HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY BRIAN

He loves it when I give him so much attention. We love you Dad!

Our Pets

Jeremy is our pet lover. During the month of April, his birthday month, I thought it was a great time to post pets.

Introducing....Sir Baxter Lucky McGreagor

This dog is so cute.

We have a new addition to the family. Sir Baxter Lucky McGreagor is our newest arrival. Born December 17th to Abbey and McGreagor. Baxter is a Scottish Terrier. We are so lucky.

Jeremy wanted to name him Lucky Baxter......you can see where I am going with this. It would be too easy for me to slip....hence Baxter Lucky....

Oh, and Happy St. Patricks Day!!!!

Freaking Out

Okay, uncle.

Can't I quit? I have heard with every job you can give two weeks notice. Why not mine?

So it is not really my kids fault, or Brian's. But I am freaking out in a way I have never thought was possible. My entire world is sneaking up on me, and giving me the wedgie of a lifetime (thank you Jake for teaching my kids about wedgie wars). I have one and no possible way to pull it out.

Why is it that you can be going along fine in life and then wham, life hits you so seriously that you feel like you have two black eyes?

Nothing is really wrong, I'm just whining to myself. And crying all the time and nothing seems to be getting any better. Can't sleep, can't eat. Help!

Happy Birthday Sam! We Love You, xoxoxo

Sam decided that he wanted to have a bowling birthday party this year so we celebrated with a group of his friends, and our family at the University Union Bowling Alley. Why we don't do this more often.....

(this picture added August 2008, from Katrina's wedding. I just loved it. Thank you Aunt Liz for sending it to me.)

What do Sam and Dr. Seuss have in common?

They share the same birthday,
and a love for Green Eggs and Ham!

A pancake Cake!

Clarissa, Taggart, Sam and Gavin!

33rd Ward Idol results are in!

Your looking at the winner of the 33rd ward Idol right here:

okay, no, it's not me.....Jeremy was told to drop his mom and he had it in the bag.

and no, it was not Clarissa, although she did get some great points for being the big yellow bus that ran Gavin over, and she LOVED getting to take her brother out without getting into trouble.

and the kids puppet show only got an honorable mention...

So JEREMY took first place, we are so proud!

Great time with the Girls!

I thought that I would have a few weeks to think about this new calling, but no....there I was with the twins, Zoe, my four, Gavin's friend, and three neighbor kids, squished into the front row at church....and somehow holding it together because we were singing as a family....when they released me as Primary Chorister and sustained me as Relief Society 1st Counselor. Okay, so if looks could kill.......

Sheri picked up the girls today, and although this has been a weekend/month for the record books, I felt as though I have a fresh opportunity. To work on myself, and to appreciate the opportunities I continue to be given to grow UP.

In all reality, I am filled. I can't stop writing in my journal. The thoughts just keep flowing through me. Maybe I will heal just a little more with this new experience.

And for Clarissa, thank goodness she has her cousins....A great time with the Girls has much more meaning than you might expect. And for me, Relief Society, a new venture having never attended a Relief Society meeting in the past (excluding the one lesson that I was asked to teach)....maybe for me it will be "a great time with the girls". Is RS ready for me? Ready or not, here I come!

One from the Archives

Go along with me here. I remember when I was little I did something REALLY seriously BAD, and I knew I was going to get it. I thought that if I spent the entire day in the bathroom, going to the bathroom, I would avoid corporal punishment in the form of a good spanking. To no avail. My dad came home several (felt like 10) hours later, and walked right into the bathroom, gave me a good whopping (bare buns and all) and walked right back out. I hadn't avoided anything.

SO here I am, minding my own business. Rebelling and avoiding any conviction to my beliefs, (besides the raising my children in the very way I wish I had been raised), but only doing it for them.... WHY do I get asked to serve in the Relief Society.

I will tell you why. Because our kind Father in Heaven is willing to reach into the very depths of our own hell and personally grab us by our failings, and suffering, and lift us up. I may bark about it, but my bite isn't anything.

I am thankful for very dear friends who know what is best for me, when I don't know I need a licking. For their very willingness to love me through my self-defeating behavior, and give me the gumption to rise above my insecurities and grow where He would have me.

A meeting with the Bishop

Okay, I spoke too early about Faith and Prayers. Why, when I am being so rebellious and seriously contemplating ... does the bishop have to extend a calling to me. ARRRRRRGGHGHGHGHGHGH

A song for our Anniversary

I have been looking for these lyrics to post, and finally I can get this one done.

Jack Johnson - Angel
I've got an angel
She doesn't wear any wings
She wears a heart that can melt my own
She wears a smile that can make me wanna sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything
I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home
She could make angels
I've seen it with my own eyes
You gotta be careful when you've got good love
Cause the angels will just keep on multiplying
But you're so busy changing the world
Just one smile can change all of mine
We share the same soul
Oh oh oh oh oh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfClhBtaWKY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94N8KMORA1g&feature=related

We went and got a new guitar for me. And Brian picked some music that he liked for Guitar. He picked a particular song that he wants to enjoy hearing. Lyrics below.

Paul Thorn - When the long road ends:
Who were you loyal to?
What were your passionate about?
What did you believe in,
Beyond a shadow of a doubt?

Who were your teachers?
Did you have one true friend?
These are things worth knowing,
When the long road ends...

I look down at my children,
And, they look up to me,
Each day I pray for wisdom,
To be the father I should be.

When they grow up and move away,
I hope they'll think of me as a friend,
Then I will feel successful,
When the long road ends.

When the long road ends,
we will rest for a while,
I'll hold your hand,
And we'll share a smile,
Then we'll both look back,
Over where we've been,
We will have no regrets,
when the long road ends.

When you find somebody,
To walk with you through life,
You will laugh together,
But, sometimes you will cry.

When the storms of life come raging,
Just hold each others hand,
the sun will shine forever,
When the long road ends...

(Repeat Chorus)