Which Sci Fi Crew do you belong on

Which sci-fi crew would you best fit in with? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Moya (Farscape) You are surrounded by muppets. But that is okay because they are your friends and have shown many times that they can be trusted. Now if only you could stop being bothered about wormholes. Moya (Farscape) 88% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 88% SG-1 (Stargate) 75% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 75% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 69% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 63% Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 63% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 56% Serenity (Firefly) 56% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56% Heart of Gold (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) 31% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 31% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 25%

My Dad~ blessing number 19

Happy Birthday Dad!! Today my dad is 68 years young. We celebrated last night since he has to work today.
My gratitude today is for my dad, like Nephi of old I can truly say that I have been born of goodly parents. Dad is always cheerful and helpful. I can count on one hand the number of times, in my life, that I can remember him getting mad. Really mad. There were the occasional sort of mads like when my brother set the desert on fire by our house, when my brother cut my other brothers finger off, when we forgot to wipe our mouths with our napkins at the dinner table, when we laughed hysterically and irreverently during family prayer (aren't kids a delight?)...little things like that :) Mostly though Dad is always even tempered and patient.

He is a hard worker. When he came to the US as a teenager, by himself and speaking no English, it was hard to find a job. Dad worked as a gardener, in a fish market, as a grave digger and as a house painter while he went to school to become a teacher. He has always taught at least two different jobs and then came home and worked in the home. He always acts like work is a blessing and will jump in to do any job any time.

He is a patriot. Dad loves America, the land of promise. He served in the military even though he was not yet an American citizen. He votes and obeys the laws of the land and tries to make our country strong.


Dad is funny and fun to be with. He's always up for a game or a story or a walk. And he makes the kids feel special and important because he likes to spend time with them. He did that when we were little too and to this day we "argue" over who is dad's favorite, each of thinking it's them (except me I know it's me;))

Dad is smart, he knows everything, obscure rivers in China, he knows their names, how many miles away the sun is, knows it, how to make crepes, check, what planet Spock comes from, got it.

Dad is fit. He walks and plays and keeps himself in shape.

Dad is a Christ-like man, he's a scriptorian, and he walks the walk.

Love you dad. I feel very blessed to have you as my dad, to have you as a Papa for my kids and to have your example in my life.

Number eighteen

Yvonne gave me this sweet award "The Colors of Friendship".

I will pass this wonderful award on to some women who I only know through the blogging world, but who I feel would be "real" friends: Wendy, Tori and Amber.

Today I am grateful for friends, real and imaginary :)

what a real Sunday is like:

My sweet angels are wound up little tornadoes today. The weather outside is warm and sunny and the TV is banned so they are bouncing off the walls waiting for church to start. I am going to be happy come January when we switch to an 8:30 start time. I thought we had tithing settlement at noon and just found out it's not until after church so we're ready to go really early too.

To keep them occupied I suggested writing letters to Santa, you know to beat the December rush. H, who almost doesn't believe but is a little unsure and probably not willing to take the chance is asking for clothes and moon sand and wouldn't mind a horse but is realistic enough to realize that's probably not going to happen.

E wants transformers, a Wii, and Star Wars stuff and a trampoline. (he also asked for a pocket knife and a long shot gun~ neither of which he will get)

Lucy wants a purple baby and stroller, and a princess kitchen.

Yesterday was dinner groups. We had a host get sick at the last moment and I had to scramble to get everything rearranged. Hopefully it turned out well. The group I was in was very fun. Michelle made halibut that was delicious! Best Halibut ever, and I like fish :) After dinner we played Wii and that was so fun, I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I would totally be into having one for our family to play together. It was hysterical to watch all these grown ups play and Rhonda was our sleeper, she totally rocks at it! SO funny!

DH took the kids to Dallas for a Karate seminar. I think they had a good time. I haven't seen the pictures yet but I am sure I will. I hope they feel it was worth it because it was a little on the expensive side. Spending time together is good though so...what are you going to do?

I went to a book party in the morning, dangerous. Lu and I did some Christmas shopping there. We're whittling away at our list.

Tonight E and H are going to spend the night with Emmeline and Mitchell. They are really excited. They will stay and play for most of the day tomorrow. The rest of us are going to mom's to eat her left overs. She was the one who was supposed to host and was sick so now she has all this food leftover, which is lucky for us, but a bummer for her :( Being sick is no fun. Tomorrow is Dad's birthday so we'll do a little celebration tonight.

I feel so bad

We have a hectic schedule around here and have to write things down to remember who goes where when. Well yesterday we had several things on the calendar and we forgot one. H was supposed to go sailing with her Activity Day class. She had been counting down all week and was so excited. DH, H and I all knew about it. All were planning on it. All were together that day and still when the time came we somehow had a collective memory glitch and completely forgot. This morning H walked into our room and said we forgot to go sailing.
Oh no!

I am sad because she was really really looking forward to it. How she forgot completely baffles me. How I forgot is par for the course, but still darn!

seventeen

I am grateful for 17 crazy friends to have dinner with last night. We had a girls night and filled the table. We went to Olive Garden and although our server was sub par we had a fun time laughing and talking and my soup was very good. It was fun to sit by some of the newer sisters in our ward and to get to know them better.

walk on the wild side

DH and I went on a field trip with H today. We went to the zoo. Our favorite! It was a zoo, so many kids were there that it was kind of crazy. Luckily our group to watch was small.

We always see the flamingos first, they are by the front entrance.

Today we saw bear cubs (so cute). Lots of monkeys, kangaroos, snakes and bats. The works.
Lucy loved being out with H and her friends.

Here she is getting a lift from her big sister.

Peyton, Lucy, H, Isaiah, Eric and Justice. Our little group.

Eventually she had to hop on my shoulders so we could keep track of her.

It was perfect weather. Cool but comfortable.

Everyone had an awesome time!

a typical night in a blessed life

Tonight I went to tuck my babies in their beds. Lucy had gotten a new pair of jammies this afternoon, pink with snowmen on them. She was excited to put them on. After she was changed and ready for bed we sat on the couch and read "The Beaver Story" and "Santa gets Dressed". Brother came over to listen. Then I carried her to her bed and asked what songs she wanted. Like every night she answered "hush the baby, rock the baby, mickey mouse". I sang to her and helped her say her prayers then went to track down brother. He got ready, brushed his teeth, went to the bathroom and came in for his stories. He chose Nato Fighters (as usual), The Kiss that Missed (one of our favorites) and a Berenstain Bear book. After stories he said his prayers and then I was off to find H. She took a little longer but finally got tucked in. Three babies, wearing warm jammies, sleeping in comfortable beds with books by their sides and full tummies.

Next I loaded the dishwasher then J called me to help her look for something on the computer. We spent some time laughing and looking up birth stones and other things. Then she left to play the piano and I stayed on the computer. I was listening to her in the other room, she's been working on Rhapsody in Blue and it's coming along. Suddenly she sounded so awesome, I jumped up and ran out to see what kind of ivory miracle happened on that keyboard. The Elders had arrived and it turns out that Elder Anderson is a great pianist and Elder Blake plays the trumpet. They each played, and so did DH. Like the pied piper this drew H out of her room to listen. We enjoyed a few moments of musical entertainment and then they left and we went back to what we were doing.

All day I have thought about this post that I read this morning. About another mother, in another country, living a very different life. I don't know why I am so lucky to have all the things I need and all the things my children need, when others have nothing. The unfairness of it makes me cry. I can not imagine sitting on the floor of my home, holding my baby as she fitfully sleeps through survives the night waiting for the sun to rise, hungry and cold and knowing that tomorrow won't be better, or the next day.

I do know that like the sun that rises to bring us light and a new day, the Son of God rose and will bring us new life. Somehow He'll make it fair for He loves her as much as me. And in the meantime I can try and do something good with my life, something that justifies my extreme blessings, no, something that at least shows that I recognize that I am blessed and that I don't want to waste it.

So tonight I am grateful for carpet under my feet, a pillow beneath my head, a refrigerator full of food and the luxury of being able to give my children the things they need to thrive. And most of all I am grateful for the Son of God.

...and tonight I pray, for her who does not have all.

fashion statement or plea for recreation?

Why is Lucy dressed like this when it's cold outside and there is no chance I'll take her swimming? Optimism, delusion...because she feels like it? I don't know but I do know that it came in the mail a couple days ago, we had left it at Nana's this summer and our friend Pete had it all this time. I laughed when I got it since we will be seeing him in a few weeks and it would have been just as useful then as it is now but still it was nice of him to mail it. And Lucy has been wearing it since. "I go swimming" is an oft repeated phrase around here. I have to dress her every time we go outside because as soon as we are back in the house she strips

Pilgrims

Last night the mutual kids came over here on a service scavenger hunt. It was very fun. The swept the porch and cleaned the windows and took out the trash! They can come over any time. I hope that group won cause they were awesome!

Lu and I also went to playgroup.

Today I went to brother's class to help with the Thanksgiving feast. I like to go, it's really fun to see him with his friends and to participate in the fun things he does.

This afternoon we have the girls over for dance practice and tonight DH is going on splits with the missionaries.

fifteen

Today I am grateful for getting to bed early last night. I hit the sheets before 10 and this morning woke up before my alarm ready for the day. I love 8 hours!! (not that it happens often but when it does I remember how great it is :) )

and not to be left out...

Lu's first Christmas! I can't believe it's in 5 weeks and some days. I need to get on the ball!!

Brother's First Christmas 2002

T-day

One more week until the big day. We're ready. We have the whole week off of school next week and we are excited! The kids want to have friends over. On Wednesday we're having the missionaries over but I am thinking of taking them to CiCi's. Thursday IS the big day. There is shopping to do and hopefully a movie to see. Christmas lights to hang, and sleeping in to do. Very fun.



Grandma is doing the turkey and gravy.

I am making mashed potatoes, pretzel salad, stuffing, pumpkin pie, blueberry pie, olives, ice cream and cool whip (some of these things I am obviously getting and not actually making.

Julia is doing the marshmallow salad, tolls rolls, green bean casserole, grasshopper pie, pecan pie and cranberry sauce.

I am toying with the idea of trying PW butternut squash and maybe something chocolate.



Can you tell I've been "dieting" and I have to use that word rather loosely. I am trying but there are so many eating occasions this time of year. Still it's better not to put off even if I can't give it 1000% just yet.

thinking of what to do...

It's time to think about our annual Christmas card. What kind of torture will I put my children through this year (brwah haha haha haha)
This is our attempt in 2001. Cute, uncooperative, crazy. That pretty much sums up every year.

This year will be weird because we won't have Dani in it. Now she's a family with Greg and I guess they'll take their own pictures. Hopefully Greg will be able to get Dani to cooperate :) If I was thinking about it I would have snapped one in Disney with everyone to use...but who's thinking about Christmas in June? Note to self: think about Christmas in June next time

today's is shallow

#14 I am grateful for the TV Remote and the DVR...love em!

no cavities, no more hair, and a huge list of must haves for camping

Today we babysat Carson while his mom went on a field trip. He got to come with us to brother's dentist appointment (no cavities!!) Lucy got to go in with him and watch, it was her training appointment, next time we go they will both have check ups. All three kids got balloons and E got a toothbrush.
Then we drove through McD and on to Julia's to plan our Thanksgiving feast. The kids had a great time playing with her boys and didn't want to leave. When we got home we invited K over to play. Then Carson got picked up and his brother Mason stayed to play with K and E.

DH, E and H had karate and Lucy and I went with J to an equipment meeting for Packard. DH came and got Lu so they could all go to bed.

Then I came home to this:

S got a hair cut!! I call this photo "Mom, stop taking pictures of me!"

It's cute, but soo different we'll all have to get used to it. She hasn't had bangs in a long time and they cut off about 8 inches from the length. Wow!

guest bloggers

lucky # 13

H "I am grateful for my friends and my family"
E "I am gwateful for Caweub"
Lucy "purple baby"

swirling around the recesses of my mind

A little bit of randomness to end the evening with. Today was a good day. We had Austin to play and he and Lucy got along great all morning. By about 1pm she had tired of the her playmate and began her usually whining and crying (this is new and unpleasant behavior on her part {said with a sigh}) They fell asleep when we went to pick up brother and stayed asleep when I carried them inside and then while he got picked up and carried to his car, and she got picked up and driven to the bank and to get hair cuts for E and H. I think this means they had fun. Most of the day was good. This morning I got phone calls done for dinner groups and picked up the upstairs and my friend Joy came over since she had a computer emergency and we had a fun visit.

Brother and H got hair cuts from Alison. She did a nice job. DH has been doing brother's hair since he's had any but I was ready for a neater look along the sides and a little length on top. H just got her bangs done.

Tomorrow we will have Carson to play all day. I think that will go well.

I've been thinking Lucy needs some more structure from me. My friend GoodLife told me once that she set her timer during the day and she would spend 15 minutes playing with the kids or reading or whatever they were going to do. Then she would spend 15 minutes getting something done that she ended to do, repeat. I know I won't be that structured about it but I do need to do something more for her. She's a little tornado lately hopefully that would help. My imaginary friend, who I don't even post on but only lurk, Salsa in China has twins a little younger than Lou and she has a 5 thing plan. Every day they: go outside, do something creative, read books, do "school", and hhhmm, I'm forgetting the last thing..maybe it's cook something. Anyway, that might work. We always read but the others could be more diligently planned. Also I know she' ready for the potty so we need to stop and do that once an hour. Notes to self.

H won't find out about the play until later this week: can we live with the suspense?

Brother has a dentist appointment tomorrow.

Tonight we had a lesson for FHE on honesty. Something we need to work on, sadly. We had two incidences this week that needed addressing. First was someone wrote with marker on the floor upstairs. Of course everyone denies it.
Second, J did a great job fundraising for her venturing outing this summer. One lady, however, wasn't going to get her ordered filled and I had her money set out on my bookshelf. Sunday I went to get it so J could run out and return it on the way to church and tell her thank you for her order and that she was sorry they couldn't fill it. Well, $2 of it were there and $20 were missing. Again that darn, naughty, begging for a spanking and year long grounding nobody did it.
So out came the Gospel Principles book and we had the lesson on being honest. It's hard to know what to do, I don't want to beat anyone up but they have to be 100% honest. As I was thinking this day about the lesson I was trying to evaluate myself too. Of course, I fall short. For example if I have an assignment to do something, and I might not have even started it, and you ask me how it's going I am likely to say "great" even if I know I'll be up all night burning the midnight oil. Why do I do that? I could just say, I'm not done yet but don't worry I will be.
Or sometimes I keep silent when the truth is inconvenient. And if you cook some thing for me that I don't like and you ask me, I'll probably lie and say it's good. I won't voluntarily compliment something I don't like but when pressed....maybe. DH says I am a good diplomat, does that mean I am skilled at not saying the absolute stare you in your face truth? Or do we weigh a persons feelings into the equation. That's what I love about tithing. It's black and white, 10% or not. No judgement call.
For the record I consider myself honest and try to be truthful and accurate, I'm just saying there is all this murky grayness...and that I, like everyone else am not perfect (just in case you thought otherwise;) )

We rented and watched two movies this weekend. "Copying Beethoven" and "Deck the Halls". I liked them both.

DH just informed me that there is some question as to our move date now...we had thought it would be next summer but now it might not be until later which would mean he would go ahead and I would stay and finish another school year. We told the kids that it was looking 50/50 ish and much to my surprise they were upset. I don't care. I like it here a lot and would be happy not to move. Moving would be exciting as well. The flippedy floppedyness of it is what drives me nuts.

Which brings back on our minds our anniversary trip dilemma. We've had quite the saga. We have always planned on going on a 10th anniversary trip. Along the way we thought it would be so fun to have some of my sibs come too, and they agreed. Early on we had some misunderstandings about it, which were upsetting and stressful, but we got through that and had planned a Mediterranean Cruise. Then we discovered it was too rich for our blood and we had some debt to pay off before we could entertain that kind of idea (and I was worried about leaving the kids for 10 days even though their grandparents who are SO AWESOME would be staying with them, I know it would have been long and hard for everyone especially with Lou being so little still) So then we switched to something less expensive and maybe shorter...only we never could decide on what. Then we thought we'd be house hunting, which I still don't know that we won't but we might not, so we backed out all together (which caused me great guilt and sadness...but not DH LOL). And now, maybe we won't be moving just yet, and maybe we can fit in a short trip.....dun dun dunnnn. So now what? We talked today about doing a short trip to Cozumel. Will I feel guilty? Will it be fun? I know DH deserves for me to take off my mommy hat and spend some wife time with him and I want to but will they survive? and will my sweet in-laws? and will my sibs be SOOOO mad? and what if the plane gets on schedule and we have to leave them twice?

No wonder I "cheated" today. :( Do over tomorrow!

Off to clean the kitchen.

try outs

"Hannah Montana" hopeful, this morning is the audition for the 3rd grade play. H is hoping to be chosen for the part of the gingerbread man. She's wearing her diva shirt for good luck.


Lucy is excited, today she has her friend Austin over to play. So far it's going great. They've had a picnic, played with star wars guys, gone outside. There's been no crying and no TV. Yeah!
Maybe I need to have him over every day :)














#12 I am grateful for toothpaste. I love to brush my teeth.

survey says:

at what age is a boy old enough for his first pocket knife?


Brother has been begging for one since his friend Blaine has one, it's shot to the top of his wish list and he wants it more each day. But I have always thought 8 was a good age...not 5. What do you think?

Eleven

If you like words and like to see how much you don't know (in my case anyway) go here. And while you play you earn grains of rice for donation through the UN. I never could get up to 40 (embarrassingly enough) but I did donate 100's of grains by playing!

anyway, today I am grateful for second chances. If you are, theoretically, dieting and you don't do well one day, you can try again the next. Or if you aren't as sweet and kind as you think you should be...new day, try again. Each day we have the chance to be the kind of person we want to be. We get to try again. Hopefully we don't waste that but do better and try harder and improve ourselves as we live our lives and see each new day.

Saturday

it's quiet as a mouse in our house this Saturday night. The big girls are at a stake dance and Lucy and brother are tucked into their beds. DH and H are reading in the other room and I, I am shopping on line. I just bought S and J's birthday presents. They both have December birthdays. And I got a few things for Christmas. I have a few (million) to go :) but at least I am starting now.

This morning we had our last soccer game of the season followed by a pizza party at the park. Then S, G and I went to the ward BBQ, J went venturing, DH,E,and H went to karate. Finally we did our grocery shopping. It was a good day. I love our ward and the many good friends we have there.

Number ten

I am grateful that I can drive around the corner to Walmart and buy whatever my family needs, and a lot of stuff we don't need too.

We live in a very blessed nation.

Movies I want to See

Beowulf

Martian Child

Mr Magoriam's Magic Emporium

Bella

Enchanted

PS I love You

The Kite Runner

I am not much of a movie lover and we hardly ever go but right now there are several out or coming out that I would like to see. Odd. I probably will only end up seeing one or two but we'll see.

surprised me

I went to the store to get a few things we needed for tonight and I saw they had new holiday kisses out. So I bought two packages (natch). One is candy cane flavor and one was hot cocoa. I totally expected to like the cocoa one better but, surprise, nope. When you put it in your mouth it's too smooshy. I liked the white chocolate with candy cane better. Who'd have thunk it?

Field Trip

I got to go on a field trip with brother today. I woke up feeling not great but didn't want to miss it. Fortunately whatever is bothering me doesn't seem to be fatal and I was able to go and have fun with him.

We got to ride the bus. A big thrill for the boy who had never ridden in one before. He wrestled with his friends in the seat the whole time.

Then we got to the auditorium and got to hear Stephen Kite and his Magical Education Express. A fun, loud, interactive concert.

Then we rode on the bus again and went to the park for a picnic and playing.

The kids loved the leaves and jumping in the piles.


The equipment got crowded but only one child got hurt and everyone had fun so that was nice.

Tonight is Killer Bunny Tournament and the big rival high school football game. S and J will be going to the game the rest of us to KBT.

nine is fine

today I am grateful for ibuprofen.

dancing

Ted left this morning. He was a very pleasant house guest. We taught him how to play killer bunnies, and had a triple Yahtzee night. He played with the kiddos, made his bed and was charming and fun to talk to.

This morning I had to tract down or choreograph an 1800 century dance because I had 12 girls coming to learn it this afternoon.

I had already tried many libraries, teacher stores, book stores and the Internet. Finally I concluded that I would have to buy the Pride and Prejudice CD, watch the movie and try and simulate the steps.


Not my first choice.

But that's what I did. Fortunately Papa and Grandma had a house showing in the afternoon and they came here right as I was ready to create. We watched together and then Papa and I danced together in the living room ~ for 45 minuteish. At the end I was red in the face, breathing hard and laughing my head off. It was very fun and we came up with a dance that while not authentic is pretty cute and looks like the dancing in the movie (sort of)

The girls came over to practice and we worked hard until the collapsed on the ground in a worn out heap. Then I released them and with new found strength they tore off to the back yard to run and scream and do flips and swing.

It was a lot of fun.

Now I'm in the mood to see the rest of the movie.

#8

gas to make my car go. Because we go go go all the time!

Run the good Race

Last night was Young Women in Excellence. About 6 weeks ago they asked me, in my official capacity as party princess, to help plan and execute it.



I had a very fun time working with the girls and their leaders. We had an "Amazing Race" theme. We decorated like a race and gave the girls racing numbers on their backs. They all made posters to go with their projects and at the end we gave them water bottles with a verse printed on it encouraging them to run a good race (through life) and not give up so they can receive all the blessings Heavenly Father wants them to have.



Everyone dressed in racing wear and at the end we had banana splits! Yummy!



S brought some of her art and J talked about her project learning to cook and brought a lovely cake. It was a fun evening.

Our Theme for the evening:
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. 2 Nephi 31 19-20

our playgroup

When H went to school all of a sudden Lucy found herself home alone with me every day for the first time.
She doesn't love it.

I decided that I need to find some structured fun for her each week. On Tuesdays we now go to Story Time. That's fun and she likes to go to the library.

I also sent out an e-mail a week or so ago to see if anyone would be interested in a mommy and me playgroup. Today was our first meeting. We had a great turn out. We had 9 mommies, 2 grandparents and 15 kids (I think). It was kind of chilly at the park but no one minded and we we ran around and played for about an hour and a half.

This is Lucy and her friend "other Lucy" from church. They both came wearing the same outfit, which was funny. Same name, same outfit, same blond hair!

#7

beautiful music! I just bought this CD and it's very lovely. I heart Josh! I really love uplifting beautiful music, sadly I am not a singer...but I guess someone has to listen :)

going to the library

DH took the day off since he worked all weekend. He had a list of things he wanted to get done so it was pretty much business as usual for Lucy and I. We went to the library for story time, went to the teacher supply store to look for our colonial music CD (since we've already checked 3 libraries ~ no luck) , stopped by Wal-mart for some yummy lasagna ingredients and cake ingredients (J is baking for tomorrow night), took J to the orthodontist, did a couple loads of laundry, watched Dora.

Tonight is karate and I have to prepare my talk for YWIE.

grateful for

# 6 Today I am grateful for warm jackets to put on when the air gets a little nippy.

Last night Ted, who is the brother of our friends Warren & Sheila (who recently left the lone star state to live in Utah~ of all the crazy places) came to stay for a couple days. He is applying to medical schools and doing a crazy tour of places he's interested in and shadowing doctors and having interviews. He called Sunday night to see if he could spend a couple days at the RitzTooManyToCount, and we were happy to have him. (thus the cleaning supply need of yesterday:) ) Anyway, when he arrived we were visiting with him and he was saying how nice the weather was to which we replied well tomorrow will be cold. And he laughed. I guess if you are from Utah anything above 50 this time of year is balmy :)

today I am grateful for

can you guess what's on my agenda for today?

What to do with a few free minutes

I've been using my quiet minutes well. Looking on line for Christmas. The count down is on and although I have finally bought the first present on my list there is still more to go. Christmas is always a big production: between buying gifts, doing cards, going caroling, lights, food, gifts for neighbors and VT families, singing carols, reading a story a day to count down and more. It's fun and I am not complaining but it takes a lot of thought and prep time.

Anyway, E brought a book to conference to read to help him stay reverent (obviously that went really well :) ) He took one of his favorites: NATO FIGHTERS AND AIRCRAFT ATTACK by Bill Gunston and he told me that there were many others in the series and that he wants them all because they are "very valuable and you can learn a lot" . Amazon has a bunch for some good prices (I looked not bought ;)) He also wants Transformers. Easy to find, not too expensive, yeah for one easy breezy shoppee!

MSV and I talk on the phone almost every day. Lately we've been talking about the holidays a lot. She's ahead of me, as usual. But I am prepared to catch up!

Stake Conference

We had stake conference this morning. Now the house is quiet, so quiet that I can hear my microwave working away. Why is it quiet in the middle of a Sunday afternoon you might wonder? Well, the children were "so good" during church today that now each of them gets to take a nap/rest. They were SO GOOD that they didn't even complain when I told them what they had earned. Which means they knew they darn well deserved it and are lucky that's all they earned. We came home and I fixed them lunch (watermelon from Nikko's garden), chicken nuggets and juice. Then washed their hands and faces and put them in their beds. Except for H who has a sleeping bag on the couch. E and H have books to help them pass their 45 minutes in silence.

We got a new Stake Presidency today. Pres. Hadley, who was the counselor is now the president. Pres. Vigil and Pres. Hollinger are the counselors. They will be awesome!! I am glad DH and I went last night and could enjoy the talks and the sit quietly and listen. Today was anything but.
I guess we have more training to do.

I am grateful

for a microwave oven. It makes things so simple in the kitchen. We actually cook in our kitchen, a lot. But even still the microwave is so convenient for making oatmeal in the morning, warming up left overs, popping popcorn, boiling water, cooking veggies. I love it.

Fall Festivities

J is at a Quincenera for two of her friends. DH and I just got home a few minutes ago so I am waiting for 10 more minutes until I go to do pick up duty. I hope she's having fun.

Yesterday was our ward temple day. We went and it was great to see so many friends there. We stopped on the way home at my favorite restaurant, Brio, for their lobster bisque~ yum!

Today DH had to work, he actually has to work all weekend, the plane is doing some kind of freeplay test (whatever that means.)

So that meant I was on my own for soccer, karate (which was skipped), family cleaning hour, and H's school carnival. Papa and Grandma did end up coming to the carnival with us and Grandma worked in the booth instead of me. We had a very fun time and brother made a couple goals at soccer so it was a pretty good day.

Tonight was Stake Conf. DH was home in time and we were able to go together which was nice. The talks were great, as usual. After we went out to Chili's with Rob & Tori and Emmett & Julia.

Now, I've waited long enough and I can go pick her up without shopping up embarrassingly early :)

I am grateful for...

3. those big squishy exercise balls. We don't exercise with them but they are so fun to sit on while on the computer, watching TV, etc. Very comfy.

An Attitude of Gratitude

In honor of Thanksgiving and being grateful I am going to post something small that I am grateful for each day this month. Since today is technically the 2nd I'll do two, to catch up, but starting tomorrow it's one each.
I am not going to do the biggies, which I am SO grateful for, because that's too easy. So family, health, home, Savior, those kinds of things are not what you'll see.
This is a list of the little, some times over looked things that make life sweet and deserve to be recognized.

1. a mattress cover for our bed. Nana sent us one and I put it on the bed and DH and I both noticed, right away, how much softer and nicer the bed felt. Whether it's the bed cover or a mother's love I don't know but in any case it is soft and a delight and I am grateful.

2. cough drops. I've had a cough for awhile and they really help. It's still annoying but I am grateful for the relief.

it starts with one picture and then look what happens..

I am randomly surfing and taking pictures willy nilly. (of course I am only taking photos of my own adorable offspring and their friends so that's legal right ;) )

Here's cute little Dani as incredigirl and her friend Ashley as Batgirl. They are real supers saving the world from bad hair days one head at a time!

May The Force Be With You

My good friend, and favorite neighbor, Nikko, took this picture last night. We were without our camera so I didn't get any pictures of the actual trick or treating. So thanks for sharing!! Is it still sharing if I just copied it? That's how my girls share clothes... we must be sisters:)

excess

This is the big bucket we used to dunk for apples in at our carnival. I had it about half full (200ish pieces of candy) when we headed out the door for Trunk or Treat. We emptied it. There was a big turn out and it was very fun! The kids had a fabulous time running around with their friends and getting candy.
When we got home I put the bucket on the couch and said okay dump so we can put it all up and dole it out in a reasonable manner. So the kids dumped the bags into the bucket and it was full to the top. To the top. Crazy. This is after we had all (including Papa and Grandma) eaten our fill, and Grandma got a little bowl to take home for them, but does not include with S and J have, which was not as much and they will keep in the rooms and eat with friends or while doing homework.

We'll have this hanging around until Easter!