you're kidding, right?

This is seriously our top 36? Whew...last night was rough. I couldn't even look at some of the singers, and what I was hearing was even worse. Biggest disappointment for me...Matt Giraud, the dueling piano/Ray Charles guy. His Coldplay song was so, so bad. I am still a fan though. I hope he gets through based on what he has done before. I didn't even vote last night. Not once. No one moved me to get my phone. My favorite was definitely Mishavonna:

Not sure why the judges rode her so hard. I thought she sounded amazing and made "Drops of Jupiter" sound different enough that I loved it. Her voice is unique. Based on what the judges had to say though, I think she'll have a tough time getting through.

Horrendous (I'm being honest here): Matt Giraud, Jasmine, Jeanine

Take 'em or leave 'em: Kai, Matt (the bald one), Jesse (though I think they rode her a little hard too), Adam (makes me nuts with his nail polish, his screechy high notes), Kris Allen, Megan (she may get on my nerves really fast...and she seems a bit like Brooke White - good, but how much is there to her voice...will she always sound the same?)

Not sure where to put him: Nick/Norman. He really CAN sing...though a bit nasaly for my taste. Here's the thing though...TOTALLY entertaining. I could watch him for an hour. I think his vision (Jerry Lewis) kind of stuff is actually quite cool. He'll never make it through, but if he did make it some day...I would go see his show.

The best of the night: Mishavonna, Allison

I predict that Adam will be our guy, Allison the top girl, and the third spot...Kai, Megan, or Kris Allen...though I KNOW if Matt Giraud made it through...he would not disappoint.


Sorry I haven't posted much lately. Not much to talk about. Family is great, I am fine. Tired, but fine. Some days I feel great, energetic, happy...then I'm exhausted the next day. That's where I am right now. In my sweats, skipping my morning volunteer work at the school, about to go drink some coke. Bye for now. :)

another prayer...and AI

Molly is just a doll sometimes. She makes us laugh...every day. Sometimes she knows she's being cute, sometimes she's oblivious. Her prayers are very repetitive lately. She covers the important stuff I guess. Here is how they sound...in her own words:

Hevly Father, fankly foy this nice, beauful day. Fankly foy Mommy aaaand Daddy aaaand Lizzy aaaand Emily (half the time she leaves out Alex...not sure why, but it bothers me). Fankly foy the bishop's candy, fankly foy the bishop. Name uh juh frice, amen.

We have a cool bishop. Every week (aside from the first of the month), the kids can go to his office after church, recite a memorized scripture, and receive a candy. There is a line outside of his door every Sunday. The kids love it! As you can see though, Molly is possibly more grateful for his candy than the Bishop himself. It makes me laugh every time she says it. And NO, she does not have anything memorized, he just hands them out to the littles.

Now my thoughts on Idol last night. First off, the new voting system stinks, but maybe not as much as I originally thought. I think I'll have to wait until tonights show though, to really make that call. People that I really liked, blew it last night. They just weren't great. I'm liking Kara a bit more too. She seems to have very contructive crtitcism...and her hair was REALLY shiny . :)

I think Danny will be the top scoring boy. He was fantastic. He really was. His voice is so unique...I could listen to him all the live long day. I will say that the first three judges were a bit over the top when he finished singing though. He probably got about 50 votes from our house, I'm embarrassed to say.

Alexis was the best girl for me. I was really surprised by her. Great voice.

That coveted third spot...I think it will go to one of these 3: Michael, Anoop, or Jackie. All 3 were pretty good. Jackie is a GREAT entertainer.

Take em or leave em: Ann Marie, Casey, Brent, Ricky, Stephen, Tatiana.

Dreadful: Stevie...which make me really sad. I loved her first audition, but I think she was terribly nervous last night. Just NOT good.

There you go. Those are my thoughts. Anxious for the results...anxious and a bit nervous.

our good fortune?

Yesterday, after I got home from running a few errands, we heard a horrible sound coming from the garage. Our spring and cables to our door had broken. A few things I am grateful for though...the car was safely in the garage, no kids were anywhere NEAR the door when it happened.

Our life seems to work this way. Things are going well, money wise, then BOOM. Our tax return was much larger than expected, as was Dave's bonus. We bought our Disneyland tickets, and booked our hotel, and were still feeling pretty good about our finances. I used to get angry when something would happen to our car or our house right after we got some dough. I would ask myself why it was happening NOW. Just when we got all this money. I've changed my tune a bit lately. The door broke NOW, RIGHT when we got all this money. We have money. We can fix it. I know that the Lord blesses us if we pay our tithing. He does. That's all there is to it. If this door had broken 2 months ago, I would have been crazy stressed. But it happened now, and we were able to fix it.

Molly was willing to pose for me by the door...for roughly 45 seconds. The last picture is just because I thought she was cute today. Sassy, but cute.

in a pickle...

HELP. Molly has wet the bed the last 4 nights! 3 weeks with no nighttime accidents and now THIS. I really did not want to put her in pull-ups or diapers at night, but I'm not sure what to do. She is sleeping right through it, then waking up crying a bit later. Advice for me? Possibly something other than nighttime diapers? We've tried waking her up before we go so bed. Maybe we need to stop liquids just after dinner. Aaagh.

7 sleep interruptions last night. Can't I just get a good nights rest before this baby comes and turns our whole world upside down? Between Molly's accident, 5 trips to the bathroom, and her getting up at 6am, I am tired...and grouchy...and it's only 8 in the morning. Man, It's gonna be a doosy.

American Idol! This voting, groups of 12 thing is new to me. Was this how it was the first season? I have to admit, it's kindof giving me a panic attack. 12 singers, and only 3 go on to the top 12? That seems CRAZY! 9 will be eliminated. Heaven forbid my Danny Gokey and Matt Giraud don't get enough votes. Here are my issues. We are having to decide by ONE performance if we want them in the top or not. ONE. Too many eliminations. There are a LOT of personal favorites in that 1st group. What am I going to do? I think people may slip through if they have a huge support network, leaving us with a less than stellar top 12. Is there a wild card for each group? Who decides who comes back...us or the judges? I am all worked up. I really am.

I hope today brightens a bit. Mmm...peanut m&m's should do the trick.

*UDATE* OK...so MOLLY did the trick. She makes me laugh. We just got home and she wanted to play a game. One that she made up. You may want to try this with your own family. Put some jammies or a fairy princess dress of some sort over your head. Blindly walk into the living room, then drop your paperclips onto the floor. That's it! She kept saying, "Mom, watch. This is going to be HEE-larious!" I can't stop giggling right now.

a little alex...

So today, on his way out the door, Alex asked me if he looked like a highschooler. I told him he sure did. He's been asking me that question for years. Maybe it stems from HSM, i'm not really sure. Some days, he doesn't really care, but others...he has to get the look just right. Today it was his highschooler jeans, highschooler shoes, sweatshirt and coat. He's also been toting this book around for the past 24 hours. Today he carried it rather than putting it in his backpack...I think to add to "the look".

He got this book for Christmas, over a year ago. I was wondering when he would become fascinated by it. It happened yesterday. It's an amazing book! Several hundred pages long...a wonderful mystery mixed with gobs of sketches by the author. They are incredible. You could sit and look at the pictures all day. I figured pictures...PLUS a great story...perfect for Alex. When I got it for him, I remember wanting to find a book that would become his favorite...ever. One that he would carry around with him, keep by his bed at night, read over and over again.

Last night, we were all sitting on the couch together, and he asked me if it would be OK if I tickled his back under his shirt. Just like he used to when he looked like this. When he was younger, he would ask me EVERY day after his nap. He would wake up, wander around the house until he found me, and ask me to tickle. It was always while the twins were still asleep, and always a special time, just for the 2 of us. Every once in awhile, he'll request it. It is so sweet. Like it is a huge inconvenience. You don't have to, Mom. Alex has gotten really affectionate lately. He hugs his dad and I all the time. I love it actually. He is almost 10 and hugging his mom every day. He is a nice kid. He has so many friends. People are drawn to him. He's funny and kind. There don't really seem to be any clicks or social classes in the 4th grade. He is friends with everyone. I'm not sure when they start to show their ugly heads, but I'm hoping Alex remains neutral. Friends with all the kids, especially those who may wonder if they have any. I just love him today. Love him.

* and yes...that's exactly what you think it is in his hand. Doesn't he look cute though? Seriously. :)

so here we go...

So, these 5 people have won something unbelievably fantastic, made by me! Ha! Like my friend Kari though, I reserve the right to take a few months to get it to you...although I AM quite obsessive compulsive, so I guess you can expect it sooner rather than later. :)

Michele, FringeGirl, Mom, Vanessa (I'll send something light :)), and my cute friend Christy! Hey Britt...you'll get something handmade anyway when that cute little baby boy arrives! I've been planning on it.

And just because we all need a little dose of Molly daily...this is her latest get-up. Atrocious, yet so, so cute!

UPDATE* Will you all email me your addresses? Actually, Vanessa and Fringe Girl. I think you can find my email when you go to make a comment. Thanks! :)

hurry...hurry...sign your name!

My cute friend Kari had the funnest idea on her blog. She is giving away 5 homemade treasures to the first commenters. Just when life is starting to get a bit dull, and we've all got cabin fever...PERFECT. I was a winner, and now I have to pass on the good fortune. SO...the first 5 people to leave a comment, telling me their favorite Valentine's Day tradition WIN! Then I get to decide what to give you. Something homemade by me, something fantastic, maybe you can eat it, maybe you can't. You'll just have to wait and see. :) Continue this on you own blog if you want. This could get pretty darn fun!

just in the mood...

I felt like something old today. Memories. I'm wondering if I should do this kind of post once a week. They make me so happy. I get that they may not do as much for you as they do for me, but if this is my journal...I need to share what I can remember.

These pictures make me happy for so many reasons. First of all, I think we did some sort of performance every night for my dear parents. I can remember concerts, with my mom at the piano. Miss Breck commercials. Circuses. Plays. Strawberry Shortcake re-enactments. Olympics with our mini-smurfs. My parents watched them all. I don't remember EVER feeling like we were inconveniencing them either. We thought they WANTED to see our shows. They would smile, clap, cheer. I think that may be why I am who I am as an adult. They loved me...immensely...and I never had any doubt about it. As a mom of several littles now, I realize how much joy your kids joy brings to you. You can become addicted to it.

I thought my mom was so amazing on the piano. She is quite good, but I don't know if amazing is the adjective I would use now. I don't think she would either. But that's what I thought. I can remember being in bed in the morning and hearing her play downstairs. Or working on homework and hearing her play in the other room. There is something about knowing your mom is there and she loves you. When she would play, I felt like she was telling me that. I felt calm and happy and safe. That means a lot to a little person.

I love that my dad documented EVERYTHING with his camera. I need to do that more. Take out the camera when I want to form a memory, no matter what they are wearing or what their hair looks like.

I love Grampy (my mom's dad) enjoying our performance. He looks like he has 5 or 6 empty bottles of pills dropped beside his chair. :)

I loved growing up with sisters. We had friends around...all the time, except when we were pulling hair, throwing irons, or chasing eachother all over the house. I feel lucky to have had them and to have them in my life now. They are the coolest girls in the world. I love that my kids have eachother. All these little girls will have pals, and a kind older brother. A protector. I feel pretty lucky today.

guess where we're going!

Yup...Disneyland...in about 4 weeks! We promised the kids that if we read the entire Book of Mormon as a family last year, that's what we would do. Well, we actually did it, and we're actually going. I have 2 wonderful friends, Brooke and Michellle, who are helping us plan the whole thing and who may even make an appearance while we are there. :) I think they may be even more excited than us...and we're pretty darn excited!

We thought it may be a good idea for the kids to help us prepare by earning some money for the trip. SO...Alex is the Tie Guy. We have some great ties for you. We are selling them for $10, which I have to admit is pretty great. Take a look, if you like something, give us a call. Our neighbors are SUPER lucky because they may even get a knock on the door or a flyer from Alex himself. Thanks in advance for your help. :)

tears & fears...

Last night I was down stairs folding laundry while the kids were upstairs watching Little House On the Prairie. Can I tell you just how much I love that show? They watch it every night, just like I used to. I love the messages. I love the music. Mmmm...just LOVE it. Anyhow, as I was folding, I heard Emily and Lizzy start to cry. It started out quiet, but grew into hysterical screaming. I wasn't in the mood to be "mommy", so I just yelled up the stairs, asking what was wrong. No answer, more sobbing. As I came up, I saw them huddled together on the couch...I figured they had banged heads somehow while they were watching. They were really, really sad. I asked what happened. I had been WAY off. Mr Edwards on Little House had been attacked by a bear. There was screaming, blood, they thought he was dead. I actually started to cry with them...they were just so worried. So tender. I had them close their eyes and I muted the TV so I could find the right episode to delete. They squeezed their eyes SO tight, all while sobbing. It was so strange, but somehow so sweet at the same time. I had to go back to the episode to show them that he was OK. They worried they wouldn't be able to get the image out of their heads, that they would have nightmares. I explained that that was what the Holy Ghost was for...that sacred gift they had received on Saturday. We prayed together, watched American Idol, and they made it through the night with no episodes.

On another note...we have playgroup at the church today. In the gym. I'm afraid to go. Is that strange? I feel like I can't let Molly out of my sight in that place. I'll have to think about it.

Do you sometimes forget what your role is as a mother? I do. Briefly. Last night it happened. Dave had left to go to YM at the church, and I was alone with the kids again, just like I had been all day. I was tired. I felt really pregnant. I had promised American Idol, but they needed showers. I needed to fold laundry, clean up after dinner. I felt completely overwhelmed, like I just couldn't tackle it all. Ridiculous, I know, but it's how I felt. I yelled at the girls. Because they couldn't get all the shampoo out of their hair, because they couldn't figure out how to shut off the water. I made them cry. That is not the role of a mother. I felt sick inside. See, you can't take moments like that back. You can love them, hug them, apologize to them, but you can't take it back. I hate regrets. I don't want there ever to be ANY question about how I feel about them. Ever. They are my little people. I need to be kinder, more patient, more giving. I will today. I promise.

elizabeth & emily's BIG day...

They are now baptized! They are (or were on Saturday) the newest members of the church. I love them so much and am so proud of them. They have been so anxious for this day to come, practicing the whole thing with their daddy, asking how many more days.

Their morning went a little like this. I kid you not...both of them with their brand new scriptures from their grandparents, reading to pass away the time. This got my day started off quite teary.

A few things here. First, I realize that those of you who know me well, know I am NOT a frilly dress kind of gal. These things are just not my style and something I would never really consider for my girls...until their baptism day. I struggled with whether I should buy a dress that was special for ME, or special for THEM. I opted for the latter, and they were over the moon. And you know what...I was happy. I thought they looked absolutely radiant. :)

Second...we are quite limited on great spots for impromptu photoshoots right now. Everything is dead or covered with snow. These are up against my shed...and I just don't care. I think they look simply beautiful.


Arriving at the church. I think they both look like they are ready to burst! It was such a happy, happy day. Everything about the day was seamless. Perfect. The meeting was beautiful. The spirit was present. After the talks were over, we were told to go down the hall and head towards the font. It was time. The girls practically ran, smiling, giggling and holding hands. How did I get entrusted with such sweet little spirits? I was overwhelmed with love for them. Watching them enter the water, be baptized by their dad, then come out of the water with smiles that covered their pretty faces.

Daddy and Elizabeth Ellen.

Daddy and Emily Jane.

Their sweet friend Matthew who was baptized on the same day! These 3 little people are special. They are good children, making righteous choices. They will be a powerful force for good throughout their lives. They really will. They know who they are. That brings me more joy than I could ever hope to describe here.

The beaming little girls with their Great Grandma Bird.

Our visit to SLC. Just Elizabeth, Emily, Dad and Mom. An unforgettable day. Completely beautiful.