Fantastic Sam

Well, Christmas break has started off with a bang. Today I was just taking it easy and messing around on the computer. In fact I was taking stupid quizzes on Facebook. Sarah and her friend Sam were playing quietly downstairs. Maybe a little too quietly. In fact, what are they doing? They were in Aly's room, and this is what I found... Oh my! Oh wow! Oh for the love....! I panicked at first. I wanted to scream, but I didn't. I thought that the black on Sam's face was permanent marker. Thank heavens it was only black lipstick left over from Halloween. His eyebrows may be dark for a while, but we got the rest off. Notice the little fury animal in Sam's hands, that is Sarah's hair. Yeah, I was a little upset. (Breathe Diane, Breathe)

I wish Sarah's hair was going to be such an easy fix. Oh boy! Well I was thinking about getting her hair cut a little bit (I emphasize a little).

So off we went to the professionals for a fix. It is kind of fitting that we went to Fantastic Sam's. Sarah didn't fight them either. I don't know if any of you remember when Nate cut Sarah's hair right before my nieces wedding. He cut her bangs right up to her scalp. I thought she had learned to say no. But she loves to please. When I was combing her hair later she said, "Can you comb it long." Well Sarah, I wish it was that easy. Since then she has asked a couple more times if I could make her hair long again. Maybe this time she will learn to dodge the scissors.

Well here she is with her cute a-line bob. All she needs now is a minivan and a couple of soccer playing kids and stick figure family on the rear window and she is the perfect mormon mom. I actually really like her hair. She looks adorable and sassy (just like her mom). It is not anything I would have dared to do on my own, so thanks Sam!

Sorry!

I have really been slacking on keeping the blog up to date. I really am surprised by how many people noticed. I really didn't think that anybody really looked at my blog. It is nice to know that somebody cares. (sniff, sniff)

I have been super busy with Christmas festivities. First of all, let me say that the day after Thanksgiving shopping is CRAZY!!! I worked on Thanksgiving, so I was still awake at 4 am. I stopped by Wally World to get something my girls have been begging for. This item was not part of Wally Worlds' big sale, but was on sale at another store. They price match. So I was able to grab it and put it in my cart. All the other people huddled around the items that didn't go on sale until 5 gave me evil looks as I walked past them them with this item in the cart. I went to the register and waited for 5am. As soon as the clock struck 5, packages were opened and a roar rumbled from the back of the store to the front where I was standing. All I can say is that I am glad I wasn't back in that mess. I considered trying to get the $4 slippers but then decided my life and limbs were worth more than that.

Aly and I went to see Twilight. Aly has seen it four times and I have seen it three. I know there are a lot of critics out there, but I enjoyed it. I guess I am easily entertained. I know it was cheesy in parts, and I did laugh at some of the scenes. But overall, I really enjoyed it. I love the story and the actors weren't too hard to look at either. I know, GROSS, I am like old and stuff.

We went to the ward party last week. I somehow got on the decorating committee. Decorating is not exactly my strong suit, but I think it turned out okay. I only had to decorate one corner of the gym and cut paper snowflakes that were hung on fishing line all over the ceiling. It turned out pretty cute. Her are some pictures of the young ones on Santa's lap.

Okay, I have been tagged by Krisen B. which means I am supposed to share six quirky things about myself. I just want to say that I am the most normal person I know (Ha Ha!!) so it might be a little hard to find something quirky.

1. I snort when I laugh.
2. When I am stressed or really busy, I break into song. Usually not the whole song, just a little of the song and then I move on to the next. (sorry to anyone who has had to endure)
3. My husband is the only man I have ever kissed.
4. I dance in public (but usually only when my teenager is present so she can be totally embarrassed, or at work).
5. I have been known to put earbuds in my nostrils and open my mouth so the music comes out. My sinuses have great acoustics.

I tag Christy C., Tanya M., Dantzel C. and Marianne P.

Halloween

We had a really fun Halloween. Thursday we went to the Spooktacular at the school. The kids had a great time. But when we went in the spook alley, Nate got really scared and screamed and jumped into my arms. I guess we'll skip that part next year.

Everybody had a great time trick or treating and got a ton of candy. It only sprinkled a little bit, and it was warm enough for just a light jacket. I don't have a picture of Aly because she went with her friends, but she was a vampire.

Family Pictures

This post probably holds some record for the number of pictures, but I wanted to include some of my favorite family pictures. I don't really like the slide shows, so here we go.

We went last week and got some family pictures taken. (THANKS MACKENZIE!!) I had originally planned to just have the kids' pictures taken. I was behind on everybody's annual photos, so I thought it was a perfect time to get a group photo. Russ was supposed to be out of town that week, so I was going to surprise him.

Well, after his motorcycle accident, he ended up staying home. When he found out we were taking pictures he wanted to do a family picture. (I really didn't want to be in the pictures!!)

I was out voted and a family photo session was born. I really needed a hair cut and didn't have anything to wear. So I got a new outfit, and did the best I could with my hair. Too bad there isn't a way to lose 100 lbs overnight.

My friend from work took the pictures. She did a great job!! The kids are little posers and had a great time!

I am really glad that we took this opportunity. I am even glad we have a picture of the whole family. Our last family picture doesn't have Sarah in it and everybody was so much younger.

I can't wait to get these printed and up on my wall.

Aly is really growing up. We are getting a little nervous as she is approaching dating age.

Megan is getting bigger all the time too. She was really excited that I let her wear mascara and lip gloss for the pictures.

Courtney is our little spitfire. There is definitely mischief behind those eyes. Please note the leaf in her hand. She found it and had to have it in a picture.

Wow! Nate is a lady killer. He is very particular about the way his hair is gelled and combed. I love his smile and big eyes. He is definitely my little man.

Sarah is the light of our lives. Her smile lights up our days and she is such a sweet heart!

I guess you could say I am pretty proud of my family. I am really blessed!

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!!!

So, a couple of weeks ago, Russ decided to go riding with some friends. They packed up all their gear early in the morning and headed up by Huntsville. A great time was had by all, until...

Russ has been riding for a long time, and usually doesn't have any problems. He was riding on a fairly straight stretch and must have hit a rock. He flipped off his bike and his bike flipped on top of him. It is a good thing he was wearing his gear. Imagine what his elbow would have looked like if he had gone down without his elbow pads. Luckily for him, some deer hunters saw the accident and raced to help out. After they had established that he was able to move, he got back on his bike and rode down the mountain to the trucks. I got a call around 3:30 asking which hospital he should go to. He wasn't breathing really well and said it hurt to breath.
I met him up at the hospital, where they took x-rays and cleaned up his wounds.

He ended up with stitched on his elbow after they cleaned it out. It didn't show a break on x-ray, but we saw the tip was broken off when they had it opened to clean it. He has road rash all down his left side, his knee hurts, his shoulder hurts, he bruised his ribs. Now that we are a couple of weeks out, his bruise on his hip is moving all the way down his thigh. The poor man is walking like he is old. (Well, I guess he is, but not that old.)

Anyways, we are glad that it wasn't worse. Thankfully he had on his helmet and pads and

Whitchapalooza

Yesterday, Megan, Nate, Sarah and I went with some friends to Gardner Village to see their witches. They pull out all the stops. It was really neat to see.
Besides all the witches, they have lots of cute places to take pictures. And you know I love pictures. I wish the kids had worn their costumes.
There is a really cool old fashioned fudge and candy shop there. Nate nad his friend both got these huge all day suckers. Needless to say, it is probably going to be an all month sucker.

Sarah tried on this adorable witch hat. I am hoping she will be a witch for Halloween, but she keeps changing her mind. This chocolate witch is a woman after my own heart and figure.
We all had a good time eventhough we had to hurry so I could get to work. Next time we will have to go when we can look through the shops. They have really awesome, unique things.

Aren't they cute. Kids can be so fun. I am really enjoying this season.

New Kitties

Aly's cat Gabbie had five kittens last night. She did a really good job and is already a good mommy.
It all started about 4:30 yesterday afternoon. She told me Gabbie was bleeding and meowing really strangely. I went down to check and I could tell that she was having contractions. It is funny how I could relate. Her meows reminded me of how I felt when I was in labor. Poor kitty. We didn't have a kitty epidural or anything.



The first one was breech. Being a NICU nurse I was worried it wouldn't come out right. But my worry was unnecessary. It took quite a while, but she did it. The first kitty was born around 5:30. The next two came out pretty quickly after that. So by 6:30 mommy and three kitties were resting peacefully. Aly cleaned up the mess and went to YW.
About an hour later, Courtney came up stairs and said Gabbie was acting funny again. We went down to check and sure enough she had another kitty. And then about half an hour later, she had one more. I sure did feel for her, four kitties climbing all over her and trying to nurse while she was delivering the last one. Boy, I'm glad I'm human.

Why I am still so fat.

This quote came from my friend Julie. I totally agree. Food is my friend and my therapy. I eat when I am stress, bored, happy, angry... And when I am on a diet, cottage cheese solves nothing!!!

Not to endorse such self-destructive behavior, but nothing is quite the same as chocolate. Just a random thought that may give some insight to my psychosis.

Not much different.

A few people have mentioned that I haven't updated my blog for a while. My response to that is "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

It is not as if things are really bad right not, just nothing really great or exciting is happening. The kids are all back in school, and we are all adjusting. Sarah really misses everybody when they are gone and I have found that she would probably climb back up in my uterus if she could. Seriously, she is always on my lap or following me around or climbing one me. I love her dearly, but it is nice when she finds something/someone else to play with for a while.

I have had a chance to reach my medical deductible. I had an upper GI scope because of my reflux. That took me down for a couple of days. They gave me versed and fentanyl during the procedure, so I had a really nice nap. Anyways, I am supposed to give up caffeine and carbonation, and everything that I hold dear. We'll see how that goes.

Then a couple of weeks ago I had a graft on my gums. I wasn't expecting this to be such a big deal, and it really wasn't that bad except it left my face bruised. It was really interresting to see peoples reactions. A lot of people would take a double take and then wouldn't make eye contact. Others would come right out and ask who hit me. So I had to explain a lot why I looked like a battered wife. It is a good thing I love Russ, or I could have got him in big trouble.

Anyways, that's all the news from our house. Sorry if I scared you with my picture. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Sarah Started Preschool

Sarah had her first day of preschool on Thursday. Nothing makes a kid look bigger than walking into preschool dressed in new school clothes. I can't believe my baby is big enough to leave me. Well, she actually only leaves me for two hours twice a week, but still.

She was a little nervous to go, so as any crazy mother would do, I bribed her to stay. I told her that if she didn't need me to stay I would have time to run to Wal-mart and get the Sleeping Beauty Barbie she has been begging for. She started to whimper a little when it was time for me to leave, but I whispered in her ear "Do you want me to go get your doll?" and she kissed me goodbye and didn't look back.

Yes, I think I have ADD. I unsually don't listen to a full song on the radio. I change the TV channels all the time. And now I am bored with my blog, so I change the background. I hope this doesn't make anyone anxious.

Yeah!!! Another year of school has begun. Although I am now faced with new challenges, I am grateful for a break in the teasing, fighting and whinning during the day. (Can you tell I'm a mama on the edge?)

Here's my Aly. She is headed to ninth grade. I was really lucking to get this picture before she darted out the door. I am pretty sure she rolled her eyes at me as she left. Here's Megan headed off to sixth grade. Queen of the school. She is really excited and has an awesome teacher. I am sure she will have a great year.
Courtney is going to a new school this year. She is in an advanced third grade class at Centerville Elementary. I know she is nervous, but she will do great.
Here's Nate. Isn't he handsome?!? He is a big first grader this year. He is super excited for school lunch and three recesses.

Sarah will start preschool on September 11th. I will actually be all by myself for four hours a week. Wow! What ever will I do? (tee hee hee!)

Last week we went up to Park City with Russ' mom and brothers for a family vacation. I use the word vacation lightly. We had fifteen of us crammed into a two bedroom condo. Some days there were less of us, but we always had people sleeping anywhere we could lay down.

During the day the dads treked down to the valley to go to work and Amer (that's what the kids call Russ' mom) and I entertained, fed and cleaned up after nine children. The kids had a blast and went swimming two or three times a day. They loved hanging out with their cousins and making crafts in the hotel room. It was a giant, week long slumber party.

We also took a few outings to the outlet mall to buy school clothes. My credit card is a bit more worn and so are my nerves. If you notice a twitch next time I see you, it is probably left over dammage.

On Tuesday morning, Courtney was being teased by her uncle while she was under a hide-a-bed. She jumped out of the way of his tickling arm, and scraped her back on the bed frame. A little ice and a lot of love and she was better.

A few hours later, Megan was showing me how she could do a flip into the pool. OH Wow! I said, "You be careful. You could hit your head." Not ten minutes later, Courtney came to me screaming with her hand on her head and blood running down her face. Glory! Why doesn't anybody ever listen to me. She ended up with two big gashes on her head that probably needed stitches, but since it is in her hair and I am not worried about the scars, we just stopped the bleeding and bought her a hat.

The next day, Sarah was constantly crying. Her cousin Lauren had reached her limit of sharing and was taking her aggressions out on Sarah. By the end of the day she had a scratch under each eye, a fat lip, and several pinch marks. That's when I told Sarah that she was allowed to fight back if Lauren attacked her again. It was a good thing that Aly had back to school night. I packed up Sarah, Aly and Megan and headed down to Bountiful. The break was needed.


Needless to say, we were ready to come home by the end of the week. The kids bring home lots of fun memories with their cousins, a few scars, and I bring home an appreciation for the fact that school is starting.