This Is My Favorite Picture

Isn't she adorable? And what a personality--this little one keeps us on our toes pretty much 24/7! Besides being tired we are having a blast with her. She is really smart and knows exactly what she wants. We love her so much!

Rob's Birthday Party

Rob's birthday was last week. I'm a little slow at getting pictures up these days. We had a fun day and a big cake! Happy Birthday honey. I love you!

Aunt Sarah with Carly

MEET JEDEDIAH

I'm so excited to introduce you to Jedediah! My sweet friend Shelli and her husband Bob adopted him at birth and my heart is so full of joy for them. He is so adorable and such a good baby. He looks just like Shelli and Bob, too. I think that's an extra special blessing. I'm so happy for you guys!

This is Sally holding Jed. Shelli has so many people who are thrilled for her. We had a luncheon shower for her and Jed and unfortunately I was the only one who brought a camera and I didn't think to get a picture of Shelli with Jed. That's probably because we all grabbed Jed from her the moment she arrived and didn't give him back until she left--so she never had him in her arms at the shower. Aren't we AWFUL! No, no--we were just excited for her and we wanted to hold him!

This is Janie. She gave Shelli and Jed this gorgeous hand-knit blanket that was a very special heartfelt gift. You had to be there to really understand the depth of this gift, but trust me it was such a precious moment. Janie you are a treasure!

This is Samantha. She's a cutie and had grown up so much since the last time I saw her. She loves babies! She was really cute with Carly, too. Jed looks adorable in everyone's arms. We had such a great time holding and loving on him!

SO, IF A TREE FALLS IN YOUR BACK YARD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND NO ONE HEARS IT, DID IT REALLY FALL?

It would appear so. This is what we woke up to this morning. It's actually two trees that came down and we are not sure why. I mean we know there must have been a strong wind but there wasn't a storm or anything. Last week we had some really bad winds so we figure those might have made weakened the trees and then a lesser wind last night brought them down. It's just strange. Rob and one of our neighbors have been out tonight cutting the trees in pieces. It's a big job, too. But, they will make good fire wood for the fire pit. I just hate losing part of our forest.

Mommy's Extra Hands

Hubby had to work some long hours the last couple of days and just let me say Carly and I are grateful for her big sisters. She is teething hard right now--and even though we haven't seen any come through the surface yet she's really hurting and that makes her very cranky! Julie started back to school Monday and Carly misses having her around during the day. But we are always glad to see sisters when they show up at home! Plus, when Daddy came home tonight she got the biggest smile on her face! It was so cute.

Carly loves her family and Mommy is always thankful for extra hands around the house!

Aren't Sundays . . .

supposed to be days of rest? Then how come I don't feel so rested?

I Don't Know About You . . .

but I kind of think Barrack's VP announcement turned out to be a "yawner."

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Rob's birthday was today! We've had a good day together with all but one of the girls here. It's been nice. Nothing big or fancy at all--just a low key celeebration of the birth of our wonderful husband and father. Did I tell you I'm in love with my husband? Happy Birthday Honey! I love you!

Nothing To Blog About

This is kind of weird but I actually can't think of a single thing to blog about. I don't want to talk about the election. I don't want to talk about the Olympics. I'm angered by the Casey Anthony story. I'm sad about the plane wreck in Spain. I'm sorry the Senator in Ohio died of a brain aneurysm and other than those things I really can't think of anything I have on my mind. But even those things I just don't want to talk about! At least for today.

DID YOU KNOW THAT MILK REMOVES CHOCOLATE STAINS FROM FABRIC?

It's true. I never knew this before but apparently there is some chemical in milk that interacts just right with the chocolate to remove it. I have saved several blouses and a few onesies since finding this out. No kidding. All I do is pour a little milk on the stain and then either rub the cloth together or scrub lightly with a tooth brush. Sometimes I have to repeat the process until the stain is gone but it works every time. And yes, I have even gotten old stains out!

I Don't Want To Cause A Stampede . . .

But two nights in a row now the nightly news has had a lead story on Hershey raising their price on chocolate! Tonight's point was that they were raising it quite a bit--like 10%! Does this mean other chocolate companies are going to follow suit? Supposedly, they are doing it to cover supply and shipping costs. Hmmmm. I think I'd better stock up. But the rest of you--don't worry about it. I'm sure it's fine.

I LOVE MY TOES!

IN GOD WE TRUST - MSNBC'S NEW POLL.

This one counts people. The same atheist who sued to have the Pledge of Allegiance removed from schools is now suing to have "In God We Trust" removed from our money. You can find the whole story on MSNBC. I don't want to give his name here because I don't want to make a celebrity out of him. MSNBC is taking a poll to see how Americans feel about it and the sad thing is it's running neck in neck. This is way too important a thing to let slip from our grasp. I don't believe that's how mainstream American's really feel. We need to stand up and be counted. If we don't say something now--it will be way too late! We will lose not just this phrase from our money but eventually our own religious freedom. I am so tired of losing my freedoms and my rights to those who do not believe in God or the divinity of this blessed and God given nation. Take a minute and take this polll. Speak up America!http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/

Wisdom Teeth Take One

Today daughter two got her wisdom teeth out. It went pretty well. Although, she's pretty swollen and a lot sore. I'm sure the next few days are going to be pretty darn uncomfortable. I still remember how it felt to have those holes in my mouth and how long it took for them to fill in. It was so icky. Memories, in the corners of my mouth . . . Ah, forget it! Goodnight.

Just a thought, not that it would work or anything . . .

Julie is doing a basketball camp this week. It's four days, two and a half hours a day. She hasn't really moved her body a lot this summer so she comes home more sore each day and a little surprised by it. She has a volleyball camp next week--same schedule. Seems like we did this same thing last year. I suggested to her that maybe if she wants to do the same thing next year she might want to exercise a little each day all summer instead of trying to shock her body into movement it's not used to with two weeks of intensive training only to have it slap her back with aching soreness and bruises--especially if she's only going to stop again again for another year. Actually, she is' hoping to make one of the teams. But then that was the hope last year, too. I do think my plan is a pretty good one. Remind me again, why is it no one ever listens to the mom? Hmmmmm . . .

When it rains . . . your teeth come out!

It's National Dentistry Month at our house. I have three daughters who need their wisdom teeth out; Rob and I both have to get crowns and the baby is teething. I'd say some in oral health are striking it rich this month but it sure won't be us! Can you believe that? All at once! How crazy is that?

IT HASN'T REALLY BEEN A GREAT DAY

My kids have all been cranky. I didn't get anything I planned to get done today finished and my year old lap top crashed tonight. Hubby has been trying to fix it but so far no luck. I don't really want to talk about it.

On the other hand, I'm very grateful for my cranky kids whom I love very much. I'm lucky to have a fairly new laptop and a loving husband who would spend the last 5 hours trying to fix it--and a desktop computer as a back up! And what I didn't get done today will be there tomorrow. Guess I don't have it bad at all. Maybe I'm the one who is cranky. I'd probably better get somesleep. Turns out I am very blessed and I am actually very grateful to a loving Father in Heaven for all my wonderful blessings. I think tomorrow I will have a better attitude and a better day. :)

Beijing Murder Hits Too Close To Home

I'm kind of a news junkie and there was so much upsetting news this weekend--but one story was just too close to home. The Beijing murder and stabbing of two Americans who ended up being relatives of the American Men's Volleyball Coach was just horrible. But when I heard the name of the coach today I realized there was an even closer connection than I'd known. The coach is a former BYU student and coach and it was his Father-in-law that was killed last weekand his mother-in-law that was stabbed. She was injured and is still in the hospital and is improving.

The way it is close to home for me is that a few years ago after the last summer Olympics, BYU asked all the BYU Olympians to be the Homecoming Grand Marshals and he was one of the Olympians who came back for the events. I was the one in charge of all the hosting. It makes me so sad that people have to suffer such horrendous things in this life and for no understandable cause whatsoever. My heart and my prayers go out to all of the families mourning and in need of comfort, especially our former Olympian and his family.

Our Saturday

We actually got out of the house today and went to see a movie. We saw "Get Smart." It was pretty funny. We are lucky because Carly actually does pretty well at movies. She slept through most of it and then she watched the rest of it. She did that with another movie we went to a few months ago. I think it's something about the big screen and all the colors. Anyway, we didn't do much other than that. Julie babysat for some neighbors. Rob got called in to work for a bit and baby and I just hung out. We are pretty boring. That was our Saturday.

UN-BE-LIEVABLE! WHAT A CAD!

I'm sorry but what kind of a jerk has an affair on his wife while she is dying of cancer?! John Edwards is unbeliveable! And all the while parading his "family values" campaign before the American public "using" his lovely wife Elisabeth to lead the parade. I am stunned! I guess I shouldn't be but I am. That poor woman, as if she hasn't been through enough already. Now to find out she's married to the world's biggest cad who may very well be the father of his lover's baby. Gee, this sounds like a soap opera--not the marriage of a former presidential candidate!

One of My Favorites

What a Cutie Pie!

CARLY AND COCO

This is a picture of Carly with my sister Susan's new Cockapoo Coco. Carly really likes Coco--probably more than Coco likes Carly!

Seen at My Doctor's Office . . .

A cartoon that said:

"YOU CAN CHOOSE TO EXERCISE FOR AN HOUR A DAY OR YOU CAN BE DEAD FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY. YOUR CHOICE!"


That's something I'm thinking about taking seriously.

My Favorite Place in the Whole World

This is my favorite place on earth. I can't believe I haven't shared it with you yet. How silly of me! This is the waterfall on my Grandparent's farm. My cousin Darrell actually owns it now since my Grandparents passed away but it is a magical place. I grew up less than five miles from here and my sisters and cousins and I spent many a day here. It's located on 83 acres my grandfather bought when he and grandma married. It's an amazing place. It's located in the midwest. Isn't is wonderful. I just love it!

AMAZING UPDATE

Wow! This is truly amazing. Your prayers must have been good ones! Thank you so much!

We just heard from my cousin Darrell and he told us the doctors verified for him that there was NO Cancer in his kidney. The reason this is so amazing is because his doctor was sure it was one of three kinds of cancer, but turns out either he was wrong or we got a miracle through prayer! I'm leaning toward the latter. Thank Heavens! They doctor did tell him that his kidney needed to come out anyway, but what wonderful news!

The other great thing is that Darrell isn't having bad pain like he expected he might. Thanks so much everyone for you faith and prayers. Miracles do happen.!

A Surprise Visit From A Dear Friend

One of my really dear friends called and surprised me yesterday and was here from Washington so Rob and the girls and I went to spend the evening with her and someof her grown kids and their new babies this evening. It was so fun to see them and to spend some time together. I met LaNae several years ago when I worked for the university and we decided we were long lost sisters. We don't get to see each other very often but we catch up by phone, email and now by blog. Anyway, we had a great time tonight. Three gorgeous babies in the room. Two boys and a girl. Can you believe I didn't get a single picture of the babies together? What a silly I am! Oh well. It was enough to see them and hold them. They were so adorable! Here's a few pictures of our evening together. Love you LaNae!

Twyla (LaNae's daughter) LaNae, Carly and Mommy

Julie, Megan, LaNae, Carly and Nancy


LaNae, Carly and Nancy

Back in Time

Rob and I went to see Kansas in concert tonight. It was a great concert, not only because the group was great but because the audience and the ambience were terrific. It was a beautiful evening. It cooled down nicely after a 100 degree day and was perfect for an outdoor event. The place they held the concert was an outdoor amphitheater where you could bring in your own chairs and food, so that was great, but no drinking or smoking was allowed. It was a major difference from the concert we went to a few weeks ago. Wow, I can't even tell you what a tremendous difference it made in the crowd. People were so polite and kind. They weren't standing up in front of you for the whole concert and they weren't being disruptive and swearing or acting out in any way. With the last concert we went to the crowd was so awful we left before it was over. It just wasn't an atmosphere we wanted to be in. It was just so pleasant to be in a nice area with nice people listening to music from our teen years. Yeah!