**snicker**

SO!!! Thanks to Katie, I realized that I didn't even GIVE the promo code that I was refering to in my last post! (duh)

Here it is!!! It's good until May 10th! MOMSGR8 (cute code huh? "mom's great"!)

promo code

We all love a good promo code right? Here's one for JCPenny...$10 off a purchase of $10 or more! Gotta love that! If you live near a JCP...you can have it sent to the store and you can pick it up for a cheaper rate...but if you're like me...you'll want it to come right to your door step! :)

Happy Shopping!

PURSES!

Look at my cute little button on the right! Angela is revamping her website and has also created a blog for her purses! It's http://www.aftonandelaine.blogspot.com/!

Just Shootin' the Breeze

So, basically, I am standing here at the counter with my dishwasher open (almost makes me feel like I am in the process of doing something constructive)...actually I almost have all the clean dishes put away. I made the mistake of having my lap top on the kitchen counter...and right now the temptation of "shooting the breeze" on my blog is winning out over putting the rest of the dishes away. The door of the dishwasher does make a nice little footrest while I am standing here though. Plus...keeping up with my "family history" (a.k.a spending guilt free time on the blog) is important right???

Excuse me while I go discipline my oldest child!.....

(I'm back)

...I was talking to Angela today. We are both about at our wits end when it comes to kids that have to be told to do something over and OVER and over! Right now it's not huge things...but "things" none the less and I can't help but worry that if I don't nip the "little things" in the bud, (or is it nip it in the "butt"?) then they might start turning into big things. For instance. Yesterday Kaitlyn got out a cake mix, opened it, was eating the cake mix and left a mess. She didn't get a chance to eat too much of it before I found what she had done. I told her not to eat the cake mix, put it in a ziplock baggie and thought that was the end of it. But what did I find in the pantry today??? The cake mix open with evidence that it was being snacked on! What am I raising here? Mice? So, today she's having to clean her room all by herself. I was going to help her...but that's the consequence I came up with. (notice my use of words...doesn't "consequence" make me sound so much nicer than "punishment"?)...I mean, really it is her fault, not mine. But don't you LOVE it when your kids get all mad a YOU for disciplining THEM!? Hello!? Just obey and everything will be fine! Even as I type that, I know how silly I sound. In my head I know that a 3 year old or even a 6 year old (or even an 18 year old and some adults) have not been around long enough to know that every time they don't obey they're going to have a consequence...so maybe they should just remember that instead of having to deal with mom or dad being upset at them. In a perfect world right? I guess it's the same with us living the gospel. I wonder if Heavenly Father looks at us and thinks, "I told you that if you will read your scriptures, pray and attend the Temple, life will be SO much easier." But then again...it was Satan's plan that we did what we were told without question. Here's what I think...and it's not much of a consolation. Kids are supposed to disobey and need to be corrected over and over. That's what they do and it's the parents job to figure out how to correct them in a loving way. (a.k.a. not setting a mouse trap by my cake mixes). It's kindda like when we go to church and are told the same things over and over...because it's what's important and we need to hear it over and over because we have a tendency to forget! Then, there comes a time, as parents, when we have to back off and let the kids decide. I think that as members of the Church, we are in that phase (mortal existence) of deciding for ourselves how well we are going to live the gospel. Do we only go to church when it is convenient? Do we go to meetings only if it will get us out of having to put the kids to bed? Do we read our scriptures and pray only when we are in desperate need of help? Do we go visiting teaching only because we don't want to feel guilty when we report to our supervisors? I guess what I am thinking is that Heavenly Father has given us the Plan of Salvation and it is a perfect plan being lived out by imperfect people. We know what our reward can be if we are faithful and still we fumble and faultier. So, why do I get upset over cake mix??? Because it's my job to teach my kids to do the right things for the right reasons. Right? :)

I don't really know where I am going with this...just something to think about I guess. It helps me to evaluate things once in a while...see what I need to work on...try to see things from a different point of view so that maybe I can do things a little better.

Anyhow! I better write about some things that have been going on around here so that I can still justify me blogging instead of doing dishes!

Kaitlyn lost a tooth last night. One of the bottoms ones. Brandon got to pull it this time! It's so funny to see her get a tooth pulled! She was holding my hands and squeezing because she thought it was going to hurt. Brandon pulled it out and she asked, "Is it out?" Then she saw that it was and was SO excited! Just seeing her go from fear to excitement was funny!

Addie has been pretending like she's a baby for about a week. She likes to take the cushions off the couch and make "cribs" for herself. And she talks in a baby voice. Sometimes it's cute...sometimes it's annoying...but it keeps her busy and using her imagination!

Weston is developing his own cute little personality. Recently he learned the word, "no" and likes to use it every chance he gets! Sometimes it's a sweet teasing, "no no no" and sometimes is a grouchy, "NO!" Last night he was making us laugh. We were at Dairy Queen. He was the last one done. He pretty much had his whole star pop left when the rest of us were done. We all started asking for a "taste". At first he'd say, "no" and hold his treat behind his head. We all thought that was cute.

Brandon and I are doing good. We got a babysitter this past Saturday..our nephew Ray was nice enough to come to our house at 8:30 in the morning...he watched our kids for a good 4 hours while Brandon and I looked at furniture. We ended up getting a steal of a deal on a china hutch. There was a "Warehouse Blow-Out" sale at a store in Pine Top. I don't the the original price...but since it was scratched and scuffed in a few places, we got it for $125. I love it! We also looked around at sofa's and found a set! We ordered it...but it wont be delivered for another 6-8 weeks...which is fine with us because we have some rearranging to do. Brandon is FINALLY getting a recliner and we need to clear a place for it. When we we first married, he had an old recliner that was a hand-me-down from his sister...which I think was left over from her hubby's bachelor days...the thing was a blessing when we had NOTHING...but then it started leaning to one side...and not reclining...and one day when Brandon was at work...I threw it in the trash. :[ I don't know if he's ever forgiven me! (lol)...so now he'll have his recliner and it's one that I can live with! So..we're excited about getting new furniture. Also, our microwave went "ka-put"! We're going to have someone out to fix it (at least we hope they'll fix it)...but right now, not having a microwave is really cramping our style! Food taste SO much better when it's rewarmed in the oven or on the stove...but a microwave is faster!

Okay...I guess I have been "shooting the breeze" long enough. Time to go put those dishes away! Oh shoot! It's almost time to take Kaitlyn to dance and she's not even ready!

I don't know what the deal is with blogger and our new computer...they just don't like to work together!...same thing with my email. I have to use the lap top to get it. Brandon will have to look into that for me. So glad he's computer literate enough to figure those things out. So...basically I am just typing this to see if this computer is still going to act up and not let my go back and edit posts or not. (little later)....I think it might have something to do with the mouse...I can TAB down and use the arrow keys but I can't use the mouse to get the curser (sp?) where I want it. Oh Well...I'll worry about it later.

QUESTION to you photography buffs. I am thinking of buying the Canon 50mm/1.8f lens. I basically want a low priced lens with a lower f-stop...if you have that lens, do you like it? Also, what do you think of buying a lens used off of ebay or should I stick to new?

I saw this beautiful green field of grass yesterday. I am going to talk to the people who live by it and ask if I can take our family pictures there. I am SO excited to see things looking alive! I am thinking of taking our black bench that is made out of two chair put together...and I was thinking of us just all wearing jeans and white shirts with no shoes with the girls maybe having a red bow or flower in their hair...anyone else have clothing and prop ideas???

Ya'll know that I don't like to "toot my own horn"...but as bad as I think this picture turned out ...it's still pretty cool that it's in the newspaper!

kid stuff + a little bit of this and that

Don't you just LOVE those times when you look at your kids and instead of thinking, "It's a good thing you're cute"...you think, "Man! I love that kid!" My kids seem to be growing up at warp speed! Yesterday we were driving home from picking Kaitlyn up from school and Addie out of no where said, "Derek (a little boy in her Sun Beam class) is my friend." Kaitlyn started teasing her by saying, "Addie has a boy friend, Addie has a boy friend!" I am just in the front seat laughing and then Addie yells, "HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!!!! (then coyly added)...but he is handsome". All I could think was, "ALREADY!?" She's not even 3 1/2 yet! Too funny! Oh, another "Addie moment". Yesterday Jewel and Jack came and visited us (so fun!) and my kids got a little refresher course in things like baby poop and breast feeding! So last night while I was reading Addie her bedtime story, she breast fed her baby Sally. She said to me, "She's sucking on my belly." Then she proceeded to tell me that baby Sally's birthday is the same as hers and that baby Sally is going to turn 4. "Really? And she's still breast fed?" Addie is one dedicated momma!

You know...as much as Addie keeps me on my toes, she keeps me smiling too. You gotta take the "bitter with the sweet" right?

Kaitlyn is doing good too. She is reading very well and taking A.R. (accelerated reader) tests at school. She still loves school but the other day she asked me, "Why does the bus have to come so early?" I wonder the same thing myself. I would be just fine if school started at 10 a..m.! We are counting down the days until summer vacation! She's such a good helper to me and as often as I wonder if she has a hearing problem because she NEVER can answer or respond the first time we tell her to do something...she is also becoming more responsible. She is in tap/ballet and she really isn't loving it. She's that way whenever she's involved in a class or a team...she doesn't want to go but then when it's over she talks about how fun it was!

Weston is learning to communicate! The other day he brought me his empty sippy cup and was pointing to the fridge. I asked him what he wanted and he said, "milk" (pronounces it "mowk") then I opened the fridge and he saw the juice and said, "juice juice!" It's so nice that he's learning to tell us what he wants! He also is learning to pray. He can't pronounce all the words we tell him to say but at the end he always gives a resounding "AMEN!" (pronounces it "May-men"). He has also discovered a new friend...Elmo! He LOVES to watch Elmo's World. It's very cute to hear him say, "Melmo! Melmo!". Last month we were in Mesa shopping at Costco and they had Sesame Street outfits his size. I wasn't going to buy one because they cost more than I like to spend on clothing...but he saw it and took the shirt and said, "Melmo" and kissed and hugged it...I just couldn't make him put it back after that!

Oh...another piece of news! My sister Tiffany had her baby last night. They started inducing her Wednesday evening. By last night she was only dilated 4 cm...and it didn't look like things were going to change anytime soon, so she had a c-section. Daniel Ryan Taylor was born 4 weeks early but still weighs 5 lbs. 6 oz and was something like 18 1/2 inches long. Tiny...but still a good size for being early. He would have been HUGE had she gone full term!

Has this week gone by super fast for anyone else but me!? Monday was a super crazy, wanna pull my hair out, why can't my kids listen?, what is wrong with them?, "stamps are not stickers so don't put them all over the walls", I just want to cry kind of a day! That night I vowed to myself that Tuesday would be better and it was! Then Wednesday I took the kids and headed out to Wal-Mart to get the van an oil change and pick up a few things. I think it was the first time in a LONG time that I have shopped with the kids and not felt like I was going to have to have therapy afterward! They did so well at not running off, hiding in racks or asking for every thing they saw. That probably wont be the new normal...but I am just grateful for the moment while it lasted! Then that day I realized why Monday was SO terrible and why I was having a hard time dealing with things....Aunt Flow showed up and I was like, "OH! I'm not crazy!?" Gotta love those monthly visits. :{

Oh! Another little accomplishment for me. I cut Weston hair by myself for the first time this morning! It usually takes two people...one to hold him still and one to operate the clippers. But my niece Jewel told me that her aunt would sit her kids in the bathroom sink while she cut their hair...so I gave it a try and it worked! Now he's sporting a cute little buzz do and clean up was a snap!

Well...I guess I should go put away the laundry that has been folded and waiting for me in my room for the past...well...I'm not willing to admit how long it's been there! :)

Music

So, I have a CD player in my kitchen and in my car. I am not all up to date in the technology department. Brandon has an MP3 player that he got for Christmas but neither one of us has really used it yet. To be honest, Brandon and I get very little time to listen to "our music". We have LOTS of opportunities given to us to listen to "the kids" music...which I must say isn't awful because we buy Broadway soundtracks and they LOVE them and we like them too...but still...over the past 6 1/2 years, "my music" is something I have inadvertently sacrificed. I don't know why. I used to listen to (and play) music all the time. My favorite for the LONGEST time has been music by LDS artists...mostly Kenneth Cope and Hilary Weeks. I spent many nights crying while listening to the song "He Hears Me" (by Hilary Weeks). And I remember going to see Kenneth Cope in "My Servant Joseph" with my mom and I remember going to a youth fireside with my Aunt Bev and hearing Janice Kapp Perry sing one of her songs. (She doesn't have the greatest voice by the way...but she is an amazing song writer.)...and I remember all the countless songs we sang in Young Womens and the Sacrament performances we did, and going to hear Micheal Ballam......... Music was a BIG part of my life growing up! Then I moved to Arizona where being able to play the piano was no big deal. Everyone can do it and so I just sort of stopped playing for anyone but myself and then I married into a very musically talented family and just stuck my little bit of talent under a bush because I am in no way as good as they are. (silly of me to think that way...I know)...ANYHOW...what's the POINT of me mentioning any of this you're asking??? I have just been listening to "my" music again and I am seeing the positive impact it has on my life! I am currently LOVING the new Kenneth Cope CD...but I have to say, as much as I love Kenneth Cope (and he loves me too remember???) the CD I am listening to over and over and over is Hilary Weeks "If I Only Had Today". That title track has become my personal anthem! I love to listen to it and just feel the words.That sounds so corny I know...but listening to it helps me to keep things in my life where they should be. Or to at least try harder to. I have also been trying to spend a little time at the piano. I LOVE the piano. I remember when I was 13, I was dying to learn how to play. I didn't think that my parents could afford to pay for my lessons so I started to teach myself using my friends piano any chance I got. I know I must have drove her and her family crazy but you know what? I taught myself how to read music and I LOVED it! My mom started asking around to see if there was anyone who could give me lessons...and I remember just praying to be able to take piano lessons...and I don't know how, but I was able to take lessons for 4 years from someone I admire and love. Barbara Peterson probably had tons of other things to do with her busy day, but once a week she took time away from her 6 kids and sat with me at the piano. I don't know how many people she'd taught before me...or how many since, but she just had a way of making me feel like I was her best and favorite student. She even found a piano for me at a yard sale that my parents bought and I have it in my front room now!.... anyhow... I don't know what happened. My life got busy with school and work then getting married and having kids....then, this past week I have been helping Kaitlyn learn a song that she is going to sing with 7 other primary kids at the Stake Enrichment activity this Saturday. It just melts my heart to hear her sing! I love that she loves music and it has reminded me that I love music too!

...So...anyhow...I guess I just wanted to say that music is a wonderful tool for inviting the spirit into our lives. I have always known that...but I have been making listening to uplifting music a priority and it really does work! I notice a differnce when I don't.

I tried to find "If I Only Had Today" on YouTube so you all could hear it and see what a great song it is and stop thinking that I am crazy for listening to it so much...but, I couldn't find it! So, here are they lyrics:

"It seems like I've watched a million sunsets
And stared at a thousand full moons
Sometimes it feels like I've been here forever
And sometimes it all feel brand new

I could never count the heartbeats
From the day I was born until now
But not a single one goes unnoticed
By Him who breathes life in me somehow

But if there were no more tomorows
If I knew that I could not stay
I know how I'd spend every moment
If I only had today

I'd hold you and listen
And I'd let the dishes sit in the sink
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
And for once I'd just let the phone ring
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only Had today

I'd wake up before the sun did
And watch as you quietly sleep
I'd pray for time to move slowly
Knowing the moments wont keep

All the gifts that heaven has given
Every blessing that's come my way
Wouldn't mean anything without you
So if I only had today

I'd hold you and listen
I'd memorize every detail of your face
I'd tell you I loved you over and over
I wouldn't let excuses get in the way
Then I'd remind you of forever
And how our love would never change
If I only had today

There's no time like the present
Life doesn't come with any guarantees
The sun will set and time wont wait

So while I have today

I'll hold you and listen
I'll let the dishes sit in the sink
I'll tell you I love you over and over
For once I'll just let the phone ring
And I'll remind you of forever
And how our love will never change
Because I had today"

I shoulda warned ya to have a tissue handy huh? That whole album is amazing really. And I was so thrilled today because I found that Hilary has a blog. How fun is that!?

Here is a link you can go to if you want to hear some of her songs. I highly recommend THIS ONE!

Anyhow...I better go to bed!

Take care you all!

Easter!

This year, we all were involved in dyeing eggs. Brandon had hard boiled the eggs while the girls and I were driving home from Mesa. Then, while we were dying eggs, one cracked..so I decided to peel the shell off and eat it. Turns out the that outside was cooked but the yoke wasn't. I told Brandon and he said he cooked them long enough. I asked how long and he said, "Three minutes". I guess somewhere in TV or something he'd heard SOMETHING about the "three minute egg". (Anyone else ever heard of that?) I hadn't. I usually boil my eggs for a good 15-20 minutes...or until one cracks open and I can tell that they are done! I just have to laugh at his "3 minute egg"! I don't know why I think it's so funny. So...needless to say...after hunting for the eggs Easter morning, none of the kids were forced to eat any for breakfast!

We actually made it to church on time. Brandon didn't have to go to morning meetings...so that helped! We got to sit on a cushioned bench instead of the hard, cold metal chairs they use to punish the late comers! Sacrament meeting was nice. I loved the messages given. Nursery was mass chaos! Weston is nursery age now. He'd do great in nursery if I wasn't nursery leader. He gets jealous and cries anytime I help or play with anyone other than him....and we had LOTS of criers on Sunday! But, it got better after the kids settled down. That only took about an hour!

Pam and Shon had the family over to their house for dinner. I was so glad that they had invited everyone because Easter just isn't the same if you don't spend it with family and we were thinking that we were just going to have to stay home since no one had invited us over and we don't have a house big enough to accommodate our large family. Dinner was super yummy. Pam made this salad dressing out of home made yogurt and cheese. (They have a milk cow)...she put dill and something else in it. Anyways...it was SO good! I ate two big helping of salad because I loved the dressing so much!

Hope you all had a great Easter too!

"One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we don't have to." ~Jeffery R. Holland

My April 2009 Conference Notes

*This is just for my own personal record...no need to read this, unless you really want to. :)* But, if you missed a talk or want to hear one again, scroll to the bottom and click where you see the word "Conference" highlighted.

Saturday Morning Session

Robert D. Hales-Provident Living
~Establish a family budget.
~ Before buying something ask yourself, "Why am I spending money/buying something?" (Is it "for show"?)
~ Spend money helping others, not buying things for ourselves that we DON'T need.

Margaret Lifferth-Respect for others and Respect for God
~ Ask self "Am I an example of respect in my home?
~ "If reverence is rooted in love...so should be the teaching of it." (Don't get frustrated when teaching children to be reverent.)
~ "Reverence invited Revelation"-Bord K. Packer
~To have a reverent class:
1. Love those in your class
2. take time to explain what reverence is.
3. Be prepared
4. Talk to parents
5. Use resources of ward to help.
~"Often, if there is a problem with reverence in teh youth, there is a problem with reverence in the ward."

Allen Packer- Inspiration and Personal Revelation
~Asking a question, even in our minds, will open the window for personal revelation.
~Know the source from which revelation comes.

D. Todd Christofferson-
~"...We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship...and make important things happen by their faith"
~3 Nephi 27:20
~D&C 97:8-9
~2 Corith. 12:8-10 "My strength is in my weakness."

Pres. Eyring-
~"Look at opposition as a chance to grow."

Saturday Afternoon Session

Kevin Pearson- Faith

~These are NOT a part of the gospel=opposite of faith: DOUBT>DISCOURAGEMENT>DISTRACTION>lack of DILIGENCE>DISBELIEF
~"Choose to live by faith, not fear."

Elder Pino- (His 3 year old daughter drowned while they were on a family outing.)
~"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
~"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed me the name of the Lord."

Richard G. Scott- Temples
~"When we keep the Temple promises...then come what may, we have no need to worry or become despondent."
~When a Temple is conveniently near by, small things come along to keep you from the Temple...DON'T let them!
~Participate in all the different ordinances of the Temple.
~While participating in Temple ordinances, contemplate your relationship with Jesus Christ and His with the Father.
~Remove your watch when you enter the house of the Lord.
~Pray that the person you are proxy for will know how important these ordinances are and will be worthy to accept them.
~Don't ask "why" but "what can I learn from this expierence".
~


Sunday Morning Session

Pres. Uchdorft-
~"Disipleship is not a spectator sport."
~ "The atonement of Jesus Christ had the power to make us whole, when we repent."
~"It is ALWAYS right and the RIGHT time to walk in His ways. It is never too late."

Neil L. Andersen- (1st talk as a member of the 12)
~"The Lord will shape the back to fit the burden placed upon it." -Pres. Monson

Steven E. Snow-
~"Change is an essentail part of life's experiences."
~ "Life is a time to see if we will do ALL the things which the Lorn our God has commaned us."

Jeffery R. Holland- Messahe to those who are alone, who feel alone or abandoned (we've all been one of these at some point.)
~The supreme sacrifice of His son could only be complete by the Father withdrawing His spirit from His son. He had to feel what it was like to die not only physically, but spiritually.
~Maybe we need to feel alone sometimes so that we can more fully appreciate teh Atonement.

Pres. Monson- Focus on our blessings as members of The Church

Sunday Afternoon Session

Dallin H. Oaks-
~Matt 16:24-25
~Thought by Pres. Hinckley...We should not ask ourselves "How many positions did I hold?" but "How many people did I help?"
~Be willing to surrender personal priorities to care doe and rear children.

David A. Bednar-
~"You are never lost if you can see teh Temple."

?- "No matter how it is discribed, getting soemthing for nothing is contrary to the Law of the Harvest."

I loved Conference! This is the first time (in a LONG time) that I have had a note book out, ready to write down things. It really helped me to stay focused (aka, AWAKE!) and to look for answers to questions I have had. I hope that the things I learned and the Spirit I felt will stay with me until next Conference when I can get a "refill"! I know that I can keep focused and keep my priorities straight if I am more diligent in my Temple attendance and personal scripture study.

SO EXCITED!!!!

I couldn't wait to post this!

My niece Jewel is moving to Snowflake!!! YIPEE!!!! I hope she'll live near me! :)

I have pictures to post but not the time to do it....soon I hope....because I have some pretty CUTE babies to introduce to you all!

April fools and stinky breath

I just have to write this stuff down so I don't forget...you know...that my kids are cute and I love how they make me laugh!

SO, Tuesday night Kaitlyn told me that she wanted to have Raisin Bran for breakfast...which is unusual because she has the same ol' toast and Instant Breakfast every morning... which is fantastic because she eats in while sitting on the floor in front of the couch and I do her hair while she watches a cartoon. So, anyhow, Wednesday morning comes and we are running behind...no time for cereal! I get her out the door and then start my day of endless cleaning (I rearranged the furniture in the front room too.) Weston got up and was ready for breakfast so I went and got out the box of Cheerios, opened the plastic bag, looked in and realized I'D BEEN TRICKED! Kaitlyn had put the Cheerios bag in the Raisin Bran box and vice versa! Ha ha! Now I know why she wanted Raisin Bran for breakfast! Silly girl! She told me she got the idea from Disney Channel! :) The whole day was full of, "MOM! I hate eating candy!" (followed by)..."April Fools"...and other such jokes.

Miss Addie had me chuckling this morning! She slept in super late. I had to wake her up at 10:30 a.m. to go get Kaitlyn from school! I got her in the van and smelt something kindda yucky. I asked her, "Addie, did you pee in your Pull-Up?" (you moms out here KNOW the "pee that's been sitting in a diaper/pull-up" smell!) and she casually replied, "No, my breath is just stinky." And she was RIGHT! Gotta love her willingness to be honest though! Come to think of it...maybe I better go have her brush her teeth!