A Fun Tag!

Surprise! It's a tag. I love these. I think that they prove to be relaxing, and slow things down a little bit. Not that I am good at doing them, but I love reading what others write down! Thanks Lara for tagging me! Enjoy!

Here are the rules of the challenge:

1 - you must post the rules.

2 - post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3 - answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4 - tag eleven people and link them on your post

5 - let them know you've tagged them!

Eleven Fun Facts About Me:

1. I can't sleep unless my hair is in a pony tail...on the top of my head

2. I drove a red VW Beetle in high school and college. I called it "Happy Car."

3. Had I not met my husband, I would probably be a water ski bum in Florida...or somewhere (I'll have to explain that later.)

4. I am very particular in how the dishwasher is loaded, and bathrooms are cleaned. very particular.

5. I have too many passions for the time in a day, or year. water skiing, rafting,snowboarding, fiddling, taking photos, scrapbooking, being mom, sewing, crafting, baking, organizing, blogging, reading, exercising,playing the piano, etc. Yikes!

6. I must not be very fun because I am having a hard time coming up with fun facts about me!

7. I don't go anywhere without mascara. Clinique's very black high impact to be exact.

8. I learned to row a raft and drive a boat before I ever drove a car.

9. I never feel like I have enough clothes. So if you ever need a shopping partner, I'm your main woman!

10. I love to travel. Love love love it!

11. I am the oldest of six girls, and the shortest.

11 questions for me:

1. What is your favorite color and why? Currently, Tiffany Blue. I can't explain it. It just makes me smile. A while ago royal red. And before that,  pink, yellow, gray. It changes a lot.
2. There is a fire and you have like 2 minutes to grab stuff. What do you grab? So this is actually one of my greatest fears. Hands. Down. First, my babies. Then personal documents (which includes my external hard drive with years worth of photos.) And at the same time I would grab my violin, banjo, and somehow wheel my piano out of the house. My house just better not catch on fire.
3. What do you listen to when you clean? My kids playing with toys! If it's nap time, it's usually quiet.
4. What is your favorite snack? chocolate. But if that classifies as a treat, my favorite snack would be  ice cream.
5. If you could have a super power what would it be? This one is hard. I think that I would be able to go back in time, or fly. Or how about travel in the blink of an eye. Those are good ones.
6. What is your favorite book? I have way too many! I loved The Help and The Hunger Games trilogy. Oh! And can't forget Twilight. And my daily reading that never gets old, The Book of Mormon. 
7. What is your dream vacation? I kinda like to think that I've been to my dream destination already. Switzerland. I would go back in a heart beat. But somewhere new...Anywhere where they have those little huts that go out over the water. Tahiti? Bora Bora? That would be nice.
8. If you could name yourself, what would be your name? I always loved the names Diana and Julie. But I'm ok with Stephanie! Well, Steph.
9. What do you think is your strongest attribute/characteristic? This is a hard one. I'm really faithful. Not just in spiritual matters. But I'll be a faithful friend, faithful worker, etc.
10. Who is your favorite celebrity and why? I love Keri Russell. She just seems so soft spoken and tender hearted. I also love Taylor Swift. Love her music, style, personality...
11. What is your favorite movie? I love August Rush, and chic flicks. Sorry I can't pin it down more!

I tag:

Emily

Diana

Kassie

Amber

Breanne

Kayli

Camille

Camille

Lauren

Lindsay

Kate

11 questions for you:

1. If you had a free day to do anything you wanted, what would it be?

2. What is on your night stand right now?

3. If you could go back and re-live one day of your life, what day would it be and why? 

4. What would your dream job be?

5. What is the Greek meaning of your name?

6. What is your secret favorite chore?

7. What is your favorite childhood memory?

8. What is your heaven on earth?

9. If a season described you, what season would you be and why?

10. What is your go to drink?

11. If you had $500 dollars given to you, what would you do with it?

How To:

Dry your scriptures (or any book for that matter) after they go swimming with the kids in the bath tub.

Ya. My nice set of scriptures just went swimming. Oh dear. I actually got really lucky. It's almost like they floated for about a second before I could pull them out. You see, Big T was about to go under. Pulled him out, pulled the scriptures out. The edges got wet in a few places, and then the pages I was opened to got soaked.

Have you ever seen "The Incredibles"?

Well, there is a part in the movie where the house sprinklers come on and soak everything. Then it shows Mr. Incredible drying out the books with a hair dryer. It looks so flawlessly easy. He just points and shoots and the pages turn themselves without bending or getting crinkled.

It's. Not. That. Simple.
The hair dryer did make the drying process very fast. But the pages will crinkle. Just so ya know.
I think that that will be the last time I read while the kids are in the tub!!!
Lesson learned.

Spiritual Uplift

Ok, so this might not have anything to do with religion, per say. But I thought that it was a beautiful article anyway! All on motherhood, and maybe a good view for those who aren't mothers as well...

"To The Mother With Only One Child"

My reactions was first "Wow. This applies to me as well, and I have two." It wasn't that long ago when I did only have one, and it was hard. It's hard with two too! I love it when she talks about how having one child was so heavy, and now having more is light. It's complete perspective that changes as life changes. But my most favorite part is when she says,

"You’re suffering now because you’re turning into a new woman, a woman who is never allowed to be alone.  For what?  Only so that you can become strong enough to be a woman who will be left." 

Love it. Hope you did too.

On the Computer: What do you do?

  It is so interesting how times have changed. I don't feel like I am that old, but the on line world has changed so much since I really became "www. savvy."
  It all started when I graduated high school. My parents gave me a lap top for graduation. My dad claimed that he "didn't want me walking to and from the library all hours of the night by myself." Sweet right? I thought so, well, I just wanted that computer. I still have that Toshiba. It weighs probably 9 pounds and is quite large. I loved it! "Back then" I would get on the computer and "IM" for a while before doing anything else. Then spend most of my time on Microsoft Word typing up papers for my classes. Then I would organize all of my pictures and draw funny pictures in paint.
  NOW my computer habits are much different. I try to minimize my time on the computer because I could probably spend all day on it! First, Facebook. Just check my messages, perhaps update my status. Second, blog. I write a lot of my posts in advance and schedule them out so that I don't have to write one every day. Doesn't take me too long either! Third, check friend's blogs. Fourth, pintrest.
  I have noticed that my lingo has changed also. I was talking to my Mom, and also to my grandparents. I kept saying things like "then I clicked on this link," or "on pintrest I found," etc. I kept getting blank stares. Ha! Too funny. It made me think about how often the dictionary is going to have to change definitions of words.
  What will I be buying my kids when they graduate from high school? What will things be like in eight years? That's how long ago I got my first computer! Things are sure moving quickly!
  What do you think about the internet? How much time do you spend on the computer outside of work? Am I missing some great sites?

SNOW DAY!

We finally got some snow here in Idaho that stuck around...for a day. But at least it stuck right? And wouldn't ya know it, we couldn't just sit inside and watch it fall from the window. So, we got out there and had some fun!

Big T gettin geared up!

Big T and Bristol

Bristol's snow man. Didn't live for too long.
Ruby the dog ate it.

Tytan loves.the.snow.

Surprised?

Today for lunch my Mr. and I decided to change up the routine a little bit. He was sick of taking lunches to work, and I was sick of being at home. So where did we meet up?

McDonald's! 

We ate and played. Surprisingly Bristol didn't want to play in the play yard, but sit at the table with her new Happy Meal toy. She was completely content!

So, we are sitting there eating. This older gentlemen comes into the door and is greeted by the over zealous cashier worker. He presented her with a one dollar bill. They exchanged a few words, she gave him a hug (remember, over zealous) and then he walked away. Then it was announced to the workers in the back that when giving out change, two-1$ bills were stuck together. The gentleman was only supposed to receive one. WOW! Is it terrible that I was completely surprised? I know that there are good people in the world. I do. I guess more than surprised, I was proud that he did it! It was one dollar. 

Would I have done it? YES!

Would everyone? Probably not. 

So, i was proud!

I like to notice the good in the world. 

What have you noticed?

It's here!

My Canon Rebel T3 is here! 

I almost wet my pants when the doorbell rang. 

Happy early birthday to me!

Ty didn't even try to make me wait until my actual birthday to open it.

He was at work anyway when it came.

Now for learning how to properly take care of it, and use it.

I've gotten a few recommendations from friends. 

An on line photography course, and a few other suggestions.

All I know for now is that I am in love with it! 

And also:

take the battery out when not using it

don't lose the lens caps (Oh wait, I already did that!)

master one thing at a time (I am already feeling a bit over whelmed)

So, if you have any suggestions, please please please leave your comments! 

And if you really wanted to know...

I love supporting local businesses. Especially when it comes to big purchases like this. My family has a favorite camera store here in the Boise valley. I went there twice and researched different cameras. I found my favorite, but they didn't have it in stock. They were having a limited time "special" on the T3 where you got a telephoto lens with the camera kit for $100 off. So they were going fast. So I got on the computer and did some more research. As it turns out, this "special" wasn't just at this store, but for any store that sold the T3. I found it on Amazon, eBay, and other local stores as well. However, Amazon had the best deal. I got a cleaning kit, tripod, the telephoto lens, camera bag, an extra battery and charger, my 2 UV lens covers, an extra memory card, a memory card wallet, and of course the camera itself. Quite the deal. And the price was still cheaper than the local store. So, I'm sorry! To get to the reason why I'm telling you all this, SHOP SHOP SHOP!!! Make sure it's what you really want, and look around!

Birthday

Ty's Birthday was a bash!

Preparations included:

First making two cheesecakes! 

And second coloring his card.

Dinner at Red Robin, followed by yummy cheese cake and present opening at home. 

Bristol thought it was her birthday too. Poor girl is going to get a bit confused. 

You see, we start the year off with Ty's birthday. Then mine a couple weeks later. Followed by Tytan's in February, and last but not least, Bristol's in March. I think it will have to be a big one this year! 

Playing My "Biolin."

Bristol loves the violin. And lately whenever I play, she plays her own!

Too cute.

Grandpa is currently getting Bristol's violin fixed. It is a tiny tiny violin that belonged to my sister Hailey. We are so lucky to borrow it! Bristol is so excited! 

I've always believed in the statement that says,

"The richest child is poor without music."

Well, I like to say, "The richest child is poor without 'good' music."

Music is so important in all of our lives. I have been fortunate to be able to play musical instruments all of my life. And not only that, but to have been raised knowing the value of good music. I don't like music that is demeaning, or makes you feel angry or agitated. (And no, I don't just listen to classical ;)) Music has the power to do so many things. It enriches our lives. 

I used to practice my violin or the piano when the kids were napping. Not any more! They love to hear me play. They could be in a different part of the house playing with their favorite toy, but as soon as my bow hits the string, they come running/crawling in! 

On hard days when things just aren't going right, I put on Primary Children's songs. Bristol instantly starts dancing. It's amazing the good qualities that are taught in those songs. 

I hope that you are filling your kid's minds and ears with good music. And if they show an interest in playing an instrument, put 'em in lessons. It is well worth the money. Consider it an investment really! 

I could go on and on about this one...maybe later!

Look At Me!

Look what I can do!

Tytan has been reaching new heights lately. Along with a few bumps on the head.

I think that he'll just have to get used to that...

His favorite new thing is to climb onto this luv sac.

What I can't seem to get on camera however is him using his teeth to help him out.

It's hilarious!

Bristol usually runs circles around him, but she cheers him on in his exhausting efforts!

Bristolisms

Kids say the funniest things. And sometimes amazing things too, things that make you think. Well my little Bris is no exception! She talks a mile a minute. Just goes and goes and goes. I like to call her my little "informant." She tells me everything that is going on. Everything! For instance...

While playing with the stapler (unloaded): "I said, stop biting the paper! It's not nice. Stop biting!" And the stapler continued to bite the paper, in a very playful way.

"I want a treat. I want a treat. And a happy new year!"

"Tinker Bells, Tinker Bells, Tinker all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh hay!" Repeat.

As we were starting to drive: "Mom, I want the car to sing Tinker Bells!"

(Ya, we are still stuck on Christmas.)

Getting Tytan out of his crib: "Mom, did Tytan go tinkle in his pants? Or do boys go pee pee? Did he poop in his pants? Did you go poop? Boys go pee pee and girls go tinkle."

Well this might need a little explanation. You see, I have 5 sisters. We were sheltered quite well growing up. We never said the word "pee." We said tinkle. (I'll admit. It is a funny sounding word.) Then I married Ty, oldest of 3 boys. It would surprise me if he had ever heard let alone used the word "tinkle" before he married me. SO, we had a little girl. She goes "tinkle." Then we had a little boy. He goes "pee pee." And that's as far as we have gotten. ;)

While saying prayers before bed: "And please bless Mary, and Joseph, and baby Jesus, and Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus, and Jesus." 

Isn't that the sweetest thing? She is very concerned about them. 

While helping me make dinner: "Mom, I am such a good cook!"

twenty-eight

My Mr. turns 28 today!

May 2006

Here's to one more year!

And remember, you will always be older than me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Soap Scum Be Gone

It's a miracle! I can see through the glass of my shower. ( I don't know why that is so important) but it is nice to have clean glass. I had been scrubbing at our shower doors since we moved in, and to no avail the scum wouldn't come off. So, I tried this.
1 cup white vinegar heated in microwave
3/4 cup dawn dish soap
Mix and put into a spray bottle
Spray onto the shower and let it set for a while. Then clean off.

Yes it's a little messy, and very stinky. But it totally worked!

Now I might have to keep my kids out of the bathroom while showering...don't want them seeing through the glass...oh dear...

Play Time

Each winter I have the same problem. What do I do with the kids inside...each and every day? It is so hard to think of new ideas. 

We have been having indoor picnics, playing new games, reading lots and lots of books.

Building forts to watch movies and have popcorn.

Baking treats together.

And then something I never thought. 

Bring the dog in, stick her in her kennel, and let the kids play with her. It's been pretty entertaining.

A Little Vitamin D

Hello Sun!

Hello warm temperatures!

We have missed you.

Patiently Waiting...

I am not a patient person.

Many people say that to be in Special Education, you must have a lot of patience.

NOPE.

If you know me...well...you might know that I'm not blessed with a lot of it.

I'm working on it. Trust me. Actually, I have gotten a bit better. 

But patience is going to do me no good here. 

I want it NOW.

This I have no control over, which makes it worse. 

It will be delivered between Jan. 12-18. 

Please hurry!

Ruby Lou

Whelp, Ruby is still around! She is growing very quickly and learning. Still a puppy, but learning really well. Here is an update for all of you animal lovers. 

Ruby loves my Mr. LOVES him. She listens better to him than anyone else. She plays fetch, sits, stays, and goes "potty" on command. Better yet, when let outside, she stays right around the house. (so far)

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift

I have been reading this week. Reading a lot. (Go here to see why.) It has been amazing. I am learning so much. And to report, I haven't missed a single day! My year is off to a pretty ok start! But more importantly, here is what has been on my mind.

God created all things. Even me. Not only did He create all things, but he then looked at them and knew that they were good. They were good. He looks upon me and you, knowing that we are good.

We (me, you) were created in His image. We are like Him.

After creating all things for six days, the seventh day was a day of rest. Not a day of laziness, of idleness, or vegging, but a day of rest.

I'm on to the Old Testament. I'm excited about it. Learning more of the Savior and His ministries! 

Bye Bye

The other night we took down our Christmas tree. I was sad enough, but didn't think that Bristol would really take notice. But the poor tree had quit drinking water 2 weeks ago, and was getting really crusty. So down she came. With all of the water in the base, my Mr. had to cut her up.

Bristol cried.

"I want my tree back! I want my tree back! Where is Santa going to put my presents?"

It broke my heart. What's worse is the next morning she woke up and stood where the tree used to be and while looking up said, "Where is my castle?" (An ornament her Grandpa  bought her.)

Poor thing. 

Until next year!

Little Monkeys

These two just make me smile. 

Their daddy just comes up with the funnest games!

Pure entertainment right there. Who would have ever guessed!

Resolution Time and Spiritual Uplift

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

I love starting a new year. Everything seems fresh, like having a clean slate. I don't like to think of myself as only making resolutions at the start of the year, but better yet trying to improve myself every chance I get. However last night as I was fighting sleep, I couldn't help but look back at the year and think about what I would like to improve. My Mr. and I shared our New Years Resolutions with each other. (And it couldn't be the same old "get in shape"...etc.)

For me:

be a better mother

be a better wife

improve my talents

grow closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Then I laughed. That couldn't be any more broad. Ha! I guess I have a lot to work on! Fortunately I have great kids, a great husband, resources to help improve my talents, and a Heavenly Father who loves me nonetheless.

And then...dun dun dun...I found this. I think I'd like to try it out. I know that it would be a HUGE commitment every day, but what is 7 pages? Well, maybe it will be tougher than you think, but I'm going to give it my all. Starting today. Today. Join in with me, let me know how it goes! I'll give you some updates along the way! The  joy, the struggles, the tears, and the tender mercies from a loving and all knowing Heavenly Father. Wondering what the Standard Works are? Go here to find out!