If you're smart....

You'll hide your daughters. There's a Hunter on the loose...my Hunter. That's right world, Hunter turned 16 today. I've told him over and over again that the most promising career path he could take would be to become a nun, but alas...he didn't take the bait. What? He could pass as a girl...have you seen how long his hair can get?

Hunter brings so much joy into my life. He's kind and caring and grateful. He tried to make good choices. He's a leader and a friend to most everyone. He still hugs me and tell me he loves me. He feels very connected to all six of his grandparents and all the babies in the family love him. I think I'm one very blessed mother.

Tonight he and my dad, Kurt, and Ryan went rock climbing. They looked like they had a blast.

Happy Birthday Hunter! Let the job hunting, girl hunting, and license hunting begin!!!!

November 25, 2007

Even though it's only been a few days since Thanksgiving, I've been quite busy. After everyone left Thursday night, the plan was for Kurt & I to go through all the ads and decide on our attack route for Black friday. Unfortunately, Kurt was finishing some application stuff, so I did it by myself. We split up our shopping. I went to one store where most of the shopping would be done at 5am (not too bad). Poor Kurt went to another store at 3:30am (you read that right) and he was about 70th in line. He didn't get what he really wanted there and, after heading to another store & grabbing a few things, he ended up waiting in line to check out for 3 hours. He could have gone to an entire church service in that length of time. I got home around 6:30am and went back to bed at 7am. Kurt got home around 10am which is when I woke up for the day and he went to bed.

Then, the urge hit me....time to decorate for Christmas. The boys helped me haul in boxes and get things set up. As you can see, my christmas tree isn't the designer upscale version you would drool over in a department store window, but it's a pillar of fond memories and family connections. There are a couple of ornaments from when I was a child and an ornament for when Kurt & I were married. There are ornaments with pictures of the boys when they were younger and one from when I had Hunter. I have one from my grandma that says, "grandaughter" and one which is symbolic of my other grandma. There are toy dinosaures, Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh, and Snoopy ornaments Hunter used to play with and now Cooper does. So many memories flooded over me as I decorated this tree.

Saturday we did lots of laundry and prepared for my parents, Uncle Bill, and his mother-in-law to arrive, which they did around 5pm. Bill and his MIL only stayed for a little while & left early in the morning, but we enjoyed spending time with them. I'm so thrilled to have my parents here. They are easy to have and up for anything.

For the good news: Kurt starts a job tomorrow!!! We are so excited and I know he is a little nervous, but we feel very blessed to have this job. Thanks to all of you who have communicated concern for us and kept us in your prayers. I'll leave you with a Cooper quote from today. After church (6pm), it was freezing as we all piled in the van to head home. After a minute or so Cooper said, "I'm so cold I have a brain freeze in my back".

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

The above pictures show my little family. My cousins, Calie, Mike (her hubby), Ryan, and Ben (Spidey). The other picture is my uncle Jim, aunt Kati, their son Dain, and their granddaughter Aurora.

I can't believe I ate the whole thing....and that Thanksgiving is over. We had dinner around 3pm and everyone stayed & visited until about 7:30pm. I think it's always interesting to see what people have for Thanksgiving dinner..here's our lowdown:

Turkey

Rolls

Ham

Green Bean Casserole

Mashed Potatoes

A Veggie Plate

Stuffing

Pumpkin Pie

Sweet Potato Casserole

Apple Pie

Frog Eye Salad

Chocolate Cream Pie

What a formidable feast...we came, we conquered, we crashed. Some extra little tidbits: I didn't burn myself today (I did yesterday, but barely survived), A pimple graced me with it's presence, I've got my ads narrowed down for black friday. I hope all of you enjoyed Thanksgiving as much as I did. The only thing that would have been an improvement was if more family were here!

You've got to see this

If you want to see Hunter lose a few brain cells....go to this link:

http://montanasharks.blogspot.com/

Watch the video and leave a comment. Something like "Helmets are in" would be helpful!

Happy Holiday Dance

Thanks Ben & Shannon for this hilarious little clip!!!!! Our family had a blast learning the dance.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9558802972

Niece Spotlight: Darling Danielle

Danielle is Brittney and Nate's oldest daughter. She is a beautiful child as you can see. The times I've been around Danielle (not very often), I've observed the following: She likes to play anything, just as long as she gets to play and she likes to have little kids to play with. She is a tidy child (why didn't I get one of those), putting things in their proper place. As girly as she looks, she's tough enough to hang with the boys and take care of herself. Although I haven't seen her with her baby brother, I would venture to guess she is quite the little mother. She is also a well-behaved little girl. Hopefully I'll get to see her soon!

Niece/Nephew Spotlight of the Week

1. What would you like to be when you grow up? Why?

A Vet. Because the kitties and doggies are really cute.


2. If you could visit any person you wanted in the whole wide world, who would it be? Why?

Belle. Because she lives at Disney Land in the Pretty castle.


3. What is your favorite movie?

1st Little Mermaid
2nd The Terminator


4. What is your favorite book (or book series)?

Misty Morgan(about a girl and a horse)


5. What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Easter. Because the sneaky bunny hides our eggs.

~Danielle LOVES playing dress-up, riding her bike w/NO training wheels, which she learned this summer. She likes going to preschool with her brother McKade and doing gymnastics there too. Her favorite thing to do at home is helping with her little brother Porter(4mo.) and playing with him to make him giggle.

November 18, 2007

This past week has been filled to the brim. Besides our Anniversary, it was also my Grandma Lane's birthday. Although she is no longer with us, I've thought about her a lot. I'll just share a few things with you. I remember, when I was a child, making Christmas candy trains with her. It was so much fun and took all my strength not to eat the train before it was finished. I remember bringing my college friends home to meet her and making bets as to how long it would take to make her swear. I remember when we lived in the same apartments as she did and I would take Hunter (who was just a baby) over and just hang out with her...those were my favorite times. She was a generous person full of spunk and nobody crossed her without getting a taste of wrath!

Speaking of swearing, I have another Cooper incident to share. He had been creating something on the computer for me and was very excited to show me. He came downstairs, grinning ear to ear, and asked me to come take a look. On the screen was something called, "monkey mail" through Career Builder. He pushed play and this animated monkey starts talking. It went something like this, "Roses are red, Violets are blue, you're nice and your cologne stinks too. Get rid of your cologne. Get rid of your D*** cologne." Needless to say, Cooper was on the receiving end of an unhappy mama!

Calie & I went to a craft show yesterday and it was so much fun! We each found some Christmas gifts and had a little treat as well. It was in Nampa, but we found out there is even a bigger one (how can that be possible) in Boise on my Mom's birthday. Too bad she isn't going to be here! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I certainly have a lot to be thankful for!

It's our 17th!

Yesterday was Kurt & I's 17th Anniversary. Getting married at the age of 12 has it's advantages. The festivities had a rocky start due to the fact I didn't want to celebrate. Let's face it, the last couple of years have been rough and I was just done with it all! Luckily, my parents and Kurt came to the rescue. My parents sent us some of their hard-earned money. I wanted to give it back because it's embarrassing receiving money for you parents when you have been married for 17 years, but my mom convinced me to take it. They are just the most generous, kind people.

Then, Kurt was dead set on celebrating. He listened to me whine and cry and complain and then, after I was done with my 30 minute vent, I felt a ton better. So, plan anniversary was back on. We went to a new Italian restaurant called Asiago's. It was so much fun. Then, we came home & picked up Coop because it was his awards ceremony. I have to say, it was so enjoyable for us to see him receive his certificate, medal, and gift. He was beaming. He also got to have his picture taken with his principal. Afterward, we dropped him off and went to do our Thanksgiving shopping. That may sound boring to you, but we had a good time.

The real surprise happened when I got home. There were little post it notes from Cooper with Anniversary drawings on them. Then, Kurt blindfolded me and he & the boys took me downstairs. When they took off my blindfold, there were balloons everywhere and over in the corner were dried mangos (one of my favs) and a Wii game I had mentioned looked fun. Kurt, Coop, & I played the Wii for awhile to wrap up the evening. Yesterday was one of my most memorable, enjoyable Anniversaries ever!!

Look out...It's the inefficient spelling police!

I thought I'd share something I found of Cooper's today. Almost a month ago, Cooper went to his cousin, Dain's, birthday party. Dain is always prompt and consistent about thank you cards and Cooper received a thank you from Dain last week. Today I found it on my computer desk.

On the inside of the card, Dain drew a heart and inside the heart it said, "thank you Cooper". On the opposing side of the card it said (verbatim), "Dear cooper thank for the art set and the candy bars. i realy lik the presents." It was a heartfelt, sweet card. Well, Cooper couldn't get over the word "lik", so he wrote the following on the back of the card:

"Corecttion: lik is like. Question: What did the art set taste like"

Can any say...takes one to know one? I don't know who Cooper thought was going to read the card, but it sure won't be Dain. This card will secretly grow legs, walk to the edge of my computer desk, and jump in the garbage!

Recipe for Disaster

Wet Child+Tumbler of Water+CD Player = Sleepless night!

Last night Cooper was taking a shath (bath/shower) right before he went to bed. I was downstairs, Kurt was on the main floor, and Hunter was in his room. All of the sudden, I hear Cooper screaming the most terrifying scream I've ever heard....the kind where you know the E.R. will be involved.

It's one of those moments you don't want to face. You just want to hide and pretend nothing is happening, but you just don't have a choice. So, I ran up the first flight of stairs and was almost up the 2nd flight of stairs when I saw Cooper, soaking wet with just a towel wrapped around him, sobbing and obviously terrified. Tears were streaming down his face and my heart was about to pound out of my chest. I asked him what happened and he said (in a high pitched shrill voice) water had gotten on his CD player and it started making loud, scary noises.

It seems he somehow (not sure if was accidentally or on purpose) spilled the big cup of water all over the CD player, counter, and the floor, and the CD player was, of course, plugged in and turned on. Then Hunter, the true hero he is, ran in, unplugged the player and put it on the ground. Basically, both of my boys almost got zapped last night. It took about an hour to calm Cooper down and 2 hours to get my heart to regulate my heart beat. So, I'm very thankful to have two healthy sons today!

Nephew Spotlight: Energetic Jamin

Jamin is Amber & Roy's 2nd oldest child. We've never lived close to Amber & Roy, so it's a true treat when we get to be with their family.

Jamin is a handsome little devil and I'm pretty sure he was the inspiration for the energizer bunny. He is always busy playing something or the other. Every time I'm around him, he is looking for one of the cousins to play with. He is also a sweet child. He looks out for his younger siblings and if someone other than him is not being nice to them, look out.

It's hard when you don't get to see little nieces and nephews very much. Hopefully we will be able to spend some quality time with Jamin soon! Here is his interview:

1. What would you like to be when you grow up? Why?

I want to be a builder when I grow up and build houses and stuff, because I get
To use so many cool tools and stuff.

2. If you could visit any person you wanted in the whole wide world, who would it be? Why?

A fireman, just because they are so cool!


3. What is your favorite movie?

Like you have to ask…TRANSFORMERS

4. What is your favorite book (or book series)?

Power rangers


5. What is your favorite holiday? Why?

Christmas and Easter because Santa brings us awesome toys and the Easter bunny brings us candy we have to look for.

November 11, 2007

In honor of Veterans Day, I would like to thank those who have served the cause not only in our country, but in other countries as well. On a personal note, my grandfather, father, and husband are all veterans who have served our country during times of war. I know I have many more relatives who are celebrated veterans and I'm proud to be from such a patriotic heritage.

My 5th grade class is writing an essay right now titled, What is an American? Although I don't have to write one, I would like to express my views on what I believe an America is. An American is someone who honors the laws of this land to contribute to the peace and well-being of our communities. An American honors our flag and can recite the Pledge of Allegiance with full conviction of heart. An American is someone who doesn't take our freedoms for granted, understanding how blessed we are to the opportunity for free education, an allowance to respectfully disagree with others in authority, to own land, etc. An American is someone who realizes the family will determine the success of a nation and backs up that understanding through word and deed.

I'm feel incredibly blessed to live in this country. Happy Veterans Day everyone!

Captain Literal strikes again!!!

As of this very moment, this is what Hunter's room looks like. It's always messy, but there's a story behind this disaster. Yesterday I told Hunter I wanted him to clean everything out from under his bed. I'm not kidding when I say he packed every square inch with junk under there. About forty minutes later he, Ryan, & Cooper came downstairs.

Hunter said he was done and Cooper was very excited that he got to help (lucky, lucky Cooper). Cooper declared, "I helped Hunter clean under his bed and he gave me this candy (an old jawbreaker and a sucker). I think I got the better end of that deal". Oh Cooper....so much to learn. I told Hunter I was going to check under his bed, so it had better be completely done. His response should have given me a clue as to the completeness of this project. He grinned and exclaimed, "Mom, there is nothing under there. It's completely empty. Now I just have to clean the rest of my room". So Hunter & Ryan left for a four miles skateboard ride.

After a little while I went to check how he did and, as you can see, I was in for quite a surprise (just like Christmas). That right...he did exactly what I told him to....and not a thing more. I guess I should have clarified to clean under his bed and put all of it away. Another mother lesson learned the hard way!

How to look cute when you're pregnant

As brilliant as I am (ask any kindergartner...they'll back me up), I never mastered the art of looking beautiful while pregnant. I usually had a greenish (not healthy) glow and I always managed to do something extreme with my hair.

Obviously, my sister Kelli has the pregnant superstar look down to a T (even the pose). This particular pregnancy has brought so much joy to our family, but I have to admit I think Kelli should have to look a little scroungy...it's only fair!

November 4, 2007

It's November...I'm not kidding. It's also daylight savings, the good one where you get to sleep in and magically you wake up it's still a decent wake-up time. Except for my husband who is still sleeping (10am daylight time & 11am regular time).

I've already discussed Halloween, but you have to love the picture of my 2 nieces in their giraffe costumes. Aren't they the cutest? Either they are holding hands or their hands are so sticky they're stuck together.

I had a minor embarrassing moment this week. I have them all the time, but usually forget. I had a scholarhip luncheon. This luncheon is mandatory because donors want to meet their recipients. There were 450 people at this luncheon and we were assigned seating at tables of 10. I found my seat and one of my donors was sitting right next to me. The V.P. of the college of education was at my table and the other 7 were scholarship recipients whose donors couldn't be there for one reason or the other. As we're chatting, I notice on the placecard with my name on it is the letter "V" (or roman numeral 5) in parenthesis. I look at all the other placecards and they don't have that symbol. Images of impromptu speeches or having to sit on a block of ice or something start racing through my head. So, like the idiot I am, I ask the others at the table if any of them know what the symbol means. My very kind donor says it must mean VIP (trying to cover my ignorance no doubt). No one really knows.....until lunch is served. Oh yeah...I'm a vegetarian...DUH! You know that commercial where the gal says, "I'm a veteranarian, I don't eat meat"? That is how I was feeling. I bet my donor was so proud.

I've been eating a lot of candy lately and I feel pretty good about it. I look at it as a true act of charity for a couple of reasons. First, it would be wrong to throw it away food and all because it would be double the bulk at the dump. If I eat the candy, only the wrapper goes to the dump. It's all about the environment. Second, the more I eat the less my kids eat and lets face it...I'm the better brusher & flosser. I'm only thinking of my kids as I tiptoe to their rooms in the dark of night and wisk away the snickers & peanut M&Ms. Plus, what if they have a peanut allergy. I mean, they haven't so far, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen. Save your kids, save the environment, eat candy!

Goodbye Halloween, Hello sugar...woo hoo!

Halloween has come and gone, but it has left us not with a bitter taste, but with sugar plums (chocolate) dancing in my head (waistline). We had so much fun last night. Mike, Calie, & Jamie brought bad spiderman (Ben) and good spiderman (Parker) to go trick or treating. Kati brought the devil (Dain), yummy cookies, and they joined Aang (Cooper) and myself. Kurt stayed and handed out the treats.

I love our neighborhood. It's so fun to see people you know and get to catch up. Plus, because of the delay in daylight savings (this weekend by the way), it was light out most of the time. We were done by 8pm and got to see some of the kids who came by. We had these half-naked teen boys in weird deer skin throws come and I thought that was pushing it a little. After 9pm, everything quieted down until 10pm when one more group of rowdy teenagers came to the door. We gave them my least favorite candy....the jolly rancher suckers.

I hope all of you enjoyed Halloween as much as I did, and Hey...it's the middle of the day and my boys are at school. I guess it's time to raid the candy bags. See you on the other side of my sugar rush!