When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!

Who ever came up with that idea? Life has been lemons around here and I made lemonade and look what I get! (smile)

OK, so after 8 spilled a half gallon of lemonade on the floor tonight I had realized I have not blogged about life here at home for a while.

Ya, I know, half a gallon of lemonade--sticky, liquidy all over the floor, chair, table and his backpack. Why did it get on his backpack? Because his backpack was on the table. Why was his backpack on the table at 8:30 pm even though his homework was all done and I had told him to put it away? I don't know. Maybe if I missed a spot the mice will get the rest of it.

Yes, we have mice or a mouse, not sure if they are multiplying or if it is just one really fast, very smart mouse. My aunt was at my house the other day when I kept seeing one. I laugh at myself because what do I do when I see a mouse? I jump up onto a chair and squeal. What good does that do me? I mean really... the mouse has already run past me, is it going to deliberately run back out across my feet after it has already found a safe place behind my refrigerator? Well, yes, possibly. That is why I walk across the kitchen floor to get a broom on my tippy toes, so that in case it comes back out, it at least won't nip at my heals. I get the broom and then realize, "wait" I have no protection in case the mouse does come out to get me, I must put on my tennis shoes. I mean, at least that way, if it runs across my feet as I am chasing it down I won't feel it on my toes. I wait by the fridge with my broom with my aunt laughing at me and no mouse. Coward!

And 2, oh wow. She is too funny. In family home evening a bit ago we taught her, again, who Jesus Christ is. Now that she is talking more she of course repeated the name. And being the sweet little Fragile X Girl that she is, begins to perseverate (constantly repeat and won't move on) about his name. She is obsessed with my Nursery Manual with the pictures of Christ and over and over again she will point to each picture, look up at me with big blue eyes, and say "Jeeesus Cwiste" and I have to say "yes" (or "no" depending on if it is just a painting of a guy in a beard) for at least 20 - 30 minutes at a time. Cute? yes. Precious? yes. Annoying? Sorry, hate to admit it, but when I am concentrating on dinner, homework, or design work, it can get a little tiring as she screams it at the top of her lungs because I haven't responded to every point.

Her new thing, the last month, is to ask where everyone is by name--family, friends, Jesus. Where's daddy? He's at work honey. (then she will ask this several more times) Where's 8? 12? 16? They are at school. Then her joke--because she is asking me, Where's mommy? I'm right here and she giggles. I love that she loves to be funny. She is a crack up. Lately, I don't know why, really, she has a shoe feddish--OK, not really, I just wanted to make it sound normal. She likes to put a diaper on each foot like shoes and then she walks around with them on. I have no idea how this concept was introduced to her.

8 is so into music, as always, but he has discovered a new way to listen to his music. He will play his CD in his player and then turn on his Kareoke machine and put the microphones up to the player's speakers and crank it up! I never thought I would yell at an 8-year-old to "turn it down!!"

12 and 16 are throwing me for a loop because they are growing up too fast--anyone take a class on teenage girls and almost teenage boys that I missed?? Thirty-one and overwhelmed with trying to grow up enough to take care of teenagers! Calgon, take me away!

Life is crazy, but, so am I so I guess we are a good fit!

Dating

OK, so, dating my husband is so much fun. And then when you get to double with great friends it just makes it better!!! We all stopped to take pictures during a our 4-wheeler ride. I set my two friends up to double with us. As you can tell in one of these pictures, we had some good laughs!!!! Thanks guys! I hope this fun continues!

The video is me with my friend (because Marc isn't as comfortable on a 4-wheeler as he is on a horse) riding into a big sink hole--I was a little scared--in case you can't tell from the scream!

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.