Random Stuff

Hello all! So I haven't posted in a while and I sit and read Allyson's blog and realize that my life is soooo boring compared to hers with small children! Never a dull moment at her house. I love it. So Allyson, thanks for your wit and wisdom and your adorable kids.

Next, I was sitting with Jennifer, Jake, Marissa and my visiting teachers, I know that's a lot of people. Anyway, Jennifer came up stairs and shared with us some crazy names people name their babies. What are they thinking? That poor child has to grow up being called that their whole life. So hear goes, maybe you will laugh as hard as we did.

Twins: River and Whimsy; Javan; Ksenia; Tayzon; and Justus.
Now Marissa grew up with Candy and Cotton Bowles, and I babysat Court and Misty Fountain.

But the best one was a baby at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Mark was working there as a nurse and the mother saw a word on her medical chart and thought it was a pretty name so she called her baby "gonorrhea". But it was pronounced "ga nor ia" Awful huh! We laughed and laughed. True story! We hope she goes by "Nora"!

So be nice to your kids and don't name them weird names.

I have finally put my maiden name on facebook and wow everyone has been looking for me. Who'd thunk? It has been fun to find out what people are up to now and how our lives have turned out. If I can scrounge up some pictures, I'll post them. Until then, let's just say I was a whole lot thinner back then. Oh well. What are ya gonna do? Life is good and I am happy with my life now.

Favorite Video...this week!

So Jennifer told me about this video a few weeks ago and I have been listening to it every morning while I do the morning deposit at work. It's "Love Story meets Viva la Vida" by Jon Schmidt. After the video I switch to his web site and listen to his playlist. I love it! So Preston, get busy learning some more Jon Schmidt songs! I brought some sheet music home for him to look at and it will be a while until he learns it...it is 11 pages long, and uses his whole body to play it. Oh well, I'll wait.

*Note* You'll have to pause my music to watch the video.*

Drum Roll Please...

So this last week was filled with music. Matt is in Junior Choir at Taylorsville High School and they were preparing for their final concert. Their director wanted to do something different for their final show for the song "I'm A Believer". Matt suggested he play drums with a bass and electric guitar. Now Matt has never played on stage, but he is getting really good. So the following clip is his debut on stage. It was a fun song and even though you can't see Matt very well, you can hear him! He made jazz band for next year and is trying to get Preston to try out for pianist for the Jazz band. Who knows. Preston had a piano recital on Saturday, so look for that video soon.

I love the music that fills my home. There is always guitar, piano or drums being played. It's noisey but I love it. I get all teary when I think of how I have been blessed with such great kids. They all bring joy to my life each and every day.

***Remember to turn off my background music before viewing the video!***

My Aching Feet

So I have had a long journey this past year of going to the podiatrist for my feet. I have large heel spurs in both feet and oh do they hurt! I have had them taped, I have taken so much Ibuprofen that my stomach is a mess and I have taken steroids also. I finally broke down and bought custom fit Orthotics for my shoes. And my feet still hurt! Yuk! My next option is surgery and I don't want to do that!! Double Yuk!I just want to get them better so I can enjoy Texas.

Yes, Texas! We are going in June to San Antonio and then up to Dallas to see my brother and sister and their families. I am so excited. It has been 3 years since we took a vacation. The whole family is going except Marissa, Jake and Sydney. We are sad they can't join us but it is a long way to Texas and yes we are driving! Crazy huh!

The kids haven't seen their cousins since my dad died, so it should be fun. My brother and I are also being sealed my our parents in the Dallas Temple, so it makes the trip extra special. We'll try to visit as much family as we can while we are there. So here's to a fun road trip!

Mother's Day

Well my wonderful Mother's day started on Saturday. The girls all came over to make food to take to Grandma's house. It was our annual May get together for all the May birthdays. We were dreadfully late (sorry Mom!) But my girls and I went to the Gateway for some "girl time" and oh was it fun, even if it was short! The girls gave me a necklace from "Brighton" jewelry and it was so fun just to go to the store and see all their cool things. I'm hooked! My sister Vivian has been wearing Brighton jewelry for years and I have always loved it. Thank you girls so much.

Then Brandon gave me a pretty necklace/earring set and I just had to go buy a new blouse to go with them!(Thanks honey) He also made me a tie dyed shirt which is so cool. I will post a picture soon. He is quite hooked and made himself one too. Brandon also sang in Sacrament meeting and it was beautiful.

Jen gave me a new pillow which sounds like a little thing, but oh it is great. and then Amber has put together a cookbook of all our favorite family recipes with pictures and everything!

Wow! I feel so loved and blessed to have such great kids and such a sweet husband.I know that there are people that have so much less than we do and I am grateful everyday.

Why Mormons Build Temples

At this time when there is so much commotion about "Big Love" showing sacred things, I saw this and wanted to share it. I have read so many articles about this subject and I am comforted by the support of so many people of other religions that feel the same way we do about sacred things. They are sacred not secret. There are so many good people out there and I know that some good will come out of all of this... Questions will be raised and it will be our chance to "set the records straight" so to speak, to share our testimonies and bring people unto Christ.

Time Flies!

Well, it seems that the only time I ever get a chance to look at my blog is when I listen to the music while I do the morning money at work! Wow. I need to prioritize my life a little better.

Brandon has settled in to life at home, is working and planning his future. Spencer received his Patriarchial blessing on Sunday. I had knee surgery on Jan. 30, every thing went well except I had to stay over the night because my oxogen level would not stay up. But the knee feels better each day.

We got a new puppy. Well technically it is Jennifer's puppy but everyone pitches in to help. His name is Charlie and he is a mini dachsund. He is so adorable and spoiled rotten. He's still getting down the house breaking thing, but doing well all in all. He sleeps in his kennel at night without whining and hasn't chewed the furniture yet!

Mark suprised me with a trip to Dallas the last week in February for Valentines Day. It will be great to see Bill and Vivian. We are planning a family trip in the summer to Dallas, so the kids can see their cousins and Bill and I can be sealed to our parents. It will be a great time I'm sure.