Funny quotes from The Man

Brandon just cracks me up. Here are a few of his latest one liners:

This morning as I was trying to comb his curls down ( he likes the slicked down look and he has just enough curl that it never happens ). After the first few combings of his hair he looked at me and said " My hair is not in the mood today, just give it up Mom. "

On Saturday I was home, sick with whatever wonderful illness my kids brought home from school. I had been slow cooking dinner and was laying down, trying to get over this terrible headache. Brandon came in and I asked him what time the clock said. He looked over and said " It says it's time for you to get out of bed and fix dinner, that's what time it says. "

The other day we were having our cookie council and we were talking about Brandon's yelling -- the last defense as the youngest sibling. The boys just laugh when he tries to tackle or chase them. We told Brandon his yelling was getting really bad and that he needed to stop. He just looked at us and said " Do you want to know what would be worse? If was laying out in the street beaten up and dead, that's what would be really bad. " What could we say? We actually all laughed, which didn't sit too well with Brandon.

We were talking about The Savior and all He did for us one day in FHE. Then Brandon asked " Wait a minute, isn't Jesus like a billionaire or something?" We sort of agreed, that yes, technically He is. The follow up question " Then what's He doing letting bad guys beat Him up for? He needs to pay for a body guard or something!"

What a blessing these sweet spirits are to have in our home. I am thankful for all of the smiles they bring to me each day.

Happy 15th Birthday ALEX!!

It's been 15 years since that little baby came into the world. My first born. It is amazing how fast he has grown--literally, he's 5'10!! I never expected him to be taller than me so soon. Not hard to do when you are as short as I am.

Here are a few pictures of Alex--

1- Quite a shiner, eh? That is what happens when you sit up on a trampoline just as your friend swings on a rope from the roof of a shed. Long story.

2- The day he was ordained a deacon.

3- Helping Brandon with his bike

4- Having fun at an amusement park

What's great about Alex?

--He is a worthy priesthood holder-- a dream come true for me. That was my number one goal for all of my boys. I am so blessed, I know there are a lot of parents out there who have no clue where their 15 y/o is or what they are doing. Right now, Alex is in our back yard listening to an S.E.D. ( Sunday Evening Discussion ) with the youth of our ward. How blessed am I?

--He is brilliant, even if I do say so myself. He is in three honors classes and pulling straight A's. What more can you ask for school wise?

--He is a great example to his younger siblings. He was truly sent here to be a leader in our family, a role he hasn't taken lightly ( some days I wish he would lighten up ). The kids look up to him ( once again the height thing ) on a daily basis.

--He always does what I ask with a " Sure Mom ". I can always count on Alex to do a great job.

I could go on and on, but I know it is boring to most of you, so just know I have a GREAT kid-- who will be driving really soon, which is a little scary. Almost as scary as when we brought him home from the hospital exactly 15 years ago today.

Personal Fitness

I have been working with a great trainer for the past few months and have lost inches, but not a lot of pounds. It has been so discouraging, and I usually blame it on my thyroid problem. But for some reason, this weekend was a light bulb moment for me. I have been putting a lot of effort into my weight loss on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m., but it usually stops there. Maybe a walk during the week, or a good 40 minute work out here and there, but I am not 100% committed the way I should have been $500 ago!!

So, either I need to kick it into gear or stop wasting my time. So, as I watched all of these runners line up at the race on Saturday, I realized how pathetic my efforts have been. It is time!! Time for me to make a full effort, time for me to loose the excuses, time for me to take control of my health and body.

So, with rejuvenated zeal, I am off to a better mental place and ready to put the effort I need to in order to reach my long term goals, like being able to swim with my kids and not be depressed over my shape. To be here with my grand kids and feeling great at 60. To be a good role model to my children, especially my wonderful girls.

Wish me luck and send motivation!! ( No chocolate please )

My First Fun Run

Yesterday my mom and I ran a 4 mil-er ( savvy runner talk ). We had such a great time!! I will admit my time as lousy, as we walked the whole way. But, I DID IT!! So I am really proud of myself and I had a great time with my mom-- the seasoned athlete. She even wore her marathon runner shorts. Here are some pictures from the run.

More Holiness Give Me

This weekend was a very fun one for our TOFW group. We had such a wonderful time bonding as sisters and being inspired by speakers from all over the country. We are so blessed to live in a time such as this, so we can tap the spiritual resources the gospel has to offer us.

Last night was a great end to a wonderful weekend. Our family attended a fireside that had such a strong spirit, it was almost palpable. I was blessed enough to be a speaker and able to bear my testimony as part of the program. It was such a great evening, one that I will not forget. I am so thankful to have been part of it all.

As I pondered this weekend over the things that I needed to personally work on, humility seems to be one of the first areas that needed some fine tuning. It seems that my prayers have been answered as things in my little world have been a more difficult to control than usual, and are requiring great patience. I can almost feel the load on my shoulders as I " endure to the end " of this mini-trial.

It is funny, how we forget when we pray for our weaknesses to be shown or to become a strength, that we forget that Heavenly Father will actually answer those prayers, usually in ways we don't particularly enjoy. So, here I am, being humbled and not enjoying the process so much, but grateful that I have a loving Father in Heaven who will listen to me complain the whole way through, and stay with me to the end. I am truly blessed to know of His love.

Amusement Park Fun!!

On Monday we went to an amusement park. The pictures speak for themselves. I only wish I could have taken a picture of Jeremy on one of the rides. He had a face of stone, he didn't even flinch. He was the official chicken of the day. I was in second place. The three younger kids were the daredevils. It was pretty pathetic as the three older boys and I watched James take Mikenzie, Baylie and Brandon on the a spinning roller coaster. Yellow bellies must run in the family.

Alex did ride a big scary roller coaster once-- that was a big step for him.

Brandon is a Wii bit addicted

We all know how much Brandon HATES going to school. Yes, the newness of going to the big school wore off within a week, and now we are back to the daily battle of getting him to school.

Today he had a new plan of attack. Usually he just groans and mumbles about how boring school is and how he isn't going. Today, he came crawling down the stairs, telling me he was too sick to go. As usual, I tucked him into my bed and gave him kisses and told him I hope he would feel better soon. I reminded him it was black and white day and I had his black shorts all cleaned and ready. No luck for me, he was convinced he was too sick to go.

Soon, he came crawling out of my room and laid on the kitchen floor. Then, he had a brilliant flash of inspiration. He remembered that Jeremy stayed home sick last Friday and was able to watch TV all day. So Brandon reminded me of that and then said " Do you know what really made Jeremy feel a lot better? Staying home and playing the Wii all day. That is how he got better. Maybe I should try that " I couldn't help but laughing out loud.

Nice try buddy-- now go get your clothes on and get to school!! If you can think that one up, you are feeling good enough to go to kindergarten.