Cindy Q!

Not an actual picture of Cindy Q but it reminded me of my cute childhood friend!

Saturday we HAD to get out of the apartment and go. With dad gone, hot weather, and 500 square feet we needed a ROAD TRIP!!!

On my morning run, aka torture, I was trying to figure out something to go and do for the day. It hit me that our zoo membership was expiring on Monday (today) so it was our last chance to go see the SLC zoo. PERFECT!

While making our picnic lunch it occurred to me that at the zoo, I would be halfway to my best friend from my earliest memory house. I called her to see if we could stop by after our zoo visit. It was a go!

We had a great time at the zoo. I am not sure what was more interesting to the kids, the animals or the spray bottle of water to cool each other off. It was a good time.

Then we headed to my childhood best friend's house, Cindy Q. We spent the entire afternoon and evening there. We left once it got dark, not realizing it was so late, we had such a great time.

She, like me, has a household of boys. The kids had a great time, at least mine did, in a house full of boys things! Not to mention all the fun boys to play the boy toys with!

Cindy and I could have talked three days solid and not said everything we had to say. I can not remember the last time we saw each other, 4-6 years ago? Our families were so close that all the Qs are more like family than friends. It is always so wonderful to visit her.

Cindy has always been a spiritual giant. A true example of someone who is handed lemons and makes lemonade. If most of us had to face the challenges she has had to, most of us would shrink a way in fright. Yet she humbly turns to God and with Him by her side, she boldly faces her challenges. She gives me strength and courage just by watching her fearless example.

After dinner we went to a local frog pond to catch frogs. Such a perfect boy activity. Not only did they catch frogs but fish to boot! It was such fun. My only complaint is that the day flew by too quickly.

Thanks for the fun day Cindy. Let have another day like it in the not too far future! Know that you and your boys are in my prayers!

Is this work or play?

David had a business trip to Poland and England last week. While in England he had the chance to visit some of our good good good friends Darek and Jeanne and their girls. Darek and David went to high school together. Jeanne and I were instant friends upon meeting. They will always be good friends no matter how long it has been since we last saw them. Their hearts are pure gold.

Darek and Jeanne have lived in England for a very long time, in other words I can not remember how long but over 5 years. Darek is in the Air force. This fall they are moving to Japan. I wonder what the chance is that David could go to Japan on business?

We love and miss you, Darek and Jeanne! So jealous I could not come along. Unfortunately David's suitcase is not big enough for me!

SCORE!

I have been wanting to get bags for groceries that I can reuse over and over. Trying to "go green." I wanted big bags and the ones at the grocery stores are all too small.

Wednesday, I finally had the chance to go to Ikea for the first time. Wow! What a store. They have these big yellow bags you can use in their store or blue ones that you can buy. I grabbed one to buy for $ .59. When I was checking out and putting the items I was purchasing into my new BIG blue bag it occurred to me that I found my new "go green' grocery bags!

I grabbed another one. Now I wish I had one more. They are HUGE, about 4 times bigger than any I have seen plus cost less! Exactly what I was looking for!

My Kids Are On A Roll

It is ice cream night, Pierce declared it! So as I was about to start dishing his ice cream out, he states, "I would like 40% Cookie Dough, 60% Blueberry Cheesecake. No make that 40 % Cookie Dough, 50% Blueberry and 10% Heavenly Hash."

I just looked at him. He said, "What? Is it a crime if I like math?"

I laughed out loud

Ross and I were talking and I made the comment, "Aren't you glad you have such a smart mommy?" I made this comment because I knew how to make square shape sandwich pieces into triangles. Yes, he is 5.

Ross in a very sullen voice said, "Yes, but I wish I had a sweet mommy." If only he knew how sweet I am! Pathetic life he has poor thing!

Mom, I guess I am doing something right. I bet he grows up to be just like me whether he likes it or not!

WELCOME Grayson Kent!

My sis-in-law had her babe yesterday at 2:30. For those of you who may hold resentment for those that have their babies 2 weeks early (which Jenn did). Here is your consolation, the baby was over 9 pounds and 21 1/2 inches long!!!

Jenn says he already has chubby cheeks. I forgot to ask if he got his daddy's toes.

Exciting News!!!

My sis-in-law is on her way to the hospital to have boy #2! Yeah! We are hoping for a speedy delivery and fast recovery!

Go Baby GO!

If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear!

So the floods that took out 3/4 of the world's supply of corn, the wheat and rice crisis, and the gasoline prices are just beginning to put me into panic mode. I try to reassure myself that all is well in Zion but I still worry.

I have food storage but any guesses where it might be? Everyone now in unison, "STORAGE UNIT!" Not only is it in storage but in the very back of the storage unit. I have no idea how much is there since the last time I have inventoried was long long long before we ever moved here.

David moved to Utah two years ago this early fall. The first thing we brought down was food storage. I have no idea how much there is and if it is still good. Although I think it is, those #10 cans are almost indestructable.

Having lived in a two bed one bath apartment for a year I have not been very motivated to continue working on the food storage. Usually I am continually buying food to add to my food storage but when there is no room to put the food...

Recently, I have just bitten the bullet and started buying food storage. Putting the food in the bottom of closets, in the corner of rooms, under furniture, so forth. My next move is to go to the dry pack and wet pack cannery once a month each. I will have to store the food in our storage units.

It not ideal but I must prepare because this fear is killing me!

I really have to go to bed but ...

I had to post these pictures...

First: OUCH!!!

Second: My stretching limit.

God forgot the rubber bands when he made me!!!

AAATCHUUUUUUUUUU!!

So earlier this week when I could barely breath because I was sneezing so much, I thought not only is Utah not my favorite place to live but I am deathly allergic to it. I have not had an allergic reaction like this for years and years.

After three hours of sneezing almost constant (when I was not sneezing I was wishing I would sneeze), rubbing my eyes and blowing my nose (gross moment so sorry), I succumbed to an allergy medication. I can not recall the last time I succumbed to that.

When I was still not improved, I started to really examine my environment. What did Utah have that Washington, Idaho, and Arizona did not? When I could not come up with anything, it finally dawned on me that David had brought home flowers for me the night previous. These flowers were right in the kitchen with me and so I removed them.

I was not instantly better but much improved. By the next day, I was back to the inconvenience of minor hayfever.

When David asked me what I had done to the flowers, I gulped and barely could bring myself to tell him. He felt horrible and I felt worse. The joys of being married to a Hayfever Sneezing Queen.

Strange Roses have never done this before to me. These were flowers he picked himself rather than buy them, could that be the difference? However, I would pick roses from our last home and bring them inside and never react this way.

PS Why is it that the allergic people in movies are usually nerdy! The nerve!

One small sentence for Bryce; One Victoriously Joyous Leap for Mom

I heard four words from Bryce this evening that I thought I would have to wait until after his mission to hear. These four words have influenced me that Bryce will go to Boy Scout Camp every year NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!!

VICTORY, VICTORY, VICTORY (I sing these words to the tune of the hymn from church)!!!

So are you dying to know what Bryce said to me. I am sure some of you who know me well, have guessed.

"I missed your cooking, Mom!!!" Oops that was 5 words but I forgot to count the Mom part.

There just may be a flicker of hope with this boy. However when you consider what he was eating this last week, I guess I should not be too joyous! Scouts cooking for scouts.

Frumpster, the queen!

I just wanted to write a note about my wonderful cousin who is a blogger and claims to be the Queen of Frumpy. I honestly have never seen an inkling of this, myself! More like, Queen of Cool! Or Queen of Comedy! Or Queen of Blogging! Or... the list goes on and on.

Yesterday, she was informed that she has a brain tumor. I am impressed with her amazing attitude, sense of humor and courage. Some say that laughter is the best medicine. She has a great dose of that.

As I have read different blogs and comments I have realized that there is something that is a bit greater than laughter. Someone to laugh with, someone that cares deeply for you and is there through the good times and bad. I have noticed the Frumpster has this because first she cares deeply for others.

The other and most important medicine is prayer. I know there are lots of prayers being said on her behave. This is all very comforting. Janell you are in our prayers.

Please pray with us for her.

Kodak Moment without the Kodak

Ross had a kickball game last night. Here they first have kickball, then T-ball, and finally baseball.

When Ross's team was on "defense," if you can call it that? No one gets out and everyone gets to run into home. Seriously my style of a sport!!!

Ross had the choice experience to be third base. He sat down, put his shirt up over his head so that only his eyes were peeking out and started to chew on his shoelace. Yes, his shoe was still on. WHERE WAS MY CAMERA? At home, the first game I forgot to bring it!!!

This totally cracked me up. He knew why bother and took a much needed breather!

Another entertaining event at the game was occurring at the same time. The opposing team were up to kick. However one of the kids found a worm and everyone wanted to look at and hold the worm instead of kick. The game was mentally over for them. One kid would pick it up and a second later drop it quickly.

I love kids at this age. Very entertaining!

LOVE Jane

I love Jane Eyre! I have seen many different versions and this is by far the best. I read the book in two days. My kids did not eat a decent meal and had free range of the house. They were half way wishing there was a Jane Eyre sequel!

I also love the Jane Austen books. My favorite is...OK how can you pick one! I love Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice was brilliant. Sense and Sensibility is so tender and Mansfield Park is so educational.

I hope in Heaven Jane is still writing and by the time I get there it will take centuries to catch up. Maybe Charlotte has written that sequel my kids were hoping for. Who are your favorite authors?

PS I know I am such a girl to love these books but I am what I am, why fight it?

I eat therefore I run!

The true reason behind the insanity is my lack of self control! The only problem is there are not enough hours in the day to work off the needed calories!

When I was little...

That title makes me feel as though I should be sitting in a rocking chair with a shawl drapped over my shoulders. Anyway...

To explain comment in my last blog. My sister Mechelle, follow my link to her blog if you would like to "meet" her- she is more than worth your time, and I shared a bedroom for most of our childhood.

Every now and then Mechelle and I did not go to sleep right a way. At these momenst we usually realized we were starving. We would check to make sure our parent's bedroom light was off.

Then one of us would sneak off into the kitchen to grab a near midnight snack. It most often was me since I was the 'little sister'(I have more to blog on this subject). Growing up in a home that had no candy, cookies, cakes or sweets of any kind, I was always stumpped about what to get to eat. The only thing I could come up with were vitamin C pills.

I would sneak back and give Mechelle her vitamin. We would quietly suck on our snack, giggle, and think we were so tricky and naughty. Little did we know that Mom and Dad were probably laughing in their beds!

Mechelle and I still chuckle when we think of those rebellious midnight snacks!

When I am feeling really naughty I ...

Sneak into the pantry cupboard. Get a pretzel, smother it with peanut butter, caramel dip, and stick chocolate on top! YUM! I don't share one bite with anyone!

Are we not all hypocrites?

I recently have been indirectly accused of being a hyprcrite. It hurts. A hypocrite is something I try everyday NOT to be. I LOATH the idea that I might be a hypocrite.

My consolation is that this person does not know me well and only said that I reminded her of someone who is a hypocrite. Thus the reason for the indirect accusation. Yet it still hurts and haunts me.

I have wondered is this not true? I claim to be Christian. I try everyday to follow Him. I have covenanted to obey the commandments and yet I fail every single day. I have moments when I think a person who claims to believe what I believe would not have done that, or said that, or worse yet thought that.

This is not the first time in my life I have struggled with the idea that I am a hypocrite (it IS the first time I have been accused of it from another though). Nephi in the Book of Mormon in 2 Nephi 4:17-20 says it so eloquantly how I feel and struggle...


17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

(This whole chapter is amazing and one of my favorite scriptures.)

I think the fact that I KNOW what I know and yet I still sin, may make me a hypocrite. However, the fact that I keep on trying. I keep asking for forgiveness. I keep striving to be more than what I am through God's grace. I keep turning to Him. I keep trusting him. I keep...

I hope this is enough to keep me from being a hypocrite. Or am I fooling myself?

The writing is on the wall!!

I am truly fearful for the teenage years with Ross. Starting at two he was a shameless flirt with pretty teenage girls. The not so cute girls he rudely ignored completely, even if they tried to engage him. I try to teach him this is unacceptable but so far it has not sunk in.

One day driving a way from pre-school this year, my cousin Karen rolled down her window and yelled, "Julie, the girls are all fighting over who is going to marry Ross." Oh my, what is this boy about? My 12 and 10 year old will not even talk to girls and avoid them like the plague, politely of course.

Yesterday as I was driving, Ross yells, "Mom go 60 million mph!" I tried to explain about speed limits but he continued to insist that I need to drive at top speed.

The final straw was yesterday when we were passing a road closed sign that was put in the middle of the road. Ross yelled, "Mom, HIT THE SIGN!" I calmly replied, "Ross, I don't want to dent and scratch the car." Ross replied to me, "No mom hit the SIGN."



Heaven help me, I am in trouble!!!

What am I in for!!!!!

St John, USV

This is a picture of paradise and all I can say is, if heaven makes this earth pale in comparison we have A LOT to look forward to!!!!











How I felt in paradise!

PS If you want to see more of our pictures go to

http://picasaweb.google.com/david.and.julies.pics