Caved

Thats right . . . . I caved . . . big time. After managing to escape the Fair last year, Mamie suckered into going this year. She claimed that it would be so much more fun with me there. Apparently she likes germa-phobes and has a really warped idea of what fun really is.

You all know how much I love dirt and germs and stuff like that . . . so it should be no surprise as to why I didn't want to go. But I thought . . . What the heck . . . I have nothing else to do. Why not go blow a hundred bucks, eat as many calories in 4 hours as I usually eat in four days, get dizzy just watching the rides, and sweat so much I stink worse than the cow barn?



I am happy to report . . . . that I actually had a GREAT TIME. Note to self. Go on Thursday. Not kids day (Wednesday), not the weekend, but THURSDAY. It was so pleasant. No huge crowds. Hardly any lines for the rides either. My kids were amazingly good, which earned them plenty of rides, cotton candy, and elephant ear. They had a blast, and for once in my life, I was a great sport about something . . . . . I know . . . . Surprise Surprise. It also boosted my self esteem just a little to know that I was creating fun memories for my kids. I love them. They are worth it. So worth it. And I might even take them next year, if we can find a job before then, as we are now unemployed.

Just in Case . . . . . .

. . . . . the 20 purses you have aren't enough, you simply have your daddy make you a new one, out of an ice cream box that Don and Lisa brought (full of ice cream of course) to your house. Then, you stuff it full of your most precious belongings, and carry it around with you everywhere you go. . . . even out in public, because you have a mommy who just doesn't want to deal with you or your emotional meltdowns.

The End.

Summer Casualties

1. Remember when I told you that I had found a new hobby in knitting? Well, I finally finished the baby boy blanket I was making for my friend . . . . a mere 7 months later. It was supposed to be a simple square blanket . . . . . .

This is how it turned out.

I don't even know what to say . . . except Oops! And just look at the gaping hole at the top right.

Apparently I don't know how to count. I guess there is some sort of pattern you are supposed to follow? Whatever.

Let me know if you know anyone who is having a really LONG and SKINNY baby boy who would like a sorry excuse for a hand knitted blanket . . . . .

or perhaps you might know someone who could use a new winter shawl?

Or maybe a skirt?

The possibilities are endless!

I think I'll go right ahead and take knitting off my mediocre list and add it to the of "things I suck at" list. (In all honesty, I laughed so hard I actually cried when I saw the finished product. I am just not meant to be a knitter)!

2. An unfortunate wrist fracture. It is really putting a damper on our summer days at the pool. She hates it. Luckily, it comes off tomorrow.


3. I tried my best, but these poor beauties are on their last leg. All dried out. Blasted TC heat and wind. It will get you every time. Oh well, they were gorgeous while they lasted.

4. My very first pair of stilettos. It was well worth the $ I spent, because I have worn them religiously for the last 3 years. They have been with me through thick and thin (literally). I LOVED them, and I am sad to say that the soles are almost worn down to the point of no wearing. I put them to rest the other day. It was so awful to see them go . . . .

. . . . . but I was able to heal the pain in my heart. . . . . . . for I ordered myself the most GORGEOUS pair of black crocodile patent leather 4 inchers to replace them. They are magical. Seriously . . . . when I put them on . . . . I automatically turn into a sexy beast.

Stay tuned for all the things that are going glorious this summer!

True Love

You know someone really loves you when they will drive with 3 young children for 19 hours to see you.

Our BFF'S came from Colorado and we were able to spend some much needed time with them. It needs to happen more often. Its our turn to drive that 19 hours next summer . . . . I can't wait!

We LOVE you Saunders.

Thank you for coming!

Of course I had to take them to shoot Walter while they were here.

Cole, already brushing the Edyn's hair! They are such good friends. Perhaps someday they will get married? 

Jerome

I just have to share this . . . . So stinkin' cute that mom of mine! My dad wrote this. I merely cut and pasted it from my email. Enjoy!

In mid-June Pat came home from teaching her high school Seminary class and found a baby robin sitting in the driveway. He was no bigger than a golf ball. She brought him into the house and dug up some worms in the garden to feed him. She named him Jerome. Most baby birds die within a few days. Not Jerome, he thrived under Pat's care. Soon he was begging for more worms than Pat could find in her garden. She began to buy fishing worms at the local minute mart. Jerome became very tame. Pat had an old hamster cage which became his home. She would take him outside when she was feeding her rabbits, chickens and sheep. While weeding the garden she would take the bottom off his cage so he would learn how to catch his own worms in the grass. Inside the house she would open his cage and he would hop on her finger. He would fly around and land on her shoulder. In the mornings he would hear her coming down the stairs and start squawking for more worms. The whole family would take turns feeding him.

The grandchildren loved to see him. He would sit on their fingers too. One day Pat figured out how much she had spent on worms for Jerome. It was over $150. Jerome was big enough to leave her care. She made sure he could catch his own worms, and at the end of July he was set free. He hung around for weeks. Pat could hear his distinctive chirps from the old maple tree near her bedroom window.

It's mid-August now and she doesn't hear him any more but whenever a robin lands in the back yard or in a tree near her garden and looks down at her, she's sure that its Jerome, just checking up on her.

They say all dogs go to heaven. So do hamsters, goldfish, guinea pigs, turtles, cats, parrots, white rats, lambs, goats, milk cows, chickens and little robins. Pat has raised 15 children. That's nothing compared with the hundreds of pets and animals she has helped her children and her 4-H kids care for.

Some day, hopefully years from now, when we get to heaven, we will see one of Heavenly Father's choice daughters surrounded by a great multitude of children, grandchildren, and hundreds of Gods creatures including one little grateful robin sitting on her shoulder.

Dirty

Two things I am morally opposed to . . . . . . out houses and aquasox . . . . and last week, I had the opportunity to use both . . . . . several times.

a close-up . . . for your viewing pleasure

Although I hate camping . . . I LOVE my family, so this years family reunion was well worth it. It was tons of fun . . . . . excluding the whole outhouse thing, the constant dirt between my toes, a screaming baby ALL NIGHT LONG, and that barf incident outside my cabin door.

My cousin brought her karaoke machine, so we were able to listen to eachothers miserable singing. I was fortunate enough to get to perform "my humps." I'm pretty sure I sound exactly like Fergie.

There is absolutely no way I could go four days without rice crispies. NO. WAY.

Of course we had another talent show. Our family is so talented its almost unbelievable. All of the amazing animal/bodily function sounds we are all able to make just cannot and should not be contained.

Fun slide . . . hence the aquasox. They were a must if you wanted to go down it.

My brother came home from Iraq after being there a year, got off the plane and then joined us for the last night. Yahoo!

I am so grateful for fun memories . . . . . and my bed, and my bathroom, and my shower.

Celebrating

There are many things I cherish in life, two of those being freedom and family. We just had a great weekend celebrating both.

I am so grateful for the many men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. I have three brothers (two who are in Iraq as we speak) and one brother-in-law in the military. Words cannot explain my gratitude to them for helping to protect our country and preserve our freedom. THANK YOU!

A fun filled Friday at Roaring Springs Water Park. Too busy having fun for pictures. This was the only one I took!

A ginormous Block Party. Over 100 people there. My sister and her husband do this every year. FUN . . . FUN . . . FUN!

Quad rides around the block.

A friendly game of Volleyball. (Not pictured: Brett smashing Bekie in the face ON PURPOSE)!

Snow-cones

Big time slip n' slide.

Apparently Lila didn't like said slip n' slide. Notice her death grip on daddy?

Baby Wedgies

Congratulations to Beadsa! She lost her 2nd tooth on July 4th! Her first one was lost on Wednesday night before we left and both of those precious teeth were pulled by Tia Bekie. Thank goodness. There are two things I REFUSE to do as a mother. 1. Pull Teeth (thank you for taking over that responsibility Tia) 2. Teach my kids to drive (thank you in advance Damon, that one has your name written all over it).

Nothing like a neighborhood coming together and lighting off fireworks for over an hour and a half!

Not pictured: Ugly Chin contest. This is something you DO NOT want to miss. I will post those epic pictures at a later date (as soon as my sister relinquishes control of her camera card).

Aaaaaaannnnnnddddd . . . once again, some VERY tired little ladies. It made for a peaceful first hour of the 4.5 hour drive home!

Next year, it would be AMAZING if every one of my 14 brothers and sisters could be there. Those of you who couldn't make it this year . . . you were TRULY missed.