Four Monkey's

A Sunday catch up with some irreverent pictures

2012-01-29T10:09:00.000-08:00

Life gets crazy sometimes. This blog was my place to vent, write, post updates on the family and our house but lately its a drag for me to post anything at all. I'll snap out of it. Its this weather that brings me down.

So what has THIS house been up to lately?

1. The kids are growing up and doing well in school. Emme and Madi are both very smart and did well on their report cards. Cobie is a little whiz at reading and learning her numbers. Tommy is my little pal during the day.

2. I have been busy raisin' these kids and doing some things for me. I enjoy Pilates so much and am able to do that twice a week. Its my happy place. I've also been thinking about opportunities for myself- something that is all mine. While I have an idea up my sleeve, I have to figure out a couple things before I announce it to my blog friends.

So not really anything exciting I guess. Just life things and daily hap-hazards as everyome else goes through.

Now onto the irreverent photos...

I found these pics on one of Kenny's Facebook friends' pages.

Happy Sunday!

A great Valentine's Day card idea

2012-01-22T14:58:00.000-08:00

A friend over here at Dontbothermeimreading.com has come up with an adorable Valentine's Day card idea.

You can click on each image and it will take you to her tutorial in which she shows you how to cut and fold each card to make one like the one pictured above.

How cute and creative are these? Whomever receives these cards will get a little smarter with the Valentine's Day facts that are printed right on the card. How genius is that?

Great job Jaime.

An unexpected package in the mail is always a good mood enhancer, especially from a gal pal

2012-01-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

A couple posts ago I wrote about how my favorite mug died. It really was a sad day.

Well, I'm not sad anymore.

Today when Kenny brought in the mail, he brought in a nice little box.

I hadn't ordered anything that would come in such a box, plus the box was decked out in art work and a nice little diddy on the side.

The box was from Jaime... a dear friend of mine who I wish lived so much closer.

After reading the side of the box and not being able to contain myself any longer, I tore (gently) open the box and found a lovely gift inside.

Holy Smokes!!!!!!! Its a beautiful mug. I seriously cannot wait to use this in the morning.

Just look how pretty it is...so much prettier then my old one, and this one definitely has more meaning.

She even got the shape right, the green color, an the size is absolutely perfect.

And here is a view of another side of the same box.

How lucky am I to have such a great friend?

She's such an artist. She has such a way with words. AND she knows just what I need when I need it.

Thank you Jaime. From the bottom of my heart. I love it so much.

So when ya comin' out to use it with me?

Face Off

2012-01-12T09:24:00.000-08:00

So I've known this secret for almost a year. Kenny's man pal Rayce Bird was able to be on the Show Face Off on Syfy. I'm sooooooo excited to talk about it now!!!!!

Holy cow. He's a celebrity. How awesome is that?

Rayce is front and center... grey button up shirt, next to the girl in the black and white dress.

Last night was the first show of the season. We were invited to watch it with Rayce and his super fab family. It was fun having him comment on stuff throughout the first show.

We still don't know the end result... as in if he won or not. He's not telling.

Watch the first episode here.

So keep up with this super duper guy on the show, or watch my blog for weekly updates.

ITS SO COOL!!!!!!!

Death of a mug

2012-01-10T19:51:00.000-08:00

I had a mug that was shaped like this...

but was a spring green with a slightly darker green swirly pattern all over.

It was my favorite mug.

For some reason my drinks tasted wonderful in that particular mug. I could use it in any season, during any holiday, and have anything in it and the world was wonderful.

Then one day, I poured some hot water into its preciousness and water seeped from its being. After a bit of investigation I discovered a crack that started at the base and crawled all the way to the top. I have no idea how this travesty happened, but my favorite mug was broken.

Things just aren't the same anymore.

Now in the mornings I shuffle through the mugs in my cabinet and try to find one that speaks to me like that green one did, but to no avail. I am mugless.

Any one else have that one and only mug?

13 years baby!

2012-01-09T15:06:00.000-08:00

13 years ago today I married my BFF.

It was a very very cold day. One of those Idaho winter days where the sun was bright, tons of snow covers the ground, and your nose freezes shut the second you breath in. But today its 34 degrees and I didn't wear a coat while out.

So to celebrate our anniversary, Kenny and I took a trip this past weekend.

Two nights and two and a half days without the kids (thanks mom and dad!).

The first night we drove to Pocatello and ate dinner at Texas Road House (something we can do in our neck of the woods- but we were both hungry so...) and then continued on to Lava Hot Springs.

We left on a thursday night and the hot pools were soooooo crowded! We didn't mind the crowds at all, I was just shocked how busy the pools were on a weeknight. The hot water felt so nice. I love soaking in hot water, and this was such a nice treat.

We got a room at a place real close to the pools and stayed the night there. The next morning we headed to SLC.

Can I just say the GPS was our best friend. We never have a reason to go to Utah, let alone SLC, so we were completely out of our element and would have gotten lost in some ghetto for sure.

On Friday we shopped till we dropped, ate lunch at Whole Foods (man I wish we had one of those stores here... I would look for every excuse to go grocery shopping with a place like that in town) and stayed at a hotel close to the airport. We ate dinner at Joe's Crab Shack and a Pirate came up to our table and made me a balloon flower. Its the only (cell phone) picture I have from the whole trip...

That night we went hot tubbing, got cheesecake and buffalo wings sent to the room, pigged out and watched "Due Date" till we fell asleep.

The next morning we ate at Salt Lake Roasting Co. and I ate an amazing bran muffin. Man I love those. Then we slowly headed home on snowy roads.

We made it into Pocatello for a late lunch and ate at Red Lobster. Then we drove the last 45 miles to reality and 4 kids who were excited to see us (I admit I missed their little selves) and sleep in our own beds.

I love weekend trips with just Kenny and I, but its always nice to be home.

So in honor of 13 years, I will make a list of 13 things (in no particular order) I absolutely love about Kenny.

1. The way he looks at me. Its the same whether I am wearing make up or have a ginormous zit on my face.

2. I love it when he laughs hard. Its not very often but its a piece of paradise when he does.

3. I can count on one hand the number of times in 13 years he's gotten mad at me.

4. I love the way he loves our kids.

5. His tenderness with animals- and don't let him fool you... he is head over heals for our chi-weenie.

6. He still likes to hold my hand in public.

7. He never puts me down...ever.

8. He will randomly bring me little gifts for no particular reason.

9. He loves to shop, and loves to shop in craft stores.

10. He can fix anything.

11. He is very smart and amazes me every time with his wits and brains.

12. He is sooo handsome. Have you seen him?

13. There isn't anyone who I would rather be with right now and I know he feels the same way about me.

So here are two lovely wedding shots from 13 years ago...

man we were babies

(and my hair! what the....!)

Happy anniversary Kenny! I can't wait to see what the next 13 + years brings us.

My Issues with tithing... yup- I have some

2011-12-29T10:44:00.000-08:00

This time of year always makes me reflect on the past year and also my past. Have I been a good person? Have I been the type of person I want to become? Am I the kind of mom, wife, friend that I know I can be? Did I over spend on crap? Did I donate enough?

In the Mormon church this time of year also brings tithing settlement, which means the bishop brings the members one by one, couple by couple, family by family into his office and asks a few questions. He may ask how everyone is doing in general, how their callings are going, and then he reviews the past years "charitable donation"- tithing.

Here are a few of my issues with this "law" that they enforce but make it seem like you give willingly...

1. Tithing MUST be paid before anything else. Yup- before the mortgage, before the groceries, before the dentist, the doctor, the power company, buying shoes for the kids, formula for the baby. The church NEEDS YOUR $$ before anyone else does.

2. 10% and no less, but more is very appreciated.

3. If ya don't pay ya don't play. Certain rights are denied those who fall short on the money train.
* No $$- no special and privileged callings (i.e. bishop, stake president, relief society president, and of course no higher up calling on stake or general levels).
*Temple rights are also denied. The doors are closed to those how aren't paid up. Sorry charlie.
*And if the non tithe payer needs assistance like help in buying food or monitory aide, forget that too. The church only helps those how pay to play.

4. No matter how much a person is struggling financially, they will always be expected to pay the church. 10% my friends.

5. Its not voluntary charity if a man of authority brings you into an enclosed room and questions you about how much you donated. I've even heard of bishops requiring members to bring in their tax forms to make sure they actually paid 10%. No other charities perform this type of abuse and humiliation.

6. The church demands financial accountability from its members, but does not provide financial accountability in return. Double standard? They should have an open book policy and allow members to see what is spent, how its spent, and where its spent. The members pay enough into the system to get this kind of decency in return. My question is this... what does the perfect church have to hide? Start asking where the money goes and I bet you get sent to the Stake presidents office and reprimanded as an unfaithful member. Try it! Demand the church opens their books! They won't, but you have to open yours.

I'm sure I have more if I thought about it a little harder, but I'll continue.

Let me share with you two stories...

A. When Kenny and I were getting married, there were only a few members of his family who could go through the temple with us. The person who he wanted most, who deserved to be there, and who is one of the finest people on the planet, was't able to see us get married. His aunt is one of those remarkable people who sacrificed her life for her nieces and nephews. She is the most selfless person I know. But the church doesn't and didn't see this. The only thing they cared about was that she hadn't paid up in years. It didn't matter that she served a mission for them, dedicated her life to her family, served every single calling she was ever given, and did everything (short of paying tithing) the church ever asked of her. Nope- she hadn't paid up to play.

B. About a year before we stopped paying our tithing I had started to keep out our 10% in cash and tucked it away in a cabinet. I would pay tithing in large lump sums, in cash, a couple times a year. This one year Kenny's brother hit a really hard time. He was out of work, had 3 kids, rent, gorceries... you know the scenario. So Kenny decided to give whatever $$ we had in our tithing stash to help out his brother. He talked to me about it and I felt really good about this. It would be what Jesus would do right? We were so poor at this time, but we had $800 in tithing and were able to hand it to this brother. From what Kenny says, the look on his brothers face gave him the best feeling of charity he'd every had- even more so then paying tithing his entire life. That ONE time he felt more.

So here comes tithing settlement. We knew we'd not paid our 10%, but Kenny went into the meeting determined to tell the bishop we gave our share. Me- I felt like the bishop needed to know about the $800 loss, so I told him what we did. Now I loved this bishop, still do. He's a great great man and I know he was just trying to do what the GA"s wanted him to do. He told us that the money wasn't ours to give, that we needed to make it up, and pay up. Of course not in those terms, but that was the idea.

After we left that meeting, we stopped paying tithing altogether. How could the billion dollar church need our measly $800 more then his brother? That $800 would have boughten a few hymn books, a door knob, and maybe a stack of paper, but it bought food, power, and piece of mind to a loved one.

The church claims that it is the church that Christ established. I don't see that. If there was a Christ who established a church, its not the Mormon church what so ever. They are focused on $$. That is their bottom line. They have cut out funds for activities, they have cut out jobs like janitorial work, and they ask more and more out of their members. This is not a church any "Christ" would have wanted.

Why can't the church set up tithing as a real donation... pay what you can when you can. Why set an exact amount that most members have a hard time meeting? Why can't the church accept real donated time by its members (not forced time) as a means to pay tithing?

Anyway, I just needed to get that off my chest. Yes the post was offensive. Sorry. Move along if you don't like what I have to say.

These images may be offensive to some

2011-12-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

But I sometimes feel that a picture can do more justice then words.

What's really important?

I didn't get permission, but Kenny didn't say no either. I'd like to introduce Harley...

2011-12-08T11:12:00.001-08:00

This past Saturday Kenny and I took the kids to Petco to see the Humane Society dogs. I've been dog hungry... its like baby hunger only for a dog. Its been over a year since Gabby died so I've been feeling its time to have a pup around.

I'm completely convinced that kids should grow up around a dog. I was. Kenny was. There is just something about that type of companionship thats too valuable.

Kenny wasn't necessarily ready to jump on the "getting a dog" bandwagon. He gets way too attached, and then when they die he has a very hard time with it. His tender heart is one of the many reasons I fell in love with him. But, I still wanted a dog.

There were several good looking dogs there last saturday. I wanted a housebroken dog, one that wasn't a puppy, one that was good with cats (we have 3), and most importantly- one that is swell with kids. I'm not too picky am I? I also love LOVE big dogs, but they are super expensive to feed and I already have 4 kids under foot, so a big dog was out of the question- at least for now.

Enter Harley...

There were two tiny dogs being displayed on Saturday and I fell in love this this little pooch. She's a Chihuahua mix (I'm thinking Dachshund is in the mix somewhere), 10 months old, fixed, good with cats AND kids, potty trained, no shedding, small eater.... My wish list was met!

Isn't she cute?

So our family is head over heals for this little warm bundle. She's adopted Emme as her mom and Emme just loves it. She's been such a fun little joy this past week.

We've had a few accidents in the house, but all in all she's adjusting rather well. I am also a firm believer in adopting pets. There are sooooooo many homeless shelter pets right now.

Happy Thursday!

Tommy the Photographer (or camera thief)

2011-12-08T10:51:00.001-08:00

So I went to use my little point and shoot camera the other day and noticed that a certain little boy had used it to take random pictures of stuff. Here are three of the said pictures...

There were many- MANY more, but I chose 3. I love that little boy and his photography skillz.

So I haven't wanted to blog lately

2011-11-18T09:09:00.001-08:00

This blog is a little snippet of me and my tiny little world and whether I'm writing about crafts or cooking, or about how I feel about religion, its my place to share what I value.

But lately....

I don't know what my deal is. I've had some personal things happen that have caused me to look at myself through the eyes of other people and question who I am as a person.

Maybe that reflection has been on my mind more then I want to admit.

Anyway. I'll be back when I'm ready to share some things.

=)

The best-est homemade chicken nuggets ever

2011-11-07T17:13:00.000-08:00

Okay ya'll. I'm married to a photoshop wizard and you'd think that I would know how to use it too right? WRONG.

I've been introduced to this fun site called picnik and have been playing around with my photos and having a blast. What I've liked lately is a feature called 1960's... so thats why my pics have looked strange lately. Especially for the food post I am about to do.

I have a hard time taking good looking food pictures, and this 1960's feature really fu-bared the yummy-ness of the look I was going for, so trust me on this... this recipe is the bomb, even if the photos aren't.

Here's what you do...

Panko crumbs (in the Oriental isle or sometimes by the bread crumbs)
Seasoned flour
eggs with a bit of milk all mixed together (not like the pic- but mix it like you're making french toast)
Chicken- stripped or chunked
~~~~~and then~~~~~~
oil heating in a pan to fry those suckers up in

Place each piece of chicken in the flour first, coat each side and then shake off the excess. Then dip the floured chicken in the egg, coating each side and letting the excess drip off. Then coat the chicken lastly in the Panko. Fry those bad boys up until they are beautifully brown and crunchy.

I like to dip mine in sweet chili sauce, also found down the Oriental isle.

These aren't healthy by any means, but the kids gobble them up. My feeling is this.... its okay to have unhealthy food sometimes, and especially if you make it at home, because it usually takes a ton of work and effort which means ya don't make it often.

These babies are a go to meal when its close to grocery shopping day,

Anywho, try these out. They are delicious and not nutritious and yummy to say the least!

Random pics

2011-11-07T16:45:00.000-08:00

The first two pics are of Emme's birthday party. Can you believe that I have a 10 year old!

She invited 3 little friends and we took them to the skating rink. Holy cow did that place bring back some nostalgic memories. Kenny used to work there when we were dating and I would go hang out with him after work and watch him DJ, run the snack bar, and take care of costumers. Ahhh. Those are great memories.

Anyway, it was so fun going there after 13 years (and 4 kids) later and sharing the idea of skating with the kids. They had a blast and two of the friends did really well.... my kids are ike me on skates--- HORRIBLE! Kenny can rip it up like the best of them.

Then here are some Halloween goblins. Cobie decided to be a princess...

Tommy wanted to be Spiderman- again....

Emme was Link form the video game "Zelda"...

And Madi was a Pirate.

It was freezing cold that night so we only made it down one neighborhood street, but they scored a nice little stash of candy.

Happy Monday!

A monster of a man

2011-11-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

I read an article about a Mr. Lon Kennard. If you do a google search about him you can see why I call him a monster.

He molested a total of 7 girls.

Mr. Monster was also a Mormon bishop.

I was always taught that "the power of discernment" was with church leaders---Stake Presidents, Bishops, members of the Seventy, members of the First Presidency, etc. all leaders of authority had this "power" and it was used.

Bull.

There is no such thing as this "power of discernment" and kids will continue to be molested/abused at the hands of authoritative religious men.

I understand that there are evil and disturbing people out there, in all races, sects, backgrounds, in various leadership roles, and so on. What I am tired of hearing is how safe christianity is, but more in my neighborhood- how safe Mormonism is.

There are 0------ZERO background checks done on any of the leaders of the LDS church. Why? Why is the Prophet not taking this seriously? Why is the church acting like this isn't a bigger issue then it really is? If even one, "1" child is harmed at the hands of anyone who is affiliated with the LDS church, the church should take matters into their own hands and try their hardest to stop this.

I am so angry right now.

I am soooooooo glad my kids aren't in the hands of some pervert who is allowed to call himself (or herself) their teacher. I've said this before and I'm saying it again..... even if I thought the church was remotely true, I would avoid it like the plague until my kids were raised.

And to think that this man, Mr. Lon, interviewed the youth of his ward, asked them sexually explicit questions and then went home to his own children to do unthinkable crimes to them.

The church makes it all too easy for predators to have access to vulnerable children.

Okay... done with rant. I didn't even say half of what was on my mind. Now if I had... that would have been an offensive post.

Things I would have pinned

2011-11-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

Source: bitsotruth.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: imgur.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: maryengelbreit.com via Vicky on Pinterest

Source: thehappyparade.tumblr.com via Rainey on Pinterest

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Jacqueline on Pinterest

One of my favorite celebs...

Source: piccsy.com via Christina on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Brandi on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Brandi on Pinterest

Source: shopquickquotes.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Danielle on Pinterest

Funny- this is Kenny's nickname for me that he's used for 13 years. If you call my cell phone and it goes to voicemail.... you hear his voice saying this name.

Source: Uploaded by user via Heather on Pinterest

This made me cry.

Source: interiordesign.net via Meghan on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Avani on Pinterest

One of my favorite movies.

Happy Thursday!

Bucket list #3

2011-11-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

For my third item on my bucket list I think I would like something of mine published.

I'm not looking to have the next "All American Novel" or have that fabulously and often quoted self written poem, but I would like a small something published (other then this blog).

For those who don't know, I love to write, and I used to be good at it. Writing on this blog is different then writing for myself. I don't sensor myself when I write something privately, and thats when I get the most vulnerable and authentic. I rarely share what I've written, and if I do share it...consider yourself lucky or tortured, which ever you prefer.

I write short stories, poetry, and have started several novels that have never found their ending. Everyone has strengths and this was- and hopefully as I delve more into it- is one of my strengths.

Soooooooooooooooo. yeah. Getting something published would be the bomb, or awesome, or whatever. I'd like to accomplish this one day.

You're kidding right?

2011-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

There was an article in The Salt Lake Tribune this past week about a Sandy Utah neighborhood Halloween Trunk-or-Treat. I have linked the article here.

A couple questions:

Can a child wear an animal costume? If yes, then does the child have to wear the correct gender animal costume?

Can a boy wear make up if its costume related? I'd hate to get his gender all confused.

What if the costume is non gender..... do I have to make sure you KNOW what KIND of sex my child is?

Seriously.......................................

This local ward seems to have sucked out all of the fun out of a silly holiday like Halloween, and while this wasn't a church wide decision, this local leader-Mr. Dennis Toone- was and is completely responsible for any offense the party or flier caused.

Its small mindedness like this story that makes the church even more peculiar. With an LDS man running for the potential Republican Party vote, its these kinds of behaviors that will push any fence sitter to the left, and for good reason too. I thought the church was on a mission to appear main stream and normal. Oops Mr. Toone! You fu-bared a bit.

Anyway, this article caused severe eye rolls and head shakes in my house. Soooooooo glad I don't live in this neighborhood or in Utah for that matter. Two of my kids wouldn't be able to attend this "party"
and quite frankly I wouldn't have taken them to it either. I have a hard time being around judgmental and intolerant people.

Oh, and Dennis....... read your CHI and your church's history. You might learn something.

*Edited to remove the copy and pasted article.*

Pilates baby!

2011-10-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

Ever since I can remember I have hated sports. I would get huge amounts of anxiety in grade school because I hated dodgeball, kickball, baseball, soccer, running, and basketball, which were the things we played in P.E. Ick! I get anxiety now just thinking about playing those sports.

In high school I had lame P.E. coaches (to my benefit) who would just sit and chat with the jocks and the rest of us would walk laps or fake cramps. It was great.

So move onto my adulthood. I've enjoyed walking and have considered this my main form of exercise, and not just plain 'ol walking, but fast walking. You know the kind, like those mall walkers. And while I still enjoy a good old fashion exercise walk- I have found my new thing.

Pilates.

For some reason the second I started taking classes on it last year I have become completely obsessed with it. I can actually do it! I don't need rhythm (which is why I can't do Zumba), I don't need any equipment, and I don't need high amounts of endurance.

This years classes started last week and I brought two of my gal pals with me. I just hope they find a liking to it as much as I have. So here are some pics (thanks Brit and Keri for humoring me) of our workout last night. Look how freakin' strong we are!

After every class I feel stronger, leaner, and taller---- bonus cause I'm 5'2.

Anyway, just wanted to share my love of Pilates with ya'll.

Happy Friday!

Things I would Have Pinned

2011-10-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

Source: imgfave.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Source: zentips.tumblr.com via Yulia on Pinterest

Source: homebunch.com via Amber on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Joyce on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Elisabeth on Pinterest

Source: funnies.com via Sydney on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Brynn on Pinterest

Source: i.imgur.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Source: randompicdumps.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Source: 9gag.com via Dannielle on Pinterest

Source: 9gag.com via Abby on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Brittany on Pinterest

Happy Thursday!

2011-10-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

A couple posts ago I mentioned I was having a few issues. You can reread the post here.

I've been in a serious funk lately and I hate it. Here were some of my issues...

Tired
No motivation
Stressed
Angry
Sad
Low libido
no weight gain, no weight loss (I had been trying all summer to loose 10 lbs, but nothing.)
Anxious
Aches

So I thought that maybe I had SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and I still may have a touch of it.

I went into my OBGYN and gave her the run down of what I've been going through. She suggested that I may have a mild case of depression.

Okay.

I'm not one to jump at the chance to take a pill. I think that is an easy way out to "cure" any ailment, but I had already tried tons of natural things and nothing was working.

I tried getting more sun, especially now with the stupid winter approaching
I have been exercising like crazy and while I feel better for having done it, my moods are still down
I have taken natural supplements
I have added tons more healthy foods to my diet
I have been taking time for myself
I got my thyroid checked
I've been trying to get more sleep

So, since I was already trying to manage whatever I thought was wrong with me and nothing was working, I took the docs suggestion and was put on a low dose of antidepressants.

She said I most likely just need a small pick-me-up.

Maybe she's right.

I started the meds a couple days ago and while I shouldn't notice anything for a couple weeks, today I woke up ready to concur anything. I haven't had this much zest for life in a long time.

We'll see how it goes. I guess sometimes a little pick-me-up is needed to make it day to day.

A great new blog

2011-10-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have this amazing gal pal who decided to start a blog.

She is one of those women that you rarely meet. Purely genuine, amazingly brilliant, and beautiful both inside and out. I feel very lucky and privileged to call her friend.

It's a blog about the what she's thinking

Its a blog about what she's written

It's a blog about what she's snackin' on

It's a blog about what she's created out of paper

So go stop by her amazing little part of the internet!

Things I would have pinned

2011-10-20T20:16:00.000-07:00

Source: amerrierworld.com via Mallory on Pinterest

I think I just might make this for Thanksgiving.... Over the river and through the woods.

Source: data.whicdn.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Cute...

Source: wmagazine.com via Madison on Pinterest

Could she be any prettier? Seriously...

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Nadia on Pinterest

yup.

Source: wallpaper-s.org via Katalin on Pinterest

He gets better with age.

Source: acooksquest.blogspot.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Yum. I will make these.

And then I got some super fun news today. A dear pal of mine pinned some of my very own recipes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are the pins...

Source: heatherandkenny.blogspot.com via Jaime on Pinterest

So there you go!

Happy thursday ya'll.

Sipping on Tuesday's

2011-10-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

The weather is calm and chill. Not chilly, just chill.

A great day to have soup with friends!

I hosted lunch today and made a recipe I have been playing around with. I found the original recipe on online and it was yummers, but I tweaked it a touch

Tomato soup

chopped bacon
diced garlic
2 cans tomato soup
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 cup cream
and whatever seasonings you have on hand...I had a mixed garden blend

Brown bacon. Drain off fat. Add garlic. Add the cans of stuff, milk, cream, broth and seasonings. Heat it all up till warm.

This recipe is soooooo versatile. Add more cream for more creamy goodness, maybe let a bay leaf simmer in the juices, maybe sub chicken rather then the bacon (but WHY would anyone do that?), add diced sun dried tomatoes.... its uber delicious and super easy peasy.

Collette was asked to bring bread and she brought in this beauty of a loaf. Nice and crusty on the outside and nice and tender on the inside. Thank you Broulims Bakery! =)

The Elizabeth brought "Booby" cupcakes... pink cupcakes and some of the proceeds go to help Breast Cancer research.

It was a delightful lunch. Can't wait for next Tuesday!

Bucket list post #2

2011-10-17T10:32:00.000-07:00

I have given this second post some thought and I have come to realize that I don't have a huge bucket list.

Do I need one? An HUGE list?

I'm really a simple gal without huge expectations on life, I just want a happy family, successful kids, and I want to die old. Everyone wants that right? I dunno. Maybe those are high expectations....

So in entertaining some secret desires- I have I came up with #2.

Its been a fantasy of mine to own a Bed and Breakfast, in the eastern part of the US, with a lavish garden. I love people, and I especially love people in my home. Entertaining and cooking for friends is so rewarding to me that this idea of having new faces come and go would delight my heart soooooo much.

Plus, I love to garden. I'm not great at it right now, but I would love to be. So combining the two loves I have of entertaining/hosting, and gardening it just makes sense.

Plus, cooking from home grown organic produce....... isn't that just divineness?

ok, now I have to come up with a #3. sheesh.

To wear leggings or not to wear leggings, is this really a question?

2011-10-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

There is a magazine called LDS Living and very recently there was an article/poll about leggings being "modest" and if they should be worn.

Seriously?

I'll copy and paste the article for those who don't want to read it in the link provided...

I have frequently wondered about the fashion phenomenon of leggings. It seems they're here to stay, at least for a while. Are they tacky, or tasteful? (Don't forget to take our poll at the bottom!)
A year or so ago I was teaching a young women lesson about modesty. One of the Mia Maids asked if leggings were considered modest. This was only a tad awkward because there was a girl in the class wearing leggings under her miniskirt. I said something like, “When wondering if something is modest, ask yourself if you would feel comfortable if the prophet walked in the room.” I know, totally a mom answer.

The truth is, I had thought about her question quite a bit even before she brought it up. Now, with school starting and fall fashion nearly here, I want to pose the question:

Are leggings modest?

Here are my two cents. When I first saw someone wearing leggings, I laughed out loud as I had a flashback to the 80s. I remember seeing them advertised on a commercial and knowing they would be a fashion fail. Boy, was I wrong. Not only do we have leggings . . . we have jeggings.

For the few of you who don’t know what jeggings are, just picture leggings but they look like jeans—yes, gold thread, faux pockets, and all.

I have seen some leggings pulled off very tastefully. On the other hand, I have seen them pulled off, well, not so tastefully, to put it nicely. I feel very strongly that if you are going to wear leggings, you should wear something over them. They should not be used merely as pants. Those suckers are tight, and I don’t care what kind of shape you are in—they are too tight to wear in public without a layer of something over them.

I know what you are thinking: “But Ashley, they are SOOOOO comfortable!” Okay, I realize that. Yes, I own one pair of leggings. I wear them in the comforts of my own home and that is it. I really haven’t decided how I feel about them.

So, are leggings modest when you wear a shirt or dress that is a little too short with them? Are they modest when wearing a mini-skirt? I mean, if you weren’t wearing them you would be left with just a mini-skirt which isn’t modest . . . to me. What about jeggings, since that’s basically wearing leggings without anything else to help cover up? Like I said, you have to ask yourself if you would feel comfortable if the prophet walked in the room.

—Then there are the comments. Here are a couple highlights...

I grew up in the 80's. I have three teenage girls now. Leggings are fun, but they are just colorful, footless tights. Skirts still need to go the the knee. End of discussion

May I suggest applying the Strength of Youth Standards to leggings. It comes down to: Too short, or too tight? If worn as tights with a dress, the dress needs to be to the knee. If you are wearing them as pants with a top, the question becomes: What are you showing from the waist down, or rather, from the ankles up?

I think they are cute for a two year old.

My stake president husband told me this a couple of months ago, "If you ever talk to the Young Women, tell them that it doesn't matter what color leggings are: boys and men 'see' right through them because they are skin tight."

Jeggings are absolutely the worst because a top isn't worn over to the knee.If it is TIGHT it is NOT MODEST!

Leggings are completely tacky in any setting, but PARTICULARLY in a church setting. My daughters do not wear them, I do not wear them. They look like something from an old "Boy George" video, and have absolutely no class whatsoever.

they leave little to the imagination and could arouse men instead of attacting them for the right reason

Oh man oh man oh man oh man oh man.

I have serious issues with this article. Although the GA's haven't come out and said no leggings, if there is a published article about it then there must be a murmur amongst the members as to whether or not this should be an issue. And to think there are starving children, war, and a recession going on? Lets put this into perspective.

This is my personal opinion, so chalk it up to me just being me. If people (women and girls) are willing to go to church and put forth the effort, time, MONEY, and live an entire lifestyle dedicated to an organization, lets give the members a little slack. If Sunday best consists of a skirt and a pair of leggings, leave the poor woman alone.

Some questions about what's considered modest...

Is bragging about how modest you are modest?
Is wearing low ride jeans and a snug top that spews a puff of white garments out of the top modest? How about constantly picking your wedgie or shuffling your legs to adjust your underwear modest?
Is lifting your shirt to tuck in your garment top modest?

I see more underwear at the local Broulims then I do washing a weeks worth of clothes at my house -and I am considered immodest by wearing leggings. Perspectives people.

Another observation... some of the comments suggested that leggings were fine for school, but not at church. So some members think its okay to be immodest outside of church but not in? Then there was the thought that leggings under a mini skirt was immodest. So what about all of the women I see who wear a tank top over a t-shirt. Is that immodest too?

My head hurts from this stupidness.

Too many double standards and justifications.

I liked what this commenter said about the article...welcome to the Mormon Church, the last great bastion on earth where you can bask in guilt without sin. Why do so many of us thrive on judging others... in particular on their outward appearance.

And here is one more gripe i had about some of the comments. Some of these women were saying its a females job to keep the mind of a man pure. WHY IS THIS MY RESPONSIBILITY? If a man has a bad thought about me its his issue, not mine. Burkas, a pioneer dress, or leggings- a man will think what he wants about a woman. Modesty or not.

In closing to this totally random and "all over the place" rant, the LDS church will not be happy until the women dress like this............

Look mom. No leggings! Modest is hottest, right?

Things I would have Pinned

2011-10-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

Welcome to another installment of "Things I would have Pinned"

Source: thenesteffect.com via Jen on Pinterest

Something I want to do in Madi and Cobi's bedroom. Cute huh?

Source: notesonawedding.com via Christina on Pinterest

I love this idea of twine around a jar. So many possibilities!

Source: theitaliandishblog.com via Michelle on Pinterest

Ummm, these look splendid.

Source: isuwannee.com via jcv on Pinterest

I love this hair. I don't think the purple would hold very well unfortunately.

Source: weheartit.com via Ginny on Pinterest

Yes please!

Source: facebook.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Tee hee...

Source: google.com via Victoria on Pinterest

I have an idea for these bobby pins..... watch and wait!

Source: flickr.com via Simrin on Pinterest

I heart Oregon

Source: blueberrylake.tumblr.com via Kellie on Pinterest

Source: blogs.babble.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Source: theskinnywebsite.com via Rachel on Pinterest

How come Jennifer is so perfect? Everything about her is just lovely.

Source: extratv.warnerbros.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Not a huge Brittany Spears fan, but if this is true, YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!

Source: gardeninginheels.tumblr.com via Leanna on Pinterest

Someday......

Happy Wednesday ya'll!!!!!!

p.s. SOmething was fubard while I was posting this. Sorry if its hard to follow. I don't have time to figure it out right now. =)

We got a boat...

2011-10-11T14:12:00.000-07:00

So its not quite like the one in the vid, but...

(I choose the clean version.)

So Kenny has been wanting a boat, like a river boat. They are ExPeNsIvE!

So after doing a little craigslist lurking, he found a deal he couldn't pass up.

Its a lake boat, so not really what he wanted, but at least the entire fam dam can go with him

on the water.

We took it out for a real test drive this past Sunday. Here is the documentation of the voyage.

I actually drove.

"Oh captain, my captain"

Aunt Tina and Kenny's mom. They were so nervous to ride in it---they know Kenny too well and that he would go fast and bounce over the waves, but he was well behaved. =)

So the first actual family tested voyage turned out to be a success. It looks a little Cousin Eddy-ish but with a new paint job and a few minor fixer ups on the inside, it should last us a long time. and be a source of great family memories.

=)

Sipping on Tuesday's

2011-10-11T13:50:00.000-07:00

Since Spud Harvest break is officially over for the year, lunches are back on the table---literally.

Elizabeth wasn't able to make it today but Collette and I met at her house for a simple and delicious meal.

She served fruit and cheese and I brought the homemade bread and dessert. I was super lazy and forgot my camera to take a picture of the spread, but believe me it was lovely.

It was so nice to get back together and gab about life over yummy food. I've really missed these lunches the past several weeks.

So here is a recipe for the dessert I made- Self Frosting Zucchini Cake.

1/ c butter, soft
1/2 c oil
1 3/4 c sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c buttermilk
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 t cinnamon
2 1/2 c flour
4-6 T cocoa
1 t vanilla
2 c grated zucchini

mix butter, oil. sugar and eggs. Add vanilla and milk then dry ingredients. Mix. Add zucchini last. Bake 350 for 40- 45 min. When done and very warm add a good amount of brown sugar and chocolate chips, and nuts (optional) to the top.

I have made the cake and put the brown sugar and chocolate chips on before baking it (not intentional- I was on the phone with a good friend and got distracted) and it turned out swell. Both ways are highly recommended.

Happy Tuesday!

My rough Bucket List--{subject to change}

2011-10-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

I emailed one of my fantastic gal pals the other day and asked her if there was anything she would like to see on my blog. I'm at a standstill. I'm constipated in the creative writing area. I need to get something out! Anyhoo--- she suggested I write about my Bucket List.

A Bucket List (for anyone who doesn't know what one is) is a list of things to do before you die, or kick the bucket. I've been thinking about it for a couple days now and I think I will do one idea a week, because I still don't even know what I want to do.

So my first item in the bucket is..............

A trip to Hawaii.

I would love to get there. Love it. Kenny and I aren't huge travelers, partly because of money, partly because of the kids, and partly because... too many excuses huh? Maybe for our 15th anniversary?

So that is one thing I would like to do before I die. When we go, I might not ever come back home. =)

The loss of a brilliant man...

2011-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

Steve Jobs has passed away leaving behind an awesome legacy and an inspirational path to create, do, and live your dreams.

"No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

2005 Stanford Commencement Speech

Your brilliance will be missed....

Things I would have Pinned this week

2011-10-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

Source: tiredofbull.tumblr.com via Yulia on Pinterest

Source: awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com via Helen on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Nicole on Pinterest

I love this look.

Source: revolverindy.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I want to do this soooooo bad! I just don't know where.

Source: None via Kasie on Pinterest

I had an experience with this recently. It hurts to be talked about.

Source: blogs.babble.com via Joey on Pinterest

Mmmmmmm. I might be making this next time I have to bring a dessert to lunch.

Source: blogchef.net via Michelle on Pinterest

I will be making this very soon. The kids like tacos and noodles, so its a win win.

Source: shannonsewell.tumblr.com via Brittany on Pinterest

I have learned this lesson.

Source: weheartit.com via Kimberly on Pinterest

True friends are few and far between.

Source: priscillasdf.tumblr.com via Joy on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jenna on Pinterest

Love this loft. I want it. Kenny promised me to build a master suite and this is what I want it to look like. Ok Kenny!

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Laina on Pinterest

I "pinned" this last week on my blog and decided to make it yesterday and it was delicious! If you like shrimp and pasta give it a whirl.

Source: tatteredandinked.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

So how cute is this Halloween decoration? I had left over scraps from when Kenny redid his moms front porch and I made one craft already with some of the scraps, and now I have this crafty done.

I painted the kids' feet and had them step on the boards. They loved it! They loved how the paint tickled and then how it tickled when I washed off the paint.

And here is the end result. Yes, the "B" is shiny in the pic but you get the idea. I quite like it.

Happy pinning!

One last hu-rrah before we say good by to nice weather...Lagoon style!

2011-10-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

We've (meaning Kenny and I) have been PrOmIsIng the chitlins that we would venture over to Lagoon to have a day of fun. So we kept our promise and went this past Sunday. Here are a few of the captured moments we got...

The train ride. Madi was grouchy for some reason. I think she wanted to sit by Kenny, but I can't remember. Tommy was super excited though. It was a "Thomas the Train" train he decided. Either way, the kids enjoyed this easy ride and got to see some caged tigers (now that was upsetting to me. They were in chain link fences with cement walls and floors.)

I hate my picture to be taken but Cobie sure is cute!!!!!!!

Bwhahahahahahaa. You can see Cobie smashed behind Kenny and I!

Mr. Tommy loved these planes. He wouldn't let go of the trigger.

And here we have the boats.....

And the race cars.....

And more airplanes....

Here was a cute little house in Pioneer Village. You can't see the whole thing but a house this cute would be a dream of mine. So darling!

And here we have the ride that Kenny said I wouldn't get soaked on. He took the kids for the first time and then talked me into going. I got SOAKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It took me all day to dry out... Next time I will be more prepared. But it was super fun.

Madi was unhappy about being wet. =) Tommy loved being soaked.

A spider.

Here is a ride that the kids LOVED. It was so fun. It made their tummies "tickle."

We had so much fun. The kids will live off of those memories for a very long time.

Happy Monday!

Things I would have Pinned this week

2011-09-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo making this. I will let ya'll know how it turns out.

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Laina on Pinterest

I want to try making this, I just need bigger beads.

Source: katehinesjewelry.com via Kristen on Pinterest

I just love a good fall dessert, especially if its pumpkin. This recipe is like one I already swear by, only I make mine in a 9x13 rather then a skillet. Pretty much the same concept. I'll try it.

Source: anniesdish.com via Deborah on Pinterest

This just makes me laugh every time I see it. I started to jog this summer and felt like a real athlete, but I most likely looked like...

Source: 9gag.com via lost on Pinterest

I am going to make a whole slew of these guys for my porch. Of course I will blog about it.

Source: bhg.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

So true. It's the straight people who are causing the "problem." I bet those who oppose gay marirage never looked at it this way.

Source: buzzfeed.com via Polly on Pinterest

yup....

Source: imgfave.com via Polly on Pinterest

Love the placement on this one.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Victoria on Pinterest

Kenny would attest to this every time he takes my picture.

Source: tumblr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

Love the placement again. Beautiful.

Source: tumblr.com via Laura Vanessa on Pinterest

Wow. yet another reason why I haven't jumped on the whole legging band wagon.

Source: poorlydressed.failblog.org via Heather on Pinterest

I love this floor so much. I was thinking of doing something similar to it, but just make it into a wall hanging instead,

Source: itsdesigned.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So there are a few things I would have pinned. This week I got a few meal ideas and crafty ideas. I have so many crafts lined up. Gotta get my butt in gear and start doing them!

Happy Wednesday!

Video's that I LoVe

2011-09-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

So the kids are out of school for two weeks for "Spud Harvest" and I am trying to stay above water with the added chaos in the house, the added chores, and the added stress. Its funny how in the summer the kids are outside most of the day, so the house stays relatively clean. But for some reason, even though the weather is great, the kids want to be inside.

I have nothing to blog about today, so I thought I would share a couple of videos that I have found enjoyable.

I have a slight addiction to scarves, but tying them is an entirely different story. I found this super great video about tying them. Plus it's entertaining and the gal is adorable.

One of my favorite songs is "Broken" by Lifehouse. So enjoy the music video and that q-t Jason Wade.

If you are easily disturbed, do not watch the next video. Kenny's man pal Rayce introduced us to "Salad Fingers" and I have to admit, while its soooooooo oddly weird, I can't stop watching it.

One of my favorite music montages of all time. I have posted this before, so sorry. =)

Happy Tuesday!

I am a creature of habit

2011-09-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Kenny and I are polar opposites. His personality likes to change things up, do things differently, have spontaneous whims that take him places or purchase things. He loves his job because he does something different every single day.

Me..... well I am comfortable in my routine. Here are some examples-

I can't start my day without working out

I have to make my bed every morning

This summer I started to jog and I would go to the high school track. I had to be out of the house by a certain time, I listened to same songs on my iPod, and I always used lane 3---ALWAYS

I worked for an Endodontist for 8 years and the procedure was the same with almost every patient.

I work for a Sleep Lab and the hook up (that I do) is the exact same for every patient. I have been there for 12 years.

I drive the same route to work every night I work.

I do my nightly routine the same every night before bed, which Kenny laughs at almost every night as well, which is part of the routine.

These are just a few of the things that I do the exact same every day. While most of my day is doing other things like laundry, paying bills, running kids to and from school and gymnastics, which I have no routine for, I find huge amounts of comfort in the things I do the same EVERY SINGLE DAY. And if my routine is broken- oh man.

This video pulled at my heartstrings....

2011-09-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

video platform video management video solutions video player

Sorry about the short add at the start of the video, but its worth it to see this brave young man.

When I watched his story on the news this morning I cried.

I cried for this young mans bravery. Not only does he defend our country, but he has an internal bravery that surpasses combat.

I cried for is hesitation in telling his father what he needed to say.

I cried for the words that finally left his mouth.

I cried for the reaction of his father.

I cried for the pure and unconditional love a father has for his son.

This video to me is what pure love is... the love for your child in their most vulnerable and authentic moments. Those moments that happened occasionally in life when we need our loved ones the most. This father did not fail his son. This father defines what the word father means.

This video will stay with me for a long time. I wanted to share it with you and pass on to you what pure love is, loving your child no matter what.

Happy Wednesday....

Things I would have Pinned

2011-09-21T09:09:00.000-07:00

Source: polyvore.com via Rilana on Pinterest

Source: blogilates.com via Lorena on Pinterest

Did this workout this morning. It was tough which I loved. I hope to be feeling it in the morning. I love sore muscle workout pain. Bring it!

Source: juicyjacqulyn.tumblr.com via Mandy on Pinterest

Wow~~~~~

Source: alisaburke.blogspot.com via Christina on Pinterest

I want to make something like this for above my stair case. I have to find an awesome quote first. Plus my handwriting is as good as the one above. hehe

Source: 9gag.com via Robin on Pinterest

I still do this.....

Source: havenspie.tumblr.com via Kaitlyn on Pinterest

Source: net-a-porter.com via Stacy on Pinterest

I am loving this outfit. Gotta get the look.

Source: yogaprivatelessons.tumblr.com via Carliss on Pinterest

How cool is she????!!!!!!!!

Source: 9gag.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Stefanie on Pinterest

I made something like this, but I like the color in the picture better. Gotta get me that color.

Sipping on Tuesday's will be postponed until next week...

2011-09-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Although the other gals will be there, I had to cancel on them because I am sick. Ill. Under the weather. Get the picture?

I never get sick so this was unwelcome.

As I am typing this my stomach is screaming at me....

So let me talk about something for a bit. I have been depressed lately. Like really bad. I get blue once in awhile, just like everyone else, plus I am a girl and I have monthly hormonal issues- but these past few days it was beyond the norm.

Kenny even gave me one of his anxiety pills because I couldn't stop crying. Poor guy. I'm sure he thought he was going to have to commit his wife.

My spirits are higher today (but my stomach is angry) then it has been in awhile. So thats good.

I had to go to Kenny's office the other day and while I was there I noticed the current issue of "Community Living Magazine" that he designs. Its a Nevada publication. Anyway, I was thumbing through it to see how awesomely talented Kenny is at designing when I noticed an article that jumped out at me. It was titled, "SAD: Maybe its More Then Just a Change of Seasons."

Holy cow.

I am not a doctor and I would be the last person on the planet to self diagnose. but this is me!

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression. It happens when the sun decides to hide itself more and more in the fall. dang sun. Why do you do this???????

It seems that this year I have been more anxious about winter then ever before. I don't know why either, But, now that I know I am not crazy and I am sensitive to the seasonal change Idaho has, I can be more proactive and fight this.

With the change of seasons in the air, is there anything any of you do to help with depression?

Things I would have Pinned

2011-09-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

Source: polyvore.com via Faeh on Pinterest

Love this outfit. I need it for fall.

Source: embracelifephoto.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Good idea for a Christmas card with the family.

Source: vi.sualize.us via Grace on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via April on Pinterest

I am loving stripes!

Source: itsthesmallthingsblog.blogspot.com via Chris on Pinterest

I did this and loved it.

Source: someecards.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Darby on Pinterest

Totally making these necklaces...

Source: rockettstgeorge.co.uk via Erica on Pinterest

Source: diaryoflittlesecrets.tumblr.com via Rosemarie on Pinterest

Sipping on Tuesday's

2011-09-13T12:30:00.000-07:00

Another week has flown by, which means Tuesday has come again.

Elizabeth hosted lunch today and she made chicken and steak with veggies kabobs. They were delicious! I love anything grilled, and she did a good job grilling up these bad boys today.

Collette made a yummy spinach salad with a vinaigrette dressing, Italian cheese, and bacon. This is not a picture of it, even though I brought my camera I neglected to take one. =( But with or without a picture, it was superb.

I made dessert. I tried a new recipe that I am now sold on. Oh my. These Cookies n' Creme cookies were divine. Click on the image to get the recipe.

Yeah for lunches!

Happy Tuesday all....

Sacred September 11th

2011-09-11T13:18:00.000-07:00

The word "sacred" has an entirely different definition to me since walking away from Mormonism. To me it has nothing to do with a temple building and what is done in that building. It has nothing to do with clothing or underwear or things that "can't" be discussed. It has nothing to do with religion, rites, rituals, words, or names.

10 years ago we all know of the atrocities of what happened. Men, in the name of their "GOD," killed thousands of men, women and children. 144 years earlier- on September 11th, Mormon men killed around 120 men, women, and children in the name of their "GOD."

The Mountain Meadows Massacre is not a topic discussed in the local Sunday School classes in neighborhood LDS ward buildings. I would even bet tithing money on how little the members actually know about this brutal act of violence in their "perfect church's" history. It is something I had never heard of until I started to look closely at the LDS church for what it actually is, and I am honest when I say this... Brigham Young was an evil man. The church tries to hide or soften the blows when it comes to this horrific day in early Mormonism and I have to ask... why?

The Mormon Church loves to play the role of martyr, victimizing themselves as a laughed at group who are misunderstood as persecuted people. They celebrate those who suffered during the treks across the plaines, they celebrate those who leave their families to join Mormonism, and they see their early prophets as immortals who could do no wrong. Anyone who honestly looks at the real events that unfolded on that day in 1857, would begin to see how the Mormon church functions in secrecy, fear, and complete blind obedience to men who are not sanctioned by any GOD that may or may not exist.

Both of the events that happened so many years apart, stem from believing in a GOD that cares little about peace, tolerance, forgiveness, love, and humanity. I will never believe in any GOD that cares so little about the lives of good human beings. I will never pray to a GOD that cares more about not taking his name in vain then about killing a child. I will never follow men who claim to have absolute truth in a GOD and then ask me to prove loyalty by slaughtering a young father. I will never follow the words of a prophet who claims to talk to GOD daily, but cannot foresee events like 9-11.

My world view has come a long way since 9-11-01. I have finished having my children, I have been married almost 13 years, we have purchased our first home, and our jobs are going well. All of that aside, loosing my religion was the most eye opening thing I have ever done. Looking back on the events of the September 11th that I remember, the word sacred has an entirely different meaning to me. Its personal, its vulnerable, its authentic, its emotional, and its all mine. Thinking of those who died on both of those days, whose tears were still wet when they died in fear, whose spouses never had the chance to say "I love you" one last time, whose arms never again held their children late at night, and to those who never had the chance to grow up and fully experience life, they are sacred to me. They are what I consider holy and immortal. They are real. They are forever and never forgotten. That is what sacred means to me.

Today I will remember all of those, both in 1857 and in 2001, who died at the hands of extremists.

A crafty day with a gal pal and my sissy

2011-09-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

So my friend over here came over to make a Christmas craft with my sister and I. My sister was here for a week to have a little R&R and we organized a little crafty time. I didn't get any pics of Becky... but she was there. I promise. Her tree turned out wayyyyyyyyyy cute!

I made some lunch and Brit brought a drink and a treat...single serve mini ice creams that were yumm-o. I made some open faced sandwiches that I cannot take credit for. I saw an idea for a toasted English muffin topped with a slice of tomato and avocado. Then on top of that a slice of cheese (the idea used Mozzarella but I used Provolone) and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on top of that. Broil that bad boy up and lunch is served! The pics below are actually from dinner later on that night. They were so good I made Kenny and I one and added a slice of left over steak.

Then after our lunch we got our craft on. We did a 2x4 project. We cut out various sizes of the wood, along with a whimsical star to finish off the trees- and painted the wood, then Mod Podged on some scrap book paper. Strands of berries could be added when the craft is done too. Brit has the tree that looks finished. I will eventually add the berries.

Then here we are sanding the trees off to look all roughed up. Aren't we cute. hehe. We lost touch with each other for awhile and have reconnected... I guess the stars were lined up just so. =)

Stuff I would have Pinned this week.

2011-09-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

No recipes in this post, but I have several stored up that I have tried and will gladly share.

Source: tumblr.com via Shelley on Pinterest

Ugh. Every negative thing that comes out of my mouth about my body I am teaching my girls to think the same way. I need to stop.

Source: the3rdplanet.tumblr.com via Mindy on Pinterest

I can make it as long as I have Kenny by my side. Nuff said.

Source: city-folks.tumblr.com via Simone on Pinterest

My new philosophy. I have to do things now.

Source: chischissy.tumblr.com via Laura on Pinterest

Love it.

Source: plixi.com via Kristen on Pinterest

Dr. Suess- such wise words.

Source: pbfingers.com via Morgan on Pinterest

I do this a couple times a week. I WILL look like one of those gals soon (as I eat this Halloween double stuff OREO.)

Source: someecards.com via Natalie(: on Pinterest

Bwhahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Source: etsy.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Source: healthyisalwaysbetter.tumblr.com via herrrr. on Pinterest

Gripe. One day I will. If it kills me I will.

Source: google.com via herrrr. on Pinterest

I don't get baby hungry...I get puppy hungry. So stinkin' cute.

Sipping on Tuesday's

2011-09-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

It was a lovely day for lunch today. The weather was pleasant hanging out in the 70's, so since I was hosting, I decided to have lunch outside.

I saw an idea for a center piece where a Mason Jar was used as a vase. Inside the vase lemons were placed around the base of the flowers. It was just beautiful. So I took the idea and switched it up a bit.

I used limes that were old. Real old. Then I cut down some of my mint that had gone to seed and stuck them into the jar, then placed the limes around the stalks. I think it looks dandy!

Elizabeth made a delightful salad with a vinaigrette and sunflower seeds. It was yummy! I broiled some store bought garlic bread to go with......

the Sun-dried Tomato Penne Pasta and cream sauce I made. This is NOT how mine looked, but for how good this looks, thats how mine tasted. =) I added a few sliced of cooked bacon and real minced garlic, not the salt. The bacon added a whole different dimension to the pasta, plus... um, its bacon! Everything is better with bacon. Click on the pic for the recipe.

Collette made chocolate cookie bars....

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/8 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
12 Tbs. *unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-2 cups chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 325. Mix flour, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl; set aside.
2. Cream butter and sugars. Mix in egg, yolk, and vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredients; mix until just combined. Stir in chips.
4. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet.
5. Bake, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking, until cookies are light golden brown and outer edges start to harden yet centers are still soft and puffy, about 13-15 minutes. (Frozen dough requires an extra 1 to 2 minutes baking time.) Cool cookies on cookie sheets.
6. Dough can be refrigerated up to 2 days or frozen up to 1 month--shaped or not.

For bar cookies, spread dough in a 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes.

*You can use regular salted butter; just omit the salt called for in the recipe.

It was such a yummy lunch. I look forward to these weekly meals. Next week Elizabeth will be hosting.

Until then! Have a happy tuesday!

Heck yes I did!

2011-09-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Remember this picture from a few posts down the page?

I mentioned that I wanted to do something like this picture. My hair is nowhere near this long (oh how long is it gonna take?!) and I didn't know if I wanted to do all of those colors, but I loved the concept. For some reason my weirdness was wanting to show through via my hair.

I scheduled an appointment with the only woman I allow my hair to be messed with~ Heather. (hmm. Must be the name.)

This is what my hair looked like this early spring. It hadn't changed much, the colors merely faded and it grew slightly. I freakin hate my picture to be taken.... and yes i took it myself too.

TADA! Holy Moly! I am in love.

I gave Heather free reign with the colors. She went a bit darker in some all over highlights, then added the green and the red-ish pink-ish-purple-ish too.

It makes me happy.

My inner weird is definitely showing through.

I asked Kenny if he liked it, and he said if I'm happy then he is... code for "not really."

Since we have such long, brutal, depressing winters, I needed something to ease my moods that fluctuate during the awful 7 months of snow. Enter my hair...

~Yes I am such a girl by blogging about my hair~

Things I would have pinned

2011-08-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

So I was going to join Pinterest, but I need a Twitter account or a FB to join, so I decided to just lurk instead. Its all good.

So here are just a few of my favorite things that I would have pinned...

Adam Levine has really nice sleeves. Some men can pull them off &
some can't, but Adam definitely can.

This is a lovely tattoo. I love the placement and the font.

Lately, I have been trying to make decisions based on how I feel about something, and believe me-
I am criticized for it.

Want want want want want want want want want want want.

No comment

Then I would like to share a video of Kenny 4-wheeling this past Saturday. This is what he loves, this is what makes him happy...driving his red Jeep.

Is Atheism a four letter word?

2011-08-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Or possibly worse?

The word itself gets such a negative and harsh knee-jerk reaction.

There have literally been thousands of "Gods" grace the hearts of mankind since the beginning of time, and yet we don't believe in those "Gods" anymore. Thor? Hello...Are you out there?

Atheism is so misunderstood, and I wish I knew why. Extreme fundy Christians seem to be more accepting of gays then of someone who doesn't believe in God at all. Weird, I know.

I found this video on another super amazing blog and thought I would steal it. Its not one of those videos where they try and convert you, try and get you to have a testimony of their belief, or convince you of anything. They don't even ask for a monetary donation. It is just an eye opener as to how an atheist feels, believes, thinks, acts, and lives.

Happy Tuesday...

I made the oversized ruler!

2011-08-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Remember when I posted this idea?

Well, here is my version. I had an old board that I used for something else and didn't need anymore. So I sanded it and put an oak stain on it. Then I used a sharpie marker to do the marks and the numbers (which I placed the wrong way... seriously. I can't follow directions!)

Then I had Kenny nail the oversized ruler to the wall.

The nice thing about this is that we can even use it for the grandkids. yikes! Did I just say that? Holy cow, I gotta raise these chitlin's first. =)

I am an Ex-Mormon video

2011-08-28T09:37:00.000-07:00

This couple has a similar story to that of Kenny and I. The husband found out things about the church that shocked him and made him question. He confided in his wife who , in turn, left. They will now be able to raise their child with standards they set, and not those forced on by an organization. Plus they have cool accents. I want one....

Sipping on Wednesday's

2011-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, our lunch's are back! Every week two other gals, and myself included, get together and share a meal, gab, and do what girls do best.

This first week the lunch was at Collette's. She asked me to do a side.

I brought a salad. The lettuce and peas were from my garden, the cucumbers were from my moms and everything else was from the store. I saw and idea to put a serving of salad in a drinking glass. So I tried it. Cute huh?

Collette made the main dish... chicken wraps. She had deli chicken breast, t, shredded cheese, leaf spinach, red onions, dressing, and wrapped it all in a delightfully green spinach tortilla. Aren't they beautiful?

Elizabeth was asked to do a dessert. She bought this super cute cake from the bakery. Doesn't it just make you happy? I love the over sized sprinkles.

Then Collette made this yummy Peach drink...

1 jar home canned peaches- juice drained
2 tsp raw sugar
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 c ice

Blend first 5 in blender, add ice, blend until smooth.

Our first lunch was a success. Its so nice to be able to share food and conversation with these two gals. We had to cancel next week (my bad- I scheduled a hair appointment) so the next lunch is in two weeks. We had to move our days to Tuesday as well, so I gotta come up with another name.

Happy Wednesday....

Favorite things

2011-08-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

So I was going to open a Pinterest account, but that means I need a Twitter account or a Facebook account and I don't want to do either, so I lurk on the home page. I lurk a lot. Yes, I am the creepy gal who lurks and no one knows it. Mwhahahaha.

So here are a few of my favorite things from there lately. I'll be doing a post like this often. So sit back and enjoy some fun, mostly quotes, but fun none the less.

So~ I absolutely love this idea and I am scheduled to have this done to my hair.
I'll change it a bit, but the idea will be the same.

I hear ya. 4x' s over I hear ya....

~click on image to get the instructions~
I am making this soon. I have to wood ready to go! Of course I will be blogging about it.

Hehehehehe. I love me some Dwight.

~Click on image for recipe~

I made this delectable treat this past Sunday morning. Can I say...

wow.

Ummmm. wow.

You won't regret making this. I promise.

So there is a short post about some of my favorite things from Pinterest. I guess my blog will be an unorganized pin board. Deal with it you must.

Since school is in and I have some time...

2011-08-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

At the start of every summer I seem to make a to-do list of everything I want to accomplish. When school starts I end up with the same list, never having ever crossed off anything I intended to do. Anyone else do this too?

Don't get me wrong, I accomplish plenty, but just not the stuff I really want to do. And I also seem to take the summer off from doing heavy duty grocery shopping and meal planning. I end up running to the store ever other day in search of a quick and "don't heat up the kitchen please" meal.

So, since grand ol' school started last week, it was time to get my butt in gear and get that to-do list done and some groceries bought.

~~Groceries~~

Well that was easy, but painfully brutal at the check out. Yikes! Do I need to refinance my house?

I wanted to make a bulletin board thing for Tommy's room. The little man loves to do art work and I am out of wall space to pin stuff to. So I created a small one today. Three nails, some heavy duty string and some clothes pins. TADA! Seriously...this took all of 5 minutes and it took me all summer to finish the idea. Lame....

I "heart" my apothecary jars. HEART them. I have seen so many creative ways to fill them and finally decided to display our beach treasures. We have tumbled rock, agots, and sea shells in this apothecary now. Much better then candy. ******* you caught me, I didn't dust today. TOMORROW it will be done************

Well, thats only a couple of things, but yeah that I got them done. Its nice to have a routine now, food in the pantry and a menu set for 2 weeks. Ahhhhh. While I was doing my little projects I caught a picture of Tommy playing his computer game. He looks so little!

Happy Monday!

2011-08-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

This man is so amazing.

Embrace those who are gay. They are human. They have feelings. They are people. Accept them as who they are. Value their experiences, we might learn something.

Awe yes, its back to school dayz........

2011-08-18T19:38:00.000-07:00

The summer flew by and another school year has descended upon us. I can't believe how old the chitlin's are getting. That means I am getting older right along with them.

I have all three girls in school now, if Kindergarden is counted as school, which I think it is, but only for half a day. Its going to be a strange but delightful adjustment having only Tommy home with yours truly.

Emme is in the 4th grade. She was thrilled to go back to school. Her new teacher is known for doing art projects, which is right up Emme's alley.

Cobie started Kindergarden! She was so excited to ride the bus, have her BFF in her class, and learn her letters.

Madi was nervous to go back. She was relieved to have some friendly faces in her class this year and, of course, her favorite part of the day was recess. That's Madi for ya....

Then there is my little man who I will get to hang out with for most of the day. In celebration of "back to school" a friend and I went shopping, got a treat, and had a lovely visit with Tommy in tow. He was an angel the entire time, never causing me any grief.

Its going to be nice having a routine again. Now, I may actually be able to clean the house and have it stay decent for longer then an hour.

Did you notice the photos? Kenny is teaching me some Photoshop. This may or may not be a pleasant experience for him......................

Like father like son.

2011-08-15T10:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Kenny came home from doing free lance at his office. He had left before the kids had gotten out of bed.

When Tommy saw what his dad was wearing (a red 4x4 Jeep shirt~imagine that) Tommy went and put his on, the same exact shirt (yes they have a few matching shirts) and proudly strutted around.

He was JUST like his daddy.

It was one of the cutest and most touching moments I have seen in awhile.

An hour at the park

2011-08-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

Kenny had to go into work today to work on some free lance projects that are on a deadline. For some reason he doesn't feel like he can really work from home? Really? Weird.... 4 kids and a nagging wife with a long list of honey do's in his mind equals interruptions and a short attention span.

So to cure the potential day of Wii games or Netflix movies I took the kids to a local park and decided to try out Kenny's camera.

Its huge. (Why thank you). Its one of those ginormous professional camera types that has a bazillion different buttons and levers and numbers and lenses and code words and comes in a back breaking backpack. Yes. One of those. He's been teaching me a little here and there on how to use it.

While the chitlins played I played professional camera gal who acted like she knew what she was doing. Here are two of the results.

Me laying down under this tree

The swing set before it got mauled by my kids.

A little photoshop on each one and I think they turned out okay. Not fabulous, but okay.

Cheerio!

I am an Ex-Mormon video

2011-08-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Isn't this woman beautiful? And her name is...just...lovely.

What amazes me is that after seeking advice from several bishops, Heather was told that the unhappiness in her marriage and family life was a trial and that if she endured to the end she would be happy. So in essence, she would be miserable then have to DIE to finally find joy and happiness.

Interesting.....

This woman took back her power. She found her authentic self. She found happiness.

Happy Sunday.

It was one of those days, and a bite of ice cream made it better.

2011-08-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

I had one of those days. You know what I'm talking about? Where everything annoys you and patience wears thin.

I decided to get out of the house for a bit this afternoon, and change the scene for a couple of hours. My parents were taking Emme and Madi over night so my plan was to go to some of MY shops and then to stupid Wal-Mart for some groceries to last the weekend.

If anyone knows me at all, they know that I am a sucker for consignments stores. Love them. Heart them. Whatever them I totally dig them. And there are a couple in I.F. that I frequent. So I went to one of them looking for whatever caught mine eyes.

So it was crowded. Ubber crowded. Like over the top ridiculously crowded and me hauling 4 chitlins through the place was stupid. Well, after trying on three things and only buying two of those said things I was standing in line to pay and this woman cut in front of me. If anyone knows me at all, again, they know that I do not stand up for myself and I am a pushover-------Big time. So I don't say anything. Well, this woman was so friggin' annoying! She wouldn't stay in her personal bubble, she rearranged the counter displays, and she would not hold still for two seconds. I would guess she had been in her mid 60's and dressed like a 20 year old (yes--one of THOSE). So- when it was her turn to pay for her stuff, I got into HER bubble just to be annoying, I set my stuff on the counter before she was done (like she had done to the gal before her) and the woman had the nerve to give ME the evil eye. WHATEVER!

So I leave and head to Wal-Mart. Okay.....Wal-Mart on a mid Friday afternoon has got to be the dumbest thing EVER. It was so crowded. I don't have anymore words. And what's with people strolling down the aisle, leaving their carts mid aisle to gawk at something 50 feet away leaving their screaming kids to annoy all who are around? That was my experience there today. WIth 4 kids in tow.

I get home a bit frazzled from the traffic (Idaho Falls has traffic? Since when? It started today....) and I am putting my stuff away and I had forgotten I bought a pint of ice cream.

Read the Label. Memorize it. Write it down on your forehead. My day was erased by just one bite of the beautiful taste my tongue soaked in.

So my advice... when your day gives you lemons, don't make lemonade, eat Starbucks ice cream.

Well, I'm off to take the two little ones to dinner while Kenny takes his man pal to BJ's Bayou. Oh, and I think I'm going to open a Pinterest account. I guess its all the rage.

I'm late in posting the Warren Jeffs verdict

2011-08-08T07:17:00.000-07:00

but the man was found guilty of two counts of sexually assaulting a 12 year old and a 15 year old (which the 15 year old had a child by him.)

Let me go on a tangent for a sec.

The current Mormon church tries to distance itself from the FLDS, and the main reason is polygamy. The LDS church had a "revelation" in 1890 to stop the practice of this filthy teaching, although they still secretly practiced it for many more years. And isn't it convenient that this "revelation" happened when the church started to feel a little bit of political pressure? Hmmmmmm. I think the same thing was done when the blacks were given the priesthood in 1978. INTERESTING. Anyways.... what current members of the LDS church don't realize is that the FLDS practice the bare bones original doctrine that Joseph Smith WANTED for his church. They are what he wanted.

So the LDS church is a branch off of the FLDS. Not the other way around.

I wonder if this trial had any damaging affect on the LDS church. It will be interesting to see if the General Authorities have anything to say about it this next Conference session. Maybe it will just be swept under the rug like everything else.

Don't talk about it and it doesn't exist.

Well, those two girls that Jeffs rapped exist. So does Fanny Alger, Flora Ann Woodsworth, Sara Lawrence, Helen Mar Kimball, Lucy Walker, and Sarah Ann Whitney. But lets forget about THOSE gals shall we. If it embarrasses the church it doesn't exist.

Jeffs will be tried later for the bigamy charges. I hope he represents himself again. He did a top notch job. AND I hope he gets some more revelation while in prison. Its always entertaining reading.

It makes me wonder. If Joseph Smith hadn't had his "revelation" about polygamy if there would have been the sick disease of it today in Utah, Arizona and Texas and wherever those men decide to hide out. If that teaching was really inspired of God, then why did he take it away when the country started to cause a fuss over it and why has it gotten out of control like it has? Because it was never ever ordained of any God. Ever never ever.

Rot in prison Mr. Warren. You deserve what's commin' to ya.

I am an Ex-Mormon video

2011-08-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

This woman was very brave to disagree with her Stake Leaders. It amazes me what the catalyst may be for so many of those leaving the church. It's different for everyone, and a nursery manuel was this woman's way to discover a true and authentic life.

Plus, just look at her mad gardening skillz. I want her green house. ;)

Happy Sunday.

An evening in the hills

2011-08-05T10:09:00.000-07:00

So Kenny's man pal Rayce and his kids came to the hills with us last night. We were planning on going fossil hunting and having a hot dog roast. So we started driving and it poured rain. Not little tiny rain but big fat rain and not a drizzle but a pour. But we trudged on. We made it to our spot and found a little cave off the road to eat in. I didn't get any photos in the cave, but we turned on the little camp stove and roasted the dogs, ate and then the rain stopped. YEAH!

We crossed the road to the hill we were going to go hunting on but the kids had more fun climbing it then sliding down it. Dirty bums were everywhere to be seen.

Cobie and baby Bird sliddin' down the hill.

Tommy. Isn't my little guy cute?

My kids and the Bird's hiking the hill.

They made it!!!!!!

Madi...

Emme...

Emme showed me her hands after sliding down the hill. Dirty bums AND hands!

Madi examining her hands.

So we never actually got to look for fossils, but the kids had fun. Kenny brought his climbing ropes and went for a jaunt down a little mountain. He decided to harness any kid that wanted to try climbing up the mountain, which was a sight....

Tommy...he really didn't get high, but he had fun swinging.

Cobie made it the highest. She has no fear. she would push her feet against the hill and swing pretty far out. She even banged her body up against the mountain a couple of times. =)

A Bird kidlet harnessed in!

Madi harnessed in as well....

Bird oldest kidlet... He was timid to climb, but he took several of the kids an a hike that he trailed himself.

Kenny and Rayce talking about taking pictures. Its been so great to have the Bird's back in town. They are a great little family.

Miss Emme ---the new accessory designer

2011-08-01T10:29:00.000-07:00

My Little Bugger Boo

~aka Emme~

Has started to dabble into

sewing.

She has made all sorts of things

and this purse is her newest addition.

She's pretty good for teaching herself.

My mom has had her over to her casa to teach her some correct basics

Because this mamma DOES NOT SEW

and so this little gal

has become quite the pro.

Cute huh?!

In the news yesterday...

2011-07-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

and if it was yesterday it's old news today and the world moves on, but I didn't have a chance to bloggy blog about it, so I will regurgitate the findings I happened to read yesterday.

If anyone is keeping up with the Warren Jeffs drama, who is being charged with 2 counts of sexual assault on a child and one count of bigamy, we found out that he is indeed defending himself. Just when I thought this "prophet" couldn't get any dumber. and to make the entire situation even more brilliant.......the judge is a WOMAN!!!!!!!! I love it! Jeffs and his followers believe that women are less then second class citizens, and to have a woman in charge-and of superior authority -just makes my face contort to an evil smile. Mwhahahahhha. I just hope this sick man gets his. Read a news clip here.

The above video clip just makes me ill on so many levels.

In other news... Brad Stowell- a very sick man who admitted to molesting 24 boys while he was a boy scout leader at Camp Little Lemhi was released from prison and is living in Utah.

Lock the doors. Keep your kids away from this sick man.

You can read all about him in the links below.

http://www.postregister.com/scouts_honor/part12.php

http://www.postregister.com/scouts_honor/part2.php

http://www.postregister.com/scouts_honor/part1.php

http://idahofallstoday.com/child-molester-brad-stowell-walks-out-of-jail/

In the second link I provided this section made me livid. If his stupid mother, the police officer, and the stupid bishop had a brain in their small heads they would have been able to save the innocence of 24 boys.

But Stowell might never have had the chance to prey on Scout campers if his mother, who knew he had a problem, had steered him away from youth programs.
Stowell's mother, the family's LDS bishop and at least one Blackfoot police officer knew as early as 1988 that he had molested a child.
Police found out, pulled 16-year-old Stowell out of class and interrogated him at the police station. He confessed -- to his mother, Judith Stowell, and later to his LDS bishop -- that he had molested a 6-year-old neighbor boy. No charges were filed, but Judith Stowell and her husband had to drive him from Blackfoot to Pocatello for counseling for about six months, she said in her sworn testimony on the case.
Both Judith Stowell and Bishop Lorin Talbot were in a position to steer the pedophile away from Camp Little Lemhi and into some other activity that didn't involve children.

This man is the reason why I will never let my kids have sleep overs. This man is the reason I will never trust another adult with my children unsupervised. The dumb bishop named Lorin Talbot is a brilliant example of Mormon leadership not even having any kind of intuition or power of discernment to keep children safe from predators. This is a major reason why I walked away from the Mormon church. I am the only one who can protect my children. Why would I voluntarily hand my children over to an adult who the church doesn't even do a background check on, and I am supposed to trust them with my child because the bishop says so?? Bull.

Keep your eyes peeled for this MONSTER. He is dangerous. He will violate his parole again. He is sick. He is not to be trusted. EVER.

Dear citizens of Kaysville Utah,

2011-07-26T09:11:00.000-07:00

Get a life.

If you have so much time on your hands to complain about a window display, and one that isn't even suggestive, you have too much time on your hands.

Leave this mother of 4, Army Reserve major, college educated, breast cancer survivor woman alone. She is bringing a fresh new business to your community and you are trying to run her out.

I bet your children see more REAL SKIN in underwear on the soap operas you watch, they see more REAL SKIN at the swimming pool you take your kids to for their swimming lessons, and they see more REAL SKIN at the local Wal-Mart you drag them to for your groceries. Are you hiding their eyes for those places as well? Maybe you should just put a rag around your little ones heads ever time you step outside.

Give me a break. If this in inappropriate so is Disney's "The Little Mermaid", and I bet your kids have that film memorized.

So, since I will be going to Lagoon in a few weeks, I will be stopping buy this little shop and purchasing something pretty. Since you're all so uptight, it sounds like you are in dire need of something pretty as well.

Just sayin'..........

watch the news video here....I couldn't get the vid to embed on blogger for some reason.

A blast from the past and a conversation in the grocery store

2011-07-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

I ran into a teacher of mine from high school. This teacher lives in the same little town I live in and he was a favorite of mine for many years. He was one of those teachers you remember for your entire lifetime and one that made a huge impact on me. This teacher has never been a member of the LDS faith, nor will he ever be.

So I saw this teacher at the grocery store and had to say hello. He asked how I was and we exchanged pleasantries. Then he asked my why I quite Facebook and I was honest and told him why. I told him that since I had come out that I no longer believed in the LDS church that I had gotten some flack for it via that particular brand of social network. I told him that while so many people were supportive of me and my decision, there were many more who were not and they would be rather frank for the world wide web to see. So it was easier for me to cut my ties with FB then to continually be bothered by caddy remarks.

This teacher then shared a couple stories with me about him living in a dominantly LDS community and all of the years of teaching LDS students. He laughed when he said he had just received his "hundredth" Book Of Mormon, how he would try to stand out of the "crowd" so he didn't appear to be "of the crowd" in his dress and with what he drank. He also told me, and this was heartbreaking, that one young LDS student was upset and thought he "a good man" until he grew a beard. The student quite his class shortly after --all because of facial hair.

It was such a nice conversation and one that opened my eyes a bit more to the closed mindedness of so many people in this area. He was and still is a brilliant man and teacher. He is a good person. The longer I am away from the belief that is Mormonism, the more I see the world and the people in it for who they are and what this thing called life is about. Life isn't about trying to convert every person you come in contact with. Life isn't about judging someone for what they hold in their morning drinking mug. Life isn't about facial hair or the ridiculousness of appearance.

Maybe I will never be able to define what I think the meaning of my life is about, but I know what it isn't about. Everyday I try to shed a bit more of indoctrinated beliefs and open my mind to possibilities that are greater then I have ever imagined. So thank you- teacher from my past. You are still teaching me in this classroom called life.

Grab your popcorn, read the book, and get ready for a movie that will leave you speechless

2011-07-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

Speechless in more ways then one.

Imagine it... Jon Kraukauer who authored "Under the Banner of Heaven,"

Ron Howard who has acted and directed numerous films and has 9 Academy nominations, with 2 under his belt,

and Dustin Lance Black who has written all seasons of "Big Love," and won an oscar for his screen play for "Milk," who is also an exmormon...

Put them all together and what happens? "Under the Banner of Heaven" the movie.

I read the book awhile ago, and you can read my review and ramble here... You can also read what the SL Tribune and the announcement of the movie had to say about this news.

All I can say is that I am thrilled that this book will be made into a movie. The book was brilliant, and its one I will read again before I see the film. The book took 3 years for Kraukauer to research and what an incredible job he did. This film will open the eyes of any curious investigator- and rightly so.

As I think about this book and story today, which is a true story about fundamentalist Mormon men who slaughtered their sister-in-law and baby niece because "God told them too," I think that the truth is often more bazaar then fiction, and this story is one of those stories. The book had so much information in there about the past of these murderers and how they got to be so obsessed with the ORIGINAL teachings of the church. Modern day Mormons have no clue of their own church's history that had extremely brutal and blood thirsty men. Women were nothing but objects and possessions, and men were told by Young himself that the best thing to do for a sinner was to kill them. In reality, the church today is a completely different system then the original church. And members who deny or make excuses for such a past are just fooling themselves. I wonder if the modern day LDS church will put out a statement saying they have no affiliation with this film and that they deny that the content of the film actually happened. Members might even be warned not to see it, heaven forbid that they see history that contradicts what they learn on Sunday's.

Some inquiries I have about the film...

Who will they cast?
Will they talk about the Hoffman forgeries and that he is a cell mate of one of the Lafferty's?
Will they mention the "Dream Mine?"
How much of the Church's past are they going to put in the movie? There were numerous chapters about the dirty past in the book.
Will they delve into all of the polygamous sects in North America?

Ever since reading this book I have wondered if polygamy would have ever been a problem in North America if it hadn't been for good ol' Joe. Would someone else have started to practice it? We will never know how much damage has been done to woman, children and boys because of the "glorious" principle called "The Celestial Marriage Law."

Counsel the gay away?

2011-07-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

It is still so ridiculous to me that the mindset of changing someone from gay to straight continues today. And yes I am doing another "gay" post. For some reason I am feeling the need to be some sort of activist. Bare with me and my ramblings.

Michele Bachmann who is in the political news lately (I am soooooooo not political and only pay attention when the political parties decide on a candidate....which I hope this woman is never a serious contender) has a small "business" where her husband occasionally counsels people from being gay to becoming straight. Interesting. At least they aren't doing electro shock therapy like BYU years and years ago, but I digress.

Here are a couple news articles about this, here and here. Some highlights if you choose not to read the articles I linked to-

From the second link, the MinnPost-

-a patient identified as Andrew Ramirez was a high-school senior who had just come out to his family in 2004 when his parents took him to the Bachmann clinic. His Bachmann & Associates therapist “basically said being gay was not an acceptable lifestyle in God’s eyes,” Ramirez told the magazine. According to Ramirez, “his therapist then set about trying to ‘cure’ him.”

The clinic is directed by Michele Bachmann’s husband, Marcus, a therapist of 23 years who is not a licensed psychologist but who has PhD in clinical psychology from Union Institute, a correspondence/independent study-model school that is not accredited by the American Psychological Association. He practices “Christian therapy,” for mood and anxiety disorders, and employs dozens of therapists, many of whom, it should be added, are licensed. The business has received over $160,000 in public funds from Medicaid and the State of Minnesota. In Minnesota, interestingly, you don't have to be licensed to practice mental-health therapy, but licensure is necessary to bill insurers and the state. Under certain conditions, an unlicensed provider can bill the state as well.

Let me say one thing- I am totally okay with counselors who are religious and who aren't afraid to stand up for their beliefs, but to use their faith as a way to "cure" those who are struggling with various issues makes me ill. If we could cure mental illness or cancer or aids or baldness or miscarriage or birth defects or loosing a limb or job loss or death or foreclosure or blindness or stupidity or ugliness or obesity or diabetes or autism or skin color or being straight or being gay (and in NO way am I comparing being gay to any of the above, just trying to make a point) or ANYTHING that society deals with and mankind deals with on a daily bases, then it would have happened already. Think about it people! There is no way you can cure being gay just like you can't cure having cancer through prayer or faithfulness, or counseling. And why are we so obsessed with trying to cure gay people anyway? Just because you and I may not understand same sex attraction does not mean that it is wrong. I think its wrong to continually belittle and degrade a group of people who are just trying to live every day the same as you and I.

What scares me is that this woman and any other overly zealous religious fanatic who ends up being a presidential candidate in their political party will have an even greater agenda (and they ALLLLLLLLLL have one) to suppress people they are uncomfortable with, and that is NOT the America I believe in.

What would you change to make the LDS church more inclusive then exclusive, and more liberal and open minded??

2011-07-14T09:35:00.001-07:00

John Dehlin made a challenge awhile back on what members could do to make the LDS church more liberal and maintain membership rate. Below is a great video of one persons opinions on how the church could do simple changes to make the church more inclusive then exclusive.

After watching the video I am going to add a few of my own ideas.

*Rather then teach young woman that their only role in their lifetime is to get married and raise as many children as they can, I would like to see the church focus on teaching young girls to get an education. I know that many of my Young Woman lessons revolved around being a mom and wife, and not about pursuing a career. As I find nothing wrong with being a mom, and I am a stay at home mom, I still find that getting an education is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, and it should be taken very seriously.

*There is nothing wrong with being gay and gay people should have the right to be married. The church, I feel, would see an increase in numbers and tithing $$ if they allowed gays to be married in their churches and temples. After all, so many members are closet homosexuals that pay their 10%, let alone all those who have left who paid into they system for YEARS and they have the right to use the churches and temples they helped to pay for. The church does a really good job in creating homophobic feelings in its members, just as they did with the black community not too long ago. Its 2011 and prejudice, bigotry, and racism are a thing of the past.

*Release the pressure to serve missions. There is a huge rise in missionaries coming home early from serving, and its due, in part, to anxiety. The peer pressure and pressure from leaders is unbelievable. I personally feel that if missions were more service oriented, like the vid suggested, there would be a rise in missionary work from men and women. Also, let the missionaries also communicate with loved ones at home through internet, phone calls, skype, and personal visits. I think this would increase an excitement in missionaries, it would bring attention to the church, and "gentiles" may be more curious to investigate a church that would be more humanitarian goal oriented.

*No more pressure to get married so young. This also brings in my first point in getting an education. Pressuring very young adults to be married young confuses reasons to be married. Divorce rates are sky high right now, both in and out of the church, and I feel that if people waited until they were actually ready to commit to that lifestyle, a marriage would have a better survival rate. Love would actually be a reason to be married, rather then pressure of finding a "worthy" companion.

*Ease up on the meetings. The church claims its a family focused church, but how many hours of meetings are members involved in during the week?

*Make it standard that when members are called to serve in any capacity that deals with children or young adults that a background check is MANDATORY.

These are a few of my suggestions, in addition to the video I shared. Do you have any other ideas on how the LDS church could become more liberal and inclusive?

2011-07-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

Kenny and I had the Bird's over again this past friday night for another BBQ and to visit. Isn't that what summer is about? Entertaining and enjoying the weather with fine people?

I found this great idea here and thought the kids would have a blast doing their own. And you know what? They did! It was a hit. I will let you read about it in the link... the blog and instructions are far better then I could do, so if'n you want the know how...visit the linky dink.

Here is Emme doing her design work now...She is in the zone.

My little Mr. Man. By the time his was done, it looked like a purple blob... but he had fun creating the blob all by "his- self."

A baby Bird showing her artistic ability. Just like her papa.

Cobie staying focused. She chose nice and bright colors for her rock.

Another baby Bird. I think the hot rocks were a splash- or a hit- or a hot to trot craft. Either way, I will be doing these again. I may even make my own and place them in my garden to mark my plants!

happy crafting.

Our fantastic 4th of July weekend

2011-07-07T10:13:00.000-07:00

Every year we head to good ol' Jackson Hole for the 4th. My grandparents and an aunt and uncle live there and we do a mini family reunion with my moms side of the family. There is always tons of fantastic food and great conversation. I love my family! They love me for who I am and they accept my flaws. Isn't that what family is about?

Here is Cobie playing in the creek by the house. The water is terribly high this year...

My grandma's sister has a snow cone business and she brought it with her. We got spoiled with free cones! My kids thought it was the best deal on the planet.

Nok and her stuffed chicken wings, can I just say..... A-m-a-z-i-n-g!

Dean makes the best ribs EVER. EVER. EVER. There is nothing else to say.

Tommy and his snow cone mustache.

Waiting to chow down.

After dinner that evening, Kenny and I took the kids on a bike ride. There is a great path real close to the house and with the Tetons in the background it was such a great ride. Kenny had a hold of my camera and decided to leave me a few pics on it. Silly boy...

Yes, the kids rode in a bike trailer. See, isn't the view fabulous? The weather was perfect too.

On Sunday we took the kids to a childhood favorite of mine, Kelly Hot Springs (more like cool springs now) and the kids loved it. There are little fish and tadpoles everywhere and the kids caught several of them.

Tommy the stud...

A tadpole that Cobie caught.

This would be a great pic if Madi wasn't pulling a face. Why do my kids do that?!

We brought home some Wyoming fireworks (mwhahahahahahaha) and had quite the little display on Monday night. The neighbors came over and Kenny was in heaven with his pyromaniac skills.

Silly faces. Seriously, I have cute kids..... I promise!

I hope everyone had a great 4th. This country was founded on free thinkers and activists who saw a better way and they did their best to make it possible. Without free thinkers and people who stood up against oppression and continue to stand against it, change never would and never will happened. We live in a great country and I hope to continue to see good changes happen!

I heart summer

2011-07-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

Summer time is my absolute favorite time of year. Since we spend so much time indoors (7 months) in the winter, I live outside in the summer. Well, almost live outside, but you get the picture.

I try to get as much outside time as I can handle and I spend so much time in my garden and working in the yard. Who knew that I would enjoy yard work when I grew up? Since its my own yard I guess that may explain it. So here are some summer things we have been doing lately.

I follow all sorts of crafting blogs and I wish I would have paid attention as to where this idea came from to give them due credit, but alas...

I used some scrap wood that I had and put it together like a flag. I cut it out and everything-all by my lonesome, even the star. Then I painted it and roughed it up....... and viola.

I went to one of my favorite consignment stores the other day and found this beaut. I asked if it was for sale and the gal said "yes" and the best part was, it had been in the shop since Christmas (can you believe it? These apothecary jars are all the rage and I am still shocked it hadn't sold yet) so she sold it to me for half- which ended up being $7. Of course I took it, I would be an IDIOT if I didn't. Pretty huh? Filled with holiday themed candy on my mantle. Love it.

Here is our first batch of stuff from the garden. I planted strawberries the very first year we were here, about 5 summers ago, and we are now finally getting a good amount of strawberries. I was weeding the garden this afternoon and saw a couple red berries peaking out of the leaves, so I got to lookin' and HOLY MOLY! We had a nice little batch of my favorite fruit.

Summers = BBQ's with friends. If you know me at all you know that I LoVE to have people over to eat and visit. We invited the Bird's over for some chicken drumsticks, veggies, salad and Candi made a fantabulous eclair cake. I made a yummy homemade lemonade and the evening ended with a couple songs from Guitar Hero. It was a great evening.

Summertime also ='s drive-in movies. Kenny got the drive-in bug on tuesday night and so we loaded up the chitlin's and went to see "Kung fu Panda 2." The kids laid the the truck bed with their stuffed "Horton's" and pillows and sleeping bags.

They had so much fun at the movie. It was a good show and well worth the late might and the "quite TOUCHING me's" that went on.

So far the summer has been splendid. We have a couple little more things up our sleeves for family outings, and then school. Yikes. We just barely got the nice weather and back to school is mid August. Bwhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

Any plans for your summer?

camping round 2

2011-06-28T10:02:00.000-07:00

Some random pics from our most recent camping trip with the Bird's...

Cobie took this one of Kenny...

And she took this one of the fort the kids all made. It took the chitlins like 5 hours to decide to be creative and then they didn't want to stop adding onto their fort. They did a good job. There is a pile of carrots right by the tree for the rabbit that they spotted around.

Cobie and her new BFF

Its funny...I love camping when I think about it or when I am reminiscing about last weekend. I hate it whilst I am there. Oh well.

Blank bathroom wall gets a face lift

2011-06-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

We remodeled our bathroom a while ago and I had a blank half wall that I had no clue as to what to do. Do I put a framed piece of photography from the Master Kenny there? Do I do some sort of artsy fartsy thing that I purchased there? A mirror? I am NOT an artist or an interior decorator, nor do I pretend to be. I have zero ability to come up with original ideas....BUT I can copy and adjust ideas to what I have on hand. And I freakin' did.

I found this super darling idea here and loved it. So, I thought "self,you can do something like this." I shopped around my house looking for stuff to use and low and behold, I created a face lift for my wall.

I had the berry stems placed on my kitchen mantel and I had the twine already. I needed some wood so I looked back behind our garage (our house came with a lovely stock pile of old junk stuff that is kinda fun to dig through) and all I could find were a couple of rotten boards, and by rotten I mean they literally fell apart when I grabbed them. We also have this large pile of wood that Kenny's mom hauled to our casa when Kenny redid her front porch. Since we live in the country Kenny told her to bring the wood to our place so we could burn it. As I was walking back to the house, upset that the wood I found was so rotten, I found some lovely small pickets in the wood trash/burn pile. BINGO!!!!!!! I rounded three of those suckers up and viola!

I took the wood inside and burned them with Kenny's torch. Mwhahahahahaha. FIRE. I then placed the twigs on top and wrapped those boards with twine like it was nobody's business. Kenny then nailed them to the wall (insert joke here) and the face lift was complete!

Not too shabby for shopping around my house and the garbage pile huh?

Gay marriage legal in NY

2011-06-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled that this bill passed in New York. Six states down... Lets just hope that these trail blazing states can influence the rest of the country, equal rights to ALL American citizens.

Gay marriage will now be legal in New York on July 24th... Pioneer Day.

I am so excited about this. I can't help but think of all the couples who have been together for a short time, or for years and years and they will now be able to legally declare their love for each other, not only to themselves but to the world. I can't even imagine how freeing this must finally feel for these decent people. They deserve happiness in a legal and committed relationship just like everyone else.

Oh happy day!

Summer craziness...

2011-06-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

So far this summer (although its felt like early spring...stupid Idaho weather) has been a bit on the crazy side.

This past week we had a couple things go on that I want to blog about, and wouldn't you know it...I can't find my camera. I had it in my pocket on Thursday night, and then Friday Cobie took a picture with it and now the Universe has swallowed it up hopefully to resurface sometime soon.

One thing that has been going on is a friend of Kenny's has graduated college and has moved back home with his little family. We have been hanging out with them TONS and have enjoyed every second of it. BBQ's, a girls night out, and The Taste of Idaho this past Thursday night. But like I mentioned above...the weather here is YUCK! So both couples get some sitters for the chitlins and we carpool over to the event. We had only tasted about 5 different places when the wind and the rain started to sneak in. these friends had their baby with them and I was freezing, so we headed over to Famous Dave's for some BBQ. While we were warm and enjoying some freekin' HILARIOUS conversation (gold paint comes to mind) the hail started and the wind picked up even more. Ahhh. Nothing like Idaho summer.

So this same family of friends have kids around our kids' age...which makes getting together perfect... and this same family also has property in Wolverine, where they camp every summer. So.... we took our first camping trip this past weekend. Ummmm. Shall we say RAIN-WIND-COLD- and me don't mix while in the rugged outdoors. Luckily we had our camper trailer and the elements were partially avoided late last night and early this afternoon. The kids had fun being adventurous and of course Kenny is in his element in the woods, so they had fun. The rain made the rough road so slick and muddy that getting our trailer off the mountain would have been impossible, so we left it up there, a slight ploy to try another overnighter camping trip while crossing our digits for good weather. And yes...my birthday is next weekend. I just hope I can get a bit of shopping done sometime. ;)

So our family is freakin' stoked that the Bird family is here for awhile- Yea for summer fun with pals!

*lets just hope for summer weather...*

What makes up a family

2011-06-13T13:30:00.000-07:00

Credit for photo
http://www.simpsonschannel.com/2009/04/best-couch-gag-ever-contest/

Traditionally, a family consists of a mom, a dad, and children. Throw in a dog and a cat for good measure and those elements are what produced the "perfect" family. But sometimes tradition has to be kicked to the curb in order to make amazing changes in this thing we call the "Human Experience." And what better way to share this "Human Experience" then with family. So what is "family?"

Kenny has a niece who is a lesbian and she lives in our tiny and very dominantly Mormon community. She now defines, to me, what a family consists of and what a family should stand for and that is....LOVE.

This niece is helping raise two children, who are not biologically hers- with her partner. What a brave pair. I started to think about these two ladies when I ran into them at the Kindergarden roundup earlier this spring. I sat across from them as I was filling out paper work for Cobie's school, and unbeknownst to them, I was watching how these two ladies interacted with each other. I wasn't amazed or surprised. I wasn't floored or astounded. I wasn't disgusted or ashamed. What I saw was in their eyes and in the way they spoke to each other. It was how they non verbally communicated to one another and in the way they exchanged quiet and personal moments to one another. What I found was a deep respect and concern they had for each other, and for the children they are caring for. What I found was love.

It appears that all around Kenny and I there are heterosexual couples getting divorced. I am not here to judge or to give any kind of marital advice. Sometimes things just don't work out and it is better to live a life without the constant stress of trying to make it work- and then moving on. And I realize that this idea of divorce is a threat to homosexual couples as well. But one thing I feel is this...why should society and religion try and keep people from creating family unions just because two people of the same gender want to raise children, which would threaten the "traditional" family?

I love this video...

A "traditional" family should not be defined as only a heterosexual couple who want to raise children, in the defined roles as husband and wife, father and mother. As I have seen with Kenny's niece and her partner, their "traditional" family has evolved to an entirely different level. A level that all heterosexual couples should aspire to. Our Human Experience is too short to spend on making tradition the standard that not everyone can conform to. So thank you to Mic and her "Baby." Thank you for showing me that the "traditional" family can exist in all forms- as long as there is love.

What is your proudest moment?

2011-06-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

I love this video and it got me thinking as to what my proudest moment is.

*I have no idea.*

I think I may have too many to put down, not just one absolute "proudest" moment.

Do YOU have a proudest moment?

10 things you might not know about me....

2011-06-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

1. My favorite flower has got to be a lilac (is it a tree, or a bush? Whatever...) and let me tell you why. All growing up we had neighbors who had lilacs, but we never had any of our own. I would walk down the road and just breath in the fresh clean smell they have. I could bathe in those things they are so yummy. Mmmmmmm. They are my absolute favorite. So....when Kenny and I were looking at houses to buy we (I mean I) found our place and I saw that our entire driveway would be lined with lilacs I knew I had to have this place. And we got it, but not just because of the lilacs. Every other year they bloom really well, and this year is one of those years. Ahhhhhhh.

2. I love mexican food. Anything mexican I love. Cilantro has to be my favorite herb, and yes...I have some planted in my garden.

3. I have never mowed a lawn.

4. I love getting mail- email or snail mail. Its all good.

5. I love asking people about their tattoos. Since I work at a sleep center I hook up people who are in their pj's and I get to see some skin on the nights I work. There have been so many amazingly awesome tattoos that I have had the pleasure of seeing. I find that most people do a tattoo because of an event...a birth, a death, a graduation, a marriage, a breakup, war, joining the military, finding independence, wanting to be heard, finding love...and when I ask about their tattoos I get some sort of story along with it. It makes me feel connected to the human experience in some strange way. I have even asked complete strangers while I am out and about, about their body art. Try it, its amazing how we are all so alike and yet our emotions manifest in so many different ways.

6. The 4th of July and Thanksgiving are my FaVoRiTe holidays....

7. I hate cold weather and would move to the sun if I could. People tell me things like "if you moved to Arizona you'd hate the intense dry heat." I say "I would rather deal with several months of intense heat then 8 months of near frost bite cold." Well.... I would.

8. I love to bake but don't really like to eat the end result. I love the process of measuring, mixing, rising, frosting, beating, glazing, whatever....it gives me so much satisfaction.

9. In the Myers/Briggs personality test I am an ESFJ.

10. I want another dog. Since Gabby died last fall I have been wanting another little white ball of fluff. I miss her so much. This subject is a great debate in our house and I may never get my way with this....but I keep trying.

Is that YOUR lilac bush Heather?
Why yes it is...

Happy Monday!

What I am reading now...

2011-06-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine suggested this book to me and said she was anxious to talk about it, so since I am in the mood and have the desire to try a new author, I'll give it a whirl. So far its really great. You can read about it here and purchase it here.

It may take me several weeks to get through it because the weather (well, not today or tomorrow) is starting to look like summer may be here, and I spend tons of time in the yard, but I am excited to read it.

Anyone have any good reads planned for the summer?

Kenny's Memorial Day weekend.

2011-06-02T13:40:00.000-07:00

Have I told you how handy dandy my husband is? I pretty much brag about him ALL the time with his killer skills...

Kenny's mom needed her front porch redone. He had built her one out of wood about 13 years ago (while we were dating---or engaged---I don't remember exactly) and then a couple years ago Kenny and his bro built a ramp. But...wood tends to kina rot. Enter Kenny and concrete.

Our bro-in-law suggested building a ramp out of concrete so it would LAST. My husband has never poured the stuff let alone make something as daunting as a good lookin' ramp. So he and our bro-in-law made a form and waited until Mr. Concrete Man could come bring the concrete.

Seriously, Kenny was so stressed about how it would turn out. The day it was poured he had our bro-in-law, two nephews, and his brother come and help. It took them like 4 hours to get the concrete level, smooth and cleaned up around the edges. Then Saturday morning....tada!! Kenny took off the forms and it set up real nice Clark....

Along with a smokin' man to make the smokin' ramp there needed to be a smokin' railing. Kenny and his mom decided the best thing would be vinyl because it lasts. And.... Kenny decided to extend the roof over the ramp so there would be minimal shoveling in our 8 months of winter.

In front of the ramp Kenny is also going to build a large planter box so his mom can plant some tall flowers to hide the mass of cement. But I think it looks really good so far. He still needs to shingle the roof and make the box, and then the front porch will be finished.

Now all we need is some $$$$$$$$$$ for Kenny to start our next project....our basement walls.

2011-05-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

I seriously don't know where Tommy comes up with some of the things he says. My girls said and continue to say some funny things, but this little man is a riot.

Early this morning I heard him get out of bed and run into the kitchen, grab a "puke" bowl (I have several large mixing/serving bowls that the kids can reach if they ever need to puke---don't worry, I always bleach them out and wash them well before the next use) and go back to his room. So I drug myself out of bed to see what was going on.

I get into his room and he has the bowl on his bed and he is standing beside his bed with his head in the bowl, trying to puke. I asked him if he had a tummy ache and he nodded yes. So I crawled into his bed and made him lie down for a bit.

His tummy kept rumbling and he would moan. I rubbed his back for a bit then he looked over at me and said "you fed me too much food."

I guess I won't be doing THAT again...

*I hope everyone has a good Memorial Day. Stay safe and remember those who have fought so hard for the freedoms we enjoy*

Happy 33rd birthday to my one and only

2011-05-26T09:44:00.000-07:00

Today is Kenny's birthday. I just had to share this picture of him again...I love it.

I want to make this day extra special for him and I thought one *girly* way I can do that is to write him a love letter.

Here it goes...

Dear Kenny,

I have loved you since the first time I saw you 13 years ago.
You have been my rock
You have been my strength
You have stayed by my side when others have come and gone
and my love for you has grown beyond anything I could have imagined.
You have given me the best 13 years of my life
and I hope that I have done the same for you.
You continually amaze me with your talents
and with your ability to forgive
and to love
Your open mindedness and understanding
has left me breathless.
Our life together is perfectly imperfect
which is perfect for me.
You have given me 4 of the most amazing kids
and most of all you have instilled little bits of you
in them.
You are so handsome and strong
I often wonder why you looked twice at me.
I am the luckiest girl in the world
to have you by my side.
Thank you for who you are.
Thank you for loving me.
Thank you for staying by my side
as I will forever stay by yours.
As we get older
and the wrinkles set in
I will see youth in your eyes
and remember just how perfect you are for me.
I can't wait to see how our story plays out
hand in hand.

I love you forever...

Happy Birthday.

Mr. Harold Camping and his prophecy...

2011-05-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

Since Campings prediction failed with a capital "F", Mr. Harold has now moved the date of the rapture to October 21, 2011.

I find it rather ironic that active Mormons and other Christians or other faiths are making fun of this man. I say, at least he has guts enough to commit to an actual date, at least he believes in his faith enough to commit.

In Mormonism, it is taught that the prophet is in constant communication with God, so I ask- why hasn't any modern day prophet committed to a date? I feel that it would be bad PR and also make the church look absolutely fraudulent....(it doesn't need any more help now does it.) The only thing Mormonism commits to is saying that gays are bad, the only place for a woman is in the home, and pay 10%- without proof of where the money goes- no matter what.

The world will continue to have natural disasters, its what it does naturally. Sadly, there will always be doomsday chatter as long as there is religion. Wars will continue to be fought in the name of God because "the bible/ Book of Mormon says so." Suicide bombers will continue to blow themselves and others up to bring forth their rapture belief. Self fulfilled prophesying will be an every day occurrence because religious fanatics will allow destruction, death, and abuse to go unstopped to bring forth a second coming. Prophets will continue to preach fear mongering, and self proclaimed spiritual leaders will pass around the punch as people drink it to be saved. Everyday men and women will kill their babies and themselves because God told them to prepare for his coming and to sacrifice themselves.

Does this not scare you???????

October will come and go. We will all survive the foretold "rapture" that Harold Camping has prophesied once again. Mormons and christians and Jews and Muslims will blog, tweet, FB, and text how "crazy" Mr. Camping is...because when he prophecies the rapture- its illogical. When they believe the rapture will eventually happen- its ....logic?

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