***ALERT*****

I want to alert the presses that I am officially having a brief moment of quiet!! Oh wait, it is over!! That was fast. One second it is pure bliss in this house and the next all hell breaks loose.

After having most of the kids home from school a big chunk of the week last week, today is the first day of having them ALL home. CRAZYness.

I get so stressed out when they nit pick with each other. It is so hard for me to hear that. I love it when they are all playing a nice game together or playing ball together. Good times. For the most part they all get along, but I have a few "choice" personalities that clash with one another.

I did manage to get them to straighten the garage and fold clothes. I even had Dallin do the dishes, so I cant complain too much. Trust me, they complained enough while they were helping me for all of us. UUUGG!

I also am feeling a little blue today. My face looks like a pizza and since Halloween, I think I have gained a few pounds and that is always a bummer. I am still in my pjs today. I know, I am sorry for having this pitty party. It is suppose to be a glorious Thanksgiving week and it is starting off crusty.

On to more exciting things.... I have loved reading about what everyone is thankful for. It is so great to read your blogs, I get so uplifted from them. While I am having my one person pitty party, I turned to some of your blogs and was so inspired to ponder all of my blessings. I have SO many. Well I am off to referee yet another argument.......... Lucky me. LOL

TURKEY DAY

So I just sitting here all by my lonely. Chris is in the other room watching "The Big Break Mesquite", a reality show about golf. Can you believe that? Somebody made a reality contest show about Golf. UUUGGG! I am just pondering Thanksgiving that is just around the corner. I am thinking about all of the wonderful blessings in my life and all of the things that I am so thankful for. I am being really sappy right now, I know. It must be the hormones. Heehee! We women can blame alot on those dang hormones cant we?

I am thankful for such a great family and friends. I have a great life and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for all of the wonderful blessings in my life. Ok I will snap out of it......

I think we are going to be invading the cranes for Thanksgiving. We usually do, but the last 2 years Chris' parents and sister Dana and her family have come to our house. This year they are going to head to SLC instead. They want to go and ride the Polar Express.... No offence to you great Utah girls but I would like to think that we are a little more exciting then riding a train. Oh well. We will miss them this year. I love hanging out with them. We get along so well.

I was also thinking of all the good grub that is coming my way next week. I think that my favorite part of the T day dinner is the sweet potatoes. So good. I grew up not digging them at all and then BAM! one year I fell in love. Our family tradition for cooking them is boiling them and then cooking them in butter, brown sugar and topping it off with marshmallows. Delish! I am sure I will be heading to next seasons Biggest Loser if I dont stop eating and fantasizing about food. Tonight I made Tofee Bars. Why???? I dont know. As if our house wasnt full of crap right and left as it is. Well I think that dumb show is over now. It is time to go watch the new episode of Project Runway. Now THAT is quality programming. LOL Have a great night.

Random post for sure, but really, would you expect anything different from me??

*****Ok I would love to know of your favorite Thanksgiving traditions or stories. I love getting to know more about you fabulous ladies!*******

SHOOT ME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously please! It is the beginning of a LOOONNNGGGGG 2 weeks. Yesterday of course my kids all had the day off for Veterans Day. No hubby help, just me and my 6 shadows. I had to be my usual drill sargent self and have them do some chores. They were saying "its a holiday, why do we have to do chores"?? Uh, hello, if momma doesnt get a holiday then you dont either. They were for the most part pretty quick in getting them done so I took them to get a Slurpee. It is amazing what motivation a frozen, nasty, sugar water treat is. GROSS. Chris was home a decent time so we all survived the day with minimal damage. Our elementery schools here all have minimum days for the rest of the week. UUUUGGGG! Why????? Then they of course have all next week off also. I sure hope I can survive. I guess if I survived the summer, I can survive a few days right? I will just keep telling myself that......Last night for FHE we whipped out the Singstar 80s. It is so fun. I always end up hogging the mike. I should share the fun with the kids more. Chris and I had some friendly competition going on and I of course KICKED BUTT!!! Bowen said "mom, you know all of these songs" I loved loved loved 80s music.!!! it was so cute, while Chris and I were singing, the other boys got out the Uno deck and just started playing together on their own. Usually I have to be the one to get them going, but they all played together and had a great night.

This weekend was fun. Friday night, we just hung out. Christine and her crew stopped by and hung out with us for awhile.

Saturday we had our last Football game--PARTY ON!!! No more games, or being Chauffer Joe to a million practices anymore. We had a BBQ with the team and then Chris and I met Holly and Mike at Simply Fondue for our annual Bday dinner. It was fun. It was a new fondue place that opened up in Livermore and it was ok. We usually go to a place called La Fondue in Los Gatos, SO GRUB! but it is kind of far. We had fun anyway.

Sunday was the Primary program. The kids all did a great job. So cute. I love to watch them all up there singing and my kids did a great job on their speaking parts. I was so proud of them. The rest of Sunday we just hung out and chilled. A much needed break.

Well I am off to get my dinner done. I am having Swedish Meatballs . It doesnt sound so appealing right now because I made a serious pig of myself at Costco today. They had so many good food samples. I should just Duct tape my mouth closed sometimes. Have a great night.



PS Has anyone tied those new Strawberry Mini Wheats?? So tasty. I am addicted. I think it is better for me to pig out on these, then 20 or so Halloween candy bars right??

For some reason this one didnt download with the others. This is some cute bags and yummy chocolates from christine and Maressa..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

I had a great birthday. It started out great and only got better. I already posted about my sweet kids in the morning and finding the Sees Truffles from my hubby, well it only got better from there. As the morning progressed I found sweet gifts with clever little notes from Chris. My Sees candy note said "for the sweetest person in my life" then went in the bathroom to get my face on there was a box. It was a cute necklace box that said "thanks for hanging around me" . Then when I got in the car that morning there was a pair of shoes that he had picked out (he actually did a great job picking them out) with a note that said "my life has been better since you walked into my life" Isnt he cute? He also sent me roses that came with MORE candy and a bear. So fun I must say.

Bowen made my birthday cake. Last week he made chocolate cake in Home Ec and wanted to make it for me again for my Bday. It turned out pretty dang tasty. My friends Christine and Maressa came over later that night and we ate dinner and cake and let all of the kids run crazy.
Chris had YM, so the girls just hung out and visited. Good times. Any way I had a great day, the kids were even on their best behavior. Why cant it be my bday every day????

Here is some pictures of all of my "booty"........ As you can see I scored. One of the middle pictures is of the fun package I got in the mail from Melinda She is so sweet and I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU MELINDA for thinking of me.

Well today is Friday and you know what that means. Its tabloid trash day!!! Yeah!! I am so excited. Some of the kids are practicing their Primary Program and having pizza afterwards. It is only an hour (Too bad it isnt longer) LOL Hope everyone has a great weekend. Once again after rereading this it seems like a jumbled mess. Oh well , I guess that is why I dont get paid the big bucks to be a writer. Hee hee.

PS Is anyone else out there starting to get all freaked out about Christmas Shopping??? I am. I am totally dreading it!!! I am sure most of you are all done or almost all done. I am
going to do the bulk of it online. I better get off my butt and get it done!!!

A rare occasion here..........

I know this is rare, but I need to blog here about how wonderful my kids are. First of all they ARE great kids, I think I need to recognize them for that more often then I do.............

If you noticed a dark and dreary cloud formation over Northern California today it is because it is my dang Birthday today. It simply means that I am another year OLDer. Anyway I woke up this mornig to start my normal routine of getting the kids up, dressed, fed, lunches made, checking blogs real quick and getting thier sweet booties out the door, when I was assaulted by good deeds all over the place! My boys had made me a sweet card, made their own lunches were dressed and even had my Slim Fast shake on the counter for me. Are they the cutest or what? I was even saying to myself when I came down the stairs "crap, I have to make lunches today, maybe they should all just buy lunch" They must have read my mind. I even sat down to the computer to a box os Sees candy (my favorites) with a sweet card from my man. Cna this day get any better??? Um maybe if I could make myself 30 again it could. hee hee

I will post pictures later of my Happy Bday Good Mail" from Melinda and sweet cards I have gotten. Have a great day!!

***Halloween pics***


First of all I wanted to clear up the "leg picking" issue. I realize that I have managed to gross out a ton of you about my love for picing my leg hairs. First of all I DO shave my legs on a regular basis!!! It is not like I am picking at some hairy, nasty pump stump of a leg. I just love picking at the stubble that is growing in. Good times!! To answer the question of which method I use, I use my nails or a tweezers. Ok, on the better things......

Here are some of out Halloween pictures. I cant seem to just post a bunch of pictures the way I want to. It only allows me to put on a couple at a time so the collage is the next best thing.

We had a fun but hectic Halloween. We headed to Chris' work for thier Halloween Trick or Treat. It is pretty funny. All of the kids dress up and trick or treat he cubicles and offices, Too funny, but the kids love it and they get a TON of candy. After the honkin commute home (way over an hour!!!) we gobbled some dinner and the kids went around the hood to get some more candy. Like they needed any more!.. I am having a hard time keeping my grubby paws off of all of their lute. Why cant people hand out crappy candy instead of the good stuff??

This weekend is kind of low key. Chris had a campout and took Dallin and Bowen with him. No hot date night for me, unless you count the other boys left home with me hot dates. I think so. It is actulaly enjoyable spending time with the younger ones. I dragged them to Target (I was having withdrawels) and then we got some Wendys and then came home. We popped popcorn and watched a movie. I had them all to bed my 10 and had several hours of ME TIME. Caught up on some Tivod shows and read my mags. What more could you want on a Friday night???

Today after the guys got home we had Bowens Football game and just chilled out. We made pizza and the kids all played outside. Well I have a clean little man begging at my legs ( No not Chris) We are getting the kids bathed and ready for 9:30 church in the morning. YUK!!! At least we gain an hour right???? Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend and enjoy your extra hour sleep. You know I will!!!

IVE BEEN TAGGED!!

****WARNING**** Do not operate heavy machinery or drive a motorized vehicle while reading this blog. It will put you into a heavy coma!

I have to admit that I was tagged a couple of days ago by Michelle H and I have been racking my brain to find 7 interesting things about me. I dont think I am very interesting. What you see is what you get with me. That being said here goes my attempt.

1. I have recently become a leg hair picker. Yes you read correctly. I LOVE to pick my leg hairs. Good times. I am bummed that I have none right now that need to be picked. I plucked me bald while watching last weeks Law and Order SVU last night.

2. I have a "Duck and Cover" rule at my house. If you dare to open a drawer or closet in my house you have to "duck and cover" fast. I may appear to have my house picked up for the most part, but open up my closets and watch out for falling debris! I am a big shover inner. I shove things in places to get them out of the way.

3. I can burp like a trucker! I know, not very lady like, but it is me. I have always done it. Only my family has heard me though. I am good at making sure nobody hears my horrible secret------hopefully.

4. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to take a pole dancing class. It is the Vegas in me I guess. Seriously though. No smutty intentions, I just think it would be fun. Dont act like you havent thought about it ladies!!

5. I love Sees candy!! I can name all of the flavors in their boxes. Oh yea, good stuff. I was raised on that stuff.

6. I am a major cosmetic/product addict. I love to try new beauty things. I guess I am who all of those people prey on thinking that their product will make me a new woman. Heehee. No, I just love to try new things. It is fun. I fact, A blog that I stalk talked about a new curling iron that she has and loves and what did I do??? Bought it! Nutso.

7. Gee I cant think of number 7.....hhhhmmmm.... Well most of you know this already about me. I LOVE Fridays, because my new tabloids come out. I get real happy and giddy at the thought of going to get my new mags. It is also the one night of the week that I look forward to going to bed. I am a night owl so this is big for me. Well that is it. It was actually pretty painless. Thanks Michelle. This was fun. I am not sure who was "tagged" already or not so anyone who wants to do this go for it.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT! YOU SHOULD ALL SLEEP WELL TONIGHT.... :):):)

HOLY EARTHQUAKE BATMAN!

Scary. We just had an earthquake tonight that was 5.6 on the Richter scale. Freaky. I had left my kids for a bit to fill a perscription at Walgreens for Lawson and must have been driving in my car at the time because I didnt feel it. I walked into Walgreens and people looked freaked out and signs were shaking.
Of course the kids were scared and were calling me right and left wondering what to do. That got me thinking "do I know what to do?" I grew up in Vegas for peets sake. We dont have earthquakes in Vegas. We have dust storms and crud like that. Well it got me a little motivated I must say to get off my keester and have a FHE on what to do in case of Emergencies..................DUH, i amsure everyone has a clue and knows what to do. I am a little slow I guess.

Well we are in the middle of having "family fun time" carving pumpkins, and I am hearing all hell breaking loose. I better get in there. Good night!

DISNEYLAND PICTURES



Here is a mish mash of pictures from Disneyland. Like I said Before, we had a great time.
We went with my brother Ken and his family and then there was my clan. Thats a lot of kids!
Everyone got along really well. It was nice because some of the older kids went their merry way and we were able to do some of the kiddie rides with the smaller ones. Friday we spent the day at Disneyland and then Saturday we hit California Adventure and Disneyland the later part of the day.
Can I just say that I was so EXHAUSTED after each day. It was go go go all dang day. I was tempted to be one of those and rent a wheel chair and be pushed all day. Chris is a talented man, he could have pushed me with one arm and the stroller with the other! LOL
Maybe next year.
One of the exciting parts of the trip was losing Hayden for almost an hour! We kept joking all day that the kids that get lost at Dland probably have it sweet. They get to hang out at the Lost and Found and get all sorts of toys and cool stuff. Not the case. Poor Hayden didnt get squat out of his adventure except for a sticker. So here is the low down. We had just eaten lunch and Chris was going to go take some of the kids on a ride and me and my SIL Jenny were going to go take thoe other kids to Bugs Land. Jenny and I were sitting casually on our keaster eating some yummy Dland fudge when Chris and the kids came back from their ride. We were all making a game plan for our next ride, when I asked Chris where Hayden was. He of course looked at me and said "last time I saw him, he was with you." Uh, I dont think so. He was NOT with me, but whatever. Chris took off and headed towards the place we last ate at and called me to tell me that he was not there. I was already deep into panic mode. I took off running to the Lost and Found and they had checked and said that at the First Aid office a little boy neamed "Cayden" had been found. I knew that was him. I just burst into tears. I felt like the biggest looser mom, but luckily he was safe. It was pretty comical because the lady at the first aid office asked me if he had a cell phone. Uh Hello! He is 3 years old. I dont think I am giving me 3 year old a cell phone. She obvioulsy doesnt have kids. No kidding 5 minutes after leaving the First aid office Landon slipped and fell on his head. I made my poor SIL take him to the First aid office. I didnt want to get hauled off the CPS for being a bad mom. He was ok of course.

I do think that I have gone deaf from our trip. Every think at Dland is so dang loud! The rides, the fireworks, the music is seriously so psycho loud. We were walking by one of the water shows and Chris and I were both commenting how loud it was. He was so mad and turns to one of the poor little park workers and says( of course screaming over the loud noise) "was Walt Disney deaf?" It was to funny. The poor little park worker says "oh, I guess so". Arent I married to a funny guy?

Well I am still trying to catch up on everyones blogs. It is taking me a while. I have a little cling on baby who is following me everywhere. He is running a little fever and kind of whiny. I guess I get to go visit the Drs again tomorrow. OH joy.
Tonight for family night I made some caramel sauce and we dipped apples in it. So good. Well have a great night!

I'M BACK!

So we ended up going and we had a great time! Other then losing Hayden a couple times-once for kind of a long time, I will write about that later and about me totally freaking out about it :0
There wasnt any smoke smell or anything. It was great. I will post pictures and write more later. I am excited to get updated on everyones blogs, I am sure I missed a ton. Well I am knee deep in dirty laundry and good stuff like that. Have a great day!

SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO..................

Wow! What a dilemma. With these crazy fires going on, we are trying to figure out if it is a smart move to go to Dland. What do you think? I just dont want to head out and get stuck on the freeway with fifty gazillion other cars. No thank you! I dont need to be cooped up in the car with all my crew for that long. I feel so bad for all of the people there who are having to leave their homes. So scary.

So I am trying to get laundry done and all the other crap that goes with packing up for a trip. I always overpack. I try to be prepared, but bring WAY too much stuff. Well this is short, Lawson decided to wake up from his nap and is screaming in his bed. I guess I better go get the little monkey before he spazzes out too much. Have a great day!

UUUUGGGG! What am I doing up so late!!!!!! I curse myself every morning that I stay up way too late. I am such a night owl. I love to stay up and just chill after everyone has gone to bed, but boy do I pay the price when it is time to get the kids up and going in the morning. Not to mention all of the times my little man gets up still. Oh well. I feel like I need to get all of my thoughts out before they slip away into the land of the cobwebs otherwise known as my brain.

Not too much has been going on here. We had a great relaxing weekend. Friday I got to have a semi-date night with Chris. I call it a "semi" date night because as always Lawson is the 3rd wheel. I should say that he is the welcomed third wheel. He is a great baby. We tried this new Indian Restaurant by our house. Our favorite one closed down and I was in search of a replacement and I think we found it. They had the best Butter Chicken and Naan. We then went to Costco. It was a lot of fun going without all of the kids. We are usually the Freak Show when we take them all with us. It is dangerous taking Chris to Costco. My bill usually doubles. No joke. We even went home to find the kids all ready for bed and the house cleaned up. How about that? Usually we are rounding the corner asking "I wonder if the house is still standing?".

Saturday we had a few things going on. Ballgames, chores, the usual. I went to Hollys craft camp. We made some cute projects and I chowed on a ton of her M&Ms she had on her table. Aunt Flo visited me and I have been craving chocolate something fierce! Saturday night Holly and the fam came over and we had pizza and the adults had Baja fresh and then we watched Transformers. Good times.

Sunday long story short we all played hookie. If any of you know Chris this is a very shocking statement. He NEVER plays hookie from church. I was going to stay home with Lawson anyway. He has been teething and has been really cranky and as I mentioned before, my aunt Flo is here and the first day or so is NOT PRETTY! When I got up to help get the kids ready, Chris said that he wasnt feeling well and so we just all stayed home. I think we have all been running around crazy lately that we needed this time to hang out together and relax. We had a great day together and the kids were all pretty tame.

Today I took Lawson to the Drs to make sure he didnt have an ear infection and YeeHaw he doenst. He checked out fine. I have also been going through all of the kids hell holes, I mean closets getting stuff sorted out and seeing who needs what for the winter. My kids are growing like weeds. Especially Bo. He is only 11 and I will have to buy him size 16 pants. He is going to be so tall, I just know it! Maybe he can make his mama MIILLLIONS playing for the NBA or something when he grows up.

Well I need to get to bed. I have a ton of crud to get done tomorrow. We are heading out Thursday to the "Happiest Place on Earth" I know, I know you all thought that my house was the happiest place on earth right??? LOL We are excited. My brother booked us all hotels using his rewards points. Isnt he so awesome?!!! We always say that he is the Golden child of the family. He really is. We are very excited. My sister Julie and her daughter are going and my brother and his familiy are going. It will be so fun.

Sorry so long again. I can now sleep in peace with all of this clutter out of my head. Thanks for bearing with me through it.....Goodnight.

TGI Thursday!!!!!

Can somebody just shoot me now??!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that the weekend is almost here. I am not sure why because our weekends are usually wacko, but at least my man is around to help out. I cant believe that it has been a week already since I left on my Utah trip.

I needed to step out of LALA land and vent out some stress. I hate this hour of the day. It is the time of day when you are trying to find something edible to feed my family and I am fighting with kids to get their homework done and trying to keep my 3 year old out of everyones way. Usually that includes me putting on 5,000 Curious George shows for him to watch!! Whatever works right??? I call this hour my Bewitching Hour! Anyway I am sure that I am not alone.

This week has actually gone by pretty fast. Today I had planned to go to find Dallin some jeans. I went to the mall yesterday and found him a pair at AE. They are cute. He is such a skinny dude-LUCKY! Didnt get that gene passed down from me that is for sure! He is almost
5'8 and the size of a bean pole so it is hard to find jeans with length and not be poodraggers at the same time. I went to Old Navy and found another pair. Hopefully they will work. I then called my friend Maressa and we went and grabbed a quick bite to eat. She is like me and ALWAYS up for a good time, especially when it involves feeding our faces. Good times!

I have been having a little trouble getting my kids to listen to me without screaming at them. I always end up doing that and I hate it. Sometimes I think that they tune me out until I start yelling. Maybe I sound like that voice on Charlie Brown to them....... BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH!
I would love to hear of any good tips. NOTHING WORKS. They dont play alot of video games lately, they dont always go outside to play with friends (why should they, they have a flippin built in playgroup here) Any tips????

Well I am feeling a little more human again. I guess I had better go work on my dinner. I am making a chicken and rice soup. It is quick to make and my family likes it. Hope everyone is having a great day!

TOO FUNNY!

I know, 2 posts in 1 day. What is going on? I will keep this really brief since I just posted a snoozefest post earlier.

I got a call from my sister Laura telling me that she is freaking out over the Twilight book. She just finished the first one and is having some serious fantasies about Edward!! She says that she cant stop thinking about him! She told me that when she was walking out the door this morning she caught herself imagining that Edward was going to be outside waiting for her. Isnt that funny? She told me to hurry and finish the first one so we can "fantasize together" WHATEVER. I think I am on the 5th chapter and I have had it for a couple weeks. I am just now getting a little into it.

What is up with these books????

Does anyone else "fantasize" about Edward or any of the other characters?

Is my sister nuts?????

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

That is what I am singing as I am knee deep in laundry, boogars and dishes. As i always say I am back to "Realityland"!

I am back from my weekend away and even came home to 6 kids and a hubby!! Everyone survived....... My sweet man even cleaned out my refrigerator while I was gone. He can bring home the bacon and clean up after it too. How lucky am I????

I had a great time in Utah. It was so nice there, with all of the gorgeous fall colors. I will kind of sum up my weekend as best as I can which usually is a jumbled mess, but bear with me.

Thursday by the time I was picked up from the airport and headed back to Orem it was kind of late. We grabbed a quick snack at Wendys and went to Walmart. We then headed back to the hotel and hung out.

Friday we go up and headed to one of my favorite places to eat when I was in college, The Training Table. I was surprised that it kind of looked a little ragged but the food was pretty tasty. I love their cheese fries! We then went to my nieces Softball game. She had hurt her thumb and was not going to be able to play in the game. That was kind of a bummer since that is one of the reasons I came but oh well. The Softball fields at BYU are quite impressive. We watched them get killed by BYU and then we headed to the Wilkinson Center. It was so fun to go back and see my old stomping grounds. It has changed alot. We shopped around the bookstore and then headed back to the fields to watch them play another game. This time they won! It was late by that time and my neice Addison was very tired so we went back to the hotel and dropped my sister and Addison off and my parents and I went to IHOP. I know, I know, I wasnt too excited about it, but my parents LOVE IHOP so that is where we ate. It was actually pretty good.

Saturday the games were rained out. It was rainy almost all day. We headed to the Orem Mall and shopped. Stupid me decided to wear a new pair of shoes to shop in! How dumb is that? My feet hurt so bad, but not enough to stop shopping. We ate lunch at CPK and then wanted a treat so we went to the Creamery and had a sundae> SO DANG GOOD! We even saw Levell Edwards there. That was kind of exciting! Then it was off to the Provo mall to do some damage there. I said goodbye to my family and headed off with my good friend from college Karen for the night. I have not seen her in a few years. We talk on the phone often so it was great to visit with her in person. We ate dinner at Bajios- DELISH and then headed back to her house to hang out. It was so fun chit chatting and we also watched a movie and made cookies. Then it was off to bed.

Sunday I went to Karens ward. It was a great meeting. I think I enjoyed it so much because I wasnt wrestling with the crew the whole time. It was so enjoyable. She was teaching RS lesson and did a great job. It was on strengthening the Families and it was awesome! She is so loved by all of her ward. She is single and seriously everyone LOVES her. After church we headed back to her house to change and have a quick lunch and then it was off to the airport.

I know this is a chronological nightmare and boring as all get out, but I have to do it this way as part of my journaling. I had a great time and was excited to get back to my family. I really did miss them. I missed my sweet little baby!! I came home to a clean house and Dallin making cookies. How great is that? I was just saying to myself that I needed some more lumps on my rump so why not pig out! HAHA---NOT

I am excited to get reading on what I have missed. have a great day!

I AM OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well the time has come for me to go on my little weekend away. If you could see me know, I am doing the biggest happy dance EVER!! Oh, dont get me wrong, I love my family to peices but momma needs a break. I am heading to Utah for the weekend to see my parents. sister and neices. My family is there to watch my neice play softball. Of course we will be shoving huge amounts of candy and food into our mouths and lots of shopping (hopefully). I would love to have the time to arrange blogging buddy lunch or something, but I am kind of at my families beck and call since I am invading on their weekend. HEE HEE! I would love to do that someday! Well I need to get back to my packing. I hope that when I get home I still have 6 kids and a husband!! Just kidding. My man is more than capable to handle this on his own. Maybe they will even miss me, I dont know. It might just be one big party for them without Cruella DE Linda around! Have a great weekend!

This is a picture of our yummy cinnamon rolls. I thought it would be a fun traditions to make these at conference time. That seems to be the only time that they get made anyway so why not. They were so tasty. I ate WAY too many and feel that they might as well have been plastered on my big fat rump!!! I seem to be on the SEEFOOD diet. Anything I see goes right in the big hole in my face.

Conference was great. I loved all of the talks and cant wait to read them in the Ensign next month. Not much else went on this weekend. I pretty much stayed in my pjs for 2 days. Good times indeed! Friday a bunch of us went to dinner at PF Changs and a movie for Christines Bday. She is on my side bar for anyone who was wondering who she was :) Our food was great of course and I ate a ton as usual. We went afterward and saw a hideous movie. It was called The Jane Austin Book Club or something like that. I guess since it was about her books (which I have not read) it flew right over my simple head. DONT GO SEE IT!

I am just sitting here listening to a whiney 3 year old. ALL day long he says in the most whiniest voice "I have to go poo poo. Seriously all day, but he wont go! He waits until the last minute when he cant hold it any longer and then he goes. Weird kid.

Tonight after a week of the kids begging us to get our costume box down we finally did it and then the fighting began. They all want to be the same thing. The Grim Reaper! Can you believe it? My sweet boy want to be a gorey bloody person. They are so funny. They love to dig throught the box and wear the old costumes that are in there. They never ask for new ones. Hey! that is ok with me, I am in to recycling!

So Thursday I am off for a trip by myself. I am too excited. It is with my mom, dad, sister Julie and neices. My neice plays softball for Dixie and she is playing BYU and I am tagging along. I wish it was a trip with my man, but no such luck. My sweet man will be manning the fort while I am gone. Did I mention how excited I am?????

My personal goals have been going pretty good. I have been doing well on some of them and not so great in some areas, but it is important that I am trying right? I have a lot more work to do but I am really seeing the difference. My goal this week is to work on my scripture reading. Hopefully I can eventually get equally excited about reading them as I am about reading People Magazine. I know that sounds horrible. Well I am off to do my dishes and get my nightly chores done. No Christina, not that chore! LOL I made these yummy potatoes for dinner. My kids all love them and they are so easy. I got them from Rachel Ray. I will tell you the recipe in case you havent seen it before. Ok I know this was way to long and boring. Sorry. Have a great night!


Smashed Potatoes

Red potatoes (I have also used Butter Potatoes and they are equally tasty) cubed and cooked
Sour cream
Green onions diced (these totally make the potatoes)
milk
Butter
Salt and pepper

I pretty much just mash the potatoes with a masher and then just keep adding butter, milk, and sour cream until they are creamy and are to your liking. So good! I also add cheese to them to make them extra ooey and gooey!

HAPPY Birthday CHRISTINE

Today is on of my good friends Christines birthday. I wont reveal her age because I am raipidly approaching it next month! It is only a number right?????

Christine is such a great person. It is always a party when she is around. She is so much fun and seriously a friend to everyone! She is our wards Primary president and whoever fills her shoes next (please not me!!) has a hard job ahead of them. She is so great with the kids and makes each one of them feel so special. She has a wonderful gift for that.

I know for a fact that she is a wonderful family member. She has had some major family struggles this past month and has stepped up to the plate and helped out in every way. She has been watching her cute little nephews making it a 6 pack in her household. Now she can feel a glimpse of what it is like in Smithland-crazy, but fun!

Well I could go on and on about this fabulous chick but I will end it now by saying that
we hope you have special birthday girl! You deserve it!

Holy Hannah has it really been that long since I have posted?? Where has the time gone? Oh, I know, poopy diapers, bottles, being Chauffer Joe, shall I go on? Time flies when your having fun????? Yah right.

So I have been having some deep thoughts this past few weeks---Scary, I know! Who knew I was capable of having them?? I have been in a mood lately and I think I am finally figuring it out. I am in need of a makover!!!! Not the outside kind, but an inside makeover.
Dont get me wrong- I would love for Stacy and Clinton to surprise me with a $5000 credit card to go shopping in New York for a week, but that isnt going to happen. This makeover I am on my own for.

I have been in a Spiritual slump for quite some time. I have a testimony, there is no question about that, but I am not putting oil in my lamp and it is burning out fast!
Instead of reading my scriptures daily I am turning to the tabloids. What is wrong with that picture. Like I should have Britney Spears and her wonderful parenting skills being that last thing that I think about before I go to sleep.
I have found myself just spilling a quick little prayer out before my eyes close, having family prayer only on the nights that I am not ready to strangle my sweet kiddies.

After having a great talk with my mom the other day, she has helped me to figure out what I was lacking. I have been a little on the moody side and short tempered with everyone and I find that I dont turn to the Lord for help. I have been slacking in so many departments. I have been blessed with 6 sweet boys. I am with then 90 percent of the day they need me to be an example of patience example for them. I have none! I have found that my kids are short tempered with each other at times also. This breaks my heart, because it is my bad. They learned that from me. Any way I could go on and on about my flaws. They are endless, but I am excited at my new changes. I told Chris the other day that I think we are the only couple that doesnt have a couple prayer every night. So crazy. I have also had some great lessons and talks at church lately that have been just for me I am sure.:) I also want to thank all you girls for inspiring me with your messages or scriptures posted. You are truly examples for me. I am slowly seeing the light.

I feel like I just rambled on and made no sense, but it felt good to write it out. I am not excited about airing out all of my weeknesses and flaws, but this is my only mode of journaling right now and it feels good to get it out and start my new journey. I am so blessed with a great hubby and sweet children :) I am so blessed and I am so thankful for everything my HF has given me. SO MUCH!

Well I am off to wipe a boogar nose and get back to my exciting life! Oh by the way. Hayden has accomplished what i thought would NEVER happen. He finally pooped int he potty. YEE HA! Hopefully it wasnt a one time deal! Have a great day!