Totally Blogworthy...

On Saturday A and I attended Especially For Youth that was hosted by our Stake. I was able to go last year with a few of the girls and we all loved it. So when they advertised it this year I wanted to get as many of the Young Women there as I could. I bribed my Mia Maids with a pizza party afterwards. One of my girls told me later, "Sister S, you don't have to buy our love with food." I told her, "It's lunch time. And everyone eats lunch."

Anyways, back to EFY. It was wonderful. The most touching part I felt was when John Hilton showed a video of a song I'd never heard before. It's called "I Am" by Nichole Nordeman.

Catch Up Post

We've been so busy this Summer....with family vacations and church obligations we have barely been home any weekend for the past three months. So here's an update post with pictures to let you know why we've been so busy. As promised months ago...our puppy Daisy. Only now we need to take new pictures because she is huge.

We went to Fish Lake for our annual camping trip. I had so much fun with my cute little niece. This is the way she wanted to eat her licorice. I couldn't convince her otherwise. I thought it was funny, her mother on the other hand was not as amused.

This is Potato's first fish.

Rico discovered he likes to take the camera without our knowledge and take pictures of himself. We find self portraits all the time now. Little bugger.

We took the kids to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House on our way up to Lagoon. We had our camp trailer with us, so we parked it in the overflow parking. We looked like hillbillies. We were however, able to change into our Sunday clothes and out of them as well. It's the best way to travel. The Temple was beautiful. A said she wants to get married there. They handed out free cookies and water after the tour. The kids loved the sealing room with the eternal mirrors.

Takin' Care of Business...

GIRLS CAMP 2009!

I have had SO MANY people ask me how Girls Camp was. I honestly wasn't sure how I would feel after four days in the wilderness with 40+ women, young and old. And that was just our Ward. There were 331 girls at our Stake Camp. Crazy, I know.

But I TRULY loved and enjoyed every minute. Besides an idle threat to slash my tires....we bonded with the girls. We were truly blessed by a loving Heavenly Father and were able to reach girls I wasn't sure I'd be able to connect with. We laughed so hard. The girls asked crazy questions that we actually answered. The only time I heard any complaining was Saturday morning when I got to the parking lot and the girls were waiting there, waving their arms, flagging me down. They were in my car ready to go as soon as I opened the door. (Yes, I came home each night. Not because I wanted to necessarily :-), but it actually turned out to be a good thing....foodwise and YW wise.) They survived the last night without bathrooms and water.

I am continually trying to follow promptings no matter how small and insignificant that fleeting thought can be...I had the thought to bring a case of water when I left my house Saturday morning and I didn't. It would have brought great relief to those girls who were still waiting for the other Mom's to get there. But I didn't. And I'm trying to learn from that experience.

So now we look forward to next year. Our husbands don't. But we do.....

We Are Children Of God

If you look to the left at the blogs I follow you'll see Sadie Huish. Today this family lost their sweet little six year old daughter to a brain tumor. I've followed their blog since the time she was diagnosed. Today she is in Heaven. I found these lyrics on the comments on their blog. I want to share them with you. I don't know who wrote this, but I thought you might like it.
It's to the tune of "I Am A Child of God".

I am a child of God and He has called me home.
My earthly journey's through but still, I do not walk alone.
He leads me, guides me, walks beside me, helps me find the way.
He welcomed me with open arms. I live with Him today.

I am a child of God and I have gone ahead.
My earthly life was brief but oh, such peace and love you gave.
You loved me, held me, stood beside me and though I cannot stay.
You gave me much to help me and I live with Him today.

I am a child of God and I will wait for you.
Celestial glory shall be ours, if you can but endure.
I'll lead you, guide you, walk beside you.Help you find the way.
I'll welcome you with open arms
One bright Celestial day.

We Caved!

We'd like to introduce the newest member of our family. Daisy Mae. She's 7 weeks old and will live in the backyard as soon as we get her accustomed to her new surroundings and her "brother" Spencer. Spencer is my brother's name and when we first got Spencer he asked us to please change his name. We didn't choose that name, it's the name he came with. It was really funny when the kids started calling the dog Uncle Spencer. But I digress.... So when we were thinking of names I thought Nicole would be appropriate for our new dog. Nicole happens to be my sister in law that is married to Spencer. We laughed about it and then decided that if we wanted them to keep talking to us we'd better not. So Daisy Mae it is....

We blame Ricardos brothers for our new puppy. They both chose puppies from this same litter and A wanted/begged for a puppy too. I am not in the mood for a new puppy and we kept telling her no. Ricardo and I talked about it and decided to just go take a look. Wouldn't you know it Daisy came running over to us. She chewed on the hem of my capris and she untied Ricardo's tennis shoes. It was love at first sight. I guess it's hard for puppies to ignore anyone, but I was hoping that would be the case so that we could leave empty handed. She suggled with me on the drive home.

A couldn't wait to get to the store to get toys and a collar for Daisy. She now has a pink leash and collar. We resisted getting her dog clothes which WERE on clearance. She is tiny now, but she is going to be huge. I'll post some pictures of her as soon as I can get the kids further than one inch away from her. Sidenote: My favorite dog growing up was Daisy. She was my grandparents dog and we'd get to keep her when they went out of town. Then she ended up living with us. She put up with everything. We rode her, tugged on her tail, sat on her. You name it. And she NEVER EVER growled or bit any of us. Let's hope our new Daisy lives up to her name.

We all smell like puppy and we're loving it. Well, at least for now. She slept downstairs with A last night and I didn't hear her whine once. It'll be a different story when she sleeps outside with Spencer.

Pumps Rock!

A few weeks ago we purchased an insulin pump for our 7 year old who has Type 1 Diabetes. After 5 years of multiple daily shots, he now gets his "site" changed every three days. (We still have to keep needles handy in case his pump fails.) It's a great tool in managing his Diabetes. We love it. And so does he. With supervision he understands what he needs to do to enter his blood sugar, enter his carbs and then bolus with the correct amount of insulin for what he has just eaten. In fact from the very first day he wanted to take control of his pump.

A blog I like to read posted this information on it today. It's great advice for families and friends of newly diagnosed Diabetics....

Diabetes Etiquette

- for people who don't have diabetes

1. Don't offer unsolicited advice about my eating or other aspects of diabetes. You may mean well, but giving advice about someones personal habits, especially when it's not requested, isn't very nice. Besides, many of the popularly held beliefs about diabetes ("you should just stop eating sugar") are out of date or just plain wrong.

2. Do realize and appreciate that diabetes is hard work. Diabetes management is a full-time job that I didn't apply for, didn't want and can't quit. It involves thinking about what, when and how much I ea, while also factoring in exercise, medication, stress, blood sugar monitoring, and so much more - each and every day.

3. Don't tell me horror stories bout your grandmother or other people with diabetes you have heard about. Diabetes is scary enough, and stories like these are not reassuring! Besides, we no know that with good management, odds are good you can live a long, healthy and happy life with diabetes.

I love #3. I can't tell you how many times people off the street give unsolicited advice about Potato's condition. Unless you are living in the situation you cannot fully show or express empathy regarding Diabetes. We REALLY don't want to hear horror stories. If a family member had cancer would you tell them all the stories you've heard about people being diagnosed and whether they survived or not? I sure hope NOT! The same goes for Diabetics, and their parents.

6 Months From Tomorrow....

Cutie Patooties in their Suities

I found a killer deal on two piece suits for our boys and decided it was finally time to get them for Church. They look like little missionaries. It's hard to believe that in about 9 years B will be getting ready to leave on his mission.

Mother's Know Best

I'm preparing my lesson for this coming Sunday. It's on Honoring Your Parents. I found this and had to share....

At...

4 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mommy can do anything!
8 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 YEARS OF AGE ~ My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.
14 YEARS OF AGE ~ Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.
16 YEARS OF AGE ~ Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.
18 YEARS OF AGE ~ That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 YEARS OF AGE ~ Well, she might know a little bit about it.
35 YEARS OF AGE ~ Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

This is the stage that I'm at, (that is much closer to 35 than 45 years old)....although I must say that Ricardo and I make decisions together, without any outside help usually, but I still value my mother's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 YEARS OF AGE ~ Wish I could talk it over with Mom

Too Sick, Or Not Too Sick...That Is The Question...

Last night I made a new recipe. It's called Pork N Bean Casserole. It was yummy. My pickiest eater wouldn't even touch it. We all thought it was good and I'll even make it again. As Mr. Picky left the table he complained of a major stomach ache to get out of sitting at the table with us. He cried and moaned and complained for quite a while. I was not feeling sorry for him. I was upset he was being such a turkey. Then he said his head hurt. Ricardo felt his forehead and low and behold he was burning up. He laid on the couch for the rest of the evening by my side moaning and miserable. Fast forward to this morning. "Mom, I'm ready to go to school" He was dressed and ready to go. Today they are coloring easter eggs and he didn't want to miss it. Then he threw up. Why did he have to throw up BEFORE school? You can't send a puking child to school and feel good about it. You can send a "he might puke" child to school and not feel guilty though. Now, he is arguing with his brother and complaining that I won't let him go outside. What? It's 10 after 9. He just might end up going to school before he drives me completely crazy. Don't judge.


A few weeks ago we went to the store and Rico saw a policeman. He was telling his friend that his Dad carries a gun all the time and his Mom (meaning me) doesn't know. (Well, I actually don't most of the time.) Then he said. "Mom, Dad drinks Energy Drinks when you aren't around." I called Ricardo immediately to let him know that he was in big trouble. Ricardo said that he had said that over a year ago, so he couldn't be in trouble. He couldn't believe that Rico would remember to tell me NOW and not a year ago.

This past week I was sick with the flu. I got sick on our way home from getting Potato his insulin pump, (which ROCKS by the way). I had a 104 fever, cold chills...the works. I finally feel better today. I'm still a little dizzy when I stand up. I wish I didn't have 5 days worth of Mommy stuff to catch up on.

YW General Broadcast

Almost all of our Young Women will be attending the YW Broadcast in Salt Lake on Saturday. We received tickets over a month ago because our YW President had the forethought to request them. The girls are so excited and I must say, so am I. I have never attended a broadcast from Salt Lake. I remember going to hear conference on an Easter Sunday when I was little. We went to Temple Square and after Conference was over I was able to look in the Tabernacle and see the prophet. At that time it was Spencer W Kimball. Yes I'm OLD!

In fact yesterday I was bringing Rico and his 2nd best friend Calvino home from Preschool. They were waiting in front of the door as it was locked. I ALWAYS lock our doors. (Hello, I grew up in a big city!) Rico told Calvino that we locked the door because bank robbers broke into our house once and took all of our money. I told Rico that he was telling a story. Calvino then told me that "Old people don't remember things....and you are an old person." Out of the mouths of babes. So I bonked him on the noggin and told him "I am NOT old". But when you argue with a 5 year old they usually win. Or I usually give up and let them THINK they've won. As I related this story to my sweet husband at the dinner table he laughed. Yes, he is younger than I am. YES, I will ALWAYS be older than he is. I guess I'm a little sensitive to this issue.

Got Milk?

"A new Chinese mother is producing so much breast milk that she bathes her baby in the excess each day.The new mom says she is producing two liters more milk than the baby needs and she and her family were looking at ways to put the rest of it to use. She, her husband and mother-in-law drank what they could of the remaining milk, but there was still plenty left over so they decided to use it to bathe their newborn.She says the milky baths have left the babies skin smooth and white."

GROSS! This is way too much information. I found this on our local news website. Aren't there more important stories to report?

Money Saving Mode....

I've been looking for ways to cut back on expenses. Who hasn't these days? Everyone I have talked to is making changes to their family budgets. We have been preparing for something like this, but who is ever REALLY totally prepared? I'm grateful we have been following the counsel of the prophet to live within our means. We sometimes spend more than we should but avoid putting anything on credit, and haven't put anything on credit cards for 7 years. We use our credit cards like a debit card and pay it off every month. We earn cash and hotel rooms for using our credit cards, but we don't pay them any interest. This equals "free" money for living within our means.

I've been looking for the best deals on grocery shopping too. I found this website and signed up today. www.dealstomeals.com I figure the monthly cost is so worth the savings it will bring our family each week. It combines weekly deals at the grocery store with healthy recipes and menu planners. You get the first two weeks free. So I'm trying it out. I'll let you know what happens.

I Met Some Canadians....

Last night Ricardo and B went to help the wife of a friend put together a desk. B wanted to earn some money to buy a spy kit so he went to help. He came home all excited to show the treats that his new friends, the Canadians had given him. These "Canadians" are foreign exchange students that are attending the university here in town. I told B that the treats he brought home weren't Canadian, because the writing on them was NOT English. Then Ricardo came in the door and B said, "Dad, weren't the people we met tonight Canadians?" Ricardo said..."Mmmm, they were Koreans". Ooooops! I wonder where B will go on his mission? Canada or Korea? Will he know the difference?

I'm The Boss, That's Why....

There are so many words each day that I hear my children say and then correct them with an appropriate word to use in it's place. (I'm sure we can all think of those words.) But last night the word was Boobs! A great word to discuss on a Sunday night, if you are looking for an easy FHE lesson idea.

Rico came into the family room from his bedroom and was telling his brother how little his boobs are, but someday they'll be big like Dad's. (Ricardo does not need a man bra by the way, he has nicely sculpted pectoral muscles) BUT, to a 5 year old, that aspires to be just like his Dad, he sees "boobs". Without missing a beat he looks at me and says...."But Mommy is the boss of boobs because hers are the biggest." I should have been the example and corrected him. But I laughed and couldn't help it. I laughed alot. He's right, I AM THE BOSS (of BOOBS)! He's learning young.