25 Random Things About Me

1. I love being a mom, but sometimes it's exhausting.
2. I hate scary movies.
3. I've been to Rome twice.
4. I was a taxi driver in Alaska.
5. I have 8 children between the ages of 10 - 21 years.
6. I was born on Halloween.
7. I like old photographs.
8. I was a Librarian for 2 years, therefore I love Children's Literature.
9. I love family gatherings.
10. I love Asphalt Pie with double the caramel.
11. I don't like to ride roller costers.
12. I love the smell of lavender.
13. I love listening to my children laugh.
14. I love to teach, especially family history & genealogy.
15. I ran the St. George marathon.
16. I like mysteries like: Sherlock Holmes, Cadfael, Hercule Poirot & Monk
17. I love to learn, I am taking 3 college computer classes this semester for fun.
18. I like to sew costumes.
19. I was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
20. I like to write but I am not very good at it.
21. I love doing cross stitch and drawn thread work on linen.
22. I'm a terrible housekeeper, but a great mother.
23. I have the most awesome children!
24. I read a book a week.
25. I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for my good life.

Great Books I have Read this Month

I have read Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. This book was good and then it was great. The story is about a boy who is in prision for stealing the Kings own seal. He brags that he can steal anything. The adventure begins as a man of power wishes the services of the thief. There is a twist at the finish which is unpredictable. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good tale. The second book in the series is The Queen of Attolia. In the first book we learn that the Queen of Attolia is a hard, cold and calucalting person. In the second book we learn that she is ruthless. This story also has an unforseen twist which keeps you anticipating the further happenings of Attolia. The third book in the series is the King of Attolia. Through a twist of happenings the reader is intesnly interested in future of the King of Attolia.

The next book I am reading is Twice Upon A Marigold by Jean Ferris. This is the second book in the series. The first book Once Upon A Marigold is an entertaining fairytale with comedy and tragedy. I read this one to both Kate & Andrew. The main character is Christain, a boy who lives with a troll and serveral large fun loving dogs. Christian begins p-mail (Pigeon mail) with a girl that lives far across the valley. Lots of fun action. The second book begins where the fisrt leaves off. So far its good.

Chinese New Year

Yesterday, we celebrated Chinese New Year. Jacob and I prepared orange chicken, beef & broccoli, egg rolls, stir fry veggies, rice and panda express sauce. Pillows were set in the living room and the coffee table was covered in a red table cloth with chopsticks at every place. Nate, Tyra & Caleb came to eat with us. We couldn't just begin because kids were arguing over who got to sit where. Specifically, Andrew (11) and Nate (21) were fighting over the same spot. Nate wouldn't move. Andrew told him he had to move because Andrew had already licked his plate. Who licks their plate before there is any food on it? Well, I guess Andrew does. Dinner was great! We ate so much food.

Moms and Doctors

In the last 12 days I have been to oral surgeon with Tyra to have her wisdom teeth removed. She only had 2 but it was very difficult. In the mean time she had a well check doctor appointment with a new doctor. I returned with Tyra to the oral surgeon after 5 days because she had an infection. In the mean time I took Nate to the emergency room for a painful episode which turned out to be another kind of infection. And again yesterday I took Tyra to the doctor and she was diagnosed with a skin infection. Now also during that time I have been to the orthodondist twice and the pharmacy more times than I can count. Oh, and lets not forget that Andrew woke up at 4am on Monday with the flu. Poor kid threw up again on Tuesday night after a wild ride with his scout leaders. Isn't being a Mom fun? Really, all Moms want their kids to be health and happy. If there is something wrong they worry and try to fix it. That's just what Mom's do.

Who ever heard of oiling things?

James - "I think we should oil things so they don't show fingerprints."
Mom - "What do you mean? I've never heard of anybody oiling things to get rid of finger prints."
James - "Mom everybody oils things so they don't have finger prints, like walkie talkies."
Mom - "Don't you mean wipe off finger prints so they don't show?"
James - "No, Mom. They do it all the time in the movies. They oil things."
Mom - "James what are you doing with that napkin?"
James - "I sprayed it with Pam and I'm oiling your cell phone."
Mom - "Ahhh!"
James - "No, really Mom everybody does it."

Calendar Shopping

On a cold and snowy evening I went to buy a new wall size calendar. My shopping companions were James and Jacob (a dangerous combination). I had been to several office supply stores and they no longer carried the size I needed. I went to Staples and asked for directions to the calendar section. The large calendar was not found. I was so sad and frustrated. I really needed the large wall size to fit everybody's schedule and activities on. James and Jacob were running up and down the aisles, or was that exploring? At last they thought they had found something. Up on the highest shelf, laying flat, with only the spine showing looked like a large calendar. There were other items piled on top. I could only barely touch the spine if I jumped. So I went to get help. The sales associate brought a ladder and as we entered the aisle there were James and Jacob, looking guilty. One was on the shoulders of the other trying to reach the hidden item. They succeeded, and yes it was a wall size calendar. I was happy to have this shopping expedition over. I went to purchase the item and was surprised to know that the price was $25.00. That's more than $2.00 a page! Okay, I grumbled. It was snowing outside so she put the calendar into a very large bag and we left. It wasn't until after dinner that I realized that I hadn't checked the year on the calendar. Maybe I bought last year's calendar again. That would explain the reason for the calendar being tucked out of the way. Oh no. Now I must say I believe in miracles. I was so grateful that my calendar was for this year!

It's Cold!

It's cold again. I am so ready for temperatures above freezing in the morning. We still have lots of snow on the ground, but at least the walkways are clear or snow and ice. I can't seem to get my high school kids to even take coats to school in the morning. They wear tee shirts and think they will be fine. I keep telling them that one day they will wish they had a coat. It will be the day they have to walk home after school. Brrr.

Where are my socks?!

Where are my black socks?! Today is freezing and I need to wear a skirt to school. I bought some long black socks just for days like today. I can't even find one! I have searched the laundry room 3 times and the sock bucket and my closet. I've looked on the floor, in my drawers. It's been weeks since I last wore them and I have at least 4 pairs! I've run out of time and I am wearing...black soccer socks with white stripes. I have to teach today! No fair!

New Year and Back to School

Monday, not just any Monday but the first Monday of the new year. It's also the coldest Monday at 7 degrees. Today the kids go back to school, the college kids begin a new semester and Scott & I begin new classes. It is unusual that we all start on the same day. I usually have some quiet time to organize and prepare after the children begin school. I am looking forward to the many exciting adventures this new year will bring. There are so many possibilities. I do know that Johannah will graduate from high school and hopefully begin at BYU. All the children will advance a grade in school. The rest is a mystery to be savored and enjoyed.

New Year's Eve

My family is changing as the children grow older. We usually plan an evening of food and fun before kids leave to late night activities. This year we had the food, set out buffet style downstairs and we sat together watching a movie as kids came and went to their various activities. When the movie was over we only had the two youngest children at home. We could not finish the evening without at least three fun activities. The first was a bubble blowing contest. The second was face shaving with shaving cream and a plastic knife. Kate and Andrew took turns. The third was filmed midget fun. Kate and Andrew combed each others hair, did jumping jacks and sang songs for the camera as midgets. I'm sure I fell asleep long before midnight.