Crazy Happy Home

Pageants and Foster Care

2012-01-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children." -Ghandi

I couldn't agree more.

Well, it's out there. I put in on Facebook, so why not put it on here? I am a contestant in the Mrs. Utah, United States, Pageant. I'm not just entering some "Beauty Pageant". This pageant gives a voice to those who have a message to share. The current and past title holders have taken their platform and accomplished amazing things around the state and nation. One former Mrs.Utah has taught Lyme Disease education to the Boy Scouts Of America. Her information will go towards educating boy scouts across America about Lyme disease prevention. The current Mrs.Utah has helped many couples understand infertility and with her workshops she has helped provided reduced cost infertility treatments which have been successful in 35 couples.

Now obviously I am still the same old me who wears sweats all day, who rarely showers (such a time waster) and who thinks she’s funny and laughs as I hide my dirty dishes under the sink. But now I have a mission. My mission is Children.

I know I have posted about foster care before (infertility and me, and fostering the truth) but foster care is important to me, so I’m going to do it again. I want people to think about how many children they might come into contact with that have few clothes (or none), no home, no bed, no toys, nothing to call their own, no mom to give them hugs, no dad to protect them. What would you do if you came in contact with a child like that, a child in need?

Here are some facts provided by the Utah Foster Care Foundation:

In Utah there are 2800+ children in foster care at any given time.
Children in foster care often have special needs due to neglect, abuse or separation.
Substance abuse is a contributing factor in over half of foster care cases in Utah.
38% of the children who enter foster care return to live with their birth parents.
There are children in foster care between the ages of 0-19.
It takes 32 hours of training and the ability to pass a criminal background check to become a foster parent in Utah. Thirty two hours of training, a criminal background check and you’re ready to give a home to a child in need.

Before coming into foster care, our son was living in filth. He slept on the floor and had a horrible diet. His birth parents left him time and time again--he was abandoned. His young, but older sister was raising him and he was developmentally behind from lack of care. I have talked about our son and his kind heart and fun loving personality before so I’ll spare you the gushing, but he has definitely come a long way.

Unfortunately though, too many children know the life my son knew.

Something I believe with every part of me is that Every Child Is A Gift. Every child is beautiful and sent to earth with the potential to be Anything in the world. Sadly, some children come here and are denied the most basic things in life to help them along the way. But That Can Change.

I’m passionate about children and I believe that every good person wants to help children in need, but sometimes we’re too scared. My husband and I did not come into the foster care program just skipping and singing songs of excitement. Actually I was heartbroken at the time we started the processes. Let me explain:

We wanted more kids, but couldn’t have any more. I can’t express enough the sheer sadness I felt. Where I was once capable, I was now left feeling utterly incapable and it left me feeling empty inside. Once I made peace with that part of my life, we pursued adoption. My incredible husband and I journeyed off in search of a private adoption. Three times we meet with an “Adoption Agent” and three times I felt rejected. We had four children and the adoption agent tried as gently as she could to explain that we had little to ZERO chance to be picked by a birth mother. She kept telling us to try foster care, but we were scared. Finally, after three visits, we decided to give it a try. I joke that the only way we could get a child was through the desperate needs of the state, but I felt truth in that at the time and it hurt.

Today I’m here to say that since starting the foster care program we have been pleasantly surprised at how supported and comfortable it has all been. It’s not perfect and it can seem hard at times, but there is a sense of peace that you’re doing the right thing and that peace over rides all the other negative emotions.

Back to my question- What would you do if you came in contact with a child in need? Could you help them? There are so many people who can foster. It doesn’t take a super parent, just a willing parent. In Utah there are 2800+ children in foster care at any given time that need a loving home. It Could Be YOU, You could help a Child in need.

- Who Says

2012-01-03T18:20:00.000-08:00

I know this song is "so 2011" but it is My Song For 2012!
Enjoy!

New Year

2012-01-01T21:20:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!
May we all enjoy this new year with those we love!
This Year I will:

Judge Others Less
See The Real Beauty In Each Day
Put My Kids First
Go On More Dates (with my husband & kids)
Give More Of My Time
Pray More
Study Harder
Share

Hurtful

2011-12-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

A little while ago I was at a party with my husband. I was having a nice evening talking with a friend about mom stuff. All the sudden a woman whom I also know came over and starting talking to my same friend, I knew the woman pretty well, I have had several conversations with her and while I wouldn’t count her a good friend, nothing had ever really happened to make me think we were enemies.

So, I smiled and said “Hi” to the woman. I was a little more than surprised when she looked at me, said nothing and took my friend by the arm and turned both their backs to me. The only thing I could think was “Well what the heck did I ever say or do to her?”

Maybe 10 minutes later I saw that Same Woman who blew me off, talking to my husband. She was laughing and giggling and carrying on a long discussion with him, looking back at me from time to time in pretty much a “in your face” sort of way.

I still don’t know what I did to her. Given her treatment towards me, it must have been awful (obviously it wasn't intentional, or I could/would remember). I will say this though- I’m so tired of mean, witchy women. I know that this kind of thing happens to women all the time, but I still hate it. In one month I had 2 women call me just to give me crap about a new job I’m working on, several more women gossiped about me and my “inability” to take care of my kids, and another woman started a conversation with me Just to walk off right in the middle of it. It has come to my attention that some women think that I am above feeling hurt. Let me set that straight right now-

This is me, or at least what I look like.

When I look in the mirror, I see the hairy mole above my lip. I see the 10 extra pounds hanging around my hips and thighs, pounds that I’ll never get rid of… No Matter How Many Miles I Run, because I was built that way. I see hair that gets cut once a year and is ratty. I see nails that I bite and have only been manicured once in my life. I see zits, blemishes, sun spots, stretch marks, and scars.

How do I feel on the inside? Well, **Sometimes I feel awkward. I sometimes feel awkward because I don’t run like the majority of the women around me do. Sometimes I feel awkward because I was home schooled and because I have home schooled my kids. I sometimes feel awkward because my husband and I foster kids and people think that it’s weird (at least that’s what some have told me). I sometimes feel awkward because women around me Love to talk about their accomplishments only to say so kindly in a I’ve got my nose pointing down on you sort of way “And what do you do with your day besides be with children?". Sometimes I feel awkward because I have a big mouth when it comes to politics, and I am Not politically correct. But mostly I feel awkward sometimes because I am a woman, and my harshest critic.

As I write this, I’m eating cookies, which will probably give me gas which will make me even more awkward. But suffices to say, I am the only me I know how to be. That means I do have massive guilt about the weeks’ worth of laundry piled up on my bed (and believe me, it’s there!) but I don’t care if I’m not the most organized woman in the world… and damn it, why should I have to? I like me awkward, large thighs and all.

But, to the point of this post: I have weaknesses. And yes, when some women want to make me feel small and unimportant they can be successful. But after I am done crying my eyes out, I WILL get up off my bed and I Will Be Nicer. Thanks to the mean, catty, and superficial women of the world, I have learned that the only true beauty a woman can possess is the beauty of her words, her thoughts and her actions. I am grateful that I at least have enough confidence in who I am to write this post, as awkward as it is. I figure if I feel this way, maybe others do as well, and if we know we're not alone, it makes the hard times just a little easier.

*I'm not posting this to get a bunch of comments about what you think of me, but thank you to those who have! I just wanted to share this because I know we all deal with this, it doesn't matter where you live, what you look like, how big or small you are... women can be cruel no matter what. So knowing that we all suffer with flaws and insecurity's, we don't need to be adding more on to each other.

**"Sometimes" was added for clarification. When someone puts you down or belittles you, you can feel more vulnerable, and you start thinking about everything YOU don't like about you. Truth is, Every woman from time to time feels awkward, alone and/or not good enough. We all become vulnerable at times. Be Kind to one another, even our friend the "anonymous" poster. Who knows, maybe he/she is fighting a harder inner battle than we will ever know.

Anything For A Friend

2011-12-04T10:07:00.001-08:00

Last night, my husband and I went to an event put on by "Anything For A Friend". It was held in Syracuse and benefited a little boy named Brandon.

"Brandon went in for routine shots to enter 7th grade.. he found out he had a mass in his stomach. It was a tumor in his intestines. It was a cancer not seen in 20 years. The cancer has metastasized into his liver, lungs and stomach. But he has a spirit to live!" (link)

It was amazing when we walked in, people were Everywhere! It was so well organized with a kids room, a dinner, bake sale, live and silent auction, Santa, a balloon launch and more... It was a happy, fun place.

Anything For A Friend started in 2010. The story behind it is beautiful.... "On Friday January 29th, 2010 Becky received some unwelcome news. She was informed that at the age of only 37 with two young boys (ages 2 and 4), she had stage-three breast cancer." Becky's sister, and best friend put on a fundraiser that "Over 1,000 people attended and over $30,000 dollars was raised to help offset Becky’s mounting medical bills. It was evident as the event took shape that MANY, MANY people felt the same way that Brenda (Becky's sister) and Denise (Becky's friend) had initially felt. They simply wanted to show Becky that they loved and supported her. The event became a perfect way to physically demonstrate these feelings of support, bringing with it comfort not only to the recipient, but to each attendee as well." Link. These women created Anything For A Friend to do this for others suffering and needing help and support.

Becky, Brenda, Denise and all the others who sacrifice their time and talents to pay it forward in such an extraordinary way are true hero's. Anything For A Friend has raised $409,900 to date for families dealing with a personal tragedy.

When I saw Brandon last night, smiling and hanging out with his friends like any other boy having fun, I couldn't help but think "What if that was my boy?" which led me to feel SO impressed with the women who started this organization. Every child, man, and woman who is suffering a personal tragedy should be so lucky to have this kind of help and support.

If you are looking for an organization to support, in ANY way, consider Anything For A Friend. If you can go to an event, you will feel the love, kindness and peace that is overwhelmingly present at their fundraisers.

Please go to their website and get more information! Anything For A Friend

Infertility and Me

2011-11-29T10:08:00.001-08:00

In case you haven't heard- the New Mrs. Utah (The Beautiful Tiffany Alleman) based her platform on infertility. I love Tiffany and her story. I believe her willingness to share has helped many women, like me.

I think it's important to know that infertility doesn’t just affect those who have never had children. It can affect those of us who have had some children, but are now unable to bear more. I think so often people assume that since you have one or more kids, you are fine with not being able to have more, or that some how it's not the same for us. While I agree we should count our blessings, that doesn’t always ease the pain and sadness we can feel about it.

I love children. I would have had 10 if I could, but after 5 pregnancies and 4 beautiful children, I was unable to have more. I was “blessed” to have been created with “birthing hips” (I’m told it’s a blessing, but I’m not so sure about it, try finding jeans that fit when your hips are ridiculously wide) but cursed with internal parts that aren’t compatible with pregnancy.

Seeing newborns makes me smile, they are so precious and sweet, but it also reminds me that I’ll never have my own newborn baby again. Baby showers can be tough too. I’m not saying I hate going to them, I love them, but seeing woman all big and cute and pregnant serves as a reminder that I will never be pregnant again.

Being able to create and bear children is empowering and beautiful. Having that ability taken from you can make you feel powerless and at times empty. But now I want to focus on something that has given me a sense of "fullness" once again. I want to share with you something that has fulfilled me as much as pregnancy ever did: Foster Care.

Being a foster mom is rewarding to me much the same way as being the mother to my newborn children was. These babies in foster care (it doesn’t matter if they are newborns or 18) depend on their foster mom and dad to Love Them, Provide For Them, to Create a Safe Environment For Them and to Never Stop Loving Them. The children who have come to our home have come unexpectedly, and not always in the time frame we would have chosen, much like our birth children. But they come, innocent and yearning for affection, love and patience.

Every time a new child comes to our home through the foster system, I feel like a new mom again. I feel Blessed to have been given the chance to hopefully make a difference in someone's life. When my foster babies go home to their birth parents, it will be sad, but I look at it as preparation for when my 5 children go off to college and enter the world without me by their side. I hope I can give them the love they will need to endure anything that comes their way.

I am grateful for the foster care system. I feel like it is a self serving way for me to feel like a new mom to beautiful babies over and over again, without the agonizing labor experience.

The UGLY side of women.

2011-11-22T08:23:00.001-08:00

It's a fact of life, when women criticize other women it's because they are jealous/insecure. Think about it... have you ever gossiped about another woman? If you sincerely feel sorry for someone and want to help, do you gossip about them and put them down to others? Nope-

It's one of the ugliest things about women... GOSSIP. I'm pretty sure Every woman is guilty of it.

Say someone drives you insane because they are constantly going on about how wonderful their baby is or how great they are at doing X Y or Z. Face it, there are women who bug Just because they are alive and in your face about all the Wonderful things they are up to. But when you choose to gossip about that person, you are choosing to be jealous of them. It's true. At the point in time that I have had it up to my eye balls with a new mommy and all her "Advice" about children, I gossip to others because I am subconsciously jealous of her confidence.

It is a sad and vicious cycle. You see, the women who continually boast about themselves and the great way they birthed a baby or the way they made Filet Mignon over a bed of rice with Creme Brulee for dessert all while keeping a perfect home and wearing a size 2 ... They Are Insecure. They are looking for validation, for praise (why else would they want to make sure Everybody knows it?). But what happens is this- Women get bugged because of their own insecurity and they gossip. That gossip gets back to the insecure boaster (and gossip Always gets back to the person being gossiped about) and the cycle of insecurity/gossip continues.

Women don't necessarily have to be jealous of the women they are gossiping about (but they usually are), they can just be insecure about whatever the topic of gossip is and they are looking for praise for the Better way they do things.

I have learned recently that even women that I looked at as beautiful, kind, and awesome can harbor a pretty ugly side. It's sad when someone you counted as a friend at one point gossips about you, but keep in mind, it's Not about You, it's about Them! Forgive and Forget.

Sometimes people say things or do things that you find irritating, it's going to happen. My advice, if you can't let it go, go talk to the person irritating you and NOT your neighbor (unless it Is your neighbor irritating you).

Remember the Irish saying:

"Who Gossips With You Will Gossip Of You."

Christmas List

2011-11-21T09:29:00.000-08:00

It's time again for Christmas lists...

I remember back in the day when all my kids asked for was cheese and cookies (cheese is a Big Deal in our house).
Here are my kids Christmas lists this year:

Player- A Bike, AR-15, Snowboard , Rip Rider, Snow Mobile and a Remote Controlled Car...

Sassy- Skip It, Clothes, a Million Dollars, Jewelry, Make Up, Ipod, Ipad, Car, Pink Shot Gun and a Fantastic Mystery Present....

Pistol- Bike, Hula Hoop, A Thousand Dollars (pistol was quick to point out how Greedy sassy was asking for 1 million) , Sled, Snow Mobile, Ipod, A Big T.V. and A Trip To The Moon...

Little One- Hula Hoop, Nerds (we love them on our ice cream) Glow Wand, "New Bed Sheets So When Pistol Wets The Bed At Night They Don't Have To Sleep On The Floor", Books, Crayons, Papers, and a Skip It. Thank Goodness For Her!

Our Line Backer- Scooter (which he has already), "His Own Room With 2 Bunk Beds", Paper Airplanes, Books and Boy Clothes... He's Our Stud!

Our Foster Daughter- Snakes (real ones), Barbie, and Shovel. My kids told her because she has a potty mouth, she'll be lucky to get Snakes! Haha, but thanks to Santa, She'll be getting a Kitchen!

Christmas shopping is a lot harder with list's like this to fulfill! I wish they were all still Little One and Linebackers Age.... so innocent and happy with the littlest of things.

Fostering.... The Truth.

2011-11-07T20:19:00.000-08:00

Here is our family ---------------------------------->

Add two little Hispanic foster girls and you've got it! They are the cutest, sweetest, little Angels.

We didn't plan on taking more kids right now, in fact, after my husband's dad was diagnosed with cancer last year we took our names off the list. Even with our names off the list, we got calls often. We always said no, now wasn't the time for us. About 4 weeks ago we got another call and something was different, we knew we needed to help. Funny thing is, if you had asked us if we could take 2 more kids full time, we would have said NO! But after the first week of having them in our home, we realized that in Fact, We Could Care For A Lot More Kids!

It's surprising how you Don't think you can handle something, until you're faced with that challenge. Adding the 2 girls has it's challenges, but it Really Has been the greatest blessing we have had in A LONG time. PLEASE take a minute to consider foster care. After all, November IS National Adoption Month!!

Foster care Facts and Fiction:
Fiction- Foster kids are all older children with serious problems. Fact- Foster kids are as young as new born's and the level of "problems" vary. Some are 100% healthy and normal. As a foster parent You Choose what you feel is best for your family.

Foster Care Facts and Fiction: Fiction- The kids come to your home with serious attitude and go crazy. Fact- All 3 kids we have had are as well behaved as our 4 biological kids.

Foster Care Facts and Fiction: Fiction- Being Foster parents makes you weird and unpopular. Fact- Well that one might be true. But while others might think you're weird, nothing makes you feel more awesome then having a foster kid say
"You take care of me huh, Thanks!!" And "I like your house, you're not my mommy but I love you."

Foster Care Facts and Fiction: Fiction-There are Plenty of other families taking care of and fostering kids. Fact- In All of Northern Utah there is ONE other family available to take the girls we have. And they are on vacation until the 23rd.

Foster Care Facts and Fiction: Working with the State of Utah and DCFS can be difficult. Fact: Working with the State and DCFS Can be Very difficult.

Our Uncle Will once said (after adopting a girl from foster care) "If everyone would just adopt One of these kids, there would be No Need." Think about it, and check out utahfostercare.org

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

2011-04-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of a super cool boy with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome- (taken at the Bountiful Utah Temple where he was sealed to us for Eternity!)

Here is a picture of a super cool boy with FAS enjoying Ice Cream with his super cool new cousin-

As we have started therapy for our new little guy (we shall call him Little Linebacker or Little L.B) we have learned SO Much about little L.B's past, like the fact that he has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Little L.B has the Best therapist in the world. He comes to our house and just watches the things L.B does. He talks to him and plays with him and the other kids. He really watches the break downs and issues that arise on a day to day basis in our home and then the therapist counsels us on how to handle it and how to help L.B. We shall call the Therapist "Mighty Man" because that's what L.B calls him.

Some of the issues related to FAS that we see and/or deal with are:

- Distinctive facial features, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip
- Delayed development
- Learning disorders
- Abnormal behavior, such as a short attention span, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, extreme nervousness and anxiety... it goes on and on.

Here's a website that offers more information about FAS and here is an article from the New York Times. There is no cure, only prevention and education.

It blows my mind that a mother would put her child at risk for this. L.B will have to deal with this for the Rest of his life. He already gets treated differently due to others ignorance and his own lack of comprehension. The State turned a blind eye to the issue, never giving him treatment or even getting it checked out when they had suspicions. His Facial Features alone are a big sign, add that to the fact that he couldn't hold a placement in the foster care system (we were his 3rd home in 5 months) because of behavior issues... It has all worked out well for us though. Despite all of the hard things, we are So Grateful things worked out this way and he came into our life!

He is a sweet boy, he just lights up whenever you play with him and cuddle with him. Needless to say... We Love Our Little Man!

5 great and crazy kids

2011-03-27T21:27:00.000-07:00

I love my Family

Sunscreen

2011-02-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Remember this song? I really liked it when I was younger, but I did Not pay attention to the Sunscreen part. (totally the name of the song, but I miss it!) Sunscreen people, Sunscreen. Well, I never used it and now I have skin cancer. Yes, it Sucks. I will have to keep my pale little self out of the sun from now until forever! The best part of it is all the different sunless tanners I will be using. I will be reviewing them all, I'll let you know which ones are worth the purchase price...

So next time you are sunbathing, think of me. Otherwise you might be the one laying flat on a Dermatologist's table while he takes layers and layers of skin and tissue from your back! I just had a chuck of skin removed two weeks ago with several stitches put in. Now we'll reopen the cut and pull out more stuff. I'll have more stitches and a hole in the middle of my back. I'm lucky it's my back and not my face.. or my arms, or even my legs.

Good Times. I believe my doctor is very good at what he does and he'll be using a microscope to make sure he's only taking what's needed. And if he's really good, he'll be able to get it all out so I won't have to have any burn treatments done. I'll keep you posted, I might even try to video it to show my tan friends.... =) Misery Loves Company!

Breaking it down & Bearing it all

2011-02-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

So I'm just a little... behind. Most people learn that they control their happiness in life Much sooner then I did. This revelation was new to me. I came to a point a little while back (ok, I'll admit it- it was last week) were I felt like my life pretty much stunk. Let me Break it down for you.

Money, Kids, Health, Energy, Teaching, Cleaning and Family.
That about sums it up and can also pretty much break you down.

But on to the good part, the part about Happiness. One day, I was seriously praying and reading the scriptures trying to find a sense of peace and balance. I wanted some miraculous vision or a voice to come and speak to me. I believe it's possible, so why can't it happen for me? Well that's not how the Lord works, especially when He's working with someone as slow as me.

I came upon this passage: "O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt though deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." (1 Nephi 7:17)

What has ME bound? Do I REALLY have enough faith to ask God for His help? Do I know Him? Do I trust Him?

I took this scripture into this context- Nephi asked his Father in Heaven for help, he did it "according to my faith which is in thee," and asked "wilt thou deliver me" and "give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound." So I tried it, I prayed and I asked.

I'll admit, I was disappointed at first because "nothing" happened. What took me a couple of hours to realize was that I had peace. Heavenly Father blessed me with peace, and with that came happiness. Funny thing is, it wasn't until days later that I realized nothing changed in my life, except me (umm I said I was slow). I was happy. It doesn't matter that all the same stuff is going on around me, my list is the same. You know though, somethings Are better, but those things are better because I'm looking at them better. With peace I see things for what they are. My trouble making kids are now energetic little kids, and their mom isn't running all over with her head cut off, which makes them happy and helpful. I cut back, with no remorse. The balance came to me like second nature. With the help of my Father in Heaven, I changed. I have Faith & Happiness in difficult times, I feel my Saviors Love. I know He is a prayer away, I have Faith in Him. Even if I don't see an Angel descend from heaven, I feel the peace and I choose Happiness.

Dear Pepsi

2011-01-31T15:54:00.000-08:00

Dear Pepsi-

Thank you. Thank you for tasting so good when we hide in the bathroom from the kids. Thank you for being my BFF. Thank you for always being there and never judging me... even on those days when I need 3 of you!

Signed,

Your Forever Friend

Gun Control

2011-01-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

The Tragedy in Arizona has created it's own tragedy on the news...
The fight for Gun Control and "Word Bans" is all over the media. I'd like to quote a man that should be a Senator:

To Me, Gun Control Is How Tight Your Pattern Is.-- Tim Bridgewater.

It's sad to see such a divided nation. One mans awful actions can't created new laws that take away freedoms. Drugs are illegal, and we have illegals drugs All Over The Place. What will change with "Gun Bans" for the law abiding citizens is only our right to protect ourselves.

I posted the below on Facebook in defense of Guns, The Right, and Sarah Palin after a Liberal took "Aim" at each topic:
I am an almost 30 year old mother of 5. My husband runs a bank and I stay home. I only worship God, but I listen to Hannity and Glenn Beck. There are times when both Glenn and Sean drive me as crazy as Rachel Maddow. I own several guns and a few extended magazines ("clips" belong in little girls hair, not on a gun) =) The reason for me to have the extended mags is to make the gun more comfortable to hold. Also, if I had an attacker I'd be more likely to hit him/her with 13 rounds instead of 8. The need for extended magazines on my bigger guns is simple- I'm not a good hunter and the extra bullets would insure me the Elk I need to help feed my family. My husband has an assault rife because he thinks they are neat, I am glad we live where he can own one. There is dangerous rhetoric coming from both sides, but as a conservative woman I believe the bigger dangers come Not from the rhetoric, but from the laws being passed and the Freedoms being stripped. If speaking passionately against one side or the other was a crime which leads to destruction, I think everyone who comments on "Mary's" posts would need to be behind bars. The freaks in life have always had ideas all on and of their own. Their should be no blame to anyone unless they supplied the gun and the plot. Common Sense says Political agenda's are being pushed on this tragedy and in this case, it's coming from the left.....

New Year, New Me...

2011-01-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Yeah Right!

Everyone I know is getting ready for the new year... I am still enjoying 2010. In many ways 2010 sucked... but in the important ways, 2010 was Awesome!

It's true- I want to lose weight, I want to be a better wife and mom. I even want to be more involved and on top of things... BUT Alas, only the year has changed. A maid did Not come with the New Year, neither did 5 obedient children or a husband who enjoys house work and babysitting. I can only work with what I have.

I was visiting a friend of mine and she was telling me all about being the Primary President in her Church. She is very busy and sometimes feels like she's not doing everything she should be, she then said "This REALLY is the best I can do". So I decided- I'm not going to feel guilty, I will strive to be better in everything I do, but I'm not going to feel guilty this year.

Here to 2011, a Guilt Free Year! If I lose weight, Yea Me! If I keep my house clean... well, it's a miracle! If I can make people happy, show kindness and love- and at the end of everyday if I can like who I am, this will be One Great Year!

Pat Downs and All Sorts of Fun...

2010-11-30T22:07:00.001-08:00

We have all heard by now that the Anointed Ones in D.C. want us all felt up every time we fly now. Throw in the fact that the porn industry is in need of a boost and *Wala* TSA can now download naked pictures of every day people... Hooray! But it's time to ask the important questions, like what will happen to the Duggers?

I just watched an episode of the family heading to Louisville and I wondered... what will mama Michelle do if she has to stand in front of an ex-ray and show her beauty off? Heaven knows that dear woman does Not need another pat down, she's had at least 19... and counting! (sorry, it's late and I just Had to do!). I love when the Duggers travel, but has this change in airlines security made it impossible for the family to travel by air? Does the White House even acknowledge this as a concern? Meanwhile, if the Duggers do travel and get "Scanned" and "Patted down" will the pictures and images be worth more money then any other celebrity out there?? How does one get in on that action?

Merry Christmas!

2010-11-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

We got the Best Early Christmas present. We are adopting our baby boy next month! Hooray! We met with our attorney yesterday and he said he'll help push it through before Christmas! *fingers crossed*

Some might remember my removed posted about our little guys family coming in from Texas. Well they came and they were amazing. After spending a couple of days with them they told us they wouldn't pursue adopting him! I Learned So Much from the whole experience. I am so grateful for our new family in Texas and for their love.

I am so grateful for everyday we get to spend with our kids. Our foster son (name and picture coming soon!) is So dear to us. He is "players" little brother and his entourage and he is "little one's" Best Friend! I can't begin to express how happy our family is. This will be the best holiday season ever!

Merry Christmas!

Observations From A People Watcher....

2010-11-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

So I was at the Lady Antebellum concert (which by the way was the Best concert Ever!) and I was 2 people from the stage. I should have been watching more of the awesome show but I was very busy people watching, as I always do, and this is what I came away with:

Girls are mean. We get too emotional and don't use proper intelligence so we end up pushing and shoving and only get about 2 feet from where we started.

Every girl big and small, young and old wants to be wanted.

Never stand in the way of a big girl and the lead singer she loves.

You can pick out the mommies in every crowd.

Most girls want what they can't have.

Lots of times the pretty girl will loose the guy because she's way too into herself and not her date.

Most of the time, it really doesn't matter what you look like or what you say, so long as you smile and act like you know what you're talking about.

And the most important thing to remember is... wear your most comfortable shoes. Sure you might look hot in your heels for the first 2 hours, but believe me that image will escape you when you're wobbling around bare foot with your big butt sticking out by the 4 hour.

Political Apathy

2010-10-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

No one likes politics right? I don't always enjoy politics either. I have tried to step back recently and focus on other things...that is until I was reminded of this quote. I came across it again on a friends facebook comments post. It's worth considering.

"They came first for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up." --Martin Niemoller

Martin Niemöller was a German pastor, he was anti-Communist and supported Hitler's rise to power at first. But when Hitler insisted on the supremacy of the state over religion, Niemöller became disillusioned. Niemöller was arrested and eventually confined in the Sachsenhausen and Dachau concentration camps. Niemöller was released in 1945 by the Allies. At the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, the quotation is on display, but is altered so that there is no mention of communists, even though communists have been mentioned in every version of the quote given.

Political Apathy, now more then ever do we see it thrown in our faces. Propaganda lolls us to submission to it. No one ever wants to speak out on any issue. We don't want to be labeled. Those who seek to bring down America know just what they are doing. They say they are "Moderate" not really in favor of any side particular, and they call anyone who opposes something "extremest" or "radicals".

Since when has fighting for Freedom been an extreme agenda??

All Is Well

2010-10-24T20:20:00.001-07:00

"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." - e.e. Cummings

My Boys

2010-10-08T11:55:00.000-07:00

Priceless...

He loves his boy and his boy really loves him!
Hopefully we can soon add some photos of our other little man!

Foster Care Advocate

2010-10-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

I write this post as a Personal testimony of foster care and the great happiness it brings!

I have noticed a trend, a crazy trend. When we tell people that we are foster parents most people avoid us like a sick kid with swine flu. Where did the idea come from that fostering kids was bazaar? I don't really understand the thought that has been shared with me a few times that the foster system is bad and that all children with out safe homes belong in orphanages. What is it? Why the social stigma?

I have Loved being in the foster program. Our little foster son brings so much happiness to my families life. I have learned lessons of strength, forgiveness and ultimate love in just the 4 short months of having him.

So here is what I say-
First off- For all the Latter Day Saints out there- did you know that the LDS Church supports Foster Care? They do. Go to www.LDS.org and search "Foster Care" in the search engine and you'll see many articles from the church supporting the cause.

Second- I have not known one foster child that is in foster care because he or she was/is bad... These kids, babies and youth are there because something bad Happened To Them.

Third- Bringing a foster child into your home Will Not destroy your home. Instead we have learned how blessed and safe we really are. When my worst days happen to fall on a day that I take our little foster boy to the DCFS building to see his parents I am reminded about how blessed my life is and how ungrateful I am. The struggles that the people at DCFS deal with are very unknown to me and most people I know.

Fourth- Everyone is a Child Of God-- and every child Deserves a loving family! I know people are afraid of "What a foster kid might do" but get real-- These Are Children! We have the power as adults to be a positive role model and a support to kids in great need.

Fifth- It's true, not everyone can be a foster parent, but most of us can. Adding one more kid to the dinner table, one more kid to kiss goodnight and one more kid to daily life doesn't break you like you might think it would!

Please-- Open your homes and give these kids a chance! Go to www.utahfostercare.org and find ways you can help!

Butterfly Tea Parties

2010-10-04T19:26:00.000-07:00

Butterfly Tea Parties... awww sounds so lovely right? Well it was. It was Sassy's 6th birthday just a few days ago and she requested a "Butterfly Tea Party" so I said sure. We had a butterfly cake, butterfly shaped cookies and butterfly shaped sandwich's. We Even found a caterpillar and put it in a jar with food so that he can later turn into our Butterfly (totally not planned, just serendipitous). Here are some pictures of the blessed event....

Player was the "server" as requested by the Birthday Girl!

The girls all dressed up and wore butterfly wings!

The pictures fail to show Little One sticking a tic-tac up her nose 2 minutes before the party guests arrive and the two other children giving it a try later on. After all... Little One got one up her nose and I helped her get it out... the kids all screamed as it flew out of her nose and what better party game is that??? They all needed to have a turn shooting tic-tac's out of their nose... Don't You Do That At Your Tea Parties??

At any rate.... I love my little Sassy girl and she is the sweetest, cutest, most Fun Loving 6 year old I know! Happy Birthday Baby Doll, I Love You!

Wanted-

2010-09-13T18:13:00.000-07:00

House Wife Seeking Replacement-

Must be willing to raise 5 kids.
Must be willing to home school said kids.
Must be willing to sell cars as a side job.
Must be willing to take foster son to his Early Intervention, to visit his Parents and to his speech therapist and to see his sister and grandparents-- Weekly and separately.
Must be able to drop everything on a moments notice and take 5 kids to clean out and show a vehicle.
Must be able to break up fights, all day.
Must be able to stay up at night singing and hugging sad babies.
Must be politically active.
Must be willing to forgo all good hygiene and only shower a few times a week.
Must have skills in toy repair.
Must be willing to be the neighborhood watch chair person.
Must be willing to clean up everyone's messes, every waking moment.
Must be willing to clean toilets, showers, Must do windows and vacuum, dust, and mop.
Must be able to cook- when there is time to get grocery's and cook a meal.
Must teach piano and tutor kids.
Must Stay Positive and Happy 24/7.

Sometimes, some days, and to some people I would just like to say "You think you can do better, you think I'm failing... PLEASE, by all means- Take Over!"

I didn't write this to boast about the things I do, I'm just tired of thinking that I can't keep up and that everyone else has their life all neatly put together. It became clear to me today- I will Never be able to keep up at this point in my life, but I'm just trying to live and love my Crazy happy life.

Extreme Cheesiness

2010-09-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

How Could I Not Love This Guy?
He's The Business Man Monday-Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm

To All Cowboy Weeknights and Weekends!!
It's the best of both worlds!
He even got me on a horse! I even have cowgirl boots and a real cow girl hat! It Must Be Love!

"At Home" The Homeschool Rap

2010-09-06T11:07:00.000-07:00

I thought this was hilarious. These kids are too cute! It cracks me up when people hear that I was home taught...they can't believe that I turned out normal (relatively). I am a proud home school graduate "nerd" who is happy with my life, and I will raise my own set of home school nerds that will grow and be happy and successful!

We're watching you!

2010-08-31T14:03:00.000-07:00

In the last month we have had several problems in our area. I have called the police a few times and reported some creepy happenings. One creepy happening was a man driving around and around our house while me and the kids played in the water in our swim-suits. He stopped a couple of times and sat and watched us- like a Huge Creep, just staring at us! Really, didn't he think I'd notice some guy driving around the house over and over again (about 20 times in a half hour) with his head hanging out the window and turned to our house? Jerk!

Next, I was in the back yard with the kids mowing the lawn when I saw this van coming towards the house and turn down our street, the van slowed down and the van door opened and a man was up in the door way. At first I thought "great why did I leave the gas cans right on the curb" and than it hit me- Pistol was in the front yard standing near them. I yelled out her name and ran to the font yard and the van took off. I felt so sick to my stomach!

I called a neighbor to warn her and than she informed me that a woman was raped just down the street from us a couple of weeks earlier... What a Nightmare for that poor girl!

I live in a nice, seemingly safe area. It's a small town, and it's a very pretty town. How sad I felt when I thought my home was not safe! So, taking matters into our own hands, me and my husband contacted the neighbors and the police and we are starting a neighborhood watch... So bad guys beware- we will be watching and protecting our friends and family!

Movie Madness

2010-08-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

This is my FAVORITE Movie of All Time. I LOVE when Edna Turnblad starts singing! The line "You can't stop my happiness 'cause I like the way I am" is perfect! I can watch this movie over and over again and I laugh each time...

Enjoy!

Daffodillies- Be Unique

2010-08-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

Here it is again- My Daffodillies Post

Daffodillies is made up of 2 Very talented women, a mother and daughter team. They have had their gorgeous items featured on Studio 5.

"Daffodillies creates original one of a kind baby, toddler, and kids clothes for boys and girls. They also have accessories for hair and clothes, shoes, hats, kid and adult aprons, tutus and halter dress tutus and so much more! They specialize in the full coordinating outfit (bow, shoes, skirt, shirt, hat)- from head to toe. Daffodillies gives you the opportunity to be original!"

Let me tell you more- Missi (the daughter) has 4 kids including 1 year old Twins. She finds time to Not Only work on all these adorable clothes, but she cuts hair and can do the coolest nails as well. Every time I mess up my hair, Missi comes to the rescue and fixes it, making it look better than ever! She is Wonder Woman!

In Short- The clothes are great, they Always fit my kids and No One else is Ever wearing what my kids wear! I can't say enough about how cute their stuff is. You've Got to check out this site
http://www.etsy.com/shop/daffodillies

Skinny Jeans and Oreo's Drowned in Pepsi

2010-08-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Here is one thing that Does not mix.... skinny jeans and a whole package of Oreo's washed down with Pepsi. You know you ate One too many cookies when you could fit in jeans one day and couldn't even get them over your butt the next... Why oh Why can't Oreo's be good For you?? And why does my husband look at me with shock (and I think a little embarrassment) when he realizes I ate the whole package in One day (afternoon)??

Want to know what does mix? Oreo's covered in FUDGE... Heaven! Another great treat, 2 pounds of frozen grapes the day after you eat a whole package of Oreo's. Not really as fun as Oreo's, but still pretty good.

Today's opinion: Boys should NOT wear Skinny Jeans!

Happy Eating!

"My Dough Girl" vs Pillsbury Dough Boy

2010-08-09T12:20:00.000-07:00

Shame On Pillsbury for suing my FAVORITE Cookie maker, "My Dough Girl"! Seeings how Cookies are my Favorite food in the WORLD, and "My Dough Girl" makes the best Cookies Ever, this news upsets me on a level which can Not be expresses in written word. If I had musical abilities I would sing my sorrows to you all, but I will save you all from that ear bleeding experience and just tell you about "My Dough Girl".

Tami is the owner and mastermind to the most Delightful cookies ever made. She opened her shop in Salt Lake City Utah in 2008. Her Cookies make my day. There is something amazing about them. Each Cookie has it's own name like Lilly (my favorite) and Ricki and Judy. Lilly is a Sugar Cookie with lemon heads and lemon glaze. It's the perfect Cookie and I don't even like Lemon Heads, but this Cookie is outstanding! Tami's shop is cute and fun and filled with that wonderful smell of Cookie Heaven... you may notice that I capitalize the word Cookie, that is Not a mistake, I just really love Cookies....

I'm ALL for strong corporations in a Free Market system and I'm also for Small businesses. But I am Not for Large corporations picking on the little guy in an effort to control the market and make it impossible for new successes to arise. Can't the Pillsbury Dough Boy handle a little Competition from a 1950's pinup?? We All now that competition is good for every thing from schools and sports to businesses and even Cookie making. It brings out the Best in everyone. Sadly, this time, money will keep the competition at bay. Please show your dough girl some love and support the store while enjoying some delicious Cookies!

You can check out the news articles on this shameful event by clicking on the link below:
http://www.cityweekly.net/utah/article-11641-my-dough-girl-in-trademark-trouble-with-pillsbury.html

You can also go to the "My Dough Girl" website by clicking this site below:
http://www.doughgirl.com

Check out the facebook page by clicking this link below:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/my-dough-girl-vs-pillsbury-corporation/127153330644835

Keep Baking the Love Tami- at 'My Dough Girl"

Luke Bryan = Girls Night

2010-08-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

I just went out with some Awesome ladies and saw this entertainer... I LOVED It! It was SO Fun to just go out and DANCE! The show was great, the opening act was great and the company was the best! It's so nice to have good friends to go out with and just enjoy a fun loving night...

Now back to being mommy of 5 and wife to my forever love!

My Rant... faint of heart and shy beware!

2010-07-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

So here is my rant- I have been talking to some women who are very unhappy with the way that they look. Beautiful, Gorgeous, Smart, Thin and Fun Women… Blows My Mind! No wonder I live in the number 1 plastic surgery state in the nation. I also happen to live in the State with the number 1 cause of death in males from age 18-40 being suicide…. Throw in the fact that it’s the state that has the HIGHEST amount of people on anti-depressants and you have my State…. What A Zion!

Here’s the rant part. There are Many beautiful girls, ladies and women surrounding me. Few of them are happy with their gorgeous looks; they all think they need to be skinnier, taller, shorter, and larger chested or so forth. I hear all the time, “I want to look like so and so, she is so thin and gorgeous and she has such a great figure” Well guess what, 99% of those women -despite what they claim- did NOT get that way from diet, exercise and eating healthy, they got that way from a medical procedure or 3. There are those who came to this earth with a great chest, small thighs and a perfectly beautiful face, but that is rare. Most of us have cottage cheese thighs, bad skin, muffin top belly’s, big noses and small chests. I can have one of two things, a large chest and an even larger belly or a flat chest with a smaller belly.

If you had some work done, that’s cool, but own it! Why women act like they have the body they have because they “Worked Hard For It” and “Live Healthier Than The Rest Of Us” is beyond me and it leaves many other women thinking that there is something wrong with them because they starve themselves and work their butts off at the gym and still don’t look like that. Now I see why the anti-depressants are so needed and why the men commit suicide. No one can keep up with the latest botox and the men can’t keep paying the bills for the pedicures, the hair appointments, the nose and implant jobs, the tummy tucks and the gym memberships.

I know I could "benefit" from having some work done, I've been told so. But why? There are So Many things that I Need to spend my money and time on. I know I need to eat healthier and exercise, and I do exercise, but I do it because I need to be able to keep up with my kids. Frankly, I love Brownies and chocolate chip cookies and party chip frosting, so my butts not getting any smaller and you know what--LOTS of things Taste Better than Thin FEELS!

Here’s to you O’ State Of Mine…. I wish you ALL good mental health!

Happy Birthday Mr. Happy

2010-07-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

I am so happy my husband was born oh-so-long ago! He is my best friend.

Happy Birthday Mr. Happy!

i would write more about why i love him and why i am happy he was born, but to be honest.... it's 9:50 p.m. and i have 8 loads of laundry on my bed and after 5 days no one else has come to put them away so i figure it must be my job.... i need a laundry fairy!

More Self-Help For Me

2010-07-08T19:59:00.000-07:00

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership

After having a woman give me the stink eye and yell at me at Wal-mart because she thinks I have too many kids, I needed this.
Something about adding a 5th (yup, we got a foster baby) and having kids aged 2,3,4,5, and 7 has made me struggle in ways I Never have before.... Thank goodness for LDS.org. Now if LDS.org could send me a babysitter every other day, I might feel like myself again.... I hope this message brings you peace, I sure love it!

p.s. -When things get really crazy in my home, just know I will be hiding in my room watching the video messages on lds.org so you won't be able to reach me and the screaming and yelling is just my kids having a free for all till mommy gets her head on straight....

Good Things to Come

2010-06-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

SO... I saw this on my friends blog http://mugglex.blogspot.com/ and BOY did I NEED it! I just started to cry when it got to the part when he says "Don't You Quit, You Keep Walking, You Keep Trying, There Is Happiness Ahead". I have NEVER been as busy as I am Right Now and I have never been SO Tired.

It seems like the things that I am dwelling on are the things that are going All Wrong and the things that are going well I am too busy to appreciate. In my weakest moments I have felt like I am alone, like everything is falling apart. I've been too tired to see things clearly. I have been praying for some peace and guidance and this clip gave me that. I hope it will bring you that same peace it gave me! Thank you Alex!

Tiny little women

2010-06-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

I’m just going to say it-- I live amongst the dolls. I live in a Beautiful valley where the hills are green the mountains are still white with snow and the sky’s are blue. There are lakes all around and wild life galore. The down side—the women are tiny.

I know, I know, my motto is that I Love Betty Crocker and Little Debbie and I do. I just don't want to see tinny tiny women out running every time I drive around woofing down my ice cream and hamburgers. Seriously, the women around here run Every Single Day. I don’t run. Running requires effort and pain. Believe me, I enjoy working hard. Yard work is my forte. Running is something I do when being chased by a dog or when I need to hide from my kids, it’s Not for pleasure or exercise. Honestly, if a big dog was chasing me, I think I’d rather have my leg bitten off rather then run for more then 2 minutes…. that way I’d have a good reason why I’m not running the next big race/marathon.

So if you see me out Walking and I look out of breathe, please know I’m just that out of shape. I didn’t just get back from Zumba or Rock climbing, even if I say I did. You might see me hiding from you in the trees, but don’t worry, it’s just cause I feel like a dork for panting from a walk while you are sweat free and singing to your ipod while running….

By the way, I can't wait to see what the ABC Family Series "Huge" has to offer. I heard a great line from it. A women says "I feel like inside of my fat body there is another fat lady just dying to get out!" Love It!

Toilet paper, tampons and toddlers

2010-06-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

I share this because, well, I have no shame...

Recently I was out shopping at Costco (my favorite store besides Wal-Mart, I love getting Everything all in One Place, so cool right?!?) and I was enjoying that blissful time of the month known affectionately as “The days that make weak women cry and strong women meaner” all while enjoying my 4 little ones with me. While at Costco I realized that I needed some extra “protection” and wouldn’t you know it but 2 little girls had to pee too. So I haul all 4 kids to the bathroom (dragging player into the women’s room while he screamed “I’m a boy”) and we did our business. I thought I could get away with using only toilet paper as protection and we went merrily on our way.

I guess picking up massive amounts of bleach, milk, dog food, and canned goods all while chasing adorable little hooligans around was a little too much for my female body and the blood started flowing. I kept thinking, “I’ll be done soon, we can make it, and I’m Never doing this again!”.

Well, to make matter worse, the toilet paper I was using somehow found it’s way out of my underwear (at this point, the fear of what was happening over took my body) and down my pant leg and On To The Floor! No one would have noticed but sassy yelled nice and loud “Mom, why did you drop bloody toilet paper out of your pants?!?”. Needless to say, all those around us turned to look, so I had to pick up my bloody toilet paper and act like it was no big deal and look for a garbage can…. After all said and done I learned a Very Valuable lesson—Periods, kids and heavy lifting don’t mix and such should never be attempted again….

Direct From D.C

2010-05-27T14:53:00.000-07:00

I told my husband and kids that next time someone overflows the toilet and water spills over, I will take my ques from Washington. Apparently when a masses disaster happens like an oil leak, the proper course of action is to do nothing. Nothing except play golf, take in some basketball and throw a big dinner party where I sit back and listen to my guests bash my county and my friends.

SO when a disaster around my house happens -like water gushing from a toilet- I'll be doing nothing other then what our Fearless Leader would do. I need to improve my handicap anyway, and it's the play offs after all....

Why?

2010-05-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

There are times when I wonder Why? Why are people hurting and killing beautiful, helpless children? Why can't we have any more? Why can't we even take care of those kids whose parents can’t and won’t care for them?

I remember a quote from Brigham Young “There are multitudes of pure and holy spirits waiting to take tabernacles, now what is our duty?--To prepare tabernacles for them; to take a course that will not tend to drive those spirits into the families of the wicked, where they will be trained in wickedness, debauchery, and every species of crime. It is the duty of every righteous man and woman to prepare tabernacles for all the spirits they can." From “To The Mothers In Zion”

We are here, waiting and willing. My mom gave me the pamphlet “To The Mothers In Zion” when I was just young. I always wanted to be that mom that Pres. Benson talks about. Now that we can’t bring more children into this world, it’s my hope to care for those little ones whose parents won’t.

This past weekend my heart broke. I was at lunch talking to some friends about an event that happened in my state where a little boy, only pistols age, was brutality beaten, starved and killed. The details shared about what that little boy went threw was unbearable. We later went to a movie where I sat next to a woman with a new baby. Her baby was in the car seat through lunch and most of the movie. By the end of the movie she had her little one on her lap and when the movie ended and the lights came on, I saw that little tiny baby and began to cry. I left quickly and hide my tears until I got to my car. I couldn’t take the knowledge of the poor little boy who was sent here to that kind of mother. And there I was unable to have another sweet little baby like my beautiful friend at the moive.

I came home and thought I would be alright, until I saw the "pack and play" still sitting all boxed up in my mud room, not yet used....

Why? Only my Father knows.

Busy

2010-05-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

In case you’re wondering, we don’t have any foster kids. I got a ton of calls in the last couple weeks from people wondering if we had any kids placed with us, but I had to say no every time. I called my mom and you could tell she was heavily anticipating that I would say we had a couple kids placed and we were both bummed when I had to say, No.

I have kept very busy though. I am selling cars on the side, which has been very nice. Anything to cover our grocery bills is great! It all started because my husband is obsessed with cars. We have probably been through about 25 cars in the 8 years we have been married – no joke. We’d buy one, not like it and sell it. Or we’d buy one, love it and grow out of it. After awhile we realized we were making money at it so we checked the laws and apparently you can only sell so many cars in our state with out having a license and not go to jail.

So long story short, I got the license. I go to auctions and bid on cars now. I love it. I love to get a great deal on a car; it’s the ultimate high for a shopaholic. One day last week I actually thought about how fun it would be to have a full time job. I’ve been working on a campaign, being my kids teacher and selling cars all while neglecting my home, my kids and my husband. It’s been kind of nice. But sooner or later the guilt sets in.

I feel for those moms who have to work. It is so fun for me right now, but my house looks like a pigpen and my diet has been something that I couldn't admit to in fear of the White House taking away my high school diploma (since the Pres. wants us to have to pass a physical to graduate from high school and all) I don’t think I could do this long term. I guess it’s a blessing that we haven’t had any kids placed with us yet.
Someone must know better, someone obviously understands me!

Adding to our family!

2010-05-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

This could be the week! We spoke to our RFC (resource family consultant); she said that they have everything they need to have a foster child (or two or three) brought to our home. Our overall goal is to adopt a little boy or two, but we know we may have to have a few little ones come and go before our family becomes complete. Complete for now anyways, my husband and I have talked a fair amount about adopting a baby with downs syndrome when our kids are all a little older. Did you know that the biggest reason for abortion in the Untied States is because of downs syndrome found while pregnant? Who wants to adopt a downs baby? We do!

I feel like we're having a baby… I’m nesting and everything. I sent my husband out yesterday to buy a “pack and play”; some new sheets for our extra toddler bed and I’ve been cleaning the house like Crazy! I know many people think we are crazy and that we have our hands full already. I don’t disagree, but after talking to our RFC about being realistic and keeping our home safe and healthy for our kids and any that come to our home, I decided we'll be okay, and I have Never cared what people think of me, why start now. Our RFC said “Keep things in perspective, the kids you bring into your home will have been eating anything from cat food to dog food to what ever is on the floor. You can’t compare a bad day in your home to their bad days.”
We’ll take this one step at a time. The system isn’t perfect, but the kids are. The kids coming to our home have done nothing wrong; they are sweet and innocent and deserve a life filled with love and every chance to succeed in life. I’ll keep you posted- I’m scared and happy and nervous and excited all at the same time!

Music for me

2010-04-19T08:42:00.000-07:00

I know this song is kinda old, but I Love it. It makes me happy.....

Forever

2010-04-19T08:00:00.001-07:00

This is me and my favorite man. The father of my kids, my best friend. Like all best friends we fight sometimes (often enough that my kids say "not again" when ever we start) but we Always love each other. I hope my girls find someone like him to marry.

Some of my favorite "signs"...

2010-04-17T16:48:00.001-07:00

I find these signs All Over the place.. Some are too distasteful for me, I do try to show some sort of Respect to our President, but these are just so awesome... the first is My Favorite!

While the one above is funny, I think it's even more funny because a lot of those men were also progressives in their own right, but they are nothing like our current President.

I teach my kids to respect President Obama because he is our President and we love America, but we disagree with President Obama because we believe on most accounts he is Wrong....

Why Do I Love Him?

2010-04-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

It's Easy:

He Never Swears... Like Never. I think he has said One bad word his whole life
He Doesn't have an I.V of caffeine like me. He actually has never even drank Any caffeine
He turned down a chance to play Pro-Baseball to be with me and our son when I found out I was pregnant again
He plays with our kids
He gave me 4 awesome kids and will adopt more with me
He Loves our kids
He works hard managing his bank, he'd rather play, but he works hard
He's Honest, he Never tells a lie
He Loves Me
He Loves Our Father In Heaven
He helps people, he honestly helps whenever he can
He cleans the shower and folds the clothes
He doesn't care if the house is clean or messy
He'll watch my movies without complaining too much
He Cooks, he cooks Great Food
He eats all the orange and yellow skittles and saves me the red, green and purple
His Awesome Sense Of Humor.....

The List Goes On And On Number -16 Was The Make Or Break While We Were Dating-...But You Get The Point... He's My Perfect Husband!

Check It Out!

2010-04-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

Jon Hellander 2010!
I like to keep up to date on all kinds of political information. I have featured Alan West, Scott Brown and Sarah Palin and Now I want to feature Jon Hellander!

Jon is running for State Legislature in House District 53....

Jon lives in Wanship Utah with his gorgeous, sweet wife of almost 20 years and their 6 kids. His District runs from Park City to Rich County, Dagget County and Morgan County.

Jon Is Grass Roots!

http://jonhellander.blogspot.com/

Jon's Issues...
Fight to uphold our Constitution
Represent the People
Increase Quality of Education
Reduce Government Implement
Fiscal Accountability
New Business Opportunities
Protect Individual Rights
Protect State Rights

VOTE BIG JON!

An Enemy Hath Done This...

2010-04-05T16:21:00.000-07:00

In an address given on February 28, 1966 and recorded in his book, "An Enemy Hath Done This", Ezra Taft Benson spoke about the buildup of communism and socialism in the future of the U.S.A.; what damages these doctrines would bring, and what it would take for Americans to willingly accept these evil doctrines.

In his published book, he stated:
"There would be a further huge expansion of government and of its control over our economy, education, medical services, and every detail of our family and individual lives.. During such a period, it is reasonable to expect -- unless sufficient brakes are put on the present stampede to the left, we will get exactly what the communist-socialist coalition is planning -- the nationalization of insurance, transportation, communications, utilities, banks, farms, housing, hospitals, and schools.
To take over our schools, the educational system will first have been federalized and then prostituted entirely to serving the propaganda needs of the state planners with absolutely no regard for truth or scholarship or tradition." (italics added)
Seems pretty prophetic to me, let's see:

1. Expansion of government -- check

2. control over economy -- check

3. control over medical services -- check

4. nationalization of insurance -- check

5. control over transportation -- partially checked

6. control over communications -- Fairness Doctrine ---being debated now

7. control over utilities -- no new coal or nuclear power plants -- check

8. control over banks -- Citigroup, JP Morgan, etc. -- check

9. housing -- Fannie Mae, Freddy Mac -- check

10. hospitals -- check

11. Schools -- see National Education Agency -- check

Ezra Taft Benson served as Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower cabinet..
He later was President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Party Time!

2010-03-30T20:37:00.001-07:00

Future note... don't tell little boys you want to take them to a "Tea Party" 'cause little boys don't want to go to tea parties. That is, until you tell them they get to yell and wave flags in the air. In that case, they Love Tea Parties!

(player and Smarty (from http://www.thenielsonzoo.com/) enjoying a recent town tea party)

Go West

2010-03-29T10:09:00.001-07:00

Lovin This!

What happens when you run out of toilet paper

2010-03-26T08:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a dilemma, no more toilet paper. What was on the wall on the roll was all we had. What do you do? We were having company that night so I knew I needed to get some. Nothing is more awkward than running out of toilet paper in someone Else's home. Have you ever been in a public bathroom stall and heard someone say "Anyone have extra toilet paper?!" What do you do? I always duck and run as if I didn't hear it, I mean what are you suppose to do, hand some toilet paper to a stranger under the door? Creepy!

So, I had to take my 4 kids +1 (a family friend we'll call spanky) to Walmart. 5 kids 6 and under in Walmart trying to get toilet paper and get out... sometimes this can go well... sometimes it doesn't. Yesterday it didn't.

We have all been there, listening to kids crying in the store, watching kids run a mock all over the store and if you threw in shop lifting, that was my experience. Who ever came up with the idea to put the candy at the checkout was a genius.. but also deserves a good punch.

As I'm finishing up and paying for our items --can anyone go into a store for one thing and come out with one thing? I'm lucky if I go in for one thing and remember to get the one thing along with ten other things I buy-- one of my sweet little children (name withheld) thought to sneak a pack of gum into his OR Her pocket. Luckily, two of the other kids saw and yelled so loud I think the cops 5 miles away could hear "STEALING, STEALING, LOOK (insert name here) STEALING FROM A STORE!" I was Not Happy.

I got so many dirty looks from other shoppers as we walked back to put the gum where it goes. I wonder, were the dirty looks from having a child who doesn't know better than to steal or was it because I was holding my child by the ear? Either way, this is why you better not run out of toilet paper.

Book Review!

2010-03-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

This Book is Wonderful!
It starts off with "Who Loves the fussy Lamb?" you turn the page and it reads "No More crying, here I am". "Mama loves her little lamb." It's so cute and my kids Love It!
Their favorite is The dirty cub... "Who loves the dirty cub?" "Time to wash, I'll help you scrub." "Mama loves her little cub." It teaches kids that mama loves you no matter what you say or do. This will be one we read over and over again. Maybe one day my kids will read it to their kids...
Have a Happy Day!

Diego Indoctrination

2010-03-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

So the Obama administration isn't going to accept anymore public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation’s oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and inland waters. Now I thought this was crazy. I thought that no one would be in favor of such a ban.. and then we turned on Nick Jr. It seems that the Diego writers are in kahoots with the White House. A recent Diego episode explains to young viewers the harm we do to fish when we fish. Diego urges his friends to Not fish anymore. So dads, next time you want to go fishing and your child looks at you like you are a murderer, please understand that our dear friend Diego has received on good authority from Washington that fishing is evil.

I can over look (even being the conspiracy theorist that I am) the Wow Wow Wubbzy episodes where kids are taught "Share what you have, everybody share, everybody gets what everybody has" song and dance preformed almost daily, I understand that Wubbzy is a progressive, but it helps my little ones learn to share. I draw the line though when Diego backs the White House and teaches my kids that fish are more important then people.

Chicken and Fruit Bowtie Pasta Salad

2010-03-12T08:41:00.000-08:00

Here is a Salad that is Amazing!

2-16 oz pkg. bow tie pasta
1-20 oz. can pineapple tidbits, drained
2 C celery,chopped
2-3 green onions, including tops, chopped
2 C green/red grapes, cut in half
1 -9.5 can Cashews
1-6oz. pkg. Craisins
2 -11oz. can Mandarin Oranges, drained
4-6 chicken breast cooked and chopped (i like to boil this is chicken broth and onions)

Dressing:
1 -16oz bottle of coleslaw dressing (Kraft makes one, look by the ranch dressing)
1 C Mayo
1t salt
a little pepper to taste

Boil, Drain and let cool Pasta
Add Dressing and Carefully toss
Add remaining ingredients and again gently toss.
( i wait to add the cashews till right before serving)

Enjoy! This is a really good pasta salad and the best part is that it makes enough so that I don't have to make lunch for like a week =) it also has fruit and vegetables in it so i can feel like "mom of the year" when giving it to my kids....

Blogs... the New High School

2010-03-05T09:58:00.001-08:00

Being a mother of 4 and in my mid twenties I thought blogging would be a great way to get my thoughts and feelings out there. I have some family and friends who's blogs I enjoy reading and seeing what they have been up to. I thought it'd be great to be able to put my thoughts together and send them out for anyone or No One to read. No one listens to me through out the day, so it's fun to say it on the world wide web and be creative.

Recently I have talked to some different women about their blogs and they have all said they feel like it's a popularity contest. Who has the prettiest, funniest, most awesome blog? Who gets the most comments and has the most followers? Some women even use their blog to become famous it seems.... more power to them.

For me it's the fake blogs that make me ill. You may know of some. It's the blogs that speak ONLY about the warm soup and the cuddles under the blankets while sipping coca and watching "Where the wild things are". Every post is about how perfect life is. To quote a dear friend of mine "Sometimes, when I read people's blogs, I want to throw up in my mouth a little. I can only take so much of the ostentatious displays of phony perfection. gag."

Women are naturally competitive towards other women. We all suffer with insecurity's of different kinds. Blogs are no different. But blogs should be a great way to express ourselves and interact with old and new friends in a fun and personal way. I have been told a number of times that I should keep the politics out of my blog, but politics are who I am. Me and my husband enjoy having political guest in our home and talking to our kids about our History and our future. I can't help that, I enjoy that.

So, blog on my friends. Be real. Have fun and don't worry about the "New girl" in school getting more comments then you or the 'In crowd" having special luncheons and not inviting you. Just like high school, it only lasts for so long and your real friends love you for you.

Pictures say 1,000 words

2010-03-02T21:04:00.000-08:00

Here are two pictures I came across. One is Former President Bush speaking to Elementary school kids and one of President Obama speaking to Elementary school kids.

I think they speak well for themselves.

Snuggies For Seniors

2010-03-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

Check out this blog for a fun way to help out Seniors in need. http://adamandkristinapulsipher.blogspot.com/
For those of us who don't live in the SLC, UT. there are ways to donate. Maybe start your own Snuggies for Seniors drive in your area. It's so cute and fun, with the great reward of helping those in need. Seniors in nursing homes love any kind of kindness shown, they need to know people care for and value them. Go ahead and check it out, click on my "Snuggies For Seniors" button and enjoy Kristina fun and hilarious blog!

How do we like our music?

2010-02-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

Lets just put this out there...
We like teeny bopper music!

I love Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus....

Don't judge me. This music is up beat and happy. Plus, my kids can sing-a-long with out worry of questions of "disco sticks" and why we shouldn't ride them, coming up....
While we have been to a Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus concert, her more resent choices and clothing make it difficult to take my girls to see her. Even her music videos can be "scandalous" but we still love her music.
Rock on ladies!

Publishers bulletin: I've been advised by Player to share with you that he does not -so much- enjoy this music. We have struck a deal that if he reads his scriptures he can listen to a little Ozzy.... (thank you Mr. Happy)

If you stay in bed, you can have some Captain

2010-02-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

We have a rule, if you stay in your own bed all night, you can choose your cereal. I don't know why it's so hard for some of my kids to get this! We have an assortment of cereal on hand and captain crunch is the favorite with lucky charms close behind. If you don't stay in your bed you get plain old cheerios... with no sugar!
Every morning the kids wake up and come down stairs and ask me "Did I stay in my bed all night?" Sadly, half of them don't. You would think that the ones who woke up in my bed would all ready know they didn't stay in their bed, but they ask anyway. So, every morning, I listen to the captain cry "Why can't I have captain crunch?" and "I keep my room clean!" or "I'll stay in my bed tonight" and always "PLEASE!" It's all very sad and makes me want to change our rule, but I need something to help keep my kids stay in bed! Any great ideas would be appreciated.....

Sometimes life is just like this..

2010-02-15T12:38:00.001-08:00

And sometimes this.....

But after reading stories like this....
http://bit.ly/cZxReF
I just don't care about stuff like this.....

I am so happy to be able to hold and love my kids. I am grateful they are healthy and we are safe at home. Everything can change in a blink of an eye, and so if my house looks like this...

or this
(o.k this isn't really my house, but I was impressed by the mess)
I'm learning it really doesn't matter!

The Nerd Hurd....

2010-02-13T13:05:00.000-08:00

Player is my Athletic Nerd. As a nerdy home school graduate myself, I am so proud.

I know there are many who believe that Home Schooling is "bad" and "wrong", that kids won't learn "right" and that they'll be "socially behind". Well I beg to differ.. Player will be 7 in April, the kids in his church class are in either kindergarten or 1st grade and he gets along Great with all of them. He plays baseball and basketball and does really well. He learned how to ride his bike without training wheels when he was 5 and his friends range in age from 4 to 16. He can do back flips and loves to go off jumps on our snowmobiles. He is hardly a nerd, but he has Mad Math Skills, doing addition problems such as 492+345 and into the 1,000's.... and he's reading at a second grade level. He is my little man.
So today I write as a proud mama. I know we won't be perfect at what we do everyday, we will err and we will be scrutinized more because we home school, but I am blessed with this chance and enjoy it (almost) everyday.

The Best Day- Taylor Swift with lyrics

2010-02-08T14:15:00.001-08:00

I wanted to share this song, because I love my mom. She was my best friend growing up. Every girl needs a mom that she can talk to, I hope I'm that mom to my girls!

Say What? M.e.n.o.p.a.u.s.e.

2010-02-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

Menopause..... Couldn't they have picked a better word for it than that? Why the word Men in the name? As if I don't already curse men everyday of my distress from the awful condition I suffer in my mid-twenties.
(i know, that was a bit melodramatic, unless your my husband, he'd say "Yup, that's about what she does)

I remember watching the Golden Girls growing up, along with Designing Women, thinking all their talk about Menopause was a falsehood, just good TV, boy was I wrong. Pearl and Julia just about hit the nail on the head....Aw, the good old days of watching and not understanding, enjoy my friends!

Dealing with life, from a 5 yr. olds point of view....

2010-02-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

Kids are great, they really know how to put things in perspective....
The other day and got my hair cut and it is one of the worst (second to another bad hair cut)hair cuts Ever!
When I came home I asked my family "What do you think?" and Sassy looked at me and said "It's not That bad mom, just pull your hair back in a pony tail for awhile and no one will know" and Player said "Yup, problem solved."
It was that simple for them, nothing to cry over, I mean come on, save the tears for when I turn off Max and Ruby or Wow Wow Wubbzy or something serious like that, ok?

Family Album...

2010-01-30T17:32:00.001-08:00

Random photo's from the last 8+ years....

These are the pictures my husband and I sent each other while we were dating...

Engagement Photo.....

The wedding.... why didn't anyone tell me to do my hair?

I was So thrilled to be marrying Mr. Happy, I really didn't care about Any details, I just wanted to marry him.... now I look at pictures and think... What was with my hair and makeup!??

Hawaii

Our First Baby... Player

Baby Number 2.... Sassy!

Baby Number 3... Pistol

And finally Little one...

All Of Us Today...

Thank you for taking this walk down memory lane with me......

Miracles

2010-01-28T20:57:00.000-08:00

I'd like to reintroduce my Miracle, Little One. My kids are 18 months, 15 months and 12 months apart (with a miscarriage in between the 15 month babies) Each pregnancy I was shocked (I was lead to believe I'd never have any kids) and thrilled, I wanted A Lot of kids growing up. I remember thinking "all that worrying for nothing" with the first 3 but when I found out I was pregnant with my little one I couldn't believe it, my doctor whom I loved and built a good friendship with couldn't believe it, yet there she was.....

I remember going to see a new doctor after I found out I was pregnant. I wanted to stay with my Family Practiced doctor but she suggested I see a specialist after complications with pistol, and the doctor/specialist that delivered pistol was no longer delivering babies, so I went to see the new doctor.

I'll never forget that day, I remember the doctor being very nervous. It wasn't until the doctor asked "Do you have a will?" that I started thinking what's going on? The appointment was filled with questions about wills, emergency contacts, and my willingness to fly to Michigan if needs be. There was even a comment about getting my "Ducks in a row because we don't want another Terri Schiavo on our hands" I was scared. The whole appointment was a nightmare with Many details left out of this blog.

I remember going home and talking to my husband about this and I remember both of us crying for a while about what we were going to do. The thought to end my pregnancy Never crossed my mind, even when suggested by those at the doctors office. I wanted to have this baby, and I wanted to be able to care for my other 3 darlings. And I did. I spent 5 months living with my mom and dad, seeing a high risk doctor who was Amazing and holding on to the fact that This Was A Miracle and Miracles Happen! (i know since i'm not sharing All the details this probably sounds melodramatic, but believe me, many different times i was told it would be a miracle to make it through this and that this baby has a plan on earth)

Little one was born at 34 weeks, she spent 9 days in the NICU and was just a little doll. While I feel guilt at times for not making it to full term, my doctor said at 34 weeks, it was time. Since then she has been in and out of the hospital. She has had a whole in her heart, a Brain Malformation and a Stubborn Streak. We couldn't let her cry for the first 2+ years of her life because she would have seizures and had a hard time breathing, and now we are dealing with the consequences of that (hence the stubborn steak).

Little one is a Miracle for more reasons then I felt needed to add to this post. I Love All My Kids, I think when you know that you could lose one, over and over again, it makes you appreciate the plan for that child in your life. Each life is so precious, each child has a purpose and even when you think you're down and out, don't forget to give Faith a chance.

Normal

2010-01-25T18:37:00.000-08:00

I just came across this saying:
"Normal is just a setting on your Washing Machine"
unknown author.

I Loved It! Some days -like today- I need to know it's okay to Not be Normal.
I love my crazy, fun, happy kids and I couldn't love the man I married more!
So here's to Not being normal, but to being the best we can be!

Guest Writer- Adopting From Haiti

2010-01-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

Today I have a "Guest Writer". She is a dear friend who has shown unbelievable love and compassion for children. Her name is Kendra and she and her husband have adopted 4 children, 3 of which are Haitian. I asked Kendra (after getting lots of calls and emails about Haiti, how to help and the adoption process) to write her experience on adopting and how to get started.....

We began looking into international adoption in 2005. We had 4 biological children, but we love being parents and wanted to open our heart, home and family to more children. After doing some research on international adoption, we decided (with a little nudging from a friend) to adopt from Haiti. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The children here are more in need of homes and love and families than almost any you will find. We decided we were open to adopting 2 children, and none over the age of 12, but the Lord had other ideas. As soon as my husband saw the referral for our children, he knew they were ours. We adopted a sibling group of three-2 girls ages 15 and 8 and a boy aged 6. Our process was expedited due to our children being older and due to the fact that they had been referred to another family who abandoned the adoption process in the middle of it all. The wait can be long, but with recent events I know they are working very hard to get children placed and home as quickly as possible. I was able to travel to Haiti during the process and spend a week with our Haitian children and at the orphanages. I was not prepared for the level of poverty I encountered. It was truly appalling. And yet you'd be hard pressed to find happier and friendlier people. We were met with smiles everywhere we went and children frequently pointed us out to their parents, yelling "blanc, blanc", which is Kreyol for "white". Ninety-nine percent of the population in Haiti is black, so we were quite a novelty. Leaving the kids in Haiti to wait for our adoption to be complete was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but visiting my children's homeland is an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. In short (except this isn't short), Haitian adoption isn't always easy. We have had the kids for 4 years now, and there have been trials, just as there were trials while we waited for them to come home. But it is worth it. It is worth the expense, the worry and the heartbreak that you go through when you are finally able to bring your child home.

If you go to www.foyerdesion.org (the orphanage Kendra and her family went through, and a few other families we know) it has all the information you need about adoption, cost, time lines, who to contact and donations. There are tabs at the top of the page that help you find the info you need. Kendra

Kendra is a great example to me, I appreciate her friendship very much.
Right now there are many kids in need of good homes in Haiti, but I asked that we don't forget about the children there that have parents (or maybe parent or grandparent) and still need help. Kids are in Haiti, dying, scared and we can't adopt them, but we could save them. Please find a way to help, donate, pray and keep yourself informed!

Just in, I received a email from the Governor's office in Pennsylvania:
The majority of the orphans that were brought to Pennsylvania were already in the process of being adopted before the earthquake. However, there are six orphans that the Allegheny County of Children and Youth are taking applicants for adoption. Please call 1-800-862-6783

If you are interested in adopting Haitian orphans that are still in Haiti, you can contact the Department of State’s Office of Children’s Issues at http://adoption.state.gov/news/Haiti.html
Or 1-888-407-4747 for more information.

All About Haiti

2010-01-17T13:18:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows now about the Earthquake in Haiti. I'm sure we all know someone who is doing a project for Haiti but I wanted to share the ones I know of.... Here Goes.....

Hygiene Kit and Quilts are needed at the Humanitarian center in SLC. This is what they need in the Hygiene Kits (this list is from my R.S President).....

2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)
4 toothbrushes (packaged)
1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz, no pumps)
2 bars of soap (approximately 4-5 oz)
2 hand towels (approx 15"x25") please do not use dish towels or washcloths
Place items in a heavy-duty, one gallon sealable bag. Remove the air before sealing.

Here are some blogs that are doing some Great Work also: www.bakerfam98.blogspot.com and http://mosslifeisgood.blogspot.com/2010/01/will-you-help.html

I know the Bakers well. They have adopted 3 kids from Haiti from the Sion Fonds Orphanage. The website to the orphanage is www.sionfonds.org.... they will need help rebuilding and caring for all the sweet kids who are now orphans.

If you live in the Salt Lake Area... Monday the 18th of January in Woodscross at Autosource there will be a bake sale put on by the Baker's family. 100% for proceeds will go to the Red Cross and Sion Fonds... (spilt 50-50) and they are Sanctioned by both.

"A true Latter-day Saint is to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this Church or in any other or in no church at all, wherever he finds them." Prophet Joseph Smith

Scott Brown

2010-01-12T08:35:00.001-08:00

If you live in Massachusetts, Please vote for Scott Brown!
Right now in Massachusetts they are having a special election to fill the seat vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy. The winner will join John Kerry as the Massachusetts representatives in the Senate (to give you an idea of how democratic the state is). This race is important for all of America.

You may be familiar with the bill affectionately known as ObamaCare, two different versions of which have been passed in the House and Senate respectively. Each is currently working on reconciling the bills and the resulting bill will be voted on as soon as possible. The Senate returns from Christmas break on January 20th. The Massachusetts special election is January 19th. If our Republican candidate, Scott Brown, wins this seat there will be 41 Republicans, enough to block the bill!

Please, Vote or check out http://www.brownforussenate.com/news to find out how to help!

parts of this post came from an email traveling all through facebook........

Good-bye Old Friend!

2010-01-09T22:43:00.000-08:00

So we thought we should start 2010 off right. Mr. Happy explained to me his desire to eat less fast food and I said I agree, "what a good idea"... well not really! Mr. Happy said to help him stay motivated I should stop drinking caffeine. Now, of course I want my husband to be happy and healthy, but Pepsi runs in my veins!! As a good wife I said I'd give it a try. Mr. Happy will eat no fast food and Mrs. Crazy (having new meaning to my name) will drink no Pepsi (it hurts just to write it) or any caffeine beverage.

So if we happen to run into each other, please understand, I don't hate you but you see, I've lost a dear friend at the start of 2010.... and I just don't know how to keep it all together.

Update: Friday night I went out with a few friends. When we got to the restaurant the waiter asked what we wanted to drink and I asked with desperation in my eyes "Do you have caffeine free Pepsi?" the man just laughed and said no and then as he walked off he muttered something about "table full of Mormons, what luck!" Does any one sell Caffeine free Pepsi?!?

Who am I?

2010-01-07T16:15:00.001-08:00

I am a Mother of 4, Sister of 5. Daughter To Great Parents and Wife Of An Amazing Man. I Serve My God and My Country. I Own Several Guns and have a Concealed Carry Permit. I am a Home School Graduate, BYU Alumni.

I own with my husband 3 homes and work hard everyday to live in my means. I enjoy being a stay at home mom and spending most days drying tears and fixing toys. I hope to adopt more kids, because I'm not able to have more of my own. I was willing to give my life to bring my youngest into the world and I firmly believe that adoption is a beautiful way to bring love and happiness into the lives of all involved.

I'm not a stranger to medical problems, and large medical bills. My family has had to deal with brain Surgery and life threatening pregnancies. I offer my services to those in need through different organizations. I work hard everyday to teach my kids right from wrong and to respect all of God's Children.

I believe in the words of our great former President Thomas Jefferson-- "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." and also "I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

I find beauty in many little things but nothing is more beautiful to me than a family united forever. I am proud of my past and look forward to my future. I know where I'm going and what I can be.

I am a Mother First and Always and a Proud Tea Party Supporter.

Down in the dumps....

2010-01-06T19:10:00.000-08:00

Is it just the post Christmas blues? I don't know but I feel as low as Paris Hilton after her stint in jail...

Now, maybe it's the whole New Years thing. The chance to reflect on my life and see how I need to change. It must be the realization that I can't eat a whole 13x9 pan of brownies and not pay the consequences. Or that I really, really want to work out for an hour everyday, but sadly this New Year did not bring with it more obedient children or 2 more hours to the day....

I'm sure I'll get over it, it must be a "ladies thing" as Mr. Happy would put it, but right now I think I will relish in the fact that no one has a snap shot of me wearing this.....

P.S.
President Boyd K. Packer Gave A Great Talk in 1978 on Emotional Dealings, it's been republished in this months Ensign. page 50&51... great read!

Fancy Nancy, Book Review

2010-01-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

My mom gave Sassy a great book for Christmas and I loved it so much I had to tell you about it. It's Called "Fancy Nancy" Written By, Jane O'Connor Illustrated By, Robin Preiss Glasser.
There are I believe 5 Nancy books and I look forward to buying them all.

The book is great, it's full of vocabulary explanations and morals with an interesting and entertaining story. I love when a problem comes (in this book, it's the tree topper) and her family helps her learn and they find happiness again! The colors are so fun, my kids enjoy just looking at all the pages before even reading. Good Work Fancy Nancy....
as a side note, i will no longer be able to call my husband 'Nancy' when he doesn't do something i need him to do. so maybe it's a win win in his book too, the kids are reading a book and i'm not calling him Nancy.

Is 2010 the year?

2010-01-04T09:15:00.000-08:00

Since last March we have been working on adoption. Currently we are waiting for our background checks to clear.... must be from all the hard time we've done in the big house.... Just Kidding.
I hope everyday that the phone will ring and we'll be ready to move forward, there are So Many kids in our State alone who's parents are no longer able to care for them and they need someone to love them. Some have questioned our choice to adopt since we have 4 little ones all ready. I can't help but wonder why anyone would find people's desire to adopt as bazaar? If you don't want to adopt, that's cool, I'm not challenging you. But if we want to open our doors and give love to an innocent child who deserves love and a family to care for them, why is that so crazy?

Here are some statics about child abuse, one of many reasons we want to help and adopt:
Each day in the United States, more than 3 children die as a result of child abuse in the home.
In 1998, an estimated 1,100 children died of abuse and neglect—an average of more than 3 children per day.
Most of the children who die are younger than 5 years of age.
Of these fatalities, more than three-quarters were under the age of five; 38 percent of the children were under the age of one.
More children (age four and younger) die from child abuse and neglect than any other single, leading cause of death for infants and young children.
This includes falls, choking on food, suffocation, drowning, residential fires, and motor vehicle accidents.

On a lighter note...
This holiday season has past leaving us some great memories and gifts. My girls Swiss Miss, Sara Lee, Little Debbie, and Betty Crocker were in Full Force! For 2010 one of my goals is to cut back on the junk.... sorry ladies..... and eat more whole foods. If I can do this and get some great recipes I'll be sure to share. If I fail, you'll see more posts about my love for brownies.
I sure hope 2010 is a great year, with new opportunities, new family members and more fun times!

8 Great Years.....

2009-12-28T14:01:00.000-08:00

It was 8 years ago today that my husband pulled a nervous me from my parents suburban in Bountiful Utah and Married me.... What a great move on his part! If he never got me out of the car I wouldn't have had the best past 8 years of my life. It wasn't that hard to get me out of the car, you see he's pretty darn cute and being a college baseball player he was in Great shape.

The past 8 yrs. we've had 4 kids, 1 miscarriage, about 25 cars of all make and models, built 3 houses, moved to different states, had major hospital stays, major fights, great make ups and amazing blessings. I wouldn't change a thing. My hope for the next 8 yrs would be to adopt a little baby boy or two, build another house or two, baptize about 4 or 5 kids, try a new state or two, have more fights that teach us how to love and forgive, buy and sell more cars and still be happily together!

Tonight my dear sister who is visiting with her family from way up north by Canada (you know, Canada, with the great health care and all) is watching our kids so we can go out and Celebrate!

I love my husband!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-22T13:10:00.000-08:00

The kids are more hyper then normal, the house is full of boxes and gift wrap and the kitchen has on going cookies and fudge coming from it.... I Love This Time Of Year!
I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas, And A Happy and Safe New Year!
Love, The Crazy Happy Home!

Something Fitting....

2009-12-21T08:08:00.000-08:00

My Awesome Uncle Jimmy sent this to me, I thought it was fitting in lou of the Health Care Vote last night......

LITTLE GIRL ON A PLANE

A CALIFORNIA Congressman was seated next to a little girl on the
airplane leaving from DALLAS when the he turned to her and said,
'Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a
conversation with your fellow passenger.'

The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly
and said to the total stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?'

'Oh, I don't know,' said the congressman. 'How about global
warming or universal health care', and he smiles smugly.

OK, ' she said. 'Those could be interesting topics. But let me
ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same
stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns
out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?'

The California legislator, visibly surprised by the little
girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.'

To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified
to discuss global warming or universal health care when you don't know sh!t?'

Shoes.... A Girls Best Friend

2009-12-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

Unless you wear them on my carpet!

My husband just sent me the article below, it's on shoes.... You see, we have a no shoe policy in our house and while my husband gladly takes his shoes off in Every-one's home we go to (without even being asked) he does not like taking them off in our home. Why you may ask? He thinks it's weird. Every home (well, almost) we have been in since we started making friends outside of College, has a no shoes policy (maybe because when you Own the home, you want it staying nice). I can honestly say that to me, it's like walking into someones office and grabbing a bunch of papers and tossing them around the room and then saying "Thanks for having me, see you later" Who is going to clean the mess?? Well folks... in my house/office that would be Me!

I really like the idea of not having dirt and crud spread all over my house. I know many will say that "your feet carry oils which pound any dirt into the ground" but it's my home and I don't like shoes worn in it. While building our most resent house I told my husband to give me wall to wall hardwood and shoes won't be a big deal, but he really likes carpet, so the family room is the only room on the main floor with carpet in it.

I'm not as OCD as I use to be, I understand some of our friends/family are not able to remove shoes as easily as others, and I can over look that... but if it's simply a matter of pride... please just take off the shoes, or stick to the tile or hardwood. Is that too much to ask?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34371147/ns/health-behavior/from/ET
As a side note, when going into other peoples homes for church activities, you walk in the front door and there is a huge mound of shoes... I always think it's funny and I ask if we can trade shoes on the way out....

Christmas Came Early!

2009-12-11T14:37:00.000-08:00

Okay I know, gun talk isn't every one's favorite, but I love guns in the right hands! This year my great husband got me a great gift for Christmas.... A Kel-Tec 380... and I love it! It holds only 6 rounds, but with the extra magazine that fits so nicely in my new holster, I get 6 more rounds! The Holster is awesome, as a woman it's hard to find a holster that fits under clothes, unless you are custom to wearing baggy clothes, or an ankle strap (which is nice, but I feel better having the gun up on my waist) but this holster is great. It clips on like a cell phone clip and keeps the gun in place but hidden under most shirts and pants... love it!

Oh no worries, I also got a puppy, (of the golden retriever variety), pots and pans and gift cards... Christmas morning will still be fun with a few small surprises, but I couldn't be happier with my gifts this year!

Merry Christmas!

All I Want For Christmas...

2009-12-01T20:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

I've been really good this year, I really have! I only yell at my kids out of love, I never sleep past 10:00 and when the need to tell someone what I really think comes........ I say it to my husband later!
So, here is my Christmas list:

I want a new handbag (zebra print or a cool green), a laser sight grip for my glock, a new wardrobe, a surefire tactical flashlight, new pots and pans, a year supply of Big Rock Creamery Ice Cream (cake batter is great!), And For All My Kids To Start Sleeping In Their Own Beds! But the number one gift I would LOVE for this Christmas is this painting.....
Old Man Wept...

I would love to have that hanging on my wall in a black frame in my living room for my kids to see and remember why America is So Great....

Thanks Santa, I Love You!

FAMILY......

2009-11-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

I've been so sad that we aren't able to have more kids and that the adoption process is going so slow... why is it so hard to bring little ones into your family to love?

All the while I go through this and cry about babies and children, the White House wants to make abortions cheaper and easier while making adoption cost more and more....

It seems like this is all backwards, what do you do when your leaders have it all wrong and their choices make the most important thing in your life... family.... so darn hard?

What Recession?

2009-11-03T13:09:00.000-08:00

After going over my kids Christmas list, I thought I'd share a sample of my kids dream gifts for this year.

iPhone

Rocket Ship

Real Car!

No worries though, they would also like more down to earth items like: A tree house, A Hannah Montana trampoline and motor scooter or a Shot Gun.

I told Player and Sassy that we have a bad economy right now and Player said "I know, so the more stuff we buy the better it'll get, right?!?"......
I blame his teachers at school! =)

Sneakin' Around Already!

2009-11-02T12:11:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks my older kids have been actting more and more sneaky in all that they do.

Example A: We were sitting at the dinner table and sassy didn't like her food, I watched as she filled her mouth full but not so full that she could still talk and then she turned to her daddy and said "I need to use the bathroom, k dad?" well dad said "Sure,thanks for asking!" and I said "Wait until you finish the food in your mouth" and dad said "What, is there food in your mouth?" and sassy could only nod her head at this point because her mouth was so full. We asked her if she planned on spiting out her food when she got to the bathroom and once she could talk she said "How did you know?!?!?"

Example B: Lunch time at our house and it was leftovers. Player was not a fan of his food (common trend around here) so he decided to put bits and pieces of it under everyone else plate while no one was looking. When lunch was finished and plates were cleared we found the food he had hide. Before we could stop him, he stuffed all his candy into mouth and swallowed.

Example C: Bedtime was coming and we made a deal with the kids that every night at bedtime they could all have $.25 if their rooms are clean. Well the next morning I found out how they cleaned their rooms so well, they had stuffed all their clothes and toys into the drawers and under the beds and in the hall closet.

Example D: Pistol has been having a hard time at night with wetting the bed and one morning she got dress for church and we all went on our merry way. Later at church pistols teacher brought her to me and said she had no underwear on and was showing all the kids how cool she is for not wearing underwear. I asked Pistol why she wasn't wearing underwear and she said "Cause mom, you don't want me to pee in my underwear, and if I don't wear them, I can't pee in them!". Apparently she hadn't been wearing underwear for days.....

What am I going to do as they get older and can really sneak past me?!?!?

The O So Creepy BYU Team.....

2009-10-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!
Now we just need to find a Ute Family all dressed up and we can have a real party.... Our witch is pretty spooky but our cheerleader is the real threat!

At a recent Halloween party we all dressed up. Player is the forever young BYU Football player, Sassy is a Witch, Pistol is a Princess, and Little One is a BYU Cheerleader. I am a BYU baseball player (thank you husband) and Mr. Happy is a BYU Flag Football player.... Who knows what we'll be tomorrow night.... but be on the look out 'cause my kids intend to bring home a haul!!!!

I love you Betty Crocker!

2009-10-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

I'd like to write a post about my 3 favorite ladies.... Betty Crocker, Swiss Miss and Little Debbie....

Now these ladies know how to make me smile, but why is it that I feel so guilty after eating a whole box of Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls or a 13x9 pan of Brownies? Well folks, it's because I live in a world where size 2 is sexy and size 8 is not.

Even poor Jessica Simpson can't get a way with gaining a few healthy pounds.

But it's not just the media and it's not all because of men either (although they are my favorite sex to blame!). We women are over the line. How many times have we said to each other "Oh, lets go running together, I want to lose 10 pounds!"? Well, there you go, lets go running not to be healthy but to lose weight so that we fit into this crazy idea that we need to be thin... Well Not For Me!

I want to be healthy to avoid heart attacks, strokes and illness but I never want to run and not eat Brownies ever again just to look better swimming. I spend way too much time eating to be concerned by the small amount of time I spend in a swim suit!

Am I going to eat garbage all the time, no, but I'll be darned if I avoid eating something because of the weight I will put on because of it, I don't care if I never get to be a size 2, I will be happy with my girls!

I am going to look at my "diet plan" in a whole new light, I'm going to eat brownies, drink hot chocolate and eat as many swiss cake rolls and I need to get me through my "rough days". I don't want my 3 girls seeing me concerned over the size of my jeans, but more over the energy and health that I have and the kindness I show.

So Here's To You Ladies! Thank You For Making My Day Better, and By The Way.. Say Hello To My Favorite Elf's At Keebler For Me!

Hannah Montana vs Megatron.... Why Not, She's 5 Now!!!

2009-10-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

So Sassy Had A Birthday...(awhile ago, it was in September!) She Is 5 Now!
She had a great day, it was a "Hannah Montana" vs "Megatron" Party Day!!!

No party is complete with out a kids party, a family dinner party, then presents and a friendly debate about who won... Megatron Or Hannah and Sassy said Megatron won....Way to go Megatron!

Our 5 year old baby girl, We Love You Sassy!

Note... the cake had a little megatron "action figure" coming out of "chocolate mud" shooting a gun at a cardborad Hannah Montana... who we Love! All Sassy's idea!

Loving/Surviving These Times

2009-10-02T21:53:00.001-07:00

I know that I am suppose to love this time of my life and float down the stairs in the morning singing songs of joy and energy... but I don't. You know what though, now that I have thought it and written it, I feel Much Better. The truth is, I am tired in the morning, the only song I want to sing is Go Back To Bed!

Have you ever had someone say to you at the store when your 3 yr old is throwing a fit "I remember those times dear, enjoy them, you will miss them when you're my age"?
I just want to say "What the Heck?!? It doesn't get better then this, so I'm going to actually Miss This?!?!?" It can be a sad look into my future.

I know what you're thinking "Oh, you need to love your kids, and enjoy the little things" and believe me, I love my kids, I would die for them, but when I find them knee deep in the kitchen sink in chocolate milk DANCING... my first thought Isn't "oh, go get the camera, so funny and cute" it's "What On Earth, Who's Child Are You and Why Do You Hate Me????" I love them, I wouldn't want to be anything right now then their mom, but it doesn't make it easy, and sometimes it's not fun. Don't get me wrong, we have lots of fun, but I'm not going to feel guilty anymore for having days when I think "WILL THIS EVER END?!?!"

Wouldn't life be easy if we would all help each other and not judge, like "Oh, if I had a 2,3,5, and 6yr old I would totally have That under control". I make mistakes, I've said it before, I'm not super mom but I am a mom that loves her kids more then life, and it shows by the fact that I have No Life outside of my kids.... Lets all stop feeling guilty for having bad days when our kids won't listen and the freshly mopped floors are now smeared with jelly.... lets really just enjoy what we have the Best We Can, In Our Own Time And Way.

Home Schooling Sounds Lame......

2009-09-28T14:56:00.000-07:00

Don't all home school kids have glasses, long skirts and braids???? Really, they can't manage in society as well as public school kids, they are socially SLOW.

Okay, I have heard all of this plus much more! Let me just say that saying home school kids come out with no social skills is about as true as saying "All Utah Mormon Girls Are Air Heads" and I have heard that a lot too. Not being from Utah, I always thought it was funny, but I knew it was just as much a stereotype as "Home School Kids Are Nerds".

I home school my kids, and I was also home taught. I play the piano, I can read (yes, there are some who don't believe home school kids learn to read.)I think I had a great group of friends, both public and home taught and I went on plenty of dates (more then Mr. Happy liked).I went to Brigham Young University, I was even the local winner in the "Miss America Pageant" and went on to the state level. I married an Amazing man, I have had several well paying jobs and I have the best 4 kids in the world. I'm not sure where I could have done better, I guess we all could do better, but I wouldn't change a thing about my life and what I've done.

Home schooling my kids has given me a great chance to teach my kids what I value in education. I only have a 1st grader and a kindergartner, it's not rocket science, but what we have learned and focused on has been awesome. All my kids even my 2 year old knows the ABC's. The older 3 can add with no problems and my 6 yr old Loves to help his sisters learn. Player does Great, and loves school! I don't ring a bell at 6:00am and lead them to the chalk boards, but we spend time everyday, all through out the day talking,learning and reading.

As a mom, I want my kids to know History, like the back of their hand. I never want my kids to say "Founding Fathers, Who's Dad's Are Those?" I want my kids to know who they are, that they can do Anything, and that they can do Anything because of the Freedom Once Fought For.

The Special K ........Cake Challenge!

2009-09-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

I posted earlier about how I am going to start the Special K Challenge... But I haven't. It's as if my body somehow knew I was going to try to lose weight and get into better shape so it (my body) decided without my OK to add another 5 pounds and make me desire food more then Ever before in my life.... It is an All Out War!
Why do I even do this? Why do we do this to ourselves? It doesn't help when my sweet little kiddos say things like "Mommy, why don't you wear the pants dad and I bought for you?" all that comes to my mind is "you and dad must live in a dream world... I have Never fit into a size 2 and I'm sure not going to anytime soon!"

Oh the fun. I am going to rededicate my life to eating better, to sleeping more, and to walking Lots More... but until then, =) my kids will just have to deal with me saying "No sorry, you can't have any of this cake until your rooms all clean."
We all know that their room will never be clean!!!!
More Cake For Me!

Usborne Books

2009-09-15T21:32:00.000-07:00

My good friend Jessica had a Usborne books party tonight and I had never heard of these books. I have seen these books but I never knew anything about Usborne, like when my kids (little one) rips pages out of books I can get it replaced for free! That is Awesome! I am coping a link so check them out, they start as low as $4.99 (from what I saw) and they are really cute and fun books!

www.ubah.com/HOS152670

Thanksgiving Point’s New Feature PLUS a Giveaway!

2009-09-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Point’s New Feature PLUS a Giveaway! Go to
http://www.makeitworkmom.com and find out more! This blogger is awesome! She has great giveaways and great info. on what's new and how to make life as a mom work for you! Good Job Make it work mom!

Crazy, Lazy Summer.......

2009-09-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

Horse rides.....
Sleeping out on the tramp...
Vistiting the Fish....
Playing with snakes.....
Loving the beach and more!!!!!

Health Care...... Right???

2009-09-10T12:10:00.000-07:00

I choose to post my thoughts on Health Care and you can sure choose to not read it or disagree and just know now that I don't know all the answers (wait, don't tell my husband that, I'll never live it down!) but these are My Thoughts based on what I do know.

I don't think it's a "Right" to have health insurance, it's a choice and it's a Privilege. I don't like to pay the higher bills for my families health care because people who do nothing with their life and abuse the system go to the doctors for free. I believe in supporting and helping our fellow men, even more so those who fight for my freedom. I understand that I will pay taxes, and I am okay with it going to people down on their luck, but I do think that if you choose to go on a government program that you should be tested for drugs and showing some improvements towards getting back on your feet. I do believe that if you are a drug addict and you are so stupid as to walk out in front of traffic because you're so stoned (this happened in my state recently) and you get hit by a car, No One But You Should Foot Your Bill. The lazy abusers should pay there own way by mowing lawns, pulling weeds.... whatever. Now I know what you're thinking, that's just going to take jobs from other people... Well, if we removed all the illegal aliens from America there would be SO Many more jobs available. If you're an abuser and you don't want to work to pay your bill then we'll send you to jail and when you're ready to work you'll pay back the money it cost to stay in jail. So you see, people will have to start being Accountable for what they do.

No More Free Rides For The Lazy, Taxes Should Be Cut. People Need To Pay Their Own Way. More Jobs Need To Be Created By Removing Those Here Illegally. And maybe, maybe
next time my little one needs to go to the hospital we won't have to wait in line behind 20 illegal aliens to see her doctor so we can pay twice the price.

To quote a very smart woman "I think it comes to this: do we work for the government or do they work for us? ...My take on what the Constitution says is that the rights (life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness) are ours, given to us by God. We lend those to our elected officials to represent us at the state and national level. For far too long, they (both/all parties) have acted like we work for them and this is some sort of dictatorship. We need to remind them that they work for us." Statement by Dr. Gillis

So yes, I think to fix health care you need to overhaul more then just health care, I'm talking welfare, immigrants, health care and so on....
I would love to see tax dollars (since I have to pay them anyway) supporting small business to get health coverage to those that WORK for them.

No Way, I'm Not A Perfect Mom?

2009-09-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well guess what? I'm okay with that. I doubt my ability as a mother every day but you know what, life goes on. This all came about when a family friend stopped by and saw my kids covered (from head to toe) with BYU written ALL Over in marker. She wondered why I didn't stop them or clean them up and I said "You know, at least they
didn't write on my new walls, and hey, they could have written something Way worse" I guess a mom of the year would have taken better care of this situation.... oh well. I do think kids need discipline and if you don't have kids or your kids are perfect you may not believe you have to pick your battles but..... You Do.

I choose to let the little stuff slide so that my kids don't feel like I'm riding them about Everything. From the day I became a mother I have had family, friends and Strangers tell me what they think I'm doing wrong with my kids but you know what, I do the best I can with the kids I have been given. I love my kids and not one of the 4 has EVER beat up someone,lied to my face, hurt an animal or even sworn... so I rate my over all job as O.K.
My kids are crazy, they love life and they respect people, so if you don't think I'm doing a good job then you can keep losing sleep over it because as a mom, I lose enough sleep already...... To all the mamas out there.....
GOOD WORK and Keep On Loving Those Kiddos!!!

Daffodillies Dress Up!

2009-09-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Hooray For Dress Up and Thank Goodness For Daddodillies!!! My Cousin's wife makes the Cuties stuff and sales it online on Esty and at awesome stores. Sassy won't take her tutu off!!! Goodtimes being 4.....

Great Chicken & Bow Tie Pasta......

2009-09-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

This salad is my favorite salad EVER!!! You Have Got To Try It! It Makes A Ton!
Good Luck and Happy Cooking!
http://www.crazibeautiful.com/ConfessionsAndCooking/?postID=153

Oh and yes, as you may have guessed my "Special K Challenge" diet is going along great...... well, not really, maybe Monday it will..... =)

Football and Special K

2009-09-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

Ah Yes, it football season again and I am So Happy! You see Mr. Happy Loves golf and most of the time he's on the golf course, but now that football has started he will be sitting on the couch glued to the T.V. and while this may bug some wife's, it makes life Way easy for me. Instead of me being home alone with all the kiddos, my great husband will be here too to break up fights, clean up messes and change dirty diapers (well, only when the commercials come on, but I'll take what I can get!). Another great part of this is I can workout while games are on because someone else can help the kids, let me tell you.... this is needed now more then ever! So I decided to try the "Special K Diet" you know, where you eat two bowls of that great cereal for two meals a day... we'll see how it goes, my biggest obstacle will be not eating the bag of marshmallows between lunch and dinner..... we shall see indeed....

Yes these kids are mine....

2009-09-02T09:28:00.000-07:00

Whenever I go out with all my kids by myself, be it at Walmart, Costco or the Doctors someone will ask me "Are all these kids yours?" and I have now come up with a line that gives Me just the right amount of inner laughter to continue on with whatever I'm doing... I simply reply "Yes they are, and my therapist says being able to accept it now, shows Huge Improvement."
At that moment, it doesn't matter what my kids behavior is, I am laughing on the inside and loving my crazy little kiddos!

Crazy *Happy* Home