Friday's Funny

So, this is my cell phone. I have had it for years. My school issues it to me for free. It has absolutely NO bells and whistles. It is ancient, and most people who see it laugh and make fun of it, not me, just the phone. Ha, Ha.

Robert tells me I need to just call my school and see if I can purchase my own phone on their plan. Nah, why would I spend any money if I don't have to, right? So, I never do. I am at the park the other day with my friend, Kerri. She has this fancy slide phone, and I am coveting. I secretly admit to her that I would love a new phone!

The other day when Pay and Ave were in school, Owen and I went to Wal-Mart to do our big grocery shop. When we walked in Vitamin Water reps. were handing out free drinks. OMG, how nice....I thought! Owen held his in-between his legs in the cart. While I'm busy shopping, probably comparing prices on olives or something, Owen tosses his drink into my purse. I don't realize it until an hour later. When I go to move my purse, the contents, including my cell phone, have been laying in a deep puddle of Vitamin water. Everything is soaked, sticky, and ruined! I try to dry out the phone, but it is clearly DEAD!


After I get home, I continue to try to to save the cell. NOTHING! So, I make a call to the office. Chantel, who is so great, was very nice about the situation. She says not to worry about it and that she thinks she can get me a new phone. She tells me she will get on it right away, and she will let me know what she finds out.


Yeah! It is in the works. I am getting a new phone. I am hoping it will look something like this. I mean, a girl can dream right?!

So, an hour later, I receive an email from Chantel. It reads something similar to this........"Yes, I can get you a new phone. It won't be nearly as nice as the one you have now, but we'll get you something."

This is my expression after reading the email!

And then it turned into that.

So, I am getting a new phone...be careful what you wish for.....it won't be as nice as the one I have now, (I still don't know how that is possible) but it is free....AND I AM GRATEFUL! I will admit I was annoyed, but now that it's all over...I can laugh and post my phone saga for Friday's Funny!

Rain, Rain Go Away

Don't let it be so.....It is rainy and cold.....NO, we were going camping this weekend! The kids don't have school, Payton doesn't have a soccer game Saturday, and Sunday is General Conference. So much for our perfect weekend to escape to the mountains!

I guess we'll be doing a little of this....

and a whole lot of that!

Oh, don't try to hide your face. We know who you are!

TGIT

Tuesday mornings I have all to myself. My house is so quiet right now it is almost eerie. I would love to go upstairs and crawl into my bed and read, too bad I have a million things to do. I signed up to run a half marathon next month, so I have to get my run in. I also need desperately to pick up this messy house and start the laundry that is piled high. It is never ending! Next week I need to have all of this done so that I CAN read or do something I WANT to do! But, hey, I will still be doing all these daily chores in SWEET SILENCE!

Tip Junkie

One day while "blogging" I found this great site. Tip Junkie is full of every day, useful, easy, inspiring tips. Last night while browsing, I noticed she has a menu for the week posted each weekend. I have really been in a rut with what to make for dinner. It seems I make the same dishes over and over, and when I try something new, my family usually boos and gives me a thumbs down. Ya, I am admitting I am NOT a good cook. But, I do my best and try to make dinner 5 days out of the week.

So, me and the fam could really use some variety at meal times! You know what they say..... "Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor." What I love is that Tip Junkie lists a menu, everything you need at the grocery store, and the recipes. I am excited to start a new menu adventure, and wanted to post the site for anyone else who has had a little "salt in their game" when it comes to family meals! Happy cooking!

Red Hat = Fight, Box, Wrestle,

So, whenever Owen puts on the red hat, he means business. He is a fighter, a boxer, and wrestler! He kicks the couch and punches the pillows. He runs fast and high kicks in the air, rolls on the floor, all while grunting and growling. The best is........when dad is home and Owen wants a fight partner. Owen will walk in with the red cowboy hat and Robert knows it's time to brawl! Yes, it's Robert's cue for, "Dad, let's wrestle, fight, box, be boys!" I always get a kick out of seeing these two with their red hats, especially Robert with his giant head in Avery's, way too small, red cowboy hat! So here they are.......pics. of two boys boxing in red hats, something that makes me laugh, posted for Friday's Funny!

JACK & JILL PHOTOGRAPHY

Suzy, at Jack & Jill Photography is offering FREE digital Christmas card prints. I love these examples and am excited to have ours printed for free. I know it is only September, but wouldn't it be nice to have your Christmas cards ready on time this year?! I am going to take advantage and wanted to share the SWEET DEAL with all of you.

So, check out the details on her bodacious blog at: http://joeyandsuzycarlson.blogspot.com/2008/09/family-picture-time.html

ENJOY!

Welcome to this world, Grant!

So, I turned the big 34 yesterday. Yikes! I can't believe how old I am! We celebrated my birthday Sunday. Robert had my family over and made us all a really nice dinner. He had a cake, presents, and we played games. Thanks Bob!

I was given some really nice presents..... Let's just say...I won't have to wear the same two skirts to church anymore! Oh, and my favorite sunglasses Avery lost, they've been replaced. Yeah!
I loved partying with my family, phone calls from friends and loved ones, but the best part of my birthday day was .......the birth of my new nephew, Grant!

That's right! Me and the little guy will share the same birthday, and Sept. 22 is a grand day to celebrate life, Grant!
Here's the proud grandpa. Do I get my nose from my dad or what?!Payton was loving the little one. Check out my dad's face in the background. That is classic Stan!Sorry about the pic. right after labor, Amy. You look amazing always though! Lilli is pretty excited about her new brother and couldn't keep her hands off of him.

So, welcome to the world, Grant. This I know, you and I are going to be close buddies. There's no way around it, little guy!

Celebrating Womenhood

Come rain or shine, Payton and I are running for women's health and fitness! This is us last year running in perfect weather. It was our first race we ran together, and it was on my birthday. We had a blast and I had one of those surreal moments when I can't believe I am the mom of this terrific kid and how blessed I am to have her as my daughter.
We did it! We ran three miles together. Payton truly wanted to run the whole thing. I couldn't keep up with her at first. She was breaking away from me and I was getting worried because there were so many people. I didn't want her to get lost. I yelled up to her to slow down and wait for me. She turned around and shouted back, "Mom, I don't want to just run this thing, I want to win!" Wow! It's official she is her mother and father's daughter! We have created a competitive monster!
Robert met us at the finish line with Avery and Owen. I had to have a pic. of me and my girls. I grew up with only brothers and must admit, I thought I would have all boys. I never imagined the joy these girls would bring to my life. I love these little ladies!
Saturday, it was a different story. We ran the race in the pouring rain. It rained hard the entire time.
But it didn't stop us from having another great time running together and celebrating "girlhood!" Thanks for running with me, Payton Ally. You were such a trooper. I loved that even though you were cold and soaking wet, you were happy running and dancing in the streets with your mama! Let's do it again next year. What do you say?

I love you..................MOM

Friday's Funny

Owen doesn't want to take a nap anymore. "I don't like to take a sleepy, Mom." So, instead I have found him asleep in the most uncomfortable places. I wish I had a picture of all of them.....outside on the cement in the backyard, on the floor of the car, on the desk in the office....

But, I did capture this one of him asleep on my computer! I can't figure out why he thought it would be a nice pillow for his head.
And this one is my favorite. He was face down in the middle of the hard, kitchen floor. What's wrong with snuggling up in your warm, cozy bed, Owen? Oh, ya, that would mean you were officially taking a nap. So, this is much better. Unbeknownst to you, your mama scoops you up and lays you gently in your comfy bed for a nice, little, REST!

I love you, Owen boy!

Mom

September

A month of firsts..........

Owen gets his very first bike. Oh ya, it's a Boise State....Go Broncos Go, bike!
Avery gets her first bike too. You can't see them, but it has little dog decals all over it. Go figure! These two race in the backyard all day long. Oh ya, it's on! Payton starts her first day of 2nd grade. Like the pose?!
This is also the first year she rides her bike to and from school.

The big kids........ on their way!

Avery has her first day of Pre-school. On the way there we drove by a beautiful, big, white house. Avery asked me, "Mom, can we grow our house out to look like that one?" Oh, I wish it were that easy, Aves!
Payton takes her very first piano lesson. Tori, her teacher, comes right to our house. Oh you know I am loving that little convenience!
Owen begins his first swimming lessons.
He cries a little at first, but he is doing it. Hopefully, by summer, he'll be a swimming well like his sisters.
Lilli celebrates her very first birthday! It's hard to believe, little Lilli Lou is one. She is such a joy to have around. She will be the big sister in just a few days, as Amy is going in Monday to have baby #2. We don't know yet if she'll have a boy or girl. We are anxious to find out!

I know I am way behind in posting these things, but it has been such a busy month. I am officially in the thick of it! Summer was lazy, relaxing, and oh so nice. Now, it's September and we are busy and on the go. I am enjoying it though and find that I actually get more done with time constraints. My teaching work load isn't too bad right now. I don't have quite as many students as usual, and I am relieved about that. That seems to be my biggest stress at the beginning of the school year. Juggling teaching from home and being a stay at home mom can be tricky at times. It usually consists of me working late into the night so my job doesn't interfere with my job as a mom. But, right now, I feel I have time to get things done during the day, especially with Avery in Pre-school now and Owen napping (sometimes) when she is gone. So life is good. Again, we are crazy busy, but it is fun and keeps us on our toes. I know this time in my life is going to speed by way too fast, and that makes me very sad. Right now,(and I can't believe I am writing this with the day I have had) but it is true.....being Payton, Avery, and Owen's mom makes my happiness BIG!