halloween

This will be fast and painless. School is busy. Very busy. I'm counting down the days to Thanksgiving because I really need a break. The car is not repairable so we have been car shopping. I want an SUV and Jade wants an expensive little sporty car. The kids are crazy but aren't they always? I watched a terrifying movie the other night and I am thankful that a devil has never gained possession of my body (yet) so I must be doing something right???

Tell me who are you?

So I got an email the other day asking people to email me back with one word they could use to describe me. I was delighted when I opened my email the next day to discover that 18 people had responded to me. I did feel a little nervous when I first started opening them just waiting for the "truthful" eye opening words, but since I only sent the email to friends, I got the responses that they were forced to say. A few of my favorites: funny (by far the one I heard the most), charitable, thoughtful, busy, sexy, beautiful, and soft. (I hope that doesn't mean that I indulged a little too much this summer) So, I started thinking about the impression that we leave on people. I made a goal a few months ago to work on some areas of my life that needed improvement. I would love to say that I am always the cheerful, wonderful, and caring person that most people see but this is not TV. I am not always the nicest nor perfect person but then again, who really is? Then I got sentimental because I started thinking about some of my stronger qualities and I realized that some of the very qualities about my family that drive me crazy are some of the best qualities that I have inherited. All the good qualities about me that my friends and loved ones see are just glimpses into the personality and qualities of my parents. I by no means think that I am a funny person, despite what my friends say but my mom is by far the funniest person I have ever met. She makes me laugh harder than anyone I know. I get my sense of humor, compassion, determination, and endurance from my mother. From my father I inherited understanding, belief, a habit of picking my cuticles while driving, and the ability to work hard. From both of my parents I was taught charity, sympathy, thoughtfulness, and love. From becoming a parent myself, I have learned the value of appreciation.

The scene of the accident

About a month ago, Jade made the fatal mistake of commenting that we have never been involved in a car accident. So, while out with the boys today, I got rear ended. HARD! I had stopped to make a left hand turn and the guy behind me was on his cell phone so he smashed right into the back of me. We were in Jade's dumpy Hyundai Accent so I was grateful that if I had to get in a wreck that at least it was the "back up" car. I had Connor with me and it makes the accident look very suspicious when he gets out of the car and says, "Mom, do we get a new car now? Because I don't like this car." My back and neck are a little sore but we are fine. The back of the car has some damage and I will take it in tomorrow for some estimates!

Fall

I don't miss Utah on a daily basis anymore but after seeing these pictures of the beautiful mountains covered in Fall foliage.......I find myself VERY homesick! I miss the smell of Provo Canyon in the Fall and the bright color of the leaves. I want to drive in my car to Rock Canyon and climb to the top of the peak and look down at the valley.

What I miss most about Utah is having the ability to drive two sick boys over to Grandma's house and ever so gently open the car door and "deposit" them on Grandma's doorstep.

(I have to give credit to my friend Melody for the first beautiful picture. I took it from her blog)

The perfect wife

I took this from Sara's blog site because it put a smile on my face!! I agree with Sara that with these expectations......THANK GOODNESS FOR PROZAC!!! LOL. I actually could think of a few women that do almost everything on this list. I will be 100% honest and admit that I don't do half of these things.





The Girl in a Whirl
by ‘Dr. Sue’
(a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do
If you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I track my bad habits ‘til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all …

I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s!
And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires!
I fix the sink’s leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard;
It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!

It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It’s easy!” she said …

… and then she dropped dead.

Ashton's wedding October 6, 2007

I love my boys