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My brother took our family pictures this year, and I think he did a pretty darn good job. And he is cheap! for the time being anyway. So if you want some cheap family photos for the holiday, let me know and I will send him your way.

I really, really love this girl, but she is my trial. She tests my patience in every way. Looking at this picture you would never guess that this little angel actually colored all over my bed with permanent magic marker.

These are my favorite boys in the whole wide world! And soooo handsome too! Aren't I lucky.

I wish I could freeze time right here. I want to keep my kids little and sweet just they way they are today. I am so happy and know that I am extremely blessed.

A Fish Tale

I found these pictures on my computer and thought I would share a little story with all of you...



One somewhat sunny Memorial Day, a loving family took a trip to the Great Salt Lake. Yes it was kind of cold, and kind of smelly, but we were having fun playing in the salty sand. The sand cathedral was well under way when some of the older boys found something floating in the shallow water. It was a fish. While this might seem rather normal, a fish in a lake, I will tell you it is not. This lake does not have any fish because this lake is a salty lake, much, much saltier than the ocean. And this was no normal fish either. This was a large, smelly, dead, albeit well preserved, carp! Yuck!

Now these older boys were not really keen on touching their rather foul discovery, so they scooped it up in a bucket to show the rest of the family. When an adult mentioned that two other little boys way out in the water might also have an interest in the disgustingly dead fish, the older boys headed out to show them. Now one of these little boys has no fear of creepy crawlies, slimy slitheries, or dead and smellies and reached right into that bucket and picked up that crappy carp and held it over his head. All of the adults back on the beach were mortified and quickly began to converse on the best way to sanitize said little boy, Suddenly, someone yelled out, "I'll give you 20 buck to lick it!" and before anyone could shout NOOOOOOO! that little boy hefted the dead fish up to his lips and gave it a big old lick!

I am not sure if any of the adults back on the beach managed to keep control their bladder as all thoughts of sanitation flew right out the window.

Thanks Cole for some of the funniest moments of my life!

Its not easy being clean

So today I went out shopping with only one earing on and my zipper undone.

I just wanted to say to all you people who were giving me wierd looks:

At least I showered and had on a shirt that didnt have milk stains on the chest.

So there!

Hello Me

Hello, its been a long time since I could recognize you. And, considering what you have been through, you don't look half bad.

Hello toes!

I haven't seen you in a long while.

And you too belly button!

Its good to see you have returned.

Hello waist!

Although you are not quite the waist from before, I can see you struggling to get back. Hang in there! I am sure we can get you back in shape.

Now who are you two?

Have we met? We Have?! Really? Oh, OK I am starting to see the resemblance. So you have grown a size or three, and you also seem a bit LOWER then I remember. Well its nice to meet you but, do you think the old pair will be coming back any time soon? No?

Too bad.

Sheltered

People often say to us LDS members that we live sheltered lives as if to criticize us. But really, is living a sheltered life such a bad thing? I was reading the news today and not one story was uplifting or happy. I read reports of police breaking up a child pornograpy ring, of an 11 year old Hindu girl marring a 13 year old boy, deadly riots in Thailand, police on trial for supposedly torturing suspects, a 23 year old girl missing after going hiking by herself, innocent people dying in gang fights in Jamaica. And I am left wondering which of these stories of the "real world" are supposed to make me regret my happy and sheltered lifestyle. I grew up in a loving home with both of my parents, we said morning prayers and ate dinner as a family. My parents helped me with my homework and my bothers and sister taught me how to ride a bike. We took family vacations and attended church every Sunday. Although my life certainly was not perfect, as really no ones life is, but it certainly was an idyllic childhood full of happy memories. And in today's world such a life certainly is a rarity. And don't we value those things that are rare and exclusive? Why then am I treated as ignorant and simple minded not not having lived a life of strife and turmoil that is so prevalent across the world. I am truly grateful for my parents and the way I was raised. I am grateful for my religion and the happiness it has brought to all aspects of my life. I am grateful for my sheltered life and am very glad to be able to pass that innocence along to my children.

Simple Prayers

Last night we had family dinner at my Mom's house for my Grandmothers 93rd birthday. My grandmother has Alzheimer's and usually doesn't talk much but to mumble a few words that never make sense. But last night she was in a good mood. In the last 3 years I have not seen her that happy, and it was contagious. We were all laughing with the silly things she said. And she would laugh because we were laughing. As is the tradition in our family, whose ever birthday it is says the dinner prayer. Not knowing if she actually could say the prayer or not my dad let her give it a try. She started out, "Our Father in Heaven, Thank you for the birthday of Oliver (my little nephew who was born just 2 months ago. Really it was amazing that she remembered his name!) and then she proceeded to sing "Happy Birthday to you." It was a great prayer. I love simple prayers. The prayers that have just a few words but mean so much. I remember my brother-in-laws prayer for his little baby girl when she was very ill, shortly after his conversion to the church. All he said was, "Heavenly Father, bless Isabelle to get better. Amen" But is was said with so much conviction and knowing that prayers can be answered that there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Lately I have been saying my own simple prayer almost every night: "Heavenly Father please keep our house from flooding." It my seem silly but with everything else going on right now I can not handle another thing. I know Heavenly Father listens to even these simple prayers as he does to any of the most eloquent prayers. I know he listens to my prayers and has on more occasions then I can count answered those prayers. Indeed, yesterday we did have a happy birthday as prayed for by my grandmother, and Isabelle did bet better, and so far my house still has not flooded. I am thankful for simple prayers

I just bought this...

I'm not even going to tell you how much it cost. But darn it! I am worth it. You just have to splurge every once in a while. Besides it is just my reward for all the hard work I'm doing creating a whole other human being.

So happy mothers day to me.
Cant wait until it gets here...

Major Awards & Mute

My Father once gave my Mother a Major Award. It was a warped twisted melted pot attached to a gold plaque. My Mother had melted said pot on the kitchen stove. What had once been a very nice pressure cooker had been turned to a puddle of molten aluminum due to the lack of one essential ingredient...Water. Yesterday I should have earned my own Major Award. I am the proud owner of what once was my most favorite cooking device, an electric multi cooker, but is now a pot full of black foul smelling sludge and a whole lot of carbon. My beloved multi cooker has been tortured beyond the point of repair and was unceremoniously laid to rest in the garbage can last night. It will be missed.
In other news, I had a revelation yesterday. One of those "AH HA!" Moments when suddenly everything seems to make sense.

I am MUTE.

I must be. I must only THINK that I am talking when actually NOTHING is coming out of my mouth. That is the only explanation as to why my lovely children and dear sweet husband would IGNORE me so completely. I have taken to caring a pad an paper around with me so that I can write down those very important things that I need to tell them. Now I just need to teach my 3 year old how to read.

Is It Too Much to Ask...

that once you finish eating, you put your dirty dishes in the sink? Not next to the sink (ahem!) but actually in it? I am not asking for anyone to even consider rinsing their dishes and put them in the dishwasher, Oh no, because that is just going way to far I know. I am not even asking that you rinse out the bits of cereal or chili leftovers that will eventually harden like cement to the sides of the bowl and take me 10 minutes to scrape off. No all I want is that the dirty dishes just find their way somehow to the sink.

But by the looks of my kitchen table (and coffe table downstairs I am sure) full of this mornings ceareal bowls, spoons caked with yesterdays yougurt, todays luch plates, and various cup filled with various liquids, I guess it is too much to ask.

I give up.

Not easy being 30

I hate being an adult. All the stress and the responsibility gets to be too much sometimes. Not sure I would really ever want to go back to being a teenager again, but I was thinking today that 3 might be a good age. I look at my daughter and she get to run around all day in various states of undress and still look cute, she gets to play and make messes and someone else cleans them up, when ever anything does not go her way she gets to scream and holler, whine and whimper to her hearts content. Today I want to scream and whine about everything that is not going my way. I don't want to clean up any of the messes I made and... I WANT A NAP! Three year old get a nap whenever they want one. Yes, today I want to be 3 years old. Maybe I will grow up tomorrow. Then again, maybe not.

No Modesty

My children have no modesty. At least not in utero anyway. With every ultrasound I've had to determine the sex, my babies have proudly displayed their gender. Never have we had any question as to what we were having. Even the doctor commented last night on our new little baby BOY's lack of modesty. Thats right! we are having another BOY. To tell you honestly, I was a bit disappointed. But the truth is I know I would be disappointed if we were having girl instead. With already having one of each, there are so many qualities about each one that I just love so much that it is a little bit sad not to get to reapeat that. But I am happy, eveything seems to be going just fine, and thats what matters right.
So in unrelated news, I was at my mothers the other day when the doorbell rang. As my mom was on the phone, I answered it. A salesman, probably in his mid 30's, introduced himself and then asked me if my mom or dad was home. WHAT?! My mom or dad? Here I am 30 years old and pregnant and he is aking for my mom or dad! Now I am not sure if I am supposed to be flattered here or offended (I am leaning towards offended). Either I look so young that I am not old enough to be the owner of the home or I look old enough but incapable of being the owner of the home. Either way I was non too happy about the conversation. Maybe I should have asked to meet his grandson and see how he felt.

Oh Yes I Did!

Help!

I just ate a whole can of Pringles all by myself! Quick, someone come up with a good rationalization as to why its ok before the calories actually count!

Illegal Drugs

All I can say is thank heaven for drugs!

As most of you intelligent people have deduced, I went and got myself knocked up.

The kids spending the night at Grandmas and an empty box of condoms does not a good combination make.

Well today things were quite bad and I ended up with an IV in my arm. Evidently I was dehydrated and my blood pressure was so low that I frightened the poor nurse half to death. But, all is well now. They slipped some Zofran into my IV and for the first time in 3 1/2 weeks I have been vertical for almost 2 full hours! My Dr. had given me a prescription for the stuff, but with our crappy insurance we would have to pay the whole cost, somewhere around $200 a bottle! Thats outrageous! My wonderful sister had two refills left on her prescription (she is 7 months pregnant) which only cost her $10. So... a little bit of criminal activity, some drugs, and my life is looking up.

Last Requests

As I lie here in my bed, deathly ill and unable to get up without throwing up, all I can think about is food. Here is my wish list:

Pot stickers and lettuce wraps from Asian Star
"Playboy" roll from Akasaka Sushi
Turkey sandwich from House of Bread or Club Sandwich from Groves Market-its a tie, they are both soooo good
Burrito bowl from Barbacoa-extra sour cream!
Thick cut french fries with lots of fry sauce not sure from where but, seriously I could drink that stuff!
Churros from Costco
tirramisu (no clue how to spell that one)-from Olive Garden

I think by the time I finished all that I could just die. But doesnt it all sound so YUMMY. So wipe the drool off your chin and let me know your favorite foods from your favorite places.

It's Not Easy

This is my new favorite picture.

I read an article today written by Susan Klebold, the mother of Dylan Kleabold, one of the gunmen from the Columbine shooting. She talked about that day and how she felt, the fear, the guilt, the humiliation. She said that she didnt see it coming, that there were few warnings and that despite public opinion, she was a good mother. Following this article there were many comments, most offering sympathy, but several criticizing her for not accepting blame and for not recognizing, passing over, or allowing someone else to handle the few warning signs that were present. But what I feel is that she is a mother just like the rest of us, which means she was most often too busy, a little crazy, and blinded by the love she had for her child. Mothers are expected to be perfect these days. We are supposed to know when to push, and when to step aside. We are supposed to be calm and collected despite a raging temper tantrum. We are supposed to know when something is wrong, exactally what it is and just how to fix it. But the truth is a "Mother's Intuition" only goes so far. These are little humans we are raising, not robots. They are unique and have their own unique problems and personalilies. And mothers are human too. Which means we make mistakes. Sometimes we push too hard that our children push away. Sometimes we yell and scream and pitch our own little temper tantrum. And sometimes we never knew anything was wrong, or have no idea how to fix the pain. Susan Kleblod has lived a mothers nighmare. Despite her best efforts the child she loved so desperately, committed an unspeakable act. Not only did she lose her child, but her precious little boy was responsible for taking the lives of so many other mother's children. Did Susan make mistkes? Of course. But haven't we all?
My worst fear as a mother right now is my children growing up. Cole is only 5 years old and I already feel that I dont know him as well as I used to. He is maturing and carving out his own personality, his own likes and dislikes. He is changing from the baby that I knew in and out into a boy that doesnt want his mommy to hold him anymore when he fall and skins his knee. And it terrifies me. I am not always going to be there to help him in life to make the right choices. He is going to learn thing that I have not taught him nor do I approve of. And all I can do is hope and pray that the things I have taught him will stick, that he will remember them at the crutial moment and that he will feel my love and God's love wheather or not he makes the right choice.

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

I just booked a flight to Switzerland! Chad and I will be heading off to Geneva in September. Chad has to go there for work purposes, but I get to go just to relax and play. I am pretty nervous seeing as it is a foreign country and all but I am sure I can manage it! What I am not looking forward to is the 17 hour flight it takes to get there.

So I am all ready, flight is booked, passport is in the mail, now September just needs to hurry and get here!

Summer Fun

Yesterday was so hot we just had to find a fun way to cool off. Mix one hose and a trampoline, add water, and you've got a recipie for summer fun!

Blessings

Have you ever wondered why God blesses you so much?

Sure we are always quick to complain when he sends a few rainy days our way, but do we ever say

'Hey God, can you ease up on the blessings?'

Of course not.

Life in our house has been kinda bumpy lately. You may or may not know that Chad lost his job in April.

Talk about a downpour!

But I never would have expected the amount of kindness and support that ended up flooding our lives. My family was amazing. The moment I told my dad of our unexpected unemployment, he responded with 'what do you need and how can we help.' And the blessings didnt just come from my parents, my brother and sister and even my grandma offered our family financial aid and talked to several neighbors and friends they though might help in the job search.

As it turns our we experienced just a short bump in our track as Chad has found himself a great job much closer to home and with better benefits!

And although I cried a lot and questioned a lot and did a bit of complaining too, I see now that

God is always in control.

He may give us trials from time to time but if we hold close to his Gospel we will find that he is there to bless us in abundance even the midst of those trials.

So tonight I was cuddled up on the couch with my two beautiful children and my strong, faithful, amazing husband thinking

'Thanks God for all the blessing. I am not sure what I ever did to deserve so many.'

Happy Days

We had a very busy week last week. Cole turned 5 on April 1st (April Fools!) and he had his first "friends" party. It was a blast. We made pirate eye patches and necklaces and had a treasure hunt.

Then on Sunday we had the family party.

It wasnt even three weeks ago that we got our first pet and now we have two! Cole got a little frog from his cousin Max. He named it Spotty Buzz Lightyear.

I cannot believe my baby boy is 5 already!

Chad just got his CPA license in the mail yesterday. It's official! So tomorrow night we are going out to celebrate. We are going to Log Haven up millcreek canyon and having the kids spend the night at Grandma and Grandpas.

So here is the list of naughty things Lillian did today:

got sandpaper out of the closet and sanded my walls

ruined two brand new deoderants

dumped the entire bag of chips all over the kitchen floor

got into the kitty litter and made a mess all over the basement

lost my keys (i found them in the tuperware cupboard)

Just another normal day!

Cats!

This is the new addition to our family

EVA

I finally broke down and bought a pet. Cole found a worm the other day and wanted to keep it as a pet. I figure when your child is falling in love with worms it's time to get a real pet. So last Saturday I adopted Eva from the Humane Society. We are all still adjusting. Eva can tolerate Cole, but bolts from the room if she even catches a glimpse of Lily. Chad wasn't too pleased about getting a cat, but so far I think things are going OK--the leather couches are still intact.

(I'll let you know when that changes)