All Hallows Eve

I love love love Halloween!!!



Especially when we all get into the spirit of the holiday as a family.



Bug is a mad scientist. And yes that is her hair.



Beaner is a witch in need of a dermatologist.



Bud is five pumpkins. His bag is one, his mask is two, he has one on his belly, and one on his knee. I know that's only four.



He has one on his bum, that makes five.



Bear was a ghost. I accidentally got some white spray paint on his ears but after I was done I thought it added to his costume. I was going to paint his face all white but I didn't think he'd do very well with that.



Big D was a pirate. I think he just wanted to play with the boys' swords.



I am Dracula's Bride. This is the first time in years I've been able to dress up. Usually I am too busy with little ones that it's not worth dressing up. But this year all my little ones are big enough to join in all the festivities, and boy is there lots of festivities.

It's a good thing we don't go to church tomorrow. All this paint takes a couple times of washing to get out. I'd freak out all my little ones in nursery. Ooh maybe then they'd release me...humm.

Fun Facts About Me

~ What is my Favorite Gift from my Dad: For my Sixteenth Birthday my dad gave me a set of scriptures. I know this doesn't sound like much to some people but for me it was awesome. My dad had been inactive ever since my parents got a divorce when I was eleven. I never quit loving my dad but I was so hurt and disappointed that the values and morals he'd helped my mom to teach me all my life, now meant nothing to him. I was so scared that when it came time for me to get married in the temple, my dad wouldn't be able to come. I guess when he gave my a set of scriptures it gave me a glimmer of hope that he might still believe all he'd taught us. A glimmer of hope that I was important enough to want to be at my wedding. Hope that someday he would want to help heal the rift between us by coming back to the church. Now when I read my scriptures it always makes me stop and reflect on how far my dad and I have come. Our relationship is getting better and better all the time and he is worthy to go to the temple with me any time. 10/31/08

~ What Musical Artists have I seen in Concert: I had Garth Brooks tickets but I sold them for a nice profit, which I kick myself for now because I really like his music. I have been on the fourth row of a Boys-to-Men concert. I worked at a Clint Black concert, and it ticked me off to no end when I saw a women with a tiny baby standing next to a huge blarring speaker. I am super duper excited to go to a Celine Dion concert with my sister-in-law in a couple weeks. 10/27/08

~ Who would Play me in the Movie of My Life: Well, my kids say it would be Sela Ward but Big D would say Amanda Bines. While Sela is beautiful I really like Amanda's sense of humor. I'm good with either canidate. 10/10/08

~ What was My Worst Sickness: I had the Mumps when I was in about the seventh grade. That was pretty humiliating having my mom take a picture of me looking like a chipmunk. But I don't think that was the worst. When I was in high school I was going to the ER, at least, once a month for about three months in a row. Finally I had exploritory surgery because they couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. It ended up being Endometriosis. The doctors said it would be really hard to have kids IF I could have kids at all. I am very blessed to have been able to give birth to five beautiful children. My mom had a cousin with the same condition and she has never been able to have kids. I am truly blessed. 9/26/08

~ Where do I see My Family in Five Years: I would like to say I will be graduated from college, but I highly doubt it. I can't even start going full time for another two to three years. I will, however, be skinnier and more outgoing. People won't intimidate me as much as they do now. I see myself relaxing and enjoying life. Big D will be graduated from his masters program and pursuing a career move. He will finally be able to relax about finances and realize they aren't any thing to stress about (wishful thinking). Bug will be fourteen and really into boys, shoot. I wonder how long I can convince her they have cooties, it seems to be working so far. I promised Bug and Beaner $500 if they didn't kiss a boy until their sixteenth birthday, we'll see if that happens. Beaner will be twelve and a full blown teenager. She will just be going into Young Womens and I see her as really blossuming into a beautiful young woman. Bud will ten and a heart breaker already. He has huge eye lashes that already drive the girls batty. He will still be a bit shy but I see him as emerging into a leadership role among his peers. Bear will be eight and getting baptised. He will be a little spit fire and way into motorcycles. He will be going on all day trips with his dad in the hills. I will probably end up with a motorcross track in my back yard. 9/23/08

Lord's Hand in October 2008

10/31/08~ All the costumes are ready, and I think they turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. Bud's was a bit tricky but we managed. Bear is the only one who had school and the only way I could talk him into going was he had a Halloween party and got to wear his costume. It made him happy that no one else was going to a party, he was special. I'm just glad I remebered to send him to school, I always forget if no one else has school.

10/30/08~ We found out our neighbor, Nancy, fell the other day so all the kids went over and helped me rake her yard and sweep her driveway. They are such big helpers and always great at service.

10/29/08~ Bear, Bud and I went out and got the stuff for everyones Halloween costumes. I think it would've been cheaper for me to buy the costumes at Wal-Mart instead of trying to do them myself. Of course, when Beaner got home she said she'd changed her mind on what she wanted to be. She decided she wanted to be a vampire instead of a witch. Since most of her stuff can cross over relatively easily I didn't see the harm. I guess we'll wait and see which one she decides on. Bud wants to be five pumpkins stuck together, he really likes the poem "Five Little Pumpkins". Bear wants to be a ghost, not hard. Bug wants to be a mad scientist. We got her some plad pants with a tie-dye shirt, she looks cute.

10/28/08~ I went to a conference with the Pulitzer prize winning author Sonia Nazario. She took us into her world as she discussed the behind the scenes of her novel "Enrique's Journey". She did an awesome job telling us from a jornalists point of view every thing that went into writing this novel: research, actually walking in Enrique's shoes, the countless interviews. It salidified for me that I am in the right field. Of course she did say that if she had kids she would've never rode the tops of the trains for 1600 miles. I've often worried about that, what am I willing to do and not to do as a mother and a journalist?

10/27/08~ My two nephews came over to play with Bear. They found a stash of forgotten lipstick and applied it, not only to their lips, but also the back of my couch.

10/26/08~ My whole family stayed home from church sick, except me. I had a pew all to myself and I was actually able to listen to the entire sacrament without having to shoosh anyone. Well I wanted to shoosh the couple behind me once or twice, but I didn't think the former 2nd councelor of the Bishopric and he wife would appreciate it much.

10/25/08~ Big D took the kids most of the day for me. I was able to write my paper and get some relaxation in before I realized it was a beautiful day outside and I didn't want to relax anymore. I took a nice walk over to the park my family was playing at and took some fun pictures.

10/24/08~ I have sickos in my house today. Poor Beaner wasn't feeling good yesterday when she got home from school, so we let her ride in the cart as we dragged her around Costco. She had a slight fever and today she woke up with the same fever. I think she was a little too excited to stay home from school though.

10/23/08~ I know this probably isn't a big deal for most people but Costco opened today. We went to look around, and of course you can't not buy something. They had tons of samples so I didn't have to make dinner last night, yeah for me. I felt like it was Christmas morning walking around running into everyone we know. The down side is we bought $86 worth of stuff and there really wasn't that much stuff. Well there was a lot of stuff just not a variety of stuff. I'm still excited to go back. Big D made it a rule that I'm not allowed to shop there unless he's present. I can live with that. It's probably wise for me to have some one there to slap my hand.

10/22/08~ I spent 90% of my day at school. I had my class, then lab, and to top it off I had to go hear some "Biggest Looser" guy give a speech so I could write an article. I was so done with school.

10/21/08~ I think I am in a bit of a funk. I haven't been able to write anything. I've been lazy. I don't want to get dresses. I need to pull myself out of this or my whole family is going to suffer, who am I kidding they probably already are. I keep telling myself that I deserve a break after all the hard work I've been putting into my canning and school. The truth is I felt so much better when I was keeping myself busy.

10/20/08~ I think I'm thinking too much on my papers. I started the semester off great and I fear my writing is getting worse and worse. What do I do?

10/19/08~ It's getting harder and harder to want to go to church when all I've been doing the past two years is babysitting other peoples' kids so they can fill up their spiritual well while I run on empty.

10/18/08~ We took the kids to our universities homecoming parade. It was a long parade especially since they had to stop the parade for thirty minutes because two kids, in separate incidents, ran out in the street after candy and got hit by floats. I've heard that city officials are thinking about making it against the rules to throw candy at the parades anymore. I think this parade probably pushed the issue over the edge, which is too bad since this is usually how we get our Halloween candy. We're cheep.

10/17/08~ Okay I'm back on the world wide web thank you thank you thank you. I've been going nuts. I'm pretty sure the dudes over in the Phillipines that I've been on the phone with for the past two days think I'm nuts too.

10/16/08~ I've been having some problems with my internet and I finally lost the whole shibang. I never realized how addicted I am to the internet until I was cut off cold turkey. It is amazing how much I got done around my house though, hum.

10/15/08~ I wrote to my new boss and turned down the job. I couldn't find the time to squeeze a job into my life. It was a nice experience and I was grateful for the opportunity but I have the rest of my life to work and a limited time with my kids.

10/14/08~ I'm coming down with a stupid cold. I spent all day in my car driving from one side of town to the other and back. I wanted to stay in bed and sleep but that was not in the stars. I went and got groceries, over to my mom's to help her can, and over to pick up the girls from school then back to my mom's. I was supposed to go to a meeting but my head was pounding and it was not going to happen.

10/13/08~ I went and picked up my nephews, Lowell Jr. and Hyatt. They went we Bear and I to get a slow leak in my front tire fixed and then to the mall to play in the play ground. Les Schwab said it was only going to take 30 minutes to fix my tire and then we'd have about an hour to play. An hour and a half later we finally we able to go play, but by that time we could only stay for 15 minutes before having to pick the kids up from school. We still had a good time and the boys all got along well. Everyone kept asking if they were twins or triplets.

10/12/08~ My Primary President came up to me and said she was looking at when I was put in as Nursery Leader and it's been about a year. She asked if I was getting burnt out or if I wanted to stay in longer. I told I was getting burnt out since I was in as Nursery worker a year to a year-and-a-half before they called me as the leader. So cross your fingers I may be getting released here soon. Of course, there are a lot worse callings than nursery so I shouldn't start to celebrate just yet. You know who will here me.

10/11/08~ Our first snow of the season. We started a fire in the fireplace and watched as the flakes got bigger and juicier. Big D and I commented what a perfect day it was and we don't have to go out in it. Then my mom called and asked if we'd hurry and pick apples at her house before the snow snapped the branches. So much for my cozy day at home by the fire. I even have a book I wanted to read. It was suppose to be a perfect cliche of a day.

10/10/08~ After a sleepless night of rewrite Bonn, my new boss, thinks my new article is "wonderful!!!" That feels better.

Bear had a field trip to the pumpkin patch. We took Bud with us since he didn't have school. We had fun feeding corn stalks to ducks, bunnies, pigs, and horses. We got lost in an educational maze and searched high and low for the perfect pumpkins to bring home.

10/9/08~ The lady, I don't know if I should call her my boss or not because I don't know if I have a job or not. The lady did not like my article. I had to convince her to let me try again now that I had more of an understanding as to what she wants. I don't think I'm ready to write for other people's approval yet. Accept for my professor but that's just because he lavashes prase on me.

I finally got my new camera I ordered. I haven't been able to enjoy it yet because I'm too stressed about my article. Maybe tomorrow after my deadline.

10/8/08~ I got an interesting email. A lady at my university said I was recommended by my professor for a job. I've never been approached about someone wanting me for a job before, it feels good. Of course, then the stress sets in. I contacted her and she asked me to come to her office. I thought I was going in for an interview but she just sat me down and started telling me what she wanted me to write a 200 word article for the alumni magazine. Oh, and it needs to be done by tomorrow. Now the stress really set in.

10/7/08~ I really don't remember what went on this day. We just had a kicked back none memorable day I guess. Sometimes that's just the way I like it.

10/6/08~ I got a paper back saying how disappointed my professor is in me. He did say everyone has an off day and this must have been mine. I am letting the pressure get to me. How do I quit doing that?

10/5/08~ My Mother-in-law, my sister Ann, and my Step-mother Honey all have birthday's this week so we celebrated them all today. We did a nice family breakfast at my in-laws. Then we did a huge family and friend dinner at my dad's and step-mother's. Poor Ann just got a phone call because she couldn't afford to come home for her joint celebration with Honey.

10/4/08~ I canned peaches all day and Big D set up new shelves in the girls room. We enjoyed listening to conference while we were working. The kids ended up going out to Grandma Honey and Papa Guy's house for a sleepover. Big D and I were took exhausted to make a night out of it.

10/3/08~ We all went up to my brother Lowell's house and watched 'Iron Man' on his projector. It was a bit different because Lowell's family wasn't home. We had the whole house to ourselves, what a trusting brother. About the movie, I thought it was okay. I'm not a Robert Downey Jr. fan, I think he plays one character and that's all he knows.

10/2/08~ Big D didn't have to go to school so we spent a nice relaxing evening with the kids. You'd think it was the weekend around here with him renting movies. The kids loved having him home to spend some quality time with them.

10/1/08~ My morning class got cancelled due to computer problems so I took Bear, Lowell Jr. and Hyatt to the park. Kinnzi came with us too and she had a bit too much fun running off so she got stuck on her leash. You'd think she'd learn.

Boys Will Be Boys

Today I had two visitors in my home: Lowell Jr. and his handsome brother Hyatt. They came over to play with Bear, and to give their expecting mother a nice rest.

All three boys are relatively close in age. Bear is six months younger than Lowell Jr. and Hyatt is about a year younger than Bear. They all get along great, some times a little too great.

Today I heard some strange noises coming from the other room but when I went to investigate I could not find any of them. I called their names and nothing. I walked into the frontroom and heard them say, "Shh here she comes."

Funny me thought they were just playing hide-and-seek from me. So I came over the top of the couch and growled like a grizzly bear. They all screamed and we laughed.

That is until I saw what they were doing.



I had three little angels that looked so pretty.



How could anyone be angry at these faces.



Even after I found lipstick all over the back of my white couch. Sometimes being and aunt is just as much fun as being a mom.

Jack-O-Lanterns

Brook carved pumpkins with his kids the other day. They were very proud of their scary jack-o-lanterns.



Brook wanted me to come and take some pictures of them with their new Halloween decorations. I told him I hadn't played with my camera enough to take good pictures yet.



We tried to get make it look like they were floating heads.



I think the jack-o-lanterns turned out great.

Pumpkin Patch

I'm a little late posting these pictures. We went on this field trip on the 10th of October. Better late than never.

Bud didn't have school so he went with Bear and me on Bear's field trip to the pumpkin patch.



We trekked through a grueling corn maze that was very educational. At every fork in the path was a question about agriculture. One answer pointed you down one path and the other down the other. If you got the question wrong we'd come to a dead end but if we got it write we'd find another question. It was really fun.



We got to take some corn stalks and feed the animals: pigs, bunnies, horses, and ducks (but the ducks didn't eat the stalks)

At the end of our adventure we got to go out into a big field of pumpkins and pick out which ever one we wanted.



Bear said he wanted to find one this big.



He found the perfect pumpkin.



Since we couldn't get this one in the car the boys were happy to find smaller ones.



We all had a great time visiting the pumpkin patch. I think we should do it again next year. Maybe next year we'll invite dad and the girls, that is if they're not busy.

Book Review: Breaking Dawn

Stephanie Meyer's fourth book in her Twilight saga is "Breaking Dawn". Once again she does a fabulous job in pulling her reader into the story and holding their attention until the very last word.

She does leave the reader feeling sad that the saga is over. I want more! I know good stories have to come to an end, if they don't they turn into soap operas.

I love how Meyers was able to drag the reader into a supernatural world of vampires and werewolves and not inflict the intense sexual nature that most vampire stories portray.

Meyers makes me wish that such a realm in our world really existed. A realm where humans, vampires, and werewolves can co-exist and fall in love.

I don't know how Meyers did it, but I believe I am addicted to her writing. Next I will read her book "Host". It is suppose to be a sci-fi book for people who don't really like sci-fi books.

Gone Amiss

Big D is feeling a little overwhelmed with school and work. Yesterday he wasn't able to call or see us all day. He had to go straight from work to school.

Bear woke up this morning asking where daddy was. When I told him he was at work he asked when he got to come home. In Bear's mind daddy was at work all day the day before and all night.

Big D got home from school last night looking very despondent and discouraged. He started questioning if it is worth going to school especially since he doesn't know what he wants to do after he's done.

He feels like he's missing out on the kids lives. They are growing up so fast and missing one day of their life is more than he can take.

I tried doing everything I could think of to cheer him up. I made him a pot roast with roasted veggies. His mom brought over some chips and dip. I waited up for him while he studied, nothing worked.

I hate it when he gets so down like this. I wish there was a way to show him that he's doing the right thing by going back to school. If he could only stick it out until the end he'd be able to see what it was all for.

I am so proud of him. He works so hard to provide for our family and works even harder to make our lives better.

I am so blessed to have a husband who loves to spend time with his family. He's an awesome father and wonderful husband. Now how do I make him realize this?

Daddy Daughter Date

Big D and Brook took Bug, Beaner and Lynn out on a daddy daughter date. Beaner was the official photographer.



It was Nerd Night for Bug's Achievement Day activity. Big D tried to find the nerdiest cloths he had. Lisa, Bug's AD leader said Big D just looked like white trash. Brook was reading the paper to pass the time until it was time to go. When he saw what Big D was wearing he laughed, until Big D started dressing Brook. They looked so cute and I thought they pulled of the nerd theme rather well.

They did a couple activities.



The girls we blind folded and had to shave their dads. I guess to get them all neat and ready for the rest of their evening.The girls used real shaving cream.



Big D kept getting it in his mouth, Bug said it was because he wouldn't quit talking.



After dinner they had desert. The girls had to stand up, with no bending over, and get the pudding in the cone.



Bug said Big D wouldn't hold still. Big D said he was trying to help her get it in the cone because she was way off. Who's to blame, no one knows.

The dad's had to share a nerdy or embarrassing story and the girls had to figure out which story went with their dad. Big D told the story of his high school initiation. He was kidnapped about 5 a.m. and dressed up as girl. He was put on a street corner to sell toilet paper squares to earn money for his breakfast.

Brook told the story of a visit to our cabin when he was a teenager. He, Itchy, and I believe one of our cousins, Ben, found a cliff after a rain fall and started sliding down the cliff. They were completely covered in mud. When they came back to the cabin my dad made them strip down to their skives and hosed them off with freshly crisp melted snow water. The boys all had a big audience as they danced around trying not to turn into ice sculptures.

What a great night for everyone invovled. All the girls felt special that the dads would dress up as nerds just for them and play silly games.

Goal #3: Send One Story/Article into be Published

Okay, I honestly didn't expect to be passing this goal off so soon. However, I feel I deserve to have it marked off.

I checked my school email, which I do every morning before class. I usually don't have anything interesting on that account I just need to make sure I haven't missed something from my professor, again.

Today was different, I had an email from someone saying I was recommended by my professor for a job. I've never had someone ask me if I wanted a job before, that and I haven't had a paying job since the mid to late 90's. I called the lady and we set up a time to meet after my last class.

I honest thought I was going in for an interview. I showed up and she introduced me to her crew and jumped right into what they were doing and what she needed me to do and when it needed to be done.

When I got home Big D was a little pissed when he started asking me questions like: Did you get the job? I think so but I'm not sure. How much does it pay? I have no idea we didn't discuss $$$. When do you work? I couldn't say for sure I just know I have to write a 200 word article for our university's alumni magazine. The article was to be on a guy who died (that I thought died a long time ago because we have a building named after him) and it is due the next day.

Needless to say we had a sit down discussion on proper business practices and what needs to be addressed before I start work. I'll get the hand of the particulars some day. For now I'm was just overwhelmed and stoked all at the same time.

I wrote my article and took it to my new boss. She hated it so bad she went in the other room and called another writer and asked if they would please write the article for her. My article looked like she slit her wrists across the paper. When it came time to leave I had to convince her to let me take the article home and rewrite it.

Yes, she hated it that bad.

After licking my wounds and wallowing in my self pity for a couple hours I got to work on the rewrite. In other words, I started completely over.

I turned in the final article by 11 a.m. the next day. I figured if she doesn't like it she won't ask me to write anything else. I didn't know if this was just a one time gig anyway. I am grateful for the opportunity and the experience it allotted me but I won't be heart broken if I missed the mark twice.

I got another email from my new boss saying she thought my new article was "wonderful!!!". She was sending it out to get the final stamp of approval and then off to the magazine.

Wow, my first published article. It feels great to finally say I've been published, even though it is just a college magazine. It's one step closer to being a real journalist. That is, of course, IF they publish my article.

Shiner

Brook Jr. gave Bear his first black eye.

Brook Jr. was pushing Bear around in our jogging stroller. They went down the curb into the street and the stroller flipped on it's side causing Bear to be thrown against the side of the stroller. He smacked his eye on a bolt that was protruding out the side of the stroller.



It's a little hard to see but it's his left eye. Maybe it will be darker tomorrow.

He's dang lucky it didn't hit him directly in the eye. Brook Jr. felt so bad he didn't understand what happened. One second everything was fine and the next the stroller just fell over.

It's a good thing Bear is so tough. I swear he has a new injury every day That sore on his lip is from the other day when Bud smacked him in the face when they were playing swords. People probably think I beat him, that's why I can't take him in public anymore.

Destruction at Every Turn

I am so hoping this is just a phase but my kids are turning into demolition monsters. It started out with Bud. He got a $40 toy from his Grandma Ellen for his birthday, a dude riding a remote control four wheeler. He ripped the dude off an smashed him to bits.

It didn't stop there that was just the beginning. It was like this fire was ignited inside him and he started smashing any toy he could get his hands on. I would walk outside and their would just be remnants of toys scattered all over the back yard. Worse yet he was getting Bear involved.

I told them they weren't getting any more toys, ever.

We irrigate our back yard once a week. There is this low spot in our yard that puddles and the kids love to play in it. The boys have taken their big Tonka dump trucks and worn away my grass right through the middle of the puddle and around the Box elder tree.

I can't win with these monsters.

Now my girls are getting in on the destruction. Bug and Lynn went outside and dug a hole - six inches deep - in the middle of my lawn. Pretty soon passers by are going to think Rednecks live here.

What is a mother to do when driving them into the middle of nowhere and leaving them is illegal?

Lord's Hand in September

9/30/08~ Found out that my brother, Lowell, and his wife, Rae, are expecting their third child. YEAH! I hope they have a girl, Rae needs a calm sweet pretty little thing. She needs someone in her corner to help her against all those rough and tumble, but oh so cute, boys.

9/29/08~ I went over to my mom's to help her can peaches. I didn't make it very long. My body is still trying to recover therefore doesn't have much stamina.

9/28/08~ I am staying home sick from church. I probably shouldn't'v gone to the museum yesterday but I didn't want to miss a family outing. I just can't risk getting all those innocent toddlers sick. I know I'd be ticked if one of my kids teacher came to church sick and got them sick. How inconsiderate. I feel like my eyeballs are on fire and screaming to be plucked from my head. What fun!

9/27/08~ Today my in-laws took us to the Idaho Falls Museum to see the Pharaohs exhibit, out to lunch, and to the Green Belt to feed the ducks. I love watching my kids with their grandparents. I don't think my kids understand how blessed they are to have not only one set of awesome grandparents, but they have seven grandparents who adore them all.

9/26/08~ I think I am coming down with the flu. I hate getting sick especially when I know it's going to pass on to my kids. Sickness always has to cycle around the family, how fun. I just hope downing all this Echinacea and Vitamin C helps and I'm able to get better quicker.

9/25/08~ Big D bought me a new Canon Xsi. I've been wanting an SLR camera for awhile. It's nice because Big D and I take turns buying big purchases, which consists anything over $500. When we pay mine off it will be Big D's turn, he's already dreaming about what it will be. I haven't received my camera yet because we ordered off of EBay. I so hope I don't get scammed. I've never been before but I hear a lot of horror stories. Plus, this is a lot of money to loose if it is a scam. I think Big D will call it a 'loose a turn' on my big purchase the next go around.

9/24/08~ My professor likes me, he really likes me. I am on cloud nine after all the compliments he gave me today. I pray I don't let this go to my head and have it ruin me. All I don't need is for him to come up to me and say, "Where did you go wrong?"

9/23/98~ Bud and Bear were sword fighting with sticks when Bud smacked Bear in the face really hard. Bear came screaming in the house with a bloody fat lip. My cute sweet little boys are growing up and getting rougher. I'm sure one day I will have to break up and fist fight between the two. I'm not looking forward to that day.

9/22/08~ I got a 106 on my first article. I was so stoked, now I just have to make sure it doesn't go to my head. The last time I did that I got a 63 on my next one.

9/21/08~ What a nice Autumn Sunday. A chill in the air and a warm loving kitchen to share a good meal with family. Sunday's just don't get better.

9/20/08~ We had a lazy day at home. I think most of us took naps, without any prompting from mom. It was a cold wet day outside so we relaxed, got some reading done (I finally finished 'Eldest'), and watched a movie.

9/19/08~ I forgot to take Bear to school. All the other kids had the day off for Parent Teacher Conferences so I slept in and enjoyed reading in bed. I think I remembered about Bear's school about noonish and by then it was too late. I did feel bad to hear that the little boy I usually bring home didn't have a ride, his mom ended up rescuing him. Oops!

9/18/08~ I had Parent Teacher Conferences with my three oldest today. It is so nice to go in and have the teacher go on about what a pleasure it is to have my kids in their classes. I mean I know my kids are great but it's nice that others see it as well. I am so proud of my munchkins, they work really hard at school and they earn the respect of their peers as well as show that respect to their teachers. I am a proud mama.

9/17/08~ In my writing lab today I was one of the last ones done with my article because last week I was the first one done and I got a horrible grade. I'm hoping this time I caught more of my mistakes and will hopefully get a better grade. I think I also got a bit cocky last week because the week before I got the second highest grade on my paper. I'll never do that again, get cocky.

9/16/08~ Big D and I both started coming down with a head cold. It's hard to focus on anything but how miserable I am. Big D hates it when we are both sick at the same time because then I don't baby him. I tend to tell him to suck it up and quit being a baby, he doesn't like that.

9/15/08~ Bug was complaining to Big D about why I always give Bear so much time and attention during Family Home Evening. Big D told her that she earned herself an opportunity to be in charge of Bear the rest of the evening. By the time everyone was in bed, she had to put Bear to bed too, she came up and gave me a big hug thanking me for always taking care of Bear. It made me feel appreciated and that Bug opened her eyes, even if just a little, to how hard it is being a parent of not just one, but four kids.

9/14/08~ I was going to ask to be released from the nursery. I hate asking to be released from a calling, the last time was the nursery because I was pregnant with Beaner and I couldn't get down on the floor with the kids anymore. Well, this time I was going to ask to be released because I've been having so many separation issues with Bear. They put me in nursery right as Bear went in. He hasn't had to be separated from me, ever. Now that he has school and going to my sister-in-laws to be babysat he freaks out when I have to leave him for an hour or two. I've never had problems with any of my other kids. However, I realized that this is just one of our trials we are going to have to over come. If the Lord wants me released, he sees the struggles we are having, he will release me. Until then I am going to enjoy the time I have with those little ones. They crack me up.

9/13/08~ We took the kids to see "Kung Fu Panda". It was funny but definitely not a must buy. It was a watch once and be satisfied. We had fun though. I think this is the first movie we made it through with Bear. He got a little jittery but we didn't have to take him out of the theater.

9/12/08~ Bear went to school without crying today,which is great but I didn't have school today so I wasn't late for anything. It really helped having someone else take him so he didn't feel like me staying was an option. Of course, when he got home he said, "I didn't cry today can I have a toy out of the prize box?" That kid can focus, I tell you what, when he wants something.

9/11/08~ Big D is getting a little overwhelmed with two classes and a little behind at work. He said he wanted to go back to school to fill in some of his free time because he was bored. Well now it's taking over his life and causing him to sacrifice time with is family. However, he discovered this a bit too late, the last day to drop a class was the 8th. So he thinks next semester he will only sign up for one class. He's praying he doesn't get so far behind at work that he looses his job before then.

9/10/08~ I found out that I got the second highest grade on my first paper. My professor admitted to flunking this exercise the first time he did it so getting an 87% was pretty good for me. It made my day!

9/9/08~I've had a little bit of the blazzays lately, not accomplishing much that is note worthy.

9/8/08~ I took Bear to school today, something I set up so I wouldn't have to do because I knew he'd throw a fit when I left. Well the lady I am suppose to be car pooling with, her grandpa died and went to his funeral today. Bear's school and my class start at the same time so I thought I could just take him a bit early, hang out for a minute, kiss him and leave. Oh that worked real well right up until it was the leaving part. He threw the biggest fit and at this point I was already late for class. I had to just hand him to his teacher and leave. I should win the "Best Mom of the Year" for that one. His teacher said he quit crying a few minutes after I left and he enjoyed the rest of the day, but still, what a great mom.

9/7/08~ It is really hard to concentrate on homework when I have four children who think they need to be chased and tickled all day. I did get a little reading done but not much. The main reason I am in dire need to read is I ordered my book online two weeks ago for $72, I paid extra for the quick delivery and it still hasn't gotten here. So I went to the book store and spent the $98 for the book here. The full return policy is 48 hours. I bought myself an extra day doing it over the weekend. I need to read as much as possible so I can take the book back. I am playing with fire here, I just pray I don't get burned, again.

9/6/08~ I had a choice: either do homework, that I've been neglecting and way behind on, or can the millions of veggies that are threatening to go bad. Guess which task won out? Yep I canned salsa and hot pickle mix all day. Afterward I got to go visit with my girlfriend, Jen, at her Papa's house before she left back home.

9/5/98~ I went to my first funeral that I was excited to go to. Every since I lost my son I've had a hard time going to funerals. I usually never make it all the way through the whole thing the immense weight of despair makes it so I can't breath and I have to find the nearest exit. But not today, today was a happy funeral, well for me anyway. I found my best friend from the sixth grade, Jennifer. What a great day!

9/4/08~ I had a To Do list as long as my arm, so I decided to take the day off and just play with my Bear and read a book.

9/3/08~ We had a fire drill at school today. I was relieved because I had a quiz and I was late. My professor only gives us so much time on quizzes so I would've been screwed on time. I was late because Bear decided to be a bear when I dropped him off at my sister-in-laws to be baby-sat.

9/2/08~ I witnessed the extraction of my nephews fingers from a Kitchen Aid slicer blade. He thought it would be fun to us the blade as a gun.

9/1/08~ Labor Day, a nice three day weekend. I had a wonderful time putting my cousin and sister-in-law, Rae, to work. It was nice to make new canning memories. I used to can with She wolf, my brother's ex. We had a lot of fun canning together. When I started canning this year without her it made me a bit reminiscent and sad. Now I have new memories to pull from next year when I start canning again.