Payne Family Happenings

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

2010-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what made me think of this memory this morning......When Ether was home before he left on his mission I was having a hard day and in a sad/bad mood.....I had to leave to run an errand or go somewhere and as I was walking out the door Ether said to me "Where are you going, Mom?" I said "I am leaving on a jet plane," (almost thinking out loud, wishing I could get out of Dodge). Ether said "Don't know when you will be back again?" (If you don't know the Peter, Paul, and Mary song you won't get this :). His quick wit made me laugh out loud and almost instantly it changed my mood! That day my heart took a picture and this memory still makes me laugh!
I am missing my son again....I mean I miss him all the time, but some days it is harder than others. I try to be stoic and don't let on that I miss him, but I do. Some days I will be taken by surprise when I hear a song on the radio that Ether has sung and I am almost in instant tears.
Ether is doing well on his mission and he just LOVES his mission and the people! I am so VERY proud of him! He is amazing! His testimony has grown and he has grown as a person. All moms can understand that precious feeling of seeing your childs growth and it is a feeling only the heart knows.

Parenting

2010-05-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

The words below are not my own, but how I feel and I am stealing bits and parts of a comment written on another favorite blog of mine.....Mary Ostyn. I have changed a few sentences here and there, but I really like how she says what she says.

-----"Seems like every stage of parenthood is about growing and stretching and adapting. When you’ve got babies, a lot is physical. Picking up, carrying, doing everything for this little one whose needs don’t know day or night. It is a precious and wonderful time, but oh, so tiring.

In the middle years there’s much teaching and learning, accompanied inevitably by challenging behavior, with the need for loving, creative and consistent consequences. During that phase of kids’ lives, it seems like I’m always thinking, scheming better ways to encourage kindness, right behavior and wise habits.

But now, with two of my children officially adults, I’m having to learn a new, less active style of parenting. It’s less and less my job to be a problem-solver. Instead I’m called upon to sit back, wait, watch, pray, hope. To be available to give advice, but to wait til I am asked to give it. (Although I have given advice when not asked). Oh, this is hard for me! Crazy-hard. Harder than getting up six times a night with a teeny one. Harder than teaching a 6 year old to read. Harder than dealing with an ornery 13-year-old. Harder even than riding with a brand new driver. I’m a doer, you see. A person who makes things happen. This mothering transformation reminds me of a line from the movie Aladdin: “Phenomenal cosmic power. Itty bitty living space.” The line refers to the genie in the lamp, of course. Stay with me for a second.
As a mom of younger kids I’m used to occupying a large space in my kids’ lives. With grown kids I’m realizing the need to stuff myself back in the lamp, to give my kids space to live life on their own, to wait til they call on me for help. Oh, there are times when I live at a loving, comfortable distance. Other times I successfully fake composure by biting my tongue hard and smiling a lot. But other times I just plain fail. I’m all over decisions that should be theirs, in their business, sure I’ve got a better plan of action. Yeah, maybe I have reasons to want to step in.
Freedom to choose also means freedom to make mistakes, after all. And sometimes I can see them coming. But, hello!? Who doesn’t make mistakes? Mistakes are a part of life. So lately I’ve found myself in this herky-lerky uncomfortable place, acknowledging the normalcy – the necessity — of my shrinking role in their lives, but faltering at times in the execution of that new role."

In my own words.....parenting of older children is so different. It is after all what we are supposed to do.....to raise them, guide them, teach them, love and nuture them.....so that they are ready to be indepedent and go out on their own. I wonder if Heavenly Father feels this way when he sends us to earth?

Overload

2010-05-13T09:37:00.000-07:00

I guess I must be getting old.....when I tried to log in to post a new post here, I apparently forgot my e-mail address and it wouldn't let me in! Who forgets their e-mail address? My mind is like a computer......memory is full, hard drive is full, hope it doesn't crash!

Conversations

2010-04-15T15:48:00.000-07:00

Marissa: Can I go buy a dress, I only have 3 outfits for church.

Me: I have one black skirt that I have been wearing for the last 4 years every Sunday.

Marissa: Well, I am not saying your old, but older people don't care about their appearance or styles. They pretty much wear the same thing all the time anyway.

Me: What? We do too care about how we look. Believe me, if I had 10 different outfits, I would wear them.

Marissa: Well it is more important for teenagers to have different clothes to wear because we are conscious about style and how we look.

*Sigh* *BIG SIGH* You know, I just had a revelation.......the reason all the "old" people wear the same clothes is because they are sacrifing their own fashion statement and needs and are buying clothes for their children.

Specialties?

2010-04-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

Almost all of us at our house like to work in the kitchen!
While I was doing dishes (and making an apple crumble), I was pondering (ha!) on what each person in our family likes to make or bake in the kitchen.

Pat - "Salsa man." I will get to that in a minute! He likes to make a lot of different things, namely anything with meat. In the summertime when the time for grilling comes along, he will go to town on grilling all kinds of meat, some of which we will eat for dinner that night and the rest for freezing to savor later. I will also call him our "salsa" man. Last year with our garden produce we decided to try our hand at making salsa. We made some fresh salsa (which I helped with and it was pretty darn good) and some cooked salsa which we then froze in quart baggies. Depending on who you ask, he might have gone over board. We still have 12 quart bags of salsa in the freezer!!

Cindy - "chocolate girl." I love to make all kinds of desserts with chocolate.....cookies, cakes, scones, brownies, etc. I also like baking anything in general. I take after my mom who loves baking!! I also like making pies! When my mom realized that when I was a teenager I had the pie making stuff down, she refused to make any at that point and I became the family pie baker forever more! I still have that job today for family gatherings!

I have this secret dream (its not a secret anymore) of wanting to have my own Bake Shoppe. (I can hear the guffaws already, I know, I need to perfect my cake decorating)! I would take great joy in making sugar cookies, cakes, brownies, and all kinds of delectable sweets like things you see in magazines!

Ether - He is our "cookie man." He just absolutely loves to make chocolate chip cookies. Got a craving for chocolate chip cookies, or just chocolate, all you had to do was ask Ether and he would whip up a batch in no time!

Marikita - I think she missed out on the cooking gene somewhere! I don't recall her EVER making anything in the kitchen. She just has no interest in creating anything in the kitchen. That's okay, she is talented in so many other areas! She will be famous or rich, or both someday and she will probalby hire a cook anyway!

Marissa - "Apple crumble girl."- When it comes to making desserts, Marissa almost always hands down, will make an apple crumble and she does a dang good job at it. She takes pride in what she makes and you cannot hurry her along. She also loves making sugar cookies and is talented at decorating them! She is also 2nd in line when it comes to making choc chip cookies.

Gretchen and Hannah - They are just getting the hang of cookie making! It is funny, their favorite part of baking is cracking the egg! They will stick to the task of the making and take off when it is time for the baking! I am left holding the bowl!

SPRING

2010-03-17T08:04:00.000-07:00

I am so happy that Spring is almost here!! Yipee!! Spring is really my favorite season! I love all the other seasons too, but there is just something about spring that makes you feel alive and renewed.

About 8:00 this morning I could hear the birds singing outside my bedroom window. No, I wasn't sleeping, I was working, but I wished I were still sleeping! I just absolutely love hearing the birds sing and it really gives me joy! I guess I am weird, but I never get tired of hearing the birds chirping and singing. When the weather is warmer and we start opening the windows, Pat will get frustated when he is awakened by the song of the birds and he wants me to close the window, but I just want to lay there and listen! Growing up on a farm might have something to do with it! We didn't have air conditioning in our old farm house and so the windows were our source of cool air! I would wake up every morning to the birds singing and the sun shining.

Hearing the birds sing their song reminds me that spring is on its way, that the earth will be renewed with fresh green color in the grass and the trees, flowers with their abundant rainbow of colors and fresh, wonderful air. Out with the old , in with the new!

Spring also reminds me of Christ's sacrifice for us and that through Him and His Atonement, we can purge out sin, be renewed, and live with bright hope for this life and eternal life.

Happy Spring !!

Melancholy

2010-03-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

I know I have posted something similar to what I am going to say, but I am going to say it again.

I have decided that watching kids grow up is hard on my heart. Even as I rejoice with kids on each new step of life’s adventure, my heart has pangs watching them go. As you all know, our oldest Ether, now 20 years old is serving a mission in Colombia, South America and he is doing great! Our 18 year old daughter Marikita is in her Freshman year at college and doing great! Marissa is a Junior and oh too soon will be a senior in 5 months! Sigh. Just when they were getting all civilized and are so danged fun to be around…....I wish I could tell all my friends how to prepare for the days when the kids start leaving the house. When all the kids were little I remember people older than me saying "they grow up so fast." I kept thinking, oh...that is a long time away! How do parents survive all this growing up, anyway..? Realizing how fast kids grow up makes me want to hug everyone more.

Captivated

2010-03-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

I just found a website about the new movie about the Young Victoria, Queen Victoria. I am just captivated by the pictures, the costumes, and the story. I guess I am too much of a romantic at heart. I think I would have loved to live in this time era. Although they had their share of different kinds of trials, it was such a time of innocence and romanticism. I love the way they spoke, the clothing, courting customs, I love it all! I think that is why I love to watch Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen as well as anything she has written.
Check out this website, it is so entertaining!!!
http://www.theyoungvictoriamovie.com/

Pictures from the Past

2010-02-25T11:58:00.000-08:00

I just absolutely love this picture! I sure do miss those days when they were little babes! Aren't they so cute?!!! I never used to believe people when they told me "kids grow up fast." It is so true. Now that these two babes of mine have left the nest, I can't tell you how unprepared I was for their absence in our home. I miss you Ether and Kita!

Ready for church! Arent' they so cute!

This is outside the courthouse after Pat legally adopted Ether, Marikita, and Marissa! As you can tell, Gretchen is about ready to join our family!!

I goofed

2010-02-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

Somehow the pictures below got spaced further and further apart the farther you scroll down! Whoops!

I will be posting pictures soon from Ether's concert last year and our family trip to Utah when we took Ether to the MTC!!

Random Pictures -2009

2010-02-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

The snow fort Pat and the girls made in our back yard!!

Marikita's Graduation Day 2009!!!!

Ether - first day in the MTC!!!

Ether and Rebecca - PROM!!

Ready for church!!!

Marissa, Adam, and Simon - State Choir

Pat's hunting gobbler!

Marissa post production -"The Great Easter Egg Hunt"

Ether receives his Mission Call to Bogota Colombia North Mission!!!

Hannah's baptismal day!

Ether and Rebecca - 8 months!!!

Ether is our "cookie man" in our house, making choc chip cookies no doubt!

Marikita singing solo at the April 2009 Choregraphed choir concert!!!!

Hannah's Birthday Take 2

2010-02-24T15:38:00.001-08:00

The color in the photo was kind of goofy, but here she is with her cake sans the candles!
Hannah's birthday was actually February 19th, so I am a little behind!

Hannah's Birthday

2010-02-24T15:32:00.000-08:00

I am not a fancy cake maker, but I thought this turned out cute anyway. The important thing is that Hannah loved it and that's what counts!!

If Time Could Be Bottled?

2009-12-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

There never seems to be enough time in a day! You know the saying "if I had a penny everytime I ________, I would be rich." Well if pennies were little bits of time and I had a penny for every morsel of sweets I have eaten, I would have a TON of time! LOL!
Some moments I wish could be "freeze frame" and other moments don't you just wish would pass you by faster than the speed of light (mostly embarassing or uncomfortable ones).

I just mainly wish I could have been a stay at home mom all these years. Now that the two oldest have left the nest, I am feeling the regrets, the heartache, and time lost that I can never recapture. On a brighter side, we are told we will be blessed in the eternities for that which we did not fully receive here if we are but faithful, obedient, and keep our covenants.

Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.

Honoring Grandma Marie Ida Coupe

2009-11-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

Celebrating Grandma's 100th Birthday

Grandma's Graduation Picture

Grandma and Grandpa's Engagement Pictures

Today I attended the funeral of my dear Grandma Marie. She lived to be 101 years old. She lived a good long life and I am so happy for blessing for her and for our family. Growing up we lived 2 hours away and so we saw her probably about 4 or 5 times a year. She would always bring us candy when her and my Grandpa would come and visit us. I will miss her a lot. I will miss a lot of things about her, but I really will always remember her kindness, her love for children, and her silliness. She really was a little child at heart and she had the cutest giggle. She giggled all the time. She made the best home cooked meals and just loved family time and gathering everyone around her.

Grandma Marie attended Peru State University and received a bachelors in education. During her time at the University she became a track star and received honors and medals for her athletic abilities. My dad always joked that it was no wonder that she could always catch him when he was naughty and he would try to run away!

My Grandma met my Grandpa while a student at Peru. Shortly after they were married she taught school for a short while until they started their family.

The matriarch of our family has returned to her Heavenly home and although we will miss her so much, she is relieved of the infirmities of her body and reunited with dear ones who have since passed years before her.

Here is the eulogy written by my Aunt Joan, the only girl in a family of 4 boys.

"We are here today to celebrate the life of Marie Coupe. She lived a quiet unpretentious life, never any medals, trophies, or commendations, but she did acquire a few titles. That of wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Of these she was truly proud.

Her married life began during the days of the Great Depression, but she always worked hard and was ever the faithful wife in good times and bad. As mother, she somehow always had the creativeness and ingenuity to "make do" so that we always had what was needed. As grandmother, she loved to see the grandchildren every chance she got. She was lovingly know to some as Ma, Grandma, and Grandma Doodie.

Her sense of humor often showed itself in quick one-liners. She had a very even personality and rarely spoke ill of others or criticized them. She remained active until she was in her late nineties, playing bingo and pincochle, helping out in the classroom with the little ones at Sacred Heart School. Collecting Campbell soup labels was a past-time that she enjoyed because they could be redeemed for items that the school could use.

This is a just a thumbnail sketch of a great woman who will be missed more than words can tell. God granted her a long life. She made good use of that time here on earth and now we entrust her back to her Maker and the eternal rest she so richly deserves."

I love you Grandma.

I am so BEHIND

2009-08-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! It has been one of the busiest summers ever for me and I haven't made the time to blog (but you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip, can you?). Then I was reading a talk by Elder Richard G. Scott and I have realized that blogging did bring me joy and I am going to attempt to blog at least more often!

This is whatElder Richard G. Scott has said "attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. Select something you like. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life."

I have always found creative writing to be a challenge for me, so "trying" to be creative by blogging is a good outlet for me as well as leaving a sort of genealogy or journal of sorts for my family.

Stand by for new posts soon!

Thinking Thoughts

2009-05-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

Some days my heart yearns to write and blog and post pictures, but I haven't had any time to do it! I have a whole list of things to blog about:

1. Pictures I have had on my camera for the last 3 months.
2. The last play production at North Star.
3. Spirit week at North Star with some very funny pictures.
4. Prom.
5. Ether's open house.
6. Pictures from the Temple when Ether was endowed.
7. Our Utah trip pictures and that whole story!
8. Oh, and our family pictures when we get them back!

I hope that by the time I get around to posting these things, they will not be 6 months old!

I haven't had time to blog because of my forever long list of things to do which I try to work on after I am done working, taxiing the kids around, cooking dinner, helping with homework, and whatever else comes up in between! I get up and 5:00 and go to bed at 10:00 and I still can't get it all done.

1. Writing thank you notes for those who helped us while we were gone on our trip!
2. Call and find out where Marikita's graduaton announcements are since Graduation is 1 month away, yikes!
3. Call for a refill of Marissa's asthma med.
4. Mail invitations for Marikita's graduation party!
5. Work on the Relief Society Newsletter which is due to be handed out this Sunday? Yikes!
6. Call Verizon to cancel Ether's unlimited texting! (he paid for it) but I don't want to pay for it!
7. Call State Farm and have them take Ether off as a driver on our insurance (yay, save money)!
8. Find out why we haven't been getting a bill for our washer and dryer?
9. Try to catch up on the mountain of laundry before my kids don't have anything to wear?!!!
10. Make a menu for the month.
11. Make a new budget for May.
12. Work on a genealogy chart for Ether and mail it to him (he forgot to do it) :)
13. Plan Marikita's graduation party with food and all!
14. Get the garden planted.
15. Go through 3 weeks of mail that I have looked at, but not dealt with yet.
16. Get things ready for a garage sale!
17. Start my exercise program that I can never seem to find for!

I think of new things everyday that get added to this list, so it never ends! Always something to do!
My hearts desire if I didn't have to work........I would take better care of the house, bake more, sew, can, try new recipes, go to lunch with friends, and be free to do more service. What is that saying by Joseph Smith "range the whole world blessing all mankind".....something like that. Maybe one of these days?!!!!

Blessings to you my blogger friends! Love you all!

Nicknames

2009-03-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Doesn't every family have nicknames for each other? I guess I don't really remembering having any at home when I grew up, but hey, it is always nice to start a new tradition isn't it?!!!

I am a person who likes to rhyme, I don't even know why? I guess because it is fun to be silly, so that might explain why I have such silly names for my kids and my hubby.

Ether - when he was a baby I called him "pootie boy." I was walking down the sidewalk to our house carrying him when he was about 6 months old saying to him "you cutey boy, you booty boy, you know doing my rhymin thing going through the alphabet and then I said pootie boy and it stuck! He has to be in a good mood for me to call him that now!! hee hee!!

Marikita - When she was a baby I called her "choo choo". I don't even know where I got that, but that is what I called her especially when I changed her diaper I would talk to her and call her my little choo choo. As she got a little older we called her "Kietsie" and now we call her "kita" for short!

Marissa - When she was a baby I called her "choo chie". I guess I wasn't very creative and it was kind of an extension of Markitia's choo choo name! As she got a little older I started calling her "Reesie." And now we call her Reesa for short!

Gretchen - When she was a baby I called her "Gretchen Grunter" because when she was about 3 weeks old when she would wake up in the morning the first thing she would do would be to grunt. We don't know if she was stretching, pooping or what!!
Now we call her "Gretchy Lou". Her middle name is Louise if that helps to know how that fits!!

Hannah - When she was a baby I called her "Boonie." I know it sounds a lot like Ether's pootie, but that name just stuck for her too!! As she got a little older we started calling her "Hannah Banana." We still call her both of those names!

Pat - When we first got married I called him "Honey"all the time. I guess as an extension to the nickname honey bun I started calling him "Bun." It was a nickname for honey bun so I wouldn't have to say the whole thing!!!! I am sure without even thinking I have called him that in public and I am sure people have wondered about me!

Me - Sadly enough, I don't really have a nickname. Pat does call me "honey" sometimes and the kids either call me "Mom", Mommie, or Momma. BUT, before I was married (my maiden name is Coupe) I got called "Scoop" by one of my very good friends Rich, who also is a rhymer! A good friend of mine (it's a long story) used to call me "Spud Woman" and I called her Silly Millie. On my mission I was called "Scoupe" by one of the Elders short for Sister Coupe.

Happy day to all my sisters from another mister!!!

Musings!!!

2009-03-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

When it is time for Hannah and Gretchen to go to bed, Hannah has a bedtime routine that she goes through every single night, unless for some reason she falls asleep and we put her in bed! We put them in bed and tuck them in with their covers, give them a kiss and a hug. Before I can leave Hannah's bedside or even her room this is how the conversation goes:

Hannah: Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!
Me: You too!
Hannah: Have a good dream!
Me: You too!
Hannah: Dont' have a bad dream!
Me: You either.
Hannah: Have a good night!
Me: You too!
Hannah: Don't have a bad night!
Me: You either!
Hannah: Night night!
Me: Night night!
Hannah: Love you!
Me: Love you too!

It is kind of funny and cute and sometimes it can be annoying if I am really tired and I can't wait to get into bed myself!

My Adventure After Hospital Land

2009-03-20T11:29:00.000-07:00

I am picking puke green to tell this story because it fits well with what I have to tell you!
I got to do two fun little tests at the hospital on Wednesday which involved one end and then the other. That's all I am going to say! ha, ha, I am leaving you guessing! Anyway.....I had to start on a liquid on Tuesday which consisted of a little bit of jello, chicken broth, and apple juice! Whoppety do!! It wasn't too bad and I didn't get as hungry as I thought I would. Tuesday night I had to drink 6 glasses of some solution to help clean me out. Wednesday morning I had to drink 9 glasses of the same stuff, but this time I had to do it in 3 hours time. That went pretty well! I am thinking to myself as I am heading to the hospital that I will get to eat when all this is done! WRONG!! After my procedures I was a little woozy.....Ether drove me home. On the way home I was envisioning something tastey, something fast foodish! I decided on Burger King. I told Ether, can we stop and get me a chicken sandwich? He honored my request! I was deliriously thinking of eating that chicken sandwich when I got home, but then on the way home I started feeling sick......oh no......by the time I got home I barely made it to the bathroom. Well that was the end of the idea of eating anything. I tried 2 bites, but it came back up. I tried water, still the same result. I slept on and off all night with bathroom bouts in between ridding my body of some more fluids!

I really hate being nauseated! I would almost rather have some pain than have nausea! The funny thing is, I don't know if I was more mad that I was nauseated or that I couldn't eat! I had my heart so set on eating something, but it wasn't to be. I woke up Thursday morning and realized I was feeling pretty snappy! I have a little residue of some wooziness, but I didn't feel sick to my stomach. I tried eating a few crackers.....they stayed down! Yahoo!!! I felt like I was on the homestretch to eat! It was about time.....I finally had something to eat after 58 hours or no solid foods! I think anyone who can go without food or is forced to go without food for that long deserves a medal or something, don't ya think? So next time you have to wait to a little extra time before you can eat for whatever reason, I don't want to hear any whining!

Well needless to say, like any bad experience.....it is all a memory now!!

Pay It Forward

2009-03-04T11:29:00.000-08:00

The first five people to respond to this post will receive something made by me to you. My choice. Made especially for you. Of coarse there are some restrictions and limitations:
1. I make no guarantees you will like what I make.
2.What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done sometime this year.
4. You have no clue what it will be. It may be a story. It may be an article on how to properly clean your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something (I pity the fool who receives that...) I may bake something and mail it to you....who knows?...not you, that's for sure!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange. hee hee!!!!

The catch is you must post this on your blog, facebook, or e-mail and offer the same to the first five people who post it on their selected site!
The first five people to do so and leave a comment letting me know they did will receive a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift from me!! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it.
Happy waiting!!!!

Blogging

2009-02-02T07:02:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know I haven’t blogged for awhile, not because I don’t love to or want to, but because well, I took a sabbatical. Yeah, didn’t I tell you…..well I did. Life gets so busy sometimes you just need a time out and lately I have needed a lot of time outs! In case you didn’t know, time outs are not just for children!

This is going to be random, so just bear with me! Who says you can’t have ice cream for breakfast! I don’t think I have ever in my life had ice cream for breakfast, although it sounds like a really good idea! I really love Blue Bunny, Bunny Tracks, it is my absolute favorite. I could eat it all day long, but then I would get even bigger than I already am…..probably not a good idea. Besides, it is a new year and we are all supposed to have new goals, especially fitness goals right? Well, I have tried and I just can’t seem to drag myself out of bed any earlier than 5:00 a.m. to exercise before I start working. Does running in your dreams count? Hee hee. On a more serious note, I will eventually achieve my goal of a fitness program (at home) and lose the 10 pounds I have gained since Thanksgiving. Until then, can’t I just have one more scoop of ice cream?

Some of my goals for this year are: (not necessarily in this order)

1. Lose weight.
2. Learn more about herbs.
3. Study my bazillion books and papers on preparedness.
4. Read more, scriptures and fun books!
5. Spend more time with family and friends
6. Laugh more.
7. Get my recipes organized.
8. Get in shape, and take a long bike ride on that cool trail that goes to Eagle, NE!!!
9. Go to the temple more.
10. Learn something new.

These are just a few things...!!!

Tagged by Lisa

2009-01-17T18:01:00.000-08:00

Six names you go by:
1. Cindy.
2. Cindy Lou who
3. Cin
4. Mom
5. Honey
6. Spud woman (it's a endearing name given to me by my friend Mary in UT)

Three things you are wearing right now:
1. black pants
2. long sleeved t-shirt
3. Socks

Three things you want very badly at the moment:
1. The ability to resist eating so much sugar.
2. More free time.
3. More reading time.

Three People who will fill this out
1. Kim
2 Brenda
3. Stacey

Two things you did last night:
1. Ate Blimpie's
2. Watched "Of Mice and Men."

Two things you ate today:
1. Noodle soup
2. Popcorn

Two people you last talked to on the phone:
1. Kim
2. Mom & Dad

Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
1. Go to church
2. Planning for the week.

Your favorite beverages
1. Lemonade
2. Smoothies

I tag Kim, Brenda, and Stacey S.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2009-01-17T17:56:00.000-08:00

As I was heading out the door the other night with Marissa so she could practice driving and I could pick up some transcript work, Ether sitting in the recliner said "where are you guys going?" Without even thinking about it I said "leaving on a jet plane," and just as quick Ether said "don't know when you'll be coming back again."! I cracked up! I told him "you are good." I didn't even know if he would know what I was talking about! It was funny and made my day!

HO, HO, HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS

2008-12-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to one and all!! I have been so busy I haven't had time to keep up with my blog, boo hoo, sniffle, sniffle. I am behind on posting pictures, in fact this year I haven't even taken a picture of our tree.

We had a wonderful Christmas! It has been a trying year for us financially and I was worried the kids were going to say "that's all we are getting." ha!! I don't know if it is because I am a Mom or at least the mother of my children, but I was deeply touched by the kids giving so much from their heart.

Hannah & Gretchen generously gave as their presents their "stash" of trinkets they so deliriously defend on a daily basis! I know that some of the things they gave to their brother and sisters are things they normally would not part with. They were so excited to give them away, and had fun wrapping them!

Marikita and Marissa don't have jobs right now with the busyness of the theatre season and so the little bit of money they may get from birthdays or babysitting doesn't last long. The little bit of money they had on hand that they sacrificed it to buy presents for each one of us. They put a lot of thought into the presents they gave and I am so proud of them for being so giving.

Ether is working and saving for a mission and he too was generous in his giving and thoughtfulness!!!

We spent Christmas Eve with my parents, sister, and aunt and uncle. I really enjoyed spending time at my parents home. Christmas Day we invited my parents to come and spend time with us! We had a good time and it was a day enjoyed by all!

I am so very thankful for my family, not only my own, but my parents and sisters. We have had so many family members ill and/or hospitalized in the past year and it really hits home and is a reminder to us that life is so fragile. We can never take anything for granted. I cherish my family.

Thank you to all my dear friends.......I am so thankful for your love and support. You are cherished!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!!

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

2008-12-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

When I picked up Hannah & Gretchen the other day from school, after asking them about their day, Hannah just out of the blue started singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" but her rendition was not the one I know! It went like this:

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer had a happy song
It was weirrrrrrrrrd
as he sang alonggggggg."

I don't know why, if it was because it caught me off guard, but I started laughing so hard. It was so cute and I was just tickled by her song. Maybe for you it is one of those "had to be there," but it was so fun. Kids say the darndest things!

Happy Holidays!

New Job

2008-11-28T14:30:00.000-08:00

I started a new job transcription job on November 10th. I have doubled my previous workload and so I have been so behind on my blogging! I miss it very much. I haven't had the time to sit down and post a blog let alone even read or add comments to my friends blogs!! Sorry friends! I miss you!

I love quotes and sayings! I know there are some people who either watch a movie so many times they can repeat what some of the characters say or they memorize parts of movies! When I can be more stress free I love to be silly. Not everyone gets to see my silly side! I think the silliness in my sisters and I comes from my Dad's side. He is pretty silly as well as his mother, my grandmother. See, I can't help it, it is in the genes!!! ha!!! Anyway, I have loved saying the word "galavant" lately. I told my neighbor the other day that I was "galavanting to the store." I also have a habit of rhyming. Things like "whadya know Joe," or "later perculator." Stuff like that! I think my kids like it half the time and just tune it out others times!

It has been a good day and I am happy for silly things!

Husband Tag

2008-11-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

1. WHAT IS YOUR HUSBAND'S NAME ? Patrick James

2. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED? 9 years, 11 months.

3. HOW LONG DID YOU DATE? 24 days before we were engaged and we got married 2-1/2 months later.

4. HOW OLD IS HE? 43

5. WHO IS TALLER? It's a tie!

6. WHO CAN SING BEST? Probably me.

7. WHO IS SMARTER? He is when it comes to religion, me in finances, legal, etc.

8. WHO DOES LAUNDRY? I do 98% of the time!

9. WHO PAYS BILLS? I do, but I wish he did it too.

10. WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED? He does

11. WHO MOWS THE LAWN? He does, but I like to do it.

12. WHO COOKS DINNER? I do most of the time, but he does about once a week!

13. WHO IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT THEY ARE WRONG? Me.

14. WHO KISSED WHO FIRST? He did on our 3rd date.

15. WHO WEARS THE PANTS? Depends on the issue.

I tag Stephanie, Stacie, and Ashley.

How I Baked My Cell Phone and Made 25 Cents on Ebay

2008-11-02T12:35:00.001-08:00

It was one of those days when it might have been better just to stay in bed?

We have had a Dora sleeping bag that was Hannah's, that I couldn't even sell on our garage sale for $2. Everyone wanted to give me less and I wouldn't budge having paid $17 for it. I had a genious idea to sell it on e-bay! Yes, that would give me some cash and probably a better price than a garage sale!

The auction ended at $5.75! Yay, I did better than garage sale price! Total auction including postage came to $9.75. I was so proud of myself!

I went to the UPS Store (we had used them in the past for E-bay mailing). I had stuffed this sleeping bag into this little itty bitty box thinking I might be right at or a little under the postage! She rang up the sale and it was $9.85. WHAT? She told me it might be cheaper to send it in one of those padded envelopes........so we opened the box and put the sleeping bag in the envelope. It was only $7.66, but I was forgetting that I had to still pay for the envelope. When she rang up the grand total it came to $9.50. I had received $9.75 from the purchaser. My profit now was 25 cents. My proud and happy mood quickly went to a sick feeling. That is how I made 25 cents on E-bay.

The same day in the late afternoon, it was cold and felt like winter was already here, I had turned on the oven and propped it open. I was standing next to the oven relishing the heat and feeling the warmth, when my cell phone rang. It was my son Ether calling! When I finished my conversation with him, with a one handed fold I hung up. As I was doing this the cell phone somehow slipped out of my hand and slid perfectly down the door of the oven right on the bottom floor of the oven. I shrieked! I quickly turned off the oven and grabbed a spatula! (Are you laughing envisioning this?). My cell phone is now lying face down. I was trying to scoop up my cell phone in hamburger fashion when it slid a little bit further and one end hit the coils! In my mind I am thinking that the front is going to be melted, never to be heard from again in cell phone land. 30 seconds later, when I finally got it on the spatula I carefully laid in in the sink. After a few minutes I winced as I turned it over, what was it going to look like? I was amazed when I turned it over to find that it had barely noticeable melt marks on it! I tried to place a phone call and it worked and has ever since!

The end

Sprinkles mean more LOVE

2008-10-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

I love the pink hair!!!!

Hannah's Play-Doh cookies

Cool hairdo!!!

Hannah has been home today with a low grade temp, sore throat, cough, and runny nose. While I was working she was busy making things from the Play-Doh set. I thought her "girls" were so cute and wanted to share them here! The best thing of all was she made "cookies" and then she showed me some with "sprinkles" and said "the more sprinkles the more love." I thought this was soooo cute!!! It made my day!!!

Night Out

2008-10-15T10:41:00.001-07:00

After we celebrated Gretchen's birthdya last night Ether and Marissa dressed up to go to a concert at the Lied Center! Marikita went too, but left with her friends before I could include her in the picture. Marikita and Marissa were given tickets from their teacher at North Star. They listened to a Brazilian soloist perform.

Gretchen's 9th Birthday

2008-10-14T17:16:00.001-07:00

Today we celebrated Gretchen's 9th Birthday. It is so hard to believe she is 9 years old. We are so proud of Gretchen! She was so excited to come home from school today to spend it with the family and see what gifts she received from family near and far!!!

Gretchen loves animals!!!

"Hey, where are the candles."

Who says you can't put candles on an ice cream cake?

Can you tell we were anxious to eat it, we had already scored and cut it before she blew out the candles!! It was yummy! That's one great thing about birthday's......whether it's yours or someone else's everyone gets cake!!

Inspiration

2008-10-10T07:58:00.000-07:00

I heard a song the other day on a local radio station and I just loved it! It is from a country song by George Strait. Yes, I am a fan of country music! I don't always listen to country music because I like all kinds of music.......but country music (most, not all) is like going home......can't help it! I grew up on a farm and my roots are grounded in that country style livin, breathin, and singin!
Just wanted to share the lyrics!

I Saw God Today

I just walked down the street to the coffee shop
had to take a break I'd been by her side for eighteen hours straight
I saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk
pushing up through the concrete
like it was planted right there for me to seethe flashin' lights, the honkin' horns
all seemed to fade away
in the shadow of that hospital at 5:08
I saw God today

Chorus:
I've been to churchI've read the book
I know He's here, but I don't look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I'd just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

I saw a couple walking by they were holding hands
Man, she had that glow
yeah I couldn't help but notice she was starting to show
I stood there for a minute takin' in the sky
lost in that sunset
a splash of amber melted in the shades of red

Chorus
I've been to churchI've read the book
I know He's here, but I don't look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I'd just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

I got my face pressed up against the nursery glass
She's sleeping like a rock
My name on her wrist wearing tiny pink socks
She's got my nose, she's got her mama's eyes
My brand new baby girl
She's a miracle
I saw God today

Tagged by Kim

2008-10-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

Answer the questions with one word (or a little more) and then tag three people.

1. Where is your cellphone? in my purse
2. Your significant other? At school
3. Your hair? light brown with highlights and gray :(
4. Your mother? Retired & wonderful
5. Your Father? Retired & wonderful
6. Your favorite thing? laughing with my kids
7. Your dream last night? don't think I did?
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream goal? To be happy and become a Holistic Health Counselor
10. The room you’re in? bedroom
11. Your hobby? reading
12. Your fear? Failing as a mother.
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? practicing as a Holistic Health Counselor
14. What you’re not? extrovert
15. Muffins? Love'em
16. One of your wish list items? a home office
17. Where you grew up? On a farm
18. Last thing you did? finished my medical transcription
19. What are you wearing? Black pants, red shirt.
20. Favorite gadget? My camera
21. Your pets? Molly, our beagle.
22. Your computer? almost 4 years old
23.Your mood? Happy and tired
24. Missing someone? Far away friends
25. Your Car? 2002 Ford Windstar
26. Something you’re not wearing? shoes
27. Favorite store? Kohls and Wal-Mart
28. Like someone? I like everyone
29. Favorite color? blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday with the kids and while exercising because it was so hard, it made me laugh
31.When was the last time you cried? Last week......it builds up and then all comes out.
I tag....Brenda, Amanda, and Stacey.

Traditions

2008-10-04T21:10:00.000-07:00

I love traditions! This came to mind when I was thinking about this weekend being General Conference weekend. We have had a tradition for the past 5 years that on Sunday morning I make pancakes or french toast, scrambled eggs, and juice. This is not a normal breakfast for us, it is a BIG deal compared to our usual piece of toast on the run, cream of wheat, or just a plain ol bowl of cereal! I especially love "specialty" pancakes with pieces of banana, peaches, or strawberries in them! Yum! It is just a nice day to sleep in, make breakfast, and enjoy some family time before we listen to Conference. It will be a good day and this makes me happy!

My Parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary

2008-09-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary! They were married 50 years ago to the day and we had the special privlege to have the open house in the same facility where they had their Wedding reception 50 years ago! I think that is so romantic!

The open house was hosted by my sisters Karen, Sue, and I. We had a lot of fun setting up on Friday (yesterday) afternoon talking and laughing. The three of us don't have a chance to get together very often since my sister Karen lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Today was a very memorable day for everyone! We had a lot of fun and my parents enjoyed seeing some friends and family they haven't seen for awhile! My mom's sister Kathy, from California, was able to be here and she will stay for one week!

I talked with some parents of my old high school friends and got to visit with my old history teacher, Mr. Hoyer, who is now my nephew's cross country coach and still teaching at Malcolm High School! It was also exciting to meet up again with a friend I grew up with, but had lost touch with when we were both in our early 20's.

I hope you enjoy the family pictures I posted! I am so very thankful for my parents and the opportunity we had to honor them on their very special day!

My Parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary

2008-09-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

These are the "before" while we were setting up!

This is after (although we didn't have the centerpieces on the table yet!!!)

My parents, Richard & Melinda

Cindy, Karen, & Sue

Our Family

Me, Dad, Mom, my sister Karen, & Sue

Ether, Marikita and Marissa with their cousin Scot.

Hannah & Gretchen at the guest table with their cousin Dustin and a "new" friend!

Beautiful Advice

2008-09-24T19:57:00.000-07:00

I received this in an e-mail today from a very good friend and I think it is noteworthy, so I am going to post it here! I hope you enjoy it!

An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that
will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over
time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have
you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden,
extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of
trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help
improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait
until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.26. Remember that the shortest bridge
between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Heavenly Father”
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best theycan).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never
been grateful for before.
GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31)

I want to jump on the trampoline

2008-09-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

After school today while I was fixing dinner, Hannah came in the kitchen to ask if she could jump on the neighbor's trampoline down the street. I told her that she could not. (I am overprotective when it comes to trampolines!). She kept begging me and begging me. When I firmly told her no, she started to cry and kept begging. She asked me why she couldn't and I explained that she could really get hurt. I was starting to get a little annoyed with her continous asking when with crocodile tears she said "why can't I, I'm not going to die, I promise." I almost started laughing and it was so cute! Then she kept wailing "I'm not going to die, I promise."

I have forgotten some of the cute things she has said from the past, but this incident today reminded me of a couple of other times........... a few weeks ago Pat & I checked out from the local library the movie "Mutiny on the Bounty" which is ages old from the 1930's. (Hey, Pat picked it out and I was reluctant to watch it). Hannah & Gretchen were watching it with us and they show a tropical scene with palm trees, etc. Hannah is sitting on my lap and out of the blue Hannah says matter of factly, "those people must be poor, all they have to eat is pinecones." (I laughed out loud because it caught me so off guard and was so funny) Gretchen says, "Hannah, you mean pineapples?" Hannah says in an Eeyore tone of voice "yeah, I meant pineapples." I still get a chuckle out of that!
One other story.........about 6 months ago Pat & I had the girls with us while running an errand. We were heading downtown when we saw a cadillac or large type car and I said to Pat "look at that boat" and he said "yeah, that is a boat." Hannah very innocently and inquisitively says "that's a boat." I laughed out loud again. (Probably not good for confidence building). I could just see her little mind thinking about how that car could be, or turn into a boat. It was so funny!

The end!

2008-09-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

We are getting ready for my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary Party. It has been lots of fun planning, shopping, and ordering to get ready for it! I have a sister who is flying in from Florida this coming week and I am excited to see her because she only comes at Christmas time! I have an Aunt who will fly in from California who I am anxious to see also! It will be a fun and memorable day! The very cool thing about the day is that it is EXACT 50th Wedding Anniversary and will be held in the same reception hall as the day they got married! I guess we are a family of romantics! I know I am!

Getting ready has gone so smoothly, I keep wondering what the glitch will be?

2008-09-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

Our family gathered with our many other relatives to celebrate my dear Grandma's 100th Birthday! She doesn't remember and know all of us anymore, but she still has that smile I will always remember. She is a little more quiet than she used to be and so I miss her little giggle when she would tell us a little story or thought she was funny!

2008-09-20T21:28:00.000-07:00

We have 3 very talented teenagers. Since becoming involved in theatre they have been bitten by the "theatre bug" and cannot be seen in a picture without a little drama!

2008-09-20T21:24:00.000-07:00

Hannah & Gretchen have become little fisher girls and have on occasion gone with Dad to fish a little here and there!!

2008-09-20T21:21:00.001-07:00

Hello friends and family! I am excited now to have my own blog! I never knew it could be so easy! Thanks to those who got me started, you know who you are!

You can be easily introduced to our family by looking at the pictures on the side. We are a family of 7 with 1 very enthusiatic Beagle! With 5 children we are (needless to say) very busy all of the time. My husband eats and breathes fishing and Cornhusker football! He always teases me whether this picture (above) is his favorite or our wedding picture!

2008-09-20T21:11:00.001-07:00