Makin' Mii's

Did I mention that before we left Washington, Grandma Linda bought us a Wii? Yeah, I know. She's awesome. Anyway, I've been having fun creating Mii's that look like us. Can you guess who everyone is?

Now I need to quit making mii's and start EXERCISING!

My 529th post

A very random post.

This is my house today:

And you know what? I don't even care. I may get around to cleaning it, or I may not. If not, it'll be there tomorrow. Or the next day. Or, I may just go on a cleaning strike until school starts again. Then maybe it'll stay clean for a few hours in a row.

Todd's on-call this week, and six out of seven teams were put in shut-down so it's been *lovely* (sarcasm). I've barely seen him. The shut-down ended yesterday with one kid being arrested, and today starts Parent Week. More crazy. I've learned not to expect any different from the ranch. I think he's only had one normal week with his actual schedule ONCE in the past year. He always says, "My schedule is as predictable as adolescent behavior" and he's right. I'm sure grateful for his hard work, but I'm looking forward to leaving on our vacation next week so I can spend some time with him!

The kids are enjoying their summer. We haven't been able to do near as much as I'd hoped as far as our schedule is concerned, but we've tried and I'm okay with that. They've kept themselves quite entertained and I still haven't heard, "I'm bored" once. I've also been quite impressed at how responsible they've been. Their garden is weed-free (unlike mine), they rarely complain when it's time for their chores, and they've barely watched TV or played any video games.

I tried couponing at Albertson's for the first time and even though I saved $66 (I spent $79), I won't be able to do it as often as I'd like because I simply "can't afford to save that much" most months. I got over 25 boxes of name-brand cereal for around $1.50 a box, which was fun, but it's all for storage...unless we eat cereal for every meal. I can't spend $80 a month on storage. Also, I have to drive for an hour to get to Albertson's so the gas is pricey. I think if I lived in an area with more stores (and closer) I could get into it more. It's frustrating to me because I love a good deal.

I started giving a percentage of my quilting money to our ward mission fund (we have 19 missionaries out right now), and since I've done that, without telling anyone about my plan, I've been getting more quilts from people right here in town...I think it's kind of cool. I was unsure how to advertise for so long, because I didn't want to get bombarded with quilts, and yet I still need a few every month for the income. I figured if I did my part to build the kingdom, Heavenly Father would bless me, and He has.

I've been walking in the mornings with a few of my friends, and none of them showed up this morning, so I attempted jogging.

I know. I can see a pig flying by my window right now.

The good news is that I didn't pee my pants and I may even try it again.

I beat my all time record in Solitaire yesterday. My score was 8447. It's kind of pathetic. Just like the fact that instead of cleaning my house right now, I'm blogging about the mess.

Speaking of messes, we had to replace our bathroom floor on Saturday, for the 3rd time in three years. The toilet was leaking and it ruined the subfloor. Todd had to replace the floorboards, and then we put down new Allure flooring. The good news is that my bathroom no longer stinks like a pee-scented candle.

I taught an enrichment class on "101 idea's for summer fun with kids" a couple weeks ago. I need to post my list here...I'll get it up soon. The class was at the park and it was a little crazy because the mom's had to keep one eye on their kids who were on the playground. Later that night (at midnight) I started thinking about everyone who was there, and I realized for the first time that almost all of the young mother's in my ward have a baby or a toddler in nursery right now. Andrea has Eddie, Sarah has Simon, Vanessa has Katie, Cathy has Oaklee, Amy has Kenzi, Misty has Madison, Julie has Sullivan, Tresa has Wyatt, Breann has Parker, Mandy has Lacy, and the list could go on. It made me cry. It was the first time I cried about not getting pregnant since my miscarriage. I was fine by the next day, because I don't have to deal with the diapers and the sleepless nights...but I'm in a postition I've never been in. I'm glad that Dillon only has preschool two days a week this winter. Then I thought of Lori, who lost her two-year old to cancer last summer, and remembered how blessed I am to have my three, and have them healthy.

Okay I think I'm going to clean my house now. If I don't, it'll be out-of-control by tomorrow...sigh.

Here's an unusual tag...but I think I'm up for it

The first 3 people to respond to this post will get something made by me. My choice. Made especially for you.

Restrictions and Limitations:
1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year.
4. You have no clue what it's going to be, because I don't even know what it's going to be!
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The Catch: You must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who comment on your post and agree to do the same!
So get ready for your mystery treat... but be prepared to share the love! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you get when you get it.

*You know what? Forget the catch. I don't care if you pay it forward or not. I'm just makin' stuff for the first three people who comment. Just remember that "it will be done this year" can be interpreted in more than one way.

We support proposition 8

My brother and his wife, as well as my cousin (who all live in California) both had this picture on their blogs today. It made want to laugh and cry at the same time.

Although I cannot vote in the CA elections, I wanted to let all of you who have spent so much time and effort on this important issue, know that we support you and are grateful for what you have done (and are currently doing) to fight for religious freedom, and for families.

Stand for truth and righteousness at all times,

and in all things, and in all places...

Fun weekend

I'm running around today trying to get ready for a quilt retreat this weekend (yeah!) that takes place about 2 blocks from my house.

It'll be fun to sew all day and laugh with friends while Todd takes care of the boys for a couple days.

Then, on Saturday evening, my parents are coming. I talked my mom into coming down and helping me de-junk/organize my basement so that we can get ready to finish a room and the bathroom in the basement. Four kids in one bedroom just isn't going to work!

I'll have to take before and after pictures so you can all see what we accomplish. I have no doubt that Mom will whip this place into shape in no time :o)

Crazy About Cookies....not fundrasising

Our elementary school is doing a fundraiser by selling frozen cookie dough. Since I absolutely disagree 100% with kids selling things door-to-door, I will not allow my kids to sell this stuff. However, if any of you (like the grandma's) would like to spend $12-$15 of your hard-earned money on 3 lbs. of frozen cookie dough to make your grandchildren smile, let me know. If not, they'll probably get over it. The money has to be in by September 25th, and the dough should be back just in time for us to bring it to Logan/Newton when we come for Brayden's baptism.

Here are the choices:

$12:

Chocolate Chunk

Sugar Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin

Peanut Butter

Snickerdoodle

$14:

M&M's Candies Cookies

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut

Triple Chocolate

Walnut Chocolate Chip

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup

Heath

Jumbles (looks like a bit of everything; coconut, white and choc chips; butterscotch; oatmeal; yuck)

$15:

Scrumtious set- Nostalgic Extravagance: Oatmeal Raisin and Oatmeal Butterscotch

Scrumtious set- Hawaiian Decadence: White Choc. Macadamia Nut and Double Chocolate Macadamia Nut

Cute bags at Uptown Jane

My friend Vanessa has been sewing up a storm and is selling these bags in her etsy shop starting at 2:00 today. They are one-of-a-kind and I'm sure they'll go fast. Aren't they adorable?

Shall I clean my messy house....or tidy up my blog?

I choose the blog!

Our most recent professional picture

I'm thinking that maybe it's time for some new family pictures. Our last "professional" ones are from 2005. I think Dillon was 6 months old.

I use the term "professional" loosely because my brother and his wife actually took them, and I don't think they have any professional training...they're just completely amazing, and artistic, and talented, and they have a nice camera. I've been ever so happy with them for three years now, but alas, the kids are growing up and we (Todd and I) are growing "out" and our family pictures are slightly outdated.

Too bad they can't drop on by to take some new ones for us!

So right now (until I change it again), the blog header is a picture that I took in my neighbor's yard...in the middle of JANUARY 2007!


And now, as much as I hate to do it, I'd better go be responsible.

Memories tag

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

(Go ahead and leave a memory for Todd AND/OR Felicia)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.