38 is Great!

Okay...maybe not "great" but it's pretty darn good. Let's not fool ourselves. The body isn't the same as it used to be, the mind is half gone too. But, I'm healthy and very blessed. Those who know me, know that I'm pretty negative, I'm a pessimist...glass half empty kind of girl. It's my nature..I was born that way and I find myself trying to fight it all the time. With that being said...I think it's a big deal that I think turning 38 is not so bad. I am really dreading the big 4...0 but at least I have a couple more years to prepare myself. I thought it might be a good idea to share 38 things about myself or that I've learned. Beware...some of these things might be negative. Also, note that these are in no particular order...I wrote them randomly as I thought them. This is how I feel today.
1. I hate feet. I'm actually really grateful for them and the purpose they serve...I mean...I would hate to not have feet...but just look at them! I hate them all...I'm not predjudiced. I don't like anyone's feet.
2. I'm smarter then I thought. I've always thought I was kind of a dummy. I'm pretty sure I have an excuse...I'm positive I'm ADD! I still don't think I'm smart enough to go back to school...at least not without medication!
3. I love to decorate. It hasn't been a priority to me in the last couple of years and I know I've missed it. I plan to remedy that situation soon.
4. I dance when no one is around. Full on Ballerina style. A little jazz here and there, tap, and even hip hop. Often. Enough said.
5. Napoleon Dynamite, Pee Wee Herman, Jack Skellington, Jack Black, Ace Ventura are still the coolest dudes...ever.
6. I am the best Patsy Kline karaoke singer in the world...just ask my kids.
7. I still have the punk rocker wanna be in me...I even ask my hair dressers to do funky things to my hair and they are all too chicken!
8. I love having only daughters.
9. I eat more fiber then humanly possible.
10. I love the sense of smell and good smelling things...food, candles, perfume, flowers, money, babies, fresh bread, new paint, new cars, new books, trees, sage brush after rain, the spray I clean my rubber stamps with...
11. I wish I did more personal/family history and geneology and love it when I do.
12. Nauvoo temple is my favorite. I figured I've been inside 13 different temples and would love to see them all. I've seen about 20.
13. Eating out is one of my favorite things to do. Not cooking is one of my favorite things too. See a pattern here????
14. I'm an 80's girl at heart. I've brought this curse upon my children and they tolerate it.
15. Moving to Kansas City was the best decision Boyd and I have ever made. I could have never dreamed I would love it as much as I do. I miss the mountains...terribly but the friendships and the livibility of this place far outweighs that. I do have to make the journey to the mountains as often as I can.
16. I love this earth. I mean I really love it. I'm fascinated by the beauty and the organization of it. I want to be a more eco friendly person. I want to travel and see it all.
17. My Mom is the smartest person I know. It took me a long time to appreciate her wisdom. I rarely go a day without her advice or praise.
18. I think I have addictive behaviors. When I start a hobby, or craft, or project..I do it and over do it until I completely burn out and never want to do it again. But I Have to be doing something at all times.
19. Teaching seminary is the most rewarding, challenging, difficult, worthwhile job I've ever had. I love the scriptures. The promise is true. If you will read them daily you will be blessed.
20. When I hear Boyd sing in sacrament, I still get all tingly.
21. I love it when my girls have nothing going on after school and their schedules are clear and they are just home. I just love having them around me...when they aren't fighting (which truly isn't very often).
22. I can't rest or relax if the house is messy.
23. When I die I better get Jessica Alba's body.
24. I never thought I would be alright with having an indoor dog. You know, dog butt on the carpet and furniture, poo, pee, barf, smelly stuff. But an indoor dog has brought my family so much joy along with that gross stuff. I highly recommend you all get your kids a dog. If I can do it...you can too. It's a rewarding, learning experience.
25. Heredity plays a huge part in who you are.
26. Chocolate cures all that ailes you.
27. I'll never have enough books. I love to read. I love the smell of books. I wish I had limitless credit line at Barnes and Nobles. Sometimes I walk in there just to smell it.
28. I wish I was the best at something. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm a Jack of all Trades. I dabble a little bit in everything.
29. I love cars. Don't tell my husband. He may think that is a license to go buy more! Even ask my Dad. Since I was young I've loved cars. I've always paid attention to makes and models of cars. Old or new, collector, vintage, doesn't matter. When I was in high school I wanted to restore a Chevelle and paint it banana yellow. I loved going to the garage to have Dad show me how to change my tires, and check my oil, fill my transmission fluid (which I did weekly!), and show me how the engine works. The rule was, if I was going to drive it, I had to know how to maintain it and how it worked. I secretly want a 20 car garage full of cars/trucks. I even want to take some mechanics classes. Shh..our secret.
30. I love walking. (on my two yucky feet no less). I only wish it burned more calories then running.
31. I love having confidants. My friends and family know I've burdened them with my share of complaining, confiding, crying and moodiness. I literally wouldn't be alive today if I couldn't have done that.
31. I have to admit. I've forgotten the exact date of my anniversary. Is it the 7th or the 8th of September? All I know is that we were married the same day BYU played Miami. I had to do the math this year to know how old I am. I really don't care because I know I'm 6 months younger then Boyd and that's all that matters!
32. I really want my own helicopter. Call me crazy. If you know how afraid of heights I am and my fear of flying..you'd know it's just plain crazy. Just a secret fantasy.
33. I have the coolest family. Both Boyd's and mine. Right down to every niece and nephew. I wish I could see them all more often.
34. I have really loved this phase of life my girls are in. I really do like teenagers. I feel busier then ever and sometimes crazy but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
35. Learn to let it go.
36. I hate doing the dishes. I'd almost rather do any chore in the house besides dishes. My sister Tonia reminded me that I used to make deals with her to get out of doing it as my chore. She also reminded me that I never kept my end of the deal. How much do I owe her?...I wonder.
37. I will never ever love or get used to humidity.
38. I love my dear husband more now then I thought possible when I married him. There is no way to describe the way your journey of marriage bonds you in the most unconditional way. It's a deeper, sweeter, more genuine, eternal feeling. Don't get me wrong, we have our ups and downs like everyone. But I think that's what make it so great. Because for everything you forgive your spouse for there's something they've forgiven in you. And you will always cherish them for that.

So these were my random thoughts on this day as I turn 38.
I came down to seminary this morning to see the room had been decorated...cool..High School musical.



I may have to save this stuff and put it in my office! I made Hunter take this picture of me to show what 38 looks like on me. I hated asking her to do that and as I look at this picture, all I can see are the flaws.

But, I think it's necessary. If I haven't learned a bit of humility at all then what else matters. Happy Birthday to me. I might as well enjoy it, tomorrow will be just another day.

So...me

Anyone who knows my style and taste knows that these Sid Dickens Tiles are soooo me. I received this one as a gift today from my friend Becki Speakman. She owns one heart...one mind. As soon as I got home (and paid the refridgerator repair man for fixing my broken fridge that got fried in yesterday's electrical storm) from her house this morning, I got on the Sid Dickens website and checked out this new addiction for me. I say addiction because I can totally see myself wanting to collect these. There are samples on the website of these tiles hanging in groupings in people's homes and it's sooo me. I'm sure it will take me some time to gather enough for a real decoration but until then I will enjoy them as much as I can!

Every time I take a picture...Lola tries to lick the camera. She thinks she needs to be in every shot! At least she matches the tile.

Buddy Walk 07

Another sunday...another meeting. Another chance to blog.


This gives me a great opportunity to tell you how we spent part of our saturday. I signed the girls and I up for the Buddy Walk. This event raises money for the Down Syndrome Guild of Kansas City. We signed up to participate on "Jumping Jack Flash"s team under Jack Thorne. My girls love this boy. We got there early and the whole time they couldn't wait until they saw him. We ate lunch while Jack entertained us and enjoyed the great weather and festivities.



Jason Dunn(as well as some other players...sorry Chris...I just don't know who they are...shame on me) from the Chiefs football team was on hand to give autographs.


Jack and the girls completely took advantage of the opportunity. We all then joined in the walk around the Chief's and Royal's stadiums. It was just a great, feel good day, a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and just be together.

Thanks Jack for inspiring us always!

Sorry...

So...sorry I keep changing the template on my blog. It's just sort of fun to change things up. Maybe putting this fall foliage on here will make me feel like it is actually cooling down and changing into my favorite season (which it is so not doing). This background is a little distracting, but bear with me, as it's not so fun changing it so I need a little time to get bored with it first.

Also...sorry for posting these photos. This is Bridger's blanket. She's slept with it for 10+ years now. Originally, my Mom made it for Chloe and Hunter with a little matching blanket for their dolls. After Bridger wore through her original baby blanket (and I hid it for safe keeping), she adopted this one. These are photos of the blanket AFTER I spent 15 minutes today patching up holes and tears. There is no way to completely repair this thing where it is completely worn away. And, these photos were taken AFTER it had been through the wash! So, for your information she is still my baby so it's okay for me that she wants to sleep with a blanket every night. Sometimes she will come in and wake me up because she can't find it and can't sleep without it. We try to have her keep it under her pillow so she can find it every night. So...one last time...sorry for the gratuitious post.

Staley High School

I just got home from my first meeting about the new high school to open next August. There will not be a senior class the first year. This means Hunter will attend Staley as a sophomore and Chloe will remain at Oak Park as a senior next year (which she prefers). I'm very impressed with the new school and learned a lot about it. It will offer full varsity/jv/freshman sports as well as all other activities. There will only be 850 kids the first year! If you are interested you can check out the website that just launched today.

I will add my own pictures when I can. It's hard for me to remember to take pictures since I can see the growth from my yard every day!

Good Monday Morning

I'm getting ready for seminary to start in a few minutes but thought I would add my monday blog. Lola the wire fox terrier was feeling left out of the Homecoming festivities on saturday. She wore Addison's Blue Man wig to show her school spirit for Oak Park. Rah Rah.

Happy Homecoming!

As I have been banished to the basement so Boyd can hold meetings upstairs, I guess I will fill my time blogging. It seems as though we have 3-4 hour meetings at our house every sunday. I'm beginning to think Boyd just likes having meetings. I have a book by Mary Ellen Edmunds...fun lady, friend of a friend so we hung out together a couple of years ago. Anyhooo....in this book called: Thoughts for a Bad Hair Day, she wrote the 14th Article of Faith.

We believe in meetings, all that have been scheduled, all that are now scheduled, and we believe that there will yet be scheduled many great and important meetings. We have endured many meetings and hope to be able to endure all meetings. Indeed we may say that if there is a meeting, or anything that resembles a meeting, or anything that we might possibly turn into a meeting, we seek after these things.

Smart lady.

So...last night was Homecoming. A successful night I believe. I managed to find a somewhat modest dress this summer in Utah for Chloe to wear. Since this is her first school dance (we made her wait until she was 16 to go to school dances) we really didn't know what to expect or what others would wear or not wear. I did her hair and makeup which I thought turned out pretty darn good if I say so myself. We even sprayed her down in the shower with a fake tan! I did let her go get a manicure and pedicure the day before. So, her date Addison (very nice, fun kid in her show choir group), showed up dressed very nice. I thought their colors were really fun and trendy. I went with them to take pictures with their group of friends at our neighborhood entrance waterfountains. As you can see from the pictures...Chloe definately stood out. It ended up being a cold and windy day (which we haven't had in months!) so I think she was really glad that she was a little more covered then some of the other girls. Most of them had had their hair done at salons and they were wearing it up. Chloe's was left down and much softer looking. We bought her some real funky gold jewelry and beaded gold shoes...all were a hit. Most girls had no jewelry or very small rhinestone pendants. I thought she looked very classy and I know she was comfortable. It's nice not having to worry about holding your dress in place all night while you dance. I think she was pleased with the results although she's super easy to please. Hunter says she looks just like me in these pictures. She's much prettier.

She and her date ate with their friends at Buco DeBeppos down on the Plaza and then went to the dance afterwards. The theme for their dance was "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" from Wizard of Oz. There was plenty of green and yellow. Following the dance the kids went to Addison's house to watch a movie. Here's where the story turns not so great. Chloe didn't make it home before her curfew. Needless to say, that has put a damper on her spirits because Dad is pretty ticked. We spent some time after church today discussing "consequences". Not pleasant. However, Boyd is getting better at this. I was thinking how great it will be that none of our girls will be going to these dances at the same time. Because of their age gaps and our 16 year old policy, they'll be staggered. The downside? We'll be doing dance dresses and drama for 7-8 years straight. But we can focus on one kid at a time. I can't imagine worrying about 2 dresses, 2 dates, 2 rides, 2 hair do's, 2 bouttoniers, 2 curfews....that would be crazy.





I really enjoyed watching Hunter get excited for Chloe. I think it's great for her to see that the anticipation of waiting to go until you're 16 is worth it. It's hard being a Junior before you go to the dances, since most other kids...members or not...have been going for years. But because Chloe has waited, it made this experience much more sweet. And Hunter and Chloe both recognized that. Tender mercies

Elk Hunt '07

Okay...so it's not monday and I'm blogging. But this weekend is Homecoming and I'm sure I'll have plenty to blog by next monday.

Boyd returned home yesterday from a hunting trip with Steve. This is the elk that Steve "bagged". They were in some remote area out of Richfield, UT. Boyd said it was like "Disneyland for hunters" and like a "petting zoo" because there was so much wildlife. Caution..they were on private property. Inquire for details from Boyd...I'm sure he'll be happy to oblige.

New Addiction

Puzzles have taken over the living room. We're at the rate of a 500 piece puzzle every other day now. Although, Mary Engelbreit is giving us fits right now...750 pieces in a round shape makes it interesting.

.

How do you get the nerve to take them apart though???

Great family fun...only...I'm the only one addicted.

The best lake in the wide wide world

I thought I might add some photos that we took at Table Rock Lake last weekend.

It really is the most amazing lake ever. The water feels like bath water...it's really soft and super clear. We actually went to Branson with another family, which by the way, was a blast.
Hilary (the super cool Mom) was such a dare devil with the kids. She'd let us whip her around on the tube behind the boat (she's so sore now she can barely move!), back flip into the water off the back of the boat, and ride all the scary roller coasters. Side note...they are moving to Salt Lake City this month and I'm so sad about it. So, I'm really glad they came with us on this trip. They will be missed.

A Break...

I missed Monday...my blogging day. But I have a good excuse...
we were driving home from Branson, Missouri on monday!


Whatever Branson offers...we did it all. The conditions were perfect. Weather, accommodations, travel buddies, food were all perfect. I think the only difficult part about being there is leaving.


Must do list:



Silver Dollar City (the cleanest and most beautiful amusement park I've ever been in)
























Dixie Stampede


Go Carts


Outlet shopping

renting a boat for Table Rock Lake (my favorite lake in the wide world...that's not saying much but it's still my favorite!)

eating (unless you're on a diet)

I know the girls had a great time and the best part was having Boyd for the whole weekend. Other then a few days together in Montana this summer, they hadn't seen him since the first part of July.







Everyone needs to come and go with us back to Branson! I'll add more photos when I get the camera back from the girls!