Happy Halloween Party #3

Happy Halloween...well, in two days. I have been in the bahumbug attitude this year...and right before our big bash?!? I finally found my costume today, but I cannot tell you what it is for I am sure my sis in law is going to read this and we are having a costume contest. It is probably not my first choice, but it will do. I also just got done coloring 20 BINGO cards for the little one's bingo game. They are sooo cute and if any of you are needing a fun Halloween game, I suggest this. I also suggest printing it in color as it took me 3 hours to color all of them. The website is: www.dltk-cards.com/bingo. Very cute stuff on there. But, I am stuck for the grown-up games. We bought the prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for three games. But, we have no games. So if anyone has ideas, please let me know ASAP. I have only tomorrow to finish getting ready. We put up spider webs today and the boys thought it was the best thing ever. However, while I was decorating, I put the bowl of candy corns from the entry table to Troy's desk and evidently it was not high enough. I heard a funny noise and went to the LR and found Tevan eating candy corn and pumpkins as fast as he could, spitting most of them out after one bite. I just laughed. What a character!!!

I guess that leads me to another part of my blog...mostly for journal purposes, so feel free to skip this portion. I am a very uptight person when it comes to the way things are. I get angry very fast and I am more concerned with my house being clean than I am with some of the important things in life. So, about five days ago I decided to relax a bit. And it is going very well. It is amazing that the attitude and tone of my house is so much better. My boys behave better and we get along splendidly. We still have our ups and downs, but I have chosen to lower my voice...if you know me you know that I can be very loud and my voice carries. I haven't raised my voice for those five days. This might not sound huge, but to me it is. I have started to spend a bit more time with my boys and really take time to get to know them. I think it is so easy to get wrapped up in the "things" in life that we often ignore the most important people. I cannot tell you how many times I say, "Just a minute" or "Wait until..." or the worst: "Mommy is busy". Looking back at those times I have said it, I get very sad. I get so sad my heart hurts. My job is my children. I might be just a "Stay-at-home-Mom", but I am a teacher, a nurse, a walking encyclopedia, a super-hero, a healer of wounds and broken hearts. I am a mom to the most beautiful children in the world...what is more important than that? NOTHING. Period. We live in such a bad, bad world. We are up for some scary changes in our beloved United States. We have the adversary to fight against not only out there, but in our homes. I am so proud and honored that I get this chance to raise my children. I don't have to take them to daycare everyday and HOPE that someone is going to teach them something good. I know every second what my children are learning. I am the one who gets to moderate them. I get to teach them to pray...something that is no longer "allowed". I am so thankful to Troy that he works so hard to provide for us. He supports me fully. He is such a good man. I guess I am a very spoiled woman as I don't want for much. I also have my gracious Heavenly Father to thank as he is the one who gives me strength every single day to make it through. I know I would fail without Him picking me up. I have so much gratitude in my heart right now that I could go on FOREVER. I grew up in a home where my mother was able to stay home. There were times that we were extremely poor. There were times my parents struggled to get where they are today. But no matter how hard those time got, she satyed at home and raised 4 children. My dad worked a lot of shift work and he was gone a lot...especially during med school. My mom had a lot of weight on her shoulders and made it through. I am so blessed to have that example. I know the importance of being at home with my kids. I know it is the most important job any Mother could have. There are times I want to quit. There are times I want to cry...there are times I have cried. Those are the times that I am being taught patience and long suffering. I would not trade this experience for the world. I am sad that it took me this long to appreciate what I am able to do. Daeson is three years old. No one could have told me this is what it would be like. I am sure many tried to tell me. I used to feel like it was a strap holding me down. Now I see mother hood for what it really is and I am slowly learning to embrace it. I still have moments when I want to lock myself in the bathroom just to finish a chapter in my book, or just to plug my ears and have silence. But those times are becoming fewer and fewer as I am becoming less selfish. It is not about me...it is about my two wonderful children and my wonderful husband. I only can pray that one day my children will look back at their childhood and be happy. I do not want them to remember me as someone who was "there". I don't want to be remembered as the one saying, "Just a minute", "hold on", and especially, "I don't have time." If I don't have time for my children, my priorities are very out of order and that calls for some re-evaluating.

Flu update 2

Troy was able to get up at four this morning and go to work...and the boys slept all night long. I got sick about 9 p.m. last night, but I was able to get up this morning and get on with it. I don't think that Troy is even 50% yet, but he is getting there.
Today I get to do laundry from all the blankets, towels, and clothing that got yucky. At least we don't have a lot going on today and I can get it done before tomorrow.
Oh, does anyone have a super yummy recipe for cranberry stuffing? Tomorrow we are having a "Thanksgiving" dinner at Troy's parents. They are by themselves this year, as the rest of us are going to our homes...Dani and Todd are in UT and can't get off work, I am not sure about Adam and Kayla, and Heidi and Brad will be in Kentucky by then. So tomorrow we are having dinner at Grover's. I actually would like to make cornish hens with stuffing, but they are so expensive...$4.00 each and I would have to get at least 10 of them. So, I think I will just do regular chickens...on sale at FM for .89/lb. That sounds much better. So, Kayla is doing a veggie salad, Peggy rolls, banana cream pie and squash, and I the chicken and stuffing, and pumpkin pie. Yumm-o. But, I do need a recipe, so if anyone can help that would be great!!!
I need to get pictures uploaded, but my comp downstairs is not functioning properly...and Troy doesn't ever have time to work on it, like the mechanics car is always broken :). As soon as it is done, i will get some on here. For now you are stuck with extrememly boring posts :).

Flu update

Tevan is still holding strong...he's done really well today. Daeson has thrown up about 25 times, and I feel sooo bad for him. his eyes are dark and his lips are sooo chapped. He tried to eat something and actually held it down for about 10 minutes...that's a start I guess. Troy is still in bed, he has been there since 10:30 or so this morning. These are the times that I will myself to be well. I know I am fighting something. I was able to take a nap this afternoon while everyone else slept. My house wreaks of sickness. I just hope and pray this passes soon. My poor boys!!! This is the time I wish I was the one sick and everyone else was healthy. These are the times I wish I had closer family to help out. Let's hope tomorrow's report is so much better!!!!!

We're back

We got back on Wdenesday night from Gville, well Richfield technically, about 6:30. Troy took us to dinner and then we went to the toy store. Tevan got his Halloween costume...Elmo. He hates to wear it though. He carries it all over the house saying, "Melemo, Melmo" but try to get it on him!!! Sheesh!

We had a great surprise this morning...everyone has the FLU!!! Yes, our family has been hit with something. Daeson started off this morning with throwing up, and then Troy. My tummy is not so hot either. Yeah, what a fun day. But the bummer part is that we have to miss the Archer Elementary Halloween carnival. We have gone every year for the last 8. I am so sad to miss it, but better miss it and get well than to go and eat junk and get more sick...and of course I would not want to spread it around. I guess better this weekend than next.

I will update more later...we are laying around today, not even wanting to answer the phone. I am sure this will blow over. I hope Troy gets better, he has no choice but to get up tomorrow at 3 a.m. and work all day. If he doesn't go, we get in big trouble with the stores.
Hope everyone else is healthy and well...I have more throw up to clean up so i will be going now...BYE!

And we're off...

Well, tomorrow is the day we are off to Gville. I am still doing laundry and packing, but I hope to be done by midnight :) . We have snow today...and it is sticking. I am a bit nervous, but according to the internet weather sources, we should be fine. I think once we get past Boise...maybe even Twin...it should be nice, about 64-68 degrees. The boys are very excited. Or at least Daeson is. Tevan isn't sure what is going on. I am sure if he did, he would not be very excited. 10 hours in the van is not his cup-o-tea. But, I will pack every Elmo movie I can and hope that gets us by. Daeson cannot wait to visit Papa Ty and Grandma Cindy. It will be a good trip for all of us. Wish us luck! I will update as I can. TATA!

Busy Busy Busy

It started off as a regular week-- not much going on, until Wednesday. I had my sister-in-laws-sister's kids on Wednesday. She has three kids, 8,6,2. I had them from about 8:30 a.m. til about 9:30 pm. It went pretty well. They are good kids, but I think it was overload for my kids. I was happy when I crawled into bed at midnight.
Thursday Troy and I took the kids out to his mom and dad's while we went to a movie and ate dinner. Thank you for taking our kids Mom and Dad G!!!!! We watched Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Troy and I both decided it could have been a really great movie, but it probably was a renter. The popcorn was good... We then went to Da Pineapple Grill in Rexburg. We had never eaten there and thought we would give it a try. The waitress was really nice. Very bubbly. I had the teriyaki chicken...not my favorite...and Troy had the curry. He loved it. The portions were very good sized. We had a sushi roll that was really good as well. It had coconut shrimp in it and I don't like shrimp, but this was really good. It was really nice to spend time together. Our friend Nathan went with us. Then, Annette brought Heather to meet us.
Heather is staying with us until tomorrow. I has been fun. Last night we watched a movie and got settled in. Today she helped witht the kids. I had to get a couple bills paid, so she played Rockband. She did really, really well. She is dubed as the new drummer. After Tevan's nap, we went to the library and she had fun picking out movies and CDs. Then we picked Troy up and went out for pizza and pasta. We stopped at PetSmart and Halloween Boutique.
The kids are in bed, Heather and I just finished Justin and Kelly. It was pretty cute. Now she is watching Kidsongs and I should be getting my lesson ready, or packing done. Grandma Tom, the kids and I are taking off Monday for 10 days to visit Mom and Dad. I am a little uneasy about the trip, but I think we will be fine. We are leaving early so that we can beat the fog on the Whitebird pass. It really is a pretty drive...except from Pocatello to Boise...UGLY! But, it should go well. Tevan is addicted to Elmo and he has plenty to keep him busy. It will be a good trip. Daeson is soooo excited to see Grandma and Grandpa...and I think they are excited too. ; ). We will miss Troy very much.
Sunday I am teaching another grueling lesson. It is lesson 18 in the Joseph Smith book. I will need all the help I can get. WOW, these Joseph Smith lessons are sooo deep, but they are very good for us. My last lesson wasn't too good, so I am hoping this will go so much better. Section 76 of the Doctrine and Covenants is a big portion of it. Wish me luck.
Oh, BTW, I got my cubicle exchanged and Troy built the new one for me today...only had to ask him once!! LOL! Thanks, babe!!!

BAH!!!

Angry. I bought a drawer for my scrapbook nook September 22. Since that day I have asked Troy, almost daily, to put it together for me. So, tonight I decided to take matters into my own hands. I BROKE THE DUMB THING!!! I am so mad right now. After I tried to get the first drawer built, I couldn't get the front to go together. I tried and tried. Finally Troy came down to see what I was doing. Then he offered to help. How convenient. After coming to the conclusion that it was broken, I had to repackage the parts...which never go together right and you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how they got a drawer to fit in a small box...and then find the receipt. It was buried in my scratch paper drawer. So tomorrow, I have to figure out how to get this very large drawer package and two kids, one which has to be carried, back to Robert's to exchange it. It would have been nice three weeks ago to know it was broken. This would have been all done and over with. Then Troy tells me that I should have asked him to do it. AUGHGHGHGHGHG!!!!!!!! MEN!!!!!!

Malad High School Reunion Class of 1998

I have been accused of being bold, and last night I was talking to Janet and Gillian at the reunion. We decided I should be a gossip columnist...it would be perfect for me. Not that I like to gossip, I just like to be in the know! :)
I had a great time last night catching up with all of my classmates...or the ones that were there. We missed those who were not. And, honestly, I had forgotten some. Brad had a slide show last night, and I was sooo surprised to have forgotten so many names! I took my cake but no one would cut it. So, I left it on plates in hopes that someone would take it home.
I got the boys' pictures taken. She did a great job and Troy is so excited about them. I just need to get them ordered now. Annette is a very talented photographer and a great friend. I was sad that we didn't get to see Heather, but I hope to see her next week.
I was an hour late for the reunion...my "short visits" were not so short. And in return, I was and hour and a half late for pictures. The weather was yucky, but Brad's cabin was huge and it accommodated us all very well. We did a group picture (good idea, Janet!) just with our little cameras, but not everyone stuck around for it. I will see if I can remember who was there: John Allen (wife Camille), Megan Daines (baby), Tyson Daniels (wife Jilliene?), Mandi Davis, Brooke Blaisdell (husband Shawn), Gillian Farley (husband Seth), Eric Buehler (wife), JaRon Crowther (husband Andre and kids Reagan and Adam), Mindy Griffiths (daughter), Brad Horsely (wife Kristen and son), Victor Hubbard (wife), Kenny Peterson, Clint Price (wife), Chris Jones (girlfriend?), Cort Jones (wife and son), Trevor Neal (wife?), Brent and Brian Schow, Jamie Scouten (husband Tyrell), Janet Tubbs, Bryan Seamons (wife Alicia), Janita Showell (husband and kids), Myself (and kids Daeson and Tevan), Tanya Ward (husband Danny), Brian Thomas (girlfriend), and Burt Willie (wife?). I am so sorry if I forgot anyone!!! Those with question marks I didn't meet and are speculations. It was a lot of fun and I am so glad now that I went. I did get butterflies though. Seeing classmates from 10 years ago is always awkward. I was happy to see everyone. In the earlier post about everyone changing, it is true. We are not in high school anymore, and for the most part we are all grown up and headed in the right direction. I am proud to say that I am a graduate of the class of 1998. We have all done well and it makes me smile.
It was hard going back to Malad. No family there anymore. As I drove by my old house, I was saddened to not stop. It looks good though, they have put a lot of work into it. And, they can park in the garage!!! :) Just kidding, Dad. But, it does look good. A lot of people asked about my parents and that made me happy. It makes me know that despite the hardships they had, they were liked and loved by the people of Malad. My dad was a great asset to Malad and did a lot of services there. It is just sad that they were often overlooked and more often than not overworked.
Now for some pictures. Believe it or not, I only got a few! October 4, 2008:

Okay, not sure why it is sideways, hmmm. This is the picture on the cake.

Not too big of a pic, but I will try:
Back Row: Janet Tubbs, JaRon Crowther, Mindy Griffiths, Tanya Ward

Middle Row: Brent Schow, Brain Schow, Burt Willie, Tyson Daniels, Brad Horsely, Trevor Neal, Brian Thomas, Cort Jones, Victor Hubbard, Clint Price, Megan Daines, Gillian Farley, Bryan Seamons, Chris Jones

Front Row: Brooke Blaisdell, Mandi Davis, Jaime Scouten, Jandy Smith, John Allen.

Well, there ya go. The Malad High School Class of 1998 10 Year Reunion. Good luck for the next 10 years...it might be that long before I see many of you again. Thanks to all of those who helped and put it together. I know it was a lot of work...it was appreciated!!! Thank you!

What to wear???

Okay, so I decided to go to the reunion after all. I know there are bigger problems in the world than what I am going to wear, but this is the problem at hand. We are going to a cabin, so I think it might be a bit chilly. Do I wear a sweater and some jeans? A polo and jeans? My cute...not so dressy Eddie Bauer pants? AUGH! I just don't know. I have not seen many of my classmates for 10 years, so I would like to look good. I had hoped to have lost more baby weight...for crying out loud he is 15 months!!! I lost the weight way faster with Daeson. So, er goes the dressy, cute pants. It looks like I am going to root for jeans and a top...not sure which ones, but I will pick tomorrow as I am frantically trying to get ready.
I am making our cake right now. I will post a picture of it later with all the other ones. I decided to have our high school graduation picture copied and I will put that on the cake. I hope it turns out. I am not real thrilled with the picture, but it will do...and I accidentally broke Kevin Wangsguard's head...sorry Kevin!!!! But, either way it will be delicious.
There are many things going on tomorrow. I have to stop in Blackfoot at Ridley's to get some case goods. They are WAY cheaper than Broulim's. And, I don't like to shop there since I quit working there...it left a terrible taste in my mouth. But, after we stop there, we will go on to Pocatello to visit family. Then to Malad. Oh, Malad. I would like to stop at Thomas Market, I loved working there. Dennis and Jerry and Brenda were the BEST. Then off to get the kid's pictures taken. So, I have to decide what they are going to wear, too. Oh, boy! I will get to see my very good friends, the Hess family. Then I thought about asking the Flynn's of I could show the boys where I lived. I hope they let me. I never really got to say goodbye to our house. A lot of memories happened there. A lot of good and bad. A lot of hellos and goodbyes. I lived there the most influential time of my life. HIGH SCHOOL. The good ol' days.
I gotta run, cake buzzer just went off. DELICIOUS!!! Wish me luck!