The Not-So-Nice Nest

On our walk to the bus stop, there is a HUGE hornets nest. It's quite impressive. It would be awfully cool to take to the Museum Center. My other son is not brave enough to stand near it. He crosses the road every day on the way home and walks on the other side. Very sensible. I wouldn't want to get on the owners' bad side.

Only Treats, Please!

This One Is For Uncle P.

Won't he be so proud?!

Yes! It Is Me!

Yes, it is me. I am alive and here. We have recently changed habitation, which has been glorious and scary all at the same time. We moved West, but alas, it was only West by about 15 minutes, not 32 hours. My boys changed schools pretty well. I had a harder time with it than they did. I'm getting my barrings again.
So home-ownership has finally arrived and we're loving all the space. My favorite spaces: My view out the back windows, finished basement, closets-closets-closets, garage. The neighborhood has been fun. We've had people bring cookies and lemon bars and say, "Welcome to the neighborhood," and I'm meeting the moms at the bus stop. It feels so American dream. And then...... the house payments start, I have to CLEAN the WHOLE thing! and please can my cousin come decorate for me. I wasn't given the gift. Cheers to living the dream.

Indian Mound

My dad came to visit me and we went to see some Indian Mounds. Of course people are not suppose to climb them, but my father, the rebel, climbed up there anyway. It was a lot higher and steeper than it looked. I had so much fun while he was here and am so grateful he could come play "Grandpa."

What?! No Pics???

I've been trying to post pictures of my daughters flip-flops for the fourth and I've been having problems every time I get on, so that's why I haven't posted and posted anything fun. I'll work on that....

Even In the Summer

I enjoy hot chocolate. Tonight I had one of my weekly nights out. With the children all at home with hubby, one of my favorite things to do is head to the bookstore. I could spend all day in there. I also, always, get some hot chocolate and sip and read... with no children. Smile.

From the Inside

Spooky, Scary Cabin From the Outside

Absolutely coolest place to stay in Nauvoo from the inside!!! Comfortably sleeps 12! Fully equipped kitchen. Don't believe me do you? If you like, I can post more pictures....

One Heck of a Backyard Slide!

This is me... capturing the awesomeness of the slide, with my one year old on my lap, trying to figure out how to get under the board to go down it with him.

It endlessly entertains my small children while they play "rescue roke", or "rope" to you non-Sinny speakers, as they climb up and slide part-way down hanging on to a horse-lead. Grandpa's house is the best!

Friends In Home-Sweet-Home

Surreal!!! Being with friends from a different part of the country, a very HUMID HOT part of the country, in my very favorite part of the country. Home-Sweet-Home. So much fun!

The Bandana Gang

Spontaneous dancing on the deck with sisters... in BANDANAS! Ah, yes.

Remembering

On Memorial Day, I wanted to send a shout-out to all the veterans out there. What an amazing gift they give us. One night I was having a nightmare about terrorist in our neighborhood and I was calmly/frantically gathering my children and securing our home and I woke up in the middle of the night in my warm comfy bed, a little shaken, but with the realization that I slept warmly and safely in my bed and there were service men and women out there who were away from home, missing the ones they love, sleeping on the ground and eating MRE's. I was so grateful at that moment for their service. I will only know a handful of these people. Who am I? They'll probably never know me, but I am a fellow American and they do it for me.
One of the servicemen I do know, is my father-in-law. One Sunday I was in charge of a fireside for our youth. I'd asked my f-i-l if he would come share some of his experiences. While sitting at dinner, he asked me, "What type of address should I give?" I half-heartedly said, "Oh, just give 'em gory details and you'll hold their attention the whole time." Oh, man. I regretted that. Not for the reason you're thinking. It wasn't because he had really gory details, because he did. It was because of the pain and suffering he experienced then, does now, and the pain that it cost him to share it with us. I wished so much that I hadn't asked him to do that. I also wished I'd thought to tape it because I want my children to know his experiences, but I don't think I could ever ask him to relate them again.
My f-i-l was a door-gunner in Vietnam and this is a poem another soldier wrote and posted on YouTube, honoring those door-gunners. It's really neat:

Man In The Door

SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, that I get to sleep safe and warm in my bed at night AND that you even go to other counties so that they can sleep safe in their beds too. Many have paid the ultimate price. They're all my hero's.

De-Lish!

-Idaho Potatoes
-Sisters
-Springtime weather
-Dewey's Pizza
-Potato Salad
-Baby kisses
-Naps

Sunset

The orange, blue, and yellow sky
Whispers as it says goodbye,
The silent song it sings tonight,
Will echo in the morning bright.
-Katie Bowman

Books

"There are no children's books or adult books - there are only good books and bad books. Everyone should read the good ones." -Stephenie Meyer

Spring Concert

Here's to: twin brothers, spring concerts, silly dancing, Klondike Bars, and a mommie's memories.

Puppy Love

Oh, Happy Birthday to my big one-year-old, cutie pie.

Three Questions

"Why be capable of feelings if we're not to have? Why long for things that aren't meant to be ours?" -Isolde

I've been reviewing what my posts have generally been centered around lately and thought to myself, "People must think I'm this silly emotional girl that thinks no deeper than teenage books and chic flicks." I must confess that I have been doing a lot of self evaluation. You know... turning 30 might have something to do with it, but I honestly have had a self awakening. It's a bit too personal to post about here, but I've come to learn some things about myself. It's been like sitting in a corner through a utterly long, dark night, finally to have seen the coming of the sun and basking in the noon-day rays.
So what about those teenage books and chic flicks? Why have those silly girl emotions? Yes, I'm admitting now, I am an emotional person. Anyone who knows me knows that I cry very easily when I'm touched by something. So I was wondering, did that make me silly? My conclusion?: I don't think this makes me silly. Hopefully I'm able to love deeply, have more sympathy and empathy, and learn to trust what I feel. Combined with knowledge and logic, this is powerful tool of guidance for my life. Some of this knowledge comes from "learning the hard way" and suffering with regrets. Recognizing that there are some times you just don't get a "do-over". I can never, ever go back. Another question... Do those girl emotions make me a non-feminist? My conclusion?: I don't think this makes me a non-feminist. Instead I think it celebrates all the emotions and feelings I have come to develop through-out my life. It brings me joy to feel of deep love and devotion. It's rewarding and fulfilling. I don't think there is anything I can't do if I put my mind to it. I'm very proud that I'm capable of driving stick-shift trucks, hauling two-year-old twins on both hips at the same time, putting together cribs, unclogging the disposal drains under the sink and re-attaching them, mowing the lawn, and so-on. But... I am a soft, emotional girl that loves a good love story. Lessons of life. Can we learn them any other way? My conclusion?: I don't think we can, so I'm grateful for self discovery.

Tristan & Isolde

Kay. This may seem racy coming from a moral mom, but I love this love story. The intense emotions in James Franco's (Tristan) eyes grips me. I originally rented this edited, so if you live near an edited store, you could probably do the same.

Twilight Movie

Eeeeehhhh!!! I'm so excited!
MTV Movie Interview
Entertainment Tonight Interview

30 Years Young!

I've decided to embrace my 30's. Happy Birthday to me. I am forever grateful to my "personal paparazzi." This has been one of the best birthday presents a girl could have.

Photos by Snappy Snippets.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

I really love this piece of art.

Nicolas Pioch described it, "The Kiss is a fascinating icon of the loss of self that lovers experience. Only the faces and hands of this couple are visible; all the rest is great swirl of gold, studded with colored rectangles as if to express visually the emotional and physical explosion of erotic love."

He is simply kissing her cheek, yet it's not simple at all. What powerful emotions are portrayed.

Some of My Best Friends

It's just so much fun to be together!

My New Favorite

At current, I can't get enough. I listen to it over and over (skipping a couple songs; wish I had the radio edit) and dancing to it in the living room.

I feel like I'm having an awakening and finding myself. I feel like, "Oh! There you are!" I've been lost for so long.

Cont... Not just recommending

SHAME! Shame on you! All of you who read these books and didn't tell me to!

There are boys, then there are sports, then... there are their MOMS!

My son is suppose to have his first soccer game this weekend with no previous practices because we've had SO much rain. Here is some correspondence between his coach and I:

COACH:
Hello parents,
Hopefully will get a practice in this week, there's alot to do and hand out. I've just been informed that pictures will be taken this Saturday. Our game will be at 2:00pm on field # 1, they want us to be there for pictures by 1:15pm near the gazebo, by the pool. This is at the our fields, as shown on the map.At this point I would like to meet everyone even if we don't get a chance to practice, i'll set something up later on this week. I apologize for (our town) say, but this really is out of our hands, this has come down through the youth org. because of several incidents, and of course the weather. Please bear with us, we'll get this season going and have alot of fun.
Thank you for your patients,
coach

ME:
I was just sitting hear laughing with my husband that I sign my kids up for sports and then hope practice gets cancelled. Guess I'm not the die-hard kind, so here is me... "Whoo hoo!" High five! (That said, I do want them to succeed and have fun.)

Thanks for coaching

COACH:
So your the one that brought all this on us. well I hope your happy, ha ha

The Power of Friendship

My Friend, thank you so much for your tribute. I find that very selfless; to feel lonely and then give a tribute to people you hold dear. I'm so grateful for you in my life. I've gained a testimony that the Lord puts people in our lives for specific reasons and purposes and I know that's the case when he put you specifically in my life at a special point in time. No mistaking that.

There is a scripture, Alma 53:2: And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi.

It was very significant to me, that their friendship was recorded. In this small little portion of one scripture, it speaks volumes to me. Friendships are very important in our lives and something to rejoice over. To support each other, endure things together, and to love each other and our neighbors.

You are beloved to me. I rejoice with you in your accomplishments, your little family, and your experiences. Thanks for sharing them with us on your blog and keeping in touch with me over the years. I bet the next time we're together, it will be like we never missed a day. I think it will be like that when we meet all our friends across the veil as well.

I'm Telling You.... Not Just Recommending

Not kidding! I just read all three of these books in three and a half days.
My house and kids? Don't ask; you don't want to know!

Happy Happy American

My friend, HsinYi, got her citizenship. She was so thrilled. I made it just in time, even though I had to stand outside with my crying daughter for awhile. Say it with me, "I'm proud to be an American!"

True Confessions

For breakfast this morning I had a fried egg, over easy, a brownie and a pepsi. Yesterday morning I had a piece of buttered toast, and again, half a brownie. Hmmmm.

It's ok to be sad...

For some reason tonight, I feel a little sad. I feel incredibly blessed and yet I feel just sad.

Two years ago, someone so dear to me was called home. I had a hard time with memories in February, but this weekend, I went to help celebrate her sweet boy's 7th birthday. We had our children together and grew in motherhood together and fretted and laughed over naps and bath time together. My boys and her boys were best buddies and she was my constant. Being around her boys this weekend and seeing a space she filled so brilliantly made me miss her so much. Those who knew her and loved her can understand when I say that words just don't exist to express how magnificent she was to us and the loss we feel without her in our lives.

I am also looking forward to my sister's little family embarking on their new adventure of living the career life. This brings on so many exciting things, one of them being, "where will we move?" She has filled a need in my life of familiarity, friendship, belonging, confidant, and validater. I'm terribly excited for her, but cannot help but feel small moments of anticipation for the loss and how I will miss her.

Tonight I'm allowing myself to be sad. I laid my head on my husband's shoulder and got it a little wet with some tears. He said, "It's ok to be sad." So, if anyone else needs to hear those words, here they are, I send them out to you.

I've Been Tagged

A. Rules of the Game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each Player answers about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 others and leaves a message on their blog letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog for directions.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was finishing up my last semester of school before getting married.

2. 5 things on my to do list:

a) take some art classes and increase my learning.
b) plan more things to do with my kids
c) apply to be on The Amazing Race with my sister (One day I'll be brave enough)
d) build a house
e) go to Taiwan with my friend, HsinYi

3. What snacks do I enjoy?

chocolate, popcorn, soda-pop, chips, you name it, I'll proabably eat it, esecially with good company.

4. 3 bad habits

a) eating out (I'm getting better)
b) procrastinating (I'm getting better at this one too.)
c) Feeling shame for things I "think" I should do better.

5. What would I do if I were instantly a billionaire?

Move to live closer to my family.(Note to in-laws, I will relocate you all as well, or pay for frequent visiting) Travel, travel, travel.

6. 6 places I have lived.

Jerome
Rexburg
Salt Lake City
Charlotte NC
Cincinnati OH
Mason OH

7. 5 jobs I have had:

Pizza maker/delivery girl, Shoes/men's clothes salesperson, Administrative Assistant at Recording Studio, AA for County Agencies,

8. 5 things most people don't know about me:

a) I want to paint like my sister's mil
b) I like 4wdrive trucks/atv's/etc and going off-roading in the mud and hills.
c) I want to work at a capitol building, state or federal
d) I like fancy cheeses and fine dining (hoity-toity stuff)Isn't this opposite from #b?
e) I like having adventures.

Now it is someone elses turn...I tag: Jenny, Aliess, HsinYi, Kim, Rebec

My Smiler

He's getting too big. Just too big. Especially knowing he may be the last. That makes him 100-years-old to me. I try so hard to be "in the now" and breath in all those "moments". If I can just get them deep enough in my soul, time won't be able to find them there.

Something SO Icky is Something SO Yummy!

This is what I messaged my husband at work:
"Do you know what time you're going to be home? I have some icky, icky bananas I need you to squeeze into the bowl for me." ...which he did.

If the bananas are just ripe, I can handle it, BUT, if the bananas have been frozen... I cannot handle those runny, gooey things. Here comes the gag reflex! So, these bananas had been frozen and yuck, who knew they could be transformed into something so yummy it would turn my daughter into a little mouse.

I showed her this picture and after putting her hands out she said, "I was having a taste!"


Tanya's Banana Bread

This is the yummiest banana bread! It's pretty much a no-fail.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3-4 ripe bananas
1/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup butter
1 & 2/3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

blend water and bananas to make smooth. Add sugar, eggs, and butter and blend. Sift flour, soda, salt, and baking powder and mix. (Add walnuts if adding them) Pour into four small loaf pans. Bake for 25-30 min until toothpick comes out clean.

I love this recipe. This is from a co-worker and any time I need a good recipe, I'll call her. I will also sneak and substitute 2/3 cups of wheat flour for white (if I have it milled). We don't even notice. I also do this with chocolate chip cookies.

Something exciting Must be happening

I just liked this picture that my son took. To me, it's a picture of how sweet and new everything is to a baby. He's just sitting in his chair, taking it all in, and knowing that something exciting is happening, and maybe, just maybe, he'll get a taste of something sweet that everyone else seems to be excited about.

You're Never Too Old...

To ride a tire swing!

Our landlords invited us over on an unusually warm night to roast hot dogs on a fire and have smores. The kids and I went and we had so much fun as we walked down their property to a tire swing. My cityboys struggled with it more than their 3 year-old sister, but Mom hopped on to show them how it was done!

JUST IN CASE ANY OF YOU EVER GET CONFUSED!

Just in case any of you ever get confused!!!!

A Patriot Soul

I have a patriot soul. I am moved to my core by pictures, stories, and music of our great nation and those who serve/have served in our military. Now days, lots of people don't like to talk about it, but I love our nation! We live in a great nation. We have great opportunities to persue and become anything our hearts desire. We also have great responsiblity to preserve our freedoms. So many have sacrificed to preserve it for us. I'm eternally grateful to them.

This preformance resonated with my soul. I did try to upload it, but got errors.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IEAEcca9pRk&feature=related

Munchies..... Anyone?

Raise your hand if you're sitting at your computer thinking... "Man, I need a snack!" Well, I personally, am just about to walk in to the kitchen and make myself some cream cheese with salsa and eat it with corn chips. Call it my midnight snack at 9:30 p.m. My sister taught this one to me. Some of my other favorites are: grahm crachers with milk, oreos and milk, cheeseball and crackers, chips and pop.

So, do tell! What are your favorite midnight snacks?

Happy Happy Birthday, Fern!

White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle

For my sisters birthday we ate homemade carrot cake, stayed up late watching a happy movie, and then headed to cheesecake factory the next day for lunch! Please, someone have a birthday! I want to go back already! PS, Fern, my leftovers were much better the next day!

I'm Sinny, I'm Six

Of course, my daughter is not six, but there is no telling her that! This is her birthday cake and it was worth all the time and effort when I opened the fridge door the next morning to show her to hear her squeal with delight. She was so fun. So many sweet memories.

2008 Everyone!

You know the saying... A goal is just a wish if you don't write it down. I also remember a documentary on some people trying to loose weight. Before taking the challenge to loose X amount of pounds, they had to agree that if they did not make their goal, a picture of them in a bikini or speedo, taken before the diet began, would be played on national television. If they completed the goal, they would get to keep the photos. Moral of the lesson, public goal setting motivates... so here I go!

1. I do not want to say unkind things about other people. I believe it was Thumper's father who taught, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." When I die, I want people to say about me, "She never said unkind things about others." I want to be an uplifting person.

2. I want to get my emergency preparedness... prepared. I want to be prepared come what may. I guess I'm a boy scout at heart. Be prepared. I had a little experience the other day while swimming with my daughter for her swimming lesson. The fire alarm went off and we were escorted outside in the cold. Wet and cold with bare feet. It was a GREAT lesson! They say to run scenarios and practice. It was great practice. Always have keys available to you... even while swimming. (Our community center is connected to the high school and I think they over-cooked the lunch in the cafeteria or something.)

3. I want to get involved. For both me and my kids. I'm fairly new at the whole "city living" thing. When I was young we played outside and made mud pies. City childhood involves going places and planning things. It's a new experience for me, so I want to be better at it. (Fern, thanks for being such a great example of that to me!) I also need more social interaction to help fill my "happy tank," so I would like to join my local Mother's of Twins club and plan a monthly book group/recipe exchange. I've had a little experience in the past, but would like to start one in our new location. Any good book suggestions?