the SPASM family

grateful for my family

2012-01-31T18:44:00.000-06:00

A couple of days ago it really hit me how much I love my family. I mean, I love my family but as a mother to these three kids....its pretty cool.

out of all the people in the world, I get to be the one that welcomed them into the world, watch them grow into people, know their best traits, their worst fears. I get to cheer them and wipe tears and all that other stuff that i am too tired right now to type.

Just cool. Families. All the good and all the bad and I get to see it all with these three crazy kids.

very grateful.

Really? When did that happen?

2012-01-30T17:34:00.000-06:00

TIME FLIES

cli·ché /kliˈʃeɪ, klɪ-/

noun

1. a trite, stereotyped expression; a sentence or phrase, usually expressing a popular or common thought or idea, that has lost originality, ingenuity, and impact by long overuse, as sadder but wiser, or strong as an ox.

when did this happen?

New Years Family Newsletter

2012-01-03T15:02:00.003-06:00

Happy New Year! This is D-fluff.. I AM the “alpha”, though I continue to let them think they are in charge. I’ve heard some pretty interesting things. The following are actual quotes that I heard this year. Enjoy!

I wish I could be famous for something so then I could have all the free food I want !!!

Okay, right there you actually sounded like a crying manatee

I said “Excuse me”, what else do you want ?

Can you please pop my big toe?

That's it Shelvis! Vacuum him to death !

I'm telling you, sandpaper pants!!

And now its time for another round of “Man or Woman”

Oh great! You pushed his nerd button

....And the love triangle becomes extra pointy

My barber would always vacuum my head

It would be a sad, sad world if there was no cheese

Look! She's wearing a mullet dress

I wish my stomach was full of grapes cuz then I could go to sleep

She almost touched my flexible thumb and I couldn’t let That happen !!

My dad says my neck is the perfect size for strangling

Yes, this is a chick flick, but I like it !!

Are we out of milk? I don’t know but we are definitely out of pudding !

Why didn't you people offer me this food when I was hungry?

What are some things found in Washington DC? I heart the president shirts!

Mom and her questions, yesterday she asked me if I would ever kill her !?!?

SPASM-PEDIA HIGHLIGHTS 2011

Pacman is working on his 3rd book & extremely busy at Life Fitness.

Spaz graduated in July with a 3.9 GPA and finally finished her B.S. degree in Psychology & Human Services.

Agirl: 15, very tall and eager to drive, busy with girls camp 4th year overnight hike, EFY and Youth Conference.

Shelvis: 13, grown up in height and maturity. Loves Youth Group and first year at Girl’s camp. Is addicted to the Food network and loves decorating cupcakes.

Munchman: 10, addicted to video games, reading DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, and anything Pokémon or Ben Ten. Dexter: finally made it to 5 pounds and is very patient with us humans.

Almost Gone

2011-12-17T15:50:00.000-06:00

I almost deleted this blog because I just don't have it as a priority but then the Christmas cards are streaming in and comments made about the blog and I guessed I would keep it here.

So, just trying to get 100% back on my feet. I did however, dip my first official "handmade family tradition handed down professional chocolates".

you can lick the screen or even scratch the screen and sniff but it won't help, this is still just a picture LOL

Enjoy!

btw: its mint fondant

pictures of Shelvis

2011-11-15T13:22:00.000-06:00

family friend working on some photography.... she took Shelvis to practice. enjoy

Tootin' my own horn?

2011-11-10T16:09:00.000-06:00

Sitting on the couch, resting while I recover from surgery. Thinking, or at least trying to thinking..... I think the last two years I have been thru quite a lot. So when I put into perspective why I am "out of shape" and feel like crap it is because of what my body has gone through.

March 2010: kidney stone er visit, led to sonic boom on my back that same week

October 2010: Ablation procedure

November 2010: Bladder / sling surgery

Dec-Jan 2011: stomach bug and cold / flu twice

March 2011: began having "girl troubles: that the oct 2010 should have taken care of. Started to have these issues almost every day but I ignored them because I was wrapping up school.

May 2011: diagnosed with liver issues and started on the program, had great success yet had to stop the program for a bit due to the girl troubles.

September 2011: dr. visit and ultra sound reveal need for another surgery

November 2011: hysterectomy.

So that is why I haven't been able to feel good or work out and am documenting this in efforts to show the world that I am trying to be kinder and more patient with myself.

So look out 2012. This is going to be my year. Why?

1- my jersey number in HS was 12
2- my bday is the 12th
3- I love even numbers
4- I love organized looking things and the Jan 2012 calendar starts on SUNDAY the first.

So, inside and out will now begin healing and I can't wait to have boundless energy and be able to feelso much better and be able to help others instead of having them help me. But for those who are helping me, thank you and I love ya so much.

I’m Spaz and I’m an Ex-cucumber eater

2011-10-18T13:54:00.001-05:00

Everything as an opposite, I get that. but sometimes I get annoyed when people have to copy something good and turn it into something bad.... the following is my response to those who have their own you tube channel, promoting the exact opposite of the Mormon.org videos. sharing your testimony is one thing... bashing another religion is another.

Growing up, both grandparents had huge gardens and / or vegetable farms. I grew up knowing that September and October were usually the months that Grandma and Mom canned all of this food. It wasn’t until a few years later that one day I began to question the canning method. Canning cucumbers or aka making pickles, made me confused. One on hand the vinegar smell is atrocious, but on the other, it brings back serious memories of fall canning days and my grandmother.

I began to notice cucumbers more and more. They seemed to be everywhere. Every time I ate them, they hurt my stomach. But I was torn b/c every one I my family was eating them, my mom would even eat them fresh from the garden. I just couldn’t wrap my head or taste buds around it.

I was told that good cucumbers were in every salad. They seemed to be everywhere and I just couldn’t accept it. So I stopped eating cucumbers. It was hard to be the only non cucumber eater in my family and so it was just easier to tell people I was allergic to them. People were always trying to sneak them in salads and appetizers. I feel they are trying to control me and I just couldn’t be happy.

Cucumbers have their place but there are a lot of misconceptions about cucumbers. They do not taste good until after they have been pickled. Cucumbers are one of the oldest of the cultivated vegetables. The cucumber lovers teach that they are easy to grow, low in calories and high in fiber and were excellent sources of potassium and vitamin K.

I have found out for myself that cucumbers are not easy to grow if you don’t have a garden. I learned that celery is also low in calories and I have a choice. Well, avocados are also high in fiber. Okra is a great source of vitamin K and I LOVE okra.

Hi, I’m Spaz. I’m a wife and mother. I graduated this past summer from college while also having undergone three different surgical procedures and maintained a 3.8 GPA. I am a reader, a lover of movies and board games. I am a chocoholic, and I am an Ex- cucumber eater.

Love notes

2011-10-04T11:10:00.000-05:00

two of the three have a few days off from school this coming week...woke up to this message on our white wash board today. Orange is Shelvis's note, blue is Agirl

Gratefuls

2011-09-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

I am so grateful for so much right now.

1- Pacman has insurance and a steady job
2- A girl is so much fun to be around
3- Shelvis has matured a lot lately
4- Munchman wakes up every day with a smile
5- The Book of Mormon
6- My ward family
7- My extended family
8- chocolate
9- pumpkins
10- October
11- General Conference
12- soft bed and awesome pillows

ummmmmm okay

2011-09-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

Update Photos

2011-08-26T14:59:00.000-05:00

Random photos from the summer

Gpa was here for a visit. His favorite saying about dinner is "Steak, Eggs and Potatoes Au gratin"... so we made him some steak, eggs and potatoes Au gratin.

trip downtown with cousins who came with Gpa and Gma

Had a little wind burst come through, it messed up the roof,

in Chicago with the cousins

i had a small grad party

we lost the tree in the wind burst

and the trampoline

we used the insurance money to buy my hot guy a suit... JK..... we used the insurance money to remove the tree and fix the roof..... we stole the suit.

Kids are old enough now that we don't take the first day of school pictures. LOL Agirl started High School this week and the other two will go back to school next week.

Gotta get my home in order, a Visiting Teaching conference in a few weeks and then working on getting my business up and going.... Pacman is good, getting a lot of accolades at work, kids are good. A girl had girls camp, youth conference and a mega youth conference called EFY. Shelvis has wanted to just hang out, email friends, hang out with friends and "shop online" for clothes that are too expensive. She loves sleeping in til noon and will have a hard time next week adjusting. Munchman has LOVED having TV and Wii cuz he knows once school starts he only sees it on the weekends. Mean mom.

That is us and I'll do a bit better to blog. :)

Gratitude

2011-08-26T14:26:00.000-05:00

I'm very late on a ton of gratitudes

* for Pacman
* for Agirl, Shelvis and Munchman
* most of the time I am grateful for Dfluff
* for my family that supported me in school
* that I graduated
* for a good summer
* chocolate
* friends
* the gospel
* every day we are gathered for family prayer at the end of a day
* that it is time for school to start

Latest Art projects

2011-06-13T14:27:00.000-05:00

Gmas and Gpas

Michael drew the helicopter

, shelby "quickly sketched" the owl and then got bored Sunday afternoon and created this masterpiece. There are 7 animals represented. Guess them.

Drive Thru

2011-06-07T18:46:00.000-05:00

Summer is here

Kids first day home all day was today

Here is our summer schedule and the reason we won't be around blogging until August.

Girls camp
Deep Clean rooms
Family putt putt day
Family downtown Chicago day
Mom's graduation ceremony
Agirls Bday
Day to 6 Flags
Youth Conference
EFY (another youth conference)
Fishing trip
Camping trip

and I am suppose to do homework and reading assignments, papers and midterms and finals during all of this.

I will be back with pictures of my cap and gown and little piece of paper!

Happy Father's Day
Happy Flag Day
Happy Bday America!

later taters

Thank you Linda

2011-05-23T11:52:00.000-05:00

Friend told the girls to take pix together. This is what they came back with. Have to say, not a typical " my kids are the greatest" brag miester but dang, the last one is just beautiful of my girls....

Picture time & Update

2011-05-18T09:57:00.000-05:00

Before I show Gma's the pictures, I wanted to report on my health (for those who care). I have found a Dr. that has been able to discover some things and starting next week, I should be on the road to recovery. I am deficient in some vitaimins because my liver is not producing the enzymes that I need for proper food break down and absorption. The result is that my organs are not getting the nutrition they need and my body thinks it is starving, so it is storing everything in my body fat.

This program for getting the liver to heal it'self is about 36 weeks and if all goes well, not only will I be able to finally get some of this weight off, but I might be able to be medication free as well. Trying to not get my hopes up too high, I am pretty cynical after a decade, but I feel good about it and am anxious to get started. So my condition is known as "metabolic syndrome or disorder".

This past week, we had De come through town with hubby and baby boy. He is the cutest baby and he is one of the best babies I have ever seen in my entire life. He sleeps and is always smiling. So good to see them.

And next week I am getting inducted into a national honor society which basically gives me a gold tassle to wear at graduation. Im getting really close.

Enjoy the pictures:

Munchman turned some boxes into his Transformers uniform.

I have no clue who's child this is. I don't eat cream, whipped topping, etc, so she can't be mine!

and here is Baby Boy

that is us!

Sailboats and Cupcakes

2011-05-02T12:28:00.000-05:00

Shelvis was on the Jr High's play crew. She sewed and painted and all the other things a crew member would do. There were many kids working on the play. She claims that the idea was hers. They reinacted a play that the original had a mushroom and a cat smoking, so she offered the idea of the character sitting on a cupcake blowing bubbles. It was a cute show. This is the cupcake, plus a few little ones. Out of styrofoam. Very cute!

She was the "head" of the table for the tea party. I loved that the kids idea was to make it perspective. So it really does get smaller as you go down the table. She designed the layout and decorated most of the cakes on the table.

Munchman was in a mood. He finally got a boat put together for the Ragata this weekend. He was refusing to go Friday night and once his tushy was in the car ( thanks to mean mom) he refused to enter the race. What a bad attitude.

We get there though and the punk decides that he will enter his boat.... just as dad thought he would.

He wins his first race..... and the second race. They had each level ? (weblo, bear, wolf....) race each other then the winners raced each other, for double elimination type thing.

dGood to know his hot air has purpose sometimes.

silly kid!

It only took 365 days..... and .... it only takes another 18 months

2011-04-25T09:53:00.000-05:00

Shelvis is in her 2nd round of braces... hopefully the last set. Well, if it's up to me, it will be her last. DDS told me recently that Munchman is in need, but like all intune mothers...... LA LA LA... LA LA LA... LA LAL ALLALALAL

This only took 365 days, egg dying. Last year I got yelled at by Munchman that we did not color eggs AGAIN (2010). So LAST year I wrote COLOR EGGS on the calendar and made it happen in 2011.... what a good mother am I... okay, Pacman got it started but I made one too LOL enjoy

the PMS egg

spring break pictures

2011-04-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

we met extended family during spring break. Great to have the cousins (sans one) all together. We missed you big A and the others who weren't there.

Dog Tricks

2011-03-14T10:13:00.000-05:00

We have taught the dog some tricks: the normal dog tricks like
SIT
STAY
DOWN
NO
LEAVE IT

etc..... but this is our latest feat, or I should say his feet LOL

enjoy!

Guess

2011-03-11T12:17:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I spent $80.

I filled up the van with gasoline

and bought a Taco

um.... as a friend said "that is one expensive taco"

One lucky lady

2011-02-28T14:36:00.000-06:00

I am one lucky lady

I have so many blessings and am overwhelmed today by these blessings.

that's all

This is tooooo Funny!

2011-02-11T12:24:00.000-06:00

about a year ago, I had finished watching a series on DVD. Paul and I had started watching this show when it was on NBC and then it was canceled. We were really bummed. Everytime we start watching something and really really like it, then it gets canceled. Our little inside joke.

Anyway, we watched Boomtown

so a while back, was at Blockbuster and saw the first season on DVD on sale, so I grabbed it!

Then I spent the next month or so watching it while on the Tredmill..... when I finished it, I was bummed that it wasn't more successful.

So I was in a funny mood, looked up the producers address and mailed him a note telling him how much I loved Boomtown and about "the curse"

Totally forgot about it. Then today, doorbell rings, package on the porch, don't recognize the return address. I don't know anyone in Culver City, CA. Very hesitantly, I open it up and see two black baseball caps with BOOMTOWN across the front and a note card that reads:

" S & P;

It has only taken me a year plus to reply to your letter. Found a coupel of extra hats you could wear. In your letter, you said you felt responsible for "boomtown's" cancellation So I BEG you, PLEASE don't watch "Justified" on FX, Wednesday at 10.

Best,
Graham Yost

LMBO

Dog Bowling

2011-02-07T09:20:00.000-06:00

2011 Blizzard

2011-02-02T12:26:00.000-06:00

I WILL POST MORE AFTER WE DIG OUT (OR PACMAN IS FINISHED)

Captin Bananas

2011-01-25T19:34:00.000-06:00

Introducing Captain Bananas. Munchman made Captain B at Build-A-Bear last summer.

Last night Munchman wanted to take off Captain's tag and I guess he pulled it off along with his leg. So, Pacman and I were asleep when Munchman came to our room and helped himself to the first aide kit. And this is how he nursed him until I could do my mommie charm of mending with thread and needle.

Just wanted to document cuteness :)

Brag Alert Again: guitar

2011-01-22T11:19:00.000-06:00

Shelvis played something for Gma this past week and it has been requested that I put it on the blog so that Gma and Gpas can watch them anytime they wish.

enjoy Beatles and Bon Jovi ( I love this kid! LOL)

Brag Fest: Gmas and Gpas- Agirl playing the piano

2011-01-13T09:44:00.000-06:00

Enjoy Family!

Newsletter for 2010

2011-01-07T15:19:00.000-06:00

Most guilty

Crime report edition

YEAR LONG STING BUSTS FAMILY OF 5.

Following is list of charges

Pacman:

Turning 40
Needing reading glasses,
Having more grey hair
Is a suspect member of a book writers group (found guilty of still working on 2nd book)
Planning an anniversary get away– took care of EVERYTHING

Spaz

Accomplice to turning 40
Losing 4.0 GPA by 1/2 point,
Addicted to Sticky Notes & Expo markers
Ordering groceries online

Agirl

Attending High School
Starting Early Morning Seminary
Attaining first cell phone
Having uncontrollable fits of laughter
Charges are still pending on exceeding texting limits

Shelvis

Starting Jr. High,
Drawing on floors and walls.
Being the BEST dog owner
Never stops talking (as exhibited in mugshot)

Munchman

Getting first pair of glasses
ttending Lego camp
Hiding at chore time
Winning his 1st pine wood derby.
Keeping us LOL

DENIAL:

Don’t Even Notice I Am Lying

We did NOT eat 4 boxes of Girl Scout cookies in 2 Days
We do NOT have a teenager move in with us for the summer
We did NOT meet our out of pocket medical money by March
It was NOT mom that had three surgeries this year
We do NOT have teens that back talk and roll their eyes
We did NOT buy a sweater for the dog
Said dog does NOT sleep in our bed
We did NOT take the van into the mechanic when the engine light went on and it did NOT turn out to be just the gas cap.
Paul and Stacey did NOTchaperone a 7 hour youth conference bus trip
3 of us did NOT visit Kirtland, OH and Nauvoo, IL (LDS church history sites)
But we ARE grateful for those of you who think of us at Christmas time, we love the goodies and the cards. Thank you.

Happy 2011 !

Christmas 2010

2010-12-26T15:25:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas!!!!!!! from the sock Monkey!Yes, I am 40 years old and I have footie PJS and I LOVE them

Pacman got a count chocula Tshirt, his fav sugar cereal!

Dfluff even got a few toys in his stocking.. yes he has a stocking too

Agirl and Munchman literally drug Shelvis out of bed at 7ish, she would have slept all day

not me! I was ready to go!

every year he gets a slinky for a gift and never gets tired of them, they usually last about 3 weeks until they are so tangled you can't fix it.

Pacman did a FANTASTIC job on his Sinnrolls

Munchman's "big" gift

Agirl's "big" gift... she is a teen, hard to buy for, and had a box of shredded paper and some money-cash-bills to help pay for a Youth Trip this coming summer

Shelvis went to her room after the kids thought the gifts were all opened and found this little diddy

yes, she cried. She LOVES her guitar

Pacman's stuff.... nice wallet, no $8 WalMart ones, we bought each other cologne/perfume this year. I found David Beckam's cologne to be quiet yummy!!!

Relient K and the TV show Psych, gum and $70 worth of Itunes, which she promptly spent $60 that afternoon

oragami, friendship bracelets, Itunes and a coat

our many friends that think of us during the holidays, thank you

Baseball? Pitching and catching?.... no just catching up w/ pictures

2010-12-16T13:03:00.002-06:00

okay, here are some pix to catch everyone up on our abouts lately.....

first of all Pacman and I are grandparents.... sorta... here is the Jack-O-Latern

one of our "girls" just had her first baby. She is a part of our family to the point that my kids are convinced that she is their big sister. Considering she is 23 and I am 40.... I don't think so.. but anyway....

Pacman and I got away recently for our anniversary and bdays.... our 2nd time ever in 16 years of marriage.. oh yeah, we hit #16, 21 years of knowing each other... we headed down to a church history site

we got "upgraded" from our little one room inn to this suite because the caretaker left for Thanksgiving early... oh well, this place was awesome!

so.. halloween, I think I posted those... then our get away, then Thanksgiving, which was pizza year again because I had surgery that Monday before, so I was recouping and the family just needed some major down time.

Then I finished up finals week, but this week I was suppose to finish up all Christmas stuff and have a week w/o school while the kids were in school before break and instead, we got hit with the tummy bug... have another 2 kids home today, I am still feeling pretty gross.... ugh.....

So that is some of our happenings, have a great Christmas and Wonderful New year!!!!

We are alive.... we think

2010-12-15T17:15:00.000-06:00

have been in college full time now

had surgery three weeks ago

kids had stomach flu and b/c it is Christmas, wanted so much to share it, so I am getting over it and wondering when it is going to hit Pacman.

I'll have pix and misc. next week...

we are alive though and I'll blog sometime next week or maybe this week, it depends

Picture time

2010-11-07T12:51:00.000-06:00

Munchman's school parade.... something funny about Harry and Darth hanging out side by side

her costume was actually a crayon but this was the week after for 80's day at school. She cut up a sweatshirt, loved the hoop earrings and cut up toe sox for her leg warmers. LOL

shelvis made this is one of her first Young Women's night

excuse that sexy double chin... ugh.... but I found this shirt... LOVE IT!

dreads... hat... 14

He will not dress up..... so he acts goofy instead of looks goofy. Someone should tell him that Halloween is over, he is stil acting goofy!

some of my fav from teh parade... this was simple isn't it?

something just cracked me up about these three hanging out too

Munchman as Anikan? did I spell that right?

all felt. love it

my fav one of all... this is teh claw from toystory

will do a fair catch up soon.

STill here

2010-10-27T11:01:00.001-05:00

we are all still alive, just busy as usual.

will post halloween pix sometime next week

More pix!

2010-10-12T17:37:00.000-05:00

more pictures, family ones... this was fun! Enjoy Gma and Gpa

Patch of Pictures

2010-10-04T10:22:00.000-05:00

I have actually taken a few pix lately.... enjoy!

When we had that teenager living with us, she and Shelvis shared a room and were allowed to draw on the walls. This is by Shelvis

The teen moved out and Shelvis wanted to change some of the things that were painted on the wall, so we found this mural and put it up for her bday. Takes up the whole wall and she loves it.

My baby boy got glasses.

this is munchman at a boyscout day camp

he earned his wolf

I tried making his pumpkin cake.... not sure how I like it... Munchman didn't eat any until he learned I had made it. He thought I bought it ( yeah right LOL) and he doesn't like store cakes...

for his party he had three church friends, they played games and painted pumpkins

oh yeah, and the pizza... pizza is always important

he didn't take the snuggie off all weekend ( Kris, I totally thought of you :)

watch carefully as the room fills with smoke from the relighting candles. He loved it!

here is his WATCH ME GROW series: how tall he is compared to dad (2010)

in Dad's white shirt 2010

dad's shirt 2009

2009

and here are my pmpkins: Pete

Carolyn, totally think of you every time I hang this :)

My pumpkins are getting mature now... (de that is what i meant by grown up pumpkins) LOL

pix on the Remember wall

have a good chocolate harvest!

more kids pix

2010-09-07T16:01:00.000-05:00

Gma's there is a package of these coming to you this week with some funny Q&A sheets I have them fill out around bdays... you get a copy

let me know when you get them

Do you hear that?

2010-08-26T11:17:00.000-05:00

Can you hear that?

no.... not that....

THAT... RIGHT THERE.....

hear it?

you don't?

that is because it is NOTHING! YOU HEAR NOTHING BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL AT SCHOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

okay, now shhhhhhhh

tip toe out to enjoy my first full day of quiet... shhhhhh

Bleeding Love or Money?

2010-08-14T16:07:00.002-05:00

eona Lewis's first hit is called Bleeding Love.... kinda gross? Well, if we could bleed money, our household has been bleeding profusely over the last few months.

Yes, the following has been going on, I am not dramatizing anything. and all I can say? THANKGOODNESS for savings,

but my question is... when you deplete savings for all of this, what do you do when another emergency happens

*Van repair $1600

*Medical bills from kidney stone $2500

*Car repair $800

*Traffic ticket $100

*another van repair $700

*Dishwasher repair $50

*Sink: duct tape!!!!

*another car repair $150

*House AC bill $300 because it needed to be

*fixed $100

freezer door left open.... should be okay???

*School clothes for 3 kids $500

*School fees for elementary $75

*School fees for JR. High $100

*School fees for High School $190

*Tuition for college $675

*Books and supplies for all 5 of us: $200

Gonna run and do some family history research to find that rich Uncle, b/c I am sure I am his favorite!

and don't ask about the traffic ticket, it wasn't my fault. I am innocent!

Good news: Both girls needed additional dental / orthodontic work and after a consult on Friday, there is no HURRY for any of it!!!!!!

whew!

going out to find another job

Summer Daze.......

2010-07-31T19:07:00.000-05:00

WOW! Don't remember the last time I was this busy! Everything is good. Just needed to blog a few things, for posterity, right?

Pacman: Same 'ol same 'ol. He is a great man and I thank Heavenly Father daily for him in my life. My kids have no clue just how blessed they are to have a man like him for a father. Oh and he's really cute too!

Spaz: Well my reality check came in the form of being one point away from an A in my last class of Abnormal Psych class. I had 99-100% on all of my assignments but I am a LOUSY test taker. So the midterm and final dropped me down. So I have lost my 4.0 and am really sad about that. I found a new girly doctor and saw her last week and have a preop appointment this coming week. She is determined to help me feel better and I can't WAIT! So my days are spent: college senior, taxi driver, chef, maid, nurse, activities coordinator, receptionist, accountant, church secretary, and I think that is it for now...... I have enjoyed the summer amid my school work w/ kids home. This is an easy time with my kids. I am such a better mom at this phase of life than I was in the beginning! Will miss them when school starts but look forward to routine and sanity again.

loved this picture

Agirl: turned 14 and went to her first youth conference and her first dance. Since she is starting High School, she was able to finally get a cell phone and texting. She has been glued to that phone talking to her cousin in Utah daily. That hs been pretty cool! She is a super duper huge helper to me with cooking and baking and babysitting. (grams, you both will be getting pictures soon, including this one). She had girls camp too. She will do a week of volleyball camp and wants to try out for the freshman team at school.

Shelvis: has spent this summer doing play groups, art camp and just finished a CYT (christian youth theatre) camp where they did Disney songs. She is looking forward to turning 12 soon, getting her ears pierced but she is really stressin' over starting Jr. High. Her school does a thing where for 2 weeks prior to the start of school, she can go every day for 2 hours and do some easy but standard classes, switch classrooms, try a locker, etc. I think that is brilliant and am glad they offer this. She loves having Camera Girl in her room. (more about that in a minute).

Munchman: has done a Lego camp, Scout camp and gone swimming a lot. Mostly his days are filled with Wii, TV and computer. But with June and July over ( as of midnight tonight) he goes back to using his limited tokens. It has been a pretty hot summer so he has had to be inside a lot. I think his biggest news is that his night problem has come to an end. In just a matter of days, he would have earned a Star Wars helmet/voice changer thingy. He is excited to start school and everything he picked out for school supplies, from scissors to pencil case to backpack, is red!

Dexter: spoiled! well trained, spoiled and a perpetual puppy.

Camera Girl is a delight to have in our home. She is such a sweetheart. She has been thru so much and is an inspiration to all around her. We are privledged to have her in our home and look forward to her being able to stay at her high school and finish. She takes amazing pictures and I'll have to show them soon. She and Shelvis have drawn cartoon characters all over their room and started painting stuff this morning. I'll have to share pix of that as well.

So, three weeks and everyone will be back in school. Time flies! But that is us... in our summer daze

July movie Reviews

2010-07-31T16:33:00.000-05:00

Agirl needed to indoctrinated. A

independent film, some language, british film... really slow but interesting Btook kids for rainy summer day outing, I played the DS during it but the kids like it Bsaw this one last night with hubby. LOVED it! really confusing and the ending was PERFECT!!!

LOVED itthis was a documentary; lots of language, but a true story and it is incrediably sad :( and interesting.

had to indoctrinate the children again... this moving looked soooo old! how can it be, just came out like yesterday, iight?

You Know You are Getting Old When.......

2010-07-14T19:56:00.000-05:00

you know you are getting old when.......

So, we are packing and getting ready for a Youth Conference Trip. I have a houseful of teens packing and as I started to pack my own bags, I began to notice something.......
the girls list of things to pack look like this:

hairbrush, makeup, deo, toothbrush/paste, Ipod, phone, camera, clothes and snacks and gum

my list looks like this:

hair hairbrush, makeup, deo, toothbrush/paste, Ipod, phone, camera, clothes, snacks, medicine, tylenol, tums, ear plugs, wallet/planner,

you know you are a teen when your to-do list looks like this:

set up email for vacation notice, update status on FB, charge Ipod and camera and phone, text ???? to see if ????? is coming,

and you know you are a mom when your to do list looks like this:

emergency cards for the other two staying here, get neighbor to get mail and bring in trash cans, let mom know where you will be, pack Ss bag, pack M's bag, pack my bag, pack snacks and lunch, turn off lights, turn down ac, lock up house

ahhhh the good 'ol days

Pacman, me, Agirl and Camera Girl (who is thinking of a better name) are all headed off on a 3 day bus trip..... the other two get to stay at friends.

Summer + full time school/classes+ kids at home+ taxi driver+ kids at home=

things are good, we are just swamped and leisure computer time is temporarily obsolete

hope your summer is going well! Have fun and I'll blog someday soon.....

Maybe......

hopefully......

Spastic Updates

2010-06-14T11:53:00.000-05:00

Drive by with updates on the fam ( for posterity.. so... be honest : princess bride)

Pacman: has the week off. Right now he is touring a history site with his sister. She is in town for a quick visit! She rocks!!!

A-girl is with her dad right now, and gets back late and then heads off to Girls camp. House is different without her around... who is going to cook now? LOL So girls camp, youth conference, volleyball camp and hanging out this summer before real school starts.... she starts High School this fall, I can't believe it!

Shelvis is just hanging out but can't wait until Aunt S is back b/c we have a chocolate dipping day this week and ~~spastic~~ she is very excited. She has an art camp and a youth theatre camp and production this summer. She is excited!

Munchman is on the Wii right now... where he is pretty much glued to his games now that summer is here and he has no homework. He is looking forward to a lego camp, scout camp and swimming.

D-fluff is spoiled and needy but cute

and me? two classes, keeping people 'busy' and getting ready to welcome in a new person to our home.

we get the opportunity to have Camera Girl move in with us so she can finish high school here because her family is relocating for a new job. I think Shelvis is excited to have a "big sister" that has a lot in common. She is very artistic and an amazing photographer. So we are a little excited and maybe nervous about the dynamics. So we'll let ya know. She should be moved in by Independence Day.

May Movie Review

2010-06-01T07:59:00.003-05:00

May Moviews:

This one was for Munchman. We have been busy most weekends lately so we haven't seen too many. This is a pretty funny show, the sarcasm is hilarious!

We have seen this one before but Shelvis was having a party and wanted to watch it It was pretty good

just saw this for movie fam night this past weekend. Pacman fell asleep. It wasn't as cheesy as we initially thought. Pretty good

Wayyy too much violence in this movie. It wasn't as great as I had hoped and Pacman was a bit let down. Still very intersting though.

Agirl wanted to watch this one. I have to say , it was my turn to fall asleep during this one

Munchman had another fix!

This was a GREAT movie. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Really really really well done. And a Sandra Bullock movie that was tame and worth watching. Very uplifiting and just a fantastic movie..... why? b/c it is based on a true story and true stories always ROCK!

Potluck of Pictures

2010-05-25T16:51:00.001-05:00

Dropping by to share some photos. We will showcase the Father/ Son campout, the before / after pix of Pacman's yard work this weekend, A-girls 8th grade graduation party and duet recital videos.

Sit back and enjoy!

well, I guess those looked better "in person" LOL

Dad let Munchman record... so I am not sure exactly what this is... sorry....

Book Review: Grisham- Ford county

2010-05-25T15:12:00.001-05:00

If you have never read a Grisham book but have always wondered.... this is a collection of short stories that totally sum up his writing style. You will either love it or hate it. Being a Grisham fan, I thought they were classic Grisham tales. He did venture out with a few non traditional Grisham books like THE PAINTED HOUSE or SKIPPING CHRISTMAS.

So I liked having some stories to get lost in. I warn you now, if you don't get the south, then skip this guy.... you have to "get it" to really be able to enjoy it.

Tender Mercies and a little spoiled and poll results

2010-05-20T10:23:00.000-05:00

Before I share my news, I wanted to update on the poll. 10 of you voted.

The results were:

How long before the kids pick up the towels?

tomorrow 0 (0%)

by the weekend 2 (20%)
I say another 6 weeks easily 1 (10%)
Mom or dad will cave and put it away 3 (30%)
the 2nd coming 0 (0%)
when they need a towel for college 2 (20%)
never! 2 (20%)

LOL! Truth be told, less than 2 hours after I posted that, A-girl found the money. Rather than actualy open up the linen closet door and get a bath towel for her shower, she grabbed the towel off the floor. And as honest as she is, came downstairs, told us she found it and asked who's money it was. She was delighted of course to learn it was hers. LOL and thank you to all who had faith in Pacman and I that we wouldn't pick up the towels and to those who said we would a big fat

Now on to Tender Mercies. You know I am in school. I just posted a Time out because I thought I was going to be in over my head with a speech class. Here is the wonderful blessing in my life.

Sunday: I had a feeling that I needed to email my advisor to ask her if I could drop Sociology as a minor and not have to take the Social Policy class. I informed her that i wasn't taking a Columbia class, but taking the speech class at the local community college since it would transfer over and it was a fraction of the cost.

Monday: I am pumped for my first in seat class in 20 years! It was exciting. I had no preconceived ideas about anything. I get the kids on the bus and then drive there and walk in, waiting for the door to open at the designated room.

Long story short about the speech class: Professor was wacky.. I guess most are? She sure thought she was funny! IE: introducing herself, she says " I am 60, never married, no children and very single and available, so if you know anybody (raising eyebrows like " hubba hubba" LOL. The looks on the kids faces were priceless. there were probably 25 students. Me, a guy (45) and a lady (55) and the rest were 18 & 19.

The stress started when the school called right in the middle of my introducing myself. Fortunately it wasn't anything major, but as she reviewed the course load and syllabus and class expectations. I learned that 1 day in an intermission class is equivalent to 1 week in a regular 17 week term. So not only was the class daily, for 3 hours but the HW load out of class was nuts and I am a mom and wife and secretary and basically I have a life and she warned that we wouldn't have a life for the next 4 weeks. I began to think about all of the things that would need to be on hold and didn't care for the thought.

I get done, go to the book store to buy a packet that was required. Oh wait! that was another funny thing... she listed additional supplies we would need and class expectations. We were not allowed to have our "pagers and beepers" go off and we needed a VHS tape. That was fun calling around trying to find a VHS tape. The blessing was that a friend of mine who works there at the college was able to loan me a copy of the required text so I didn't have to buy or rent it and be out that money.

I am getting ahead of myself.... I left, ran a few errands ( including going to WalMart to buy all the supplies I needed) and I get home, check emails to find one from my advisor l asking me if I WANTED to take speech? She said that if I had an AGE that it would waive all of the generals.

????????????

Let's back up...... When I registered to attend Columbia I think she got confused because I had transcripts coming in from everywhere. From my HS AP classes, from the independent study I had done as well ..... So somehow... it was never acknowledged that I already had a degree. So that associates had covered all of the GE classes.......So what does that mean?...........................

NO:ALGEBRA TO CLEPP
WESTERN CIV TO CLEPP
AMERICAN HISTORY TO CLEPP
SPEECH TO TAKE

I can now focus on just the classes for my Human Service minor and Pyschology and since I did end up dropping the Sociology minor I get to choose 3 classes that I want to take and I am sooooo excited.

I have kept this entire process in the forefront of my prayers and thoughts. Asking daily for guidance for what classes I needed, and when. I do not have frustration or anger about any of the GE's that I ended up taking b/c I honestly believe it was meant to be. The computers class helped me learn a program that come of my clients use and I did learn a few tricks that have made some things sooo much easier!

I believe that the computer class happening at the same time as the kidney stone drama happened because it was something I could still do, while in pain LOL... and keep my 4.0. There was something to be learned about this process and "mistake" and I know and have felt so strongly the promises from the scriptures about the Lord being merciful and graceful and blessing his children who try and keep the commandments.

I have been very very blessed! I look forward now to a wonderful year of learning the things that I have experience or passion for.

Thanks for letting me share!

Temporarily closed

2010-05-17T14:06:00.000-05:00

started a class today that is INtense..... I won't be around for the next 4 weeks..... think of me often!

should be back sometime mid June.

Coming to a theatre near you

2010-05-13T11:23:00.000-05:00

How Long Will it Take?

2010-05-11T18:29:00.002-05:00

So, here is a picture of something that might look familiar

Tis a pile of towels. Long story short.... Shelvis had these in her clean laundry and tossed them outside her door. When you asked?

Friday, May 7th, 2010

And today is?......

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

so, 5 days and counting........

Wanna know what I did yesterday? I put

under the top towel. Got the idea last summer actually. My sister was visiting.. at one point we ended up with about 7 kids roaming the house. I had folded a towel and put it on the stairs. A few hours later, the towel was gone. We gathered all the kids up and asked who moved the towel.. where was it now?

My nephew, thinking he was in trouble, hestitantly rasied his hand and apologized for putting the towel away in the linen closet. I smiled and handed him

The other kids were totally freaking out... "it's not fair... what???? awwwww" moral of the story that day was you will never know

so please, vote (to your right, above) .... how long do you think that will lie there?

Oh yes we did!

2010-05-05T19:52:00.000-05:00

Puppy School......Watch......sit.......lay down....Stand up.......Congrats Grad

seriously, the class was very well worth it! He is soooo smart! Graduated at the top of his class! IN fact, he was valedictorian, yeah that's it! LOL

Book Review: Skellig- David Almond

2010-05-05T19:41:00.000-05:00

Shelvis asked Pacman and I to read this. She loved it. The guy is British and so there was a lot of phrases and references of things I am not familiar with, but it was interesting. Very interesting. I read thru it fairly quickly. If you like a touch of fantasy it's really good. He writes so well that I automatically had visual images of the characters and scenery. So if you want to read something in a night or weekend, this would be an interesting read.

Book Review: Face on the Milk Carton

2010-04-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

captivating!

I did have a slight issue with my 5th grader being read this book b/c of the mature nature, but she ensures me she skipped a lot... so that made me feel better. Nothing bad, just high school students having crushes, etc.

I loved the ending because I hated the ending!

Shelvis tells me there are three books in the series, which would make me LOVE the ending knowing there is a follow up book. Quick and easy read. Loved it!

April Movie Review

2010-04-28T19:45:00.000-05:00

Um... we've been busy... but we did watch these:

Old Dogs

family movie night.... parts were really super lame, but it was clean! kids liked it and we had a good snuggle fest on the couch so it was okay.....

Where the Wild Things Are You
we didn't watch it. Pacman heard or read some ill reviews about content and fear factor stuff so we sent it back w/o watching it......

Four Christmases
I know! I said I was done with romantic comedies, but I watched this one alone when Pacman was out of town. I then showed him the funniest parts... of course there were some questionable stuff in it, but I showed hubby the best parts w/o the smut and there were two scenes that totally CRACKED me up! so if you have seeen it.... that scene with his dad and the Taboo game resembles parts of my life....... totally funny.

The Prince & Me 3: A Royal Honeymoon

girls thought this was something else.... TWICE.... yes, we got it twice and it wasn't what we thought, so back it went.

oh well....this is our one and only TV show... LOVE this show... humor, suspense, police, limited gore,, in fact, we watch this with our kids it's that safe. LOVE this show!

later!

Side by Side

2010-04-17T15:44:00.000-05:00

Dad is going to work on these two photos in photoshop and tweak them to make em look good but I just wanted to post this now anyway

sooo cute!

Also like to mention they both painted their cars their favorite colors, Pacman's fav color to this day is still green and Munchman's is red and some blues

Some spastic WOW moments, a funny and some trivia

2010-04-13T17:45:00.000-05:00

Had to document two things before I forget them. For us they were kinda WOWzers!!!

One is "good"

and

the one is ......." interesting " ???

and

another funny

and two fun facts that I learned today from my bottle of

Yesterday morning, three of the five of us are busy doing our morning preparations for the day when all of a sudden this poor bird flew full force into the sliding glass door in the kitchen. I glanced out to see the poor thing laying there, twitching and not moving, and then I noticed its little beak was bleeding. Shelvis does NOT handle things like this very well.... she started to get very upset.

I told her to go say a prayer and talk to Heavenly Father about it. His will being done of course, but I said " plead your cause Shelvis..... ask Him to save the bird or let it die quickly. She ran to the living room, dove for the couch and landed on her knees and started praying. A few hugs later, we all got going again for the day when Munchman says " hey the bird is standing up!" We rushed over to the window/door and saw this birdie standing there, still dazed and bleeding but standing. I wet a paper towel; I was going to try and wipe its beak and see just how injured it was or at least wipe off the blood. It still had a hard time flying but that little thing hopped away from me so fast. Hopped right under the neighbor's fence.

I walked back into the house and said " well, Miss Shelvis, look what you did!" She looked at me like the idiot that I am, and replied " No! Heavenly Father did it" I said " you are right, it was Heavenly Father but it was in part, due to your amazing faith". She seemed to accept this and was about to say something when she glances out the door and sees the bird has hopped back into our yard and looks at her, and then flies away!

Muchman stated very enthusiastically, “I am DEFINITELY going to write that in my journal!"

The other thing that was kinda a WOW moment happened yesterday as well. Munchman, who typically seems to be very laid back and relaxed, which I believe is a blessing in balance from his dramatic and hormonal sisters. He came home with a math test he had completed earlier in the day and he made a 35 out of 40, which is an 88%. I said " wow, dude, you are sooo good at math!, look at this score"

He immediately started to cry and said he was upset about that score. He thought it was horrible and that it wasn't a 100%. I put him in my lap, well, as much as I can considering his German size.... and hugged him and told him that if he knew everything all the time, he wouldn't be in 2nd grade with Mrs. C. I was proud of him and he does a great job at so many things. He looked up at me with those army green eyes filling with tears again and said " but I want to prove to myself that I am smart!"

....... WOW...... I had no idea he was such a perfectionist. I can honestly claim that Agirls tendencies are from my early parenting years but by the time Munchman came along I had chilled out big time, so his perfectionism is NOT my fault. There are so many lessons for me in that short conversation that I can't even capture it but I am grateful for those times that my children really articulate how they feel and what they think so I can understand them better.

Okay, here is the funny: Many times throughout the afternoon, Munchman will hug and kiss me. Like kiss my cheek 20 times and hug me and squeeze me. A few days ago I encouraged him to go play with his Star Wars Leggos so that I could have a break from the affection. LOL He will say, as he is covering my face with kisses “mom, I just can't stand it! I just love you so much" totally makes me bust a gut.

Two fun facts:

did you know that

the can opener was invented 48 years AFTER the can

AND

111,111,111 111,111,111

123,45,678,987,654,321

This message was brought to you

by the letters

and

by the number

Easter Dinner

2010-04-05T10:46:00.000-05:00

You know they hated this. Every one of these children. Pacman and I didn't communicate well and he was sorely disappointed that we did not do our traditional Easter dinner.

Traditional includes: Ham, green bean casserole, some kinda yummy rolls, and oreo lasagna, aka cow pie.

Two weeks ago I had this idea and wanted to do it. It didn't go over very well, but I know it's one of those memories that they will have and make fun of me the rest of their life.

I did some research on the foods that the Savior would have eaten. and THAT my friends is what our easter dinner consisted of. It was... well here, let me show you:

grape juices, flat bread, cream stuff like hummus and stuff

bread, meat like chicken and tuna croquettes (sp?), olives, pickles and cheese, They REALLY loved the Goat Cheese.

the fruit was a hit. Grapes, plums, strawberries, plainton and kumquats. Oh yeah, that went over REALLy well too. As you can see from the following faces

It is a hard balance trying to keep a 13 year old and 11 year old interested at the same time as an 8 year old. So this year we didn't do baskets... ::::gasps::::: Oh don't worry, they still got a huge 1 pounder chocolate bunny.

At least we were able to wash it down with MOOklava ( bakalava)

that picture isn't ours, but it's the closest thing I could find. It is yummy!

Hope your Easter was a good one. Have a great April/Springtime!

Book Review: The Kindness of Strangers

2010-04-01T14:02:00.000-05:00

by Katrina Kettle

She knows how to write a good story. There were twists and turns in this story that I did not foresee coming, so that was cool.

There was one thing that bugged the tar out of me, she was wayyyy too descriptive , especially using the word " goosebumps" Everyone in the story had them on multiple occasions. Aside from that, it was a very intriguing story line.

However, this was not uplifting really. She likes to curse and refer to sex a lot. I skipped that stuff, or tried to, but the storyline wouldn't let me put it down. I read it in 2 days.

now I'm onto some really interesting reading ( see side bar)

later!

FEB and MAR movie review

2010-03-29T15:20:00.000-05:00

didn't realize I was behind....... This will be fast

Feb and March movies we watched:

5 children and IT

interesting...... kids gave it a 2.5 or a C-

My sisters keeper

one of the few times the movie is better than the book. I had to stop reading Jodi P's stuff, but this movie was really really good. One F bomb and a makeout scene, but that is it. I love this story. Great movie A

terms of endearment

well that was 2 hours of my life I'll never get back..... what a dysfunctional and twisted and sick movie. I watched it on while I was on the tredmill because I heard it was one of the 'classics'..... I ended up FF through it and b/c it was soooo predictable, I knew how it ended and just FF through the last 30 minutes of the movie and I was right!whatever!????? F

music and lyrics

Pacman loved this movie the first time he saw it. Yu really have to have been a teen and into 80's music to really appreciate this show. It is cute... We watched it again with some friends for our Valentines date b/c Pacman wanted to , but he forgot there were a few scenes that could have been done without. B

John Adams disc 3

we weren't able to watch these discs close enough together to reallly appreciate it, and we had missed a disc in there somewhere, so we were confused and didn't try to watch it again. But the first two disc were really good. Esp if you are a history buff. A

Santa Buddies

This was a Munchman pick and I didn't watch it or allow myself in the room, but I heard him laughing a lot. He would probably give it a whopping A+

UP

The first 20 minutes of this movie is one of the sweetest romantic (and I don't do romance stuff) movies I have ever seen. Very very sweet. The rest was okay but the kids tell me to grade it a 5 stars.. or an A++++++

planet 51

Agirl really wanted to watch this and afterwards was really sad she lost 2 hours of her life. She said to grade it a 0.5 or a D

Forget Paris

Now this is my turn. When I first watched this movie a very long time ago, I just remember loving it. Billy's character is a NBA ref and there are just some hillarious parts to this story. There are two parts that refer to immoral things that they could have cut out, but honestly, w/o those two parts, it is one of my favorite 'romantic comedies'. A

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs

We took the kids to the theater for this one and then rented again b/c they liked it so much. It was really great graphically. Kids rate it 4.5 or a B+

Terminator

Pacman wanted to watch this one. It was a perfect movie for him to watch while home from work for a sick day. While it was on, I heard bits and pieces. I picked up on more swear words than he did, but probably b/c I listened to it and not watched it. He thought it was a bit hard to follow and confusing but the action was 'cool'. B

Spirited Away

Shelvis wanted to watch this one. she reports " it's totally cool, it's interesting, it's the same kind of movie as ponyo, but ponyo is stupid"..... A+++++

Star Wars Clone wars

This is Munchman's favorite obsession lately so we allowed him another weekend of veiwing it. he would rate it beyond an A+ to a gazillion times the best movie on the planet. Which I find punny b/c star wars... planet.... A++++++++

Reading Review: Ophelia Sold Mirth at the Wedding

2010-03-29T13:23:00.000-05:00

I had picked up those four books during my two weeks between classes. I didn't get far....

HOUSE OF MIRTH

I tried the first 5 pages and it the language didn't grab me...very Jane Austin/ Erye? type, just doesn't grab me...... so I didn't even try... sorry

THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING

I tried this and it was confusing and disorganized. I ended up looking up the general idea on Sparks notes....

SOLD

This was due before I had a chance to read it. I flipped through it and it was depressing.. probably on Oprah's book club list. Didn't really want to read something depressing.

REVIVING OPHELIA

This wasn't leisure reading by any means, but I found it incredibly interesting. She has worked with teen girls for decades and its very interesting to read about her empiracle research and reports. There were a few things I shared with Pacman in helping us head into our parenting of teen girls with a little less anxiety. Girls... are wired really really meticulous. So many layers and reasons for things. But she wrote it in a way that is grabbing and not like a psychology text book.

Silly Video

2010-03-24T19:35:00.000-05:00

This isn't quite what I was hoping to capture, but she is sooo fast with this little trick, but I am not sure how good / well you can appreciate it. But the last part is CLASSIC!

First Place!!!!

2010-03-22T15:10:00.000-05:00

Munchman placed first in the infamous PINEWOOD DERBY races this weekend.

Pacman still has major guilt from Shelvis's derby car last year. She was invited, along with the other girls in her youth group (activity days) and they didn't put a lot into it, so much so, that Shelvis's car didn't even make it to the end of the track. It usually stopped mid track. Very embarrassing.

So he worked with Muchman on his and due to the lack of about 3 "derby winners" being there, ~~they~~ he came in FIRST!

I mean, it went so fast, we couldn't capture it on film

LOL

Later this week, video of some magic tricks!

Hey Grandmas: (kid braggg)

2010-03-15T16:58:00.000-05:00

A girl had her solo recital yesterday. We also had to buy a real "dress" for her 8th grade graduation, so she wore it for her recital too. She looks soo cute!

Reading Review: a few different books

2010-03-08T15:09:00.000-06:00

I didn't enjoy this book as much as his brother's book (see here). Kristina, will you shoot me off an email if you can and tell me more about what you heard about this book and working at DCFS, etc. I am really interested!!

I have two weeks off of school and grabbed 4 books, not sure which one I'll start with but here are the four:

Plot OverviewLily Bart is an attractive woman with some important social and family ties, but at the age of 29, she is still not married. Since the death of her mother, who had an intense hatred for "dinginess," Lily began to live with her aunt, Mrs. Peniston. However, Lily spends much of her time staying at the Bellomont, the out-of-town estate of the wealthy and well-establish Gus and Judy Trenor. At the Bellomont, Judy regularly throws extravagant parties that are attended by most of the New York upper-crust. They play bridge for money, which is problematic for Lily because she has a gambling addiction and cannot stop gambling, even though it ruins her financially

SummaryFrankie Addams is a young, confused twelve-year-old adolescent living in the American south in 1944. The book is framed around her main frustration with feeling like she belongs to no group, that she is disconnected with the world around her. The daughter of a jeweler and a mother who died in child birth, she is highly precocious and stubborn, but also naïve and unaware of the reasons for her own emotions. She spends the main action of the book, which begins on the last Friday in August and ends two days later, obsessed with her brother Jarvis's wedding on Sunday to Janice Evans.

Lakshmi is a thirteen-year-old girl who lives with her family in a small hut in the mountains of Nepal. Her family is desperately poor, but her life is full of simple pleasures, like raising her black-and-white speckled goat, and having her mother brush her hair by the light of an oil lamp. But when the harsh Himalayan monsoons wash away all that remains of the family’s crops, Lakshmi’s stepfather says she must leave home and take a job to support her family. He introduces her to a glamorous stranger who tells her she will find her a job as a maid working for a wealthy woman in the city. Glad to be able to help, Lakshmi undertakes the long journey to India and arrives at “Happiness House” full of hope. But she soon learns the unthinkable truth: she has been sold into prostitution. Lakshmi’s life becomes a nightmare from which she cannot escape. Still, she lives by her mother’s words – “Simply to endure is to triumph” – and gradually, she forms friendships with the other girls that enable her to survive in this terrifying new world. Then the day comes when she must make a decision – will she risk everything for a chance to reclaim her life?

In Reviving Ophelia, clinical psychologist Dr. Mary Pipher discusses the social and cultural pressures faced by today's adolescent girls. She analyzes the case histories of her young patients in an attempt to understand them and make recommendations for change. She explains why girls suffer from eating disorders, the desire to hurt or even kill themselves, friction with their parents, and problems in school. Dr. Pipher discusses the changes that occur when girls enter adolescence. Her observations provide valuable insight into the reasons why many confident, well-adjusted girls suddenly become sad and angry. Dr. Pipher draws upon her years of experience teaching and counseling young women in order to show how each girl is uniquely affected by the changes that take place. She compares the theories of many psychologists and philosophers.

Shelvis Beauty Play

2010-03-01T15:39:00.000-06:00

Shelvis was in the play/musical and did a fantastic job. She is very natural on the stage. I dropped the camera plus some bad lighting and my inability to use my camera LOL... some are grainy, sorry, but here she is.. with commentary when needed: Sleeping Beauty

you really can only see her hands on her hips, but she was very animoated

totally washed out faces,but this is her solo, she sang really well too!this was such a cool dragon. One of the dads made it out of styrofoam(sp?) very cool scene.

She had three performances. One at the school, where I helped out backstage, another Friday night, Munchman gave her a congrats balloon. Then again on Saturday, but Agirl was at a party Friday night so we went again Saturday afternoon. This is the poster she made Shelvis instead of flowers and by the way, she won't be allowed make up EVER!

Book Review: Hunger Games and the Pelzer boys

2010-03-01T07:55:00.000-06:00

A very interesting, distrubing and yet predictable book. Agirl read this and the next in the series. It started really slow. Part of the problem was that I wasn't consistent in reading b/c I was so busy. But once it picked up, it was really interesting. The premise is futuristic and a doom's day, government has taken over the world, type of message, which usually don't keep my interest. But this was pretty good.

I really don't have time to read a lot and when I do, I want something more human interest.:::shrug:::::

So I finished that one and last week while I underwent my kidney stone procedure, I talked to Pacman about what happened in the next book.

Two days later, Agirl got this book:

I do remember hearing and or reading this before, but it is such a quick read that I read it in a day while laying on the couch recouping..... I went to the library on Friday to get the next book and found instead Dave Pelzer's full version book AND one of his brother's had also written a book. I read this one:

and read it in a day. These boys literally went thru hell and back about a dozen or more times. Though their stories relate one of the worst child abuse cases in US history, the focus is really on them finding themselves and learning and growing and I really felt very uplifted from their stories. I would be very interested in meeting both Richard and Dave Pelzer. Richard had a family influence from and LDS family and I really found it touching. The things he learned from a healthy LDS family about famliy and love and those chapters were just so touching.

So, this is what is on my night stand right now:

One Step Ahead of Me

2010-03-01T03:12:00.000-06:00

He is always watching over us. I am so grateful for the timing of my kidney stone. It was during the final days of an 'easy' class, and i was able to turn in all of my assignments both weeks before or after I felt better. Does that make sense?

Also, we were blessed with a bonu$ that is paying for the medical costs of my fun last week. We just switched insurances and we have quite the out of pocket, but we were able to cover the huge medical bill because of this bonus and I am so grateful He is one step ahead of me ALL the time!

Things I have learned in the past 2 weeks

2010-02-25T14:38:00.002-06:00

I haven't been around for a bit. I need to do a book review and catch the family up, etc. But I have been busy learning. Here are 10 things I have learned the last 2 weeks:

1- Always take the 3 hours you planned on sitting in the ER and mulitply that by 3.

2- Kidney stones hurt ( more detail coming)

3- I really do have amazing support here and I LOVE living here in Chicagoland.

4- other's cooking taste much better!

5- my kids are amazingly helpful and sweet and concerned... as long as the TV is off!

6- My hubby is wonderful and supportive, even if he keeps getting sick the SAME time as I do!

7- I know more about the Camdens than I care to admit

8- getting dressed and brushing your teeth really do make you feel special.

9- I really can understand new computer software like Access, during a kidney stone attack.

10- The Lord is very very good to me. Even when I am going through a lot of ick, it's always works out.

10 Things I am grateful for:

1- pain meds

2- freinds who brought dinner over
3- friends who sent cards and flowers
4- Priesthood blessings
5- A-girl's ability to cook and clean even if it is against her will.
6- Shelvis for her amazing massage hands
7- Munchman for his sweet inquiriers if his mom feels "okay". with kisses on my head
8- Pacman's ability to balance it all even when he was fighting a cold
9- Neighbors who are more than willing to pick up some soft served chocolate yogurt and kleenex
10- My brother, who has gone through the kidney thing and talked me through each contraction.

So here is a basic KIDNEY STONE 101. I had heard about the pain. I had no idea what exactly one goes through for "just a kidney stone".

A. Identify back pain that comes and goes, but when it wakes you up and it's in one place ( my left back side) and makes you wanna puke... it could be a kidney stone.

B. Get the kids out the door and drive to a 24 hour clinic b/c the pain is making you now a bit dizzy and really sick to your stomach.

C. Sit in ER for 4 hours glad you are there. Sit for another 5 hours and wonder why you came in?

D. Blood work, urine samples, ultrasounds and my first CAT scan.

E. Get discharged after 9 hours and sent with xrays to the urologists office. Walk in and realize that you are the youngest one in the room by 50 years. Schedule the procedure for 3 days later.

F. Procedure USE to be, going under, getting cut from front to back, Dr. taking stone out and sewing you back up. Week in hospital, 6 week recover. NOW they have Lithotripsy

This procedure is most effective for stones in the kidney or upper ureter. Lithrotripsy uses an instrument, machine, or probe to break the stone into tiny particles that can pass naturally.

So you check in through outpatient services. Get dressed in those awesome hospital gowns that make you feel like walking the cat walk baby!

Sit in room and give an entire history of your health for the 5th time in 3 days. Chat with hubby and then meet nice nurses and doctors. Get wheeled into big white room and see all kinds of faces. Hear Dr. say " It's all going to be okay Mrs.........

......................." and wake up to nurse saying " There you are!" Like I am a newborn. LOL

Get home and feel sore, but things are okay... until the next day. Spent Saturday through Tuesday night feeling like I was in major labor.

It finally got to a point where I couldn't breath... had thrown up all that was on my stomach, which wasn't much since I hadn't eaten in a few days. Finally these urges to go potty pay off as I pee in a special cup and then see all of these tiny little sand like particles. Next day is a bit better but then the pain comes back better than ever and then I feel like dying.

Only to find that the next 3-4 trips to the potty have now given my another child. I was joking with the staff prior to the procedure that I can push out 9 and 10 pound babies, a little stone is NUthin'.....

Please accept my humble apologies. These suckers might be tiny but HOLY CRAP!

and I thought I was taking a computer class.... silly me!

and with that , I'll leave some pretty Valentine pictures I took while loaded up on drugs

Shake, Rattle and Roll

2010-02-10T15:01:00.000-06:00

You might have heard...... or not......

Small earthquake wakes up northern Illinois, no damage

To some, it sounded like a train derailing, a snowplow taking out a car, a plane crash, a sonic boom. To dogs, it was clearly something to panic about.

What is interesting is that D-fluff was going NUTS last night but we credited to him always barking at his reflection in the sliding door.

4:00 a.m., Pacman and I awoke to something but we didn't know just what. I know I heard a POP!

So even though this little trimmer was only a 3.8, I found something interesting this morning:

Yesterday, our basement had a few of these:

But this morning, I got down there and found a few of these:

anyway... all is well but something is DEF!!! in the "air"

So, as I study for an algebra test, here is another formula:

PLUS

equals

January Movie Review

2010-02-01T14:15:00.000-06:00

Had a busy month.... did get three movies in over the last 5 weeks

Hated this one. So glad that we watched this together as a family because there were things we had to fast forward. Yes you read that right. Even though this was digital claymation, they had some mermaid characters in it that were very NOT dressed at all. This had not point, no plot, did not make sense and was very dark. AUGH

We rated it a D-

we are on part 2 of this one, very well written and acted. Hard to follow if you are tired, but still interesting enough, that we are getting the 3rd disc. A+

I can't say enough good about this movie. What a powerful movie. I loved every single second of this movie. I bawled... It's an amazing movie and when my kids get to the Holocaust in school, I am making them watch this and I AM DAVID and read THE HIDING PLACE. Very touching and amazing movie!!!

A+++++++++

Look what I found in my basement!!!

2010-01-26T10:23:00.000-06:00

walked down a few days ago to do something, exercise, get something out of food storage, who knows, but I see this on the floor and was, well.... floored

Guess who drew it? It wasn't SPA or Md

she'd better get a full ride scholarship to Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art ( that's in France, she's addicted to Paris)

SPASMd Update

2010-01-25T11:25:00.001-06:00

D-fluff: got 'fixed' and taught us that it's a lot like post pardum, his hormones are all over the place, we are waiting for things to calm down and he is in process of being REhousetrained.

Munchman: having a hard time with focus at school, but his teacher likes him and calls him BRIGHT, so he is teaching me that boys just take a little longer

Shelvis is a happy camper with being one of the lead roles in the 5th grade play. She comes home very happy. I think she's born to be on stage. Too bad that industry is so NOT Choosing the Right, she's a great little actress.

Agirl is just steady steady. Trying to talk us into visiting family this summer back west. She misses her cousins and wants time with them. We are still in negotiations... I am all for dad taking the kids out and leaving me here to vacation HERE .. Alone... is that selfish? Oh wait, this is about her. She will have her piano testing this coming weekend. It's always fun to see how far she is progressing. Its held at a college and other teachers from this area will critique her skills and she takes theory test to ensure her teacher is up to standard as well as shows her where she is for her level.

Pacman: busy as usual. He is still committed to his health goals and gets up at 4:00 a.m. to exercise like 3 days a week. He is amazing to me. He is so perfect for me and I am so glad we have each other. He is working, keeping his options open that way as well, he is busy in his calling and he is having fun in his writers group. I am glad he has 'one' thing that is all his.

Spaz: Lessee...... Motherhood: good! love this phase of life. Wifehood: see above, Student: love being in school. Currently I am taking a computer class ( required) and studying to CLEPP out of Algebra. I am also trying to find ligit data entry or something that I can do to earn just about $100 / week to help pay for tuition. I apply to at least 3 shcolarships a week. I am still the secretary in Relief Society and it's perfect for me, balancing things on my time. No one signed up for my budget class through the park district here. Which reminds me, I need to email the guy and suggest ONE class night like on a Friday or something. Teaching that would give me $$ for the CLEPP test!

That is our update ( for family and those who care) and other than being disgusted with Oprah, and being too busy to spell check this entry.... Life is good!

The American Dream

2010-01-18T10:35:00.000-06:00

What Is An American Dream?

'The American Dream' is referred to as: finishing high school, going to college, falling in love, getting married, buying a house and cars, then having at least two children. This is the typical American dream.

If you had told me when I was a teen that one day I would be 'living the American Dream' I would have politely

and

And yet, here I am. I found myself smiling at this thought over the weekend as I was coming home and turned into my cul-de-sac.

I have indeed

and then

and guess what??????

This is a great dream come true. I love my life. I love my education, my marriage, my children, my dog, my mini van ( I know!!!! can't believe it either) and my home and my cul-de-sac.

They come in 3's

2010-01-11T11:52:00.001-06:00

Where did that saying come from?

Well, things have just come in 3's here:

1- Van battery died... not a big deal, unless it's -15... oh wait.. it is!

2- Flat/ tire off of the rim kinda flat.. not a big deal unless of course you live in Chicago where it is -2..... oh Wait! It is!!!

3- Came home today and the garage door finally bit the dust.... well actually that isn't accurate, for it to bite dust it would need to be a hot summer day and biting dust usually happens when on the ground... it is warm today, high of 26 WOOOWHOOOO. and it wouldn't open, have to get out of the cold and open it manually.

SOOOOOOOOOO................................

for every frustration, I am coming up with 2 gratitudes

1- Grateful Pacman was home the morning that the furnace pilot light went out and the house was 52 degrees. Grateful that I would have known how to light it but grateful I didn't have to

2- Grateful that Pacman was home ( same day) when I pulled out of my parking spot with a back end of groceries and realized that my tire was off the rim....

3- Grateful that it was only 5 degrees so my food didn't spoil

4- Grateful I was in the parking lot of Wal-Mart ( I know, mixed emotions about that but anyway) that had a tire center.

5- Grateful for Jess, who put a temp tire on the van so I could drive around to the side of the building

6- Grateful I can still shut the garage door and keep my house/garage somewhat protected.

K, that should do it

Happy 2010~~~ newsletter for 2009

2010-01-04T10:48:00.002-06:00

Before I share our newsletter for 2009, I had to show you guys our two favorite Christmas cards that came this year... they are awesome. Well, the first one is from friends from college announcing their twins... soooo cute.... they have 3 girls and then twins, one boy and one girl.... just loved this twin picture

This card came in as #1 of our all time favorite Card for '09 They are friends from back east and they too are announcing an addition to their family... we just loved this!!!

Here is our news for 2009!~ Have a good one!!!

News from 2009

Headlines - @ - A - Glance

Pacman's Projects
LIFE IS GOOD

Published a 2nd Book ***

Still 1st counselor to Bishop

Still have my Job

Joined a Writer’s Group

New book used for a 4th grd reading cirriculum & I was invited to the class as a guest author for the day

QUOTE OF THE YEAR: Pickles are my friends

Spaz's Specialties

LOVES HER NEW PHASE OF LIFE

Published a Book ***

Attended Girl’s Camp

Started My Organization Business-

Went back to College
Tested out of espanol

Maintaining a 4.0 GPA

QUOTE OF THE YEAR:: My brain hurts, but I am having soo much fun!

A-girls Activities
I DON'T KNOW... LIKE.. YEAH

I stay up all night reading

I have straight A’s
I am taller than Mom
I continue my classical piano training & recitals.
Went to the JoBro’s concert for my birthday
Metal free after 5 years of ortho treatment. (She literally has a $10,000 smile!)

QUOTE OF THE YEAR: I need to charge my Ipod

Shelvis' Script

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN AWESOME!!!!

Sold a painting for $75

Played Elvis in school musical

Mastered“Blackbird” & “Here Comes the Sun” on the guitar (Beatles)

Landed a leading role in school play (spring production)
Said Goodbye to my pet rats
Said Hello to the puppy!
Have straight A’s

QUOTE OF THE YEAR: Peace, love and Ham

Munchman's Munchin
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

I Love Math

Orange belt / white stripe in Karate (watch out!)
I still swim (preparing to compete)
I got baptized!
I am obsessed w/ Star Wars

Quote of the Year: “Oh give me a BREAK! that’s just a guy in a santa suit!!!”

D-Fluff's Do's
RUFF RUFF BARK BARK RUFF

I complete the family

I weigh 4 pounds
I am the cutest puppy on the planet
I am a male toy poodle
I am spoiled and own the couch

Quote of the Year Whose turn to walk the dog?

Book Review: Dear John

2010-01-04T09:09:00.000-06:00

Oops, I think I had read this one before. Either the first few chapters are also the trailor for the movie or I did read this a few years ago. Guess that tells you how much of an impact it had on my life. LOL. This is a classic Nicholas Sparks. Someone pointed me in his direction a long time because he is an easy read, but he was also pretty clean. He didn't have any language in this one he added some sex into this book and I was annoyed. I know it was a vital part of the story but still..... So anyway... This was a very fast read over the weekend, but I skipped a lot because I am pretty sure I had read it before but just wanted a fast -easy, -escape -before -life -starts -again -book. The good news, is that I really liked the ending and if they stick to the book, then I think most romance lovers will HATE the ending... but it's realistic and I liked it. LOL

Now onto the next book:

View from my window

2010-01-03T09:12:00.001-06:00

I am grateful that the view from my bedroom window allows me to see through to the next cul-de-sac so I can watch for the school bus to stop there first before it hits our street. On mornings like today where it's like -50 below.... sorta not kidding... then I can keep my kids safe and warm until the last minute.

This morning was nice to see the bus pull up and then I said " Okay guys" and they then can just walk down to the bus stop and not freeze standing out there. Only this morning, Munchman was so eager to get back to school that he didn't see D-Fluff run out of the house and I was forced to walk down there and get him, but again, this only instilled my gratitude that when temps are cold or rainy, etc.. .I have a view from my window!

Book Review

2009-12-31T15:53:00.000-06:00

What a cute book. Shelvis received this book as a gift from her teacher for Christmas. I needed something by my night stand, so I borrowed it. Very delightful little book. Easy read and quick read or you can take your time. Glad I read it. It's about a girl who is running away to a museum and her and her brother's experiences while hiding in a museum. Very cute. Highly recommend it!

December Movie Review

2009-12-31T15:48:00.000-06:00

December Movie Reviews

Family Night viewing... kids liked it, nice to have a clean and innocent movie. A++++

Okay, they could have left out 2 chapters of this and this would have been one of my favorite movies.. there was awesome humor and plot was funny and it was really, UNTIL chapter 6 & 7 and then it goes back to clean. If you get this and skip those chapters just know you missed nothing but nakedness ( don't worry, we FF it... well I did, b/c the nakedness was Sandra, Pacman hid his eyes like a good man should... Really frustrated that this movie was sooo good until those two chapters. Oh well..... W/o chapters 6 & 7... A+ with those chapters, B

Pacman read the book, this was a good entertaining movie that ended a little off for me, but it was okay. B+

Michael had been spared of this movie until this month. He listened to the Disney CD and knew the song, but wanted to see this, so he got the dvd player in his room to watch this and liked it. A

Another Family Movie Night.... just a reminder that most of those movies I saw in High school had a lot of language in it. 80's was horrid with their language codes.... but the story is funny. ::;sigh:::: B

Pacman and I started this history/ HBO thing and I was wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve, and had looked down during the tar and feathering of someone and Pacman shielded my eyes from a nude scene... Nude in that the crowd had torn all the clothes off of this guy and tehn tarred and feathered him. Really was sobering to know that was done back then. This is delightfully interesting and we have the next two disc on wait in our queue. A+

A friend read the book and said she couldn't finish the book because of the real life Julie, who wrote the book that the movie was based on. She is free with her F words, etc. The movie though was very cute and interesting, as far as Julia Childs is concerned anyway, I had not idea some of that history of hers. I thought it was a cute movie and glad they took out the stuff in her book. A+