Friday, January 30, 2009
Can you do this?
I am seriously pleased with the accomplishments of my children. I especially love it when they are doing what they're asked. Matthew's simple assignment was to 'get all that crap off the couch' and when I checked on him, this is what I came across. Nice. FYI the crap is still on the couch.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
More quotes from school...
Today alot of the kids were 'off' at school. We had many of them tear up for what we thought as no good reason. they were arguing and one girl actually broke her arm. That adds up to a rought day. Through it though, there were some gems. Here are a couple.
1. All the kids were having indoor recess and they were arguing. It was time for one boy to go to speech and as he was leaving he said, "Everyone be friends." Then he spelled out friends..."F I E N D S" For those of you who don't know, the definition of fiend is 'the devil'. Many of them did end up being fiends today.
2. We had a lesson counting change. After that, we drew a penny on the board and the kids copied drawing it into their drawing book. One little girl drew many pennies and then wrote, "I have pennies" Only she spelled pennies 'P E N I S'. Nice...
These are the days. At the end of this one, I let out a sigh as I was driving home.
1. All the kids were having indoor recess and they were arguing. It was time for one boy to go to speech and as he was leaving he said, "Everyone be friends." Then he spelled out friends..."F I E N D S" For those of you who don't know, the definition of fiend is 'the devil'. Many of them did end up being fiends today.
2. We had a lesson counting change. After that, we drew a penny on the board and the kids copied drawing it into their drawing book. One little girl drew many pennies and then wrote, "I have pennies" Only she spelled pennies 'P E N I S'. Nice...
These are the days. At the end of this one, I let out a sigh as I was driving home.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Tag, I'm it
So I was tagged on Facebook to tell 25 random things about myself. I've chosen to write them here, because I like this forum better. So here goes...
1. When I take pictures of the happenings in my house, if there is a mess, I angle the picture or camara so that the mess can not be seen. Either that, or I hurry and clean up said mess and then try to recreate the picture. I might add that there is pretty much ALWAYS a mess. The word if was unnecessary.
2. I like to drink Marinelli's sparkling cider out of the bottle. I don't want to share it either.
3. I stash money all over my house. Not alot of money, but 2 or 3 dollars here or there. Then when I'm cleaning or looking for something, I come across little surprises along the way.
4. I am a Guitar Hero. I ROCK!
5. I am addicted to my cell phone. I have it with me all the time. I check my email and facebook approx. every 15 minutes. I haven't replied to one of your emails...I must not of received it.
6. I LOVE giving talks in church and teaching lessons. I don't necessarily think I'm the best speaker or teacher, but I love what I learn along the way and I love public speaking. Those were my favorite classes in High School and College.
7. When I was a Junior in High School I wanted to get a tattoo. Thankfully I didn't do it. My friend that I was going to go with went through with it. That was the year I felt like being rebelious. Ironically I never did anything that I regret now. I like that irony!
8. The first time I ever skipped school I was in 2nd grade. I skipped with my big brother, Ryan. He came home from school before I left for school and I told him I was going to tell Mom and Dad if he didn't let me stay with him. I also told him I was sick, I had to sneeze. That day we hid in our coat closet while my Mom and Dad came home for an hour to eat lunch. That evening I told on us both.
9. When I was in High School, I missed approx. 20% of each school year. I would miss atleast one day a week and I'd try to miss more. I like to call that 'optional attendance'. The consequence for that is that I didn't know if I was going to be able to graduate until GRADUATION DAY. (I did graduate.) Also during HS I had to take 11 English Classes because I failed 3 of them. Thank goodness for Alternative High School!
10. I like reading stranger's blogs. Sometimes I comment on their blogs. When they comment back, I feel like they are not strangers anymore.
11. I have assaulted a sherriff, inside a jail--4 months ago. You want details?? I'll save it for another post.
12. I Love Neil Diamond. I've seen him in concert 4 times.
13. I've been kicked out of Toy R' Us. See Jr. Yr. of H.S.
14. Gina and I have had photo shoots at Costco, a Hotel, and many more places. During these photo shoots, we have pretended to be sleeping on beds, we've moved camping equipment around to created a 'scene' , we've gone behind the counter at the hotel to appear to work there, and moved plants and baggage carts to suit our purpose. My Dad and Ken have been our photographers when they are available.
15. I LOVE BLOGGING! I love share funny things going on. I look at things differently, deciding whether or not they are blogworthy. I also like being tagged. I just figure that I'm helping you fill up your 'gee-whiz collection.'
16. I HATE it when people talk loud in the grocery store so that other people can hear what they are saying. They make some comment and then look around to see if anyone is looking. I like the idea of 'seen and not heard' when shopping. Just smile and say thank you when someone chooses not to run into you when they are turning onto your isle.
17. My favorite show on TV is the Office. I love Michael and Dwight Schrute. It's the only show I DVR every week and I'm the proud owner of a couple of seasons, and I look forward to owning the rest of them in the future.
18. I take everything personally. Don't get me wrong, I like to dish it and I can definately take it. I'd be lying though if I said that everything just rolls off my shoulders. For this reason I really do try to filter what comes out of my mouth. If you only knew what I DON'T say.
19. I am a procrastinator. I never wrote a paper for school if I had more than 24 hours to put it off. I was at my best when I only had 5 or 6 hours. My favorite experieince was my last term of college. I had 4 papers due on the last day, each 2 hours apart. I got up at 4am and started typing, turning each paper in minutes before it was due, by email. When I got my grades back, I got 2 A's and 2 B's. I graduated on the Dean's List. I wonder what would have happened it I'd put more effort into my schooling--I'd probably have gotten burned out.
20. Nicole's teacher this year is Blake Shelton's Ex-Wife. That is small town living for you! That being said, I have to add that she is AMAZING. You couldn't ask for a better school teacher, and because we know her and love her so much, Nicole and I have affectionately renamed Blake Shelton to Dirtbag Shelton and invite you to call him that too.
21. I forgot to take treats to Nicole's School when she was celebrating her 6th birthday. In my defense, it was her half birthday since she was born in July. Still I felt like giving myself the mother of the year award for that, especially since all I was doing was NOTHING at the time I was supposed to be at her class.
22. At this very moment I am late picking up my kids from scouts and activity days so I can hurry and finish this post.
23. When I was in 5th grade I super-glued my toes together. DON'T TRY IT!!
24. When I am bored I read the Dictionary and I write my name over and over. I also like to read the labels on cleaning supplies when I am tired of cleaning and need a break.
25. When I was in Young Women's (at church) I could say the theme in one breath. I now know that it was very disrespectful. However, that didn't stop me from seeing if I was still able to--I am.
Sorry for any typos--I have to go get my kids. :)
1. When I take pictures of the happenings in my house, if there is a mess, I angle the picture or camara so that the mess can not be seen. Either that, or I hurry and clean up said mess and then try to recreate the picture. I might add that there is pretty much ALWAYS a mess. The word if was unnecessary.
2. I like to drink Marinelli's sparkling cider out of the bottle. I don't want to share it either.
3. I stash money all over my house. Not alot of money, but 2 or 3 dollars here or there. Then when I'm cleaning or looking for something, I come across little surprises along the way.
4. I am a Guitar Hero. I ROCK!
5. I am addicted to my cell phone. I have it with me all the time. I check my email and facebook approx. every 15 minutes. I haven't replied to one of your emails...I must not of received it.
6. I LOVE giving talks in church and teaching lessons. I don't necessarily think I'm the best speaker or teacher, but I love what I learn along the way and I love public speaking. Those were my favorite classes in High School and College.
7. When I was a Junior in High School I wanted to get a tattoo. Thankfully I didn't do it. My friend that I was going to go with went through with it. That was the year I felt like being rebelious. Ironically I never did anything that I regret now. I like that irony!
8. The first time I ever skipped school I was in 2nd grade. I skipped with my big brother, Ryan. He came home from school before I left for school and I told him I was going to tell Mom and Dad if he didn't let me stay with him. I also told him I was sick, I had to sneeze. That day we hid in our coat closet while my Mom and Dad came home for an hour to eat lunch. That evening I told on us both.
9. When I was in High School, I missed approx. 20% of each school year. I would miss atleast one day a week and I'd try to miss more. I like to call that 'optional attendance'. The consequence for that is that I didn't know if I was going to be able to graduate until GRADUATION DAY. (I did graduate.) Also during HS I had to take 11 English Classes because I failed 3 of them. Thank goodness for Alternative High School!
10. I like reading stranger's blogs. Sometimes I comment on their blogs. When they comment back, I feel like they are not strangers anymore.
11. I have assaulted a sherriff, inside a jail--4 months ago. You want details?? I'll save it for another post.
12. I Love Neil Diamond. I've seen him in concert 4 times.
13. I've been kicked out of Toy R' Us. See Jr. Yr. of H.S.
14. Gina and I have had photo shoots at Costco, a Hotel, and many more places. During these photo shoots, we have pretended to be sleeping on beds, we've moved camping equipment around to created a 'scene' , we've gone behind the counter at the hotel to appear to work there, and moved plants and baggage carts to suit our purpose. My Dad and Ken have been our photographers when they are available.
15. I LOVE BLOGGING! I love share funny things going on. I look at things differently, deciding whether or not they are blogworthy. I also like being tagged. I just figure that I'm helping you fill up your 'gee-whiz collection.'
16. I HATE it when people talk loud in the grocery store so that other people can hear what they are saying. They make some comment and then look around to see if anyone is looking. I like the idea of 'seen and not heard' when shopping. Just smile and say thank you when someone chooses not to run into you when they are turning onto your isle.
17. My favorite show on TV is the Office. I love Michael and Dwight Schrute. It's the only show I DVR every week and I'm the proud owner of a couple of seasons, and I look forward to owning the rest of them in the future.
18. I take everything personally. Don't get me wrong, I like to dish it and I can definately take it. I'd be lying though if I said that everything just rolls off my shoulders. For this reason I really do try to filter what comes out of my mouth. If you only knew what I DON'T say.
19. I am a procrastinator. I never wrote a paper for school if I had more than 24 hours to put it off. I was at my best when I only had 5 or 6 hours. My favorite experieince was my last term of college. I had 4 papers due on the last day, each 2 hours apart. I got up at 4am and started typing, turning each paper in minutes before it was due, by email. When I got my grades back, I got 2 A's and 2 B's. I graduated on the Dean's List. I wonder what would have happened it I'd put more effort into my schooling--I'd probably have gotten burned out.
20. Nicole's teacher this year is Blake Shelton's Ex-Wife. That is small town living for you! That being said, I have to add that she is AMAZING. You couldn't ask for a better school teacher, and because we know her and love her so much, Nicole and I have affectionately renamed Blake Shelton to Dirtbag Shelton and invite you to call him that too.
21. I forgot to take treats to Nicole's School when she was celebrating her 6th birthday. In my defense, it was her half birthday since she was born in July. Still I felt like giving myself the mother of the year award for that, especially since all I was doing was NOTHING at the time I was supposed to be at her class.
22. At this very moment I am late picking up my kids from scouts and activity days so I can hurry and finish this post.
23. When I was in 5th grade I super-glued my toes together. DON'T TRY IT!!
24. When I am bored I read the Dictionary and I write my name over and over. I also like to read the labels on cleaning supplies when I am tired of cleaning and need a break.
25. When I was in Young Women's (at church) I could say the theme in one breath. I now know that it was very disrespectful. However, that didn't stop me from seeing if I was still able to--I am.
Sorry for any typos--I have to go get my kids. :)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
2 Quotes for the day...
Courtesy of the kids in my class at school...
1. "Teacher I love you! Don't be mean and make me do my math!" Boy age 6 speaking to me.
2. "It's a long story, I'll tell it to myself at recess." Girl age 8, speaking to anyone who'll listen.
For the record, we heard the story 3 times before 1st recess.
1. "Teacher I love you! Don't be mean and make me do my math!" Boy age 6 speaking to me.
2. "It's a long story, I'll tell it to myself at recess." Girl age 8, speaking to anyone who'll listen.
For the record, we heard the story 3 times before 1st recess.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My own personal blonde moment.
Today I came home from church sick. Nothing to worry about, I just felt really crappy. I managed to lay on the couch and read my RS lesson that I teach on 3rd Sundays, but I was not able to fall asleep. I figured rest was just as good though.
Later in the afternoon, I was feeling tired and decided to go lay down. I slept for a while and when I got up, I realized that I forgot to take out my contacts. (This is the 2nd time in about 10 days, I'm sure I will learn soon.) Anyway, I went into the bathroom to take them out and the first one came out really easily. I stood in front of the mirror to take the second one out and it didn't come out as easily. Right then the phone rang, so I went to answer it. I talked on the phone for about 5 minutes with my vision half blurred. I went back to the bathroom to take out my second contact but I couldn't get it out. I put in tons of eye drops and the little thing was plastered to my eyeball. I was getting a little bit nervous and I was praying that I could get that contact out, and practically swearing that I'd never wear them again if I got the dumb thing out of my eye. Then my phone rang again. It was Ken, I told him about my calamity, he laughed at me. Back to the bathroom I went, I looked in the mirror to get a good look at that contact. Here comes the embarrassing part...I was trying to get my contact out of the wrong eye. Apparantly my right eye has a ring around the iris that looks like a contact. When I tried to take a contact out of my left eye, it was amazing how easily it came out.
Questions I ask myself now, as my right eye is still bloodshot and sore 3 1/2 hours later...
Why didn't I notice I could see really well while trying to get my 'contact' out of my eye?
Why would I be taking out the contact out of my right eye last?
Was I once a blonde???
I know...special
Later in the afternoon, I was feeling tired and decided to go lay down. I slept for a while and when I got up, I realized that I forgot to take out my contacts. (This is the 2nd time in about 10 days, I'm sure I will learn soon.) Anyway, I went into the bathroom to take them out and the first one came out really easily. I stood in front of the mirror to take the second one out and it didn't come out as easily. Right then the phone rang, so I went to answer it. I talked on the phone for about 5 minutes with my vision half blurred. I went back to the bathroom to take out my second contact but I couldn't get it out. I put in tons of eye drops and the little thing was plastered to my eyeball. I was getting a little bit nervous and I was praying that I could get that contact out, and practically swearing that I'd never wear them again if I got the dumb thing out of my eye. Then my phone rang again. It was Ken, I told him about my calamity, he laughed at me. Back to the bathroom I went, I looked in the mirror to get a good look at that contact. Here comes the embarrassing part...I was trying to get my contact out of the wrong eye. Apparantly my right eye has a ring around the iris that looks like a contact. When I tried to take a contact out of my left eye, it was amazing how easily it came out.
Questions I ask myself now, as my right eye is still bloodshot and sore 3 1/2 hours later...
Why didn't I notice I could see really well while trying to get my 'contact' out of my eye?
Why would I be taking out the contact out of my right eye last?
Was I once a blonde???
I know...special
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Getting to know me!
My friend, Melissa sent this to me on an email. It's a getting to know you survey with new questions fo 2009. I'm one of those people who LOVES filling surveys out, and I also love reading others, so I'd like to encourage you all to fill one out for yourself as well. You may think that people don't really care, but believe me, they do! I check all the blogs on my list, almost every single day, and I love reading them too.
So here goes...
1. What is your occupation right now? Full Time Para Professional in a special needs elementary classroom
2 What is on your feet right now? Arguile Socks
3. What are you listening to right now? Silence...weird I know. I LOVE BEDTIME!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? A Banana
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Absolutley
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Sister, Gina
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Love her!
8. How old are you today? 31
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? The Olympics are the only time I really tune in for sports
10. What is your favorite drink? Water
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Once I colored is Auburn in HS, then I've had highlights 3 times.
12. Favorite food? Tacos
13. What is the last movie you watched? Mall Cop
14. Favorite day of the year? The day after the last day of school.
15. How do you vent anger? Complain to Ken.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Baby Dolls
17. What is your favorite season? Fall and spring
18. Cherries or Blueberries? No Thank you
22. Living/marital arrangements? Married 11 1/2 years
23. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, some of Ken's ties that fell off the rack, and a toy I took from one of my kids.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Family--Gina; Friend--Melissa
26. What did you do last night Played video games with my kids, then we watched a movie in my bed.
27. What are you most afraid of? Someone I love dying.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese
29. Favorite dog breed I've had a Basset Hound and a Cockapoo. I like the Cockapoo better.
30. Favorite Day of the week? Sunday.
31. How many states have you lived in? 5--Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Kansas
32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, but not too many.
33. What is your favorite flower? Tulips
So here goes...
1. What is your occupation right now? Full Time Para Professional in a special needs elementary classroom
2 What is on your feet right now? Arguile Socks
3. What are you listening to right now? Silence...weird I know. I LOVE BEDTIME!
4. What was the last thing that you ate? A Banana
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Absolutley
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Sister, Gina
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Love her!
8. How old are you today? 31
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? The Olympics are the only time I really tune in for sports
10. What is your favorite drink? Water
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Once I colored is Auburn in HS, then I've had highlights 3 times.
12. Favorite food? Tacos
13. What is the last movie you watched? Mall Cop
14. Favorite day of the year? The day after the last day of school.
15. How do you vent anger? Complain to Ken.
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? Baby Dolls
17. What is your favorite season? Fall and spring
18. Cherries or Blueberries? No Thank you
22. Living/marital arrangements? Married 11 1/2 years
23. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday
24. What is on the floor of your closet? Shoes, some of Ken's ties that fell off the rack, and a toy I took from one of my kids.
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Family--Gina; Friend--Melissa
26. What did you do last night Played video games with my kids, then we watched a movie in my bed.
27. What are you most afraid of? Someone I love dying.
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? Cheese
29. Favorite dog breed I've had a Basset Hound and a Cockapoo. I like the Cockapoo better.
30. Favorite Day of the week? Sunday.
31. How many states have you lived in? 5--Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Kansas
32. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds, but not too many.
33. What is your favorite flower? Tulips
Happy Birthday to my Dad!
Today is my Dad's birthday. If you ask him how old he is, he'll tell you 19. He's been 19 for my whole life, and he will be forever I think. It doesn't matter that 7 of his kids are older and the youngest is 19 too.
Since I live so far away, we will not being doing anything special with him today, but I am going to do my typical blog for family birthdays and share some of my favorite memories.
When I was in 3rd grade, I seemed to be having a tough time. I was #4 our of 7 at the time, too little to go with the big kids and too big to go with the little ones. One day my Dad came into my room where I had been banished to clean it and he told me he noticed that I acting a little bit sad lately. He said we needed to plan a date and go somewhere, just the 2 of us. I was SO EXCITED. Later in the week, probably on a Saturday, I got to go with my Mom and Dad to Tigerd (OR) and we went to Subway. I even got my own sandwich. That is my first memory of doing something with both of my parents without any of my siblings.
I can see him late at night watching TV with a bowl of popcorn and a can of Pepsi, or Chips and Dip and a can of Pepsi. In the last few years he has switched to Mt. Dew, but the image is the same. We've had many good talks, good laughs, and good cries watching TV late at night and drinking Pepsi.
I LOVE MUSIC!! So does my Dad. Since I was in high school we have spent hours together listening to music, trying to stump each other on what the title of the song is, who sings it. Even now that I live over 1700 miles away, one of us will call the other, and ask, "Who sings this?" Then the volume goes up loud and we have to name that tune as fast as we can. Many friday nights at 5 PST and 7 CST we will be on the phone listening to the same 5 O'clock song on the local country radio station. I uploaded it to YouTube so you can hear it if you want to.
One time when I was visiting home and my Mom was out of town for the night, my Dad took Gina and I to Red Robin. We ate french fries for almost 2 hours and Gina and I told the waiter it was my Dad's birthday. (it was summer time, we fibbed) They sang to him and gave him crazy glasses. We all took turns wearing them. It was a very fun night.
I've learned many things from both of my parents and I am like both of them in many ways. I think I've my inability to act my age, quite often, was inhereted from my Dad. In is ripe old age of 19,. he has learned the time and place a little better than I have, but I still have some years to figure it all out.
Dad on your 19th birthday, I hope you have a wonderful day! I love you so much and I'm often sad that we don't live closer. Thank you for buying my first Neil Diamond Tape, Beautiful Noise is still my most favorite song by him. Thank you for calling me on your commutes and for getting your Temple Recomend back and for staying worthy to use it. I love you!
Most!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
THOSE BORN 1920-1979
I received this in an Email and I thought it was worth posting here.
THOSE BORN 1920-1979
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVEDthe 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the=2 0morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all,no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chatrooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not every one made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?
THOSE BORN 1920-1979
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVEDthe 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,
WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!
We would leave home in the=2 0morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And we were OK.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all,no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or chatrooms.......
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!
Little League had tryouts and not every one made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!
If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!
The quote of the month is by Jay Leno:
'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
The Melting Pot
Thursday night I was able to go out to dinner with my parents and Gina at my most favorite restaraunt, The Melting Pot. It's a fondue restaraunt. We were there for a little over 2 hours. The conversation was nice and the food was great, as always. While we were on the ferry, Gina and I took a few pics of us together. We were pretty happy with how some of them turned out, so I thought I'd share those as well.
The Pacific Ocean in Long Beach, WA
Wesnesday afternnon, after we recooped from getting up at 4am to drop Kyle off at the airport, Gina, Nicole, Matthew and I went to Long Beach to see the ocean and eat dinner with my brother, Adam and his wife, Cassie. We weren't there for very long because Adam had to stand duty that night, but it was a nice visit. When we got to the beach, the sun had gone down and it was almost dark. Because of that, we didn't actually get in the water, but we took some nice pictures. The first pics were taken our drive, then as the sun set we got some prettier ones.
Thanks Adam and Cassie for letting us come over!
Na Na Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye!
On Wednesday, while I was in Washington, I was able to go with my Mom and Dad and Gina to take my little brother, Kyle to airport to begin his mission. He'll be in the MTC in Provo, Utah for 3 weeks, and then off to the Pennsylvania, Harrisburg Mission for the remainder of his 2 years.
Kyle with his Stake President, Mike Anderson, at 12:30 am, after he had been set apart as a Full Time Missionary.
Kyle outside of my parents home. He borrowed my brother's name tag for the pic. I can't believe he's actually old enough to be going!
Kyle waiting in line to go through security at the Sea-Tac Airport.
I was holding his spot while he used the little boys room.
Kyle with his Stake President, Mike Anderson, at 12:30 am, after he had been set apart as a Full Time Missionary.Kyle outside of my parents home. He borrowed my brother's name tag for the pic. I can't believe he's actually old enough to be going!Kyle waiting in line to go through security at the Sea-Tac Airport.
I was holding his spot while he used the little boys room.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Hawaii Trees
We got off the Airplane in Orange County, California and the first thing Nicole said after we walked out of the Airport was, 'Look Mom! Hawaii Trees!'
California or Bust...
So I won't bore you will ALL of our pictures I took from California because there are over 400 of them. I know I have an addiction, at least it doesn't cost that much because we don't have to print out every single one. So here are some of the highlights from our quick trip.
Our plane left Wichita on the 2nd at 6:30 in the morning. We had a connection in Dallas and landed in Orange County before 10am. We were at the park before noon.
Matthew met a pilot on the train that connected us to our second flight in Dallas. He talked the poor man's ear off, but he was a good sport.
This right outside the entrance to California Adventure, located across from Disneyland.
Does this need an explanation??
Nicole's favorite ride was the carousel. There was one in each of the 2 parks and she rode them collectively more than 10 times. This is King Triton's Carousel located inside California Adventure. At the beginning of the trip, we told her that everytime she rode the carousel, she had to ride Splash Mountain. She never paid up, but she sure loved this ride. As a side note, Nicole and Matthew rode this ride 4 times in a row while Ken and I rode Screamin' over California, a crazy fast roller coaster that ruined Ken's day. At least he can say he rode it now.
Our plane left Wichita on the 2nd at 6:30 in the morning. We had a connection in Dallas and landed in Orange County before 10am. We were at the park before noon.
Matthew met a pilot on the train that connected us to our second flight in Dallas. He talked the poor man's ear off, but he was a good sport.This right outside the entrance to California Adventure, located across from Disneyland.
Does this need an explanation??Nicole's favorite ride was the carousel. There was one in each of the 2 parks and she rode them collectively more than 10 times. This is King Triton's Carousel located inside California Adventure. At the beginning of the trip, we told her that everytime she rode the carousel, she had to ride Splash Mountain. She never paid up, but she sure loved this ride. As a side note, Nicole and Matthew rode this ride 4 times in a row while Ken and I rode Screamin' over California, a crazy fast roller coaster that ruined Ken's day. At least he can say he rode it now.
AUTOPIA...Matthew's dream come true. They gave him a driver's license and then let him drive by himself. He has seriously been waiting for this moment since the last time we were at Disneyland--six years ago. He rode this ride 3 times while we were there.
The best time I had with Ken and the kids was when we rode Splash Mountain. Nicole didn't want to ride it, she actually freaked out when we were walking up to get on the ride, which BTW had NO WAIT. She begged me not to make her ride this ride, and as you can see I didn't give in. Anyway, seconds into the ride, she decided it was okay. After the first little drop, she was in love. After the huge drop where they took our picture, she started screaming and cheering she was so excited. That was my 'high' for this trip.
My favorite part about going to California is seeing Ken's Aunt Louise. Disneyland is fun and I love seeing my kids there, but it's not MY favorite place on earth. Seeing Aunt Louise is a happy place for me. I've only met her three times but we talk on the phone enough that I feel like she's been my aunt my whole life and not just 11 1/2 years.
All in all it was a fun trip. The 2nd was crazy busy, the 3rd was perfect--short lines and not alot of chaos, and the 4th was a happy medium. The kids got to spend time with Ken's parents for a short time while we were there, and Ken and I got to spend time with his brother, Ricky and his fiance.
Rick and Dedra and a Pair of RAD Gloves!!!
One night while we were in CA, after our kids had been asleep for some time, Ken and I snuck out, with his Brother Rick and his fiance Anise. While we were gone, Ricky showed us his latest purchase, the coolest pair of gloves I'd ever seen. Of course, we took some pictures to model them...
I had an itch...Just kidding
Hey! You want a piece of me?!
Surpised!
Surprise!
Doing the Robot
Put your hands together, clap everyone!
I'll say a little prayer for you.
I'm shocked!
That's fabulous!
What up, YO?Thursday, January 1, 2009
Making our Gingerbread House
This year we didn't get our annual gingerbread house made until Christmas Day. It seemed that every evening we had planned to 'build' it, Ken had to work. On Christmas mid-morning, when Ken was once again at work, we decided to build it with out him.
So this is how our tradition goes...
We build the Gingerbread House.
We decorate the Gingerbread House.
The kids eat the Gingerbread House. This year it happened after it was hit by a Kansas Tornado.
So this is how our tradition goes...
We build the Gingerbread House.We decorate the Gingerbread House.
The kids eat the Gingerbread House. This year it happened after it was hit by a Kansas Tornado.
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