It could be worse

I have started to have the mentality that when things are hard or I just can't handle it I tell my self, It could always be worse.

I really hope that I can be more of a half full rather than a half empty kind of girl. So in honor of "it could always be worse" I am going to list some things that I am thankful for.

• 2 beautifully Healthy children- this hasn't always been like this and even though neither of my children have any debilitating diseases, or handicaps we have dealt with being sick a lot and right now my little ones are doing so well.

• A place to live- I can't imagine what kind of life we would be living if I didn't have wonderful parents who let us live with them.

• Wonderful parents who take care of my kids while I am at work.

• A car to drive- even with gas prices, no A/C or Heat, driving is still a luxury that I think many take for granted.

• a wonderful Job-there are some people I know and I am sure many others that I don't who can't find work, I am so thankful that I have a job with people that I enjoy spending time with in and out of work.

• An amazing heritage full of great stories and inspirational trials that always remind me that "it could be worse" I always think of my Grandma and have such a great respect for the life she lead. and I hope that I can be a 10th of the woman she was.

• Great friends-I have some of the best friends ever. THANK YOU!

• Great siblings who try to do their best- With a brother on a mission and living with the other 2 I am glad that my siblings are here to be part of my kids lives. My brothers are wonderful male role models for my kids who need them desperately. (My Dad too)

• The opportunity for an education- I have a ravenous thirst to learn right now. I am so glad that I can take advantage of that thirst and better my self, and continue to create a future of independence and stability for my children.

I am sure that I could come up with a large list if I really sat down and thought about every little thing that I am thankful for. I am so greatfull for all of the blessings that I have in my life. Yes I have been through my share of hard times but its just a small smattering of what COULD have happened. I think I will take the trials that I have and be thankful that that is all that I have gone through and pray for those who are going through more.

Planning Thanksgiving

Ever since my Grandma passed away I have had such a desire to pull my family close and keep them there. I have an Aunt and Uncle who live in the same city. Our families have always been close, doing things together as small children. Our families often made a Sunday trek to Oak Hills to visit grandma. Our summers were usually filled with BBQ's and gatherings as other members of the family came into town to visit. The Holidays were always full of family. We always went to Grandmas for the one day of the year grandma would take her teeth out when she dressed up like a witch for Halloween. Thanksgiving was a big production with a Perfect Turkey and all the fixings and lots of good company. Christmas was a festival of music, jokes and hand made gifts from Grandma.

As we grew up and the older cousins started getting married, we started to stop having so many gatherings, celebrations and family events together. Life started to take over and there just got to be to many of us to all fit in one place.

While chatting with my cousin Jill we decided that we wanted to have a big Thanksgiving this year. With as much of the family as we can. So I sent out a mass email to everyone I have emails for. Sadly I have had some no's but there are some yes's and we are planning to have a fabulous time. I am excited to spend time with family. I hope to make a new tradition of trying to keep ties within my family strong. I think my Grandma would be proud.

Now I just have to find a place that will hold us all.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the best friend a girl could have.
I hope your day is filled with happy memories
good food (only a couple more days left)
and anything else your heart desires

High School - a messed up jumble of thoughts

HS leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth for a lot of reasons. The most prominent is regret. There are a lot of things I never did in HS that I wish I had. I really wish I hadn't taken it for granted and payed more attention to my grades and other things that could have helped get me further in my career. I always wanted to do more things. I wish I would have played Softball, Basketball and Cheer leading. I wish that I would have been more outgoing instead of so shy and self conscious. I would have taken more Science and History classes. I would have taken anything taught by Mr. Webb.

I don't remember a lot about HS. Its all pretty hazy. there are specific things that I can recall and that will help pull other random things to the front of my mind. I have been thinking about school a lot. Having reconnected with so many former classmates a lot of things from those years have been seeping into my thoughts. One of the things that I really wish that I didn't have to pause to think about is every time I get a friend request from someone I haven't seen in years is I always stop and wonder. "how did I treat you in High School" I wish I could say that I didn't get wrapped up in the drama, that I didn't take part in the stereotypes and teasing. and truely there are some people that I can't remember how I treated them. Granted if I was mean to someone surely they haven't forgotten . I can still remember the time in Jr. High when Robby Reynolds came up to me and said "roses are red, Violets are black, why is your chest as flat as your back" It makes me laugh now but at the time it really bothered me. And I am sure there are things that I have done that have bothered and hurt others. I know that Freshman year in PE during the Soccer unit something happened and I called Leah Trammell a Bitch. I am sure it was un-called for but the damage was done and I don't know that I will ever be able to tell her I am sorry.

I was a social butterfly in HS. I didn't really have a clique. I had friends in most all of the groups. I enjoyed getting to know a lot of people. the only down fall to that is that I never really had a lot of really close Friends. the buddy buddy kind of friends that always did stuff together. There where phases I went through when I had some Friends for a long period of time and then for one reason or another we would all drift apart and move on. The only exception to that is those who were in my ward and we were 'forced' to associate with each other during all the church activities.

I would hope that I can help my girls act better than I did. And I hope that if there are those who are reading this that I have offended, Please accept my deepest apologies.

Bailey-isms

Bailey is such a random thinker, Ashley and I were talking and I've thought that I need to start writing down the funny stuff that she says so that I can remember.

To Ashley; "Ashley there is a Bee, but don't worry, I will protect baby Xander (pause) cause I have super powers" ( about a year ago)

Me to Bailey; " What kind of super powers do you have?"
Bailey : "Purple"
( about a year ago)

Bailey while looking out the window at some very fluffy looking clouds " Mom, did you know that I can sit on clouds?" (just a few days ago)

After I told her we would have fun just us while Laira was at school and she was put in time out
" This is not fun Mom , How many times have I told you that time out makes me sad."

There are more but its 3 am and I can't think strait. I will have to do another post when I can think of some more.

The Theater

Outside the Theater

We were on the front row, Lairas feet are touching the stage

The girls and Belle

Xander and me looking at the beast. He has the death grip on my neck and then said "hi beast" it was adorable


We had a GREAT dinner and a Fabulous time. All 3 of the kids did great and sat through the whole show. We would definately do it again.. when they have another kid show.

Bloggers Cramp

I don't really know what to write about so I am just going to write and we will see what comes out. First I guess I can say that I found a template that I LOVE and I finally got the header to work the way I wanted it to.

I worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The sleep thing has been a challenge with the new schedule that I have. I work 3 in a row with my 12 hour shift at the beginning. It makes the next 2 shifts interesting. Not to mention I become pretty grumpy at home. Needless to say I am looking forward to my time off.


I have been thinking about 'advertising' on my blog for fall pictures to help earn some money for Christmas and a family vacation. But I really don't know what kind of response to expect. My thoughts are doing an hour session charging 50.00 and just giving them a CD will all the pictures on it. Anyone interested?

I am trying to talk my brother into going to a movie with me, So we will see if I can come up with something better to write next time.

I have nothing new to blog about.

Pocket pies take 2

We did a lot better this time. They were actually delicious. The only problem was the filling this time was too runny to make them pockets. So we improvised and made these cute little things instead.

Photo Shoot

We got there.. we did it .. Xander didn't last long and Bailey rebelled against all the poses with a fake smile. But its done, And we forgot the parasols. Some of them are a little blurry so I will have some more editing to do. But all around I think they turned out pretty good.

Today

Maureen will be happy to know that today we are going to go take the pictures that I have needed to take for a couple months now. I will post them later.

Our delay is that my parents are replacing the outside faucet, which makes me soo very happy. Why does this make me so happy you ask? Well, the water main runs through the wall that is where the head of my bed is. And since this faucet has had problems like never turning off there is always the constant whining of water flowing above my head whenever I try to sleep. So HOORAY! no more water flowing. But boo that the water to the house is turned off so I can't bathe my beauties to get them ready for their photo shoot.

posting more later

What I love about Fall

The rich delicious colors of Fall.

I love getting to break out my sweater collection.






The Harvest of many delicious things.
Apples
Pears
Pumpkins
Squash
and many others.




The tempratures are finally mild enough to do things out side.




I love a good corn maze!

This is the cornbelly's maze this year.. at Thanksgiving point.

Template Woes

If you are a regular visitor to my blog you will have noticed that I am having a hard time selecting a template or 'look' for my blog. I wish I had the talent to be able to make it just how I would like it. And I keep finding things that I like but aren't quite perfect so I am changing it often.

I apologize

My silly girl

I love this little peanut. She is so silly, adventurous and has a great imagination. She can take any 2 objects and make them play together and completely entertain her self. Laira always needs someone to play with. Bailey can find fun in anything. She is also kind. Very quick to share, hug and kiss owies better. She loves the color purple, being 4 years old and to eat Mac-n-cheese.

I LOVE YOU BAILEYBOO!

letters from our favorite Missionary

look what came in the mail today while Laira was at school

Look at the happiest girl in the world!

Thankyou Uncle Bryce!

Photo Tag.

Tagged by Krista.. *glare*
Read after the last picture to see if you've been tagged....The rules are you have to take 10 pictures of the following things and you have to do it right away. No straightening, cleaning or wiping your child's nose (I mean it!).

I would just like to point out that I hate this tag. It makes me feel bad for the slovenly life that I live. It makes me want to clean.. shame on you!

Kids: Getting clean in the bath

Bathroom: I am going to be redoing this bathroom.. GOODBYE FISH! and apparently I need to wash the mats.
Closet: This is what happens when you have to squish a house into 2 rooms and have to try and rotate seasonal clothes, too small and too big clothes and have no desire to do any of it.
Shoes: I love my Target flip flops, I love shoes. they are fun.
Me: can you tell I am thrilled with this?
Fridge: full, there are lots of mouths to feed in this insane asylum.

Sink: Matt made Ribs for dinner last night.. mmmmm. I think we are all enjoying his new cooking fixation.
Laundry Room: this is tucked deep in the dark depths of the downstairs kitchen. With the old dark 70's cupboards and the lovely yellow flooring.

Favorite Room: this is my favorite place because its where everyone gathers.
Dream Vacation: anywhere..

I tag: Jessica D, Keli R, Janai W, Ginna , Alida B and Andrea M.

yearbookyourself.com

Click image to enlarge

This is a great website .. it was a ton of fun.. and yes .. I laughed at my self a LOT! I know that some of them aren't perfect and some were impossible to fix so they looked real. I highly recommend trying it. at least once.

I am a sucker for theses quizzez..

You Belong in 1980

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

Refrigerator Stew

My Dad use to make refrigerator stew, that is where he would take everything in the fridge that were leftovers and needed to be used and put it all together in a stew.. sounds delish.. doesn't it..

My brain feels like Stew.. I have alot of things on my mind

1- My Friend Stephanie.
2- My Brother and the Florida Weather
3- My Best friends
4- The dentist
5- Church
6- Work

Every day during the quiet moments when my mind starts to wander my thoughts always turn to Stephanie. Here is an excerpt from her sisters blog :

"I got off the phone with my brave parents in Mesa this evening. They gave me the daily update, Steph had another skin scraping surgery (this time in the facial area mostly) and Christian keeps looking better and better for a burn patient (keeping things in perspective). We have been told that Steph will likely look much different after her healing. That prospect is difficult for me to fully accept. It brings up so many questions I can only solve in due time. But something in my depths knows that it will be beautiful. She will be beautiful because she is beautiful."

It really makes me think, How would I feel to wake up and realize that my life is going to be completely different and have extensive injuries that are going to impede my ability to live the life I am use to. Steph hasn't woken up yet. Who knows if she is even aware of what is going on. I don't know how to fully explaine the ache I feel in my heart for her and for her family. I know that Steph will handle it with grace and dignity, because she is an amazing and beautiful woman, inside and out and she will amaze all of us .. I am sure of it.


Next on the list is my dear missionary brother. He is in Florida. And we all know that its hurricane season there. I have never really payed attention to the hurricanes and I still don't really but I am alot more mindful of them and they places they are effecting. I can easily see it as a great adventure in my brothers eyes. Something new he gets to experience. Although my mom is often tracking the storms ( she is a dork like that) and constantly worried I just have peace that he is safe and always under a much more influential watchful eye than ours. We send our love and prayers his way and know he will be taken care of.

My 2 best friends. I don't even know where to start, We the 3 of us are all at very different stages in life but with some common threads that bind us and have created the most fabulous case of 3muskateeritis I have seen in quite some time. We are there to bear each others burdens, listen and give advice, and just be ourselves with each other. I wouldn't have asked for better people in my life.

I am going to the dentist tomorrow.. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
did I mention that I hate the dentist with the fire of a thousand suns? and that its been almost 2 years since I have been and my few achy teeth are telling me that my visit is long over due. Needless to say I am not happy that I am going.

Church- I know I need to go.. I even went and talked to the bishop, we'll see how that progresses.

Work is becoming a headache, I don't know what to do. There are alot of people who want my half shifts, and I want full time but I know if I go full time and its too hard to handle I will never get my half shifts back so I don't know what I should do about that.. and I totally spaced my class on Saturday so I am pretty sure that I have the final on Saturday and I found out that I can't do my externship at the hospital so I am on the hunt for a place to do my externship cause I can't have my phlebotomy license with out having an externship and I can't leave my floor until I have a new position somewhere else. So for now I am staying with the poop. and the wonderful people I work with.

So that my friends is my refrigerator stew of sorts. I hope it was delicious.