

2009-08-28T11:10:00.001-07:00

Hello all! No I didn't fall all the way off the face of the earth we just slid south. Or rather we made the longest move of my entire life! SO for those of you who don't know we made the leap in July and moved from Idaho to the beautiful state of Texas. It is like a country all it's own....or a planet....that's it....we moved to a different planet! It is HOT here....but not uncomfortable... Not like "I feel like I am melting hot"....But I must admit there are those days when I am working to unload boxes and I am in the garage and it feels about 140 degrees. I swear I lose about 5 pounds....LOL WOuldn't that be cool if it were true?! So we have been here about 2 months now, the kids have started school, and we are all but settled.

The Drive was unbelievably long! 1600 Miles long.....We drove through Idaho, of course, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and finally Texas. We had a bad fuel pump in Laramie....While Laramie had a horrible storm and no power. I ended up covered in mud thanks to my dog. We spent the night in Fort Collins, CO at a KOA.....But where else do you camp out if you have......2 adults, 6 kids....we thought we would bring two extra just for the heck of it!......4 dogs....only because we are insane. A cat....because sadly enough I gave the other 2 away.....and a lizard.....did I get all of us....it was a traveling road show. Kind of like a circus or a freak show. Then the second night....because we drove from 7 in the morning until late and never got any closer....we stayed in Kansas.....Salina. It was humid there! I think that is why I appreciate the humidity here....that was the worst! My feet in my flip flops felt as though I had walked through a puddle....gross. We stayed the night in the only place with a cheap room that was vacant.....again our traveling road show needed somewhere.....and let me tell you....I wondered if I should sleep! YUCK!! (Nat's Bday amidst the move) Our moving truck didn't show up for 2 weeks....we camped in our house with a mini fridge.....It was a wonderful start to our new adventure! SO we thought we had to make the best of it. The kids convinced us to go swimming at Marie's house in Fort Worth which was wonderful until we all got sick...not all together....one at a time and we didn't want Marie's two angels getting sick so we quarrentined ourselves. We took the kids to Dublin, TX which is the oldest doc pepper plant in operation. Or the first....anyhow they still use real sugar in there recipe.....Yes it does make the difference believe it or not....I think that was the flavor from when i first fell in love with that pop when I was a little girl! Oh.....side note....Pop is not Pop here....it's soda. I know technicality Soda Pop. Anyhow, Sami was told saying pencil the way it should be rather than pincil sounded snobby! :-) On with the story! So then the kids convinced us to look at random OLD cemeteries out in the middle of no where....and they are old.....like civil war old! Pretty cool! Last but not least the kids got a wonderful going away present from their great grandpa.....and with it they made us take them to Hurrican Harbor. So how could we argue? He gave it to them and told them to use it how they wanted! Little did we know that the kids had this worked out before we even left Idaho! We took the kids to a Rangers game....it is seriously cheaper to go to the rangers games than the chukars back in Idaho! It cost all 8 of us 18 dollors grand total to get in.....and not crappy seats either! (Oh when we went with our own kids we watch them play the red sox.....so cool!!! They messed up our tickets so they gave us the homerun section for free.....the guy in front of us caught a homerun ball in the second inning.....KinslerRangers second baseman hit it......anyway he had sat it in the cup holder and these kids took it and Nat I.D. them and the guy got it back and gave it to nat for being so cool! It was a blast! I adore baseball!!!)

So funny story...we have a few....we took the girls to the airport. Which like everything else in this huge state was monsterous! It was like it's own town...it was serious travel time by vehicle from terminal to terminal! We started off in terminal E at 8 in the morning.....apparently the airline had issues. I was unimpressed from the beginining...from the rude employees to the unorganized manor they handled things! Anyway....the girls were supposed to be off by 10:30....by 11 they loaded the plane. The whole time while watching through the window...and told I can't leave til the plane takes off "unaccompanied minors" I see them working on the engine.....for 3 hours! Then they unload the plane and begin rebooking flights on other airlines! Seriously angry people filled the terminal. They worried about the kids first...which didn't make me anyones friend. They actually booked them on a flight that we couldn't even make it to the other terminal in time to get on.....terminal C. (Of course no one told us where we needed to go.....no one knew. So helpful!) But before we could go there they said....you need to pick up the girls unaccompanied fees from the desk....don't stand in line you don't have time we will tell her you are coming......should have been my first clue that I would be attacked by the angry mob. I hear REALLY load....Lady the line is back here. I try to be nice and said "I know they told me to come here"....to hear "We were all told to come here princess" I had one lady with a 3 year old that the woman stopped helping to help me....be NICE! Thank you random lady!!! The whole time this other woman and other jerkes were saying rude things! If only they knew that by the time we made it to American Airlines the guy at the desk would laugh and say they already boarded and the other people knew better than to book flights like this! So then he was wonderful and booked the girls on a flight that night.....he said be there at 6! So we fed the kids because no one had eaten since 5am.....and since Texas is so big we couldn't actually go to far so we hung close.....well 30 minutes away close to the airport. We went back early......5:00 thank goodness.....because they kept changing gates on us....serious....we would get to one and it would be boarding Mexico or Paris.....and then we would go to the one that they then said over the load speaker to find that in the mean time it was changed.....finally we get to the right place to have them baording at 5:30 not 6 and you have to be there 30 min early or you miss the flight! Crazy!!! But we made it back to our house at 8:30pm.....What a nightmare....though the girls made it home to their worried parents Safe and sound!

Then our first relaxing week end ended with a tornado and our trampoline blowing away....about half a mile into a pile of twisted up metal! The kids were devastated.....it was so crazy! We about got sstruck by lightening.....running through the foot of water in my back yard....lightening struck right in front of me...literally.....which made our power go out for 9 hours.......then we were put on a back up transformer and 1/4 of our power for 2 days....anyhow....what would I have done if we found the trampoline??? Who the heck knows! I am an idiote from Idaho I was just pissed about the trampoline! LOL
So it has been one adventure after another.....and I still love it here! Even though the spiders look like rodents.....the grass isn't real grass.....and the only place around here with no trees is my yard. Next time I will tell you about our adventure with schools! I thought our schools in Idaho followed safety precautions!

BTW.....we just joined the tech age again yesterday. The kids are so happy......there were so many things with our school and other things that we had no other choice....even though we wanted to torment the kids longer!!! Love you all and am so glad to be back!!!

Sweet Sixteen......Appendectomy.......and the Jazz half time!

2009-02-04T09:08:00.001-08:00

So my oldest beauty turned sixteen! I am so proud of her and all of the wonderful choices she has made in her life! It is amazing what challenges children face today and how they aren't given enough credit for the good choices they are able to make! So Bravo to you princess for being such a great kid!

So amidst the struggle to find out what was making my lou so sick, my little man began to be really sick! Of course i had the best mom of the year moment when I actually asked him if he felt sick because he was feeling left out! Oh Dear! So then after a second day in the ER they took him up and removed his appendix. It all happened so fast and the first words out of my angels mouth was "See mommy I told you I didn't feel good." Poor baby! Atleast he feels better now!

On the 30th of this past month, right after the surgery, my three beauties performed at the half time of the Utah Jazz/ Oklahoma game! It was amazing.....I adore watching the girls perform! I didn't like it as much as last years half time, but it was still awesome! It was fun watching them be silly before the game! I think that was part of my favorite!

And for those of you that know me.......my middle beauty was diagnosed insulin resistant last week. Her body is producing an overload of insulin which makes her body feel like it's blood sugar is super low. Which it isn't........it's actually high......but her body doesn't know that and so her liver keeps releasing more sugar into her body.....and the extra insulin that is in her body.....well.....it doesn't want to work and break down the sugar that is there. Weird.....she is active.....eats great......out of all of my kids she doesn't even like soda pop. So I guess you never can tell! I just think that with everything the girl has had to deal with already in life......well.....this is so unfair! But then if life was fair.......................

Our trip to Boise!

2009-01-21T10:00:00.000-08:00

So this past week end we went to Boise....or rather Nampa to the Pride, Potential, and Power cheer competition! I am pleased to say that all three girls teams did awesome! My little ones team took second......they had a great performance! I am trying so hard to figure out the whole add a video thing so that you all can see. I am a little slow on the figure out thing but trust me I am actively trying to learn! The older girls team took a wonderful first place which is awesome for their self esteem. They had a whopping583 points which beat some pretty fantastic teams! It is making Vegas look fabulous! So we had a terrific visit with my grandma Teddy! My kids love how adorably fun she is....full of giggles and good times at a wonderful age of.......well......she is a lady so I suppose it would be rude to toss it out there for everyone! But she is twice as old as my big brother! I love you both! We high jacked gram and made her visit with us at the hotel after the competition....so she could watch the kids swim......and after all that is my little mans favorite part of the cheer comps!

Reflections of 2008

2009-01-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

Another year of growing has come to an end. For the end of it, I am thankful. For the lessons learned, I am grateful. I look forward to another year of surprises and blessings. I have come to love a new quote, the author is unknown to me, but a wise and understanding individual. “Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect. It means that you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.” Isn’t that so true? I mean so many times have I looked at others seemingly perfect lives and wished for what they had……not knowing what struggles they deal with on a day to day basis. I realize that we are all dealt a hand that fits us perfectly and it is how we deal that strengthens us and we are able to learn. So to see our happiness built on whether or not our situations are perfect is an unrealistic expectation…..people and life are not perfect, but it might be perfect for us. We become stronger by the obstacles we overcome…..some have bigger obstacles than others….does it make those lives less perfect? NO….and again….no one has a perfect life….but everyone has the perfect life for them…..and to be able to see and to accept that is a blessing all on its own……Hopefully in 2009 we will all see beyond our imperfections and be happy!

Things that I had yet to blog about……a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with my family. I was lucky to have my Grandfather there another year. I was lucky to have both my parents there…..though health wise they haven’t had the best year they were both there and happy…….I was able to see my big brother and his wonderful family who drove from Minnesota to visit us all. I was thankful for every family member who played a special and loving part of my family’s life through out the past year. I am so thankful for my children how each of them have grown through out the past year…….they are all strong and wonderful individuals who are such an asset to the world….

In December my Tab celebrated her 13th birthday. I can’t believe that we now have two teen girls living in the house. She celebrated with us by eating Spaghetti and giant meatballs……and a huge glob of no bake cookies rather than a cake……we even stuck candles in the gloppy mess. It was wonderful because it is what she wanted and I am tired of conforming to what is suppose to be normal……ie, cake.

Our oldest went to a convention with the BYDC called trapped sober. She learned about the consequences of drinking and using drugs. She has been such a role model to her younger siblings…..I am so proud. She knows how to make great choices and isn’t afraid to say something to anyone if somehow their choices affect her. She isn’t afraid to be herself, even if it means that she isn’t accepted by everyone. But the funny thing I think she is learning is that more people have accepted her and looked up to her for standing up for what is right.

We went to the first cheer competition of the season. Both the older girls and my youngest daughters teams took second. It is always wonderful watching them perform. My oldest got over her phobia of tumbling and is flipping along with the rest of them. I still hold my breath when the two younger girls get thrown in the air…..I look forward to the next competitions and the half time for the Utah Jazz. My little man looks forward to seeing the basketball game. J

We finally had a real snow storm…..ten inches in one storm! Just like the ones I remember from when I was little. Of course it is on the verge of melting already….but it happened. I was so excited!

We had a wonderful Christmas! We had Christmas dinner at my home….and again it was nice to have my parents and grandpa join us here at our house. It was super and the roads stayed open for them to travel to and from somewhat safe…….scary drive but safe!

So a there you have it….a quick rewind of the last bit of the year! (And keep your fingers crossed…..hopefully will be a little closer to joining the shelves at the book stores soon!)

I hope everyone has had the blessings of new and old friends this year……and the joy of family that you love being around you! I wish everyone well in 2009.…….and though each moment of the entire year might not have been perfect I hope that you all can see past the imperfections and relish in the blessings however small they might be! I love you all!

A Sad Farewell to Fall!

2008-11-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

Fall is my favorite time of year......and YES.....I know I am a month off with the whole Halloween thing! But admitting that one of my favorite holidays has come to pass also makes me have to admitt that my favorite season is soon to be but a memory! It doesn't seem fair that fall is here for such a short amount of time. The beginning of school......the excitement of the football season (watching my son play)........the changing of the leaves.....the sunny crisp afternoons with leaves feathering througn the air.....it isn't fair that it has to end. I suppose if we could have a brilliant winter with feet of snow.....all at once not skiffs scattered randomly........it would make it worth while. Soon though Thanksgiving will be over......everyone will be caught up in their spending sprees.....and then YES....even sooner than you think even Christmas will be done. It's sad to me to think that time passes so quickly.......

Soon Cheer season will be in full swing! And Yes.....since football is over my son will be forced to be surrounded by the angelic faces of cheerleaders of all ages! To think one day this will be a good thing! :-) We have another busy year...not quite as busy as last....thank heavens.....but we start up full swing in December when we head to Utah. Four competitions for my little ones team......and five for the older girls.....They get to go to the JAMZ Nationals in February! We have a Jazz Team Half time.....and several local performances. It is always exciting watching them....not so exciting listening to them complain about how many times their routines get changed right before competition times.....Not so fun listening to them tell me how badly it hurt when they were thrown in the air only to be dropped on the pole floor by their bases.....or kicked in the face by their flyers.........oh the joys of cheer!

So now that you have read my ramblings of a whole lot of random issues, I will say.....I have been querying new agents.....don't ask! I am excited and proud of what great kids I have.....and great examples they are to one another! My oldest is going to be a part of the trapped sober conference.....I will tell you more about that later! I am just proud of them all! Good choices.....Great Kids! Wish I could say I was half as good as they were growing up.......

2008-11-10T16:53:00.000-08:00

Okay...this is Moose. (Lori....this is who your little love reminds me of!) We just got him a new "Baby". He carries this little lamb around and whines at us......BUT he carries it everywhere! I guess not only that.....he sleeps with it! He doesn't share either....the other puppies get near his baby and he gets mad! It is so cute how innoscent he looks.....not that he isn't naughty the rest of the time!

A venting session...on the lighter side of life!

2008-11-04T17:29:00.000-08:00

Twilight at the infamous drive in theater. I know not everyone has a drive in and not everyone grew up going to them.....But I did.....and my kids have so far been lucky enough to know what a drive in even is.....and not a drive through restaraunt.....we do have a few drive in restaraunts though. They just aren't as neat! Anyway one of our biggest summer plans every year does consist of going to the drive in movie on a HOT summer night.....eating the nasty consession stand food....which isn't so nasty. The burgers are my favorite. Well....this year much to my disgust....and due to a family fued....neither of our towns drive ins opened. Funny how selfish people are. LOL I mean seriously! There are only about 20 something drive in's left in the entire USA and we have two in our town and they just choose to not open for an entire summer.....perhaps that summer will turn into never again and once more a tradition of America will be lost and most likely torn down....then what will my kids do? The fancy new theaters just aren't the same! (The bathrooms are a lot nicer.....heck a gas station bathroom is a lot nicer....it's just the old fashioned fun of the entire event that I miss! Summer just wasn't the same.....and won't be again until it is open!

My Beautiful Tabalouie!

2008-10-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

Hear I am with my beautiful little girl! So those of you who know this amazing individual will all know that she is my miracle! And besides the obvious reasons, it is because of her miraculous recovery of her hearing! When she was very little we realized that she wasn't hearing the way she should. At the end of her first grade year we finally got her hearing tested. Not because we didn't care....but lets face it the girl read lips so well that we questioned our own thoughts on the matter. Leaving the audiologists office the first visit left me a little sad. Not because she was fitted for hearing aides but because of the challenges that she was going to face for the rest of her life. Lucky for her she is a very head strong determined individual....and just like the rest of our kids she is brilliant. She continued to thrive in school and test as an above average individual with straight A's despite her hearing loss. She worked with specialists in speech and continued to have a high speech descrimination.....which means that though she didn't hear language the way we hear it, she could still understand what was being said to her. We went in and had hear hearing rechecked every six months.....it was devistating eachtime because each time it had worsened........a few years into the loss they began teaching her sign language which was a blessing considering they had projected her loss to be complete at least by the time she was a teenager. When she was in the fifth grade we had taken her in for testing and her loss had progressed to the Severe range.....she was now lossing her hearing quicker than the Doctors thought she would. We then decided to take her to the University hospital to one of the Pacific Northwests Specialists in Cochlear Implants. now I can't say that we were leaning towards that or not, but what we were in the hopes of was finding a doctor that could tell us what had caused this loss and what was causing it to continue. We were kept away from home for almost a week while they ran a battery of tests on this gorgeous angel......she was beginnning to become scared. It was odd we thought she had the loss originally because of a horrible case of scarlet fever when she was a year old. But the doctors had assured us that it couldn't have been the cause only because if that had been the cause it would have been a one time loss....it wouldn't have continues. So here we are with a daughter with a NueroSensory hearing loss with no explanation. Since it is a loss due to damaged and dying nerves....there is no cure. It was something we were going to have to deal with. And then she was devastated to find out that because she was so smart and dealing so well in school she didn't qualify for an implant (which in essence is brain surgery) Thank God she didn't qualify then. Our most frustrating trip to the doctor happened in the spring of her fifth grade year when they said she was now deep into the Severe range and looking at being profoundly deaf by about February of the next year. They had tossed the idea of getting her stronger hearing aides but in the end decided it wouldn't do her any good anyway. We stepped up the sign classes and tried to stay positive. We went to Vegas where the girls all competed in the cheer nationals......and I stuck my head in the sand tempararily. Then the weirdest thing happened......the new school year was upon us and my daughter who never complained about wearing aides was suddenly refusing saying they hurt her head and she didn't need them. So with our friend from the school for the deaf and blind in tow we went back to the doctor.....to talk some sense into my head strong preteen. What we learned that day was that her hearing had come back completely! We took her to the specialist again.....he said....IT"S A MIRACLE. So we have been taking her in for rechecks......we did again today.....her hearing is still perfect! Any change is considered a medical emergency and we are suppose to get her right in.....But it is perfect right now! She is a miracle........Proof that they do happen when you believe........I believe! I have her as a perfect reminder!

JOYS OF REMODELING 2

2008-10-07T17:30:00.001-07:00

Well, as you can see it took a little longer than anticipated to get to the bathroom! It isn't finished yet....the trim isn't finished and my light fixtures aren't in it yet. So where the round mirror is I am going to have some sort of chandalier.....and a different light over the square mirror. I will take more pics....I don't know why the pics have the weird color.....but the bathroom is a chocolate brown.......I can't decide if the trim should be white or black....it will be big trim and crown molding! I was so excited that it had gotten done this much that I had to share! So let me know if it is ugly or not!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN!

2008-10-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

So I can't believe that my baby is now 9 years old. Where has the time gone? It makes me feel so old! He is such a good boy! He wanted a "pro skate board" and a ramp....the ramp seems like an accident waiting to happen.....of course so does the board.....BUT he loves them and was so happy! I love to see the excitement on his face! This week end we are having a football party....he wants to play tackle ball with his friends. It should be interesting! We had to hold off two weeks for the weather and a long weekend....so he is very excited! Happy birthday baby boy!

BEAR WORLD!!!

2008-09-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

So I suppose that a better day could have been chosen for this outing........but.........Bear World has been open for 10 years now and we haven't gone! Not to mention the fact that it is only a 15 minute drive from our house. Sad but true! And I know we saw more wild animals here then we ever have driviing through Yellowstone Park! Don't get me wrong, the buffalo, moose, and elk in Yellowstone are awesome, but it is so amazing seeing a bear so close! Too bad we weren't one of the cars that the bear tried to get into............not that I want my black suburban scarred...........heaven knows it's "Christine" complex is unique on it's own......but wouldn't that have been a memory! So the only thing that would have made the day nicer would have been if we had the 80 degree weather we had had earlier in the week! But it sure beat the football game from the previous day that we went home soaking wet from! So who's complaining?

Cliche'? Seriously isn't this what you see in the old movies and what not? My little bear cubs! Of course I have been told I behave like a mama bear when it comes to my babies!

It was serious fun though watching the kids play on the rides.....and feed the animals. It was neat to me watching the deer eat out of their hands! CUTE! I loved watching the baby bears play with each other too! It was seriously funny........my oldest princess wouldn't go into the petting zoo because...."Gross....do you know how many germs are in there?" So funny to me.....I grew up running barefoot through the horse pastures.......yes, I know, how unsanitary! But i was never afraid of getting dirty......and my kids when they were done washed their hands and used handsanitizer! I never would have done that as a kid......it is amazing I never ended up with some strange disease!

The Joys of Remodeling!

2008-09-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Hideous! I am well aware of this fact.....hence the remodeling. Now don't get me wrong.....about ten years ago I adored the way this bathroom looked. I know....it's a freaking bathroom, but I am a girl.....I spend a lot of time in the bathroom trying to be beautiful for some bizarre reason that I haven't quite determined, yet. And I have three gorgeous daughters......granted they don't need to try to be beautiful....they just are.....and of course i am certain that my little man would like a relaxing and interesting place to hide from his sisters......there are a lot of reasons we should keep our bathrooms updated. It is a challenge for this eye sore. Realistically, this bathroom is in a 1950's track home, it looks like every other house on this dang block......I want a bthroom that someone walks into and says, "Oh...not what I expected." No.....I am actually leaving it a bathroom......wouldn't that be funny? If i just got rid of it all together?

And so the process begins with ripping out the old.....and seeing the sick nasty stuff underneath. It should be a horror show.

After the vanity was ripped out and the plumbing unplumed.........out came the floor. It was ugly anyhow......it is actually embarrassing to think that at one point I truly thought it loooked good. I suppose there are quite a few fashion issues that were the same way. Go figure......I think the 80's was a lot like this bathroom floor! LOL

Nasty...................

So........Now all of the ick is taken away and I actually have plumbing back in! Yeah! It is hard to imagine life without atleast two bathrooms. So late on the first night we finished installing the tile floor. It is beautiful! It is amazing how picky some people are about how the tiles are actually cut! And how much water sprays you in the face while cutting the tile with that darn wet saw! :)

So Next i have to take some pictures of the bathroom with how it looks now! I just haven't gotten that far. Of course it would require me walking my lazy booty to the bathroom and taking a pic and coming back out to the PC and downloading them. BUT......when I do that hopefully you will be suprised.......I traded the tiling for my drywall abilities.........which I encorporated into my bathroom also......and we installed the coolest vanity......and this awesome mirror......I painted this kick booty color......I think you will be suprised! :)

Juice Box Girl!

2008-09-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

Get me a juice box...Juice Box Girl! It's fun watching sporting events with my kids! It is fun laughing and cheering....and quoting ridiculous lines out of silly movies....not that Kicking And Screaming is ridiculous.....I actually believe it will be one of those all time favorites......Favorite line out of that movie? Mine has to be....."Why don't you ease up on your corduroy jacket" Of course......their are so many to choose from. If you haven't watched it I recommend it. We have watched it an infinite amount of times.....I laugh each time.

So My little man's football team is 4 wins and 1 loss. The loss was barely a loss.....and one of the wins was in overtime. I so adore watching his natural talent shine. It was funny the other day at his game he proved to me once again how hard headed he is......he was playing receiver and he and the other kid in that position ran smack into one another....full on.....the sound of their heads knocking sounded like a homerun hit by a baseball bat.......they both flew backwards and landed on their backs......whaling from the other kid was unbearable.....my son....much like his mommy hates to cry in front of people jumped up and brushed off the concered coaches.......I thought his glasses must have broken....but he didnt' even flinch he got right back in the game for the next play.......the other boy went off the field. I was proud of myself.....I didn't run out onto the field and embarrass him. I checked on him at the end of the game. He ended up with a very light black eye. The other kid was taken to the doctor and had his face xrayed....no broken cheek bone but a huge bruise. My tough guys glasses aren't broken....well.....they aren't in the best shape but are good enough for football. He was disappointed the bruising wasn't worse. It was cute my daughter wanted to rush onto the field to make certain he was fine.....and his best little friend kept trying to check on him and my guy just kept turning away from him. TOO TOUGH!

TAGGED

2008-09-14T20:42:00.000-07:00

Well...let's enjoy this game. Tagged from hundreds of miles away.......Go figure!
A-Attached or Single- Attached
B-Best Friend-Jules
C-Cake or Pie-Definitely Cake
D-Day of theweek-Saturday
E-Essential Item-toothbrush.....
F-Favorite Color- Green
G-Gummi Bears or Gummi Worms- Sour gummi worms
H-Hometown- Blackfoot, ID
I-Indulgence-Tanning
J-January or July- I love the warmth of July but snow me in in Jan and iwould be thrilled
K-Kids-4 amazing miracles
L-Life is Incomplete Without-My Family...All of Them
M-Marriage Date-July 11, 1997
N-Number of Siblings- 1 Awesome big brother
O-Oranges or Apples-Apples...candied
P-Phobias or Fears-Spiders and heights......and.....being alone
Q-Quote-Say Nothing Do Nothing Be Nothing
R-Reason to Smile-My family
S-Season-Fall
T-Tag 3-Jules.....Christine.....(don't have anyone else to tag)
U-Unknown Fact-I have trust issues...DITTO......Me Too......
V-Vacation Destination-I want to go to Sicily or to Ireland.......or i'd settle for Michigan.
W-Worst Habit-A mouth like a sailor......I am able to hide it well.....sometimes.
X-X-Rays or Ultrasound-X-rays
Y-Your Favorite Food-chicken Angelo.......
Z-Zodiac Sign-Pisces

Family Fun Night

2008-09-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Family fun night has been a tradition at our school for as long as I can remember......and it is okay on the fun meter. Granted it is no trip to Disney World, but the kids think it is fun! This year my little man was able to dunk his favorite teacher.......so she has been his teacher going on 2 years now.....it is a spectrum class...he loves it, Her. I wasn't able to go but Jules took an awesomly priceless picture!

FOOTBALL!!!

2008-08-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

So if I haven't mentioned it before....I LOVE football! But besides just loving football....I love to watch my little man playing football! A naturally talented athlete......he is good at everything he tries.....it isn't even a challenge. I am so proud of him! Even having three older sisters hasn't slowed him down....or damaged him. I mean he isn't a girly boy! Not that it's a bad thing.....I mean his sisters haven't de-boyed him. I know that isn't a word! I have to admit baseball is my favorite sport, it always has been, but when your son is the Quarterback of his team.....it is awesome to watch. Don't get me wrong.....I love watching him be the left handed pitcher also! My little guy is such a stud!

I need to clarify something.........I love watching all of my kids.....my middle daughter played little league with the boys forever.....she was a pitcher also.....but a righty. She also played tackle football and was a running back and a linebacker. She was awesome and it was so cool watching the boys when they realized she was indeed a girl. My son looks up to her so much because, well, she is tough as hell! My other girls are just as awesome to watch in cheer......that is a dang tough sport.....actually now competitive cheer is the most dangerous........so between football and cheer.....lets see if we can come out with no injuries.........because in either sport I can't run out onto the field or the floor to baby any of them!

First Week Of School and Football!!!

2008-08-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

This is the look I recieved as I tried to take first day of school photos of my all too beautiful high school student. Though I did let her know that I would take pictures of her and all of her friends together with their cars if she didn't cooperate. She knows I'd do it! i can't believe she is so old already....boy time flies!

This is my amazing junior high student....beautiful and still up for those first day photos! Of course they are still all up for the hugs and kisses good bye at the school in front of all their friends......they are such sweethearts!

So now we move down to the elementary darlings! Except that she doesn't look like she is a fifth grader......I can't believe she is that old.......just as beautiful as her older sisters! And sassy to boot!

My handsome baby! Poor little guy has three older sisters. OUCH! Good thing he is so tough....and a mama's boy! Good combination!

I was sad sending them back to school! I adore having the house bustling with the chaos of children.....the more the better....bring on the friends! I am just glad that Jules and I aren't mixed up in the PTO. I loved being the president and organizing, writing grants, and fundraising......but it was a nightmare at the same time. Good thing I had Julie as the VP so that we could laugh through the meetings. Remind me never to do that again!

So football started for my little man too......and cheer starts up full load next week. What a hectic life! Gotta love it all!

Disturbing

2008-08-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

So I was reading this week end....after I built my beautiful new patio furniture. Anyway....reading the latest book in this series I adore.....and was sick over the fact that book two in my series....written months ago.....has A LOT of the same ideas.......and not just little ideas HUGE......so it was frustrating needless to say. Ho Hum........So there you have it! Once my books have made it through the publishing process I will look as though I need to get my ideas from someone else. BLAH............

So I had to add how much nicer it feels when you just say things that you truly feel like and need to say rather than keeping them to yourself.......not saying it. I think it is better even if it isn't nice.....politically correct.....even if it hurts feelings.......I suppose if it is taken personally.....it should have been.

My beautifil children started school today! So now there is officially a high schooler, a Junior high student, and two elementary kids.......fun! I love being a mommy. It's very rewarding above all else. So I get to go pick them up from school in about 45 minutes....at least the younger kids......I can't wait to hear all about it.

Happy Birthday Grandpa

2008-08-19T18:28:00.001-07:00

So Sunday was my Grandfather's birthday! He is the coolest old Irish guy you could ever be luck enough to meet. Howard Fitzpatrick turned a wonderful 88 years old....though he claims no one should live past 85. I think it is just because he misses the love of his life.....also one of the greatest individuals anyone would have been blessed to meet. I am so thankful that my kids have been lucky enough to have my grandpa in their lives.....Great Grandpa......how fun. He has such wonderful stories to tell....and we all love to listen. One of my favorite things he says....."Tell them who you are." And though his name always has carried a lot of weight.....mine just has never been as impressive....though telling someone who my grandpa is has gotten me a long way. From growing up a poor Irishman in the depression....in nowhere Idaho.....he created quite the legacy. He proved an old principle wrong by making his name in banking legends.........He is such an amazing hero for so many different reasons in my life.......and he fills such a huge part of my heart! I love this old guy!

THOUGHT

2008-08-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

Silly….I was thinking. (Which could also be frightening.) But what is a thought? Obviously….it is thinking…which is also reflection on an idea…..consideration…….contemplation……which leads to rationalization…..calculation…..introspection…….. “Dreams till their effects be tried.” ~Shakespeare Another quote I appreciate….. “Feelings gone to seed.” ~ Jack Burroughs.
Intellect…..imagination…..assumption…….so day dreaming about an assumption can the out come be trusted. We all come up with the answers to the questions we contemplate in our minds and not knowing if our conclusions are true or not…..we assume that they are. Is that our imagination running a muck?
It is human nature to over think an idea…..without investigating the answers first. I mean we think we know the end answer before it is proven and a lot of the time don’t go forward to find that end result to be true or not. It that a cowardice in that human nature? Or “To know what is right and not do it?” ~Confucius Is that it? We know the right answer and yet hide from it because it is right? Because we don’t want to know the answer? Because trusting ourselves is too intimidating?
You can’t tell me that the average person spends so much time dreaming………wanting ……..desiring………idea’s…………and never truly want the answer? They don’t just want to sit back and wonder? Wait? Contemplate? Too scared to know? Scared not to know? What a circle the idea of an idea is?
Or is it that in the human nature it is more normal to dream……..to aspire for something unattainable……and never actually….truly…..want it in the end. Is the idea of wanting to figure something out greater than the idea of actually obtaining the truths. Is that what makes the idea of something so fascinating? Is it better to idolize something…..the idea of something……..? Is the air of fascination gone once a thought is no longer a thought? Is that what grows old?
I wonder………..I wonder if a never ending circle of questions has a logical answer? I wonder if a daydream is something that you always want to remain a dream………..if the truth behind it is nothing more than over rated reality?
What do you think? Think I need to stop thinking so much? Except that I have been writing on my third book now until I have almost over thought everything…….and yet nothing……….

This One Is For My Mom and Dad

2008-07-31T08:26:00.000-07:00

So my mom and dad went to see my brother and his family in Minnesota. They drove....which sounds like a long way from Idaho.....and it is. The drive, described by my mom, sounds beautiful, with lots of historical sites along the way. I think it would be a fun trip anyway.....driving a cute little BMW convertable......looking cool.

So the wild and crazy grandparents went knee boarding. I was shocked to see pictures of them on my sister in laws blog! But I was so pleased to see them having fun and enjoying themselves! Well deserved!

Computer Nightmares

2008-07-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

So how many times can someone's children destroy the hard drive of one computer.....or completely mess up ones settings? In this house it is an infinite ordeal......seriously! SO a few months ago my hard drive crashes.....and not a little, the entire thing. So I fix it.....no I am far from a PC smarty pants.....just a nerdy mom. LOL I stick in some disk praying that it fixes it not wanting to go and buy a new PC for my animals to destroy.....anyhow....it worked. Things were fine until a week ago when they down load one hideous virus after the next.....so I do the whole disk thing again. Then yesterday I have to download all these fixlet things because of something else that is wrong......to then get on this morning and have things not work again and have to restore my settings just to log on to my blog. I thought the schools were teaching the kids more about computers these days? Just kidding....but seriously I wonder about what my children are thinking.

Fun Swimming On a Hot Idaho Day

2008-07-25T13:08:00.000-07:00

My little Princess and her Birthday cake! Now I just need to find the picture with her in the sambrarro at dinner. She was a little embarrassed! But it was her choice to go for fried ice cream!

So my little Nat turned a whopping 10 years old, can you believe it? She didn't want to have a birthday party with all of her little friends.....too much girl drama......Go figure? So she wanted to go swimming as a family instead. Since work has been crazy we decided to stay close and we headed down to Down-at-a- Hotsprings.

We had a lot of fun. The three younger kids went down the water slides a million times. I don't think I could have gone up the stairs that many times. Sam, well, she read and hung out in the shade. SHe was afraid she might get some sun on her skin. She doesn't want skin cancer. All in all it was a fabulous day! Wish more of them could be this relaxing! Good Pick Nat....Happy Birthday!

Does This Look Safe?

2008-07-25T12:37:00.001-07:00

So I was wondering if this looked safe to anyone? What is it that runs through kids heads as they are attempting fun and new games? So we had the lawn mowed and one of the tramps was left on the hill in the back and the kids are playing??? Mountain climber? They did this both last night and are doing it as we speak. I know.....I am the mom who has seen this attempt at a broken appendage......or stitches....and what do I do? Take a picture of course. I have thought back to my attempt at jumping off the barn roof when I was little......you know....to fly. Or driving the motorcycle into the side of the house.....the little 80 with training wheels. Was I as crazy as these kids? Do I stifle them enough that I don't allow them to be that crazy? We've had one broken bone in our house......besides my foot this year....but that is another story. ;-) Angelo broke his arm just before kindergarten when he tripped over a branch while we were camping.......after all I had told him hanging on a limb over the river was dangerous.....who would have known? I have tried so hard to let kids be monkeys when I have seen these attempts....some days it is hard to look the other direction.

A little about my book?

2008-07-14T15:08:00.001-07:00

So I have had this idea for ever....just never had sat down and put it on paper....or should I say screen?

Anyhow, my manuscript is a story about a young girl who sets out on an amazing adventure by herself. Abandoned...or so she thinks...by her father when she was little and then recently, and mysteriously, abandoned by her mom she sets out to find her grandma whom she thought was dead...but turns out she isn't. She is living in the old family home on a small island off the Upper Pennisula of Michigan. She discovers a gift that was bestowed upon her at birth, one that has been handed down through the centuries by her ancestors....though she secretly wonders if it wasn't a gift...rather a curse. She meets this gorgeous young man who is there to protect her. This young man's family had been bound to hers through time as their protectors. She also finds out that there is another family that has followed hers through out time in order to take control of the gift that she is responsible for.

SO let me know if anyone reads this and wants to know more. I write BIG well.....little not so well. My agent and I are working on that. :-)

2008-07-09T15:46:00.001-07:00

Well, my kids think I am a giant nerd! I suppose blogging isn't for old people like me! I suppose I need a life. Have one.....Love it.....Think I will talk about it! Or Blog about it!

My second book is done! And I was contacted by my first publisher today! I am so excited, can't hardly stand it! I think I will just play it cool and hold tight for a week or so.

So do people actually read blogs? Just curious. Or is this a sort of public diary.....writing private things down in hopes someone will sneak a peak? Maybe that is a question like how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? The world may never know!

MY Family Rocks!

2008-07-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

What's Politically Correct Anyhow?

2008-07-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

Raising kids isn't easy, even when you have some of the best kids there are. Not saying that I am not overly biased. I am and I will be the first to admitt it, but they really are some of the most well rounded level headed kids I have met. I wasn't, well, to a certain extent I was, but I was mostly a wild teen. Thank goodness for small favors, I don't know what I ever did to let God know that I was sorry for that and not cursing me with a wild one. (KNOCK ON WOOD! I am certain I could still be challenged by my children but at this point I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.)

I admit as far as a parent my husband and I are a bit over protective. But rightfully so, todays world is filled with weirdo's and my kids are pretty beautiful. My oldest daughter met a boy......which is normal. SHe has met lots of boys.....but this one doesn't live around here. Not that I am not concerned with the kids around here, but I know them.....and if I don't I call their parents. Which is what I did with this boy. Funny.....the look of horror on my daughters face when she learned of my actions. It was funny. The mom of this boy was wonderful! I think if she lived around here we would totally be friends. She appreciated the fact that I cared......why was it that my daughter didn't? I think deep down she did....or if she didn't one day she will......is being politically correct always important? Hell NO! Not when it comes to your kids.....and if that means calling someone halfway across the country and finding out that they are good people, and maybe making a friend in the process.......GOOD FOR YOU!!

The funny behind my beamer club!

2008-06-11T12:55:00.000-07:00

I only wish I were a member of the Beamer club. When I grow up that is my goal. You all know the club.....the beautiful women with the gorgeous new BMW's. I see our local members of it everyday. They all go to the same gym I do, and though I love the ladies to death, I wish I truly could fit in. Sure some of them have the really hideous attitudes, but the ones I know are the all around sweethearts. Which does make it hard to hate them, so realistically I don't. I just secretly long to be like them. It's so wrong of me, I KNOW! BuI have the perfect children, the great house, nice vehicles, a business, a book pending publishing, and a pretty great husband. (No extra comments needed at this time.) I guess I spend way to much of my life in the real world,t they are so beautiful and so sweet...all around perfect ladies. but it's like I said before I can't complain really.............WHAT I HAVE IS PERFECT FOR ME! And my kids are the absolute greatest!

An attempt at the unknown

2008-06-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

What an odd word "Blog". Then even odder are the terms that go along with it...."Blogging"....."Blogger"........"To Blog or not to Blog" After reading my posts you may choose the later..."not to Blog."
I remember thinking how absurd the idea of posting random thoughts for others to read truly was. As though someone would enjoy reading my ramblings about mundane subjects, that may indeed be an important part of my life, and yet seem so silly or trivial to others. Then again I also remember the day that I had no idea what a blog was, or that it was actually something I could attempt. I had read a blog written by this literary agent, I was fascinated I admit. Fascinated with the fact that people checked her blog eachday in hopes of a new post. I mentioned this to a friend, who laughed for quite a while about the word BLOG. SO I had to explain it to her. Not that I knew anything about it, because I didn't, but I attempted to explain the idea. So she then wanted to check it out herself. She also found herself intrigued with the idea that people would check someones blog eachday for some new insight on life......or was it to see if someone posted something that made their lives seem a little less strange, boring, OR, lets face it, weird.
I have kids who will make fun of this....the fact that I have started a blog. To them I am technologically retarded. It's true. Texting, email, heck the dish television, none of it comes naturally to me, not the way it does to them they were born with the knowledge. I often find myself yelling in frustration at objects that can't fix themselves. Objects that after I have touched them a technician can't even fix. But I suppose a blog is worth the attempt, even if my kids read it and then make me delete it out of sheer embarassment.
It's funny......and could come as a big shocker to everyone. My kids are happy with my writing. I do write. Young adult novels. Are they a big hit yet? No....but I have an agent. Sounds cool to my kids. Sounds cool to me when I think about it. So I suppose I am not a complete let down to my 4 beautiful inspirations. (They haven't read this yet, either.)
Now reading my posts keep in mind.....I have an editor and for good reason. I can't spell, puncuate, or keep my tenses in check. For that matter I can't keep my thoughts in check, But who can. I grew up in a small town with great teachers who couldn't teach me a thing except to be creative. I kept my promise as far as that goes.....I am creative. At least in my own mind.