Happy Halloween!!! and Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Man, I just love Halloween! Here are some pics of us dressed up.
Some great pics of my mom for her birthday.
We went to visit my grandma (my dad's mom) and we just had a great time!

This is 3 dressed up for her preschool class on Wednesday--she had a good "kitty" breakfast

Quote of the day:
OK, so we took 3 to a house to trick-or-treat that was dark with red and purple lights, creepy sounds and music and the guy handing out candy was in a really creepy monster mask. 3 kept looking at him, hesitantly, but studying him very carefully. He handed her candy she shyly took it. We left and when we were a safe distance away, 3 said, "Thank you, Satan. By Satan!" Ha! Ha! That was the quote of the night.

The experience of the night:
I was a pirate tonight for Halloween and I had borrowed a really cool costume from my mom. The pants must have been a one size fits all kind of thing and I had to keep making sure they were staying up. Well, we were at one house getting candy and 3 decided quickly rip across the street, of course I ran after her. It was only as I was half way across the street that I realized my pants had fallen almost to my knees!!!! Ya, and there were a lot of people out there--Jane if you saw this and didn't tell me--you are in so much trouble. Anyway, it is a little tough to pull up your pants while still running after a wirey 3-year-old. Ya, memorable huh! (smile)

My best feature...

Just kidding.



These are the pictures Mary's mom took of us when I met up with her. I was laughing so hard.. I had mentioned this on the previous blog. She kept dropping the camera down right as it would flash--too funny. So, in one I am laughing my head off and look especially chubby and in the other.. well... pppfffth...it's just the right angle wouldn't you say!!!

Thanks Mary, for the great toffee by the way and the peanut butter bars. They were a hit with the kids at home!!! It was really good to see you again.

Time

Ok, so this post is about time. Different kinds of time.

First: Old times
So I got to see one of my high school friends that I haven't seen in 5 years or something like that. It was so good to see her. She, Mary, hasn't changed a bit, other than we are older, wiser and have families. Time has been good to her. She looks great and seems to be doing well. I got to see her sister and parents too. I had to laugh though, because her she asked her mom to take a picture of us and she just couldn't seem to get it right, but the best was when she would start to drop the camera right as the flash would go off--hopefully Mary will post her pics so you can all get a good laugh.

My friend Susan and I still stay in touch. We grew up together. We had the best times playing adventure, Indiana Jones, really anything imaginative.

It is fun to look back at how we were in High School and how we thought we knew everything and that we had done all the important things already... What fun times. Here are some pics I dug up of us. Those of you who graduated with me will enjoy this...



























Mr. Keck with the councils that went the State Wide Council convention -- too good!


Second: Family time
So, I feel that there is never enough time to do all the things that I need to do with my kids. They all have individual needs and I often feel I can't meet them all. Especially when 2 children have Fragile X, another has ADHD and another is, well, a teenager. Need I say more? Anyway, I beat myself up about that. I shouldn't but, what mom doesn't. Then, I worry so much about time with my kids that my poor husband sometimes becomes neglected. I need more time.



Third: Lost time
I wish I could have gone on another mountain ride before Puzzle was gone. She was so fun to run in the meadows--she lived to ride.



I often remember when my grandpa died and how I regretted not spending enough time with him. And now I have 2 grandmas and a grandpa still here and I continue lose time that I should be spending with them. Do they know I love them? I really need to visit them before it is too late and have regrets like I did with my grandpa.


Fourth: No time
I need time. There is no time for everything. I have to prioritize and get everything in order so that I am back to having time.



Fifth: Tough times
I won't get into those. We all have them, we don't need to get all depressed by adding to our lists. Right?

Sixth: The Lord's Time
So we are constantly taught that it will all work out in the Lord's time. Boy, you know, sometimes that is a hard one. Through trials and tribulation... it's just hard to be patient with that kind of time. Life has thrown us some big curves over here, as with any of you reading this.

Seventh: Me time
So, during all this I really want to find time for me. I really need to have the time to put together my family videos, which I love to do--it's a new hobby. Clean off my desk. Organize myself and my house to where I want it to be. And just go out with the girls--you know, be goofy, have fun, feel younger for a bit.



And last: Good Times
Life is good. It is so fun. Last Saturday, I just had a blast with my family at my mom's. We are all so hyper when we get together and it makes me laugh till I hurt. I am so lucky to have a family that we all get along and really enjoy being with each other.

My kids are amazing. They make such good choices (most of the time), they are Christlike examples and they add to my joy.

I have such a great husband who I really love, he is truly my one an only, I would never want to be without him.

Man, I just love my life! I really do. It stinks sometimes, but it's OK, because I have so many people around me that I can rely on and pull me through the tough times

8 Things... Tag

8 TV shows I like to watch
(OK, I have to put a disclaimer here: We don't have TV reception so we watch movies, so the shows I like I have to watch at my in-laws or re-runs online. So here it goes)
1. American Idol (Oh, ya, can't miss it, scroll below and to the left 3 of the 5 videos I have posted are American Idol winners or runners up.)
2. Burn Notice
3. Gilligan's Island (remember that one--tee hee)
4. The Andy Griffith's Show
5. Beverly Hillbillies
6. What Not to Wear (can someone film me so that I can get on that show? Man that would be fun!)
7. ...OK, this is getting hard what other re-runs do I watch... umm oh, pretty much any show on HGTV
8. When I was younger and living at home my favorite show was Quantum Leap

8 Things that happened yesterday
1. Got kids ready for school
2. Went to work
3. Went to the doctor
4. Saw a highschool friend I haven't seen in 5 years
5. Did homework with 8
6. Sent my kids to their Twist and Shout (dancing singing) class
7. Went to my Twist and Shout class
8. Excercised while watching the LDS version of Pride and Prejudice with a friend

8 Favorite places to eat
1. Olive Garden
2. Pizza Factory
3. Tsing Tao
4. Mi Rancherito
5. Ruby River
6. Panda Express
7. My mom's
8. home

8 Things I am looking forward to
1. Halloween
2. Double date with a friend and an old high school friend, hopefully this weekend
3. My mom's birthday (on Halloween)
4. Thanksgiving here at my house with both sides of the family
5. My fence getting done
6. Christmas
7. 8's 9th birthday
8. Having time to finish all my family videos

8 Things on my wish list
1. I wish I could lose 35 pounds before I go crazy with excercise
2. I wish that my hair would grow faster
3. I wish I knew how to raise kids better!
4. I wish that we could buy another horse
5. I wish that I had more time
6. I wish that more people knew what Fragile X Syndrome is
7. I wish that 8 wouldn't get made fun of at school
8. I wish that my kids could meet Zac Efron!

I am adding a new one since my TV ones were not so fun
8 favorite movies
1. Stardust
2. Ella Enchanted
3. Pride and Prejudice, a latter day tale
4. Harry Potter 1 - ....
5. James Bond, Casino Royale
6. Forever Strong
7. Ever After
8. Pure Luck

8 people I tag
1. Jessie
2. Tynelle
3. Chelsea
4. Rochelle
5. Julianne
6. Shauna
7. Tacia
8. Charise

Puzzles Last Stand..

My horse, Puzzled Look (Puzzle for short), died last night. It was a sudden thing this weekend. Marc and I were up with her all night Saturday night and we thought she was doing better Sunday but then she quickly took a turn for the worse. The vet said there was nothing we could do to fix it and nothing we could have done to prevent it. She died from what is called a "twisted gut" or "collic." This is the #1 killer of horses. It was sad and I cried pretty hard for a while. And I still get teary eyed thinking about my kids missing her. It is tough because this is the second horse we have lost this year. I put together a slide show of a few moments from the last 5 years. It is strange that we get so attached to animals but Puzzle was such a great horse. She loved going for rides and actually got excited when the trailer pulled up. She was so good to let the kids ride her anytime and took good care of them while they were on. And thank you to all the friends and neighbors who helped us out this weekend with all that we needed to do.

I hope they call Bryan on a mission to...

Here it is for all of you who have been waiting!!!
You have to watch to find out where he is going.

I always wanted to marry a cowboy! Mmm Hmm!

Family Pics

So we and some friends decided to go do our own family pics. We took turns with the camera. Our friends did better than I did, and I feel so bad. But, to my defense, my young ones were stressing me a bit so I don't think I was focusing on them enough. But, here is a sample (because I don't know if they want me to post many of their fam--since it's my blog) of what I did and a bunch what W did. Thanks guys!

I am also posting a slideshow of 3 and how well she cooperated.

Side note: I still want to do some photoshop work on ours--I'll try to post the finished products when I do.

Just Being Kids

Marc was off work today and was doing some yard work. 3 really wanted to help out!

His dad stopped by while we were outside.
He always likes to say "hi" to our friendly horses.

I babysat my sister's three kids today while the went to see "Forever Strong." They are so cute. Her little girl and 3 were having peaches out on the porch in the sunshine and 3 was giving her pushes on the swing.










































12 wasn't enjoying doing his homework but, 8 was so proud of his 2x tables. He really does so well on them. And he also did his math homework today almost all by himself.

Here are her two boys enjoying a snack... like the big bowl? It adds to the effect.

A little clarification...

OK, so in case anyone is confused and wondering if I am letting 16 date an older guy. Let me 'splain.

OK, so when I say graduated high school early, it is true--he graduated last year and is only 17 years old. So, when I say he is a genius, I really mean it. He is very musically talented and a great kid. So from now on, so that no one thinks he is 26 or something I will call him "BYU17," just to clarify. I didn't want anyone out there to think I was a bad mom, letting my 16 date someone too old! He is a sweet guy and very close to her age.

Building America, Bus, and random thoughts

OK, so I haven't really "written" for my blog for a long time. I have just been posting. So, after a little traveling to work in-house for one of my clients I had time to ponder. Why, did I have time to ponder? you ask. Well, when you are on a two lane freeway and one side is closed for construction you usually are only able to go between 1 and 5 miles per hour until everyone is able to figure out how to merge! Anyway, so while going 3 miles per hour I had time to look more closely at the standing train cars there are along this stretch of interstate. These cars seem now to be a permanent arrangement. Anyway, I had a chance to really look at the graffiti on the cars. Now, some of it is terrible and very poorly painted, but then there are many that are intricate, well-planned, color-coordinated, art pieces of our time. Then, it was interesting, as I looked at each and every Union Pacific railway car (and there were many, and yes, I had that much time) I had to chuckle to myself because next to their logo it says "Building America." Now I found that ironic as below it is tainted with the insignia of so many gangs that are tearing down America. Which if you really think about it, is very sad. Obviously some of these people have real talent, I mean REAL talent. Some of this stuff is truly art, in every sense of the word. But, where we are falling apart in "Building America" is in our families, our homes. These kids are in gangs because it is their "family." How sad. Because they don't feel that their family is strong they go to other "family" situations to feel loved, protected and respected. Instead of their art talents being nurtured at home and eventually taking them to college on art scholarships and then making beautiful artwork that may inspire, lift, or calm the human race they are instead expressing themselves all over public property that they will never own or even hope to own because they will be in jail, on drugs, running from the law or dead. Building America is Building Families. It is only then, that we can save America. We have to teach our youth, reach out to them. Yes, that is what I thought on my drive...

On another note: I have to laugh so hard because 3 loves her bus ride! All week long she puts on her backpack and waits for the bus. Yes, you are right--she is supposed to that, but only on Monday through Friday at the times the bus comes to our house morning and afternoon. But, she puts her backpack on in the mornings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and whenever we go to anyones house or to the store, "backpack, backpack... bus" she says every time. I really need to get a video of it. I'll try to get one today, she will put her backpack on about an hour after school because she wants the bus to come again. Oh, too cute!

So, life is just crazy. I am overwhelmed with everything. Let's just leave it at everything. I feel a lot of responsibility to get the word out about Fragile X Syndrome, yet, at the same time I know that my hugest task is in working with my own kids. Bless their hearts. I love them.

Halloween Party Time!!!

I love my mom's family Halloween Party. We always have it at my mom's house but, this year was a little too cold so we had it at the church. It wasn't the same--but, still fun. Here are some pics of some costumes that were just too fun!


3 dressed as Snow White and Marc! Ha! Man that is funny!

Here is 16 and 8 with cousin's. 16 is a punker and 8, well, he is wearing his cape. He said he is an evil vampire.

Here's Marc trying to entertain my cousin and her husband.

Oh, aren't they cute. We had it at the church so they didn't wear their masks but they are Spiderman, The Blue Power Ranger, and a Fairy.

Girl?? NO, it's my uncle, Slade.

Big eyed blue man group? (My brother Aaron and my cousin Travis)

My brother Aaron and his new wife, Chelsea.
(This is one of those pictures you look at and think,
"How did he get a girl like her?" Tee Hee Hee!!!)

Aleesa's family. What a mix!

My mom, is just plain hilarious!

Here we are on the famous wagon ride.
This time it was in the church parking lot.
It was fun! Thanks, Dad!


Boy, this was a lot of fun!!! Thanks everyone for dressing up so well!