Today I...

Today I...

took down all the Christmas stuff.

rearranged the front room. (It looks beautiful.)

read the first 9 chapters of 1 Nephi.

played Monopoly with Matthew. (He kicked my trash.)

did NOT take a nap. (I wanted one.)

To My Family, Watch this!!

This post is for my family. Of course you are all invited to listen/watch it too. It just happens to be the BEST CHRISTMAS SONG EVER played in our home...if you ask my humble opinion. We only listened to it hundred of times growing up.

Want to play MoNoPoLy with us?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

New Doll

I took the stuffing out of the jean doll and made this one instead. I LOVE it!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Random Christmas Pictures...

Animal pulled the corner of this fabric out from under the table so he would have a spot to lay down. He also knocked the sheep over on the nativity scene. He is naughty.
The lovely gifts waiting to be discovered. Santa was rude this year. He only filled stockings and he gave the kids electric toothbrushes. The best part was they didn't believe me when I told them that was all they were getting from him! MUHAHAHA!I LOVE LOVE LOVE bedhead pictures and they are even better when the person is still tired. Matthew bought this white board for Nicole and I think her ink is almost dried out she's used it so much.

Matthew enjoys the Magic Tree Houses series. He was happy to get these. This year our Christmas was small and very personal. We didn't buy gifts just so the kids would have a few more things to unwrap. We went slow, laughed and enjoyed unwrapping each gift, and when that part of the day was over we were thankful for what we received and had tons of fun playing and sharing.

I felt the spirit of Christ this Christmas stronger than I ever have before. I hope to be able to replicate it in Christmases to come. I hope all of you have a wonderful day too.

Free Haircuts!

When I was a little girl I had 1 Barbie. My older sisters had them when I was too young to really care about them and my little sister had a couple when I was too old. The one I had, I got when I was in 3rd grade. I didn't really like Barbies and never asked for them until this one Christmas and that was because I wanted to cut it's hair. Thankfully Santa saw my thought process and gave me a 'Barbie' from the dollar store. I cut it's hair on Christmas Day, did a really bad job and threw it out in the trash before New Years, then went back to baby dolls...my true love.

Nicole got a Barbie for Christmas. I did not see her true interest and she got a real Barbie. She too cut is hair and did a really bad job. I wish I would have taken a picture of it before I fixed it. Here is a picture of the finished product. The layers are choppy but it's super cute and remember, I was working with Barbie hair.

Later on in the day, we had our friends, the Draper's over for Christmas Dinner as well as Brother Robinson. While we were eating I was telling them about Barbie's haircut and Ben asked me why I didn't give her a mullet. I don't know why this happens, but I was saddened because I didn't think of it and consumed with the idea of giving Barbie a mullet. Luckily for me, Nicole had 2 Barbies from last year that she never plays with so I found them and went to town.

Here is a video of me cutting Barbie's hair. During part of the video I was talking to my little brother Kyle. Other parts we were talking to the kiddos...but I still think it's funny.

It is probably needless to say that Nicole was NOT pleased with my fantastic haircutting skills, so we took care of that in short order.

Out with the old...

Once upon a time Nicole Roylance Cheney LOVED Cinderella. She dressed up like her for Halloween twice. She wore her dress at Disneyland when she met her. Nicole had Cinderella toys and watched the movie often.

This is Nicole's lovely Christmas Stocking. (I just wrote stalking and then had to correct it.)
Nicole does not love Cinderella anymore. When she was begging me to make her that stocking (made the same typo) I was worried that she would one day out grow her love of the princess but then guessed probably not since I still love some of my favorite childhood characters.

It turns out my concern was valid. Nicole had been embarrassed of her stocking for 2 years. She hides it when people come over and and is unhappy if I remind her that she used to LOVE Cinderella.

So, out of the kindness of my heart, I have made Nicole a new Christmas Stocking.

The good news is she loves it! So.......

We are out with the old...

and in with the new.

ZZZZzzzzzz...not a great post.

It is 10:24 pm right now. I'd like to wish myself Happy Birthday. No, it's not my birthday, I was just born on 10-24.

Exciting Happenings at the Cheney Home...

yeah, it's been 5 minutes since I wrote that and I'm drawing a blank.

****

Today I have started my first attempt at making a rag doll. I got the fabric sewn together and I stitched the arms and feet to separate them from the body. I've stuffed it and now I have to close the head and add hair. This is appearing to be more difficult than I imagined. Actually--I am just feeling lazy and don't want to.

Our friend Ben is over watching football with Ken and he told me to just take a picture of it the way it is.

Stay tuned to see how it turns out. One of you just may receive as a Christmas Gift. Or I'll include the rest of the materials and we'll just call it a 'kit'.

I hate it when this happens!!

Nicole

This morning Nicole was complaining that her head hurt. This complaint came conveniently at the time that we were starting our 'get the work done day' chores. Later on in the afternoon she took another bath (She loves them because they make her so tired.) then she took a nap.

I was annoyed by it but let it slide--it's the first day of Christmas Break.

Tonight when I kissed her goodnight I noticed that she was really warm. Apparantly faking being sick with a 100.8 temperature doesn't really count as faking. I've given myself another 'best mom ever' award.

12-18-2009

We are on Christmas Break--no school for SEVENTEEN DAYS!

I love my job--that's a blesssing because last year at this time, I HATED it.

I'm an entrepreneur. Stay tuned for more details--unless I need a bail out.

I got a Christmas Card from little brother who is on mission in PA. He didn't sign it. haha That made me laugh.

I'd like to invite you all to make me a pie. I like pie.

6th Grade Band Concert

Today was Nicole's first band concert. She has now been playing the clarinet for 4 months. It was fun to see all the children in the band play. The concert lasted 19 minutes. That was good too.

I know this last picture isn't centered and it's not the clearest. I LOVE IT though!

So so so many questions...

This morning while I was using the bathroom, showering, getting dressed and doing my hair/make up I was asked over 25 questions/comments. The bathroom door is locked and I keep hearing MOOOOOOOOM!! I'm trying the get dresses and I hear it again.

Where's my shoes?
Can I hot lunch?
______ hid my agenda.
______ has gum.
______Do I have to brush my teeth? (My youngest is TEN YEARS OLD! When do they outgrow grossness?)
Where's Dad?
What's for breakfast?
For Christmas I want ________.
On my birthday can we go to Chuck E Cheese? (Both were born in the summer)
I think I want build a bear from Santa.
When can we go to Thai?
You promised the next time we go to Wichita I can with you.
Can we eat Thai when we go to Wichita?
When are we going to Wichita?
_______ slept in that!
_______ is drinking milk. (This is not again any rule I know of)
Where's the hammer?
Can we paint my room?
I had homework!
Can you draw a bridge and floorplan of the house for me?
What's a floor plan?
TIME FOR DEVOTIONAL!!

sigh...I'm tired before it hits 7am.

ps, Ken sleeps through all of this almost every morning. On the other mornings, he's just getting home from a graveyard shift and he just ignores it. :)

I HATE VERIZON!

So my new cellphone only has a nine hour charge. Verizon said sorry! Too bad for you.

I also found out my blackberry had a 1 year warranty that they chose not to honor because I was so close to an early upgrade. That warranty expired on Sunday. I'm still frustrated over that one. REALLY FRUSTRATED!

It's MAGIC!

Tonight we went to a magic show at the local city auditorum. It was an hour and half of free entertainment...a perfect evening if you ask me.

We met up with our friends, Ben and Liz. This is their handsome son, David.

During the course of the evening Matthew won a D.A.R.E. bracelet and 3 people sitting near us were picked to be volunteers on stage because our group was loud and got the guy's attention. The 2nd victim of the evening was our friend, Ben. I got a small part of his embarrassment on video but lucky for him, my battery went dead. I was worried that I was going to have to leave so that he didn't kill me or get me volunteered but sadley, their daughter threw up and they had to leave early. Sorry Ana got sick Liz and Ben! Here's video of the the short part of his embarrassment.

On another note....

Have you ever seen Napolean Dynamite? If not, we are no longer friends. If so, you know the part of the movie when Napolean is eating tator tots during class? Tonight I took the kids to Wendy's for dinner on the way to the magic show. Matthew stuck all his fries in his coat pocket and ate them during the show. I felt proud.

Here are the top 10 parts of Napolean Dynamite...if you have or have not seen it.

Here is the tator tot scene.

Cookies!

Last week during our snow day we made close to 6 dozen cookies. We probably would have made closer to 7 or 7 1/2 dozen if we didn't eat a pound of the dough. :)

We made peanut butter cookies first. Instead of doing the crisscross pattern with a fork, I pressed small cookie cutters into the flatten dough so they would be Christmassy. They were delicious and Christmassy.

Next we made our favorite Oatmeal Chocolate Chips Cookies. But I halved the chocolate chips and added caramel bits to them. They too were delightful.

Dear Blog,

When I was in Junior High and High School I wrote in my Journal EVERY SINGLE DAY. I love to go back to my journals and remember the good and not so good times of that chapter in my life. When reading, occasionally I come across an entry that goes something like this. Dear Journal, Fun Day...too tired. Write tomorrow. Dedra. The next day I would either catch up on the events that I failed to write the night before, or I would simply go on with that days events. That being said...

Dear Blog,

I had a long day. I am tired. I'll write tomorrow.

Dedra

blah blah blah

Ken and I have been married for 12 years, 4 months and 4 days. I just read that before I started this post.

Today in Relief Society we were reminded about the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. I reread section 135 of the Doctrine and Covenants. As we approach his birthday I'd like to recommend that you reread it too.

Apparantly we've started the Christmas Break Schedule early...It's 8pm and they're watching a movie. It should be over in an hour. I know I should make them go to bed but I LOVE hearing them laugh. What's another hour?

Nicole and Matthew gave the talk and scripture in primary today. One of the leaders told me they did a really nice job. That made my heart smile.

I need a good idea for my Christmas Letter. I need to write it soon. Suggestions are encouraged.

Have a good night! ps, I still hate cats.

This and That...

Today I FINALLY got a new cell phone. Mine has been dead for 3 weeks...3 LOOONG weeks. I got the Samsung Omnia. I haven't figured it out yet but Matthew can tell you where to find all the games. I'm just happy to have a phone again!

In other news...
*I cleaned my room today.
*Ken and I went Christmas shopping tonight. It was fun to spend time with him but I don't really feel excited for Christmas so the shopping was only so so.
*I've had heartburn for 3 days...anyone know why?


3 fun things our family does during Christmas are...

*Building and Eating Gingerbread Houses on Christmas Day.
*We put together puzzles...as many as we can during Christmas Break. Last year we (I) did 7.
*We eat homemade Chinese Food on Christmas Day. Growing up, my family did it on Christmas Eve. We go to our Relief Society President's House for Christmas Eve so we have moved that meal to Christmas Day.

I hope you have a great weekend! See you tomorrow.

a non blog...

Current thoughts (right now as I type)...

Kate is a genius. (I copied this idea from her.)
It's too cold to go to work.
I'd like to have sticky corn for breakfast.
song lyrics...though I'm sniffing and sneezing, afraid that I'll freeze, it's the best time of the year.
I'm going to call in sick. (I really don't feel well...not just the psychosematic kind either)
I think I'll make beirocks for dinner.
Duncan is the only kid I know that can take cute little animal toys and make them weapons. (Direct quote...you want me to hit you this bunny rabbit?)

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Matthew LOVES icicles!

GREAT MOVIE!

Dan in Real Life is one of my favorite movies. It's funny and touching and I love Steve Carell, so that just makes the movie even better. Here's a clip of one of my favorite parts. I tried to find this on YouTube last night but didn't find a copy clear enough, so I made my own. If you haven't seen this movie, you should rent it. You can also watch it instantly on Netflix.

Hamburger People

I don't really know what to say...we had a lot of time on our hands.

Snow Day!

Last night we got 3 inches of snow. Apparantly at some point ice also fell from the sky.  They ended up canceling school.  It was a beautiful thing.  It's almost 5 in the evening and it's still snowing.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a snow day too.

Sign on Nicole's Door

I don't really know who she put the sign up for, but I like it.

December 7, 2009

This morning Ken took the kids to school for the 2nd time this year.  I thought it may be icy out so I asked him to drop them off and I'd drive myself, then we'd both have plenty of time and no one would be late.  PERFECT PLAN right??  Of course not!  I got to work with plenty time to spare. (Possible pun intended...keep reading.)  Ken called me right as I was walking into my classroom and told me I needed to come get the kids, his back tire blew out.  I immediately said a prayer of thanks that it was his car and not mine AND that it was the work van and not the Blazer.  A tender mercy from Heavenly Father.

I went and picked up the kids, they were 10 minutes late to school and I was 17.  Oh well.  We had good intentions. 
****

Tonight at dinner Matthew had some interesting info for us.  His high was that he is now a cop.  Then he said, 'I have some business to discuss.  I am now a cop.' I was asked him what that means and he said, 'It means that you will now be getting tickets if there are any disturbances.'  I asked him a couple more questions then he finally gave us the details...  If it gets too noisy, we get a ticket. If there are arguments, we get tickets.  If I tell him to practice the piano, I get a ticket.  If Nicole practices her clarinet and it squeaks, she gets a ticket. If anyone blows a tire, they get a ticket.  I asked him who his superior was and he doesn't have one.
****
In other news...
Tonight during the prayer for dinner Nicole prayed that 'Dad's funeral would be nice and a lot of people will attend.' NO, Ken did not die...he is just working a funeral today.

Duncan threw up at school today and we were all glad that he had to go home early.

Our low today is 20 and we haven't reached it yet.

Matthew jimmy rigged the Uno Attack game so that he could use AA batteries instead of C's.  He's a genius.  I worry he'll burn the house down one day.

Both the kids had detention today.  I'm a proud Mamma.

Lastly, I cut Nicole's hair on Saturday and I think it turned out pretty well.  ps, when I say I cut her hair, I mean, Nicole cut her own bangs, unsupervised, and I cut the rest of her hair.

Okay, I said that was the end, but I accidentally uploaded the wrong picture and although I know this photo could be the catalist to Matthew burning the house down, I'm going to show it anyway.  No sense wasting an upload, right?   HAHA!!!

Day 2 of my goal...complete!

Recomitting

I had 3 posts in September.  I had 6 in November.  I am going to do my best to post everyday for the rest of the month/year in hopes that I'll lose my antiblogging attitude.

I will go before your face

DC 84:88 I will go before you face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

My friend, Ben Draper, photoshopped these 2 pictures together, and I LOVE IT! I just thought I'd share. He explains where the idea came from on his blog. Thanks Ben!

Ceramics Classes at the Rec. Center

My friends Ashley and Liz and I are taking ceramic classes at the Rec. Center. So far  I've painted a Turkey and a Santa.  Ashley and I took a toll painting class and we painted Reindeer.  I never thought I'd enjoy classes at the Rec Center but I LOVE THEM!

Feeling Crafty

We had an enrichment night a weeks ago and painted these blocks say 'Family'.  Often times, I'll walk by the piano and see other words spelled out of these blocks...there is always room for sarcasm.

We had our friends, the Drapers over for Thanksgiving Dinner and when they left, David had spelled the word 'filyma'.  Good times!