Slow-Dancing

We just came in from a cold day in the snow! The kids had a blast outside. 30 minutes is plenty of time in 27 degrees weather. Mykelle, Taylor, and Trey sitting at the table drinking hot cocoa and cutting out hearts to decorate the kitchen with..Listening to Mindy's wedding Cd (which is such a good Country mix BTW) Trey wants me to hold him so I take him to the living room and begin slow dancing with him (Which he loves) Today for some reason, I am flooded with happiness, the kind the makes you tear up. I think as I hold Trey's little hand, how much he has grown up, and that I don't want him to grow up so fast. He has the cutest personality, and always makes everyone laugh! He is so cuddly, so he laid on my shoulder the whole time while I slow danced with him to "Good Morning Beautiful" He danced with me for the whole song while I thought about how today was such a good day although I'm really tired and kind of lazy. He looks up at me when the song is over and gives me that smile that just melts everyones heart. Yep, today is a GREAT day!

He has always had the best smile! I miss when he was this small!

If Seth were home...

They would be in BIG trouble! He hates when they take the cushions off the couch! They were having a BLAST!

Noomer

is her nickname! I don't know how it came about, but thats what we call her! She is a good sister! Sometimes she is a brat and can have an attitude. Most of the time,she is so much fun and I love her to death!

Respect

Quote of the Day: "The sooner you treat your son as a man, the sooner he will be one."
— John Dryden, English dramatist (1631-1700)

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE!


Hal's Take: Earl Woods, Tiger Woods’ beloved dad, said repeatedly that the parent-child relationship is one built on respect. Most parents readily agree with that sentiment thinking primarily how kids need to respect their parents. But Mr. Woods didn’t mean it that way at all. He believed that it is our job as parents to earn the respect of our kids by how well we recognize them as individuals, as separate persons in their own right. Individuals with not only a mind of their own, but a life of their own. Given the success of his son, as both an athlete and a man, I’d say Earl Woods was on to something.

Hal Runkel, LMFT, author of ScreamFree Parenting:Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool.

Cookie Dough

So I don't LOVE cookie dough, but when I made these MOST DELICIOUS chocolate chip cookies, I tasted the dough, and it was delish! I could have eaten the whole bowl. But, since I'm trying to eat healthy and all, I only ate half the bowl. :)

Forget the cookies, eat the....

COOKIE DOUGH

1 C. Butter
1 C. Sugar
1 C. Brown Sugar
Cream Together
Add:
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 C. Flour
2 1/2 C. Blended oatmeal (blend it til it looks like flour)
1/2 t. salt (don't add if you use salted butter)
1 t. Baking Powder
1 t. Baking Soda
12 oz bag of Milk Chocolate chips (sometimes I will add more because I like lots of chocolate chips)
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes

Splendid

Splendid Image

So far the New year has been SPLENDID!

Synonyms- splendid , resplendent , gorgeous , glorious , sublime , superb ;meaning extraordinarily or transcendently impressive.

I have finished two books this month! Well, I read the rest of Secret Life of Bees, and I read a book called Irresistible. ( A total romance novel) I loved every minute of it. I am now finishing Putting on the armour of god, and then The voice of Knowledge. I start to many books at once. I just can't wait to dive into them!

Eating Healthy is going pretty good! I still have a few snacks here and there and don't really care. I like eating for PLEASURE dangit! I have leaned out alot, and like those results alot :)

Seth and I bought 2 journals this last weekend. One for Mykelle, and one for Trey. We BOTH wrote in them on Sunday, as well as my mom! I'm way excited that we will be doing this! Candice broke in the red plate as we celebrated her birthday on Sunday. We enjoyed disaster cake that evening as well! It was good! Dave of course made fun of my red plate all night! He won't be using it on his birthday. He's what you would call a DEBBIE DOWNER. hehe I continue to leave notes and Thank yous for Seth around the house. Sometimes I like to take them away when he is being a brat. But, I always give them back. Eventually.

We are still trying to get out of debt. Sigh...

We went to the Draper Temple on Tuesday with the kids. Including my adopted daughters Taylor and Bripie. It was Phenomenal . The chandeliers are breath taking! It made me so excited to get back there soon. The most Splendid thing of all is that Seth said he can't wait either. Speechless!

Parenting Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day: "No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids. Their behavior is always normal."
— Bill Cosby, U.S. comedian (1937- )


Hal's Take: Referees have thankless jobs. Think about it: someone is always upset with them. If you find yourself at the center of sibling controversy, parenting can sometimes feel the same way. Be assured, though, there is no need to wear the stripes and blow the whistle. When we step in and try to make sure everyone plays fair and equality prevails, we are usually the losers. Have you ever really listened to yourself when you jump into a heated exchange with your kids? You end up tangled in their twisted, childish logic worse than they do – and you’re supposed to be the adult! Instead, allow them the space to work things out amongst themselves and model calm for them. Ultimately, the skills they’ll develop in doing this are far more important than who got to sit in the front seat yesterday. They’ll learn more about themselves and others in the process and you just might be surprised by their creativity and compassion.

Hal Runkel, LMFT, author of ScreamFree Parenting:Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool.

I REALLY NEED TO DO THIS MORE! MY KIDS REALLY CAN WORK THINGS OUT ON THERE OWN MOST OF THE TIME!

Martin Luther King Jr.

These are a few of my favorite quotes by him. What a GREAT man.

If it weren't for him, Seth and I would not be allowed to be together. My whole world would be different!

THANK YOU MLK!

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

The time is always right to do what is right.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

-Martin Luther King Jr.

My Favorite part of his speech...

When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

PuRe JoY

JOY
–noun
1.the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation: She felt the joy of seeing her son's success.

2.a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated: Her prose style is a pure joy.

3.the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety.

4.a state of happiness or felicity.–verb (used without object)

5.to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.–verb (used with object)

6.Obsolete. to gladden

They make my heart overflow with happiness and JOY...Oh how I love them!

"Healthy" Snacks

These are my new favorite things to eat! Mangos really curb my "Junk Food" cravings, and Raw almonds are so good! I can't stop eating them once I start. I always knew that even though they are high in fat and calories they were still very nutritious. I didn't know they were high in fiber though, which helps with satiety.(Keeping you full longer)

1. Mangoes contain phenols, this phenolic compound have powerful antioxidant and anticancer abilities.

2. Mango is high in iron, pregnant women and people with anemia are advised to eat this fruit regularly.

3. Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.

4. It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion.

5. Mango is high in antioxidant and low in carbohydrates.

6. Mango is a rich source of vitamin A(beta-carotene), E and Selenium which help to protect against heart disease and other ailments.

Dietary fiber-Although almonds are high in calories, they are exceptionally high in nutrition. They are a rich source of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, high in protein, potassium, magnesium and calcium, a good source of Vitamin E and Niacin, and an excellent source of fiber.

Weight loss-There is some concern of weight gain from consumption of the fat content in almonds. A study of twenty women was conducted which demonstrated that ten weeks of daily almond consumption did not affect weight. In another 24-week trial, it was concluded that a low calorie diet supplemented with almonds was effective in a greater and more sustained loss of weight.

An American Crime

Based on a true story that shocked the nation in 1965, the film recounts one of the most shocking crimes ever committed against a single victim. Sylvia and Jennie Fae Likens, the two daughters of traveling carnival workers are left for an extended stay at the Indianapolis (3850 E. New York St. is hardly suburban, nor was it in 1965, by any stretch of the imagination.) home of single mother Gertrude Baniszewski and her six children. Times are tough, and Gertrude's financial needs cause her to make this arrangement before realizing how the burden will push her unstable nature to a breaking point. What transpires in the next three months is both riveting and horrific, leaving one child dead and the rest scarred for life. Written by alfiehitchie
In 1965, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the teenager Sylvia and her fragile sister Jennie Faye Likens befriend the children of the single mother Gertrude Baniszewski in the church. Their parents Lester and Betty Likens offer twenty dollars per week to the dysfunctional and needy Gertrude to lodge and take care of their daughters while they work in a traveling Carnival. When Gertrude's daughter Paula tells in confidence to Sylvia that she is made pregnant by a married man called Bradley, Sylvia defends Paula against her lover disclosing the secret and their neighbor Ricky Hobbs overhears the argument. Sooner the rumor spreads in the high-school and neighborhood of Paula, who tells her mother that Sylvia is gossiping against her. The sadistic and evil Gertrude decides to punish Sylvia in her descent to hell. Written by Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I haven't felt this heartbroken in a long time. Maybe I am extremely emotional tonight. Okay, I am. I was hysterically crying through most of this movie. My love for children is so great. While watching this movie, All I could think about is....HOW COULD SOMEBODY DO THIS? HOW? WHY? I am so sad. I can't stop crying.I know this is just a movie, but it was based on a true story. I just can't comprehend child abuse. I just don't get it. People in this world are so sick.

Resolutions

Although I make changes when I feel they are neccessary, I do like to set goals to accomplish at the beginning of each new year! 2009 is no different. I am excited for 2009. I learned alot last year, and am ready to take on whatever life challenges may come, but I have alot to look forward to this year! Getting Sealed in the temple. This is going to happen for me this year. Seth and I know how important it is for our family, and will do it ASAP!

Read 10 more books this year. including the Book of Mormon. I don't care if I just read the whole kids version and half of the real Book of Mormon. I just need to remember the stories I once knew. Maybe even Rememorize the Articles of faith. Mykelle has to learn all those this year, and I only remember half of them.

Eat more healthy. Minus the seafood. Barf. The time will soon come when I can't eat whatever I want, so I might as well start now. Not only that, but Trey loves junk food because of me! If I am going to be a personal trainer, I need to eat healthy myself, and not tell others to do something I don't even do. I do know how important it is. I stopped drinking pop about a month ago, and have been eating very good for a week. The first few days, all I wanted was candy. Now, it is not so bad. I really don't crave junk at all. Just fruit. This change will help my family. I love to cook and bake, and I need to learn a healthy alternative to good cooking!

Debt. Get out, and stay out!

Journal all my photo albums.Thats about 4 years worth. And make a blog book. Or two.

Keep writing love letters to Seth each week. It makes us both feel special, and I hope I do that forever!

Write letters to my kids each month in a journal, to give to them when they are older. My friend Emily does this, and I think it is one of the most special things a mother could do for her children. I have loved the idea for a long time now, and I am going to start doing that this year. I am also going to use the red plate! Thanks Mindy. (The red plate is used for a special occasion in your home for any certain person. Birthdays, anniversaries, any accomplishment really. Mindy gave me a red plate journal to write about all the times we use the red plate. What a marvelous idea!)

CHEERS TO ANOTHER YEAR!

New Years was a BLAST

New Years was so much fun! We all had dinner at Famous Daves and then played games all night! Games included, Make up your own Story, ( A new game and way fun. What you do, is give everyone a sheet of paper. Everyone writes the first sentence of the story, and folds it over so the person next to you can only see the line above where they will write! You keep passing it around until your paper is full..wala! You have a story! I have never laughed so hard! ) Mad Gab (Of Course) Balderdash, Apples to Apples, and catch phrase.

April 11th 2003

One of my favorite memories.... (This picture is from New Years Eve Day)

Dave, Emily, Mindy, Mike and I all went camping in Moab this weekend. It was a Blast! It was so warm! We got there Friday night at 10:30. Dave and Mike were already there. They were suppossed to find us a camp sight, but hadn't yet, so I was pissed.(hehe) We finally found one, and then I was really hyper! Mindy and I took No Doz and we only slept for 2 hours. We woke up at 7:30 and decided to go Mt. Biking. I crashed. It sucked. It hurt so bad, and I had rocks stuck in my leg. I'm tough though. We(Mike and I) Made breakfast, and then we loaded everything up and moved to a different camp sight. The boys went biking, and we all went swimming. We laid out in the sun all afternoon and got really tan :) Mindy says I am sickly black! (She always said this to me when I was in the sun too long. Not in a rude way. Very funny) We longboarded, and that was alot of fun. We are getting good. (No we weren't) We went to City Market in Moab, and washed our feet in the bathroom sink, and used all their lotion. It was funny. We are dirtballs.(We said that word alot) Mike cooked for us again. It was so good! I was so tired, I fell alseep way early.

Mike is so funny. He makes us smile alot. Emily and Mindy are my favorite! We get so hyper together and it is so fun! Dave of course is one of my best friends. The last day we were there, we ate tons of food, and junk then decided to go swimming again before leaving. Dave and Mike came this time. It was so much fun! We definantly are a crazy bunch! We went to the arches on the way home! What a great weekend!

Girls.....Remember when we read scriptures on that huge log, and when we teased you Em that you and Mike were trying to make out in the tent! Sigh...what fun times!

You girls exist in my fondest memories before I started my family! We had the most amazing time whatever we did, even if it was nothing!I love you guys so much! We have had so much fun over the years, and I look forward to forever, and the memories we will make.

So Sassy

What a FUN day
When Mindy was in town over the Holidays, we spent a few hours at Emily's. All we did was talk and talk and talk and it was the Best time! Mindy, I miss you so much, and can't wait until you come back to Utah!

FHE at Hollywood Connection

The kids had a BLAST. We did lots of fun things in my two weeks off.

This boy LOVES to eat!

Opening their gifts

Her favorite shirt!! Can you guess why? If not, she LOVES dogs.

Playing with their presents!

Opening presents with his drill!

and his keys!

Tradtional Pictures

This started when I was a kid. My parents always took pictures of us with all of our gifts. I still remember some of the past Christmas' and remember toys I got from the pictures. This is what Santa brought the kids. I think my parents got them more than Santa Claus. The kids had so much fun!

Mykelle wanted makeup and puppy stuff, and that is what Santa brought her. She is obsessed with stuff animals, and has been since she was little.She is such a sweetheart, and is so caring of others! She is my big helper to, and would do anything I needed her to. (Except clean her room) She has such a fun, energetic personality, and when people come over she is totally out of control. Which she totally gets from me, so I can't complain.

Trey is the easiest little boy ever. Santa brought him a "real" drill ( With no drill bits) and keys from Home depot. He was in Heaven all day. He is just like his daddy, and is into fixing everything, it could occupy him forever. He is really into stacking, and putting things together as well! He is such a stud muffin, and is mostly happy all the time. He has the most contagious laugh.

Both of the kids love their Grandma and Grandpa and cry everytime they have to come home! I think they love their dog Saydie just as much! They always talk about Saydie, and pretend to be Saydie! Its rather cute.

We are thankful for everything we have, and everything that was given to us this Holdiay season. Thanks to everyone!

Kid's Christmas Party

Emily and I had a Christmas Party with our kids this year! It was so much fun, and the biggest mess! Jessica came over to spend the day with us as well. We had the twins,Randi,Mykelle,Taylor, Brilyn and Trey so my house was full of kiddos! We made Christmas cookies and did a "Used" gift exchange which the kids loved and thought was so cool! Good way to get new toys without spending money. (Emily gave away good presents. Maybe because they were noisy. Holly let Brilyn keep hers at my house. It was a noisy toy. Thanks Holly. Brat.) We had a pizza party for lunch, and it was a rather fun day with friends!

Christmas

Christmas was wonderful. We didn't need much, but had the opportunity to give to 3 families this year. It is such a good feeling to help others. I truly love it, and think I got that from my mother.

The elves left us pajamas again, although the ones I get from my dad every year are my favorite!