bob and kelly, etc...

This is Dave's little brother Bob and his family...wife Kelly, and daughters Brenna and Gabriella. Aren't they gorgeous? I think so. I love them so much. They are wanting to adopt a third baby and add to their beautiful bunch. This requires alot of help from people. Click HERE for access to their online profile. Bob and Kelly are amazing parents, with so much to give. And Brenna and Gabby...love them. Help us get the word out to everyone you know. There are sweet, concerned birthmothers out there wondering what to do, who to choose. Thanks everyone. <3

a lost art...

The other day I was reorganizing the girls pajama drawer. I found these. I actually started to cry. I love them so much I can hardly stand it. They are beautiful kids, with beautiful hearts. The top letter is from Lizzy to Emily. The last line says..."don't tell anyone." I told you she was determined to improve her jump roping skills. :) The other 2 are from Emily to Lizzy. I guess what I love so much is that, first of all, they WROTE them. Then, they saved them. A really, really happy discovery for me. Lizzy wrote me a gorgeous letter in sacrament meeting yesterday after I finished my talk. I can't get it to scan right though. When I do, I'll show you that one too.

I think that letters are beautiful. My heart starts to race a little when I see a hand addressed envelope in the mailbox...usually from my Dad. He is an amazing letter writer. I have saved every, single one. I love his handwriting, his stationary. So much is done on the computers now. Don't get me wrong. I love it, I'm grateful for it, but a hand written letter...nothing beats that.

A dear friend called me the other day...just to say wonderful, kind things to me. I still have a letter this friend wrote me years ago, when we hardly knew eachother. She is one of those people. You know the ones...maybe you ARE one. She is thinking of someone, she's grateful for someone...so she writes them a note. She calls them. She tells them. She made my day. She really did. Don't we all need to be a bit more like that? If you love someone...tell them. Write them a letter. A guaranteed smile.

big purple stain...

Just an ammendment to my "I love Sonic slushies" post. I love them until my 2 year old spills her sister's cherry, strawberry, grape mixture all over my living room carpet. I am so livid I can't even take a picture. Yeah, I know...that's really, really mad. Dave is on his way to rent a steamer right now. Wish us luck. :(


* a little reminder to myself that she IS still cute, and I DO still love her.

HUGE sales! 50% off of every clearance item. Yeah...shorts for $1.50, dresses for baby girls...$3.50. We had a blast there yesterday. I went in for one thing, left with 14. :) Just thought you all should know.

new glasses...

Alex is now on his third pair. His vision changed a bit in the past year so we decided to let our insurance buy us a new pair. Plus, we recently went on a walk...lots of rocks were collected...and his glasses were placed in his pocket with aforementioned rocks. Scratches. A lot of them. I'm not really even sure how he could see. I love Alex in glasses, I really do. I think he looks handsome and smart...2 really good things. I have gotten so used to them that he looks odd to me if he doesn't have them on. That is a little sad to me. My little boys face has now been covered for three years by glasses. They changed the way he looked. I had to get used to the new face. The new Alex. Now that I'm there, it's all good, but I have to admit that I mourned a little. I mourned his handsome, perfect, little, tiny face. These new ones have Japanese writing on them. We'll have to find out from Hideko what wonderful sayings they are sporting.

Last week Emily also had to visit the eye doctor. Not great results from her exam at the pediatricians. I was worried she would need glasses too...and I would have to go through the whole mourning process again. Her eyes aren't great, but they are good enough. Dr. Dunn told us to wait it out...get started in school again and see what happens. Whew.

Now Alex is asking about contacts. What age? Another new face I will have to get used to. <3

*On a side note...my second attempt at cutting Alex's hair. Much better this time around I'm thinking.

i love you...

Mommy...take a pictcha me!

Hmmm...OK!

my thoughts on idol...

First things first...I got this great photo off the blog of a friend of a friend. Don't know where she got it, but I love it. SO, last night was the night. The American Idol concert. After spending a fairly obscene amount of money on tickets the night of the finale, the excitement wore off a bit. The hype was over, and I wasn't as thrilled anymore. I wanted to sell our tickets on KSL, but so did everyone else. SO, we went. I'm really glad that we did, though I have learned that if there is a show you want to see, just chill, relax, and get your tickets from someone else a few nights before (much cheaper I might add).

Here is what I thought of the show:

Hated the set-up of the program. Starting with #10 (Chikeze) and going to #1 (David Cook), each contestant had 3 songs, then 4 for Archuletta and 5 for Cook. Some of the earlier vote-offs were quite good, but seriously, 3 songs apiece? It was like 10 mini-concerts, 5 of which I wouldn't have cared to see/hear. You wait for 2 hours to hear the Davids, which is the main reason you are there. You're hot, sweaty, and tired by the time they come out. I think they need to mix it up a bit. More group numbers. Don't save the winner until 9:45 pm. Let him sing earlier, then again at the end.

I think it could have been a 5 man show rather than 10. Brook, Michael, Carly, David and David. The rest were just fluff. Filler...which you don't really need in a 3 hour concert, you know? Actually, most of the acts were OK, I was just indifferent. Chikeze is a great performer. Lots of energy. Ramiele was seriously painful to watch. Everything about it...her outfit, her lack of stage presence, her "pitchy"-ness. Yowzers. Dave went on a long water run during her bit. Kristy Lee Cook, Jason Castro, Syesha...OK...they were fine, none of them blew me away. Although, Syesha's outfit nearly did. WHAT was that?! Do they realize just how many kids are in that audience? Tacky.

Brook was fabulous. Really, really good. Michael Johns is a star. So is Carly. I have no doubt they will make it in this industry. Hugely talented and voted off way to early, in my opinion. The David's. SO worth waiting for. Archuletta was so gracious, Cook was a bit arrogant. Don't get me wrong, I still love him, but he seems as though he now feels he has to "play" the rockstar. The whole image. His music is unbelievable, but I want him to chill a little. They both sounded better in person than on TV. SO GOOD. Wierd though, because they were so far away that I had to watch them on the big screen. That made me feel like I was watching TV. Hard to really "get" that they were in the same room as me. There was one point though, where Cook came way out on the stage, and it clicked. He's right there, maybe 100 yards away. Very cool.

Lastly, the seats were too gosh darn cramped. I had the pleasure of sitting next to some sweet guy probably in his late 60's. He had the worst breath I have ever smelled. You know when it smells even when they are breathing through their nose? As if that weren't enough...he had gas too. I'm talking every 2-3 minutes. WHAM. The WHOLE night. Thank goodness it was a big place and it dissipated fast. Whew.

After all this ranting...bottom line...it was good, but not worth the price we paid. Several stars in the making though. Can't wait to see what they come up with.

old friends...

I had a photoshoot with our dear friends the Millers last night. You read about Megan on my birthday post. One of the most important people in my entire world. She had her birthday last week, and this was my gift to her. We decided to turn it into a family thing. We met at a park up in the canyon, had dinner, lots of laughs and fun, and a photoshoot. I love our children together. They have the sort of relationship where they can always just pick up where they left off. Like family. They bicker, but they love eachother. I am so grateful for them. Looking forward to another family night together...up in the mountains.

I love the first picture. Alex and Wyatt have been friends nearly their whole lives. I love how their heights are SO different. I love how they laugh whenever they are near eachother.

The second picture makes me laugh. I told them to make crazy faces. Alex and Wyatt are just dying. Sophie can't figure the whole thing out. Connor, Lizzy and Molly are really working it. The ones on the left aren't quite sure WHAT to think!

can I, can I?

So yesterday I was on the phone, and within seconds I had kids at my side...mommy, mommy, mommy. I have to say, that drives me nuts. Completely nuts. There is a phone hooked to my ear, do you really think I can hear you? Yesterday, I had no patience (I know, you're surprised) and I just waved my hand, like...get out...ask me later. Emily came back a minute later with this note, and put it right in front of my face. Pretty cute actually. I smiled, said WOW, then she flipped the paper over and wrote the rest. Hilarious. :)

Our berries are doing amazingly well this year. I'm worried most of our harvest will come while we are gone. Come get some if you want. :) We've probably got at least 100 ripe ones right now, with more on the way. Last year we MAY have gotten 50 total. Yay for us!

Our apple and peach trees out front are getting huge. Last year...5-6 apples, this year I'm anticipating 50-60, and even more peaches! Nothing like that fresh fruit!

obsession...

I told the kids at the start of the summer that we would go to Sonic (the flushie (like a toilet) place...until this year) once a week for slushies. Who was I kidding? 3,4, sometimes 5 times a week! It was almost a daily thing after swimming lessons. Any time I can think of an excuse (and sometimes even if I can't) I'm there. And happy hour? Hello...70 cents for a small. They really are fabulous and a great healthy alternative to ice-cream, right? They only have 200 calories each. Granted that ALL comes from sugar...oh well. The kids have a blast coming up with flavors to mix together...usually 3. The possibilites are endless people. I seriously cannot get enough. I love them. I love the atmosphere there, the loud music, the smell of fries, the seagulls looming, waiting for your garbage. It reminds me of the boardwalk, need I say more?

Here are a few of our favorite blends. Give em a try:

orange, strawberry, apple...not "sour" (created by Emily)

apple, strawberry, coconut...not "blue" (created by Alex)

cranberry, coconut, lime (got this for myself last night and it may be my new all-time fav!)

Till tomorrow, Sonic! <3

$...

Dave and I were lying on the bed talking about jobs this morning. A job hunter had contacted him yesterday about 2 potential positions. He asked Dave how much he would like to be making. As soon as he told me the amount he gave the guy, I instantly asked...well why didn't you ask for more? Alex who had been sitting there taking in our whole conversation, jumped to his Daddy's defense...

..."we don't want to get rich too fast."

Really...we've got to take it slow...the whole getting rich thing. VERY wise Alex. :) And a picture, just because he's adorable.

*guess what...this was my 100th post!

not much to say...

...other than that Emily and I broke into the house yesterday. Before I give you the details, you have to promise not to judge me, then congratulate us for a job well done. :) My pal Michelle came by yesterday morning with her cute little Gavin. I went out to say hi...so did all the kids. The door was slammed shut, it was locked, I panicked. We don't have the pass code for our garage, so locked doors = stuck outside. Kids checked the back door...locked. Tried getting a ladder from the neighbors...no answer. I thought maybe I ought to call Dave...I had 25 minutes till Mom and Me, then straight to swimming. Michelle had a better idea. The bay windows were opened, couldn't we get up on the railing and shimmy through? Well, with a little convincing, I got my big old self up on the railing, used some keys to pop the screen, then Michelle lifted Alex up. Uuugh...too heavy. Alex back down, Emily up. Let's just say she was not thrilled. She was afraid. Michelle went back down to the ground to catch Emily if she happened to fall (only about 4-5 feet), and we went to work. Emily is such a lightweight, that I was easily able to boost her, and she did the rest. Whew. We were in. Noone was hurt. We even climbed back up for a picture. My heart is actually racing just typing this. Now everyone knows how to get into my house. :(

bigger...

OK...so I just read HERE how to get my photos even bigger. This makes me completely giddy. Sorry, but it really does. :)

twirly...

The girls love to twirl. Last night as I pulled into the driveway, they were twirling. They twirled for at least 10 minutes. These new dresses (Gap bargain...love that) really poof out. They have now worn them 3 days in a row. I've included a few twirl pictures, then a few others just because...hey, it's my blog right? I can do whatever floats my boat. :)

The whole twirling thing sortof describes these girls (and boy) of mine. It doesn't take a whole lot to please them. Give them some paper and pencils, a short dip in the pool, and their favorite movie...they're happy. I'm grateful for that. I really don't have to hear "I'm bored" very often. They are happy kids. Easy going (minus the red-head). Kind. I love them so much.

say what?!

Davey was looking through the latest batch of Costco coupons yesterday.

"Hey Ame...they have Nivea Cellulite cream on sale next week."

Hmmmm...thanks?

it's ON...

We're headed to the BEACH in this many days! Actually...one less...Molly took off the first link today. :)

the fourth...

WOW! I haven't been on here for almost a week! Would you believe I've missed it? It has become almost second nature for me...a way to put down my thoughts and feelings...to document my life. A few disclaimers first...I put these on in reverse order, and I just don't feel like fixing it. AND, until I make it to Oregon and have my cute friend Brittany show me how to do a collage, you will get all the pictures individually...in a row. I totally understand if you give up about halfway through, but here they are anyway. :)

We went down to Fairview to Dave's sister Kim's house for the 3rd and 4th. I love it down there. Life moves at a slower pace, and I need that sometimes. We went to the Mt. Pleasant parade Thursday morning and it was great! So much less crowded than the one here. WAY less stressful. Less stressful is good. Alex was laughing so hard in this picture. I love when he laughs hard!

Molly was really into all the "princesses" in the parade. You know, the floats bearing Miss Mt. Pleasant, Miss Sanpete County? She would squeel, wave, scream...here she is mid-air!

"Mommy...another PRINCESS!"

Hot and beautiful...waiting for more candy. :)

LOTS of guns and loud stuff at the parade. Molly was not pleased. I think it's hilarious the way she folds her ears.

The tire swing that every kid on the street was fighting over.

Kim works at Wasatch Academy...a private boarding school in town. I had never seen the school before, but I LOVED it. It had a real east coast feel to it, and you know how I feel about that!

The kid's cousin Bromen let them have a go on his drum set. Can you tell just how excited this kid was?

The drive-in movies...Kung Fu Panda! SO cute, but we may still need to visit the theater for a cooler, bug-free, more audible viewing. Kara and Maddie are hilarious in this picture!

Uncle Randy set up a slip and slide in the backyard. TOTAL hit! The kids went nuts for it. For hours. Lizzy would hold her breath every time. :)






These 2 days combined with a BBQ with some neighborhood friends made for a GREAT weekend. A HOT one, but a great one.

just because...

OK...so after chatting with my "oldest" friend in the whole world yesterday, I realized that I was craving some old pictures. Oldies but goodies, you know? We were talking on the phone while she was looking through some old pictures of us in junior high and high school. I don't think I have copies of them, but if you are lucky, she will scan a few and I just may share. This first picture is the younger 4 plus Sally. I'm the bowl-cut ball of cuteness in the yellow, and Sally is the sibling directly above me. She is 8 1/2 years older and deaf/mentally retarded. She used to live at home, then a special school in PA, now a group home. She is a diamond in the rough. We are all terribly anxious to see what she is really like once this life is over. To see her real spirit.

Guess what...I was a tomboy. Hard core. Star Wars figures were my passion. I used to take them on vacations with me and set them up just like this. Wasn't I cool? This picture makes me laugh. I can only imagine how protective I was of this set-up. I'm surprised I let my dad get this close to take the picture.:)

Lastly...the fakers. I was good. SO good. I remember when my parents would come to check on me, I would fake, but keep my eyes open just a sliver so I could see their faces and know if I had succeeded. Tracy on the other hand...her nostrils are flared which means she's close to laughing which means...failure. Isn't she hilarious? Dad isn't looking too convincing either.