those were the days

My friend and former roommate, Danika, sent me this picture from our glory days at BYU. I'm not sure what I was doing. Trying to avoid studying, no doubt. Cute, don't you think?

thankful

Oh Come All Ye Pilgrims
(words by the Slade family, circa 1990 something)

Oh come all ye pilgrims,
Come to laden tables.
Come ye, oh come ye,
Both thin and obese.
Come and be fill-ed
Feast with palates savoring.

We're glad we have a place
so we can all say grace.
Now let us stuff our face.
There's food here for all!

I came to a laden table with the Daniel side of the family. I feasted and was VERY filled. And since I only had to provide rolls (which came the easy way from the store) and fruit salad, I had a no stress holiday. The kids got to run around with cousins. There was basketball, ping pong and soccer. Movies were watched. Games were played. Good times all around!

Of course, I am thankful for the BIG blessings in my life--family, Gospel, freedom, health, etc.--but here are some other random blessings for which I give thanks today too.

-my computer with high speed internet
-Netflix
-being able to watch favorite TV shows on-line
-Brach's peppermint nougat candies that come out at Christmas time
-crossing one item off my wish list: I now have the full blown Photoshop CS3
-the new Scott Kelby book which will hopefully teach me how to use the above blessing
-Dave taking a day off tomorrow
-digital photography, so I can take lots and lots of pictures!
-on-line shopping
-Ruffles Cheddar and Sour Cream chips
-Emma and I not getting sick with the stomach bug all the boys had
-a quiet house

Well, there are many, many more that I could list, but I am off to enjoy the quiet house and watch the movie Amazing Grace.

we made it another week

I am so glad this week is over!

Sawyer has been throwing up from one end and having yucky stuff coming out the other. He continues to be oh so clingy.

Nathan has an infected toe. I am not sure what happened to it in the first place but we went to the doctor on Friday and now he is on antibiotics that cause yucky stuff from him too. I had grand plans that I was actually going to get him potty trained this week since Dave will be home(I know he is WAY overdue for that) but now I am not so sure.

I took Emma and three friends out for a birthday celebration on Saturday. They chose Chuck-a-rama for lunch. One of them ate a zillion pieces of garlic bread and jello. Thats it. Yum. Then we headed off to Color Me Mine. It was jam packed with several parties so we were lucky to find a spot. They had a great time. In fact one of the girls kept telling me that this was the best party ever! I thought is was great too. We get to pick up their finished pieces on Wednesday. I was so totally bummed because I forgot a memory card for my camera so I didn't get any pictures.

I took pictures for some friends when I got back.

Then Dave and I went on a date to see Little Women at BYU. I must admit I expected more from a BYU production but I still enjoyed it for the most part. I had a hard time getting past the Polynesian Jo (sorry that is so prejudicial of me, I know) but she looked nothing like Marmee or any of the sisters. However in the emotional scenes after Beth dies she was fantastic. Even Dave had tears streaming down his face! It was a 3 hour show so we got home late. The kids were still awake except Sawyer. He was in his bed without a shirt on. Uh? I still like this babysitter though. She cleaned the kitchen.

My dad was in town today so he and my brother, his roommate and another friend came over dinner. We had Mongolian Dinner(sometimes known as Hawaiian Haystacks) which in my opinion is the absolute best thing to make for a crowd. I also had plans to make Emma an "8" cake. The attempt was disaster! The cake just fell apart when I touched it. Colin took over instead.
Emma was really sweet about it. Telling me it didn't have to be perfect. But seriously, how sad is that?! Birthday cakes are my thing! This one was not meant to be. I will have to try again for her baptism get together which is in two weeks. Speaking of, she met with the bishop today and is just oh so excited!

We also did a present treasure hunt. I had to make up for all the presents that I intended to buy but never was able to this week. Emma thought that was great fun.

I also got a new calling today. Primary pianist. This was the calling that I thought would be the best calling ever. No prep. No responsibility. Then I was called to it in Virginia and I was bored out of my mind. Honestly, I am not sure what I will think is the worse calling, teaching my current class of CTR 8 or pianist. I'm sure you're reading this, Brooke. Sorry. I'll be happy though, I promise!

Dave is home all of this next week. He is even taking Friday off. Can't tell you how much I need him here. I am looking forward to celebrating the tremendous blessings of my life surrounded by my family.

eight is great

Eight years ago at 9:11 p.m. on a Monday night in Boise, Idaho.....
Emma came into the world and started me on this wonderful adventure called motherhood.

I am so lucky to have this girl. She is quite amazing actually. She is sweet, energetic, emotional, extroverted, artistic, coordinated, talented, intelligent, and cute too!

For her birthday, we made the traditional number pancake. Dave has corrupted my children and now they like batter pancakes (where only one side is cooked). And birthday pancakes get sprinkles too. We went to lunch at Carl's Jr. Then (since I am a glutton for punishment) we went to another movie. It was a much better experience this time. It helped that it was Underdog, a movie I had absolutely no desire to see, so I didn't care that I was in the lobby the entire time with Sawyer and Nathan.

We came home for Kids Company rehearsal. I had planned to make treats but that didn't happen. The girls did sing to her and I know she liked that. Tonight we had Ham and Cheese Soup with rolls. Then they watched a movie to finish off the day. It wasn't the most amazing birthday, I am sure, but I think she felt loved and celebrated.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

thirty four

Thirty one years ago on his third birthday, my brother got his best birthday present EVER. Me!




Happy Birthday, Jeremy!

thirty one

Here is the rundown of my birthday:

I broke a chair. I got an overdraft charge ($32!!!) simply because I wasn't paying attention enough to transfer money from another account. I washed, dried and folded four loads of laundry. Still need to put them away. I went visiting teaching. I took Emma to Irish and violin. I ate dinner at my sister in law's house. I watched helplessly while Nathan stopped breathing (sidenote: he does that awful silent scream until he turns blue far too often but not usually as bad as tonight). I made cookie dough (to be made into cookies tomorrow) for some of my Primary kids. I let the kids watch too much TV. I got asked on a date to see Little Women.

Good times!

I never did get around to posting my 100 things. I couldn't finish the list. Instead, since it is my birthday, how about 31!?

1. I am the middle child of seven, three brothers, three sisters.

2. I have lived in 22 different homes/apartments. In high school my friends used to joke about taking the Slade House tour in Ft. Collins.

3. My life has been filled with and shaped by performing arts. I play the piano and cello. I sing. I dance. I have performed throughout my whole life. I met my husband on the Folk Dance team. I always dreamed of being a Broadway star. I still thrill every time I am in front of an audience.

4. I am addicted to reading of any kind. Books. Magazines. Blogs. I feel an immediate lift when I walk into a bookstore or library. I read very quickly but sadly forget much of what I read.

5. My favorite color is red. Shocking, I know. I also love green, golden yellow, and black.

6. I have visited 12 different countries—Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, China—all with the folk dancers. The place I dream of going to is Israel.

7. I flew on an airplane for the first time when I left for college.

8. I hate to shop for clothing. My wardrobe most definitely reflects that.

9. I graduated from BYU with a degree in History.

10. My favorite season is fall.

11. I hate being hot. I cannot function in heat.

12. I am a homebody. There are many days when I don’t step outside even once.

13. I dated my husband for a year and a half.

14. I broke my nose in the airport in Indonesia while on tour with the folk dancers, six weeks before my wedding.

15. I broke my arm when I was five. I fell off of a trampoline.

16. I lettered in swimming in high school.

17. I am in my fourth year of homeschooling my children.

18. I love cloudy, chilly days and stormy weather. It makes me want to curl up on the couch with a good book.

19. I haven’t had a job outside the home since I got married, even before we had kids.

20.My dad has been telling me since I was a teenager that I would have five boys. When I had Emma first, I thought I had shown his prophecy to be false. Then I had three boys. I am terrified (though somewhat resigned) that I am going to have another boy next. Then I will feel that my dad must have been right all along and we’ll have another boy after that. Then, we will want to have another child to try for a girl and I will have seven children. AGH!

21. I am an introvert though not shy and with some extrovert tendencies. I love alone time but still crave close friendships.

22. I want to be a professional photographer someday.

23. My favorite food is Chinese food.

24. My favorite dessert is cheesecake.

25. I am frugally-minded. Some in my family call it cheap. I prefer frugal, conservative, a saver.

26. I love all sweets—ice cream, candy, cookies, cake. During my pregnancies it is the only thing I crave. Oh wait, sweets are the only thing I crave when I’m not pregnant too. Yes, I have a problem.

27. However, I do not like chocolate ice cream.

28. I cannot sleep with socks on or wear them without shoes.

29. I do not see well in the dark. I hate driving at night.

30. I have had a goal to make getting up early a habit for two years now. I know it would make a huge difference in my life. I prefer to stay up late though and so I am getting nowhere with this goal.

31. I hate seafood and squash.

still here

Did you miss me?

My blog has been suffering lately because of life's other adventures that I am enjoying right now. Here (covered in dirt) is probably the biggest reason why I haven't blogged lately:

His name is Sawyer. He is really cute. Lately he is also really clingy. Really. Clingy. He doesn't want to be put down. I can't take one step away from him without him crying. I know separation anxiety is typical at this age but this is ridiculous! It is like dealing with Slade as a baby all over again. Except, thankfully, Sawyer actually does take naps. I'm wondering if his separation issues are worse because Dave is gone. Or maybe it just feels worse because there is never any relief.

Last week was actually a really good week. We got school done. Emma practiced her violin everyday. I kept up with all the laundry and housework. Judging by today, this week isn't going to be like that. Dave is in Virginia. The kids are kids--making messes, fighting, complaining. The baby has a fever. The house has been a big mess.


However, since I hate to be a complainer, I must put my positive spin on all things. Besides I read Elder Eyring's conference address today which reminded me that I need to look for the hand of God in my life. And I need to write it down. It was extra motivation to actually blog tonight.

--I'm thankful that my husband is in Virginia because it means he is doing a job he totally loves.
--I'm thankful that Sawyer wants to be held. all. the. time. because it means that I am loved.
--I'm thankful that although my house feels like a wreck it usually takes only fifteen minutes to put back together.

I'm thankful for my life. I know I am blessed. I also know that with the right perspective life looks a whole lot better.

oh taracita!

Here is a sneak peek for you over on the other blog. Come take a look.