Get to IT!

I love reading others blogs. It inspires me. I have decided the moment you think you are a perfect person is the moment you have a HUGE problem! I say this as I sit in a chair while my children spill red soda in the kitchen and clean it up with a bathroom towel and talk to my mom on the phone because I was too lazy to go see her! I will do better!

I love my husband! I fail as a MOM!

I just want to write down that I love my husband! I feel bad that he is gone a lot. I feel bad that I usually enjoy it! Only because it means that as soon as the kids are in bed it is my time. All my time. I don't have to worry about what anyone else wants to do. This week I have found though that I miss him. I miss seeing, and hugging, and talking face to face to him. He has been very lovey dovey lately. (At first I was nervous because I was afraid to find out what made him snap to!) He makes me want to be a better mom. Speaking of that I am NOT a great mom.

In Grantsville they have this thing called a sociable. This year is the 126th annual one. That tells you what kind of tradition it is! The first year we were here for it it happened to be the same day as the General Young Women conference. Both stakes in the city showed it on Sunday. Well part of the festivities is they do a children's sociable. It is like a glorified talent show. My son has tried out three years in a row and has yet to make it. As a mom I struggle with two things.

1. I am not caring. When something goes wrong in my children's lives, it is not in my nature to console them and give them loves. It IS in my nature to tell them to quit feeling sorry for themselves and get over it. I feel bad. I should have wrapped my arms around my son and told him that I am sorry he hurt. I would do whatever I could to help him feel better. Than I should have taken him to get a treat. I fail in the caring department. I do recognize it and I am trying to be better!

2. This is not my cup of tea. Need a meal? I'm there. Need someone to help in the classroom? I got your back. Heck you need someone to be PTA president? Sure why not, I'm a sucker!! Need a number for the talent show? UMMMM Sorry, wrong person! I don't sing, dance, or even like to get in front of others and act. Cas on the other hand is all about being in front of others. He does drama out here and has been in their drama teachers number to try out for the sociable. She always does way cute things I just think they are too involved. Kind of hard for a show that has to move quickly. Sorry Cas. Maybe your dad can help!

Life

Yes I need to post pictures of Disneyland and tell all about it. It was AMAZING, FUN, and a much needed family vacation!! I am in a reflective mood and just want to jot down some stuff I have been thinking about lately.

Adela - poor girl has had a fever for the last two days! On the fence about going to the doctor. We will decide in the morning! The other day she crawled into bed with me and was upset. I asked her what was wrong and she said that she was going to live in Grover some day and she would live with Tuhker in the cabin because she is to scared to live alone and Brigham won't let her live with him. Nice she knows Tuhker will be there for her!!

This is an argument Adela and Brigham have a few days after we return from Grover. Every time!! They both start saying that they are going to live in Grover. Usually Brigham starts so when Adela says she is going to Brigham says she can't. She then of course starts crying and comes to me and I in turn tell them there is a lot of space in Grover and they can both live there when they grow up. In separate houses.

She must have started thinking about this and got worried. I think she came to me when she reached her solution!

Cas - I love this kid. I feel bad for this kid because he got most of my genes! He is a little different and awkward. I hated elementary for this reason. From about 3rd grade to 6th grade it was not fun. I wasn't the bottom of the barrell but pretty darn close! Lately he has been very sensitive to teasing. Anything that anyone says that could even maybe be conceived as mean or teasing he takes it that way. We have had the discussion that there are a lot of mean people out there and the best thing to do is ignore them.

I hate watching my kids learn the painful lessons in life.

Brigham - That is all I have to say :)

Tuhker - I hope he decides that he likes the way life goes when he is being the kind, loving kid rather than the mischievous one!

Travis - I love my husband. I don't know very many people that can work as hard as him. I am soo glad he is coming home tonight. I miss him.

Lessons to Learn #1

I thought that a more positive way to rant is to turn it into a lesson for my posterity to learn. This is after all the only form of journal I currently have!! We are trying to beat the bishop by reading the Book of Mormon before he does. He have been behind since day one but at least we are in the race!! Today we were reading Lehi's last words to his kids. These things are not my most important things to leave my kids but I am not on my death bed! ( I don't think!)

1. -VOTE- You are not allowed to complain if you are not involved. You may not complain if you don't vote. Voting is your ticket to have an opinion.

2. -GET INVOLVED- Don't just vote. Get involved if you can. I don't know that I want to ever run for public office. I don't try to hide my past but I don't want everyone criticing me! I do however get involved in other things that directly impact my life. Such as PTA and HOA. Where I live both are swear words in a lot of peoples books. I find both of them to be a benefit.

3. -BE FAIR- If you don't agree with a friend try to see their side. If you weren't involved in the process of me making my decision and then you get mad at my decision then ASK me why I did what I did. Don't just hate me because I don't agree with you.

4. -BE BRAVE- If you don't agree with someone, don't go around talking about them behind their backs. If you don't have the courage to face them then shut your mouth.

5. -BE NICE- If you do try to see someone elses side and you don't agree still then AGREE to DISAGREE

Tuesday Laundry Day!

To fold and put away:

To Wash:
I try to do laundry everyday but when I get behind Tuesday is my catch up day. Can you tell I am behind! I am on batch 5 right now. Of course you can't just do laundry. I am still dealing with the rest of life.

Such as:

• Going to the school in my pajamas to give my children their permission slips to get the flu vaccine. I got the permission slips 2 weeks ago but forgot to fill them out until my 9 year old got off the bus to come and tell me he needed it. At this point I have to take it to him. Well it is Tuesday. I don't have to go anywhere. I didn't sleep last night. Therefore I am NOT taking a shower today! I know. I should learn from past experience (Adela's stitches) but I still do have days that I just don't shower!

• Pay Travis's speeding ticket. Yes we were so close to being able to get cheaper auto insurance and my husband goes and get ANOTHER ticket. His speedometer doesn't work so that's his excuse but my goodness I need cheaper insurance!! Good thing I love him!

• Stress about my niece. She is 17 and decided her parents are to strict so she ran away. To make matters worse her parents are on vacation in Thailand! I mean really what are you thinking?? Your sister is a basket case. Your parents are thousands of miles away and can't get back until Thursday and are therefore basket cases. I want to freeze my children in time. They still hang on every word I say and believe it. Their free agency consists of stomping off when I tell them they need to clean their rooms!! I love my niece and I am just sick that she is choosing to act this way. She is a prime example of why you shouldn't have a steady boyfriend. You do stupid things that hopefully some day you regret.

It's days like today that I am grateful for the problems in my life but my heart aches for problems that others are dealing with.

LIFE UNEXPECTED

NOTE: This blog was written while I tried to watch the season premiere of Leverage and put my four children to bed who have no interest in going to bed so I am trying to ignore their giggles and talking and yelling at me that we didn't read scriptures ( I have had enough. We read this morning. Should I feel guilty?) I really try to be a good mom but goodness by eight o clock I am just done!!

So I hate Wednesday TV on the big three stations. Even four if you consider Fox! I tried the whole American Idol thing and liked it a couple of time but really I cant do it!! I don't mind a good comedy but if I am watching one while my kids are awake they want to watch to and I am sorry but most are inappropriate for younguns!

That being said I was flipping through the channel guide trying to find something to watch. I stumbled on Life Unexpected on the CW. I decided to try it out and it was actually cute. Made you actually think about your choices. The story line is about a young girl who hates the foster care system and wants to be emancipated. Her biological parents never signed some papers so she takes over he overworked case workers job and goes to find her parents (Don't know how likely this is but good anyway!)

Her mom got pregnant when she was sixteen so she put the baby up for adoption. They said it was easy to place a baby but that was before they knew she had a whole in her heart. By the time she was done with the surgeries she was three and no longer easy to place and therefore put in foster care. The mom never knew any of this.

Sooo.. the girl goes to her court date to be emancipated and the judge is not going for it. She asks who is going to co-sign on her lease and low and behold her biological mom and dad are both there and both say they will. Long story short the judge ends up awarding custody to her biological parents.

It really just got me thinking about if we really understand the long lasting effects of our choices. I know that not many teenagers have sex to get pregnant but many do. It is a possible side effect after all!! Nobody texts while driving so they can get in an accident and kill someone yet it does happen and it is a possibility.

The reality in life is that things don't usually happen the way we plan. We should be a little more careful what we choose to do.

New Family Additions

I am NOT an animal lover!! Never really have been. In high school I found a lost dog. It just came to my house. I loved Shelby. She was a black dog. Then the stupid neighbor dog got her out of the backyard and ran away with her. She was the only animal I ever really wanted. When Tuhker was about 6 months old Travis decided our boys needed a dog. I was ok with this because he was in charge of it and it stayed outside. When we moved to our new house the dog for some reason now became an indoor dog. I am still not happy about it but have since decided to just live with it. WELL...... we have since added to the dog!!!

Meet Fireball the Lizard!!! Tuhker found him in the garage and decided to keep him. We will see how long he lasts!




My best friend here in Grantsville decided to move. I wasn't to happy with her but what do you do!?!?! I went and helped her move and Brigham was with me. He really tried hard to help and not be in the way. A lady in our ward was helping and told Brigham that he was such a good helper that he deserved a kitty. If you know me you know that I REALLY do not like cats. Probably because I am so allergic to them. It is not just me though. Cas and Adela are also. Well we have a vole problem at our house and so I thought that maybe if we had a cat it would solve that problem. We went to get the cat and Tuhker was with us. The very nice lady said that Tuhker needed one too. Yes, I am a sucker and so they both got a cat.

Meet Hiss and Oreo (P.S. my husband was not happy when he found out that we got 2 kitties and he was beyond mad when he found out they are both girls!!! Good thing he loves me!)

Time Flies (Or I am addicted to Facebook)

So...... I have reconnected with some friends from my junior high/high school years. It is awesome!! It makes me remember the great times and wonderful friends I had. I noticed on their facebook pages (of course!) that they had blogs. I went to them and read. I realized I suck!!! (I know that is a bad word at some houses but it is allowed only by mom at mine!) I haven't been to my blog in FOREVER!!!!! This is my official repentance and I will try to be better!

Tuhkers Birthday

Tuhker turned 6 this year and has never had a friend party so we decided this was the year. He wanted to have a volcano cake so we had a volcano party (sort of)!! I don't do parties or I don't go crazy over them. Soooo. We made volcanoes, did a pinata decorated with jungle animals and opened presents. The kids seemed to have fun.

The Pease Family Easter Egg Hunt

Every year my family gets together for an Easter egg hunt the Saturday before Easter. The Mulford's always go to Grover so we have to do the every other year thing. This year we stayed home and went to my mom's. It was fun!


See how cute she looks when her mom does her hair!!



The one who was only trying to find the money eggs!!

Some day when he thinks he is all cool and tough I can use these pictures for blackmail!!!

Let me tell you about Brigham. They were supposed to find a certain amount of eggs. Aunt Kathy had brought money eggs (always a favorite of the kids). Some had the gold dollar coins, some had dollar bills, and there were 5 that had a 5 dollar bill in them. Well, Travis was in charge of helping Brigham count his eggs and he had 5 too many. Travis told him to pick which ever 5 he wanted and go put them back. He chose a 5 dollar egg! Travis made him hide it good! The kid still got 6 dollars from the egg hunt. He smells money, not candy!!!!

Thanks to Alexis for helping Adela. She is showing her where a money egg is in this picture! Thanks Aunt Steph for the cute bows!!

THE INFAMOUS CAKE!

I was only in charge of making a salad but there are two traditional desserts for Easter. Carrot cake and sugar cookies. I decided to make both. I made the cakes on Friday night at 10:00. I knew if I didn't I wouldn't do it. Well I baked the cakes and left them on the stove to cool and I planned on getting up early to frost the cake and the cookies. When I got up I couldn't find the cakes. My inital thought was, "That d*** dog!!" Yes my dog has been known to eat things off my cupboard. I looked everywhere for the pans. I couldn't find them. Nor was there a massive amount of crumb mess that is usually left when the dog does this. I kept searching and wondering where they were. My next thought was, "The mice carried them off!!" First, yes we were dealing with a mice problem at this time. Second, yes I really thought of that as a viable option. That goes to show you just how crazy and upset I was that I couldn't find my cakes. I finally went and asked Travis if he knew where they were and he had put them up in the cupboard where the mice nor the dog could get them! Thanks Babe!! (This was also my poor attempt to decorate a cake!!)

The yummy cookies!

Easter Eggs!!

I know! I know! Easter was a long time ago (or so it seems!) But better late then never I always say! Coloring easter eggs this year was more of crossing one more thing off of my list of things to do but we did it!!

Bless Cas' heart!! He is artsy fartsy and puts up with his mother's lack!!

Tuhker so sweet!! He really is!

The cheezer!! Must be related to the Pease family!!

I promise I do her hair regularly. I promise!!

Future Director

We were out of school yesterday for teacher workday. I was going to take my children to Aunt Marlene's house but woke up lazy and didn't want to do anything but sit in the chair and watch T.V. Well my children were amazingly good and around 3:00 I noticed they were playing together. When I really watched I could see that Cas was getting all of them to do a play with them. (I think Adela may be out next performer). Cas was directing the kids and telling them what to do. It was PRICELESS!! The video doesn't do them justice but it was fun!!!

Hold On Tight

I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father blessed me with a little girl. And I mean she was sent by him!! She is the only child I conceived that wasn't planned. And she is PRECIOUS!!!

Yesterday a friend of mine, who I happen to also visit teach, lost her 17 year old daughter in a car accident. I went and saw her today and my heart just aches for her because I can't imagine losing one of my darling children. I also ached for her because she hasn't been active in the church for awhile. I can't imagine going through an event like that without the Saviors help in making my heart stop hurting.

THE FIGHT

We had a fight last night at our house.

It was between

Briggie
And the watter bottle

Guess who won!!!

(Hope he learned to stop throwing it into the air!!)

Spanish Singers

During the summer, after our suburban had been totaled but before we got the new rig, Travis needed to take our truck to Wyoming. Of course this is how I got around. He left me his work truck which is only a single cab truck. With four kids we didn't go very many places that week. I had to go to the church for a RS thing and my kids went with me. We were squished in the cab of the truck and the kids kept playing with the radio. It landed on a spanish station and the above videos are an example of what Brigham started doing out of no where. It was soo funny!! Now we always ask our kids to show us their spanish singer!!!

Snowmobiling

This weekend we went snowmobiling. This is something my children ALWAYS hear their dad doing but they never get to go. We were supposed to go with some friends to their cabin but they had to cancel at the last minute. Being that Travis spent the majority of Monday and Tuesday getting the snowmobiles ready we decided we had to go somewhere on Saturday with the kids. Our brother in law Corey's family has a cabin in Kamas so we talked to them and set a date. I found out Friday at 5:30pm that we were staying over night. Got to love my husbands plans!!! We had a blast!! Here are some photos for posterity!

The Dreadful Horse

Do you remember these fun bouncy horses from your childhood? I do but I don't remember them being so noisy!! This was Brigham's favorite thing to do!

On Saturday the kids played outside all morning long. About lunch time Brigham was exhausted but wouldn't go in until everyone else did so he just layed against the snow and rested!

I told him it was ok but to make sure it wasn't by any yellow snow!

This is Adela. On the sled. Going down a hill. Because she wanted to.

To appreciate this picture you have to know that the last time we took the kids to Uncle Cory's cabin Adela would just scream if you tried to take her on the sled. When I went out to check on the kids I about passed out to see her willingly on the sled!

Cas eating Snow!! Need I say more!

(Other than his numb got tongue!)

Tuhker being strong!

Dad's little protegee.

Always loves the same things as dad!!
You couldn't get him off!

Just a cutie!

Brigham just likes to lay in the snow!

Stocktyn's silly face.
(Courtesy of Cas)

Brighams silly face
(Courtesy of Cas)

Adela's silly face.

While getting her hair done.

(Couresy of Cas)
(Just don't look at me!)

BACON!!!!

(Courtesy of Cas)

The guys making breakfast.

One little secret about me. I hate to make breakfast. Good thing Travis doesn't mind. Poor Tom came up to really ride only to find out we were being lazy!! Hopefully he didn't mind too much!!

Ode to Teaching Relief Society

I loved teaching Relief Society. Not the first few times because it was scary but I really got to love it. I have this theory that if you give a treat people will like you. I got a lot of compliments on my lessons but hopefully it wasn't just because I gave handouts!! I taught for just over a year and I think there were two times I didn't give a handout. I remember the first time my husband gave me such a hard time about it all the way to church that I got up to give my lesson and just cried (I can be such a boob sometimes!!!) I thought twice before I did that again! Well my last lesson was the lesson of Joseph Smith's letter to Emma. I decided it would be fun to give everyone a card and encourage them to write letters to be saved for posterity. Well I went a little crazy and decided to MAKE 3 cards for everyone. I ended up making like 180 cards. It took all week. It was fun!





Cas was such a trooper and sat there for an hour and rounded about 240 corners for me!!

The Mess!! Its actually kind of clean here! Adela thinks that if I am cutting up paper so should she. It's even funner cleaning up her mess!

Blog Flagged

So I thought it was funny that when I went to get on my blog it told me that it had been flagged for questionable content! Really!! Believe me I have seen worse the a cute little girls crack when she bends over!! And yes I thing Big Bertha Butt may have a Junior!!!

P.S. THANKS Ang for the cute background site. The Polka Dots were getting to me!!!

The Big Day

Of course since Cas turned eight he was baptized. Now this was an extra special day for him because he wasn't only baptized but it was also the big day of his play. Just after we moved to Grantsville I saw a sign on the side of the road for a Drama class. Anyone that knows Cas knows that this is right up his alley. We signed him up and he has been in it ever since. He LOVES it!!! He is pretty good too!

Cas and Dad just before the big event!!

The giant birthday cake!
I went to the little grocery store here in Grantsville and said that I wanted a cupcake cake.
They asked me how big.
I said 24 cupcakes would be great!
There were over 40 cupcakes used to make this cake!!!!



The Cousins!

Waiting for the play to begin!

The amazing thing is that this is 3 five year olds and 2 three year olds.

I thought we were crazy for letting them sit up there by themselves.

The crazy thing was that they sat there QUIETLY for the entire show!!!

I was very grateful that most of Travis' family just hung out after the baptism and came to Cas' play. So did Aunt Jessica and Uncle Jordan. It is so wonderful to have family support my kids. They already know their mom and dad are proud of them!!

The play was "The Elves and the Shoemaker"

Cas was Johann the shoemaker

This is him and his wife Frieda dancing for Joy!

Of course right as they were done dancing and Johann was walking over to return to his work he whispers "I HATE that part!!!!!" Problem was that he had a microphone on so it wasn't so silent. But it was hilarious!!

Isn't he priceless!

The final call when the sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

The Big Eight

Yes my oldest finally turned eight. We have been waiting for this day for eight years!!! This was the little family party we had on his actual birthday! Yes that pink with purple glitter crown is his. His school teacher makes them a crown and lets them pick the colors! Get it out while you are young is what I say!!

Of course in a family with little kids. Everyone gets to blow the candle out!

Thanks to the help of uncle Robbies family and Aunt Marlene's awesome after Thanksgiving shopping, Cas got a Nintendo DS for his birthday. His cousin Grant has one and he has been asking for one for awhile but I wasn't sure if I wanted to bring the "evil" thing into our house!! It has been fun but I do have to remind them to turn it off and go to bed!