Yesterday, I went with my friends MaryAnn, Marianne and Brenda to the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention. We had a great time! We told our husbands we would be back around lunch time (we left at 9:00), but we didn't actually get home until 3:00. Fun, fun.
At the show, I found a good deal on the Cricut DesignStudio, so I blew my budget and bought it. I LOVE IT!! I only had a couple of hours to play with it yesterday before heading off to Hawaii for a Luau (are you jealous? Actually, it was a ward party at someone's house, but it was a lot of fun). It is super easy to use, and I can already see that I will be using my Cricut a lot more than I used to. Now the only problem is that I want more cartridges! But, I will have to wait for that. Maybe Santa will bring me a couple. I made the title at the top and this one of Olivia's name.
I can't wait to experiment more and make some cool stuff!

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

I am not a politics loving person, but I must follow what's going on around me enough, because the following made sense to me (and made me laugh). I got it from here. Thanks to my Ali for introducing me to another website worthy of "Daily Dose of Mirth" status.


BARACK OBAMA : The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change ! The chicken wanted change !
JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.
HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One! that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn’t about me.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We don’t really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.
DICK CHENEY: Where’s my gun?
COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.
BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?
AL GORE: I invented the chicken.
JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken’s intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.
AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.
DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won’t realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he’s acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.
OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I’m going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.
NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he’s guilty ! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.
PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.
MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer’s Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.
DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I’ve not been told.
ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.
GRANDPA: In my day we didn’t ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.
BARBARA WALTERS: Isn’t that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.
ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.
JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.
BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.
ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?
COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

Thankful Thursday

I've been thinking about this all day, and here's what I'm thankful for today:

• Sunshine, especially in the mornings
• Music, especially music played by my kids
• School, especially when my kids are at it
• My sister, who makes me laugh everyday

Not very earth-shattering, but then, I can't always be incredibly deep and profound, ya know.

An Epidemic

We seem to have an epidemic around here: Tooth loss. I'm not sure what has brought it on, but I have many theories. It could be:

• Poor diet
  
• Inadequate sleep
  
• Violent living conditions
  
• Heredity

Of course, Sam brought his tooth home from school in the best possible way: inside his sand filled shoe. Now I'm wondering if the Tooth Fairy will care that the tooth is entirely filled with sand. Hmmmm...

Dreams Come True

Yesterday, my dreams came true. Yep, you guessed it: my kids got along with each other and behaved themselves in public! Shocking, but true.

Here's how it happened: After school, they came in the door all hot and sweaty (still 100+ degrees outside) and they DIDN'T FIGHT!!! They took off their shoes (dumping sand all over the carpet), got a snack, turned on the brain-drain (TV) and sat themselves down without a push, shove, hit or an angry word. All of a sudden, Olivia got up and started practicing piano. Miracle! Eventually (about 5 minutes later), someone asked if they could play with friends. Now, Sunday was a TERRIBLE day at our house--full of fists, kicks, mean words, screaming, tears, etc, etc. So I had to tell them all that there would be no friends this week until they could learn to get along with each other, after all, they will be brothers and sisters for ETERNITY! I expected the usual after my pronouncement on no friends, but they surprised me again: they were calm. I had to sit down.

Since everything was going so well, I told the boys it was time for a haircut. With only minimal grumbling, they got their shoes and we headed off to Great Clips. Usually, this store brings out the beast in Sam. However, the stars were aligned and both Dan and Sam were good. I don't mean perfect--there were a few pokes and pushes, but they were GOOD. An hour and two haircuts later, we came home to two calm, collected girls (who never once called me to complain about each other).

Since I was not feeling super good (sore throat), I didn't make dinner. When Brandon got home, we decided to go out to a real restaurant, not fast food. This is usually a very risky undertaking, but I was hopeful that this time would be different. Car trips are usually fraught (is that a word?) with kicks, hits, screaming, annoying singing or whistling, yelling, etc., etc. However, those stars were still aligned and I looked in my rearview mirror to see Dan and Olivia sitting side by side (what?) laughing and waving their arms around whilst (I like that word) listening to his MP3 player together. Meanwhile, Sam and Julia were sharing the middle row and were SILENT. I almost drove off the road.

We arrived at the restaurant (chosen because they give you two free kids meals for each adult meal you buy on Monday--smokin' deal!). The kids calmly walked to our table, didn't fight over who sat where and then proceeded to quietly color and talk until their food arrived. Then, they actually ATE! That never happens! We didn't have a single spilled drink, a fit over food, and they shared off of each other's plates (Julia got carrot sticks--everyone wanted some, and she SHARED willingly!!) It was amazing.

Then came the trip home. Olivia sat between Sam and Julia and helped them finish the coloring books so kindly provided by the restaurant. She was patient, they were eager for her help and there was not one single nasty thing said. And from the backseat: silence. No sarcasm. Yippee!

Once home, they got in jammies without a fight, we read some stories without a fight, and I duly rewarded them for their awesome behavior with candy, as all good moms should. I told them that they had made my dreams come true and I was rewarded yet again with HUGE smiles. Motherhood is worth it at times like that.

Now, what can I do to make this happen EVERYDAY??

Another One

We have another toothless wonder in our house:

Julia's first tooth came out at her friend's house today. She had to call to tell me all about it, she was so excited! Now, I just hope the Tooth Fairy remembers to come tonight and doesn't forget like she did a couple of weeks ago when Sam lost a tooth! Who pays that Tooth Fairy, anyway?

Tagged

Thanks to my buddy Adrian for this.



4 Random Things I Like About my Husband:

He's bald (call me weird--as least it's not a comb-over)

He's very creative

He's a hard worker

He plays with the kids



4 Movies That I Can Watch More Than Once:

Return to Me

Stardust

Pride and Prejudice (the one with Colin Firth)

Lord of the Rings



4 TV Shows that I Watch:

House

Lost

Wipeout

Drake & Josh (okay, I don't really watch it, but my kids do and I see parts of it all the time)



4 Places I've Been:

Spain

Niagara Falls

Caribbean (Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel)

Albuquerque



or, if you want to talk about where I've been today:

Walmart

Albertson's

Chiropractor

Sprouts



4 People Who Email Me Regularly:

Brandon

Synchro coaches

Library (I like to put books on hold)

Blogger (to let me know someone loves me and I have a comment!!!)



4 Favorite Foods:

Chicken (especially Prickly Pear Chicken)

Pasta

Watermelon

Diet Coke (does that count as a food?)



4 Places I Would Like to Visit:

Prince Edward Island (I've decided I have to go with Adrian)

New York City

Denver (to see my buddy Angela)

Rocky Point, Mexico



4 Things I'm Looking Forward to in the Next Year:

Vacation with Brandon next month

Visit from family later this month

Cooler weather

???



4 People I Tag:

Allison

Trisha

Marianne

Yvette

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for:

• My comfy bed. I love my bed, sometimes so much that's it's hard to get out of it in the mornings. I especially love my bed after I've had to sleep somewhere else. Typing this makes me want to go back to my lovely bed. Fighting the temptation...
• Good books. I love to read. I currently have about four books from the libarary that are lined up on the shelf waiting for me to get to them. I started one last night called "The Sugar Queen" and it's very good so far. Just the right amount of unrealistic-ness to make me feel like I have escaped my life for a few hours.
• Forgiveness. I am grateful that those around me are willing to forgive me when I've treated them badly or done something I shouldn't. I hope that I, too, am always willing to forgive and get things back to the way they should be.
• This week, I'm grateful that Sam has behaved himself in school and tried to at home. I've seen a difference in his behavior and it gives me hope. Now, if I could just get the other kids to decide it's cool to be nice...

The Man Rules

Check out this hilarious post on my sister's blog. It is a must read!

So Blessed

I have a wonderful friend that does a Thankful Thursday on her blog, and I think I should join the the fun! There's no way that I can be as cool as Adrian, but there are many things I am thankful for today.

• Right now I am grateful for a roof over my head. There is a HUGE storm going on outside--the worst electrical storm I ever remember having here, along with TONS of rain.

• I decided to go to the Adult Religion class that our stake does today. I think I went more out of guilt than a true desire to learn something, but I came away with some insightful comments about the Savior that I have been pondering all day. I sometimes feel that I am all alone in my struggles, but I know that my Savior suffers along with me, and will buoy me up if I will only ask for help. This comforts me greatly.


• Later, I was stalking a friend's blog and happened upon the story of a couple from Mesa that were in a plane crash a couple of weeks ago. I read a little and have been deeply touched. They are parents of four small children and both have extensive burns. What has humbled me today is knowing how fragile life is and how quickly it can change. It makes me stop and wonder why it bothers me that the kids dump sand out of their shoes onto the floor, or why they ask for something as soon as I sit down, or why one treat is never enough, or why they constantly do little things to irritate each other. In the grand scheme of things, it's not important. What is important is that I am here to be a part of all that.


• After realizing the above, I got down on the floor and went "camping" with Sam and Julia. We built a fort out of cardboard from our new kitchen table, got snacks, pillows, games, a fan (it's still really hot here) and the lantern from the garage. We had a great time! Hopefully, that is something they will remember for a long time. Hopefully, I will too.


• I'm extremely grateful for my new kitchen table. It may sound dumb after some of the above, but we have been short two chairs and without a table for a week, and it was so nice to have dinner at a table with a chair for everyone.

• I'm grateful for my wonderful husband who has put up with a lot from me, but loves me in spite of it all. I don't know what I would do without him. He makes me want to be a better person. I am truly blessed.

Julia the Monkey

I always knew that Julia was a monkey. Now I have proof...

Check out the hairy legs on this five year old!!!

It's like fur!

Brandon at the Olympics

So, who knew Brandon was playing beach volleyball in the Olympics? It's really Phil Dalhausser, but lots of people called to say how much he looked like Brandon. Hey, we'll accept that! After all, he won gold tonight! Way to go, Phil! Phil

Brandon

All I want for Christmas...

Sam lost his second front tooth the other day. I love his cute smile! Neither Dan nor Olivia ever had that cute toothless smile, they both had new teeth half grown in before the baby teeth came out. I think it's so precious!

14 and Counting

Yesterday was our 14th wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been so long! So much has happened...four kids, two pets, three states, eight residences, loss of hair, loss of fabulous figure (just kidding, I never had one), and lots and lots of laughs (and tears).

We went out to dinner on Saturday to celebrate, although we aren't much for celebrations. It was nice to have a quiet dinner without kids, though. But then we came home to chaos. We should know better. Oh well.

Some friends invited us for Sunday dinner, which was really nice. I made some bread and a cake to take with us, but it was nice not to have to make a whole meal. And the best part was, the kids behaved themselves! Yeah! They were actually REALLY good. I was amazed. Happy Anniversary present from them to us, I guess.

Brandon wrote me a poem on my bathroom mirror. It was really neat, but I think he would be embarrassed if I posted it. I made him a list of 14 reasons I'm glad I married him, but I think he would be embarrassed if I posted it. So let's just say that we are happily married and plan to stay that way forever. He is an awesome man and I am so lucky to be loved by him. So here's to fourteen and counting...

So school has been going for about a week and a half, and I've had all sorts of time to myself. I had grand plans for all of this free time, but it hasn't quite worked out the way I thought. I hurt my shoulder a couple of days before school started (2 weeks ago now), and it hurt so bad that I spent several days doing pretty much nothing. Then I decided to see a chiropractor and that has taken a bunch of time. Then I had a marathon Primary Presidency meeting. Then Sam got sick and spent two days at home. I guess the good part of all this is that my birthday was this week, and I did get to go to lunch a couple of times with friends.
So now that the shoulder is feeling better, Sam is on antibiotics, and the Primary President is out of town, here is my list of things I want to do while all my kiddos are in school:

• Read (I have lots of books on my list)
• Scrapbook (I'm very behind)
• Edit some videos/make movies
• Paint the girls room
• Touch up the paint in the living room
• Redecorate the family room
• Get a tan (really just read outside by the pool)
• Clean out some closets and cupboards
• Make Halloween costumes (someone in my ward hired me to make some)
• Design some swimsuits
• Find exciting date activites for my sweetie and me to do

I'm sure there is a lot more I can add to my list, but I guess that's a good start. Now, what should I start with?

First Day of School

Today was the first day of freedom, oops, I mean school. Everyone was super excited to go (especially me). I even got up and made the little darlings pancakes for breakfast. Then I made them lunches with special mommy love in them (cookies), then I shoved them out the door. No really, I walked them to school even! Halfway there, the three oldest left me in the dust. At least Julia wanted to stick with me. I dropped her off with her super nice teacher and then I danced all the way home. Seriously, I don't get how some moms cry on the first day of school. I think it's great! I'm sure they will all have a wonderful time figuring out that their teachers are way cooler than me, and then they'll come home and tell me all about it. I thought about making them some nifty after school treats, but I think I'll go grab a Diet Coke and watch a chick flick instead (I really should clean or something, but I tweaked my arm and shoulder and it really hurts, so I have to take it easy today, nurse's orders. Okay, I'm the nurse, but still...). Here's to a great first day of freedom! Yippee!

Long Live (in) Arizona!

We have now officially lived in Arizona for longer than we have lived any where in our married lives. We really like where we live and have been very happy here. Here's a list of some of the reasons we like it here:

• Weather! (We don't like cold)
• Wide freeways
• Pool in the backyard
• Great area
• Great friends
• Great ward
• Palm trees
• Synchro
• Desert in bloom is beautiful
• Brandon's job
• All day kindergarten
• Flancer's (my favorite lunch place--Prickly Pear Chicken-yum!)
• No shoveling snow
• Playing outside on Christmas Day
• Not having to bundle up to Trick or Treat (Julia was a hula dancer one year-swimsuit and grass skirt only)
• My beautiful new kitchen
• Excellent schools with great teachers

There are probably a ton more reasons that we are glad we live here. Here's to a long and happy life in beautiful Arizona!

P.S. You all are welcome to come and visit!!!

Women As Explained By Engineers

WOMEN AS EXPLAINED BY ENGINEERS

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

IT'S DONE!

Yippee! The kitchen is done (well, almost...we are still waiting for 3 cabinet doors that had to be reordered). I used the stove for the first time this morning--scrambled eggs. I love the gas! I missed having it and it's so nice to have it again. We'll have to try out the oven tomorrow...if I remember how to cook! It all turned out beautiful and I love it. Here are some pictures.

Before. Ick.

Swim Like a Mermaid

Because I'm a mean mom, our kids only get a birthday party when they turn 5, 8 and 12. So this year was Julia's year. She wanted to have a swimming party, and mermaids are a big hit lately (she likes the Nick show H2O in addition to the Little Mermaid). So, we invited all her little girl friends (no boys at the mermaid party!) She was so excited! Unfortunately, lots of people were on vacation or just didn't show up, so she ended up with only 2 friends to swim. How sad for Julia. She actually had a great time until it was all over, and then she realized that no one else was coming. She cried and didn't understand why they didn't come. So, I think we'll have to have a "make-up" party and have a few of them over to swim when more of them are around. I'm also happy to say that she was in a much better mood for the party day than she was on her actual birthday!

?Happy? Birthday

My baby turned five this morning. She was so sweet, calm and beautiful, and then she woke up. She has spent the day yelling, sassing, crying, getting into things she knows she's not supposed to, yelling, rearranging the living room (to make a new room for herself, right in the middle of the house), eating popsicles (when she's been told no more), yelling, making faces, yelling, raiding my purse, whining, yelling and some more yelling. I think I might be permanently deaf in one ear now. So, I guess it's happy birthday to Julia. I can't wait until next year.

Hercules Routine at Nationals

Here is a video of Olivia's team routine at Nationals. She is the first one out, the smallest one on the team.

Tile Backsplash

Today they are starting our tile backsplash. Of course, because this is our kitchen, nothing can go right. They were actually supposed to start yesterday, but because of miscommunication, today is the day. Once they got here, they discovered that the backsplash pattern that was designed and drawn won't work. Most of the outlets are in the wrong place and the design won't be centered above both the sink and the stove. So, after much discussion, we have changed the layout. I hope that it looks good when it is done. I am so ready for this all to be over.

Carpet Re-tack

They finally came yesterday and re-tacked our carpet next to all the new tile. Now that the extra carpet is cut away, we can finally see what the transition from kitchen to family room looks like. It wasn't exactly how I wanted it, but it's all right. Here's a picture. The table is acutally pushed way further toward the family room than it will be because they are working today.

Toothless

Sam has had a loose tooth for quite awhile. He was always a little hesitant to have me wiggle it (I think he was afraid I would pull it out). While we were in Utah, he was wrestling with Dan (surprise) and he bumped it. Even though it was really loose, it still took awhile to come out. He was afraid the dentist would pull it at our appointments on Tuesday, but he didn't. On Wednesday, it finally came out while he was eating and the swallowed it! He was so worried that the tooth fairy wouldn't leave him any money, that he drew her a picture so she would know what happened to the tooth. What a cute, toothless grin he has!

Stowell Family Photos

Photos taken at the Stowell family BBQ on the 5th of July.

The grandkids lined up by age. Interesting, isn't it?

Ekberg family photos

Photos taken at the Ekberg family BBQ on the 4th of July.

Countertops!

We got countertops yesterday! Yeah! It's starting to look like a real kitchen again. This weekend, Brandon will install the appliances, they will finish the electrical stuff, put the doors on the pantry, and some other miscellaneous stuff. After that, we will have the tile backsplash installed next week, and the cabinet issues taken care of and then it's all done! I can't wait.

Pictures from Nationals

I finally feel like I have recovered from a couple of very busy weeks. Here are some pictures of Olivia and her team at Nationals in New York. We stayed at this really cool house--four stories, seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, and lots of room to spread out in. It was great!

Kitchen Progress

I was only home for a day before Olivia and I flew to Salt Lake to be with the rest of the family, but here is a photo of the current state of the kitchen. I'll post some more pictures next week when we get home.

Nationals

Olivia and her team competed in Age Group Nationals in Binghamton NY last week. After a nightmare trip getting there including five different flights, five different states, three rental cars and almost 24 hours, we finally made it! The girls swam their hearts out and finished the semi-finals in 10th place out of 43! We then went on to the finals, where the girls swam figures (Olivia finished 107 out of 118, but she was swimming against 13-15 year olds. She was the youngest competitor there in that age group, and she totally held her own). After finals, we were still in 10th place, but we were thrilled with that! Their coaches were actually hoping for a top 25 finish, so top 10 was way above their expectations. Congratulations Arizona Desert Dolphins!