10 things your kids should see and do.

This is taken from the book "1001 things your kids should see and do) by Harry H. Harrison Jr. obviously this is the very short list.



#1~ They need to see that you love them completely; just the way they are.

#2~ They need to try digging a hole to China.

#3~ They need to pray with you, then by themselves, and later for you.
#4~ They need to watch a chrysalis turn into a butterfly, (you can buy them online)
#5~ They need to ride a bike, fall down, then get up and ride some more.



#6~ They need to sleep outside and watch for falling stars.
#7~ They need to develop minor cullinary skills, like the ability to make a peanut butter sandwich.


#8~ They need to learn to appreciate the value of working hard.


#9~ They need to keep a journal, as early as gradeschool.

You will both enjoy reading it 20 years later.


#10~ They need to understand that adulthood is inevitable, but growing up is optional.

They are only children for a short time, so don't wait untill tomorrow.

Can I Carry You ?
© Brad Anderson
I guess that I can hold you one more time before you grow.

And tell you that I love you so that you will always know.

Please let me tie your shoe again. One day you'll tie your own.

And when you think back to this time I hope it's love I've shown.

Can I help you put your coat on? Can I please cut up your meat?

Can I pull you in the wagon? Can I pick you out a treat?

Let's take another space-ship ride Up to the Planet Zoor.

Before our Cardboard Rocket doesn't fit us anymore.

Please let me help you up the hill. while you're still too small to climb.

And let me read you stories while you're young and have the time.

I know the day will come when you will do these things alone.

Will you recall the shoulder rides and all the balls we've thrown?

I want you to grow stronger than your Dad could ever be.

And when you find success there will be no soul more proud than me.

So will you let me carry you? One day you'll walk alone.

I cannot bear to miss one day from now until you've grown.

Silver Reef

What a fun day we had today!! We took a trip up to Silver Reef to check out all of the cool old historical stuff. We had a picnic lunch in the crumbling remains of a building. We found a bunch of old mine shafts that were blocked off, and we found an awesome beehive kiln. Everyone had a great time, except Chantel, she was not into it at all. I absolutely love old broken things, I don't know why, I just find them fascinating. The joy in my life is most definitely in the journey. I have learned the importance of cherishing every moment, life just goes by too fast. one of my favorite quotes is, "life is the art of drawing without an eraser." so true.
The song attached to my slide show is one of my favorites. I always cry. It really makes me think of the great responsibility I have as a mommy.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Things I've Learned.

As a mother you learn things. I have learned that painting is lots of fun for kids. However the cleanup can be not so fun for mommy. So this is how we do it at my house. Garbage bags!! It works well for us.

I have also learned that silence is not golden. Silence is BAD!!! it usually means someone is being sneaky and getting into something.This little beauty was the result of a 10 minute phone conversation.

I often let my kids take pictures with my camera. Drayden wanted me to post his "Masterpiece". I asked him why he took a picture of a shoe. he said, and I quote, "I wasn't taking a picture of the shoe, there was an ant crawling on the floor." DUH! oh I love children. I don't see the ant, but I am sure he could point it out to me.

I have learned it is important to watch your kids sleep... then you are less likely to kill them while they are awake.

I wish I was 3.

I find it fascinating that my three year old can fall asleep in 1.5 seconds at any given moment during the day, but when it comes to bedtime she is bright eyed and bushy tailed. I wish I could just flop down and go to sleep whenever I wanted to.

This picture she is eating an apple and playing with her new baby... what a funny child she is.

This one was taken while I was at work, but to me it looks like she was just walking along and she fell down and went to sleep.

She was waiting to get her teeth brushed... apparently I was taking too long.

If you're happy and you know it!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Men VS. Women

I got these pictures on my e-mail so you might have seen them before, but they are so funny and so true. They really say it all. I just love that men are such simple minded creatures. I also find it funny that women work themselves to death to try to impress the men in their lives, while the men simply soak up all the good fortune and being the "Thoughtful" creatures they are offer to eat that last bite of chocolate cake for you. I am perfectly capable of eating my own cake... thank you very much.

"Oh... I see you are just trying to be nice and remind me that I am on a diet. Well who asked you to be my personal trainer anyway?? Oh I asked you yesterday?? Well I changed my mind o.k. I want to be fat!"

My husban is truely a patient man. I truely love him, I just find these little quirks comical. So go hug the man in your life because he really cannot help the fact that his brain is unable to multitask, we are simply wired different. A woman's brain in linked to every part in her body, while a man's brain is wired only to one specific part. (if you can't figure out what then you should probably go back to 7th grade health.)

So here's to the strong women in the world who keep things running smoothly looking beautiful all the while, and here is to the simple men out there who make changing a diaper into a gag fest. We love you anyway.

What do you remember from high school??

Here you go... my pathetic life on a platter. Just kidding. In my defense I didn't actually have a senior year. I graduated a year early. I would love to hear everyone else's answers.

1. Did you date someone from your school? Yes, Several actually.
2. Did you marry someone from your high school? No, but he is related to people I went to school with.
3. Did you car pool to School? Nope, I drove myself.
4. What kind of car did you have? I drove my boyfriend's truck.
5. What kind of car do you have now? Range Rover
6. Its Friday night...where are you (then) Working... or on a date with my boyfriend.
7. It is Friday night...where are you (now)? Working or hanging out with my family.
8 What kind of job did you have in high school? I worked at Zion Ponderosa Resort.
.9. What kind of job do you do have now? Retail Manager, Mom, Wife, You name it I probably do it!
10. Were you a party animal? No I was kindof a looser actually.
11. Were you considered a flirt you think? I would say definently yes.
12. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? I was in Band, but I might have been in choir too.
13. Were you a nerd? I am sure I was not the hip happening chick I am now
14. Did you get suspended or expelled? No, but it seemed like I got in trouble alot.
15. Can you sing the fight song? I can't sing twinkle twinkle little star without the paint starting to peel so I think we will just leave it at that.
16. Who was/were your favorite teacher(s)? at the time probably Mr. Sorbe and Wanda.
17. Where did you sit during lunch? We usually just went to Terry's and bought junk food.
18. What was your school's full name? Valley High School
19. When did you graduate? 2001
20. What was your school mascot? Buffaloes
21. If you could go back and do it again, would you? I am sure I would, but I would change alot of things thats for sure.
22. Did you have fun at Prom? yes
23. Do you still talk to the person you went to Prom with? Nope, I haven't heard from him in years.
24. Are you planning on going to your next reunion? If they invite me Yes, it's always fun seeing your old classmates!
25. Do you still talk to the people from your class? I have only really kept in touch with a handful, but I am always interested in hearing how people are doing.

"finger" paints

My entry for: EXCITED

This is one of my favorite pictures of Drayden. It was also one of the first times that I realized he is an eternal optimist. I had to make a very important phone call, and television does not contain this child for more than 30 seconds. So I decided that if I trapped him in his high chair and stripped him down to his nothings and let him finger paint I would be safe to concentrate on my call. Well the call is obviously the ONLY thing I was concentrating on. This little work of art was completed in about 10 minutes. So lets picture it shall we... I had just gotten off the phone and I walk into the kitchen to find. . . the happiest little boy on god's green earth. He was so proud of himself. He actually did make a little bit of paint on the paper but he ran out of room quickly so he painted the only other thing available... himself. I swear look at that face, all I could do was grab the camera and start running a bath. I love the defining moments because when Drayden looks back on this picture, he isn't going to cry because I got mad at him, no, he will smile because I took his picture and he got a super long extra bubbly bath that turned the bubbles pretty colors. I love it when I can keep my cool.

Family Pictures

O.k. so I don't know how everyone feels about getting family pictures taken, but WOW, what an ordeal! it is supposed to be so easy, just smile for the camera right? WRONG!!! Everyone has to be in matching or at least coordinating outfits, and everyone must be perfectly presentable. I think I did Chantel's hair at least 3 times before I finally just gave up and let it be. And then to top it all off... I get one decent picture and the rest look alot like this. I know it is great humor, but it isn't exactly what I had in mind to be framed over the fireplace. Oh well I guess I will look back on these times and appreciate the humor, but for tonight I suppose I will just enjoy the fact that I have a family to take pictures of!

At least I can count on Brittany to be beautiful! What is up with my face??? I look like a mouse just crawled up my leg and I am trying not to freak out. . .

Recipe of the Day

Manicotti (the easy way)

1 pkg Barilla no boil lasagna noodles.

Cheese filling:
3 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups grated parmesan cheese
8 oz. mozzarella, shredded
2 Large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped basil

To assemble: Pour 1 inch of boiling water into a 13x9 (broiler safe) pan. add the noodles one at a time. let the noodles soak until pliable (about 5 minutes). then remove the noodles and place on a clean kitchen towel. add about 1 1/2 cups of your favorite tomato sauce to the bottom of the pan. spoon 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture evenly on the bottom 3/4 of each noodle. fill the pan and add more tomato sauce to the top. (make sure the pasta is completely covered). cover with aluminum foil and bake @ 375 degrees until bubbling (about 40 minutes). Sprinkle the top with the leftover parmesan and broil until spotty brown (4-6 minutes) cool a bit, serve, and enjoy!

I love my family

I love my family!!