Happy Anniversary!

Just a quick note to tell my honey that I love him dearly. We've been through a lot and the road to a better life continues, but as long as we stick together and keep Heavenly Father in our lives, we will get through. I love you!

The Flu Bug Has Left The House!

The kids have all been sick lately. Emma started with the flu Saturday night. We were up until 4 am before she could finally sleep. Then Grady started in with it at 5:30 am. No sleep for mom that night! Sunday night, Eran started in with it, then Payge got it Monday night. It was awful! Emma just barely got over it and was finally able to start eating again. I ended up coming home from school on Monday night because Grady called me. Emma was in complete hysterics. I could hear her in the background so of course, mom-instincts kicked in and I came home. Serves me right for leaving while she was sleeping.

It's so hard to believe that tomorrow is October all ready! That means in 2 months it will be Christmas. Time for us to stress over gifts for the kids again. Ugh! I love the holidays, but they are such a stressful time for us. I'm looking forward to when school is over and we actually have money to give the kids a Christmas that they deserve.

Weigh In Day

One week ago today I started doing the South Beach Diet...again...and I've had a total weight loss of 5.9 pounds! I can't even tell you how good it was to get on that scale and see that I've lost! That also means that I have 24.9 pounds to go to reach my 30 pounds in 3 months! Even though there were a few times I cheated...my neighbor brought over homemade cookies and I couldn't NOT eat one. Payge brought home brownies yesterday after she went to practice for her Primary Sharing Time for tomorrow. And, of course, I have a huge weakness for M&M's and since we had this container of Trail Mix, I ate some of that too. But now that all of that is gone, I am able to really concentrate on this diet a lot harder.

First Day Of Preschool

Today was Payge and Emma's first day of Preschool. Payge knew what to expect, but Emma seemed to be lost. I was filling out a check for Emma's pictures when I heard her, "Miss Teacher? Do you know where my mommy is?" Talk about heart-wrenching! I wanted to pick her up and squeeze her and love her! It was tough for me to leave her. After all, she is my baby! When I picked her up after school, she had a big grin on her face and was all smiles and happy. Seeing that she had a wonderful first day made me feel so much better. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to actually concentrate on my own classes and not worry about her so much.

Head Start

This afternoon Grady and I took Payge and Emma to their Head Start classrooms to meet their teachers. The girls are thrilled to be starting pre-school on Monday. Poor Emma didn't want to leave. She cried when we were done filling out registration papers and we had to promise her that she would be going back on Monday before she would settle down. It's going to be nice and quiet around here in the mornings. Grady will have plenty of time to get the cleaning done with no one home every morning!!

30 in 3

I have once again, and yes I mean once again, decided that I need to drop a few pounds. SO...I have given myself the challenge to lose 30 pounds in 3 months. If you have any suggestions on actually STICKING to a diet while in college...PLEASE HELP!!

Homer-isms

I was watching "The Simpsons" last night and started thinking of all the things that Homer says that cracks me up and decided to share them with you. (I know there are several, but I picked 10 of my most favorites!)


1. "No,please don't eat me. I have a wife and kids,eat them."
2. "Press any key to continue, where's the any key?"
3. "Oh, yeah, what are you gonna do? Release the dogs? Or the bees? Or the dogs with bees in their mouth and when they bark, they shoot bees at you?"
4. "I hope I didn't brain my damage..."
5. "So a few people won't get a few letters, boo hoo! You know the kind of stuff people write: "Dear somebody you never heard of, how was so and so? Blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah-blah, Yours Truly, Some Bozo." Big loss!"
6. "I saw weird stuff in that place last night. Weird, strange, sick, twisted, eerie, godless, evil stuff... and I want in."
7. "Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try."
8. "Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.'"
9. "When I look at the smiles on all the children's faces, I just know they're about to jab me with something."
10. "Homer no function beer well without."

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

This morning I took Grady to the Dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. He lasted longer than Eran did, but near the end when President Monson was doing the dedication, he had fallen asleep and was snoring. I know he didn't understand much of it, but it'll be a part of him forever.

Fish Lake 2009

Once I was done with finals, we decided to take off and go camping at Fish Lake with my parents. It was a lot of fun and a much needed vacation. We threw rocks in the lake, played in the stream, and even saw some deer that were in the woods behind my parents campground. There was about 7 or 8 deer, most of them being buck and about 2 doe. My dad and I followed them to get some pictures of them. Emma had a blast making ice cream when my dad wasn't using the hand crank.

This is the best picture that I got of the deer. It's only one of the many, but I must say, I did a good job of getting this one.

Payge and Emma throwing rocks in the lake.

We let Eran and Grady roast their own hot dogs.

At the stream

I don't think I've seen a more dirty little girl in my life. This was taken after being at camp for a couple of hours.

Grady's Baptism

On August 8, 2009 my little boy was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so proud of him and his decision to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. He's growing up so fast! I love you, son!

Altared Plans by Rebecca Cornish Talley

This weekend I was able to sit down and read "Altared Plans" by Rebecca Cornish Talley. It was a quick and easy read and it was so hard to put down and do other things that needed to be done. Grady, my husband, read it before I even had a chance to crack it open to the first page. It was nice to see him read something other than a magazine!

"Altared Plans" is about a young woman by the name of Caitlyn, who arrived at the Temple on the day of her wedding to find out that the love of her life was on an airplane to be with someone else. Devastated and torn apart she vowed she would never fall in love.

Upon returning to BYU, she is called to be the mom of her FHE group where she meets the father, Travis. Refusing to let herself fall in love again, she tags Travis as "annoying" but finds that she can't keep her mind off him and concentrate on her studies. Can her roommate, Brittany, help her to see that Travis is not like her first love? In order to find out, you need to read this book. Out of 5 stars, I give this book a 6!

I Wouldn't Make It

I was in the shower the other day, and realized that I wouldn't make it as a pioneer. I have no problem with washing laundry in the streams, or getting up early and going to bed late, or sewing, or teaching the kids. No problem at all! But, to have to only shower once or twice a month??? I can't do that! If I don't shower every day, I just feel so gross and disgusting! How could these women make it, after working so hard in the hot summers, with long sleeved dresses, and bonnets, and not take a shower? Yuck! I give these women 2 thumbs up for being able to go so long without bathing. They are stronger than I am!

Back To School

School started for me again last week. It's not so bad, however I have decided that I really don't like chemistry that much. That is one class that I can't wait to get rid of.

Finals Are Finally Final!

This is me before finals.

This is me AFTER finals.

One more time...



BEFORE


AFTER

Any questions?

Date!

It has been SO long since Grady and I have been on a date! So, today we are going out for my birthday, even though my birthday isn't until next week. We decided to go with a really good friend of mine and her hubby and we are going to see Wolverine. Yes, I am an X-men fan. We currently own all 3 of the X-Men movies, and I enjoy watching each one, one after the other. As well as some other movies that really catch my eye (i.e. Harry Potter, Avatar: The Last Airbender - which I know is not a movie, but I love watching it anyway! - and I know there's more, I just can't think of any right now.)

My sister is taking me out next Friday, and then on Saturday we are hoping to take the kids downtown to Temple Square to play with our new camera and take pictures of the kids. It's going to be SO much fun!

Oh yes, and I know this off the subject, but I had to say...Emma and I were watching TV the other day and this commercial came on for Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons. For those of you who don't know, Emma is 2 going on 3 this June. Out of the blue, she jumps up and says, "Mom! I want that for my birthday!" After stifling a laugh I asked her why, and she said, "So I can dance around and twirl like they are!" HA HA HA! Gotta love kids!

I never thought I'd be one to post a picture of Hugh Jackman with a picture of Tampons! Oops!

Bathroom Ghost

It never fails. I get out of class, and hit the the little girls room to take care of business. I go to the sink, push the lever to get some soap on my hands. I stick my hands under the faucet to turn on the water, and instead of just that one sink coming on, they all come on! And it's not just once in a while. It's every time! And it seems to only happen to me. There could be other girls in the bathroom, and when they wash their hands. Nothing. I put my hands under, and again, all the sinks come on! Coincidence? I think not! I think the college has their own version of Moaning Myrtle that only seems to like to follow me. But on the upside, SLCC's Moaning Myrtle doesn't moan. Nor does he/she make their presence known, until I wash my hands...Maybe I just better hold my business until I get home from now on...

Sick

Poor Grady is sick. He's been coughing for the last few days. Finally, tonight I took him in to First Med. He doesn't have the flu, but he has a touch of bronchitis. I don't know who it's worse for. Him or me? He's up all night coughing and wheezing. I feel bad for him. Hope you feel better love!

3 More Weeks

There is only 3 more weeks left until the semester ends. After that, it's a week of finals, and then...I'm out of school for 2 weeks so I can start all over again! Only this time, I get to start the fun biology and chemistry classes. I have also decided that I'm going to end with my Associates in Health Sciences, work for 2 years, then go back to school for my Bachelor's. That way...my job can pay for me to go to school. I think it's a good idea, don't you?

Draper Temple Dedication (via Satellite)

Yesterday I took Eran to the Draper Temple Dedication with my mom and dad. Before we left to go to the Stake Center, my mom and I were telling her that in a few short years (3 to be exact) she'd get to have the chance to go do baptisms for the dead. I could see the confusion written across her face, and if her head was see through, I know I'd be able to see the wheels turning in there. After a few short minutes, she finally looked at me and asked, "Mom? When I go do baptisms for the dead, do I have to hold a dead person in my arms?" My mom and I laughed hysterically and then explained to her how to works. With a look of relief on her face she asked, "So there's no dead people floating in the water either? Right?" The kinds of questions that a 9-year-old can come up with are just amazing! I don't think I would have ever thought about that at her age!

The dedication was wonderful. After it was over, Eran informed me that it was too long, and then couldn't figure out why my mom, dad and I were crying. Maybe she was too young to understand, but at least it's something she won't forget. Even if to her it was long and boring.

DJ Bawden

Last night I had the pleasure of meeting DJ Bawden. For those of you who don't know who he is, he's a sculptor that has done many projects of Joseph Smith. He had some very funny stories, but also some extremely funny ones. My favorites were when he was asked by the prophet to do a sculpture and he didn't have the money to bronze it, how a catholic hospital in Texas would call and offer him a job to do a sculpture of Jesus for the main foyer. Every time he needed money to make something for the Mormon church, the Catholic hospitals in Texas would call him and ask him to a sculpture of Jesus. He became known in Texas as the Catholic Sculptor. Even though he's a Mormon.
If you ever get a chance to go hear him speak, please do so. You will not walk away disappointed. I know I wasn't.