I'M BACK.....

SHOCKING! I am actually blogging. It's been years...really, years....since I blogged, but I thought recording my thoughts and sharing my kids with others (well hopefully those who care) will be good therapy for me.

Much has happened since Nick's birthday. I think he is almost 14 now! Wow. All the boys are growing. Jeffrey is in high school, Nick is in Junior High, Zack is in middle school and Andrew is in 5th grade. I have one at every school in Stillwater. Needless to say, the mornings are crazy, but somehow we have managed to make it all work and no one has been late (yet).

Divorce rocked our little family.....The boy's dad is now living in Dallas and I am still here in Stillwater. Divorce is something no one ever plans on when they get married, but life happens, people change and sometimes that is something that one feels is the only option. It has been difficult being a single mother but I have learned so much about myself and slowly I am becoming more self sufficient and experiencing moments of self satisfaction. I have gone back to school to pursue my master's degree in Special Education and only have this semester and one more left! YAY! I am currently working at the Stillwater Middle School as the academic center teacher and I also am starting a job at Sylvan Learning (tutoring).

Life is good. I have been greatly blessed to have wonderful friends and family around me. I miss my family in Idaho desperately. I promise to be a better blogger. I don't know who I am promising, but if anyone reads this -- I promise YOU!

Happy Birthday Nick!

I'm one day late, but I am wishing Nick a HAPPY 12th BIRTHDAY! Yesterday Nick turned 12. It's hard to imagine (most days) that he has been around for 12 years already. Nick was born on a warm day in Logan, Utah --- he was 4 weeks early. I had had some minor back pain. Nothing severe but I thought I'd check it out with the doctor anyway. I went in and he had me lie down for 30 minutes. When he came in the room I sat up and my water broke. He "checked" me and I was dilated to a five so he sent me straight to the hospital. I was very excited about being dilated to a five because at that particular hospital you had to be dialted to a five before you got an epidural so once I got checked into my room the first thing I asked for was an epidural. Joel scrambled home, got some clothes and the movie Mary Poppins. Don't ask. I just really, really wanted to watch that movie. So I checked in at 11 a.m. and Nick was born just before 3 p.m. Because he was born early he was wisked away but returned soon and was fairly healthy -- (when he was born). He only weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces and stayed two extra nights in the hopital.....Here are 12 things I LOVE about Nick.

1. His laugh. Nick has the most sincere, silliest laugh. I love it.

2. His desire to help. Nick is a very hard worker.

3. His compassion. I remember I was tired one day and I was laying down and he took my shoes off. Very simple thing but it meant a lot to me.

4. His freckles. He gets them from me.

5. His ability to make friends easily.

6. He's interested in EVERYTHING. I know I complain about this a lot but it's good to know someone wants to know EVERYTHING I am doing EVERY minute of the day.

7. He's cute. Now that he's entering the "girl" stage this may come in handy....or not.

8. He's smart. Good grades. Great grades.

9. He loves sports. He gets this from me.

10. He loves to go-go-go. This also can be a bit of a frustration, but I have found that the go-go-goers get things done and this will definitely benefit him later in life.

11. He falls asleep quickly. I just wish I had this ability!

12. He loves his mom -- the best quality of all!

By the way, Nick was due around Christmas so that's where his name comes from - Jolly Old St. Nicholas.....He was born a few days before Thanksgiving but the only thanksgiving name I could think of was "Tom Turkey" and he had been "Nicholas" for so long that I had to stick with the plan....

SYFA Banquet

Well football season is almost over.....the games are done....now the parties have begun. Last night was the huge SYFA banquet. I was the parent volunteer for Nick's team which means I was in charge of the picture board (seen) and decorating the table the team would sit at. It took several hours for an hour worth of banquet, but the kids had a good time and that's what it is all about. Each participant received a medal and those who have played in the SYFA since 1st grade to 7th grade received a "special" football. I think it was signed by OSU head coach Mike Gundy or something like that. Anyway, here are some pictures of the night.....and by the way....it's not completely over. Nick has a team party on Saturday. Unfortunately Zack's "team parent"'s son got kicked off the team so she's pretty much left the building and Zack doesn't have a party planned as far as I know....

Another picture

So out of curiosity I thought I'd open the fourth picture on my other computer. Here it is: I have NO idea why I have this picture saved on my computer. My guess it is has something to do with the Asian son I inherited this summer who is actually not from Asia (his parents are) but is from Minnesota and apparently did something on MY computer!

Picture Tag

My friend Melodee tagged me -- what you do is open your picture folder and click on the fourth folder and open the fourth picture. I don't have folders so I am just opening the fourth picture. Could be interesting....I tag.....Shanon, Margo and Christina.....looks like it is Nick at his fifth grade celebration last year....

Oklahoma Rain storm

This video really doesn't do a good Oklahoma rainstorm justice. Growing up in Idaho I thought a rainstorm was a drizzle and the local weathermen would get excited if it rained 1/100th of an inch. Now they don't mention anything over 2 inches (not really but seems that way). Anyway, the rainstorms here are incredible. It just pours and pours and pours. Like someone took a pitcher of water and turned it upside down. It's great. I love it and the kids love it. The only problem is in November the rains a bit chilly so the boys can't play in it -- darn, but it's still fun to watch....

Ramblings from my mind....

So I just wanted to post something. I voted today. I voted for McCain. I don't know if he will win and I am not into politics but I felt I should vote and I think he's the better choice of the two. I got a CHI in the mail today! It's pink of course. I am so excited. A CHI is a hair straightener and it's the best there is. I also got some new perfume. My MaryKay perfume that I LOVE isn't available anymore so I'm trying out some new scents. Does anyone have any suggestions? I want something not too overpowering -- Gas is officially under $2 a gallon in Stillwater. It's $1.95! Nick is suppose to be at football practice right now but has decided to quit (I won't let him) but he does have a PILE of homework after missing four days of school last week and he has to get it done. He has practice again on Thursday and will be there if it kills me and arguing with him sometimes kills me but I must instill in my kids that when we start something we FINISH it. QUITTING is not a word in our vocabulary.....

Faith not Fear

"The greatest glory in life lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Nelson Mandela
"We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and pattern to unfold in our lives, on His timetable." Robert C. Oaks

"I believe that God will always make a way where there is no way. I believe that if we walk in obedience to the commandments of God, if we follow the counsel of the priesthood, He will open a way, even if there appears to be no way." President Gordon B. Hinckley

"We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and pattern to unfold in our lives, on his timetable." Robert C. Oaks

"Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him." - Dennis E. Simmons





"Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." Doctrine and Covenants 6:36

A few weeks ago my friend Darcee had a contest on her blog -- the catch was you had to do an act of service and comment about it and then you were entered into a contest and had a choice of the prize you received. I WON! I was so excited. Darcee is an amazing scrapbooker. And when I say amazing, I mean AMAZING. I've been struggling with some personal issues and just needed something to cheer me up so I told her I'd like a book with some of my favorite quotes. She delivered. She scrapbooked my quotes and then a few more that are now some of my favorites. One that I didn't include a picture of is a great quote. It reads: Joy comes not from having a painfree life, but from conquering the obstacles, even when they are painful."

Thanks Darcee! I LOVE it!

Here's the rest of the pictures. For some reason I can't figure out how to add more than five pictures at a time. I'm blogily challenged. :)

Busy Saturday

I am so enjoying this time in my boy's lives. It's busy. All the time. No breaks. Ever. Even when they are in school I have a lot to keep me busy but that's okay. I love it. It was another busy day with activities, starting at 10 this morning with a tournament game for Zack in Sand Springs (just outside Tulsa). Zack was a team captain and had a great game. He's so quick and his enthusiasm for the game is huge! They won their game but they lost their second game later in the day so the football season is now over. It's sad but next year won't be far away (and neither is basketball season). Then we headed back to Stillwater for an OSU game. My brother Patrick is here visiting (he's on his way to Ft. Sill for six weeks of training). His friend Josh drove out with him just to attend an OSU game and it was a blast. Of course OSU won but it's always fun to be at the stadium watching the game live. Fun day, but I am SO tired. I've included pictures of all the boys today. Jeffrey was home but took some self-poses. Enjoy. I'm going to go to bed. Not really, but that's what I want to do.....

Eight things about me.....

Well, I was hoping I would be tagged by my sister-in-law for this post but I wasn't so I'm just doing it anyway. It's one of those get-to-know you things, which most people find annoying but I find fun. Here it is -- It's called 8 things (I added some things to make it a list of 8 things -- way creative, aren't I?) Just remember as I wrote this I am tired and watching a Will Smith movie on TV.

1. EIGHT favorite movies: Sweet Home Alabama, The family man, Hope Floats, Return to Snowy River, Remember the Titans, ALL Will Smith movies, Juno, Napoleon Dynamite

2. EIGHT favorite TV shows: (when I have time) The Amazing Race, Monday Night football, Biggest Loser, Grey's Anatomy, Prison Break, Ugly Betty, Seinfeld, the Brady Bunch

3. EIGHT things that happened today: Ran at the gym, put stickers up at the beadery, went to post office, dusted, cleaned a bathroom, dropped off Zack for ride to football game, took nick to football practice, went to ward Trunk-or-treat

4. EIGHT things to look forward to: the future, Patrick coming tomorrow, the boy's football games, OSU winning a national championship, the future, Nick going back to school (has been home for four days), breakfast in the morning, running another 5K

5. EIGHT favorite foods: Mashed pototoes and gravy, sweet potatoes from Texas Roadhouse, all bread, cheese enchiladas, brownies, Rice Krispie treats, grilled steak and corn on the cob

6. EIGHT places you'd like to visit: Paris, Hawaii, Washington D.C., New York City, Bahamas, Disneyworld, Idaho and Utah

7. EIGHT people you'd like to meet someday: Joseph Smith (not the kid on Nick's football team), George Washington, Will Smith, Robert Horry, Michael Jordan, Chuck Norris, Reese Witherspoon (I think we could be BFFs) and Will Smith

8. EIGHT people to tag - hmmm....do I know 8 people....Margo, Stephanie, Whitney, Susan, Andrea, Cousin Jon, Tyler and Tiffany

Something the boys decided to do for my birthday was inflate some helium balloons and "suck" out the helium. Pretty humorous. Here's Nick demonstrating the affects of helium....

How I spent my 36th birthday

Well it's been over a week since I turned 36 and so far it is an incredibly busy age to be! I haven't even had a chance to post and I have wanted to but just have ran out of time. But finally, a moment and I can write about my birthday. It was a typical day. So let's run through a typical day -- vacuumed out the car -- washed the car -- got gas* for the car -- drove to Tulsa for Nick's football game (he erased the video because the guy he was defending scored a touchdown -- I don't blame him), sat by my friend Susanne at Nick's game -- came home and watched OSU beat Missouri! YAY! Anyway, that was my day. Busy, busy, busy!

*on my bday gas was 2.62 a gallon. Now it's 2.39 -- can we say we love that oklahoma is below the national average.....

Just for Jon

This post is entirely for my cousin Jon who knows I love him but knows that I love when I can do something better than BYU and he may have noticed that OSU is now ranked #8 and BYU is following close at #9! Way to go COWBOYS. Jon - I was sad OU lost because....well....because they are in the state of Oklahoma but the cowboys win was huge. I can't think of a better birthday present for me.....Can't wait to read your comments.

Opening at Sangre Ridge

Opening at Sangre Ridge. Let me just explain (and some readers probably already know this). The students gather together, in the library, by class and attend a time called "opening" together. During opening, announcements are read, the pledge is conducted, songs are sung, sign language is taught, kids sing, kids dance and sometimes (I feel) time is wasted. BUT the good thing about opening is it gives us parents that aren't always on time a few minutes to be late. The kids aren't counted as tardy unless they arrive after opening is finished and sometimes opening can take a rather long time. The fifth graders participate a lot in opening. They read poems (today was Zack's poem day) they share thoughts, they get introduced, they carry in the flags and every Friday they sing some sort of song that I've forgotten. See, I'm not such an attentive parent. Zack carried the flag the other day so I thought I'd share his enthusiasm.

J-O-B

Well I am officially entering the workforce again. I landed a part-time job writing for a local magazine -- I knew that I needed to get something and I put out a few job applications last week and one of the places I applied to was the News Press, Stillwater's daily newspaper. Anyway, I got called back by one of their employees who is starting a new magazine this fall and asked me to come in and talk with her. I went in this morning and didn't even really have an interview, just got some assignments. I'm very excited to be back at writing and actually using my degree, but I must say I am a bit apprehensive because it has been a long time since I have written anything. Fortunately my first assignment is on exercising -- hmmmm....think I can handle that one. So I have a story due for the next three Fridays. I am hoping this opportunity will present with other opportunities. I'm sure to keep everyone posted.....

Big Day for football

So it was another Saturday full of football at our house and this is to brag that my boys did great in their games. Zack recovered a fumble and Nick scored a touchdown! Way to go boys. I am WAY proud of you....Zack's team won 13-6 and Nick's 33-0.

The Alchemist

Finished another book. This one was for my church bookclub (which was last Friday) -- This book is proclaimed as a international bestseller. All I have to say about it is: I didn't get it. Not one little bit.

putting myself first....for a few minutes anyway...

Yesterday I decided to finally pamper myself and get a pedicure. It was wonderful. I've been wanting to "treat" myself since I got back from Idaho. After spending two weeks on a dusty farm my toes needed some attention. But also needing my attention were four boys who were taking all my "fun" money and using it on them. But finally I treated myself and it was great. The little Asian guy (they are all Asian) even put a flower on my toe. I've never had a flower on my toe. I took a close up picture and noticed how wrinkly my toes are -- it's just the angle though. I'm certain of that. Anyway, just thought I'd share my before and after pedicure pictures. You'll never guess which is which!

Run Like Heck....

So everyone knows that I love to run. I sometimes say that I "run like hell." I know it's probably not a very nice thing to say but honestly I feel like some days (especially when I have a lot of frustration within me) that's how I run. One of my closest friends, who knows I'm going through a hard time, was nice enough to have this shirt made for me. I love it. I love pink and I love to run like hell. Just thought I'd show off my new shirt! (after seeing this picture I know I need more blonde in my hair)....