Meet Sadie . . . One of Our Dogs

She's a sweetheart. Now checkout her position in relation to where Carly (the baby) is. I realize you can only see Carly's leg. She is sitting in Megan's lap and you can only see a little Megan's of arm and foot. The important thing about this is that Sadie is never very far from Carly. She has become her guard and her protector. It's really kind of cool. Our other dog, Tashie, on the other hand--pretends like the baby doesn't even exist. "If I can't see her, she can't be competition, right?" Hee Hee!

Julie, Julie, Julie Do You Love Me?

Can someone explain this phenomenon to me? Our 14 year old is too shy to leave a message on someone's answering machine if she calls and they are not home and yet she can get up on a stage and perform like this in front of hundreds of people. Does that seem odd to anyone else? Yah, I thought so.

Seriously though, isn't she a cutie (she's the one in the pink, black and white dress with the white top)? We sure think so. She's got a great voice and a lot of talent. We are sure proud of her. Love you Julie! Mom

A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENCE FOR CARLY AND MOM

HER FEET DON'T REACH THE FLOOR BUT SHE'S A HAPPY GIRL! Rob thinks we should tie a rope on the front of it and just pull her around like you would a wagon. Not a bad idea since we have to pull it around now anyway. Hee, hee, hee.

A Quote and A Scripture for Today

Food for Thought

''If You Need Help, Ask God. If You Don't, Thank God''...
'Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' Psalm 23:6

THIRTEEN THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MY HUSBAND

1. He is extremely supportive of me . . . always.
2. He loves me deeply and tells me he loves me every day several times.
3. He has a great sense of humor and can always make me laugh or smile.
4. He truly wants me to be happy and shows it by his actions.
5. He is a genuinely good and kind person. I love his heart.
6. He loves each of his daughters dearly and wants the best for them--even when they sometimes can't see it yet.
7. He works really hard to take care of us and he is really good at what he does. I'm very proud of him.
8. He is really, really intelligent. I mean, he has the kind of intelligence where he could go back to college tomorrow (at age 47) and get straight A’s without really studying. Maybe that doesn’t impress you but it does me!
9. He is a gentleman . . . still opens doors for me and helps me with my chair, etc. I love being treated like a princess.
10. He is a very good father. I especially love to watch him with Carly. He is so adorable with her and she really responds to him.
11. He treats me as a full partner in our marriage. I don’t walk behind him; but beside him.
12. He still holds my hand everyday and puts his arm around me whenever we are sitting beside each other.
13. I just love being with him. I hate it when he is away. I love having him home early from work or on the weekends—anytime. He is my best friend.
**(Plus, he's just so darn HANDSOME!)

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

I can't stop thinking about this photo. Can you? (Click on photo to enlarge photo and text.)

Carly and Momma

Momma waited 47 years to get this little lump of love in her arms and she was every bit worth the wait! I AM SO IN LOVE WITH HER!

Monday: Chicken and Steak BBQ, Potato Salad, Watermelon, Corn on the cob

Tuesday: Leftovers

Wednesday: Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread

Thursday: Sloppy Joes, Tator Tots

Friday: Waffles and scrambled eggs

Saturday: Omelets

Sunday: Oven fried chicken with all the fixin's

Recipe for Monday's BBQ Marinade (rumored to be the same marinade Chili's uses on their fajitas--regardless--it's fantastic!

3 Cups Soy Sauce
2/3 Cup Honey
1/4 Cup Worcestershire
2 teas. minced garlic
1 teas. ground ginger
2 Cups Water

Best of all you can make this marinade ahead and store it in a jar that has a lid in your fridge for some quite some time. You should marinate your meat for at least 6 hours and can marinate it overnight. Good luck and enjoy!

Carly with Sister Julie in her new bathrobe from Cousins Sheila, Gary and Great Aunt Louise

See the cute stuffed dolly and the Star Bright toy they gave me, too?! I am such a blessed little girl to have so many people love me. I sure hope you are feeling better Cousin Gary! Love you all, Carly

Carly in her new dress from Aunt LaNae

Thanks Aunt LaNae! Don't I look adorable? I'm such a happy girl! I can't wait to meet you in person. I'm growing up so fast. My mommy can hardly believe it.

ON POLITICS

I’m usually raring to go during a Presidential campaign. However, now that it is down to two candidates (yes, Mrs. Former first lady, it’s over) I have to say I’m just not thrilled with our choices. Although, that’s not what I’m going to talk about today, I will save that discussion for another blog. Today I really want to speak to the female democrat candidate who is making an idiot of herself by not getting out of the race when she has clearly lost. It makes me believe she has an ulterior motive. Her recent comments make me even more concerned about what her motives are.

I’m not using her name for a couple of reasons; one, because you all already know it and two, I really don’t want to give her any more press than she already has. Over the length of her campaign she’s done and said some pretty outlandish things but what she said this past week was really unforgivable for someone of her stature—actually in reality it would be unforgivable for anyone to say or believe. What this candidate said, in case you missed it, was to invoke the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June of 1968 as one of the reasons she is still in the race—as in “anything could still happen—so I’m staying in.” She had also made statements a week or two before that saying she was staying in because “who knew something “catastrophic” could happen that would change things.” I wondered at the time if she was thinking along those lines. I just don’t trust her or her husband. I never have. I believe she and her husband will do, say and imply anything to get elected.

During this same week the former president, her husband, is out telling the press and anyone who will listen that his wife has earned a spot on the ticket—that she should be offered the VP spot. Oh my goodness, Obama would be the stupidest man alive to make that woman his VP! Can you imagine? She’s putting ideas in people’s heads right now about his demise. Does she think he is that naïve to her shenanigans’ or maybe just plain ol’ that dumb?

As one blogger put it: “To me, it is the ultimate in calculated, cold ambition for power to consider your opponent's possible assassination in your future planning. I become more uncomfortable with her by the hour." Megan, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Another blogger wrote: "Absolutely repulsive. It is inconceivable that she would not be aware of the implications of a statement like this. The issue of Obama's safety has been widely discussed and pondered, and for her to make a comment like that, and use the notion of his possible assassination as a justification for her to stay in the race, is just beyond reprehensible. I'm shocked right now. Shocked." Nick L, Iowa

One final blogger wrote: "I thought I misread the statement, I just couldn't fathom that she would even go there! Wow. The fact that she felt okay saying that, even remotely suggesting that assassination of a presidential contender could create an opportunity for another, it’s just flabbergasting! This woman has no regard for anything but her own ugly ambition, at any cost." Ellisa, Nashville, TN

Well, I think those three bloggers wrapped it up pretty well. It is my opinion, but as you can see I am not alone in it, this tired old former firster needs to dance herself off the stage before she falls off or gets shoved. And if anything happens to Obama they need to make her and her hubby their number one suspects! That’s all I have to say . . . at least for today.

Carly has a Fairly Goddess!

Carly is so blessed to have a wonderful Fairy Goddess which in case you are wondering is very similar to a fairy godmother only just a bit better! She is such a so cool and Carly loves her so much. We were able to capture this rare photo of her and I hope she won't mind if I share it with you. Fairy Goddesses don't really like their pictures taken and they often don't even show up in a form you can recognize. We were just really lucky. Ours is called Char. She is so good to our sweetie-pie. Thanks Fairy Goddess!

Remembering Those Who Have Given All

I thought this was a fitting cartoon. It's not that we don't worry about things that are important to us--but in comparison to what some have given our worries really are very small. Sometimes we just need a reminder. Thank you to all of you who have given all and to those of you who serve each and every day to keep our freedoms free. God Bless You!

DADDY'S HOME

AND MOMMY IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THRILLED TO SEE HIM! MEGAN AND CARLY ARE PRETTY DARN EXCITED, TOO! HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN . . .

The family before we added Carly and Adam

THURSDAY THIRTEEN

Thirteen Things About My Name

1. I'm the only one in my family not named after someone.

2. I once got in trouble for changing the way I spelled my first name.

3. My parents gave each of us names with 5 letters in the first name and four letters in the middle name.

4. My grandpa sat me on his lap and told me to always remember who I am, where my name came from and who I represent. I think that helped keep me out of trouble.

5. I never really liked my first name. I just didn't feel like it fit me or like it was cool.

6. I thought I should have been named Kathy instead and that was one of the names my parents considered.

7. I don't like the name "Kathy" anymore either--not so much.

8. I kind of wish I had been named after someone.

9. I do think my first and middle name go together nicely.

10. I looked my name up on Google and there are actually lots of me. (and I've accomplished some pretty remarkable things! :)

11. There weren't very many kids with my same name while I was growing up. Maybe that is one of the reasons I never thought it was cool.

12. My grandma gave me the nickname Nancypancy. So I guess she's responsible for the name of my blog. Her name was Nellie so I called her Nellybelly in return.

13. I've decided now it's okay to be named Nancy.

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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Carly graduates to the Big Bathtub--the kitchen sink! Ah, but does she like it?

En Sems' by Aunt Shelli

Carly loves her beautiful new dress given to her by her new Aunt Shelli. She wore it to church on Sunday and was so excited to show it off to everyone! To Carly's left is sister Julie, behind her brother in law Adam and to her right sister Megan.



Aunt Shelli knows this Momma's heart. This baby girl was definitely "worth the wait!" Although, I still wish I could have had her sooner! She's such a cutie pie. Thanks so much Aunt Shelli. We love you!

I'm So Bugged!

Literally! Boxelder Bugs are taking over our home! It's like an insect horror movie called "Invasion of the BoxElder Bugs" at our house. We've lived here for almost three years now and this happens every year when it starts to get really warm. We have a creek behind our house and lots of trees in our back yard and I'm pretty sure that's where the bugs come from. Anyway, we start to notice them each year around our back windows--which includes the the kitchen, dining room, living room, our bedroom and bathroom windows and several of the downstairs windows as well. It's wierd because our home is only 3 years old and all the screens are in really good shape but these bugs still they work their way in through the screens and get stuck and die between the screen and window and just pile up until we remove them. Then there are those of them that actually work their way inside past the screen and closed window. We find them climbing all over the place. I have no idea how they get in. All I can figure is they must be able to make themselves pretty small or they are just very clever.

I go between being compassionate to them and picking them up with a paper towel and putting them back outside to being grossed out and flushing them down the toilet. It just depends on where I find them and how many I've had to deal with that day. Grrr. Their excrement stains the walls and counters and it drives me nuts--especially now that I have a baby in the house and am trying to keep things sterilized.

If I don't deal with them right away--or if I don't see them when they first come in, they die on their own within a few hours or at most within a day and then I find their dead carcasses everywhere. It is just so disgusting!

The other day I walked out on our back deck and looked up at the back of our house and it was covered with boxelder bugs. I mean thousands and thousands of them literally covered the back walls of the house. When I saw that, I realized it was no small wonder so many of them were coming inside. There was no room left for them on the outside wall! When hubby gets back we are definitely going to have to de-bug the back of the house and our windows! I can't stand being BUGGED!

To Add A Little Humor To Your Day . . . The Garbagemen

Texting While Driving

Can someone explain this really dumb new phenomenom to me? I just don't get it. Truly, it's like we are going backwards. We have the ability to talk on the phone and have quick conversations if need be--and all of the sudden we want to return to typing? Not to mention it's the hunt and peck version--and we want to do it while we are driving. See, that involves looking down at your phone--INSTEAD OF AT THE ROAD--for some time . . . regardless of whether you are typing a message or reading one. The first time I saw it happen I was riding with someone and I thought I would die--literally and figuratively. Then, it started to happen all around me. People talked about doing it and I would go nuts on them. I would tell them about articles I'd just read in the newspaper where people had been killed by texting drivers and how experts said it was just as bad as being drunk or sleepy. But, what I said had no effect. No one I talked to stopped. It's like they think they are the invincible ones. And no, not all of these were teenagers--some of them were adults. Two of them were parents who would text each other while driving with young children in their cars. The very idea of it just drives me crazy! No pun intended. I know being on a cell phone can be distracting in the car but at least if you are talking on it for a minute or two you can keep your eyes on the road. Doesn't that make more sense than keeping a tiny typewriter in your lap to send messages back and forth? C'mon people! You could kill someone I love. Worse yet--for you . . . you could kill someone you love.

Julie Hits the Road

Julie, our 14 year old, was in the church roadshow Saturday night along with the other Young Women in our ward. She did a great job and I got a cute picture of her onstage. I didn't really understand their skit although we all laughed anyway. It was a take off of some kind on Harry Potter which I never really got into--not the books or the movies. I know, I know . . . so sue me! But hey--the picture is great, isn't it?!

Baby's Got Her New Shoe's On

Actually, Carly's whole outfit is new! Some of my dearest friends from where I used to work threw me a shower earlier this week and Carly got some adorable things. She will be modeling them and showing them to you over the next little while. This ensemble is from her GORGEOUS Aunt Eileen. Pay special attention to the pink and white daisy sandal strap moccasins! They are so cute and go perfectly with her light pink and white striped pants and her flowered baby doll top. Carly is the picture of "Adorable" in this beautiful spring/summer outfit. What a "Babe"! Thank you so much Eileen. You are the best!



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Hi Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!

My honey has been gone for a week and a half which is a week and a half too long in my book! I mean, just look how cute he is! How am I supposed to get along without him? Seriously though, he's been away training for work but will be home soon and I miss him like crazy! I can't wait to get my arms around him again. See how cute he is!

Carson's Corner

Julie, Carly and I spent a nice evening together picking out some blooming plants for Carson's Corner. Then we brought them home and planted and watered them. We got finished just before dusk and were able to take a few pictures. I'd like to say Carly was helpful but mostly she was mad at us for not letting her stand up in the dirt. She didn't like having to just lay in her car seat and watch. It's kind of hard to plant flowers with one hand and rock a baby with the other. Somehow I kept getting dirt on the baby. I think she liked it, though. It was as close as she got to playing in the dirt. This little one is going to be a handful--that is for sure!

If you didn't read yesterday's post, Carson's Corner is a tribute to our little son we lost 2 years ago. His name is Carson Kent. He died before he had the chance to grow to full term and be born but that didn't make us love him any less. This is our way to remember him.

Gardening Day

Today was spent working on the yard and my tiny flower garden spot. I put down the turf builder and weed killer on the lawn and then spent the rest of the time cleaning up my little garden spot by our mailbox. I named it Carson's Corner. It's a little tribute to the son we lost about two years ago. We lost him before he was born. He was so tiny and this little spot in the yard seems to fit so we named it after him. Anyway, I still have to get some new flowers to plant this year. Only two plants survived to bloom again. Carly was so good while I worked in the yard. She slept in her stroller right by me the whole time. It was windy out and not to warm or too cool so it worked out just great. Didn't get much else done today but felt pretty good about getting the yard started.

Sorry Carly fans--no new pictures today. I'll get busy!

Won't You Smile For Me Baby?

The Poser

Actually it only looks like she's posing. She's just so beautiful you can point the camera at her anytime and get a great shot. And lest anyone think I am picking favorites of my girls and posting too many photos of the baby--it is actually my older girls I am in trouble with for not posting more pictures of Carly. Especially our newlywed who lives an hour away now and misses her greatly! The pictures I am posting tonight were taken either with or at Megan's direction last weekend. The baby stork ones are with Megan's husband Adam.

Carly and I had a long but very pleasant day. We went down to Provo and visited with some good friends of mine some of whom had not met her yet. They are all new Aunties to Carly. She has a lot of extended family via very close, loving friendships!

It's late so I won't delay posting the new photos of her any longer. I will write more tomorrow. I know most of you just come for the pictures anyway! Love ya, me

Growth Spurts

Baby Girl is in a growth spurt. I can tell because all she wants to do is eat and sleep. It's a lucky thing for me, too. I woke up really sick this morning and I pretty much stayed between the bathroom and my bed all day. But, the great thing was Carly just slept and slept. I would have been in real trouble had she been in one of her "standing" moods. (That's when she wants me to just hold her hands up all day so she can stand up.)

She has been trying really hard to sit up lately. She's been working her stomach muscles--basically she just keeps doing crunches. She's also gotten to where she can roll onto her side. I keep telling her not to be in such a hurry to grow up-but she isn't paying any attention to me. She just gives me that big old grin and does it again. Oh well. What's a mom to do . . .

Thanks Mom, I Love You

I have a terrific Mother whom I love very much. She's always been there for me and I just want her (and you) to know how grateful I am for her love and support throughout my whole life. She's pretty darn remarkable and I just want to say it out loud. I LOVE YOU MOM! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! ME

People Smile and Tell Me I'm the Lucky One . . .

Sometimes I like to just say that out loud. It makes people laugh. To those of you who don't recognize it, it's a line from an old Anne Murray song. Anyway, I couldn't think of anything to write tonight so I thought I'd start with that.

Baby girl has been sleeping too much today. She and I were up until almost 3 a.m. this morning before she fell asleep. We of course did not get up early today but she has been sleeping off and on all day. I've been letting her though so I could get a few things done around the house. Although now I'm afraid it going to make for a very long night again tonight. Oh well. Live and learn. She's so darn cute she's worth it!

Go Figure . . .

I got in a cleaning and organizing mood today. I started going through boxes of old papers I had stored in the garage. Do you know if you leave boxes like that there long enough when you actually do go through them you can pretty much get rid of everything in them? Seriously, it's true!
I mean, I'm gonna have to shred quite a bit of it--because of account numbers and things like that--but turns out when you haven't looked at things for about ten years you generally don't need them. Hmmm. Who knew?! :)

On Baba WaWa

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the fascination the media have with Barbara Walters admission to having an affair in her new memoir but I am. Actually, I guess that fascination goes beyond the media since they say her book is already sold out in stores. Just what is it Ms. Walters thinks we, as readers, should respect about that admission? I know I for one will not be purchasing or reading her book.

True, she has lead an interesting life and interviewed a lot of famous and infamous people. I think her life experiences might have made for some good reading--but some of those experiences--in my humble opinion--should have been kept to herself. Well, there's my two cents!

Carly With Her New Dolls

One of our truly lovely neighbors has become an adopted Aunt to Carly. Her name is Nancy, also. Anyway, Nancy found these gorgeous dolls and remade them for Carly. The one on the left is wearing a dress Nancy made over from the one Carly wore to Megan's wedding. It's completely porcelain and will have to live on a shelf in Carly's room. Although, Nancy actually re-worked the other doll's body to make it soft and pliable so Carly would be able to play with her. Wasn't that sweet? I just had to get a picture of them all together. Aren't they adorable? Thanks Aunt Nancy! You're a living doll!

Proud Momma Keep On Rollin'

Hubby took me out to eat for Mother's Day tonight because he is going to be gone for the weekend. Anyway, we were sitting in the restaurant and I took Carly out of her car seat and stood her on my lap to show Rob the outfit I had her in. When I did the two tables next two us went crazy about how adorable she is! They wanted to know how old she is and her name and just couldn't stop talking about how cute they thought she was! I'm not a proud Mom or anything. Nope, not me!

The Airlines Are About To Take You for A Ride Again

Okay, enough is enough! I understand that fuel prices are high and so airline fares are higher these days. What I can't condone are the new costs put into effect today by the airlines to charge customers an extra $25.00 for a second bag. And that's not all--apparently there are all kinds of new charges coming to the consumer. The industry refers to it as A La Carte pricing--so those who don't use the services don't have to purchase them and won't be charged for them. They are of course things we (the consumer) used to get for free and include the following type things:
*$3 for snacks on Frontier Airlines
*An extra $5–$30 to reserve a “Choice Seat,” i.e., a window or aisle seat in the first few rows in coach on US Airways (starting May 7)
*$25–$35 to get phone access to “specially trained customer service agents” during delays and other disruptions on Air Canada.

These are just a few things. And the article I read said this is just the beginning -- that soon travellers will be charged for many additional travel related costs. I think it's ridiculous! If they keep this up--the airlines will all go bankrupt! Grrr.

Miles and Miles and Miles

Today was visiting day. First we had some nice visits from some sweet neighbors who made some adorable dolls for Carly. I will take some pictures and post them on here soon. Then one of my dearest friends came by to introduce us to her new husband! They drove up on a motorcycle. It was so fun to meet her new guy! I am so happy for them!

Then we went and saw Rob's parents, then on to the newlyweds to see their apartment and then finally we stopped at some friends that hadn't met Carly yet. It was a fun but tiring day. We are ready for bed. Even Carly is asleep. Now if she will just stay that way until morning. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

What's Up With That?

Have you noticed that people you used to be able to have normal conversations with seem to no longer be able to talk on the phone? It's almost they have a phobia of putting the phone to their ear or something? It's like they don't understand that's the EASY WAY of having a conversation. The HARD WAY is typing out the conversation. Do you know how much they would complain if you made them type a letter--and yet--that's what they are doing on their phones! Not to mention the fact that they require you to do it in return! It's like they get annoyed if you pick up the phone and call them when they text you. But, some times I do that anyway--just for that reason. Okay--and because I know phones are meant to use the ear pieces and the mouth piece used--not just the number pads! I mean--I'm just sayin'. :)

Have You Been Following This Story . . .

About the Austrian father (if you can call him that) who basically kidnapped his teenage daughter and locked her in his celler and kept her there for 24 years and forced her to have 7 of his children? It's beyond horrendous! It seems like everyday some new detail comes out that makes the story worse.

I tried to insert a link here so you could read the latest on this story but I couldn't get it to work. You'll have to go to msnbc.com or foxnews.com to get it. This man is seriously a maniac. It's just so hard to believe people like this exist in the world--and especially that they are parents. This poor girl-woman. Wow. Those poor children. They have all been through things we can't even begin to imagine. Can you even begin to think through all the help they will need to even have a chance at living somewhat normal lives? It's just unimaginable that people can be such demons and do such damage to others--especially to those they are meant to love and care for the most.

A New Cook In The House

Julie made dinner tonight for the first time. I mean a real dinner with a recipe and everything. She made lettuce wraps and they were really good. She's been making cookies and cakes--dessert type things for a while. She can fry an egg-small things like that with out help but this was the first time she tackled a meal. I was really proud of her! Not to mention happy to have a second pair of hands to help in the kitchen! Yeah for Mommy!