DIRT

If any of you have been to my house lately. I have an empty flower pot next to my door, I would have flowers in but I kill everything that I touch. Bill just shakes his head every time I get a plant to replace it because he knows it's only a matter of time before that poor plant sees its inevitable fate and joins his little plant buddies. So, I haven't had anything in the pot for a couple of months now...and Ellie couldn't resist anymore and had to play in the dirt left over in the pot. It was everywhere, after I washed her hair twice, there was still dirt in her hair this morning. It does give me an excuse to go and get a new plant to put in my pot. Maybe I will blog and show the life span of my new plant or maybe I should find something else to replace the pot. (none living)

Before the bath!

It's so hard to say good-bye.

Yesterday, Bill and I got to spend almost the whole day at the temple. It was so wonderful. Usually we are rushing there and rushing back. The longer I was there the more I wanted to stay. Thank you Amy for watching the kids all day! My kids had a great time with their Auntie Mame...She took them out for ice cream & happy meals. Rachel didn't want to say good-bye, she was trying to talk me into letting her spend the night with Aunt Amy but she had a lot going on and so did we. So, I had to break her poor little heart. She tried to block the front door so Amy wouldn't leave. Then she grabbed onto her car and wouldn't let go. Bill had to pry her off. I'm glad she loves her Aunt so much!

When did she get so strong? And flexible?

Ballet.

For Rachel's b-day we signed her up for ballet. I finally remembered to bring the camera today. She just loves it. The bad thing is the huge mirror they have to watch themselves do ballet but it is a distraction for Rachel, I can see her smiling or twirling around when she is supposed to be in position. I love watching her. I didn't get very good pictures, they turned out blurry. I will work on getting better ones.

Tagged

Ok I got tagged by two different people. One was a while ago but I felt I couldn't post one tag and not the other so I put them both on here. The people I tag can choose which one they would like to do. Or you can do BOTH! :)
Here I go:
My lovely sister in law tagged me so here I go

10 years ago I:
1. Was Starting my 2nd year at BYU-I (At the time it was Ricks College)
2. Moved to off campus housing with a couple of friends from my 1st year.
3. worked on campus at the school's testing center
4. My major was business (now I'm trying to get my RN degree)
5. Was 19

Things on my to do list:

1. Do laundry
2. Study for anatomy test
3. Dishes
4. Help kids with homework
5. Primay stuff (That is a list unto itself)

Snacks I enjoy
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Pita chips & hummus
3. Smoothie
4. Fruit
5. chips and salsa

If I were a millionaire I would:
1. Buy a house!
2. Travel
3. Help others...because so many people have helped us along the way
4. Open a bed and breakfast
5. Hire a maid just to do my laundry!

Places I have been
1. Hawaii
2. Cayman Islands
3. Mazatlan
4. Orlando, Florida
5. Canada

Jobs I've had
1. Receptionist
2. Worked at the Testing Center at School
3. Bookkeeper
4. Retail
5. Worked at an ice cream booth at the Renaissance Fair one summer in High School.

Alright, I can't wait to see some of your posts.

Tag!

The Rules:
• Link the person(s) who tagged you.
• Mention the rules on your blog.
• Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
• Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged!

I was tagged by Jessica

1. When stopped at a stop sign or light...I always have to beat them off the line.(Even in my mini van) I've had to stop recently because I need to conserve gas due to the rising gas prices. :(
2. I LOVE ketchup. I put it on many things that I shouldn't and I even get grossed out when I think about it...but I love the stuff. I consider it one of the main food groups.
3. I want 6 kids.
4. I eavesdrop on conversations...at the grocery store, movies, restaurants, family members. It drives Bill crazy. It can be strangers, friends, family...I'm not prejudice. I know it's bad.
   
5. I hate watching movies over and over. If I've seen it once and can very rarely watch it again. There are a few exceptions.
6. I believe in Sasquatch...that's right...Big Foot. As a little girl my grandpa would always tell me stories about him hunting or camping and having strange things happen. To this day I believe that Big Foot is out there somewhere.
   

Okay, now I have no secrets and you all know more about me than you ever wanted to... :) Here is who I tag:

Alycia,

Britta

Katie

Jennifer

I was reading this article and it really gave me the boost that I needed and I wanted to share with the rest of you.
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=14d93c7842470110VgnVCM100000176f620a

Future Motocross star!

My sister's boyfriend left his stuff here so Jared decided to try it on. What do you think future motocross rider? Actually, bikes terrify me, its not if you break a bone it's when you break a bone...Maybe we'll stick to baseball.
But he looks awesome!
Rachel had to try it on too...

Take me out to the Ball Game!

Ellie enjoying the game, I don't know why I dressed her in white, she ate a hot dog and got mustard everywhere.

This is the 8th inning most of the Padres fans had left already because the Giants were beating them so bad! wah wah! So Jared had almost a whole row to himself.

My brother Kyle, his girlfriend Alysa, My brother David (Currently Available), Sisters Boyfriend Tyson, and my sister Chelsea. And Bill's shoulder.

My Parents & Rachel

The Girls!

We went to a Giants vs. Padres game last Saturday with almost the whole family, my brother Colin couldn't make it because he had to work. The Giants won by shutting out the Padres. It was a fun game!

Family Drama...

I think a lot of times I post moments in my life that bring happiness to me and my family but trust me there are days that aren't all smiles and laughter. I'm sure many of you have the same struggles: finances, career choices, making sure your children have the things they need, raising them with values and a knowledge of who they are and the potential of who they can become, the monotonous day in and day out of laundry, dishes, and vacuuming, and trying to juggle and balance a busy schedule.
Lately not only have I dealt with the trials of my own family but my siblings have needed me also. I'm so glad that I can be that person for them but it does make it more crazy and hectic. My sister is struggling with her relationship with my parents because of the choices she has made, so she was staying with us for almost a week. Then my brother's girlfriend had a huge falling out with her family and she is now staying with us until she starts school. At least she has been helping out were she can, she even did my dishes! Wow! (I wouldn't mind her sticking around!) Then my sisters boyfriend got beat up by one of his roommates last night, so we had the police over here and now his stuff is in my garage. Luckily he found somewhere else to stay last night. I should start charging a fee. hehe. I hope that things will soon settle down...

Getting Ready for a party!

Rachel's friend from church had a birthday luau. I've been having a lot of fun lately doing my girls hair, especially Rachel because she will actually hold still and not scream every time I brush out a knot. Rachel had tons of fun at the party!

Jared's First Game...

Jared at bat

Jared running to 1st

Jared getting ready to step on 1st

I thought watching little kids playing soccer was fun to watch but watching 4-6 year olds play baseball was just humorous! They were running to third instead of 1st, one kid chased after his own ball that he hit, and one kid caught the ball but then dropped it to beat the kid running to first in a foot race, one kid picked up second base, another ran around and around home plate while being chased by the catcher because he didn't want to be tagged out. I could go on and on...I think my cheeks hurt after Jared's first game from laughing so hard. They have now played 3 games...and the more they play the more they grasp the concept. So as the season goes on there is not as many bloopers.

Discovering New Talents!

Ellie has just discovered she loves to color. Which is great because she will sit down and be quiet and color her pretty pictures. But now her art work has gone beyond just paper. She will try to put her artistic touch on just about anything...the walls, clothes, furniture. Friday night I thought the kids had gone to bed peacefully. I checked on them before I went to bed but didn't notice the damage. I woke up Saturday morning to Jared screaming "Mom, mom Ellie colored all over her bed with a pen" then I heard Rachel, "Mom, Ellie colored on my sheets AND SHE COLORED ON ME!" Somehow she had gotten a hold of a pen and colored on everything including her sister. I was so upset that she had colored on the sheets but it was a little humorous that she didn't leave out Rachel. If anyone has any suggestions on how to get pen out of something PLEASE let me know.
I guess I need to invest in the color wonder markers.

Ask a lot of questions.

Today the kids found some seeds and wanted to plant them. I told them it was fine. Why I wan't more inquisitive, I don't know. Maybe questions like "where are you going to plant them? or What are you going to use to plant them?" About 15 minutes later I walk out into our backyard and find about six of our drinking cups full of dirt sporadically placed all over the yard. Needless to say I showed them a better place to plant them but I could have saved time and a lot of mess if I had taken the time to ask a few simple questions.

Jared's First Season of Baseball.

Jared started baseball this week. He has an excellent coach and seems to be having a lot of fun. He asks if he can go to practice everyday. Today in batting practice he nailed one of his coaches right in the gut. Thank goodness they had them using wiffle balls. The not so funny thing is a few posts before this one I told you how much I liked baseball, especially the SF Giants. Well, of course my son would end up on the Dodgers. They are pretty big rivals...it's so hard to see Jared in Dodger blue!In fact when the coach e-mailed me for the first time it said "Info for Dodgers Season" and I deleted it without even looking at it. I thought why the heck would I be getting e-mail about the Dodgers. Oops! It's a good thing he is so dang cute it helps to overlook. I hope I will not bore everyone with his little league posts as I'm sure I will post a few.

It's nice to getaway.

My parents have a timeshare at the beach and they so graciously let us use it for a couple days. It was wonderful. There was a time when we were sitting on the beach and I was reading my book (Breaking Dawn, which I had saved just to read while in Dana Point) The kids were playing in the water, Bill was playing with the kids, Ellie was laying next to me. There was no fighting, nobody saying I'm bored, everyone had a smile. I was overwhelmed with how perfect the day was, how wonderful my little family was, how thankful I was for all the amazing blessings in my life. Those moments are priceless.

All Smiles!

Our own little sea monster!

It's amazing how running from the waves can entertain you for hours!

Rachel was searching for pretty rocks, left by the waves. (Not many seashells at this beach)

Ellie meant serious business.

We turned her into a sea turtle but I didn't get a good picture.

Ellie has been wearing these sun glasses almost everyday since we went to the beach!

I put this picture on the blog to show you the girls hair. Sometimes you get bored doing the same thing over and over. I found this cute website, the link is on my blog, with lots of different ideas.

Who needs snow when we have sand. Rachel making a sand angel.