I'm Ready!

Today is the start of my final week in my 30's.  One week from today I will be the BIG 4-0!  And I couldn't be more excited.  My birthday celebrations officially kicked off yesterday with lunch with an old friend, and I can just tell that it's going to be a non-stop party for the next 7 days!   (Who am I kidding?  My plan for today is to grocery shop and clean house.  I'm a Party Girl.)    

I remember when my mom turned 40.  I thought she was O.L.D.  She got a t-shirt that had "40" on it, and I thought "If she wears that, everyone will know she is OLD!!"  But guess what folks...40 is NOT old!  Yes, I've figured that out.  Heck, 50 isn't old.  70 isn't old.  I guess you are just as old as you feel, and I feel 25. 

I'm still working on my Random Acts of Kindness, and am enjoying each and every one of them.  I've done things from bring salsa or cookies to a neighbor, or bringing a bottle of water to the landscaper next door, to complimenting a man on how beautiful his daughters were.  It's been fun.  I hope you are working on yours too!!  Remember, your ONE RAOK is your gift to me!!  No shopping necessary. 

Four short days after the debut of my 4th decade, I'll be heading off to NYC with this girl.  Experiencing that amazing city with Wendy is a gift in itself.  I can't wait to see her face light up when she sees her BCF (that's Best Cousin Forever), and to watch her fall in love with the city as I have.  Barton told me this the other day: "Have to say, I'm so excited to see how Wendy reacts here and to watch her face when she sees everything - NYC is going to blow her mind, and I'm so excited to make her feel amazing here because in my mind, no one deserves it more..."  Amen to that!!  Although the timing would seem as if this is a birthday gift for me, and actually, my trip IS my gift from Hugh, the REAL gift here is that I get to go with Wendy and be with her and Barton.  Two of my favorite people on the planet.  How awesome is that??

So, today I will grocery shop, and clean house, and do all of the normal things, I'm going to do it with a little more gusto as I'll be celebrating ME.  And, as my friends know, it's ALL ABOUT ME.  Right??  :)  (Old joke.)

By the way, my HOT husband turns 40 just thirteen days after I do. Oh yes, I'll be posting about him too. 

You know who turns 40 the same day as my hubby?  This guy.  **sigh**

Wanna hear a joke?

This was sent to me my Wendy's good-lookin' dad, Bob Joy.  I feel it is my duty to share......

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away."  The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?" Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet.. "How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything.  He might just be in a coma or something." The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black  Labrador Retriever. As the duck's owner looked on  in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the

duck from top to bottom. He then looked up at the  vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.  The vet looked at the woman and said, "I'm sorry, but as I said, this is most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck." The vet turned to his computer, hit a few keys and printed a bill, which he handed to the woman. The duck's owner, still in shock, took the bill. "$150!"she cried, "$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!" The vet shrugged, "I'm sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it's now $150."

You're welcome.

Big Sister

Come September, this one.....

is going to have a little........

SISTER!!!

Congratulations Kort & Amy!

My Birthday Wish List

Let's just pretend that all of my friends and family had limitless amounts of money, and they were all scratching their heads as to what to get me for my birthday.  Well, to help them out, here are some things I want.

An  iTouch.  Not an iPad (although, I'm sure I'll want one in the future.)  Just an iTouch.  My twins each have one, and they are awesome!  Just a cool little gadget with so many capabilities. 

A Kindle.  I love to read, and this is a cool way to do it.  I just straightened out a closet and I have TONS of books, and really, nowhere to keep them all!  So, I think I could be easily converted to reading this way.  

A wide angle lens for my camera.  Just takes cool pictures. 

Have no idea what these cost.  Don't think I want to know.

This adorable camera bag.  It holds EVERYTHING!! 

A market tote.  These babies hold EVERYTHING!!  Perfect for the beach, for Connor's football games (right Kasey?), for Caitlin's softball games, and to carry all of Courtney's piano music.  :)  Plus, they are just dang cute!

One of Nancy's necklaces.  A.DOR.A.BULL!!

Cost:  Nothing.  Just Nancy's sweat and tears.

That's all.  Hey, I figured if my KIDS can come up lists like these, so can I!  I AM going be 40 after all, so I've EARNED it!!  

But, I really don't NEED anything for my birthday.  I AM going to be 40 after all. 

Easter Egg Cracking Competition

Last Saturday, we had our big family dinner/Easter Egg Cracking Competition.  As always, it was great time.  It is one of my most favorite family events of the year.  We all gathered at Kim's house, and after dinner, it was time to head outside for the festivities.  It was very, very intense.  We have some VERY competitive people in our family - mainly Hugh's mom Pam & Kort.  It's extremely serious.  Everyone in my family was knocked out in the first round.  Darn it!  But we had fun watching, and in the end Kort was victorious.  Can't wait for next year!

Yes. Miss Emmi is taking steps. 

 My niece, Karlie

Hugh vs. his Mom and that's my mom in the background.  Isn't she a hottie??

Rocko ate his egg before his turn came up. 

Oh, Kort....

This is him showing off his egg that he thinks is going to win.

Doing some bicep curls to get ready....

And he won against Ron.

Kolby & Scott providing some music vis Kolby's iphone.

Scott. Lost.

Kort vs. Malachi for the Finals.

Kort Wins!  Kort Wins!

 

And he made sure EVERYONE knew it.

The Winning Egg.  And the coveted Trophy.

Until next Easter....

Seriously Cute!

Wendy has a friend named Nancy that I met several times while she lived here.  She has since moved to Utah.  Anyway, she is quite crafty (I hate people like that) and I'm having fun looking at all of her pictures....cuz that's what I do.....look at the pictures.....I don't actually make the crafts.  Go check out her blog, and find out how to make fabric flower hair clips, or adorable beaded necklaces.  And do you know what is the most AMAZING thing about her crafts?  She does without spending a ton of money.  Very thrifty, that Nancy.  Again...hating her.  Just kidding...Love ya Nancy!!

This is the necklace she just made and has a whole step by step tutorial on how to do it yourself.  I'll take one of these for my birthday Nancy!!

Go check out My Blonde Ambition.  You can thank me later.

Come What May and Love It!

What a wonderful Easter weekend! Since we had our Family Fun Easter Celebration last Saturday, we were able to focus on the Resurrection of the Savior this Easter weekend, and enjoyed doing that while listening to the words from the leaders of the church during General Conference. Coudn't get much better than that!

One of the talks that stood out to me was given by Elder Donald L. Hallstrom. It was about Adversity. He gave the example of two families: One family had lost their child in childbirth, and instead of turning to the Lord for comfort, they became angry and spent their time trying to ruin the reputation of the doctor who they felt was to blame. This action affected four generations of this family. The second example was of  Elder Hallstrom's grandparents who lost their only daughter and her twins during childbirth. He said "My grandparents were heartbroken. Their grief, however, immediately turned them to the Lord and His atonement. Without dwelling on why this could happen and who might be to blame, they sought to focus on living a righteous life."

I have faced much adversity in my life. Most notably was the loss of our twins in 1996. I had every reason to be so angry given what we had to go through to have those babies in the first place. But, knowing that the Lord has a plan for us and knowing that someday, I would be with Austin & Spencer again, we were able to move on. Yes, it was devastating and I shed a lot of tears. And I did have moments of anger. And I did ask "Why??!!", but I was blessed with an understanding that this was just how it was meant to be. And knowing that was all I needed to move on with my life. Less than a year later, I was blessed with two more sweet babies. And one more 18 months after that.

I think that any type of adversity is an opportunity for growth. I believe that you learn from every situation, and that it molds you into the person that you are. Take Wendy, for instance. That girl has been through more than anyone else I know. For those that may read her blog, she's full of the funny and embarassing stories (seriously, some really hilarious stuff there!!) but the things she has been through in her life would have made most people run for the hills. But not Wendy. Even though some devastating things have happened to her and her family, she holds her head HIGH, and will be the first to tell you what she has learned from each and every situation. She is amazing.

Anyway, that talk from connference today was definitely on my list of favorites of all time. Kind of reminded me of one of my favorite quotes from Elder Wirthlin...."Come what may and Love It!!" Couldn't have said it better myself.

Check This Out!!

I have Stat Counter on my blog.  I've had it for a while to keep an eye on who has been on my blog.  Anyway, yesterday I had the most visits EVER!  417!!! 

And what's funny is that I know where they are all coming from.   Looks like I have some new friends. 

By the way, Watson, you ROCK.  Thank you so much for you sweet comments.  It'll be fun getting to know you in BlogLand.

April Fool's Day!!

Of course I'm not quitting my blog you silly people!  I am a STRONG WOMAN and there is NO WAY that some comments from a bunch of random women would EVER keep me from doing what I want to do!  Stick and stones people....sticks and stones....

I do find it curious that I have had over 300 visits to my blog today.  The most ever!!  Hmmmm....I wonder where those are coming from?

In any case, it takes A LOT more than some harsh words from women I don't know to offend me.  Heck, the most offensive thing that was said about me was when I was called a "MOLLY MORMON".  Really?  Me?  A "MOLLY MORMON"???  Don't get me wrong, I am not ashamed of my faith.  In fact, it is the most important thing in my life.  But Molly Mormon tends to carry the stigma of a prude Stepford wife, and for those of you who know me.....c'mon......does that REALLY describe me?  I don't think so.

So, I continue on.  Continue writing.  Continue being completely and utterly grateful for the wonderful life I have been blessed with.  Continue on with my amazing husband and adorable kids.  Continue on with the wide variety of friends that bring so much joy into my life.  Continue to know I am not a bad person, and know it is ok to speak my mind when I feel moved to.  Continue being ME.  And if you don't like that, well then, that's just too darn bad. 

I QUIT!!!

That's it.  Enough is enough.  Over the past two days I have had the most hateful, viscious comments left on my blog.  And I can't take it.  I thought I was a strong woman, but the words that have been left for me have cut me to the core.  And because of all of this nonsense, I have lost one of the best friends I have ever had.  Wendy, I never thought it would come to this, but really? Did you have to say such things to me? 

I thought about this all night.  I couldn't sleep.  And when I got out of bed this morning, I realized what I needed to do.  I need to quit blogging.  So, this will be my last post and then I'm going to delete my blog.  This is going to be a very hard thing to do as I love writing and sharing stories about my family with my friends.  But, this is the only way I feel like I can stop what is happening as I have no idea when these comments will stop. 

So, that's all folks.