The Parker Elves!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1135163515

This is pretty funny!!! You all ought to do this too!!!

Merry Christmas...only 24 more sleeps till the big day!!!

Wahoo!!!

We did some family pictures today....nothing to fancy...just me and digital. I guess they turned out ok. I hate pictures of myself....argh!!! But everyone else turned out FAB!!!

Parker Family 11-24-07

My good looking kids!!!

Mitch age 15

Sydney age 12

Tyler age 7

Gobble Gobble!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! What a great day today was!!! Lots of food, lots of family, and lots of football! Who could ask for more!!!

I feel so blessed to have as much love and happiness around me...sometimes I have to take a step back and make myself appreciate it more! Today is a great day to do just that!!!

Randy's folks are on a mission in Houston Texas so we hosted the family dinner...and it was alot of fun. Talk about a good spread of food.....wowzers! I am still stuffed!!! Fun to have cousins playing...and new babies snuggling....and lots and lots of catching up! What a wonderful way to spend the day....together!!!

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful hubby and kids! I could not do what I do without all their help! Wow!!! And it is alot...trust me!!! The Stake Presidency calls Randy...one of my counselors! Pretty funny if you ask me! And he really is! He is such a huge help....can't imagine serving in this busy calling without help and support like him! My kids are great to help too..and they are just good kids! I sure to love them!

I am blessed to have such wonderful friends....who love me in spite of all my downfalls...and there are many!!! I have never been someone whose life revolves around friends...if that makes sense!!! If I don't see you for awhile....doesn't mean I don't love you....cuz I do!!! I know they are all there to help me....when I need it!!! And I am sooo lucky!!! Wish everyone could have friends like I do!!!

I am so lucky to have the gospel in my life! What would I do without it....Wow....what a different person I would be! No need to go there.....I am just glad!!!

So...all in all....I have had a wonderful Thanksgiving day!!!

Bad Blogger

It has been awhile since I posted. Sheesh...one would think I have been busy or something! Guess I have been. Alot has been going on lately, in a good way!

My new Presidency is doing FAB!!! We had our Stake Auxiliary training a week or so ago...and it was fantastic! I was sooo tickled pink with how everyone did. Like I ever doubted....I didn't. I knew they would be GREAT! Had more positive feedback this time, than I ever have. So that is a good thing!!!

My Mom dropped over for a visit. She had been in Logan visiting my Grandma Swenson who fell and broke her leg again. (4th time...same leg). They had to do surgery again and repairs with plates and rods. But she seems to be recovering very well this time. So...that is good too. Anyway, Mom can over for a couple days and we had a blast. Got to be silly and do a little shopping and just basically acted like teenagers! (I stretch for both of us...hehehehe....no offense Mom!!!) We went out for dinner to celebrate Mitch's birthday (early....his bday is not till the 15) but that is okay too. Fun to do that!!! Played lots of games and ate lots of yummy treats. Very fun visit. It is always hard to let her leave!!! She is such a neat person and my kids adore her!!!

I have been working on Humanitarian Aid stuff. I have done 3 baby quilts so far and have one more that Sydney are I are doing...well she is doing...I am supervising. She has had such an interest in learning how to sew...it has been fun. Her and I worked on sewing 40 school bags a month or so ago...and it was fun to see how excited she got about it! This quilt has been even more fun. We picked up the quilt kit....already had the squares cut and ready to go...so she just had to arrange the pieces to make her quilt top...and we got to sewing! She is doing a GREAT job. She is quite the lil sew'er. Won't be long and she will be putting me to shame!!!

Been busy and that is good. Less time to get into trouble I guess!!!!!

New Baby in the Family!

Amy and Chad had their lil baby today. She was born at 1:39pm and weighed in at 8lbs 12 ounces and was 22 inches long! She is sooooo cute and chunky!!! We got to go and see her tonight and all got to hold her. She is one lil baby that does NOT want to be wrapped up!!! She likes to be out in the open!

So meet Kathryn Marie Calkins

a funny from the Salt Lake Tribune!!!

It wasn't entirely the pumpkin's fault. For a kid, the hours between getting out of school and going trick-or-treating stretch like a congressional hearing.

So, bored and dangerous, Leon and I borrowed a jack-o'-lantern from a neighbor's porch, and a large firecracker from his old man's pickup.

We didn't know how powerful Mr. Krygowski's firecracker was, only that it was bigger than the Black Cats we normally got grounded for using.

The neighbor's pumpkin was the size of a log cabin and just as durable. We figured it would take our combined knowledge of explosives to do it any real damage.

A collection of smaller kids watched the experts from a distance. We balanced the pumpkin on a fence post and inserted the firecracker through its grin. Lighting the fuse, we backed off a few feet and waited for the lid to pop into the air.

The jack-o'-lantern disappeared in an enormous burst of light and noise.

I didn't learn about the size of the explosion until much later. At the time, I only knew that my face had somehow gotten in the way of a slab of pumpkin on its way to Japan.

Ears ringing, Leon and I sat up, covered in pumpkin juice and orange string. He had two loose teeth and my glasses were broken. The audience was gone and the fire department was on its way.

This wasn't the only time I got into trouble with a pumpkin. It took years for me to realize that they're inherently dangerous, particularly during Halloween when a certain lack of decorum is expected.

The following Halloween, I was badly injured in an argument over a jack-o'-lantern, the crux of which was a cat's objection to being placed inside it. Because the cat had attached itself to my head, flight was problematic when the owner of the house (and cat and pumpkin) opened the door to find out what was going on.

I swore off pumpkins for a couple of years. Then I discovered that rolling them down a long hill will cause traffic to drive like crazy to get out of the way - and that cops really hate that.

Dropping pumpkins from high places is also hazardous, but nowhere is it more hazardous than from the roof of your own house and onto the hood of a car belonging to someone who not only can make you pay for it, but legally flog you in the bargain.

When Halloween is over, please remember to bring your jack-o'-lanterns inside. This is for their own good. And mine. rkirby@sltrib.com



Just a funny article that made me giggle today....on a day that I could really use something to make me smile!!! Hope you like it. Reminds me of my malatov cocktail days on the ranch!!!

Sad News

I got a phone call late last night from a friend in Maple Valley Washington . She was calling to inform me of a lil gal I knew while we lived there...had passed away. She was one of the young women in our ward and I worked many hours with her....she had a pretty hard life!

Anyway...just shortly after she graduated from HS she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and has been fighting it fiercely since then. Gone through MULTIPLE rounds of chemo and radiation....she has been soooo sick for years. Well, she passed away on Thursday and her funeral was today. I was heartbroken. Flights were $250 and I could not afford to go...so I am moping around the house today. Feeling so sad I was unable to go and help mourn her passing...and tell her Mom...how much I truly loved this young lady! She was dealt a tough card in life...and she rose above it! Her name is Krista and I am going to miss her!!!

Once again.....

We are fish grandparents. One of Mitch's fish had babies, again. Sadly the Mama passed away during ....fish birth. We have successfully retrieved the babies and moved them to the smaller tank in Tyler's room....that way they don't get eaten.

I know you are all jealous. I lead a pretty exciting life!

Other than that...a pretty uneventful day.

And that is ok sometimes!

Sydney is continuing with basketball tryouts. Nothing like going from one sport to the next. She just finished volleyball on Saturday. They had a tourney and her cute lil team lost their first game and were out. She was sooo sad...as were the rest of the lil girls! They were all crying and it made me so sad. They really didn't play as good as they are capable...and should have won that game hands down. But that is part of life I guess! She struggled most of the day Saturday...then just like that...she was all ok and happy again!

Wish I could rebound so quickly! I can learn lots from her!!!

Mitch has his last football game tomorrow. They are playing for second place in the district! They should win....their quarterback got hurt last week and left the game in an ambulance headed for the ER.....so it might be interesting to see how they do with a new QB who has never throw a pass during a game! Should be fun!!!

I am ready for bed....after all the baby fish chasing...I am worn out!

Dang Kid!

Phew...glad it is the weekend! I just finished sewing 40 school bags for humanitarian kits for our ward super Saturday that is tomorrow! I thought it would be a good project for my kids to work on...so I had Mitch volunteer to make 10. A good goal I thought.

Well, he found out his friend was making a lot more than 10...and he didn't want to be outdone..so he just took the entire box.

And....brat didn't even touch them. Every time I tried to get him to work on them...he was busy...or he was tired! So, needless to say...it is the witching hour and they are due.

Thankfully Sydney was very interested in helping and knew that it could count for a 10 hour project for her personal progress...so she jumped on board and saved my bacon! She DEF got her hours done! Plus...I got a 10 hour project out of it too!!!

And the boy didn't help at all! And I am still mad at him!

And he owed me big time! For covering his behind!!! Once again!

Anyway...they are done and turned in. Did the best I could...and I am glad they are done.

And...I just finished making 20 cute lil domino necklaces for Sydney's volleyball team for their tournament tomorrow! I think they will be excited! Hope they do good!

Now...I am ready for bed!!!!

Drizzly Day

I HATE days like today....days that are overcast and drizzly. Makes me want so stay home and stay in my jammies all day long! Which is what I did today!

Yesterday it was like 82 degrees outside...now today....brrrr and raining! The only upside being...Mitch does not have a Football game tonight!

Yahoo!!!

Still have to run and get kids from practice....Sydney has her final Volleyball Tourney on Saturday then she is done. And Mitch has a game tomorrow...then likely he will play in the championship game next week. Then he is done!!! Tyler has two games left...then he is done! I love my kids being involved...but it will be nice to have a breather for awhile!

Phew!!!!

Anyway....here's to sunnier days in the future!

Great Weekend!!!

Sigh....it has been such a FAB weekend...just had to make note of it!

General Conference was wonderful as usual. My favorite part was when Joseph Wirthlin was speaking about service and brotherly love...and he starting getting really shaky. Russell M. Nelson stood up beside him and steadied him so he could finish his talk. Very moving. I had tears running down my face! Don't think Joseph Wirthlin will be around for much longer!

The weather was so gorgeous today that we couldn't help but head out to our property and "stake" out our possible home site! Made me excited to get out there! I wish it could happen sooner! I want to be out there now!!!

To top it off....BSU played today. We sold our tickets on Craigslist...since we didn't want to go on Sunday. But...we watched it on tv! They won big time!!! 58-0! Wowzers!!!

I am about ready for bed!!! The kids are back to school tomorrow...and it is Columbus day and Canadian Thanksgiving!!! So...Randy has the day off work. Yahoo!!!
I am cooking a turkey in honour of the day!

Yummy!!!

Read the story...then watch the video!!!! GOOD!!!

Racing Towards Inclusion
by David Tereshchuk
Article courtesy of multi'merica.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father-and-son team from Massachusetts who together compete just about continuously in marathon races. And if they’re not in a marathon they are in a triathlon — that daunting, almost superhuman, combination of 26.2 miles of running, 112 miles of bicycling, and 2.4 miles of swimming. Together they have climbed mountains, and once trekked 3,735 miles across America.

It’s a remarkable record of exertion — all the more so when you consider that Rick can't walk or talk.

For the past twenty five years or more Dick, who is 65, has pushed and pulled his son across the country and over hundreds of finish lines. When Dick runs, Rick is in a wheelchair that Dick is pushing. When Dick cycles, Rick is in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike. When Dick swims, Rick is in a small but heavy, firmly stabilized boat being pulled by Dick.

At Rick’s birth in 1962 the umbilical cord coiled around his neck and cut off oxygen to his brain. Dick and his wife, Judy, were told that there would be no hope for their child’s development.

"It’s been a story of exclusion ever since he was born," Dick told me. "When he was eight months old the doctors told us we should just put him away — he’d be a vegetable all his life, that sort of thing. Well those doctors are not alive any more, but I would like them to be able to see Rick now."

The couple brought their son home determined to raise him as "normally" as possible. Within five years, Rick had two younger brothers, and the Hoyts were convinced Rick was just as intelligent as his siblings. Dick remembers the struggle to get the local school authorities to agree: "Because he couldn’t talk they thought he wouldn’t be able to understand, but that wasn’t true." The dedicated parents taught Rick the alphabet. "We always wanted Rick included in everything," Dick said. "That’s why we wanted to get him into public school."

A group of Tufts University engineers came to the rescue, once they had seen some clear, empirical evidence of Rick’s comprehension skills. "They told him a joke," said Dick. "Rick just cracked up. They knew then that he could communicate!" The engineers went on to build — using $5,000 the family managed to raise in 1972 - an interactive computer that would allow Rick to write out his thoughts using the slight head-movements that he could manage. Rick came to call it "my communicator." A cursor would move across a screen filled with rows of letters, and when the cursor highlighted a letter that Rick wanted, he would click a switch with the side of his head.

When the computer was originally brought home, Rick surprised his family with his first "spoken" words. They had expected perhaps "Hi, Mom" or "Hi, Dad." But on the screen Rick wrote "Go Bruins." The Boston Bruins were in the Stanley Cup finals that season, and his family realized he had been following the hockey games along with everyone else. "So we learned then that Rick loved sports," said Dick.

In 1975, Rick was finally admitted into a public school. Two years later, he told his father he wanted to participate in a five-mile benefit run for a local lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. Dick, far from being a long-distance runner, agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. They finished next to last, but they felt they had achieved a triumph. That night, Dick remembers, "Rick told us he just didn’t feel handicapped when we were competing."

Rick’s realization turned into a whole new set of horizons that opened up for him and his family, as "Team Hoyt" began to compete in more and more events. Rick reflected on the transformation process for me, using his now-familiar but ever-painstaking technique of picking out letters of the alphabet:

" What I mean when I say I feel like I am not handicapped when competing is that I am just like the other athletes, and I think most of the athletes feel the same way. In the beginning nobody would come up to me. However, after a few races some athletes came around and they began to talk to me. During the early days one runner, Pete Wisnewski had a bet with me at every race on who would beat who. The loser had to hang the winner’s number in his bedroom until the next race. Now many athletes will come up to me before the race or triathlon to wish me luck."
It is hard to imagine now the resistance which the Hoyts encountered early on, but attitudes did begin to change when they entered the Boston Marathon in 1981, and finished in the top quarter of the field. Dick recalls the earlier, less tolerant days with more sadness than anger:

"Nobody wanted Rick in a road race. Everybody looked at us, nobody talked to us, nobody wanted to have anything to do with us. But you can’t really blame them - people often are not educated, and they’d never seen anyone like us. As time went on, though, they could see he was a person — he has a great sense of humor, for instance. That made a big difference."

After 4 years of marathons, Team Hoyt attempted their first triathlon — and for this Dick had to learn to swim. "I sank like a stone at first" Dick recalled with a laugh "and I hadn’t been on a bike since I was six years old."

With a newly-built bike (adapted to carry Rick in front) and a boat tied to Dick’s waist as he swam, the Hoyts came in second-to-last in the competition held on Father’s Day 1985.

"We chuckle to think about that as my Father’s Day present from Rick, " said Dick.

They have been competing ever since, at home and increasingly abroad. Generally they manage to improve their finishing times. "Rick is the one who inspires and motivates me, the way he just loves sports and competing," Dick said.

And the business of inspiring evidently works as a two-way street. Rick typed out this testimony:

"Dad is one of my role models. Once he sets out to do something, Dad sticks to it whatever it is, until it is done. For example once we decided to really get into triathlons, dad worked out, up to five hours a day, five times a week, even when he was working."
The Hoyts’ mutual inspiration for each other seems to embrace others too — many spectators and fellow-competitors have adopted Team Hoyt as a powerful example of determination. "It’s been funny," said Dick "Some people have turned out, some in good shape, some really out of shape, and they say ‘we want to thank you, because we’re here because of you’."

Rick too has taken full note of their effect on fellow-competitors while racing:

"Whenever we are passed (usually on the bike) the athlete will say "Go for it!" or "Rick, help your Dad!" When we pass people (usually on the run) they’ll say "Go Team Hoyt!" or "If not for you, we would not be out here doing this."
Most of all, perhaps, the Hoyts can see an impact from their efforts in the area of the handicapped, and on public attitudes toward the physically and mentally challenged.

"That’s the big thing," said Dick. "People just need to be educated. Rick is helping many other families coping with disabilities in their struggle to be included."

That is not to say that all obstacles are now overcome for the Hoyts. Dick is "still bothered," he says, by people who are discomforted because Rick cannot fully control his tongue while eating. "In restaurants - and it’s only older people mostly - they’ll see Rick’s food being pushed out of his mouth and they’ll leave, or change their table. But I have to say that kind of intolerance is gradually being defeated."

Rick’s own accomplishments, quite apart from the duo’s continuing athletic success, have included his moving on from high school to Boston University, where he graduated in 1993 with a degree in special education. That was followed a few weeks later by another entry in the Boston Marathon. As he fondly pictured it: "On the day of the marathon from Hopkinton to Boston people all over the course were wishing me luck, and they had signs up which read `congratulations on your graduation!’"

Rick now works at Boston College’s computer laboratory helping to develop a system codenamed "Eagle Eyes," through which mechanical aids (like for instance a powered wheelchair) could be controlled by a paralyzed person’s eye-movements, when linked-up to a computer.

Together the Hoyts don’t only compete athletically; they also go on motivational speaking tours, spreading the Hoyt brand of inspiration to all kinds of audiences, sporting and non-sporting, across the country.

Rick himself is confident that his visibility — and his father’s dedication — perform a forceful, valuable purpose in a world that is too often divisive and exclusionary. He typed a simple parting thought:

"The message of Team Hoyt is that everybody should be included in everyday life."

Team Hoyt - I CAN

Mom's overture

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Eric O'Shea Truth In Advertising

Here is a weekend funny!!!

Lunch Date

Ok...so yesterday I got to go out for lunch with a friend I have not seen for awhile. And boy was it great to get together and catch up! She recently moved and seems like I never see her anymore! She is someone I consider a very dear friend....and I hate that she is not close-by anymore!

Lunch rocked....cuz we went to PF Changs...extreme yumminess....one of my FAV places to eat..cuz they have a "gluten free" menu! It is soo nice to be able to go and eat and know the food is not going to make me sick!

Anyway....it was a very fun lunch...and I think I need to do that more often!!! And not just cuz she paid! (lil brat...you know who you are!!!)

Almost made me feel human again!!!!

Randy's youngest brother Steven and his wife Kayla came yesterday from Pocatello to bless their new baby girl! It was the first chance we have had to see her...and she is sooooo cute! It was fun to snuggle on her...didn't get to for long cuz there were many relatives waiting in line!

Steve gave her a very special blessing....and she was sooo good and quiet too. She was not pleased about taking pictures afterwards...but she survived!

Her name is Susie Bell Parker (after the Parker's Grandma). What a neat tribute!!! We are sooo glad they came over here to have her blessed so we could be there.

It was good to Steve and Kayla too!

I had fun taking some pics for them.....I love her little hands...and I had made that cute bracelet for her shortly after she was born! And it fit....so that is always a plus!!!

Cute Susie hands!!!

Susie was screaming...and the only way she would calm down was sucking on her Kayla's finger! So cute!!!

Sydney was dying to hold her new baby cousin!!! She even got to feed her a bottle!!!

Even Tyler wanted to hold baby Susie! Not for long...maybe just a couple of minutes! Good thing she was sleeping! :)

Dog-gone Funny

This is soo cute...got it from a friend! Made me smile! So...get your giggle's out, dust them off and get ready to use them!

Hope it has the same affect on you!!! Make sure you have your sound on!!! :)

That is some mighty fine dancin!!!

2-1!!! VB WIN!!

Sydney's VB team finally got their first win!!! They were playing East Valley MS at their gym...so it was their first official "away" game! They girls are playing so good....they lost their first game in another close one. They rallied back to win the second game. And won the squeaker in game 3! They were all soo very excited!

It is good to get a win under our belts!!!

Here are a couple of "quick" clips of Sydney helping her team win!!! She is the #1.

Good on ya girl!!!!

I am DONE!!!

If I see another peach in the near future!!! I just might run away!!!

And I mean that seriously!!!

We picked peaches at the church orchard on Monday...we ended up being able to "glean" after the initial picking for the cannery had happened! We picked 5 bushels...and got them for free! :)

At the time...sounded delightful!

Now...not so much!

I ended up freezing close to 30 gallons (maybe more...I quit counting) Very peachiness!
I made 5 batches of peach jam! Extra yumminess!!!
And canned 20 quarts that I am going to give to a friend! (that shall remain a secret cuz she doesn't know yet) :) And I don't want to ruin the surprise!

Besides that we picked blackberries on Monday too...like 5 gallons! So I made 6 batches of blackberry jam! Extra extra yumminess!!!!

So...I am ready for a break from canning! I know it will be good in the months to come. But I feel all sugary and jammy up to my ear-bones!

Seriously!

Phew!!!

Tyler and Flag Football!

Finally...Tyler got to play his first Flag Football game! They lost! The other team scored 5 touchdowns..and we only scored 3. I don't think Tyler seemed to care. He was just happy to be playing! He played Defensive Tackle and did pretty good!

He is just happy to get to wear a mouth guard!!!

Cute boy!!!

Go Gem State Communications!!!!

Tyler is the Green one..in the middle of the picture! :)























And on a side note...




GO BSU!!!!!


Edited to add!!!

SNAG-NAMIT!!! DANG BRONCOS!!!

VB Pictures!

I have redeemed myself as a mother. At least I hope so anyway! (Am I forgiven Mom???)

Sydney had another VB game this afternoon. And...well, they lost again. They were playing a team that was alot bigger and better than they were...the other team won the first game 25-21. The Sage girls won the second game 25-22 and then we lost the third game 15-8.

They played sooo good! So much better than the other day! Sydney had some GREAT sets! And boy do we have some girls that can serve!!!

I took my camera and even remembered to take pictures this time! Phew!

The pic is a little blurry....my dumb camera auto-focused on the banner on the wall. ARGH! Oh well...if you look closely you can see the ball that she just set. Nice high set...on the K in the banner! :)

This is just a team shot...waiting for her team to serve!

See how little she looks?

What she lacks in size she makes up in heart and aggresivness!!!

It is soo fun to watch her play!!!

Stake Youth Activity!!

Phew...it is over! It was fun and we had a TON of kids there. The Young Women leaders were in charge of the food (surprise surprise) and the Young Men planned the activities!!!

For dinner we had hamburgers, corn on the cob, chips, macaroni salad, potato salad, homemade root beer and ice cream bars for dessert! It was sooo yummy!

We probably had between 250-300 show up. It had been rainy and nasty all day long...but by 6:00 pm the clouds broke and it actually was pretty nice out...and we were able to have our party outside after all!!!

Jared Ricks and the Young Men's group planned the activities...which were a hit. They had four-square, kickball, football, basketball, and a joust thingee....the kids LOVED it! There were happy smiling kids running everywhere! They all went home full, sweaty and tired! I bet their parents loved us!!!

It turned out FAB!!! And the best part of the whole activity...is that it is over! It was fun...but I am tired and ready for bed!

The most exciting news of all...I got a new presidency!!! I am soo excited about the group of women I have working with me!!! They were called last week and sustained just on Sunday. Laurie Nelson is my new 1st Counselor, Tara Pugmire is my new 2nd Counselor, I kept Kris Woodruff as my Secretary and Jennifer Tolman as my Stake Camp Director and I called Greta Summers as my light leader (she is called specifically called to work with the 16 and 17 year old girls....as a leadership training) They are all super talented girls and I am soooo glad they all accepted and are excited to be serving in this way! It will be GREAT!!!

Sydney's first game

Sadly...Sydney's first volleyball game at Sage Middle School did not go very good! They lost to Mountain Home! She played super great and she is quit the little setter! I was soo proud of her and how she rallied her team mates even when they were loosing! The other team would just bump it right over the net and her team set up each ball. Bump, set, spike! Some of them were not quit spikes....but they have the right idea!

She was disappointed about loosing but I explained that it will pay off when she is playing in High School! Her coaches will be so grateful that she understands the importance of setting up the ball to score!

She only had one chance to serve as she was only playing the front row...but the one chance she had was after they had dug a pretty deep hole and she really over-thought the process and missed! She was sad....but it is only her first game EVER! So, I think she did GREAT!

I am soo proud of her!

She has so much more guts that I did at that age...probably more guts than I have now!

It will be a fun season watching how much they are learning and growing as a team. And to watch how much she learns and gains more confidence!!!

I took my camera...and forgot to take pictures. I am not a very good mother today!

I will work on improving! I promise!

Yahoo for Bonnie!!!!

My Super Very Cool friend Bonnie just showed me how to do some very cool stuffz to my blog! She rocks! I was not smart enough to do it on my own....I tried and screwed things up big time! But she showed me hot of fix it!!!

Yahoo!!!

Besides being way smart....she is my hair do-er extraordinaire! And I love her...cuz she makes my hair sooo cute!

Yahoo for Bonnie!!!

Love ya Girl!!!

A Boy's DREAM!!!

Really what boy would not love these shoes...and living here in the Bronco Nation (referring to BSU-land)...these are going to be some hot sneaks! He is sure to be the envy of his peers!!!

We were looking for school shoes for Mitch. He is at that age where he knows what he wants and there is no talking him out of it! He wanted a pair of Nike "Free" runners. They are pretty cool looking shoes and the price tag is pretty cool too! I didn't have the $90 to spend on a pair. Seems like September is the most expensive month of the year. Ok, really December is...but September is a close second!

Anyhow....we were on ebay looking and found these....the dream shoes! We didn't even know they came in this colour...they must have been a custom order or something! We bought them using the "buy it now" option and they were a cool $50.00. Still alot for a pair of shoes...but cheaper than $90.

Welst...the blessed shoes arrived today! And they have been on his feet ever since. Not sure I will ever get them off him!















Sometimes it is good to be the Mom!!!

And yes...I staged them using our BSU pom poms from the Fiesta bowl!!!

He giggled!!!

And skipped!!!!

VICTORY!!!!

Phew. The Vallivue Freshman Football season opener is in the books...and it goes down as a "W". It was super close game. Our guys definitely outplayed those Caldwell Cougars...but the final score was pretty dern close! 24-21. Our guys tried to loose it in the last minute....Caldwell did a onside kick and recovered it! Don't think I have ever seen that in a HS football game. There was about 2 minutes left in the game and they had to drive 40 yards to score. They got pretty close but on the last few trys our defensive line stuffed the QB big time....making him intentionally ground 3 times in a row! So...we recovered and ended up winning after all!


And now I have a boy that is bouncing off the walls! There is no way he will sleep tonight!!! He plays Tight Endand his number is 83. Its a good spot for a tall, skinny white boy like him. He is fast...and could maybe catch a couple this year...if they started some passing plays!


He is happy with their successful start to the year!


Ahhhhhh, to be a HS Freshman again!


Ugly colour I know...but it is our school colour!!! wink wink...nudge nudge!!!

Now his fish just had babies....there will be no sleeping tonight!!!

ARGH!!!

Old Friends.....are the best!!!

I just got a message from an online site...that a friend from High School was trying to track me down. How delightful!!! I have thought about her often!!! Wondering what she is up to. She was really my very best friend for awhile! We even lived in an apartment together right after we graduated. Sure, the apartment was in my Grandpa and Grandma Reeder's basement...but we lived there and paid rent...so that counts!!!

She is my friend Karen!!!!

We worked together at the Dairy Queen...back when it was brand spanking new! Even made fun of Scot J Lehr together....and that was upside downright good! Hehehe!

We chased many hours after dark.

Neither of us had a car...but we both had bikes. Egads.

We spent many hours....being.....gazelles...and making fun of my grandma's plastic peonies with Dave!!!

Ate A LOT of mac and cheese! Hey we were too poor for much better...a good day was tuna, cheese and crackers!!!! Yum. Still love that to this day!

Chased around with Rusty puddle jumping at the Lyons Park. Fun fun!

Worked together at the Remington Carriages....before it went all big time. We were in the Charley Cheeseman Ice Arena...even did some modern dancing when there were no tourists to be found!!!!

Good times!!!!

I am soo glad she found me....we are excited to get caught up with each others lives!!!! Can't wait to talk to her on the phone!!!


Ahhhhhh.............

It's the most wonderful time....of the year!!!!

It is my favorite day of the year. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love Christmas and Easter...I sometimes even like my birthday and Mother's Day...but today, today is the mack daddy most special day for Mom's all across the valley here! You see...it is the first day of school. I know I can't be alone in my sentiment. Don't get me wrong...I love my kids...absolutely adore them. Love hanging out with them...and doing all kids of fun stuff with them. Loved sleeping in all summer long. But all good things must come to an end for the children! And I am sooo glad to have them back in school.

It will mean the running is cut in half!!! Sure it means getting up early and making lunches everyday...and doing homework every night from you on! But the trade off is soo worth having some peace and quiet during the day! YAHOOO!!!!

They were actually pretty excited to go today! And they should be....talk about cute new school clothes and all. I have a tradition of taking a picture of my kids on the first day of school and it is amazing how much they have grown.

Mitch especially. Guess that is what happens when you start High School. He is going to be playing freshman football this year and is pretty excited about that. Also he gets to start Seminary, and is excited about that too! I just can't believe he is getting so tall and old....makes me realize we will be sending him on a mission in the very near future! Sniff sniff!!!

Sydney starts Middle School today. She is in the 7th grade and is sooo very excited cuz she made the "A" team for Volleyball this year. It will be such a great experience for her I am excited too! She also gets to be an office aide and help her friend Tess at the office for the middle school. She is a sweet lady and I am glad Sydney gets to work with her! She is looking soo grown up too! ARGH!

Tyler is starting the 2nd Grade. He was a little nervous about going today...but still super excited. If that is possible. They re-did the Elementary School boundaries in our District and we got kicked out of a elementary school that we loved....one that I have put many hours and $$$ into. Oh well...so much for loyalty! He was excited in spite of the changes...and just ready to get back into the routine of things I know! He will do must fine....it is me that I am worried about!

Bottom line....we are all glad that school is back in session!!! It will be a fun night hearing all about it from each of my awesome kids!!!!

Success!!!

Sydney's little party was sooo fun. She had some super cute, super sweet girls over and I think they had a great time. I wanted to post their cute glamour-shots so everyone could see them!!!

This is Madison! Isn't she soo cute!

This is Becca!!! She has the most gorgeous hair and eyes!!! Isn't she a doll!!!

This is Mia....Sydney's FAV cousin! They are such good friends. This girl is HOT!!!

Here is the Birthday Girl!!! I am not liking at all...how grown up she is looking! Makes me almost sad! She had a GREAT day....and is so glad to finally be 12! She can finally go to Young Womens! Phew...it has been a long wait!

Cousins are Awesome!!!!

Sydney has her favorite cousin Mia here for a few days this week. They have had fun together doing girl stuff...and doing a lot of nothing too! They don't get to see each other but once a year ...so they make the most of it! Sydney turns 12 on Friday. I am still in shock!!! Alas...she is having a birthday party and we are doing a glamour-shots party. So, that includes doing hair and make-up, then doing a lil photo shoot. The girls will then decorate some cute lil frames to take their pictures home in! It should be a lot of fun. Sydney is pretty excited about it! So...today we were practicing by taking some photos. Testing out our backdrop....which needs pressed I noticed in the pictures.....and playing with different techniques for when we develop them. I thought they turned out pretty cute!!! The girls did too!!!

Oh....and notice.....Sydney got her ears pierced yesterday!!! We have tried a few other times but her fear got the better of her. Yesterday, with Mia along for emotional and physical support...we accomplished our goal. And.....my sweet lil girl got her ears pierced without even so much as a whimper!!! And she looks soooo dern grown up...it hurts!!! But isn't she soooo cute!!!

That's my girlie!!!!

And yes...just in case you were wondering....that is a Charlie's Angels pose....and yes those are kittens!!! Just wanted to clarify!!!! In case you were wondering!!!

Crappy Sunday!

Well, today started of good...but didn't' stay that way for long! We had to be at the church early as Bishop Thurgood wanted to meet with us...well more meet with Randy and I was invited to attend! He was asked to serve at the 1st counselor in the YM Presidency in our ward. He is already a ward missionary...and they are not releasing him from that...so he will be a busy man!



Anyway, we get into Sacrament meeting and get him all sustained and such and head into the sacrament time. Mitch is a teacher so his job is to usher at the main doors into the chapel. Something he has done many times before. No big!



So....halfway through the bread being passed around...we hear this HUGE crash...and I mean super loud. I turned to Randy and said....."Sheesh...that was loud"....and said something to Sydney...and went right back to reading my scriptures...I was deep into my reading. A minute or two later, I turn to say something to Randy...and he is gone. So of course turn to see where he has gone...and I see a big group of people standing at the back of the chapel. I soon realize it is Mitch. I get up and go back to the door...where they have must moved Mitch into the foyer. Turns out, he had a seizure and hit the ground extremely hard...causing the huge crashing noise.



He looked HORRIBLE!!! I mean...really bad. Very grey...and I don't mean a nice heather grey....but that horrid...dead gray. He was pretty unresponsive and pretty dis-oriented...not good. We had a few people out there helping us, and a member of the Bishopric even came down off the stand to help. We decided a trip to the ER was needed. So Brother Sharp from the Bishopric and Randy gave Mitch blessing and I went back into the chapel and got Sydney and Tyler and we left to go to the ER. Took the littler kids home and Randy and I headed in.



They got us checked in super quick....guess teenager having a seizure bumps you up above sprains, rashes and spider bites! They got him settled and did lots of blood pressure monitoring...hydro-static blood pressure tests...they did an EKG...and lots of lab work. They did some neurological tests....just a few. All the labs came back good....good blood sugars, maybe a little low on electrolytes..but nothing for alarm. His EKG was normal and the hydrostatic blood tests showed nothing to panic over. They were not able to tell us why he had a seizure and have asked us to follow up with a pediatric neurologist asap. I will call first thing in the am. See what they have to say! We got home from the ER around 3:00 or soo....maybe 3:30.



I am very hopeful it was a random event...and not a new thing to worry about all the time. It was pretty scary...and not really something I want to do over again! Poor kids...he has had a rough summer. His emotions were catching up with him tonight...I heard him sobbing in his bedroom around midnight...and went in and had a visit with him. I feel so bad. Today was not something he had any control over...but the quad accident and the mishap at scout camp...he probably could have controlled the outcome a little bit. I am sure I will spend the entire night tonight...worrying as a mom...what I can do to make him feel better! He is feeling pretty darn crappy right now!!!



It is late...and my lunesta has officially hit....I think I can go to sleep now....at least for a lil while. I will post more details as we learn them. Cross your fingers with me that this is nothing serious!!!


On a happier note...Randy got home from San Diego and brought the kids goodies....this is what Randy brought Mitch. A Luchador mask. He was very excited and squealed and started prancing around the house...belting lines like...."nipple twist..." and "and-a-squeeze". He was very excited!!!




Love,

Me....a concerned Mommy!!!

We are.......BORED!!!

Sheesh, we are soo bored we don't know what to do. Randy is gone to San Diego all week long. And we were supposed to go with him, but the $$$ was not there to do it...so we stayed home. So, we have absolutely no schedule, nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to see...we are so boring! He comes home on Friday night, so till then, we will just be chillin at the homestead!



Sydney does have a volleyball camp this weekend...Thurs, Fri and Sat, and I might get Tyler into a football camp that is Saturday afternoon. He is planning on playing this fall...so it would be good for him....plus he would love it! All the other kids have had camps this summer...xept for him. So...it would make him feel special!!! And that is a good thing!



I am sooo bored, I might even scrap tonight. That is pretty desperate. I love to scrap...just haven't for a long long time. Not sure why, guess I have had too many other things going on.







Just some random pictures of Randy....to show him that we love him!!! And that we miss him!!!


Pretty dang exciting uhhhh?????

He Wishes!!!

Seems like Mitch's only wish in life...is to be able to slam dunk a basketball. He talks about it all the time...dreams about it...draws pictures of it...even had his school pics taken with an afro wig
on.





And yes I had to sign a note saying I gave him permission to have his pictures taken like that...and he was actually upset that I didn't purchase the entire set of pics...ya right! Like I want them. Do you like how his is wearing his "Fiesta Bowl" t-shirt...and orange sweatband and one orange sock and one blue sock! And his BB shoes!!! What a spaz!!!



He ended up getting them for free from the school anyway. And yes he is shocked that I don't have one framed and in the hallway! Pretty funny!

Mitch and Riley Woodruff were slam dunking off of the trampoline. I was instructed to take pics at such an angle...as to not get the trampoline in the shot. He wanted it to look like he really dunking!!! Too funny!



It makes me giggle that he wishes for this. He has such a funny personality. His teachers seems to like him...probably to much...in that they give him too many chances to get assignments done. And give him chances that no one else gets! After he got his pictures...he gave a wallet sized pic" to each of his teachers....and I was shocked to see them hanging behind most of their desks when we went for parent teacher interviews! I swear this kid is not normal!!!

CURSES!!!

ARGH....I can't sleep. I hate it!!! I take Lunesta to help me fall asleep but my prescription has run out and I am in the hunt for a new Dr so in the mean-time...I am Lunesta-less! Sniff sniff!!! It is not a good place to be. I am going on like day 5 here with little or no sleep. I have a friend who offered to call a new scrip in for me...but he is up at scout camp! ARGH! Laur...when is he coming home? I hope soon!



I have battled insomnia for many years. I first remember it starting at about 13 years old. I remember just laying there...not being able to go to sleep...mind just a going. It is soooo annoying! I hate it! It is definitely something I would change about myself...if'n I could. Along with my weight..but that is a whole different topic!

New Additions to the Family!

What can I say....I am such a softie when it comes to baby kittens! Sheesh! I went to Walmart for milk and Miracle Grow...and look what I came home with! This darling little girl was with me...and she spotted a family giving these kittens away. And worse than kittens...I am a softie when it comes to my daughter begging and pleading! Her kitty Nemo just ran away...well, he was lead by his testicles I am sure...either way he is gone! And she has been sooo lonely! I just could not say no! So, I said yes...and the little girl we got them from was happy they were going together that she started crying! It was sooo sweet! Her and Sydney were like kindred spirits! Pretty funny!

So...long story short...we have two cats again! We will see how long it lasts. With our cat history...it is almost surely a death sentence. I think we are in the 40's plus...for number of cats had since we got married. It is nearly 17 years...but still! I had the same cat for like 12 years growing up. So it is really pretty pathetic. Hopefully these will last!

Their name are Beauty (a girl) and the Beast (a boy). Sydney named them. Pretty cute huh!!!

Tyler my farm boy

so for the last 4-5 days I have been unable to add a title to my posts...for whatever reason it is fixed now! Yahoo!!!

I love this picture of Tyler. I took it last summer on a visit up to the ranch! I love the colouring, I love his expression, I love the dimple under his eye...and I love how bare foot and dirty he is! Love it!!! It is soooo good to go to the ranch and be able to relax and let the kids play outside and not have the worries I do when they play outside here. Maybe I am a little over-protective...but I don't want to ever have "regrets" about letting them go out without someone watching out for them! They are kids...totally trusting of everyone and pretty protected really when it comes to the world. I don't know what I would do if something ever happened to them that could have been avoided by something I did or didn't do. That is a lot of pressure to put on myself I know...but hey, I am the Mom!

Anyway, back to Tyler. I love how fun loving and silly he is! There is no doubt, he is the one in our family who keeps everyone laughing! And it is more than his his funny personality! He has been blessed with some pretty amazing talents! He is so tough!!! Seriously, that kid...you have to about beat him to death to make him feel pain. He is physically very strong and huge for his age! Came that way too....he was almost 10 pounds when he was born...it was more like taking care of a 2-year old than a newborn. Anyway....he took karate last year and I worried...cuz he doesn't realize how big and strong he is...he's only 7 after all! But.....karate was soo good for him, the discipline side of it was GREAT! He learned to respect his instructors and his team mates! Besides being physically strong...he is such a softie on the inside. Just a big ole teddy bear...he can have the saddest feelings if he knows he hurt some one's feelers!!! And those blue eyes are sooo good at producing huge very sad tears! He is soooo soft hearted!!! Loves all animals and especially loves his brother and sister!!!

He is a great supporter of is siblings. He has always been the tag-a-long kid. Seems like he has been drug everywhere since he was a baby. Guess that is what happens when you are the caboose! Even when he was a newborn and we were living in Seattle....Mitch was playing soccer and most of his games where in the rain....and along he came....huge umbrella and diaper bag in tow! I have been trying lately to get him into more sports and activities for him...and let the other two kids follow him around for a change! Would be good for all three of them!

Lastly...he is a very gifted musician! Something I didn't even realize about him. Being a boy...quite honestly I might never have know. Thank goodness for his good friend Ben Fife who on an afternoon playing...introduced him to his new musical medium! He could do an entire concert on his own....with a very vast array of music. Probably even play requests!!!! His repertoire is endless! His instrument of choice you ask???? Arm pit farting! And he is good...let me tell you! Very talented! And choices the most appropriate times to share his god-given gift! Yet another reason to love him. He always takes the edge off!

He is such a great kid...smart, inquisitive, sensitive, silly, soft-hearted, arm pit farting, real life farting, can burp like no other, can play a storm around anyone, stands out in a crowd, colours outside the lines, loves his bike, doesn't care if his clothes match, isn't afraid of hardly anything, loves his mama, doesn't get taken advantage of, sooo dang loving it hurts, loves pokeman! No wonder I love him the way I do!!!