Playing at Disneyland

Tod with his 3-d glasses. Wewere waiting to go on the Toy Story ride.

Madelyn being silly.

Cool Girl Madelyn.

Silly Spencer.

Happy Disney Kids.

We spend a fair amount of time at Disneyland. We go for family home evenings, meet up with my parents, who also have passes, and love to walk around the shops of Downtown Disney. It is good to live this close to Disneyland. Happiest Place on Earth.

More pictures taken by my baby sister

I ran out of room to post all of the pictures I wanted to so here is the next entry with more pictures. Again you can see more by following the link on my webpage for Liesel Renae Photography.

Look what my baby sister did!

My sister Liesel is developing her talent for photography. If you want to see her great work, you can follow the link on my page to Liesel Renae Photography. She has photographed one of our sister's family, a cousin's family and some halloween shots. These are just a few of my favorites.

She has decided to get her AA in photography. I am proud of her and the things she produces.

Childhood captured

I was reading through Christina Overton's blog today and found this picture of my son Spencer and my nephew Jonathon. It was taken at Becky and Tyler's wedding. They had this great photo booth set up for people to dress up and take pictures.

I absolutely love this picture. I love the vibrant colors, the action, the pure happiness and total disregard for the camera. Because I know my son and my nephew, and I know how they are when they are together, I know that in the moment, all they were thinking about was being Superman/Pirate guys who were playing swords. I love the intensity they both show in their faces. It captures a moment where childhood imagination is celebrated and lived to the fullest.

My mom also thinks I should write

Remember the days of yor, when people would ask you, what do you want to be when you grow up? Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher, Astronaut etc. etc. (Yes I am the type of person who doesn't really know what I want to do when I grop up yet. I think part of the problem is I like so many things. I have been that way my whole life. I defy anyone to define me. I have been trying to do just that my whole life and ... so far, nothing. I am pretty much an exercise in opposities. Like dressing up, like weareing sweats, like thinking about things analitically, so appreciate creative things etc. Have the talents and likes to fit into the corporate world and could really see myself there, yet I can't really see myself there. So how in the world do I decide what I want to be when I grow up?) So you see my problem? I know exactly what I like and who I am. In the mean time, I don't really know what I like and dislike so how can I say I know myself?

Hmmm. Things to ponder.

Well now to the title of my post. I have recently discovered that I have completed the requirements for my bachelor's degree. I haven't seriously thought about graduate schools, or post bachelor degree stuff, outside of daydreaming, but now that the time has arrived, I am asking myself, what do I want to do. It feels like so much more of a cross road. What if I choose wrong. What if I choose and don't get to come back and explore the other avenues? What if I am cheating myself out of really great things because I choose something inside of the box, ie. Masters in history, Masters in Poly Sci, Study of genealogy and oral history, etc. What if I could be really great at medicine, what if I could be really great at ...artsy stuff. What if I can sculpt and I don't know it. I would like to try it. What if I could be great at playing the violin, I would really like to. What if I could do beautiful things with cake and pastries like the Ace of Cake guy. I would really like to do that too. What if I could make a lot of money just by working smartly in investments or business? I would love to do that too.

Ok now really to the title of my post. My mother has always believed that a writer lives inside of me. As evidence of this posting, I clearly need some work in that area. I was discussing the consuming concern of what do to with my post bachelorette life with my parents and wouldn't you know that they did the very parenty thing? Gosh darnet. I know those tricks now since I have kids. You let them talk out their problems, give them support and make some suggestions, and then let them work it out for themselves; find their own way. That is what my parents did. UHHH! We do it to our children not because we don't love, love, love them, but because we do! We want them to decide for themselves what is best for them. We want them to seek inspriation, we want them to examine and weigh and decipher and them come to a decision. I know that with my children when they do this, their decisions are great! They own their decisions and they move forward with them. This is one of the best ways a prarent supports their children. It is one of the ways we say, "I love you," to our children. So, to my parents, I say, Thanks, I love you too, but...but...but... Alright fine, I will keep working on it, but if I make the wrong decision, it is on you! (Ludicracy of that last statement processing in my brain at the moment) Shoot! It is on me! That is the way these things are set-up aren't they.

Ok what would I tell my own child if they came to me with this problem? I would say, Don't worry so much about it. Just go forward and make a step. If you don't like where the step is taking you, step back and try a different step. You can do that 10 times or 100 times or for the rest of your life. If you go one way for a while and decide to try something different, do it. It doens't matter if you take a wrong step or if you try 25 different things. What matters is that you keep trying and keep moving forward. You will find what you are good at (and I suspect there will be many), you will find what you are ment to do (and I suspect there will be many different things at different times of your life), and you will find what and whom God wants you to find be a servant to him (and I suspect this will be the easiest of them all. God can use you anywhere and anyplace.) Don't be afraid. You have gifts and talents that can't be found in anyone else but you. Use them. Gift the world with yourself.

(Please excuese me for a moment while I wipe away a tear. My head is swiming with ephipany type feelings)

Wow, that was amazing. Maybe God gives us children so we can be smarter.

Wow.

(Please pause to fully appreciate the calm silence...)

Wow, that feels good.

Thanks Mom and Dad for raising me so that your words come out of my mouth when I talk to my kids.

oh...
My mom also thinks I should write.

The Devious Giggler

Let me set the scene: This morning, I was sitting at the computer, Tod was taking a shower, Madelyn was getting dressed and Spencer was...well just playing with toys and generally have a good time. I noticed Spencer laughing and tee-hee-hee-ing. I didn't think much of it because he is a happy kid in the morning. He and Tod had been exchanging tickles all morning long. The next thing I know, Spencer comes running out of the bathroom laughing HARD and heading for his bedroom. Then I heard Tod yell, "Ahhhh!" from the shower, followed by, "Spencer! Spencer come here! Come here now!" Well, Spencer is no fool. He was NOT going to come. He was laughing and giggling from his room. Well immediately I jump up and go check on Tod. I walked in to see the water in the sink running. Tod said, "Spencer turned on the Hot water in the sink and ran away." In our bathroom, if the hot water is turned on in the sink, the shower goes cold. I turned the water off for Tod and couldn't help laughing. I couldn't believe that devious little boy of mine would think to do something like that. When Tod got out of the shower, he gave Spencer a wegie. What a funny kid I have. Remind me never to shower when Spencer is home.

Update

Lots has happened since my last post. My brother came home and it was an emotional homecoming. My Grandfather, B. LaMar Williams passed away which was very sad but in the end it is ok. I am happy that he is now the person he was. He no longer has to live with the effects of Dementia. I have no questions about where he is or who he is with or what he is doing. I know. It is really good to know. I am sad but not destitute. I know that we will be together again. My Grandmother is grieving and learning how to be on her own. A difficult thing to do since she was his primary care giver for the last 8 or 9 years. I miss him. I am glad that my brother got to visit with my grandfather before he passed away. It was sad to watch him die but important for me. I needed to see the process so that I could have closure. For me, when I saw him in the casket, he did not look like himself. He didn't look like the man that I had just spend the last 2 weeks with. I cried but I realized right away that he was no longer there. I am ok. He was buried in the Cypress Forrest Lawn Cemetery. We gave honor to him, we gave love to him, and we remembered him. Over all it was a good day.

The best kiss award

MTV does the annual movie awards and one of the categories is best kiss. This year, Kristen Pattinson,...oops Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson won. I guess part of the deal is the winners kiss. This year Robert and Kristen got sooooo close and then she turned to the audience and said, thank you so much for the award. It was awesome. I heard on of the interviewers say, that was the hottest non-kiss they have ever seen. It is true it was. I love Twilight!

When I looked on Youtube to see the hot non-kiss again, I also found the winners from 2006, the adoreable couple from "The Notebook" movie, which I loved, and I watched their acceptance kiss. Holey Moley! That was awesome. I rented the notebook again through netflix because it had been a while since I had seen it. Then I added the music, "She will be loved," to my music selections on my blog. Wheew...is it getting warm in here?

Robert is coming home tomorrow

My brother Robert is coming home tomorrow from his mission. I can't wait, I can't believe two years has gone by, I can't believe it has been so long since I have seen him. Just typing this makes me a little teary-eyed. This morning I was realizing that 24 hours from then I would be traveling to Ontario Airport to welcome home my brother. I began to imagine what it would be like...in my mind I can hear my mom's voice saying, "There he is," and crying. I can imagine him coming down the escelator to the baggage area...just now as I am typing this and reliving my imagined reunion with my brother, I am crying again. Wow, I though it was because I was tired this morning but maybe not. Maybe I am just emotional about my brother.

I am so proud of him. I have missed him.

School is starting

Well school is just around the corner. Madelyn is going to be in 5th grade and Spencer will be in 1st grade. Today I did something that reconfirmed in my mind that Madelyn is growing up. I let her ride her scooter down to the school to see who her teacher would be this year. Today was the day that the lists came out. I was feel really tired so I thought about it and decided Madelyn was big enough to ride there on her own. Oh My Gosh! Either I am getting more slack in my rules or she is getting older. I think the last.

Well I purchased all the supplies for the kids last week so we are set to go there. The clothes things...well we will be fine for starting school. I probably need to get each of them a few more pairs of shorts and shirts but, I will keep watching for sales. I absolutely refuse to purchase jeans in August. It goes agains all of my principles. I will wait for a month or two until all of these jeans are on clearance. Plus, it is just too hot to think about pants right now.

The kids got new lunch boxes. Madelyn picked out a Hello Kitty lunch box and Spencer picked out a Star Wars the Clone Wars lunch box. I usually get the kids new backpacks for the start of school but Spencer got a new backpack near the end of school last year because his other one wore out. Madelyn as well. I spent a lot of money on Madelyn's 2nd backpack because she is very hard on her backpacks and I wanted a really good quality one for her. No new backpacks for either of them this year. I am a little sad about that because a traditional first day of school picture is of the new backpack.

Teachers. Madelyn got Mr. Watanabe as a teacher and Spencer got Mrs. Connally. Madelyn had Mrs. Connally for first grade too.

So there it is. School is starting Monday the 31st of August. I can not ever remember school starting this early.

Taking medicine

Spencer started taking medicine for ADD. What a difference. His teacher says he is paying attention, not talking as much, he is not the last one done anymore, and all of his work gets done without someone having to sit right in front of him to make him focus. Let's hear it for modern medicine!

Forcing myself

I am forcing myself to write to get back into the swing of things. So let me start out by listing a few things that have happened and maybe I will feel inspired.

Spencer got an orange card at school (This is bad).
Spencer is good at math.
Madelyn is not.
Tod DJ'ed a lot this weekend.
I am the secretary at Primary.
YM/YW Auction Dinner was Saturday and I won a few things.

Ok, I think I will tell about the Orange Card.

Every day in kindergarten, the children get graded on their citizenship/participation/attention in class. Normally Spencer comes out with a green paper. Every child starts every day off on green. This means they are paying attention and doing well. If they do something particularly well, above and beyond, they can receive a purple. It is a really big deal if they get a purple. If they art talking when they are not suppose to or not paying attention, they get a warning. The second time, their color changes from green to yellow. Yellow papers go home to the parents with an explaination of what the problem was. If they continue in the problems, they get an orange. If they yet continue, they get a red and get to go discuss the problem with the principal.

On Friday, when I went to pick-up Spencer, the teacher handed me an orange card. Spencer was upset. It said he was talking during letters and sounds time. It also said he was talking during sharing time and didn't complete work. The note also said he was warned numerous times. In addition to the orange note, he was also sent home with all of the work he did not complet and had to do it over the weekend and turn it in today, Monday. He said he didn't mean to talk he just did and he had two hard painting projects that kept him from doing the rest of his work.

Hmmmm.......

Simple Pleasures

So tonight at 9:56 p.m. I find myself thinking about simple pleasures. We went out to an impromptu dinner at Taco Bell with a family in our ward. We, the adults had such a good time visiting and talking while the kids went a little crazy in the restaurant. It was so lovely to visit.

Tod is sitting on the couch right now reading to Spencer. I love to see how Spencer loves and adores his dad. I love to hear Tod reading to Spencer especially when he adds in the voices and the sound effects.

Madelyn is in her room right now practicing her singing for the school talent show. This is the first time she has practiced with the karaoke version. It is so sweet to her her voice hit the right and wrong notes. Mostly I love to hear the absolute sincerity in her voice. She is so innocent and has no guile or deception in her singing.

Simple pleasures...

Why am I the way I am?

I have often looked at myself and wonder why am I the way I am? Let me give you an example. On my profile, I have listed myself as a hopeless romantic. This is absolutely 100% true. I can remember being 4 years old, maybe younger - the memories get a bit fuzzy before that, and having an absolute and total crush on a boy in my Primary. When I set up the music on this blog, I started out putting on most of the Twilight CD on here. I love the Twilight CD by the way and listen to it almost every day. It is my favorite CD. As much as I love that CD, I wanted the music on this website to reflect a more accurate reflection of who I am. I ended up replacing most of the songs from the CD with with romantic love songs. I absolutely love listening to my blog. How funny is that. Sometimes I will go to my blog website just hear my selected tunes.

Now how does a person get that way? I know many many people who are not this way, women even. What is it about me that is a romantic to the core? Did I come that way? Am I needy, or do I just really respond to ideas of romance and love?

Not sure. Something else to contemplate on

Out of the habit

When you don't write on your blog for a while, you get out of the habit. Not just out of the habit of blogging but out of the habit of writing...the actual writing process. I am a little bit sad at the moment because I really want to write and can't think of something to write about. It is frustrating because when I write regularly, I have no problem coming up with things to write about. I hear little comments from my kids and think, I need to write about that. I do something fun with my kids or my husband and I am already thinking about How I am going to word it. At this moment I feel a little like our chronically clogged toilet. More stuff going in all the time, not a lot getting out. Perhaps, writing about nothing will get the processing going again you know... like opening up a soda can after shaking it. I am pretty sure I have stories, ideas etc. on the inside that want to come out. Need to find the pop top.

Ah well, those are my thoughts for the moment.

Reading Angels and Demons

Hi to all,
It has been a while since I have posted. Here is the good news...My sister Liesel had her baby yesterday. The Overtons are calling him "Baby No Name," because he doesn't have a name yet...poor thing.

Well I am reading Angels and Demons by Dan Brown. I have never read The Da Vince Code but I saw the movie and really liked it so I though I would read Angels and Demons before it comes out in the theatres. It is a really good book I am almost 100 pages and pretty hooked.

Well, that's all for now.

Enough pouting already!

Ok, this post is directed to Stephenie Meyer (not like she is ever going to read it) but Enough Pouting Already!!! I know someone broke your trust and posted a partial of Midnight Sun on the Internet. I know that you feel like you can't writing something else without that happening again but, we, the fan base, are dying to see the finish product of Midnight Sun. Your releasing on your website has done nothing but made us think of the possabilities of the story from Edward's perspective. I have read all of your twilight books and The Host and I find Midnight Sun the most compelling thing yet that you have written. I also think it is the most creative and best writing you have done!



So please, it is time to stop pouting, get over the breach of trust, forgive and pick up the pen and paper again.

Field Trip to the grocery store

Spencer's class walked to Ralph's grocery store for a field trip. Map quest lists the trip as .68 Miles. By the end, the Kindergartners were definitely complaining. We walked in groups with Adults assigned 3-4 kids to keep track of. All started out with jackets and sweaters. By the time we arrived, everyone had their jackets and sweaters off. I decided to get a cart and put all of the jackets in then followed all the kids around with the cart. We were quite the procession. The kids got to go through the produce section and into the refrigerators. The talked to the manager of the produce section as well as the managers of every section of the store. They saw the Diary/Deli section, the Meat/Seafood section, the bakery/fresh items section (with a stop in the back to see how the party trays were put together) and then they got to scan an item with a scanning gun. They liked that. The manager of the "Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf," stand made each of the kids a little chocolate or vanilla smoothie. The kids got to walk through the check out stand and were handed a stapled paper sack filled with goodies. They were told not to open it until they got back to school. Oh My Gosh! You would have thought that they were promised gold and jewels in the bag. There were guesses all the way back to the school...popcorn, candy, apples, string cheese, etc. etc. Each child was given an apple, fruit snack, juice and Rubik's cube like toy. The kids were so excited and could hardly stand it. Once back in the classroom they were allowed to eat their snacks. It was a party!

Making pancakes

Spencer got up this morning convinced that I said we would have pancakes for breakfast this morning. As you will recall, we had eggs yesterday. (See I like Oakes). I didn't want to make pancakes but with the help of his father, Spencer prevailed in his arguments. The deal was that he would, "help," me make the pancakes. How can a mother walk away from a moment where her child is begging to spend time with her? She can't because she is a sucker to those eyes that she gave birth to and those pleadings that tug at the heart strings.

I taught Spencer how to flip pancakes. He was so excited. We watched the pancakes start to bubble and rise and then cook a bit on the edges. Then I showed him how to turn a pancake. It really was a sweet moment to share with my son. He wanted to keep turning the pancakes instead of taking them out of the pan. That eventually became ok though because he learned there is always more pancake batter that can be poured into the pan and more pancakes to cook and flip. He was so proud of himself and his new skill that he gave the first two pancakes to his sister just so that he could keep fliping pancakes.

I like oakes

This morning I made eggs for breakfast. Spencer didn't want eggs for breakfast, he wanted pancakes. He decided eggs were ok though because they have oakes and he likes to eat oakes.

Goodbye elders

We love to have the missionaries in our home. They come once a week, usually on Wednesdays or Thursdays, to have dinner with us. I have always wanted to do a record of some kind keeping track of the missionaries who come through our ward and where they are from. This week we lost both of our elders. Elder Knudsen, an excellent and exceptional Elder in every way, completed his mission and went home yesterday. At this moment, he is waking up with his family for the first time after 2 years. We will miss him. Elder Knudsen is from Pochatello, ID.



His companion, who is transfering to another ward this morning, is from Gilbert, AZ. Cypress was his second area. He is a Cambodian language trained missionary. He was in a threesome companionship in his first area for 3 weeks. Then transfered here for 2 months. Now he is transfering back to a Cambodian branch in East Long Beach.

We will miss both of the elders.

How to break a toe

The doctor confirmed it on Friday, I broke my baby toe on the left foot. How, you might ask, do you break your baby toe? Well I have discovered a very effective way.

1. You should be half awake
2. It should be early in the morning say... 4:30 a.m.
3. Your bed needs to be up against a wall and you need to sleep on the wall side so that you have to climb over someone to get out of bed.
4. There should be all manner of items strune about at the foot of the bed. Kid's shoes, toys, your clothes from the day before and a wrapping paper container work nicely.
5. While trying not to wake up the person you are climbing over, attempt to locate a landing spot on the floor, avoiding anything too sharp.
6. *Now this part is critical* While making your move, catch the baby toe on something that will sufficiently hold it in place (enter the stand up wrapping paper container with a lip on the edge) as gravity and momentem continue to propel you forward. You will know this step is done correctly when you feel distinctive tug on your toe. Popping sounds and cracking noises are another sure sign.
7. *Extra Credit* Hop up and down on all manner of items strune about at the foot of the bed (see #4) and bit your lip with the pain. If you can make it out of the room without waking up the person you have climbed over (see #3), bonus points for you.

And that is one way to break a toe.


Now, to make sure you have done the job throughly, (going with the theory - if once is good, twice is better) wait a few days so healing has just begun. Then proceed as follows.

1. Before going to bed, turn off all the lights in the living room, kitchen, hall etc. achieveing darkness.
2. Forget something in the living room. The book that you are reading is a good example.
3. Assume that you remember where everything is in the room and walk through like you own the place.
4. Forget (lots of forgetting is required for this scenario) that the car seat was put in the living room.
5. Catch your baby toe (same one just injured a day or two ago) on said car seat.
6. You will know the job is done correctly when your stomach flip flops from recognition of the distinctive tugging sensation (see item #6 in the above section) before the pain sets in.

At the rummage sale by Spencer

I liked this teranchula and it is very fun to play with. There was lots of people and we played with the toys a little bit. There was stacks of clothes and toys. And that is all. I bought a teranchula, a butterfly thing and I forget the other thing.

Cheap fun for a good cause.

Our elementary school's foundation had it's annual rummage sale this morning. All of the procedes go toward sending 6th graders to outdoor education camp for a week. Starting in 4th grade, students can start earning points toward camp. Madelyn is in 4th grade so, this is the year we start accumulating points. 4th - 6th graders can donate and earn points. They can earn more points by working and selling pancake breakfast tickets. Madelyn worked for 2 hours on Thursday and 4 hours on Friday helping to sort donated items. This morning, both Madelyn and Spencer counted out coins from their banks and purchased little toys at the rummage sale. I found a David Baldacci book, "Simple Genius," that I really wanted and paid a quarter for it. Gotta love a rummage sale. Everyone went home happy for under $5.

Death in Zanzibar

Well I have finished Death in Zanzibar. It was a murder mystery and I enjoyed it but there was too little romance in the story for me. The romance came on too late. Oh well. I enjoyed the story anyway. It was very interesting to read about Zanzibar. Makes me want to go visit. I am now working on Death by Peacock. I will let you know when I am done with that one.

Baby update

Ty LaMar Neilsen

The last time I wrote about all of the babies coming to our family, "Baby Explosion," (see December 2008) more has happened. Here is a refresher.

Lots of babies are coming to our friends and family
Friends:
Ben and Erin Tracy - Boy (May)

Family:
Cousin - Jon and Angela Williams - Boy - Landon Fredrick Williams (Arrived a week before Christmas)
Sister - Rebecca and Geoff Neilsen - Boy (January)
Cousin - Lisa and Joel Brown - Girl (March?)
Sister - Liesel and Cody Moultrie - ? (May)
Tod's Brother - Dan and Sherri Overton - Boy (May)
Cousin - Amy and Andrew Bang - ? (?)

Well here are the updates.
1. My sister Rebecca delivered a little boy (see above picture) yesterday, (1-20-09) the same day Barrak Obama was sworn into office. Thankfully my sister and her husband had the good sense not to use the names Barrak or Obama in the baby's name. His name is Ty LaMar Neilsen. The Middle name LaMar because both Geoff and Rebecca have grandfathers named Lamar. That is the big news.

2. Liesel and Cody have found out they are having a boy.

3. Dan and Sherri Overton have decided to name their son Keane Douglas Overton.

4. Amy and Andrew Bang have since found out they are having a boy.

5. My cousin Erin and Ben Abrams have announced they are expecting a baby.

The list should read like this.

Lots of babies are coming to our friends and family
Friends:

Ben and Erin Tracy - Boy (May)

Family:
Cousin - Jon and Angela Williams - Boy - Landon Fredrick Williams (Arrived a week before Christmas)
Sister - Rebecca and Geoff Neilsen - Boy (January 20, 2009) Ty LaMar Williams
Cousin - Lisa and Joel Brown - Girl (March?)
Sister - Liesel and Cody Moultrie - Boy (May)
Tod's Brother - Dan and Sherri Overton - Boy (May) Keane Douglas Overton
Cousin - Amy and Andrew Bang - Boy (?)
Cousin - Erin and Ben Abrams - ? (?)

Lots of fun for our family. So many babies!

Book update

I wanted to give an update on the books I am reading. So the last book post said
"The Manning Grooms (2 books contained within)
1. Bride on the Loose (Finished)
2. Same Time Next Year (Currently Reading)"

Well I finished reading Same Time Next Year and I really liked it. I am now a Debbie Macomber fan. At the beach, I returned the Manning Brides and the other Christmas book to my mom and sent with her two of my books, "The Manning Grooms," and, "Peter and the Star Catchers."

Peter and the Star Catchers is c0-written by humorist Dave Barry and Ridley Pierson. It is their version of how Peter Pan came to be. I enjoyed it. Who doesn't love Peter Pan. It was fun to romp around in that world again. I bought the book a few years ago and therefore doesn't count as a current read.

On with the business. I am currently reading, "Death in Zanzibar," by M.M. Kaye. I am really enjoying this book it is a romantic murder mystery. The timing is just after WWII and a young woman, Dany Ashton, finds herself being framed for murder. This all takes place with the backdrop of the beginings of commercial flight and how that opened up the world to travel and adventure. Dany can think of nothing greater than to see Zanzibar. It sounds exciting and exotic to her. She also begins to fall in love and has to lean on others to help her out of this very sticky situation she had found herself in. It has been a fun read. Still working on it though so I will make a note when I am done with it and moving on to the next book. Thanks Christina for such a great Christmas present. I love my box o' books.

At the beach by Spencer

When we were at the beach we got to see dolphins and I got to get a gumball. After that we went down to the sand and we made a wall of China. And we went scootering on the black top. And then we went to get french fries. We fed them to the birds. They had some of mine. And then we went back home and we cleaned up our room. At the beach again, we digged for water and we almost did it. Then we got to see dolphins. They were cool. After that we got lunch. We had taquitos and burritos and hamburgers. Then we fed the birds with french fries. And then we got to see the fisher people and the surfboarding guys. Two of the fishies were dancing. One was dancing in a towel. And the other one was dancing out of a towel on the floor. And then, after that we saw a car on the pier. And then after that, I got a gumball. And then we came home and the next day we ate cheerios. And then I played with Madelyn.

At the beach by Madelyn

At the beach we saw a pelican. It was really big. It was on top of a roof where no one could get it. It just sitted there and it pecked it's feathers. And we fed birds. Opa was really good at getting the ones in the sky. We also saw dolphins. I thought they were sharks at first but dad said they don't come out of the water every second. Finally I had a crispy snack, french fries yummy. That is what we fed to the birds. We saw fisherman and all of the fish that they caught. One of the fishes was doing the motorboat. The fishes were slimy ewww. We saw a lot of people getting in the cold water. I felt sorry for them. And we saw this man doing spray paint art. He made a bunch of paintings about 20 or so. And we went scooter riding. We took turns riding around. Sometimes it would be with opa and mommy, other times it would be with Oma and Abuela. Finally we went to the sand where everybody else was. Out of sand we made a model of the great wall of china. And we made this really deep hole. We almost hit water. And we had lunch. Taquitos and shaved ice, delicious. We had snacks too. Veggie straws. They wern't exactly straws, more like rectangles. And we had some good snacks like toosie rolls and water and beef jerky.
(Spencer just interjected "It's not beef jerkey, it's beef turkey")
And that was my day at the beach

Day at the beach

We had a great day yesterday. Our family, my parents, my parents friends the Briggs and my grandparents all went to the beach. Please note...it is the middle of January and the weather was beautiful. The temperature was about 80 Degrees. We didn't go into the water but we went for long walks, rode bikes and scooters and played in the sand. Spencer kept saying this was the best day ever. It was so nice to walk and walk. There is a motorhome/trailer section at the beach where people come and camp. It was awesome. I loved that idea. Someday, I will have a motorhome/trailer and camp at the beach. I have also decided that I want a beach cruiser bicycle. I haven't had a bicycle in a long time and it is time again. Maybe I will start checking craig's list. Tod also suggested that we check the local bike store and look for used bikes. Ahhh. I love California. We experience beautiful weather while the rest of the nation is blanketed in snow.

Enjoying Homework too little too late

Well, now that Madelyn has more intense homework, I am having to help her more. We sit down and do multiplication of two and three didget numbers, identify parts of speach and examine why explorers searched for the Strait of Anian, (the fabled water route from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Americas). I am really enjoying myself and I can say I am smarter than a 4th grader. I look forward to her homework. Wish this could have been the case when I was actually in 4th grade.

Remembering the day - January 7, 1995

In honor of our 14 years married, I am posting this picture. My goodness we were young, thin and georgeous.

Book update

Well I finished the books I mentioned earlier. I have also finished three others. To be fair, they are short books, no more than 300 pages, but I am enjoying them anyway. All are by Debbie Macomber. After I finish this one, I am on to the box of books Christina gave me for Christmas. Thank you Christina. I can't wait to dive in.

So here is what I have been reading...

The Manning Brides (2 books contained within)
1. Marriage of Inconvenience (Finished)
2. Stand-In Wife (Finished)

The Manning Grooms (2 books contained within)
1. Bride on the Loose (Finished)
2. Same Time Next Year (Currently Reading)

I love romantic stories. Ahhhhhh! Makes my heart feel good.

As a side note, yet still related, In the game, "Imagine If...," One of the questions was directed toward me..., Imagine if Michelle was a Holiday would she be 1. Christmas, 2. Thanksgiving, 3. Valentines Day, 4. Labor Day, 5. 4th of July, 6. Ground Hog Day. Everyone had to guess. Tod, my sweet insightful husband, was the only one to guess right. Everyone assumed 4th of July being that I was a Poly Sci Major and that I love History, but Tod knew better. He guessed Valentine's Day. He knows what a hopeless Romantic I am.

New Year's, "Committments and or Corrections."

I really dislike the word resolution, possibly because I am so bad at keeping them. I have decided, "Committments and or Corrections," better fits what I want to do. I can commit to doing something for a while, probably not a whole year, and I can make little adjustments to course correct. Yes, yes, that is much more comfortable for me to use those words. Heaven know one shouldn't be uncomfortable in making change.

So with that said, I am committing to
1. Work for 1 hour a day on the house
2. Read one book a month
3. Watch less T.V.

Here are my course corrections
1. Read the Scriptures/Pray more reguarly
2. Listen to my children more
3. Take my husband's suggestions/concerns more seriously

So there it is. Maybe I have a chance at sticking to these a little better. Happy New Year. May this year and all that follow provide each of us with the opportunity committ and correct ourselves more exactly to the teachings and example of the Savior.

Beef Turkey

Yesterday, Tod took the kids into the 7-11 and got them a treat. Both kids came out showing me what they had choosen. (By the way, Tod says Spencer has the Michelle disease when it comes to picking out treats, he takes forever to decide) Spencer kept going on and on about his treat but Daddy was going to let him have a bite of, "Beef Turkey." I couldn't figure out what he was saying until Tod gave me that look. You know the look one parent gives to another when the child is saying something really cute and you don't want to draw attention to the flawed word because it is so cute the way they are saying it so you just go along with it? That is what Tod did with me as he held up a piece of beef jerkey. I had to turn away my head and silently laugh at Spencer and his word.

Thank goodness children give us so many things to laugh at.

Our Anniversary celebration

Tod and I had planned to go out to a nice resturant for our anniversary last night (Saturday). Plans changed and we ended up spending the evening in a little different way. We took the kids with us to Chili's and then went to Walmart. On the way home Tod and I laughed and said this is what 14 years of marriage gets you. Oh well we had fun.

I'm a lego maniac

For Christmas, Mom and Dad gave Spencer a Star Wars Lego set. Spencer really enjoys playing with Robert's legos when he is at Mom and Dad's house. This set is a little advance so, gosh darn it, I have to help Spencer put it together. I am really enjoying watching the pieces come together and form the chassiy (?) and frame of the space ship. Fun Fun Fun.

And then there was none.

Ok, "And then there was none," might be a bit of an exageration but, there is a lot less than there was. The last time I had my hair cut was nine months to a year ago. Melinda my mother-in-law gave me a nice gift of, "pampering," for Christmas. I scheduled an appointment with Sherri my sister-in-law. She works at the Hyatt in Huntington Beach. With a little bit of die (I have more gray on top than I care to acknowledge) and a sharp pair of scissors, I am now a new woman. I was so excited to have my hair cut and colored. Sherri did a great job and now I have a hair style. (Long is not a hair style. It is the lack of a cut.) I love my hair. I loved my pampering experience. I can't wait to do it again. Thanks Sherri! Thanks Melinda!

Made it through the Desert, aka Life after Twilight

So, I have been having a hard time reading anything other than the Twilight series. I love Twilight so much that nothing else seemed to appeal to me. I really wanted to find other stories to read but just couldn't imagine anything else capturing my attention like Twilight did. Well, I am happy to report that I have begun reading other things. So here is what I have been reading.

1. The Wednesday Letters - Wow! What a story.
2.The forgetful Bride by Debbie Macomber - Fun Story
3.When Christmas Comes - Debbie Macomber - in the middle of it right now but I like it.

Christina Overton, my sister-in-law, gave me a large box of books for Christmas. How cool is that. What a great present. I will be diving into that box as soon as I am done reading When Christmas Comes and one other book by Debbie Macomber that mom lent me. I am pleased that I am enjoying reading again.

I absolutely love Twilight but it did ruin reading for me a bit. I have made it through the desert and enjoying reading once again. There is life after twilight. Who knew.

Things I have learned in the last week

For the last week, Tod and I have been kid-less. It has been wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I love my children. I love being a mother. I have decided though, there is a difference between the kids spending the night at Grandma's house and being gone for a week. When the kids are gone a week, you can really get into being without kids. While the kids were gone, I observed a few things and learned a few things...here they are.

1. I like my husband.
2. The living room stayed clean for 5 whole days. No kidding.
3. Tod and I could not make enough dirty dishes to do a load of dishes in the dishwasher.
4. There is such a thing as sleeping in.
5. Sleep comes much easier and long in the mornings when the T.V. isn't on, no one is arguing with anyone else, or coming in to see if we are awake yet.
6. Cleaning the house goes quicker without kids.
7. You can see progress when cleaning the house.
8. When it is all said and done, (raising the kids that is) Tod and I will still have lots of things to talk about and we will both genuinely enjoy eachother's company.

Just a few things I have learned this week. Let's hear it for Melinda for taking Madelyn for Grandma camp and Jared and Christina for taking Spencer to visit with his cousins. I feel refreshed and see a bit of a different perspective on life. Thanks.

Popping in the New Year

Just 15 minutes ago, Madelyn, Spencer and I rang in the new year with Poppers and pots and pans. Both of the kids were very tired and, although they protested, were put to bed at 7:45 p.m. and promptly went to sleep. I told they I might wake them up to watch the new year come in. Well as the time got closer, I decided they would really want to participate so I woke them up about a 1/2 an hour before midnight. Madelyn said she did not want to get up. Spencer said he did and quickly got out of bed. Amazingly, Madelyn decided to get up too. Maybe she decided if her brother was going to participate, she wanted to also. In the time it took me to blow my nose in the bathroom (battling the beginings of a cold) both of my children were up and out of bed and wrapped in blankets on the couch. They watched the Jonas Brothers perform on TV and watched the count down. They we went and got our poppers and pots and pans and went outside and let off 2 full packages of poppers. I guess I didn't give an accurate tutorial on how to properly set off a popper because Spencer pulled the string on his popper with the part that should be aimed up, aimed down...right into his pj sleeve. When it was all said and done, I was pulling streamers out of Spencer's sleeve. Funny Huh?

Madelyn remembered a New Year's we spent in WA with Tod's family. She remembered that Grandma had poppers and noise makers for New Year's celebration. I am glad that she rememberd that. It was 2 years ago when she was 7.

Well Happy New Year. Who knows what this year will hold. Well, off to blow my nose again.