yours-mine-ours

To Plan or Not To Plan.....That is the question!

2011-05-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

So in all my frantic frenzy to try to save money I have decided to try to make a "Meal Plan"! Do any of you do this? I have looked at several types and sites that try to teach how to most effectively make a "Meal Plan". I have come to the conclusion that it is not as easy as it sounds.

First.......... you must decide how much you will spend and then where you will shop. You must check out store ads to see what items are on sale.....and stock up!

Second.............. decide if you will "Plan" for the week or for the Month. Will you prepare meals in advance and freeze or cook daily; what themes are you going to use: Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Meatless, Chicken, Hamburger, Pork, Pasta/Rice, Soups/Stew/Chili; and of course are you planning meals that are both delicious that your family enjoys and nutritious at the same time?

Really? I did not know that the Theme of my meal was important!! And when I was growing up did it matter whether I liked what was shoved in front of me? NO! I was told "Eat it, Or go without!" Has that changed? Now I am expected to not only cook, but make it delicious and nutritious at the same time!

Oh, the pressure!

And Third............You must never serve the same meal within 7 days of each other.

What? Now I must become a chef! Because there are probably 20 things that I can cook/bake and do well. ie...delicious and nutritious. GREAT!!

However.....I have decided to try the "Meal Plan". I am going to start out with 1 full month of dinners planned. Then if that works out, I am going to try for a second different month of planned meals and rotate them. THEN if I get really good, I will try for 3 full months of planned dinners and be able to rotate them.

I have picked my grocery store....and no it's NOT Walmart! Contrary to popular thinking...Walmart is NOT always the cheapest! Other stores have sale items that you can stock up on not just "Low Prices" on everything!

I have decided that I will do a mixture of cooking. I would like to be able to have at least 2 meals a week already pre-made and frozen for convenience. The rest I will cook.

I have also picked my "themes" Sheesh, still reeling from this one. I will use, Italian (of course), Mexican, Chicken, Hamburger, Pork, Easy night (i.e. sandwiches, frozen burritos or pizza,$1 burgers off the value menu from my favorite fast food restaurant) for nights when we have activities planned, and Meatless. Yes you heard right, Meatless! No I am going vegetarian on anyone! Going meatless just 1 or 2 days a week can really save a lot of money!

I am also still considering Breakfast as a theme, but not sure yet!

So that's it! I'm going to try it, see how it goes! I will be posting my first menu when it's finished! I love feedback and so would love to hear your ideas to make it better.

I saw two sites that I liked the best for the ideas that I got and I will share them with you! Check them out and make your own "Meal Plans" and share them too!

The first site is Suite 101 Lots of great and crazy ideas! Pick and choose what works for you! Also I really liked Frugal Mom Great ideas! And some good coupons too!

So I'm off to plan! You should too!

Potty Training!! YES!!

2009-08-02T16:18:00.000-07:00

Well...with me being 6 months pregnant and Darikka already 18 months old, it is time to start the dreaded potty training! However, she was all ready to start herself. She came to me one day and told me she needed to go "poop"! SO....I quickly ripped off her diaper, and shoved her up on the "Potty"! And she did it! The funny thing is we cannot get her to "pee pee" on it just yet!

A little graphic I know....but this first one is of her "pushing out the poops"! She did a great job!

Click on this pic to enlarge it and check out the tear on her cheek! Is this hard work or what?!

"Wow, mom what is that thing in the toilet?! Did I do that?!"
Notice the empty roll of toilet paper on the hanger! Ha!

No job is finished til' you get rid of the evidence right?! She was so proud to do it all by herself!

"Bye Bye, poops!"

Just so you all know, shortly after all this excitement, she peed right there on the bathroom floor! I guess next time we will have to sit there just a bit longer! Or get the diaper on faster! HA! Hope you all enjoyed this picture story and that no one was offended!

My Hot Hubby!

2009-07-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

See it's like I said....My Hot Hubby!!!!

Over the weekend of the 4th, my hubby had the opportunity to do something he hasn't done in over 4 years! TEAM ROPING!! He was so excited and I was really scared! I mean...horses are really big animals and they kick really hard too!

This is him in the warm-up arena! Doesn't he look all official!?!?

This is ONLY practice he has had in the 4 years at all! I was afraid that he was going to fall off the horse while going 25 miles an hour, break a leg, crack his head open and have to have some kind of surgery! I know I'm quite the optimist! Ha!

But when it came right down to it.....he said it was like riding a bike! You don't forget the things you love the most! Team Roping has been a very fond love of Rany's since he was a child. But CERTAIN people and circumstances didn't allow for him to keep doing it! Now that we live on a ranch and he finally has the time to....he is starting to finally do and share the things that mattered most to him!

I couldn't be more proud of the man that I am married to! What a catch! He is a wonderful father, husband, provider, he is caring, loving, smart, and he dreams big!! I LOVE that in a man!
Love you, Babe!

My My My My My...........Boogie Shoes!!

2009-07-14T17:30:00.000-07:00

This is so funny! I have not seen little girls this young so into shoes. Great.....just what I need another girl with a shoe fetish! Ha! She already loves all things girly! She is so much fun and she is so dang smart. Too smart for her own good (or bad)!

She loves to walk around on the deck in her "pitty" shoes, because she likes the sound of the heels clicking on the wood! So this is a nightly thing at our house!

I know, I know.....quite the fashion statement here. Sometimes she wears them in the morning too! Sometimes it's not so pretty!

Close-up of the "boogie"shoes!

She started wearing these when she started at the daycare, then the Easter Bunny brought her several pairs to have at her own home. I think the Easter Bunny has created a monster. Not only does she love her "pitty" shoes, but she loves work boots, mom's high heels, Ian's "flish" flops, and any other pair of shoes she can manage to get on herself!

Carnival Days In Pagosa!

2009-07-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, the days of Summer have now begun! You know it's time for sun, swimming, rafting and all things summer, when the carnival comes to town! We had soooo much fun!

This is Rany and Ian on some sort of circular ride! Ian was having a blast, as you can clearly see. Rany however, was a bit nervous. He is afraid of anything that reaches heights of more than 10 feet! But he was brave enough to indulge Ian for a few minutes!

This is Ian and Darikka in the bouncy tent. She was having sooo much fun. She played for almost 30 minutes on this one ride! Ian was just in there helping her....right, I mean who wants to play on the baby rides anyway!?! Ha!

Ian just couldn't get enough of the rides, he was having the time of his life! He used all of his tickets in a matter of 20 minutes....so of course we had to buy him more!

This was the hi-lite of Darikka's night! She loves the "Oh-seys", (horseys)! Dad walked and walked and walked with her till she had had her fill! I don't know who enjoyed it more, him or her!

There's nothing like seeing your family doing the things they love. What a blessing to have the technology that we have to be able to create and share these special moments with the ones we love!

Where have you been?!?!

2009-07-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

Where has everyone been? Oh wait...it's not you that was missing, it was me! Sorry I have not posted in like...forever! I have been busy. NO, really I have! Let me tell you a little bit about it!

I have been working full time since January! I work anywhere from 50-60 hours a week. I know, I know not that much for some of you. But on top of all of that....I have 3 children at home to take care of, a husband to keep happy, and a house to keep clean and standing! For me that is a lot.

But....That's not all! In May of this year we moved (all the way across town) and that took a lot out of me... I am still unpacking boxes. Also, I have been busy trying to plant and grow a garden in an area that is not warm enough to have a garden.

These are the 1st plants that I planted. They are actually huge now ( I will post about them later, I promise)! I have tomatoes growing on the vines and am just now starting to see Green peppers. I also have corn stalks that are about 3 1/2 ft tall. I am so proud!

So you see....I really have been busy! Oh..but wait there's more! On top of the job, the children, my hubby, my home and my garden.....we are having another baby! We just found out that it is going to be another girl....one can never have too many girls right, (Heaven help us!)!

No pics of her yet so here are some of the others doing some of the things that we have been doing this summer!

Blayke and Darikka love the 3 ft pool that we have in the back yard. Heck who needs a huge one right!

Darikka loves to ride her bike at the park! Ian also did some skateboarding this day too!

Oh my gosh! Who is that cutie! Those of you who know my brothers will say this looks exactly like one of them! I won't say who, you tell me if you think the same! This was the night of Ian's Blue and Gold banquet! He got several patches and stars for his Scout uniform. Speaking of Scouts, Ian gets to be one of the few who gets to present the flag in tomorrow's flag ceremony for the town we live in! He is so excited and I am dang proud!

Hope you are all having a great Summer!

Rant and Rave Monday! My Worst Pet Peeve

2009-01-26T10:43:00.000-08:00

I have decided what my biggest pet peeve in the whole world is............GREEDY, NASTY, MONEY HUNGRY, EVIL, WOMEN!!!!

Can you believe some people?! There are those of us out there that fight and work our way through every day just to survive! And then there are those that have everything handed to them on a SILVER PLATTER! They have never had a decent job in their life. And the jobs that they have held they can only keep for 2 months before they get bored and quit altogether or move to another job! I hate these people!

They prey on those that work hard for their money, and expect everyone else to pay their way for them! They disgust me! Get a life will Ya?! Seriously, is it that hard to get a job?! I understand that in today's economy it can be hard to get a decent job. But I know for a fact that these people can walk in to anywhere and get a $10/hour job or more. But instead of keeping the job, people like them, move on to the next job that pays less, has less benefits, and for what????? So they can live off the state, off their parents, and use their children as paychecks!

I am so disgusted by these kind of women, and I say women, because right now it is ONLY women that I see doing this! The men I know work their A$$e$ off just trying to make sure their own family has what it takes to survive! I don't know maybe it's because I have had a job since I was 15 years old, and I have never shirked my duties to take care of myself or my family. I have probably made more money in my life than these women will ever hope to make feeding off other people! Everyone needs help now and then, but seriously, to live off everyone around you is the lowest kind of person to be! In fact they are not people at all, just parasites living off their host until they suck them completely dry and then move on to the next poor idiot willing to take them on! Bottom feeders is what they are!

So if you happen to be the men with the women that this post describes completely.....get out! And get out now, before they own everything you have! They'll suck you dry and spit out what is left! And I promise they'll continue to live high and mighty!

That's it! Thanks for reading and staying while I had a raving and ranting fit!

Photo Story Friday!

2009-01-24T09:09:00.001-08:00

On the last Wednesday that I participated in Wordful Wednesday, I promised that I would come back on Friday and showcase my Christmas Dinner. However I didn't get time to do it, so I am doing it now. As you know from reading that WW post that I cooked my first turkey ever. I also cooked a ham and all the other traditional trimmings for Christmas Dinner too. So this is the Photo Story of my dinner.

First I started with the "real" cranberry sauce. My hubby loves this stuff, and I gag just looking at it. But he wanted it so I made it. I like the jellied Cranberry sauce that comes in a can.

This is easiest part of the dinner. Just boil til they crack and put in the fridge. Turned out great BTW!

Next I attempted to make a pumpkin pie. I know, I know you are all laughing at me! This is another of the easy parts of dinner. But again, I have never made one and therefore was scared to death to try! But....

It also turned out great and very tasty. The holes in the center are from me sticking a knife in to check if it was done or not. I was so worried about over cooking it. But other than that...it looks okay doesn't it?!

Then of course on to the main course. If you saw the WW post, then you have already seen this picture, but I posted it again because I was so proud of it! As I said before, it looked great, tasted even better, and was one of the best tasting turkeys that I have ever tasted. Even if I do say so myself!

I cooked a ham in the roaster oven. I cheated a bit and bought a spiral ham that is pre-cooked and I just had to warm it basically. But it tasted great and was very moist and flavorful! And it looks pretty good too!

This is the Christmas Dinner Spread, complete with rolls, mashed taters and gravy, stuffing (another first for me, my mother's own recipe), green bean casserole, veggie tray, homemade mustard sauce, ham, turkey, and of course some sparkling cider.

(go ahead, click to enlarge, you know you want to!)
Notice that there are only two plates set at the table!? Hubby and I are the only ones that were there besides the baby. The other two were with their dad's family in Utah. So this was a ton of food and we ate on it for the next week and a half. Oh BTW...the plates and other matching dishes are REAL china. They were given to us by Big R's grandmother. This is the first dinner in my own home that I actually got to use REAL china!

Head on over to see other great stories and photos!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Writer's Workshop Thursday!

2009-01-24T08:51:00.000-08:00

Well this is a tad late, but I guess better late than never. Most of my posts are going to be late, as I have just gone back to work for the first time since the baby was born. She is going to be 1 next month. I can't believe it!

So I am starting with Thursday and doing the Writer's Workshop with MammaKat. She is so great she always has the greatest prompts. I had a hard time deciding which one to write about. But I decided to go with #4, which is share the best picture you took last month and tell why it's your favorite! And this is the one I chose.

My oldest daughter had just made herself some hot chocolate. Somehow the baby got a hold of the spoon she used to make the hot chocolate and....the rest is history!

(click to enlarge for the full effect!)

I like this picture the best because it shows off her "baby blues" so well. She has the most beautiful eyes, and with them she can control the universe ( or at least her daddy and myself)!

Head on over to MammaKat's and see what everyone else had to write about!

My First Award Ever!!

2009-01-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Wow, I have just been awarded my first Blog Award ever in my entire Blog-tastic life!!! It came from Brenda at In the Treetop

I'm not sure why anyone would want to award my blog, it's just plain ol' Jane with Stories and pictures of my family! But I am deeply honored to have gotten this award (Even if it does come with strings attached to it)!

SO...first of all I will give thanks (and gnash my teeth a little bit) to Brenda for thinking of me and awarding my blog. Second...I will give thanks to my family for always being willing to let me take pictures of the goofiest things and then tell the story behind the picture to all you Blog-tastic readers!

This is the HONEST Scrap Award.
And the rules for getting this award are as follows:
A. You must first list 10 HONEST things about yourself...make it interesting, even if you have to dig deep!
and ..B. Pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you feel embody the spirit of the HONEST Scrap Award!

That's it!

That's it? Wow 10 HONEST things about myself!? I'm a little scared to do this! But here goes!

1. I am almost 30. I am scared to death of this number. Don't ask me why! None of the other ages bothered me. 16, you get to drive. 18, you're an ADULT. 21, you can drink (not that I ever did, right?!). 25, big deal so you're a quarter of a century old. But for some reason 30 is really getting to me! And only since about 2 weeks ago. It just all of a sudden crept up on me. Oh, well..I can't stay 29 forever.....Or can I!

2. I am smaller now than I was in high school (before I was pregnant, silly)! My mom and a few of my sisters and I have all been working really hard at losing weight, getting smaller, and just eating healthier over all! We have all struggled, but with the help of each other and a great sense of humor, we are all getting there!

3. When no one is home (except my 11 month old of course, poor her), I like to turn on what I call "Dance Music" and dance and sing around the house. Usually there is some cleaning involved, like laundry (used for a dance partner), dishes ( used for various microphones), and some vacuuming (or was that a guitar)!

4. I am extremely addicted to certain TV shows. I love Reba reruns, CSI all 3 versions, and I am getting into reruns of Charmed. I have recently gotten a DVR and I have been recording all the episodes that I miss. I am such a couch potato.

5. As Brenda mentioned in her blog, I can drive 18 wheelers. Yes that is a semi (as in tractor-trailers) for those of you that don't know. When I became a single parent of 2, living in my parents home, I realized that I needed to get a job that could support me and my little ones so I would never have to rely on a man to do it again. (sorry Big R, you do a great job, but that was in the past) I have a Class A CDL and can drive doubles and triples (trailers that is), and can haul tankers and HAZMAT! I did this in the oil field for 4 years, before I became a SAHM of 3.

6. Now that my baby is getting older, I am going back to work in the oil field. However this time I will not be driving 18 wheelers. I will be inspecting oil and gas wells!

7. I broke my foot at age 27 while attempting a double back flip in gymnastics. Actually attempting isn't the right word. I did it and I did it well, it was the landing that didn't come out quite right. I landed up too high on my toes, my right ankle rolled to the outside with all of my weight on top of it, and I went to the ground. Long story short, I broke several bones in my foot, all 4 smaller toes were broken, I completely severed the ligament that crosses the ankle bone and partially severed my Achilles tendon. I was black and blue for 3 weeks from my right knee to the very tips of all 4 of those broken toes. That should have been my first clue that getting older was a bad thing (see # 1 above)!

8. I shot an elk 3 years ago. Yes I am a regular Annie Oakley. Not! I actually just shot a cow elk, no great mount for me. But she was beautiful and it was one of the neatest things I have ever done. I won't tell you about how I cried over her when I found her in the brush! It just seemed like such a reverent moment in time and I felt like she deserved my respect. I also won't tell you that I have not attempted to kill anything since. Some day I will post tribute to her and the meat that still fills my freezer!

9. I am secretly dying to take all of my kids and my husband to Disneyland! Me and my 2 older children have been there, but I really want all of them to experience it. And I really want to go there with my husband. I want him to see and feel the magic of it. I am really hoping that one day a trip just falls in my lap, cuz I am pretty sure that is the only way we will be going in this century. Now you know that I am really just a kid at heart! WHO says that I am going to be 30!?

10. My husband is my best friend! I honestly thought that moving so far away from my family and friends at home was going to kill me or drive me to kill someone else. I was absolutely certain that I would be completely overcome by sadness and depression. But since we have been here, our relationship has just grown stronger and gotten better and better. We are no longer just fiance's, we are no longer just husband and wife, oh no we have surpassed all of that! I thought that you became friends first, then became husband and wife...and that may still be true. But you become friends, then husband and wife, and then you become BEST FRIENDS!

Now I award this HONEST Scrap award to 7 other Bloggers:

Katie, she doesn't blog often, but when she does they are always heartfelt and fun! Plus we share the same name!
An Italian Momma, because she loves purple too!
Michelle, because she has really great stories and pics!
Jill, because her and I share a love of theft! LOL!
Jenny, because she is brutally honest...don't believe me, just read the first line of her blog!
Straigt to Your Hart, because she is Temple Chaser like me!
Honey Mommy, because she has a great love for her family!

Tell about a time that I stole something!

2009-01-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

So over at Kat's she has once again given us a Writing Challenge. I am choosing to accept the prompt to tell about a time that I stole something. So here goes.

By now most of you know that I have 6 (yes Six!) older sisters, right?! Well they all had jobs of some sort at one time or another. One sister in particular (this one), had a baby sitting job I think. She was making pretty good money from it too. The family always paid her in cash, and she always stashed that cash away.

I must have been about 12 at the time, you know old enough to know better. Anyway...I had seen her counting her money one day and was extremely jealous that she had so much! I also got the opportunity to see where she was hiding it. I won't tell you how, a girl has to have some secrets, right?! So I waited, and waited, and waited til she was out on another babysitting job.

When the time was exactly right (and everything was eerily quiet), I made my move. I crept quite sneakily into her room, opened her creaky bottom drawer, and took the wad of cash that she had so carefully stowed away!

I took that oh so coveted wad of cash and ran to my room, opened my bottom drawer, and ever so carefully stowed my precious loot away. I was so proud, I was now the owner of someone else's hard earned, blood and sweat soaked, Cold Hard Cash! I couldn't believe that I had gotten away with it. It felt so good!....or did it! Why did my heart not stop racing? Why did my stomach feel like it was tied up in knots and about to release the mother of all explosions!?

What had I done, but more importantly what was I going to do about it! Nothing, of course! I had schemed, and plotted way too long to go back now! Hadn't I?!

I waited for her to come home! And just as I thought, she went straight to her room, opened her drawer and started screaming! Now the drama would begin. Everyone was brought together and asked about the "missing loot". And everyone swore they had no idea where it was. So everyone, including my parents, started looking for the lost wad!

Lo and behold!...it was found, and can you guess where? Yup, right where I put it. In my own drawer, in plain site. I had not even attempted to cover it with anything. At that exact moment in my life, I felt like I was 2 centimeters tall. It was awful! The expression on my sister's face, the chagrin that showed in my parents' eyes. But worst of all that feeling in my stomach that had been there since early that afternoon, had just gotten ten times worse. I was evil, surely I was the Devil's Spawn, what kind of sister would do this sort of thing?!

I apologized and of course she got all of her money back, but apparently that was not enough! No, I was kept home from school the next day, and had to do every one's chores including my own. I even had to do things that weren't even any one's chores. Just random things to keep me busy, and this all went on for the rest of the week!

It must have been enough though, because I have never taken another thing that was not mine again. And if the punishment was not enough, so the pain and guilt that I felt after was!

Thanks Kat for the great prompt!
Now all you amateur writers, get on over to her place and see who else played along!

First Time Eva!

2009-01-14T08:51:00.001-08:00

So you all know that we just moved, Right!? Well we moved just in time for the holiday seasons. Not a good thing to do considering that I have never spent a holiday away from all family! We did go back to Utah for Thanksgiving and spent it with my whole family and Big R's Grandma Z. But for Christmas we had to stay home and do it all by ourselves. That included dinner.

I was bound and determined that I was not going to cook Christmas dinner! There are too many things that can go wrong and then I would ruin dinner for the holiday and I just could not stand up to the stress and humiliation of that! So I suggested to Big R that we just go to dinner somewhere! Anywhere, I didn't care if we went to McDonald's if that made him happy, but I was not cooking Christmas Dinner!

Well, about a week before Christmas, I decided that I was going to do it! It can't be that hard to cook a dang Turkey, can it?! Just because I had never cooked a Turkey or a ham or any of the fixings in my entire life, didn't mean that I could not do it now. RIGHT!?

So I braved the grocery stores and bought all the items that I needed to make all the traditional fixings and of course the Turkey and the ham. I was nervous all week. I was anxious, and fidgety, and I felt like my chest was going to explode. Now you know why I usually try new things early in the morning and then throw them away if needs be, way before anyone gets home. That way no one knows that I attempted to cook and failed. But I couldn't do that with these things. Some of them had to be started the night before, and of course the Turkey had to be dealt with all week cuz it was frozen when I bought it!

Well, Really long story short?! Here is the outcome of the Turkey!

This is her before, I rubbed her with liquid smoke and sugar cured salt, stuffed her with an onion and celery, and sprinkled her with salt and pepper. How does she look?

And this is her after! I don't know what the deal was with the skin, it shrunk in the oven or something. But other than that, isn't she gorgeous! And just so you know...she was the best tasting bird I have ever eaten. The most tender and juicy and flavorful meat that I have ever had! I was so proud! I honestly thought that it would be awful! I think by the time it came to eat her, Big R was a little nervous about how it would taste as well. But he too was pleasantly surprised!

Come back Friday to see the Ham and the rest of the Fixings that I baked/cooked!

BTW...I am participating in Wordful Wednesday with Angie
Head on over to see more great stories attached to neat pictures!

The "other" Women in My Husband's Life

2009-01-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

I never thought I would ever be posting a Tribute to "the other women'" in my Husband's life. However these 2 "women" are pretty special! They have him completely wrapped around their little fingers! They get what they want, when they want it, and don't you dare argue about it! LOL!

They get his complete attention whenever they want/need it! It's hard competing with one "other woman" let alone two. And these "women" are gorgeous, smart, creative, always happy, can make anyone laugh, talented, gifted, loving, a lot of fun to be around, and they just happen to be the best big sisters and daughters around!

Just wanted to show off what great daughters we have! But don't get in the way of their Father/Daughter time, unless you want the wrath of them brought down on you!

Love you both Very Much! Thanks for being you!

"Gone Away Is the Bluebird"......

2009-01-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well who says he's gone away? I took this picture on Christmas day after we got done opening all the presents under the tree! The picture is not that great cuz I was taking it thru the window so as not to scare the bird away! There were actually 2 of them, but the other picture didn't turn out.
He was beautiful! Vibrant blue and black and turquoise in color. My 11 month old had a ball just watching him! They have actually been around all winter! And I still see them every now and then!

And of course I have to add a photo of some of the peeps in my family! On Christmas eve, Big R brought home a "little" something for the baby! She loves soft things, i.e. her blankie, her "babies" and stuffed animals, the sheep skin rug on the living room floor, the huge elk hanging on the wall. And now of course she loves the big "Teddy Bear" that Daddy brought home to her!

She sits on it, lays on it with her bottle, rubs the hair between her fingers, puts her face on it's face and rubs it. This thing scares the crap out of me, and she loves it to death. NOTICE the pink blankie thrown carelessly to the floor? She didn't want it all night long, just wanted to sit on that dang bear!

BTW....The bear IS real! Big R shot and killed this oversized "Teddy Bear" about 2 and half years ago!

To see other great Photo Stories Head on over to:

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Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Description of Me!

2009-01-08T11:06:00.000-08:00

Being as today is Thursday, I am choosing to participate in MamaKat's Writer's Workshop. Sorry Kat, I can't figure out how to get the picture link. Anyway for all of you who want to see the full challenge or other creative vibes, head on over to her place for more info.

Today I am taking on the challenge of :

2.) Ask a loved one to use 6 descriptive words to describe you and report your findings. How well do they know you?

I thought for a long time about whom I should ask to describe me. I was going to ask Wonderful Hubby, but thought that he would be too biased. So I emailed my Mom and two sisters, and asked them to think about me for a minute and then describe me in six words.

Well, either I am really a crappy daughter and sister or they are all too busy. None of them sent me the six words. In fact they didn't even reply to the email I sent. I even told them that I could handle the truth, and that they should just be really honest! But still no reply.

So back to the thought of asking the hubby. So I just called him at work and asked him to give me 6 words that describe me. This is how he started:
1. HOT! 2. Sexy 3....okay at this point I stopped him and said that he couldn't use different words that are pretty much the same. Besides who does he think I am? Does he think that buttering me up will get him somewhere later, or what!?

SO...He started over and this is what he came up with. Unfortunately, I couldn't get him to just give me six descriptive words, so he gave me six phrases. Here they are:

1. HOT ( he would not let this one go, he said that was the truth and had to be number 1. Who is he looking at?!)

2. Special (I always wanted to be special, but my dad used to tease me that I was "Special Ed")

3. Cute Tummy ( this is the nickname that he calls me, derived from my enormous belly when I was hugely pregnant with our daughter.)

4. Good Mom ( he says that I am always there for the kids and that I teach them well.)

5. Family Oriented ( is this the same as Good Mom? He says no, that it's totally different! Okay, whatever.)

And last but not least:
6. His exact words were, "On top of S#@%!"

See I told you he was totally biased. He says that no he is not biased. That he told the truth, and "I don't make a habit of lying to you!" I should have asked my 12 year old. She hates me right now and I probably would have gotten an honest answer! LOL!

For the record, I have to say that I love my Dear Hubby with all of my heart! He is the greatest! And if he says he is telling the truth, I believe him. Thanks Big R for the nice, sweet, wonderful words! Love you tons!

Thanks Kat for the fun challenge!

This is the post script to my Post!
My mother has since emailed me her list back and I wanted to go ahead and post it too!
SO..here it is In her words exactly!:

Strong

Sensitive

Smart

Creative

Responsible

Loving

"If I put them in order of strongest first - I would list Responsible #1!!!!

Love you"

Thanks mom! Love you too!

Wordful Wednesday/Who needs a pet?!

2009-01-07T11:31:00.001-08:00

I am participating in Angie's Wordful Wednesday. Head on over to see more great stories and pictures!

A dog, A cat? No way who needs an indoor pet?! They walk all over and get in the way, they chew on things, they drag things around and make more messes for me to clean up! They..uh..piddle on the floor and other various items....oh wait, am I describing a dog or cat or am I describing my 11 month old?!

Somehow, she managed to get out of her clothes, out of her diaper, and crawled and walked all over before I found out what she had done!

Notice the little "wet spot" on the floor? Uh...yeah, that's a piddle spot! But look how proud she is about it!

I can no longer turn my back for a second! She is into everything! How many 11 month olds do you know that have been walking for 2 and 1/2 months? She definitely keeps me on my toes, while starting to walk on her toes! She is a joy and a lot of fun to have around! Everybody should have at least one! LOL!

Tuesday Tribute

2009-01-06T08:42:00.001-08:00

Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.

Thanks to Jay and Deb we have all been given the chance to give wonderful Tributes to those that deserve it! So here goes!

There are probably a hundred and one people that I could give tribute to, but today it is going to go to my Mother and to my Grandmother in Law. Sorry I couldn't choose just one.

These two ladies are the most giving, unselfish, willing to do anything for anyone women that you will ever meet.

I want to thank my mom for...well everything. I of course would not be here with out you. Thanks for your patience, wisdom, and unending love. Thanks for teaching me everything I always want to know. You taught me to cook, clean, sew, play the piano, toll paint, and many other great talents. You are always there when I call or email with a stupid question on how to cook my turkey, or how long to bake the pumpkin pie, along with many other various cooking questions. But most of all you taught me to be a mother, and hopefully I am just like you. Cuz you are the greatest mom of all moms!

And to Grandma "Z"...Thank you for accepting me before the first day was over. For loving me as much as you love Rany. For being there for him when he didn't have a mother of his own. You taught him to be hard working, loving, patient, and kind. You taught him to be a wonderful man. Thanks for all the time spent last summer teaching me to can all the veggies that we grew. Thanks for all the NEW recipes to try, mom I'll be calling you much more often for help with these.

I love you both very much and am so glad that you are a part of our lives. Thanks to both of you for everything you do!

I Now Pronounce You.......

2008-12-29T13:24:00.000-08:00

Introducing......(drum roll please)..
Mr. and Mrs. Zufelt

This was our long awaited PERFECT day! The day we got married! FINALLY!
It was Short, Sweet, To the point and as I said before...It was perfect! Just family and a few friends came to share in our incredible joy!

It actually started the night before, with a last minute decision to drive to Utah to try to beat the snowstorm that was supposed to be coming on the day we were going to be married. We drove in the dark in the snow and on ice packed and snow-slicked roads the whole 9 hours! It was fantabulous-NOT! We made it pretty late that night, but safe!

The next day started with us sleeping in, too late of course! Then we had a mad dash to the court house to pick up the marriage license. Made it to Grandma's Z's in time to have her iron the groom's clothes, just the way he likes them. Went to the local jewelry store to pick up HIS ring. Then on back home to get ready for the big event! It was crazy! And this was supposed to be simple and easy Right?! Right.

You can't see them in these few pics, but the decorations, music, and cake were all of a Christmas theme, and completely unexpected. It was beautiful, and all thanks to my mom, and my two wonderful sisters! Where would I be without my family!

Not every one could be there, but we are all family still the same!

I think the Bride and Groom cried more than anyone else! Except Mom, of course, she was crying before the ceremony even started!

A marriage is all about TRUST, Right?! Yeah, I trust you, just remember that what you give you will get in return!

No one was ever happier in the whole world during this exact moment! Hurray!

We were truly the most blessed family this entire holiday season! And we have so much to be thankful for! I love my family, (all of them, and believe me there are a lot) so much! I would be no where without them and all that they do! Thanks so much to all of you for all you did to help us make this dream come true. Don't forget to join us in a year when we join together for all Eternity! Can't wait to see you there! Love to you all!

Couldn't Wait

2008-12-23T14:06:00.000-08:00

Okay so I couldn't wait! I had to go ahead and post some pics quick. This is my little 10 months old Candy Cane! Isn't she great! Dress is compliments of Grandma and the bow is Compliments of Aunt Nonie! Can you believe she is walking already, and clapping, and waving, and trying to talk! I am pretty sure she says nite nite! She's getting to be quite the handful!

These are a couple pics of the yard at the new place. The first two are before and the last two are after.

The snow pics were taken last week. Now there is about 2 more feet, and it just won't quit! But it'll be fun for skiing and sledding Right?!

2008-12-23T13:42:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's been a while! I have been extremely busy with the holidays, getting married, and of course the dreaded move. We are finally getting settled in to our new place. It's snowing like mad here, we've gotten 4 feet of snow over the last two weeks and 2.5 of that was put down yesterday and today! We're not in Kansas anymore!

Just to catch all of you up...We moved in early November, we were married on December 19th, and we are awaiting the grandeur of celebrating the holidays as husband and wife! We are extremely happy, and our lives couldn't be better. The kids are all healthy, happy and ready for Christmas and sassy as can be!

Lissette Cruz and Carissa Rogers were the winners of the contest that I had in November! Congratulations to the two of you!

I plan to keep up better now with the blog and pictures, since things have calmed down a little in our lives. Come back soon I'll be posting some new fun pics for all to see!

Happy Holidays to everyone and may your season be bright with the light and joy of our Lord, our family and our dearest friends!

Post Script (don't read if you are friend or family)

BTW...one last thing...if this blog offends anyone in anyway, ask me if I care. If you are unwelcome here please leave, and don't visit again! You know who you are. This is a family blog for our family to see, and to document, and to enjoy all of our good things and our bad things!

I'm Back!

2008-11-20T15:17:00.001-08:00

Hello all you Bloggers out there! We are finally moved into our new home, in a new state, in a new neighborhood. Kids are all in new schools, making new friends, meeting new teachers and such! And I am forever trying to find the new store, bank, emergency room, post office, etc., etc., etc.

I hate moving! Everything is new and unfamiliar. However, I am counting my blessings. We are in a great neighborhood, the schools are great here, and everyone I mean everyone has been extremely nice to us. People you don't even know wave at you, they say Hello to you, and they even help you carry your groceries. My own kids don't even do that!

I will get photos of all the newness in just a few days! And for those of you who entered the contest, I will be letting you know if you won or not very soon! Good luck!

My 10 Worst Pet Peeves!

2008-11-06T06:49:00.000-08:00

Today I am participating in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop! Visit her site for more and probably better stories and lists!
As always she has given several options for us that play along, and as always most of them require more creativity than I can usually muster up. But for the heck of it, I am going to give it another try this week!

This is My Top 10 Worst Pet Peeves
(not in any particular order as they are all my worst pet peeves)

1. Laundry, I hate it! What is the point! It piles up, you have to fold it, it sits, it gets wrinkled! And I swear it never fails, the kids never put theirs away. It just ends up right back in the basket and gets washed again! And there I am at square one again!
2. Telemarketers! Need I say more! But I will. They call at all hours; during dinner, during my favorite CSI episodes, interrupting my blog time, interrupting....ahem....sleep! No I don't want to switch from DirecTV to Dish, No I don't want to send your company money, and Hell no I do not have time to take your stupid survey!
3. Dust! It's everywhere. It gets in my nose, it tickles, it teases, it makes me sneezes! Ha Ha! I live in trailer for Pete's sake. ( Hence one of the reasons for moving.) It is not air tight, so why would it be dust tight?! I can dust, and 5 seconds later it's time to dust again.
4. McDonald's Happy Meal Toys! They are never ending. Once a week I go thru the kids' toys to throw away all the crap toys that no one plays with. Always, and I mean always there are over 20 of these dang things. What are they...like bunnies? Do they multiply. Why can't McD's have something neat that every kid wants to play with for more than 20 minutes?
5. Idiot drivers! If you can't go at least the speed limit, can you pull over so the rest of us can? I can't stand this. I have places to go, people to see, and kids to pick up from school before the "late" deadline, or I have to pay a dollar for every minute that I am late! Move it or lose it...Sister!
6. Wasted electricity! Really children, is it that hard to reach up 2 inches on your way out the door of your bedroom/bathroom to shift the light switch, that takes less than .25 lbs of pressure, to the off position?! I don't think so!
7. My kids' idea of cleaning their room! I'm sure every mother has had to deal with this! MOM-Hey did you get your room cleaned? CHILD-Yes mom! MOM-Did you clean it the way I like it? CHILD-Yes mom! MOM-SO...I can come and check it right now and it will be spotless, just the way I like it? CHILD-Well..........(imagine child running lightning fast toward their bedroom to get it cleaned)!
8. Dirty Dishes! Okay seriously just put your dirty dishes in the dish washer. It takes no more time to put them in the dish washer than it does to throw them in the sink! I'm not asking you to clean them off, I am not asking you to put the clean ones away. Just put the nasty, dirty, stinky dishes in the dish washer! PLEASE!
9. Waiting in lines! The Post Office in town is notorious for making people wait in line. The bank, the local Wal-Mart, the best fast food place, it's even worse. And the worst part is that while you are standing there waiting, patiently of course, you have time to get a good look around wherever you are. It never fails there are always employees standing around talking to each other! YES to each other. Watching the line grow bigger and bigger. GET TO WORK PEOPLE!
10. Nail Biting! Ugh, make me gag! Seriously do you know what is under even the cleanest people's fingernails? No...and you don't want to know! So just think what is under those nasty dirty unclean fingernails. Nail biting rates right up there with picking your nose. Don't Do it! It's disgusting, and no you can't have a drink/bite of my soda/candy bar! GROSS!

Everyone Else Is Doing It....Why Can't I??

2008-11-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

I am participating in Wordful Wednesday with Angie go visit and see what everyone else has to say!

It must be catching like a cold..it's in the air. Angie did it, Carissa did it, and now yes...I am doing it too. I swear it's a lot harder than ya'll made it out to be! This really stinks. And the worst part is that I am not packing, I am sitting at my computer tying up a post!

These are all the unpacked boxes! They are calling to me! Pack me, tape me, label me! Little do they know that I am not that organized. I just shove in whatever will fit and put it in the truck. Then when we get to the new place, it's like a surprise when you open every box! RIGHT!

These are the very few packed boxes! Look at their smug little box faces. Saying to the others, Ha Ha, I'm packed and you're not!

This packing all the boxes on my own stuff really is a crappy deal. Where is the support, where is the help and advice and suggestions? Oh yeah, he still has to work and the kids are at school!

We are moving pretty far away, back to the roots of my sweet, adorable, even hickier than me, hubby. We are all pretty excited, except that we won't have any family around. Wait, scratch that, we will be close to his little girls and will be able to see them more often. Just one of the many pros of moving.

My posts may be far and few between for the next two weeks, but DON'T FORGET about the contest! I will be checking the comments and my emails every day. I will also be reading and visiting other blogs too, just not posting much to my own.

Love to all and see you in a few weeks!

Contest/Give Away

2008-11-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Help, Help, Help!!! I am in extreme need of help! In case you didn't read those first two sentences, do you know anyone who can help me!? I am in dire need!!!

DD, whom several of you already know is kind of a drama queen, has a birthday coming up soon....not to mention Christmas! I need YOUR help!

I am looking for the perfect Christmas Gift for my DD! And I want all you bloggy bloggers to help me find the perfect one! It has to be unique!

She is going to be 12, of course going on 20! She is sassy, dramatic, and very bubbly! She loves music, but hates Hannah Montana! She loves all crafts, but beading is her favorite! She has a very creative style about her! She loves to be eccentric! She loves to draw, color, or write stories......which by the way, sometime I am going to post one of her stories cuz they are awesome!

But this is the best part! For your efforts, I am going to reward not one but TWO, yes 2, people for the best ideas! All you have to do is comment on this post or any post with your idea. Or you can email it to me, by going to my profile and using my personal email. I will be reviewing these ideas every day!

I will give you two, yes 2, weeks to help me find the perfect gift! The reward is a surprise, but I promise you it is totally worth it! So go, look around and get back to me with your perfect, unique ideas!

Halloween After

2008-11-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a great Halloween, we all did!

This is DD at her dad's house for Halloween. She is of course Batgirl! Very Hot! The picture is taken courtesy of her "Other Mother", Kat. Thanks for the great pic Kat!

This is my son, he is the scary one on the right. He is Death Rider. Very Scary! The hairy one is my nephew Dakota, he is of course Chewbaca! These two are "Brothers from a-no-tha Mo-tha!" They think they are so cool!

This is the Crew! Death Rider, I was a Rodeo Princess, this is about as much as I ever dress up! Hubby is the great looking Rodeo Clown, and of course Darikka is the "Baby Bumble bee" asleep in her daddy's arms. Hope he doesn't squish her!

The two in the front for this picture are another nephew and niece. "E" was Tinkerbell and "T" was a power ranger, I think! We all went Trunk-or Treating at my sister's ward neighborhood party. Was a lot of fun and the kids got tons of candy, all while being very safe!

Ahhh, the afterparty! Gotta have lots of candy after the haul, Right?! Does she look determined or what!? She had fun trick or treating after she woke up from her nap! But she had more fun eating all of the other kids' candy!

Well another Halloween has come and gone! Can't wait for next year. Thanks to all of my bloggy friends for the great Halloween posts and for following mine as well!

Story of True Love--Proof That Destiny Does Have a Design For Us

2008-10-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

I used to work in the oilfield. Those of you who know anything about it, know that it's hard work and long hours and very unusual jobs, especially for a woman. At this particular job, I was hauling huge trash bins for oilfield companies. I would go to a site, pick up their trash, take it to the dump, and haul the empty bin back to the site. Not glamorous, but when you're a single mother of 2 growing children, you have to do something, Right!?

There were several other companies besides the one that I was working for that do this exact same kind of work. Needless to say, more often than not, you would run into each other at the dump when you were emptying bins.

One day while emptying my bin, there was one other guy there emptying his bin. I didn't even pay attention to him. No side glance, I didn't even think about him. I did my job and left. About one month later, I had gone to the gas station to fuel up. At the same time that I paid for my fuel, there was a gorgeous guy at the counter. I thought oooh he's cute. But I just paid and went on my way. Before I left the store, the manager caught me by the arm and told me that the very same guy was single, looking for a girl, and had his eye set on me. I didn't believe her, he doesn't even know me!

She said that he and some of the other guys in "the field" had nicknamed me "The Black Truck Girl". My work truck was a black, 1 ton, 4-door, dodge, dually. Anyway long story short, she gave the guy my phone number the very next day, (how she got that I will never know, Thanks big sis). But he called, asked me out, I said yes, and the rest is history.

These are the flowers he sent to the gas station because I hadn't given him my address yet. (We had only been on one date, and only knew each other 2 days.) Anyway the manager called me and told me that she had something there for me and I needed to come get it. So I went to get them. He was going out of town for the week for CMas, and wanted to let me know that he would be thinking of me the whole time. Sweet Huh!?

This is us a few months later, the first picture that we took together. You know, we had to make sure we were going to be a couple first, don't want to have to throw away pics later on. LOL! He told me later on that the first time that he saw me at the dump, (From the story above), that he ran straight home and told his best friend, "Dude, I just saw my future wife!" Mind you this was before we ever officially met, and before I ever agreed to go out with him. Fate?......I think so!

We do everything together. One day he told me to grab the camera, we're going fishing! Cool, where are we going. To the Gorge. It's beautiful there, and he knows that I love to take pics of great scenery!

Little did I know that the scenery would be me. While I was trying to be brave and hook my own worm, he was busy hooking something of his own. He had tied an engagement ring to his fishing line, and actually cast it out into the river. He reeled it back in, and with a huge grin on his face says, "Look what I caught!' Can you believe he threw my diamond in the river, sheesh you could have lost it!
So this was the beginning of the rest of our lives together!

Just another day fishing. Like I said, we do everything together! We are perfectly matched. We have the same goals, and help each other to reach those goals!

And baby makes 3, well 7 actually. No we are complete. I love this man with all my heart. And just think, we met at the dump! So don't discount those that you meet in the most peculiar places. They just might be the one you marry and have children with!

Love Ya Babe!

I am participating in Photo Story Friday, to do the same click the link below. Thanks girls, you make blogging interesting!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Top 10 For the Late Show With David Letterman

2008-10-30T08:13:00.000-07:00

I am participating in Writer's Workshop with Mama Kat. Visit her site to participate too.

This is the top 10 reasons why women should be Truckers; as in, driving 18-wheelers!

1. It's great money and every women should be able to generate some source of income when needed!
2. If you love to go 4 Wheelin' then Truckin' is for you . If you think 4 wheels can go anywhere, you should try 18!
3. It's a great feeling when you get out of a big rig, and some big burly guy asks: "Hey, did you drive that!" and you get to answer: "Why, yes I did!"
4. You know the double take a guy will give a hot girl driving on the highway? Well the double take a guy gives a self-sufficient woman in an 18-wheeler is 5 times better!
5. Just think of the major muscle-toning you will be doing in those winter months when you have to throw chains on 4 sets of double tires!
6. Are you short? Well, in an 18-wheeler you can see everyone and everything! No more looking thru the space in the steering wheel!
7. Doesn't every woman love to drive a "Stick Shift"? In an 18-wheeler you have anywhere from 8-18 gears! Watch out guys, mama's catchin' up!
8. Do you have children? Kids love to take a ride in a "Big Rig"! It's better than Disneyland! And a whole lot cheaper too!
9. Ever get sleepy when you are driving? There's nothing like having a built in bed to stop and take snooze in during the middle of a trip!

And the Top 10 Reason that women should drive 18-wheelers:
You get to prove all those men drivers out there wrong; Women really can drive better!

WW Not for the Feint of Heart! Seriously....Weak Stomach? Do not read!

2008-10-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't head the warning at the beginning of this post, I am giving you one more chance here to do so.....This is not for weak stomachs or all you "save-the-planet" types!
Me and my family are hunters. We bow hunt, rifle hunt, and we usually shoot anything with 4 legs or anything that flies. Also we always eat what we take. So like I said, this post is not for the feint of heart!
FAIR WARNING!!!

Just an ordinary day on the Farm? Not even close!

These are the chickens at my sister's house. She and her family bought them at Easter time. They used to be pink, red and purple. They were so cute! But now sister complains that they crow at all hours of the morning, day and night. No one gets any sleep. She wishes she could just get rid of them! "Well"..........Says Gramma Z, "We could have a chicken fry!" A what? What the crap is a chicken fry? "Ya know, kill 'em and fry 'em and eat' em.", she says. Uh....okay!?!? So that is just what we did!

Notice the chopping block on the ground? They really do "run around like chickens with their heads cut off." Who knew? This was the worst part of the whole thing. Kind of messy!

Next, no one likes to eat feathers do they? So a little plucking is in order! The guys were real troopers and had a good time I think! Not sure are those grimaces on their faces or smiles? It was a little stinky!

Then of course, you have to clean and cut the chicken into pieces to eat. Gramma Z was the only one brave enough to do this! She kept getting angry at all of us for being such wussies! Aren't Granny's amazing, there is nothing she can't or won't do!

Ahhhh, tastes like chicken! The finished product was a pure delicacy. Better than any store bought chicken I have ever tasted! Must be Gramma Z's secret ingredient!

Thanks to all of you who were brave enough to endure to the end. Hope I didn't offend anyone too badly. If I did, Sorry it's your own fault. I gave not one, but two fair warnings!
For more Wordful Wednesdays click on the link below.

Ode to my B-E-A-U-tiful Children

2008-10-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I put just pictures of all of my children. I usually have one or the other, but not all. SO this is mostly to update everybody about those for whom I am the most proud!
Thanks and enjoy!

This is Darikka! She is 8.5 months old. She is the light of her daddy's eye. And she just happens to love ice cream. (can't tell can ya?) She is crawling everywhere, practically starting to walk. She has been sick, but is now fit as a fiddle. She keeps me on my toes, but she is also a lot of fun!

This is Bailey! She is 3.5 years old. Isn't she a beauty! We have so much fun with her. We don't get to see her as often so we are so grateful when we do see her. She loves to swim, and she loves to eat! She is a pure ball of joy!

This is Rylie! She is 6.5 years old. She is the firecracker of the family! She can make anyone laugh or cry with her sayings and her thoughts of love. From the middle of no where she will just pop off with "I love you_____!" Enter name she is talking to at the time. She once told me this, "Katie, you are the best Step-Mom ever!" Know what I did to deserve that? Bought her some tattoos. Pretty funny, huh!!?

This is Ian, he is almost 9 years old! He is my "Mama's Boy"! I use the term with love and no one else gets to use it......EVER! He is so loving and loves to give hugs and kisses to his mom and to his baby sister. But not to anyone else. However, when it comes right down to it, he can kick the crap out of any kid at the school yard. (not that he ever did, right? Ha ha.)

And last but not least, Blayke, my almost 12 year old. She is a blossoming tweenager and she wishes she were 20 or so. Doesn't every 12 year old? She is a lot of fun and a great help around the house. She is just beginning to realize that I (mom) can be her best friend at times. She is also just realizing that I (mom) can be her worst enemy at times. We can go the rounds but we can also get along just great! I'm sure that it will be this way for a while. But I love her anyway and I am grateful that she is mine! Someday maybe she will be grateful that I am hers!

Love to all my children, you are all special and I am so very proud of each and every one of you!
Love Mom!

First Halloween Party for 2008

2008-10-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

This was the first Halloween party for me and the kids for this year! Complete with costumes and all! It was put together with the help of 2 of my wonderful sisters! We planned it about a day before we actually did it. So I think it turned out pretty well for not having much planning. And the kids....Well they had a ball! Just look at the grins on all of them.

We started the party off with a guessing game of course! How many candy corns? There were 252 and the oldest child won the game and therefore got the jar of candy corns!

Next on the agenda....Pin the Nose on the Jack-O-Lantern! This is my son, he won, got the nose right on the spot. But everyone had fun trying and I think only one child missed the poster completely!

Who has a party without pumpkin carving? OR in our case the pumpkin version of Mr. Potato Head! These were so much fun, and a lot cleaner than actual carving! Look how proud they are! Everyone got to take their own pumpkin home too! Thanks to big sis and Wal-Mart!

What party is complete without a witches brew? None of course! This was our party drink for the night! Apple Juice with a chunk of dry ice. Great fun and easy too!

This was the hi-lite of the night! The donut eating contest! This was for kids and adults too! Uncle B won this game. He was so excited about it, that when he dropped his on the ground he still ate it! Ha Ha! Go Uncle B!

Thanks to my 2 big sisters for a night of great fun, food, and family togetherness! Love Ya!

Diary of a Very Sick Child

2008-10-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

You know those completely happy babies that never cry, are always smiling, and always into everything? Yes, she is one of those. So when she is sick, you know it. She doesn't look sick here, but unbeknownst to you, she has a fever of 102, a slight cough, and diarrhea. (Sorry Gross I know). But look how happy she is! Smiling? Of course. Playing? As always!

Does she even look sick here? A little pale maybe? But still smiling and pretty happy. Playing? not so much. Just sits and/or wants to be held all the time. But take a closer look! What do you see?

Yep! That bandage is from having her blood taken. We went to the local urgent care (for the second time) and they finally decided that after 11 days of fever, coughing, diarrhea, not eating or drinking her bottle, and losing 2 lbs, that maybe something was wrong! Duh, just ask a mother who spends 24 hours a day with her child. She can tell you when something is wrong other than teething!

Not only did they draw blood, but she had to have chest x-rays. Do you know what that entails? Just imagine practically sitting on your 8 month old, while she is screaming and flailing in pain. Lots of fun! NOT!

And she is still trying to be happy. But she ends up just sitting on my lap, holding her blankie, and moaning, cuz she is too miserable.

Finally got her in to her regular doctor. She has viral pneumonia, and tonsillitis. They gave her two shots of antibiotics and a prescription for oral ones as well. She is finally feeling better after 12 days of Hell. She is wanting to eat and she is back on the bottle.

The next time she is sick, I am going to print this post and take it with me to the doctor. And I am going to tell him that I am the MOMMY and I know when my child is sick! It's so frustrating when a doctor who should know it all, thinks that all these problems are caused from teething and that she will be "OK". Not buyin' it!

Thanks for listening to the rantings of a crazed mommy!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You..........

2008-10-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

Wow, It's been like forever since I did any blogging. I feel like I am totally out of the loop. Sorry about the delay in posts. Been really busy, and I promise to show you the results of my being busy, so stay tuned for upcoming posts.

But for now, I'd really like to get to know you a little better. This may take a bit of time but it's well worth it. And I think it will be a lot of fun. All you have to do is pick some or all of the categories if you're brave enough, post them and the answers in your own blog, and then leave your name and blog URL in Mr Linky.Don't forget to leave a comment letting me that you posted and what you think of this post.

Have fun.

1. Favorite TV Shows

CSI Miami, I love Horatio
House
Don't Forget the Lyrics, Hubby and i love to sing along
Ghost Whisperer, got to have some fantasy in my life

2. Least Favorite TV Shows

Two and a Half Men

All Soap Operas

Anything with Fighting or Boxing, (like UFC)

I am not big on Hunting shows (Sorry Hubby!)

3. Favorite Restaurants

Red Lobster, fav of all time

Olive Garden

Canton City Buffet

Wendy's

4. Least Favorite Restaurants (this one is hard for me, I love food)

McDonald's

Sonic Drive-In

All Sushi Places, YUCK!

Have to come back to this one

5. Things That Happened Yesterday (or the Last Few Days)

My Daughter got the solo in her singing group! Yeah DD!

I canned 18 quarts of Tomato macaroni Soup!

Someone crashed into the ditch outside my house, they were trying to dodge a cow that has been out for 3 weeks now. (joys of living on a farm)

Yesterday was finally cold enough and frosted enough that all of my flowers died:(

6. Things I Am Looking Forward To

Being to sealed to DH in the Vernal UT Temple

Thanksgiving this year! We will have all the kids (his mine and ours) together for the first time.

Having another baby, (still working on that tho)

Becoming a millionaire, Ha Ha

7. Things That I Am NOT Looking Forward To

Snow, I never look forward to snow

Christmas, always comes too fast and is gone too fast!

My DD is almost 12, soon she will be 16! UGH!

Cleaning my house!

8. Things I Love About Fall

Leaves, they're gorgeous!

Halloween, funnest holiday!

Orange, I think orange is a really great color! Also is my son's fav color

Almost time for pumpkin pie! YUMMY!

9. Things on My Wish List

Diamond Earrings

A carpet Shampooer

A Juicer for all my canning needs (thanks mom for letting me use yours)

A new house, or at least a bigger one!

World Peace!

Two New Candidates Running for Pres

A Million dollars

A New Car

(Whoops you are only supposed to have 4)

Have fun with this, and who knows maybe some of us actually have stuff in common! Can't wait to see your results!

Halloweens Gone By

2008-10-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

My sister over at http://goodandcrazypeople.blogspot.com/2008/10/gno-is-it-autumn-already.html wanted to have everybody post their Halloween photos from years before. So here they are!
This is my son in 2006, I think he was some sort of a ninja?! DD was with her dad this year so no photo of her.

This is DD last year! She was an Undead Gypsy! Lots of fun! I drew the spider web myself!

My son was a bleeding skeleton, he had a pump in his hand under his cape. Every time you squeeze it, the blood would run down the front! Eeeww. Scary Huh!

And this is the two devils.......I mean angels together. Aren't they fun?

By the way, this is also how DD had her hair done for Crazy Hair Day at school!

If you post your own photos of Halloweens Gone By, please go to http://goodandcrazypeople.blogspot.com/2008/10/gno-is-it-autumn-already.html and post your link in Mr. Linky so everyone else can see too. Don't forget to leave me a comment and let me know that you did so I can come visit your site as well. I would love to see some photos and maybe get some ideas for myself, Ha Ha!

Twitter GNO

2008-10-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

Hosted by:
Carissa @ GoodNCrazy

Hey girls don't forget to visit the site above and sign up for the GNO! It's a blast!

My Goofy Hubby

2008-10-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

This weekend, hubby and kids and I drove to Denver to see one of his little girls. On the way back it starts to snow on us, just a little. But enough that we had to slow down in a few places and drive carefully. Well.......we got bored in some of those slow places. Hubby, being the music buff that he is, turns the music up loud and begins to sing a long. No big deal, right? So...I'm listening to the radio, and Hubby of course, when a "girl" song comes on. Do you know who Kellie Pickler is? She was on American Idol a few years ago, didn't win but went pretty far and now has a few albums out on country radio. Anyhoo...she sings a song called "Red High Heels." Song is okay but very girlie, talks about girl losing guy and how he is going to want her back, especially after he sees her in her red high heels. I'm still listening mind you, while looking out the side window at the mountains and scenery, trying not to be bored.

All of a sudden as loud as he can and in this awful girlie voice, Hubby starts singing the chorus to this girlie song. Sings about how he is going to be missed, especially when we see him in his red high heels. I just stared. Didn't know what to think. Then we all burst into fits of giggles and laughter! It was hilarious. However, did tell Hubby that he should never, ever sing that song again. And if I find my red high heels missing.......I'll know where to look.

That is just one of the many goofy things that hubby does. Here are few pics of him. But back off, the man is mine!

Is he HOT or what?!! Don't mind the bump in his cheek, (ie. "chew"), he quit that over 18 months ago.

This is another goofy thing Hubby did. We were at my Grandpa's funeral, and I guess he decided that there had been enough crying and it was time for a laugh. IT WORKED! Cheered me right up, for the moment. By the way, sometimes when I get in the car and try to find my sunglasses, he already has them on. Hmmmm?? Makes me wonder sometimes. HA HA!

Can You Say Beverly Hillbillies?!!

2008-10-03T08:51:00.000-07:00

I should have posted this one with the motorcylce ride, but oh well. This is DH's GramaZ. She is 77 years old and she's gotta be the coolest Grandma eva! She even rides the dirt bike with DH too! She is taking a ride in my sister and bro in laws new Rhino. (My dad calls them hippos,LOL)

This Rhino (hippo) belongs to my mom and dad. It has four seats, seat belts, 2 doors, and is even equipped with "Oh S@%*" handles! It will climb anything, and I do mean anything. It goes straight up and straight down, bumps over boulders 2 feet in diameter, and whatever else DH can find to go over that will scare the holy living crap out of me!
Notice the baby car seat in the back seat. Yes it is belted in and No DH did not get to drive this time. I drove and I took my 7 month old, and Cousin's 3 year old and 2 year old. I guess ever body knew that I would drive the slowest with the babies!

Look I was so careful and slow that she fell asleep in the dang Rhino! Is that funny or what?!

This is the funnest toy that anyone could ever buy! Everybody can ride and enjoy to their hearts content! Even my Grandmother who is somewhere in her late 80's (I think), got in and rode this day. So from the very young (7months) to the very old, but young at heart (both Granny's) can ride and enjoy. You should get one!

Thanks mom and dad for the great times!

Spare Time? What's That??

2008-10-02T07:59:00.000-07:00

In my "Spare Time", I like to do many things. I love to read books, Nora Roberts of course; I love to play sports, just joined a women's volleyball league; I love to play and hang out with the kids, after all, I am a mommy right? I love to play gardener, just put down fresh sod in the front yard, have beautiful flowers, and very large garden too; love to try new things, like ride the dirt bike!

However, lately I have no spare time, and this is why:

This is only a very small amount of my Romas, just the beginning of a long blanching and peeling process. Then I have to do the Celebrities, the Champions, the list goes on and on.

Then of course, comes the cleaning and chopping of the secondary vegetables. Can't forget the onions, green peppers, and the celery.

Then you put them all together, and what have you got? That's right! Stewed tomatoes!
Before they are processed.

After they are processed. Aren't they pretty!?! They look almost Christmas-y!

By the way.......This was the first time that I have ever canned anything all by myself! I have always had the help of my Mom or DH's GramaZ. So I am very proud of myself and was happy to give up some spare time to accomplish something this great on my own!

First Twitter GNO Eva!

2008-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

So I joined my first eva Twitter GNO! Was totally fun. So much craaaazzziness! I had a ball just reading what everyone had to say. I didn't even comment that much, didn't have time, was trying to read too fast! But eveyone was pretty funny and sounds like a lot of us have a lot in common!

If you want to join in next Tuesday, head over to Carissa's blog, http://goodandcrazypeople.blogspot.com/2008/09/gnohit-me-one-more-time.html, and get yourself ready to Tweet with the best of us on http://twitter.com!

Can't wait to do it again and hope to see some new faces along the way!

Holy Motorcycle Mama!!

2008-09-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

This is for all you "City Slickers" out there! Can you drive 2 miles from your house and do this?!

This is the first time I have ever even been on a dirt bike. I refused to get on without my Hubby. I insisted that if I was going to get hurt, he would too. He, of course, was game for the beating! After several attempts at trying to start the dang thing, I finally got us off and running. As you can tell, we are moving pretty slow, (never even got out of first gear).

After driving around and making several turn-arounds, faithful Hubby decides to bail off. Says that I can do it all by myself! Are you kidding me?!? I'm pretty sure the girl-i-ness came out of me as I was screaming quite loudly!

But....I did it! No crashes, and I was able to start and stop a few times all by my little ole self. Girl Power!!

By the way.............my kids thought I was pretty cool! I mean seriously what 29 year old mom jumps on a CR-80 for the first time and doesn't even crash?

Who is your personal HERO?

2008-09-25T09:27:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would pose a question to anyone who reads this. I want to know..... Who is your "Personal" HERO?

Me, I have several personal heroes and I want to tell you about them here today. So here goes!

In no certain order:

I am the youngest daughter in my family and that means that I have six older sisters. They are all beautiful, smart, talented, individuals! They are all strong willed and not afraid of anything! They are all self-motivated, independent women! They are huge examples to me, and they are all my Personal Heroins.

My Mother: Wow! Where do I start? Mom was always there for all of us (all 10 of us). She is the best cook I have ever met! She has a never ending supply of really great talents! The best of which are, singing, playing piano, crocheting, sewing, cooking, and the ability to make a house a home. She can teach anyone, anything. She has a deep well of love, patience, and understanding. She is non-judgemental, and very forgiving. Thanks mom for everything, you are my Personal Hero. Love ya. You too, Dad!

Everyone knows that I have 5 beautiful children, (I am only a little biased). But I think it's important for you all to know how I feel about them. I want to thank them for being mine. For making me smile when needed, for taking naps when needed, for finally cleaning their rooms after the eighteenth time of asking, for kisses just cuz, for not embarrassing me at the local Wal-Mart anymore, and for the never-ending love that they show to me. Love you all! You are all my Personal Heroes.

And last but not least, my Hubby. Because of him I get to stay home and raise our wonderful family. I want to thank him for that and also for putting up with me and all my many facets of life. For helping me cook, clean, take care of kids, and everything else. For being able to fix anything, and I do mean anything. For helping me find my dreams and sticking around while I achieve them. For having dreams of his own, and working towards them. For not stealing the covers at night, and for the humor he brings to my life. But most of all, for finally bringing the love and happiness into my life that had always been missing. I was searching my whole life to find you, and now you're mine! You are my Personal Hero! Love ya tons!

So who is your Personal HERO?

Nothin' like startin' 'em out early

2008-09-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder where kids learn to eat right? Well obviously they teach themselves. I often have an old milk crate full of fresh vegetables from my huge garden sitting on the floor so we can use them up. My youngest is just learning to crawl, and she always heads straight to the milk crate. Just last night, she got a tomato and actually took a big bite out of it!

Hey mom, can I pick the tomato for dinner tonight?

Wow! Which one do I want?

Ah ha! Here it is the perfect one!

Mmm, rum, rum, tastes good too!

Oh yeah, don't forget the corn on the cob.

I have a garden space that is 20' X 70'. It's huge. We had tomatoes, potatoes, green peppers, jalapenos, Anaheim peppers, peas, beans, onions, cucumbers, and zucchini. We actually planted corn but it never came up. So we ate a lot of my mom's corn. Thanks mom.

Back to School DaZe

2008-09-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or is every parent as proud as me?!?!

I am always so excited when my kids go back to school! (For obvious reasons of course.) But I love all the excitement and rushing around to get everything ready. I love the clothes and supply shopping and everything that goes with it. My kids are very involved in the after school programs and sports, and there is always a way for the whole family to be involved. We have a lot of fun doing all the many busy things that we do.

These are my two angels that started school in August. Ian is in Elementary school and Blayke is in Middle school. They both love their teachers and are making many new friends and enjoying all the old ones too!

Blayke loves to sing and dance and is finding that she really enjoys sports too! Last year she won the school's version of American Idol! We were all so proud of her. Because of that we have put her into an outside performing group, where she is learning to sing and dance. And soon she will start having one-on-one voice lessons. She is currently playing Volleyball (which I am the head coach of), and just finished her first season of girls Softball. They took 3rd place in the tournament!

Ian is finding that he has natural knack for computers. He is going to be my computer engineer. (mom's can dream big too, right!?) He is also really enjoying his after school programs. He is playing flag football for the first time and is doing great! His favorite position is Center. He likes to say "Down, Set, HIKE!". He thinks it sounds "cool", even though that is the quarterback's job.

The Brady Bunch huh....you should meet our bunch!

2008-09-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hey all, and welcome to Yours Mine and Ours! Just wanted to give you an idea of who we are and what we are like. Notice that there is not a picture of all of us together. In all the time that we have been together we have never all been together to take a family picture. Drawbacks to having yours mine and ours I guess.

This is me and my hubby, Rany, with the newest addition to our family. Darikka is 7 months old, and she is definitely a daddy's girl. Rany works in the oilfield and I am an at home mommy.

This is a photo of our 3 oldest children on the 24th of July, 2008. The oldest is our daughter, Blayke. She is 11 years old going on 18, and is just as feisty as her mother was at that age. (Or so I am told.) Ian is 8 years old, and is exactly the opposite of his older sister. He is quiet, cuddly, and has a soft spot for his mother. Rylie is our 6 year old. And she is the quirkiest child I have ever met. She can make you smile whenever and no matter the circumstances.

And last but not least is Bailey. (The one in the blue suit.) She is our 3 year old. She is a bright and sunny child and brings joy to all around! And look at all that curly hair!

Thanks for visiting and please come back soon!