Funny Story:

I forgot one funny story that happened recently.

We have a problem listening in our home. We (or more appropriately, THEY) have a problem called "selective hearing." Well, "selective hearing" reared her ugly head this past week.

I was talking to Jeff about our plans for the coming week; where we were going, what we were doing etc.. I mentioned that we would be gone the next evening. Jake continued to work on his project while we conversed. About 5 minutes later, I came into the room and asked Jeff to put a box into the car because I needed it for the next days activities. Jeff, acting totally surprised, said, "where are you going tomorrow?"

Getting all frustrated, I said, "You are seriously asking me this question? I just told you our plans not even 5 minutes ago!" Then I yelled, "No one in this house listens to anything I say!"

As I stomped out of the room, Jake looked up from his work and said,

"What did she just say Dad?"

Yep - My case in point...

Blog Binging

I am often accused of "blog binging" - I basically indulge at high intensities, less frequently. It's mostly because I have a million and one things going on at once and a rarely have a spare minute. And quite truthfully, I would rather read a book than blog.

So join me as I indulge yet again...

Fall Festivities:

We recently went to the Pumpkin Patch near our home to pick out pumpkins. Jake, of course, wanted the biggest and Adalyn just wanted a ball. We gave her a little pumpkin instead.







Mid-October, we went with Jeff's parents and his sister to St. George to see Les Miserables at the Tuachan. My "Broadway Buddies" (Laura and Lyn) and I love to see any plays - so when they suggested it, I quickly jumped aboard. Side note: This play was spectacular! I have seen this play many times, but this particular one beat the rest! The acting, scenery and music were moving.

We had just hit a cold front, but it warmed up enough for us to enjoy the pool one afternoon. Adalyn loves to swim with Grandma.
The next weekend, we headed off to Moab for our Fall Break. The weather was perfect! We enjoyed riding our ATV's and hiking around Slick Rock. It was a very relaxing vacation.

We did some crafts:


Rode some trails:

And did some hiking.
Jake took us on a hike to "Kings Arch" - we gathered our water bottles and headed out. About 5 grueling minutes later, we came to this:
I wonder why it isn't on the map anywhere??

We also went with our cousin Jackson to see the witches at Gardner's Village - a fun and festive afternoon!
Pumpkin Farm:
We took a field trip to the farm for Juliana's playgroup. The girls had blast jumping on the hay, riding the slide and visiting the petting zoo.

Notice the BIG glasses:
I don't normally wear these. The doctor found yet ANOTHER cyst on my left eyebrow. (Third time this year) and I had it removed. Left a charming black eye. No worries though - fashion prevailed and no one knew it was there.







Phew, hope that holds me over for awhile!

Back up - Smack Up...

I am so sad, I could cry. Scratch that - I AM crying!

So, my external hard drive quit working on Monday. I took it into the Geek Squad who said it was shot. Great. Last time I backed up was the start of 2008. I knew that my current photos and videos were nice and safe on my internal hard drive. (Which, thankfully, they are.) But not 2007's stuff.

No problem. My back up disk is near by. Except I just inserted it...and guess what. NOTHING is there. It must not have recorded anything. I didn't bother doing a back up of the back up of the back up because nothing that serious happens to me, nor did I check the disk because I already had a back up (external drive) .

It just hit me about 3 minutes ago: Child #3's birth photos, baby photos and videos were all on that damn drive. How do I explain that to my only non-J child, my only child without brown eyes and the one that already has a "picked on" complex that I, her some-what-techno-savvy mother that I just erased her entire first year! I am so sad I think I might be sick.

I am going to pray one more time that I am given 5 minutes to get that drive to work. It's the only chance I have to redeem myself as a mother.

Now go hug your computer and do a back up today.

Date Change for Cozumel 2009

Okay, we try to be easy-going people. After receiving so many comments about Cozumel, we decided to change the date. We can't set a definate date until Jeff can review his EMBA program dates. And they aren't posted yet. But, we think can make it work. If not October, do you think we could maybe do early-mid November? I figure with that much time, we can make it work.

To secure your spot (once we figure out dates) you will need to pay a deposit by June 30, 2009 of the cost of the house rental -which would be around $500. If we can find a deal on a house, anything extra will be given back to you.

That also gives you plenty of time to get scuba-certified. So get you babysitters, money and time lined up! We will see you in sunny Cozumel!

A few of my favorites...

I have discovered a few items in the past few months that I would like to share with you. Keep in mind, I don't sell any of these products, so it isn't a sales pitch. Buy em, try em, or not. Whatever.

First up:Man, oh man! GOOD STUFF. Recently tried it; recently addicted. I love their chicken, Tostada Salad and their Burritos. Their chips and salsa are to die for. So if you haven't gone, go. It's amazing. You won't be disappointed. To find a location near you, click here.

Second:
My kind-of new washer.
I'm not bragging about this beauty. I saved up a WHOLE year to purchase this baby. I can do my entire weeks laundry in only 4 loads. Plus, it has a timer. I can put a load in at night time, select my timer for 5 am and have a clean batch ready in the morning to put in the dryer. I am that much ahead of my day. Now if only I put all that "extra" time to use! I do have one buyers regret: I didn't buy the steam option. I was too practical. I kind of wish I would have, but then again, it was a lot more money. And since I was paying for it, I went with the lower cost model. I love this machine. The only downfall is more laundry wash=more laundry put away. And I hate that job.

Third:

I love to exercise, I really do. I do it everyday. But I hate, hate HATE going to a gym. I loved it in my younger years, but now they are far too inconvenient and I get too self-conscious around people who act like they know what they are doing. I hate taking that much time on myself. I can give me about 45 minutes a day, but no more. Gym time usually takes about an hour and a half. Too much for me.

So I discovered Podfitness.comFor about $5 a week you can have a personal trainer! I have trained with the same trainer as Brad Pitt. Can you say that?

You select what type of program you want: cardio, running, weights, Cross training, biking, swimming, etc, then you select the trainer you want. The progam automatcially adds your music to the voice of the trainer. Then you download it to your ipod and start your program! You select the track and the trainer starts to tell you what to do, "Okay Jennifer, let's get your heart rate going. Start at a level 3 on an indoor track for 5 minutes." She/he will even give you encouragement.

"One foot in front of the other, you can do it!"
"You should be slightly out of your comfort zone. This is where the change happens!"
"One more set, you can do it!"

But my personal favorite: "That completes your podfitness workout Jennifer! Go grab your self a protein shake and we will see you tomorrow." (Will peanut butter work?)
They even have a 10 day free trial period. So if you need help with your workout and would like a personal trainer, go here. I admit, I only paid for 90 days. I organized over 20 workouts. You can cancel at anytime and you get to keep what programs you make. I love it.

Fouth:

Last April, I was visiting with a cousin who told me she uses cloth diapers. What? ARE YOU NUTS?

But, I have been converted.

Did you know that over 27 billion disposable diapers are sold then put into landfills in the US?
It is estimated that disposable diapers take 250 years to decompse.
Did you know that you spend over $65 a month on diapers that are thrown away? - that's $1,600 by the time your child is two.

First off, they are not the diapers our parents used. These are cute, comfy and very functional.
Now, I am not expecting you to love the idea. It takes some getting used to. But I couldn't help but feel guilty everytime I threw away a diaper. Plus, we added it up. After we purchased our set, we anticipate that we will save over $900 if Addy uses them until she is two and a half.

We LOVE these diapers. My washer (see above) cleans them beautifully. I simply rinse in cold water, wash in "sanitary" mode, do an extra rinse and dry. They have no oder or staining. I have two favorites, bumgenius and fuzzibunz. We haven't had any leaks or any problems with the quality. They are expensive to buy at first; each diaper runs about $17. But it's worth it if I can help preserve our environment. Okay, and the extra savings is a great incentive too.

Jeff is semi-on board. He will use them if I promise to clean the messy ones out. And he REFUSES to use these while out-and-about.

I highly recommend going cloth. And I am not nuts. Just consider it.



So these are a few of my new favorite things. Take it for what it is worth!

Class Field trip

I willingly signed up to be Jake's Room Mom this year. I firmly believe that children do better in school when you, as a parent, take interest in their education. I may be changing my philosophy after last weeks field trip...






As room mom, we are asked to go on the field trips with the class. This fall, the class went up the canyon to collect leafs. As I hugged Jake good night the evening before the trip, he whispered, "I can't wait till tomorrow, we are going on a field trip! Just you and me."

Oh how sweet. I couldn't wait either.

I sent him on the bus the next morning and waited for Karalee to come. She was kind to watch my girls while I went. I hurried down to the school to start the field trip. That sweet moment the night before was quickly forgotten:

Me: "Jake, come sit by me."
Jake: "No Thanks. I am going to sit by my friends"


We boarded the bus. Up comes Mrs. Mac, another first grade teacher and her trusty, MEGAPHONE. She promptly starts the first graders on a collage of songs starting with "The Wheels on the Bus" and continued for the next 45 minutes. Not to mention my neighbor went with me. She sat on the seat in front on me and "screamed" her side of the conversation as to be heard over the MEGAPHONE. It was a LONG trip up the canyon.

We FINALLY arrived at our location where we were greeted by the ranger. He gave a short presentation about Forrest fires. Then we saw a special visitor!
Mr. Smoky the Bear, himself! He walked out really cautious and slow. Apparently, last year, he walked out too fast, tripped over a rock and his head rolled off. It was real traumatic for the children. I wish that I went last year!


After our visit with Smoky, we went for a hike to collect leaves. The children were supposed to pick up items that relate to fall. Jake mostly picked up pine cones...

After the leaf collecting, we ate our lunch.

Me: "Jake, come and eat by me!"

Jake: "No Thanks..."

Jake paid $1.50 for his lunch of a turkey sandwich, apple, carrots, crackers, OJ and milk. I paid $2.50 for the exact same lunch except my sandwich had lettuce. I think I got ripped off.

After lunch we played field games. I was the smart one and brought water. As I drank my water, about 20 first graders asked if they could have a drink. What do I say? I see how hot and thirsty they are. So I graciously take one last sip and give the water to the vultures. I didn't have another drink, even though I wanted one!


We boarded the bus home. My little group wanted to sit in the front row. All was well until Mrs. Mac boarded the bus with her DA*& MEGAPHONE. Again. There was only one open seat left. Guess where? Right next to me! OH JOY! That's when the singing began again. I wanted to take that MEGAPHONE and jam it down her throat. But I thought that might be rude.

When we arrived at the school, my head was pulsing and the pain jarred down my spine. I quickly took Advil and a nap upon arrival at my nice, QUIET home.

I discovered two things today:
One: I have a very independent child. He loves me AND he loves his friends.
Two: I could never, ever, EVER be a bus driver OR a first grade teacher. Kudos to you ambious people that are... You are the true heros.