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!

Happy Birthday to You!

Today two of my dear friends have birthdays! Happy Birthday Jane! Happy Birthday Gene! Also, Carly is officially 2 1/2 months old today. So much to celebrate! Happy day everyone!

Walk on By

Carly and I took our first walk today. It was such a nice day out that I got her stroller out and we went for a nice long walk. It was warm but also windy enough to have a nice breeze cool us off as we were walking. Her stroller has a nice cover over her to protect her from the sun so she did really well. It was great to get out and get some exercise.

It's weird though, we are expecting a cold front in overnight so we may get some snow showers. Well you know what they say, hang around here for ten minutes and the weather will change!

Carly Has A Little Lamb; Little Lamb; Little Lamb

OK,it's really a bear and it's really cute--but you can't tell that from the photo. She just got it in the mail today from a friend and she loves it! Isn't it cute? Most of all--isn't Carly adorable?! You don't have to answer that-I already know what you're thinking.

Let's Get Physical, Physical!

Carly getting ready to go to the gym for a workout with her sister Julie! Yah right!

GIMME A BREAK!

Have we covered the ridiculous cost of healthcare lately? Remember when I told you Rob caught his finger in the door of his car and ripped it and had to go to the emergency room for stitches? Luckily, he was working at the time and it was covered by Workman's Comp. because those four stitches ended up costing almost $950.00. Now, they did take an Xray of his finger to make sure he hadn't broken it--but still--NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS for four stitches and and X-ray? C'mon people. Let's get real!

How can that be justified? No wonder insurance rates are skyrocketing. You almost can't blame the insurance companies. I said, "ALMOST."

Baby Contest

It's almost 1:00 a.m. I sent Rob to bed at 11:30 p.m. because he has an 8:00 a.m. meeting tomorrow. He was feeding Carly and trying to get her to sleep so we could go to sleep but she wasn't having any of it so I told him to go ahead to bed. She's been pretty good lately about going to sleep by midnight except for the last two nights when she's gone back to her 1:00 a.m. schedule. Anyway, Carly has now finished two whole bottles and I've changed three wet diapers and it is 1:00 a.m. It appears she and I are having a contest to see who can stay awake the longest. Problem is it looks like the baby may win. She is wide awake right now with no sign of dropping off to sleep. I think I'm in for a long night. Oh No!

Has Anyone Else Noticed . . .

That the price of a gallon of gasoline and a gallon of milk are edging ever closer to the $5.00 mark? I'm afraid if we actually hit the fiver it will be a point of no return.

And somehow, even though these items are both commodities we can't seem to live without, I don't think the dairy farmers are getting as rich as the oil execs--and I'll bet they are working a whole lot harder. How does that work exactly?

WHAT YOU DOIN'?

The Bewitching Hour

It's midnight and the I just got the baby to sleep. She's been going to sleep a whole hour earlier than normal the last few days. Yay! She's also been sleeping 6-8 hours since we've been adding a little rice cereal to her bottle. So, not only is she sleeping a little more but so are we. That has been so nice!

Carly is at such a fun stage. She is really aware of people right now and she loves to be talked to and touched. She coos and talks back--of course not in our language--in her own special blend of sounds and songs. It's so cute. She also makes the funniest faces and she smiles so sweetly.

I am loving being a mom to this sweet baby. I feel like I am on cloud nine some days. For a while I thought I would never get this opportunity and it is just so amazing. I am so grateful for a supportive and loving husband and family and for my Heavenly Father who blessed us with this miracle. She is just so absolutely amazing and I love her soooooooo much!

To Dream the Impossible Dream

Tonight Julie was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. We are very proud. It was a nice ceremony--as ceremonies go. There were several youth speakers, a candle ceremony, a keynote speaker . . . here's where it gets interesting. The keynote speaker was going along pretty well when all of the sudden he decided to break into song--unaccompanied. He sang us the impossible Dream. It was a little bit strange-I must admit. Keep in mind he's speaking to 8th and 9th graders and their parents. I mean, he had a decent voice and all--but I'm telling you he went out on a limb. The kids were good--no one lost it. He's lucky they were honor students. Any other students would have been snickering, giggling and rolling on the floor. Hmmm. Maybe that's why I was never an honor student.

Julie and Carly

OKAY, WHO SPIKED HER BOTTLE?

Sisters, Sisters

THERE WERE NEVER SUCH DEVOTED SISTERS

Someone's Been Sleeping in My Bed Said Momma Bear

Funny Things

I have to admit that having a baby at my age sometimes brings remarks from others you don't expect or like. Mind you, I'm not even out of my forties--but every once in a while some stranger will ask me if my new baby is my grandchild or if I am her grandmother? I hate that. It always catches me off guard and I never know what to say. I mean, I always say "no." But I never have the quick, clever, smart reply at the moment it happens that will keep them from doing it to the next person who happens to have a child when they are just a few years older than normal.

I'm a little bit used to it because I used to babysit quite a bit for one of my friends and I would get the same thing from people when I was with her kids. I mean c'mon I was only in my early forties at the time. I know people are becoming grandparents early these days--but I really didn't look that old! It used to really hurt my feelings--mostly because I wanted to be a mom so bad and hadn't had the chance yet. It would make me cry any time it happened.

Well, yesterday I was watching a nephew and niece while their parents did some errands. The nephew who is about four kept having Rob change out some sing-a-long videos they were watching. One of them ended and Rob was busy so I told him I'd change it. When I came over to do it - my nephew didn't seem to want me to change it. He said "No, no you don't do it,"--then he pointed to where Rob was and said; "go get your father--he'll do it."

Needless to say--that made up for several of the "Grandma" comments--though for some odd reason--Rob didn't find it very funny . . .

Two Feet of Pure Sugar

I took Carly for her two month check up today. She is 24 inches long. I can't believe how much she's grown. My little girl is 2 feet of pure sugar! I am amazed by how amazed I get by her. Lately, I find myself feeling pure joy when I just hold her and talk to her and she smiles and chatters back. I love this little girl so much I can hardly hold it all. She makes me smile all over.

Chocolate Makes Me Happy

My t-shirt in life says "Give me chocolate and no one gets hurt!" Actually, I don't have a shirt like that but I should have one. I am a serious choc-o-holic! I've been especially bad lately. I've been so bad I've even rub off on Rob (formerly known as hubby.) What's funny is I actually caught him eating a piece of dark chocolate this morning which surprised me because he hates dark chocolate. We had bought one of those mixed bags of chocolate and all we had left was the dark chocolate which everyone always leaves for me. Anyway, I said, "Are you eating dark chocolate? And he said, "Yes, I'm desperate!" I knew he really was desperate to be eating that. He never touches the stuff. So, tonight after dinner I made some Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I have a really good Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. I actually got it years ago from my cousin Sheila. But, I did find it again years later in a really old recipe book called "The Best Recipes of 1934." I thought you might like to have the recipe. It's best if you make it by hand. I usually substitute Crisco butter-flavored shortening for the butter and shortening. Other than that everything else is the same. Here goes.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

2/3 Cup Shortening
2/3 Cup Butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Large Eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
1 12-ounce package Nestle semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream shortening, butter, sugars, eggs, salt, soda and vanilla together. Add flour 1 cup at a time. You may not need all the flour--usually 2 1/2 - 3 cups is needed. Work flour in until the dough feels right. Add chocolate chips and roll into balls and flatten. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until light brown.

Enjoy

INTRODUCING

HUBBY AND ME

Fun Family Day

Today was a fun family day today. Hubby had been gone this week for a few days to a work conference out of state. So, Julie, Carly and I were all glad to have him home again. We had lunch together and then did one of our special movie dates. What we do is make a run to the dollar store and everyone gets a dollars worth of their favorite candy. Then we head to the dollar movies for a family film.

However, we shook things up a bit today by going to the regular movie theater to see a movie before it hit the dollar theater. Hubby and I still had a gift card left from our wedding (a present)that we had forgotten to use. So, we made the usual dollar store run for candy and then went to a matinee at a real theater. We saw the new Jackie Chan film "Forbidden Kingdom." It was good. We like Jackie Chan--but then I think I mentioned that before. Afterward, we went shopping for a bit, then out for dinner and a milk shake. We had a fun day with the girls!

Old Friends Are Dear Friends

I spent today with an old friend. Actually, I should probably rephrase that. I know neither of us would like to be called "old". Let me start over--I spent today with a dear friend I've had for many years. There--that's better. She brought a couple of her young daughters with her and we spent the day together with a couple of my girls. It was the first time she'd gotten to see my baby. We hung out for a while and caught up with each other's lives, went to lunch and then went shopping. It was just nice to spend time together again. Sometimes you just need to take a day and do that with friends you miss. I'm glad I did today. It was fun and even though our lives have changed a lot over the years in some ways it was just like old times. Besides family . . . friends are one of the best parts of life.

Sing, Sing, Sing, Something, Something

Julie had a recital tonight and she did a great job! She's been taking voice lessons for the past three months. She has a really good voice to begin with and add voice lessons to that and WOW! She knocked our socks off. There were around 50 people there to perform in front of and she got up there and didn't even seem nervous. She was nervous but she didn't act nervous. She did wonderfully! Do I sound like a proud Momma. Well, I am! Plus, have I mentioned how beautiful she is? Well, she is and lovable and kind and good and . . .

A Couple More of Cute Carly-kins

OKAY-Just a Few More

This is one of my favorites from Megan's wedding reception-Julie, Carly and Megan. Isn't is great! Here are some more recent ones of Carly. I didn't realize how much she was changing until I compared these tonight. Wow!

Dat Dat Dat Dah!

HERE SHE IS! OUR BRAND NEW LITTLE GIRL--FROM THE FRONT AND ALL! Hee hee! Isn't she beautiful? We are all so in love with her! Carly (formerly referred to as D5 is a bucket full of fun! Plus she keeps us ALL busy. She has just started to smile a bunch and we love it. Hubby has the best touch with that. He can get the most grins from her in a single sitting. One thing is for sure--she keeps us hopping.

Meet Swim Chick

Now understand that's not our name for D4--it's her own chosen moniker. Julie loves to swim and made the swim team this year. She also loves to give hugs, play volleyball, sing, dance and get crushes on boys. She is a great help with her new little sister. By the way, Julie is only 14 and yes, everyone thinks she's older than she is!

The Dancing Queen

D3 is our dancer. But of course we don't really call her D3. We just call her Sara. She's a very talented dancer and is on the dance team at the university she attends. She just got back from going on their spring dance tour and will be leaving again in soon for their summer dance tour. She's studying dance and finance.

Smile for Me Baby

I've been bragging to my family and friends this past week that D5 has started to really smile. You know, the kind of smiles you can't pass off as baby gas. You talk to her and smile and laugh and she smiles back really big. So, today when my little sister asked about her I told her how cute it was when D5 would smile like that. She was excited and asked if I would send her a recent photo. So, proud Momma that I am, I pulled out my cell phone and proceeded to try to make D5 smile so I could take a photo and text it to my sister. Everytime I tried to make her smile she would look at me with this sad face and pull out her bucket lip and start to cry. I couldn't believe it. Finally, I realized she wanted a bottle--so I gave up on the smile for a bit and fed her, changed her diaper and then just as I was ready to try again she fell sound asleep. Not to be easily put off--I waited through her nap and then tried again. Still, no smile. At best, I would get a yawn or a ho-hum--"Don't you have anything better to do than that, Mom" look?" Time after time I'd take a picture only to delete it a few seconds later because it wasn't the smile I was hoping for. Finally, I gave up.

A few hours later. Hubby (that would be Daddy) comes in and picks her up and just starts talking to her--and what do you suppose happened? That's right. Big smiles--all over her face. Do you think I could catch them with my camera phone? Not so much--and not because I didn't try. I was in such a rush to capture them that the three I took in a row were so shaky they weren't worth keeping. I have a sneaky suspicion this little one is going to be a Daddy's girl. Hmmm.

Dumpster Diving for Treasure

One of my friends called me this morning to tell me how she spent her evening the other night. It involved two of her children, a couple of her son's retainers and the inside of the junior high school trash dumpsters. Let's just say it was not her favorite family home evening activity and she won't be enjoying pepperoni pizza or hamburgers for awhile. Groty man!

Oh, they did find the retainers--saving the son $300.00 (as he said - his allowance until he was 18.) as the parents paid for the first set but he had been told he would have to pay for any lost retainers. Though just think--he actually had to put those dumpster worn retainers back in his mouth. Consider this. What if he wasn't the only junior high student who threw away his retainers that day? Hey, I'm just saying . . .

Poor Hubby

He's had a rough week. First he slams his finger in the car door and ends up with stitches in his finger. Then today was his appointment to have a dental implant. He's had this hole in his head, er, I mean mouth for several months now prepping him for this implant. So, today they put a screw in and then tightened it in place. Sounds painful to me. But, I think it is accurate to say that for at least a few seconds he had a screw loose in his head! Don't you? Yah, I think I'm gonna use that for awhile. :)

The Last Lecture

This is really an amazing thing if you haven't heard about it. Dr Randy Pausch is a Professor at Carnegie Mellon University who found out he is dying from pancreatic cancer and is one of the most upbeat people you could ever meet. Anyway, I heard about him this morning on Good Morning America and then watched a program on him this evening. He gave a lecture called The Last Lecture which is a tradition at Carnegie Mellon each year. His just happens to be truly his last lecture. It's now a book as well but the lecture he gave is one that's suited toward making life choices and living a happy and good life. It's an amazing lecture and is well worth your time to watch. Life changing in fact. You can just google "The Last Lecture or Dr. Randy Pausch and the video will come up for you to watch. Enjoy!

The Biggest Loser Finale

Has anyone else been watching this? Hubby and I usually catch this show and tonight was the second to the last episode. You have to be a watcher to understand but Roger fell below the line and the girls had him in their sites and then the show changed the rules! Can you believe they did that? Now it's up to America to vote! C'mon America vote Roger off. He's mean-spirited. He's gotta go. www.nbc.com Vote for Mark to stay. Go, Fight, Win. Oh, who really cares. Have a great day. :)

To Be Seen or Not To Be Seen . . .

That is the question. I've had this idea that on this blog I was a little like the neighbor (Mr. Wilson) on Tooltime whose face you never got to see. I kind of like the mystery of not fully revealing myself. It lets me get away with more than I would otherwise--at least that's the theory. Or at least that was how it started out.

However, I've had a few requests and at least one demand that I stop changing the names of the innocent (or guilty-as they may be) to alpha-numeric characters and just plain tell you who I'm talking about. Apparently, even those who know who I'm talking about can't keep track easily between D1 and D5. Plus, I'm told half the reason people turn to your blog is look at the pictures you're posting.

Well, anyway--if you see us turn around and wave anytime soon or if you start to hear real names in the text you'll understand why. So, I'll probably be seeing you around . . .

Bargain Shopper Supreme or What

I am the Queen of Bargain Shoppers. I learned it from my mother. It really wasn't something we ever talked about. She was just good at finding good deals. I think I've taken it to a whole new level, though. I'm not the kind of person who talks people down in price at a yard sale or anything like that. It's just that I know a bargain when I see it and I also know when something isn't a bargain and I leave it on the shelf. Anyway, one of the things I love to do is to hit the local "Savers" (To those of you who don't know what that is-it's a second hand store that's a chain in the west.) and shop only their bargain tag colors. For instance, every day a different color tag is on sale. It used to be that the color tag for that day was half off. They have changed it now and let's say the color for the day is RED--well, all red tags are $.99 cents. Yep, you can by a lot of cool clothes for a buck a piece. Remember--people don't just get rid of their old tired junk. They get rid of nice things, too. I find things with new store tags still on them sometimes.

My favorite thing to shop for, though is baby clothes. I just got back from a Savers run and I got 28 things for $30. I made one exception and bought something that wasn't on a sale tag. But they all look brand new and I've got all the name brands everyone else paid tons of money for. And no one else is the wiser. Well, that is until now. Duh. (Don't tell D5. K?)

I Need A Break

from all the election hype. I mean we are 7 months away from the general election--don't you think we could handle a 6 week news black-out where we don't hear the names Clinton, Obama or McCain? I know I sure could and I wouldn't be any worse for wear. Do you notice the news doesn't really change--it's always the same--I mean, the names get rearranged--but it's the same old garbage and frankly, I'm just tired of hearing it. I'd be more likely to give a campaign donation if they would just be quiet for a while. Actually, that's not really true either. I think they all have too much money as it is. It's just all so disheartening. Am I the only one bugged by all the election infighting? Honestly, I'm so tired of hearing the candidates turn each others statements into something other than what they said. Are there no honest politicians? OK, that was a dumb question. Over and out.

WOW

So, I was a little crabby last night. Grrr. Sorry. No sleep and being annoyed will do that to a person. I've had some good naps today and I'm in a much better mood. D4 watched D5 for us so Hubby and I had a lazy Saturday afternoon nap. It was wonderful. Then we rewarded D4 by taking her to a movie. We took D5 with us too--so it was her first movie. She slept all the way through it--so that was good. I just held and loved on her all the way through the movie. I'm a mommy and I love it.

Have I told you how adorable my baby is? Well she is. Adorable that is. She's singing her poo song for me right now. I wish you could hear her. She's so funny. Although, it's a good thing this isn't smellivison . . . if you know what I mean. Ba dum bum.

IT'S THE THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW THAT WILL TAKE YOU DOWN IN LIFE

Let me say that again. It's the things you don't know you don't know that will take you down in life. I am so frustrated! It is very difficult to deal with people who will not listen--who will not hear--who will not take the time to find out on their own the things they need to know to be successful in their lives. Mostly, it is hard to deal with the ones who are sure they know--and are wrong. Please be open to the things you don't know you don't know-because I promise you they are out there around every corner. Be humble. Be teachable. Be open. Be willing to learn and you will. I promise you do not know everything. Stop saying you know. Start wanting to know and start listening and seeking and maybe you will learn more than you ever dreamed of knowing.

Long Night Longer Day

D5 went to sleep at midnight, woke up at 4:00 a.m. and hasn't had anything but tiny catnaps since then and it's nearly 11:30 p.m. now. It's almost like someone slipped some NoDoze in her formula. Her eyes are wide open and she's not even tired! It doesn't seem to be a problem for her but her Momma is wasted.

Hubby stopped just short of slamming his finger in the car door today and tore his index finger pretty good. He ended up with 4 stitches in it. Lucky for him he was just leaving a hospital when it happened so he headed into the ER to have it stitched. Then he came home and took D5 for me for a couple hours so I could have a nap. I love my hubby.

Tomorrow is D2's 21st birthday! The newlyweds are doing well. We are going to celebrate her birthday together. Rumor has it she's missing us. I think that means she missing her new little sis--but I am going to take it to mean she misses all of us.

D5 just fell asleep. Night all!

Four of the Five Weren't Bad

Just an update--apparently the police have released four of the five men they took into custody last night for questioning. The little girl was found in the bathroom of the basement area of the apartment where one of the men lived by himself. The other four lived in an upstairs area of the apartment and apparently had no idea she was there or had even been there. So, they have the fifth young man in custody. He's a 21 year old. He's been arrested for aggravated kidnapping and murder and more charges may be added. This was the family's only daughter. It's just so sad and heartbreaking for the family. Please keep them in your prayers.

What's Wrong with the World?

We woke up to an Amber Alert today. Last night it was just a little 7 year old girl who had fought with her 10 year old brother and left her apartment and not come home yet. This morning they escalated it to an Amber Alert. Police, the FBI, volunteer searchers and family looked for her all day. Tonight her dead body was found in the bathroom of an apartment not too far from her family's apartment. Five men were arrested and are being questioned. How horrific for the family-especially for the 10 year old brother. That poor little girl. I know she's with a loving Heavenly Father now--but I ache for what she must have suffered. The evil of it all is stunning. It really knocks the wind out of you. It makes you wonder how people can be so evil and why they make the choices they do. It makes me sad and angry.