Sugar Induced Ramblings

I talked Tom into staying one more day. He had the choice of staying with me or hanging out with Memzy and Jenny. I would choose me too.
I am glad he stayed, even though he didn't decide to stay until this morning so I was all sad and snugly last night for no reason. I am really going to miss him. He is going to be gone for almost a whole month this time. That will be the longest we've been apart. I am very thankful for him and the sacrifices he makes so we can live here. I know if it were up to him, we would just go back to Las Vegas, but he keeps on trying to make it work for me and the kids. He also has gotten kind of a bum rap on my blog. I told him that I would leave it up to him whether I posted that video of the fall or not. He told me to do it, and held his breath(he knew he didn't come off great, but he really thought I was kidding). I know that if he knew I was hurt he would have helped me, and he has done so much for me since then. Starting from the moment that video ended until this morning when he changed Atticus's diaper.
A little late, but he really is a great guy and husband. I love him very much.
I am really looking forward to January 1st. I love resolutions. You should see me today though. I am trying really hard to eat all the candy before tomorrow. All part of the strategy. I am hoping it makes me never want to see candy again. Also looking forward to working out again. I just hope I can do it with my bum hip. It still kinda hurts. And just a couple other things I plan on doing this next year...business accounting on a weekly basis, put a little more effort into meals, read more (in fact, I am not going to turn on the TV or a whole week, unless it is to play guitar hero because that is educational), be a better wife, increase my brain power, and get out of debt (I was counting on the raffle, but since that didn't pan out-hard work, and sacrifice). All very reasonable, don't you think.
I feel a change a coming, and I am really excited for it. My mom once told me that you are the happiest when you are working, or learning. I am pretty sure this is going to be the best year EVER!!

Miss me?

I know I have been a bad blogger lately, but I have been so busy. It is the end of the year and that means tax time for us. I have been trying (rather unsuccessfully) to get everything totally together so we will have plenty of time to spare when it comes time to actually send them in. Now that I am to a point where I can go no further, I am posting again.
I think I am going to have to post a bunch of old stuff because it is too important to just ignore. This post will be about Hazel's Christmas program. Get ready for some extreme cuteness. She does have one small mistake, but I think she recovers nicely, don't you?
I thought I should mention, they did perform "The Night Before Christmas", but the video was lengthy, and I didn't feel like waiting for it to download. Hazel was the fist one in her whole class to memorize her part, and I am pretty sure that makes her the smartest.
Tom is leaving tomorrow, which is really going to free me up as far as blogging goes. He was going to leave today, but guess how I talked him into staying. He said he wanted to watch a movie, and I told him I would go to redbox if he stayed one more day...sucker! I was thinking of offering another movie tonight. We'll see what happens.

Where Do I Begin?

Man, of all the two or three days to not post... So much has happened. First, there was a really fun Christmas party at the in-laws. (For the full story, see my MIL's blog. That party deserves more of a blog than that from me, but I have so much to talk about.)
Christmas was amazing. We got Guitar Hero, and oh, my goodness, I am in love. I also got an air mattress so I can have visitors now.
I think everyone got what they wanted/needed, and I didn't even spend a crazy amount of money. I am so proud of myself. And the feeling of well being made me want to do something especially thoughtful for Tom. So when he said he needed his paper and he didn't want to put his shoes on, I jumped at the chance to do something nice. So, I ran to the door, barefoot, and bounced with glee to get his paper. The first step in the cold snow reminded me how nice it was of me to do this for him. I decided to run. I thought it was the same as walking on hot coals-sure it would have worked too, except I underestimated the slipperiness and the steepness, and after only a few steps, I fell (rather gracefully). Tom had decided to video tape the whole episode for some reason. (I am beginning to think he had planned the whole thing.) When I tried to get up, I realized how hurt I really was. I crawled the rest of the way to the paper and back up the mountain, that we call a driveway, trying really hard not to look hurt (I knew the camera was rolling). My acting skills were so impressive that Tom didn't even bother to help me. He just kept on taping. The last thing I remember was thinking how glad I was that there was video to post on my blog. Oh, and that you could get hurt that bad falling on the ice. I guess I have only myself to blame. I should have drank more milk.
The absence of blog posts is due, in part, to my inability to get up and down the stairs by myself. I made the painful trek for two reasons, my fans, and a shower.

Snowed In

I don't know exactly how much snow we got last night, but added to the snow we already had, we have about a foot now.
Every time I have gone to the store to look for a snow shovel, I hear the same thing, "The last one was sold about two hours ago."
So here I am, too scared to ease out of my driveway (which seems even steeper than usual today). I had so much to do too. Sara was going to take time out of her busy day to do my hair, and I had just a couple last minute things to pick up. Not to mention the snow shovel I have to find.
Wait...is that the sound of shoveling? I thought it was a Christmas miracle for a second, but I guess neighbors have to shovel too. It is times like this, I wish I liked hot chocolate.

Son Of A...

Beautiful mother, that is how I would describe my husband. Tonight was my MIL's turn at dinner. The drive was treacherous with all this snow, and we were debating risking our lives, but the promise of Mary's brisket was like a beacon, lighting our way. And it did not disappoint! Tom was talking about it the whole way home, which made me hungry all over again. I am getting spoiled by all the great food. It is like Thanksgiving every Sunday, but without the turkey (I am possibly fixing turkey when it is my turn). Tom was in such a hurry to get home that we almost missed out on the dessert. I know, you should have seen my face-horrified. Thankfully, Mary saw the sadness, and fixed us a plate to take with us.
The best part was the game. It was a game of riddles, and it was more fun than my meager vocabulary could describe. All you need to know is that thanks to this game I increased my vocabulary by exactly four words. We did end up losing to Sara and Morgan, but they were nice enough to share the prize with us all (you're welcome for "Up On The House Top")
Next Sunday is my turn. I guess we will see if hosting is as fun as attending.

Secret Shopper

Have you ever worked at a restaurant and they kept telling you about secret shoppers? I thought it was just a ploy to get you to work harder and be nice to the customers, but no. Nancy (I don't want to disclose her real identity), my SIL, invited me to a night out at Up-Chuck-o-Rama. On the house. She is a secret shopper. It was so fun. I got to evaluate the meat carver, because she wasn't in the mood for a slice of meat. She told me to make she I got his name, but to my horror, he wasn't wearing a name tag. I asked him what his name was, and I am pretty sure he thought I was making a pass at him. (He gave me a little extra meat.) Anyways, the food was actually delicious. Most of it anyway, and the server was a gem. I am giving them four out of five pieces of pie.
Thanks for the good time, Nancy.

I Forgot To Mention

When Tom and I went out to dinner for our anniversary, the nice waitress asked how long we had been married for. I said 9 years, and Tom said 12 years. I just thought it was funny. (For those who don't see the humor, Tom was married before)

Christmas Spirit

I am so excited for this Christmas. Something about this year, has lit my fire. I don't know if it is the secret gifts my bishop brings, or the snow, or those candy cane kisses that Jenny told me about, but I am loving Christmas this year.
My kids are at the perfect age. They are all so excited. Thomas, who is impossible to get out of bed in the morning, woke up so cheerful. I am talking movie-making cheer. Not just Thomas, the whole family. I did some Christmas shopping yesterday, and I came home to a clean house and nice hot soup. Nice, right?
Anyway, I just wanted to send some your way. It's catchy.

Birdophobia

You all know about our wonderful gift from the Strassers. The kids loved them until...Tom. Now Atticus is so afraid of them. It doesn't help that every time Tom gets them out he throws them in your face, puts them on you all flapping around, or Thomas just happens to turn the lights off at exactly the wrong minute. Anyways, Atticus is terrified of the birds now. Thanks Tom. Actual video of a phobia being formed.

Bailey Christmas Party

Have you ever gone to a Christmas party, and felt confident that your gift was really funny, and perhaps the best of the bunch? I will never make those kind of assumptions when Tom's family is involved. I am sure Sara and Morgan couldn't sleep last night-they were so excited. I noticed a strange electricity in the air around Sara and Morgan as my hand drifted in the direction of the mysterious box. A hush fell on the room, much like a snugly blanket with arms. I don't know what I was expecting, but it for sure wasn't this...

So, I am going to spell it out for you:
-Goat for wedding present
-Rat for Christmas last year
-Two doves (not sure if they are turtle or not)
I can't wait until next year. I am hoping for a pony. (This is Tom's joke that I am regifting to you all.)

Morgan Family Dinner: Part 2-Sara's House

All I can say is wow. Ham? Really? Sara, you really out did yourself. This is the part where I give you all the juicy details. When I say ham, I am not talking about that spiral cut- ham you thought was good until you tried Sara's-ham. This was like a whole leg, with knee joints and all. Then she cut into it to put orange slices and honey. It is making my mouth water just thinking about it. Then she made some funeral potatoes. I mean, who doesn't love those? Then rolls, that I am pretty sure she had baked even though I didn't actually see them in the process. Oh, and this salad. It had avocado, and olives and bleu cheese (notice how I spelled blue? That is how fancy this salad was) She even made Macaroni and Cheese for the kids. There was also a beautifully constructed frog-eye salad. So good, all of it. After we were all too full to move anymore. Sara rushes into the kitchen for round two, the gingerbread men. I found myself breaking off legs (you know, because you can't eat a "whole" man. Those are for the kids to decorate, but if it is missing a leg...)
Thank you for the good time Sara! You have given me the impossible task of competing with that.
This time I thought to bring my camera. Thought is the key word. I never followed though, so back to Mary's blog for the pictures. Grandma's never forget their cameras.

I Heart Idaho!

All day yesterday, it was trying to snow, and finally in the late afternoon, it got it. Here it is, the next morning, and there is actual snow. I am going to go out on a limb and say blizzard.

You guys should see the looks on my kid's faces. It's joy.

Now for the video, watch until the end. There is a surprise ending.

No, Merry Christmas To You

This is for all of you. I now consider you all checked off my Christmas list.

Nine Years!

Today is my anniversary. I can't believe it has been nine years.
Tom decided to surprise me and come back to Idaho last night so we could be together. I am so glad because there is nothing more depressing than being without the one you love on your anniversary, and I right?
I just wanted Tom to know how much I love him, and that I am looking forward to the rest of our lives together. He is my favorite person in the world you guys.
Here's to forever!

Thanks Jenny!

I just Thought Jenny needed a thank you for getting me interested in reading. So what, it took about seven years. It has motivated me in so many ways. Like before, I didn't ever check my e-mail. Now I check several times a day to see if my books are in. (Today, one of them is!!)
Reading makes TV seem boring. Lucky for me, I am a slow reader so one book can last me days, unlike Jenny who can read 1+ in a day. I can't imagine what it must be like for her. She doesn't even have a really cool sister in law to weed through the junk.
So thanks Jenny, you have changed my life!

Here You Go...Baby!

It is the middle of the night, and I am talking on the phone to Tom, and he is demanding pictures of the kids. I guess the ones I posted two days ago are outdated. They aren't going to be pretty (if they were I would have already posted them). I love it because these pictures are from that night. You see, my battery died, and it has been on the charger ever since.




Fine, I will take pictures tomorrow.

Christmas Lights

I wish I could take credit for this one, but it came from my dad. I had no idea he was so funny. This picture say the exact thousand words that describe my feelings about Christmas decorating.

Yesterday...

Well, I didn't want to post yesterday because of all the fun things, and no one likes a Debbie Downer, but yesterday would have been my mom's 64th birthday.
I found it harder than I thought I would. I found myself crying few times. I decided to avoid church because, for some reason, I always end up crying there. I also found myself reflecting on all the good times. She was really such a great woman and mother. She was so sweet and warm. She was so eager to help, and would give up anything to make someone else happy. A truely selfless person.
Anyway, I love you and miss you mom. Thank you for the help in the garden, and the comfort when I am feeling sad. I know you are there.
Sorry for reusing pictures...scanner problems, and I am too lazy to look through folders for a different one. Besides, I like this one of her.

Funnest Day Ever:Part Two

So Tom's family decided to each take a Sunday to cook dinner. Tonight was Amy's turn. Wow, she did not disappoint! She made super tasty pot roast with potatoes and carrots. Then Dwight made these vegetables out on the grill. They were all sauteed in EVOO and some garlic. I must say, they were my favorite. Dwight also made this bread pudding. Now, when I think of bread pudding, I think of Up-Chuck-O-Rama. No, this was delicious. He made a super good caramel to drizzle over the top. With some ice cream to boot. All in all the food was so good, but the company was even better. Amy busted out her trivial pursuit game. I like to play, but let's just say that if we were picking teams, I would be last picked for sure. This is the second time we have played it over there, and I haven't know a SINGLE answer except the obvious ones. I usually have Tom on my team to make up for my shortcomings, but I had to rely on Sara, Mary, and Gus. They did better than me, when we actually got to play, but Dwight? I think he studies the cards. The sad thing is, when we tried to leave Atticus wanted to stay. He didn't make a move for anyone, but I could see it in his eyes ::wink wink::
I think Mary had a camera so you can look at her shots to get the whole experience.
I can't wait until next Sunday!

What A Day!

I woke up with really not much to do. I was gonna take my sister Julie's family pictures, but she had called me to say she accidentally got bleach in her eye, and didn't think the red eye would match her purple shirt, so we should do it another day. Then she offered to go to her house for cookie decorating and dinner. So I called my friend Amie to get the best sugar cookie recipe. And got to work. Them my sister in law called to invite me to the twinner's birthday party. I just couldn't pass up the chance to see all the twin stuff up close and personal. So off I ran to grab presents. Seriously, twins would be so fun, right?
I got there, and she had made a really cute cake. I think the girls really liked my gift, so I felt good. Real good. This is them, Hanna, and Heidi. Hanna is the one that looks exactly like me when I was little. Seriously, we could be twins, if she didn't already have a twin.
Then to Julie's for yummy taco salad, and cookie decorating. I always have a good time at Julie's house. She is just so easy for me to be around. The cutest thing too...Atticus (if you know him well enough to know He would never leave my side in public, or private) didn't want to leave. He was willing to go to anyone, but me because he knew that with me meant leaving the best time he had ever had.
The kids were so thankful too. On the way home Hazel just kept saying what a special day it was. They had two really special things that they got to do in one day.

Christmas Tree Plus

I thought I would post some pictures of our spare Christmas tree. For some reason decorations don't equal Christmas to me. I am sure it is just a disease, but not a contagious one. Actually, now that I think about it maybe decorating is a disease I haven't caught. I know it is catchy though.

I also wanted to tell all the real twilight fans. (You have to be a serious fan to appreciate it) You should check out my friend Amie's blog. She has a link to one of her friends Twilight blogs. It made me giggle so I am telling you to go.

Funny Story

The other day, I had to call the UPS store to track a package. This is a regular place to visit for us. When she realized the destination she asked who this was. I told her it was Katie. She said, "Oh, is this the package that your dad had sent to Idaho?" I was totally laughing on the inside. I didn't want to say anything to make her feel bad, but I just thought it was so flattering that she thought Tom was my dad. I told him the story, and we had a good laugh. He said we should go in and start kissing in front of her. Funny, huh.
Well, yesterday, Tom goes in to send of another package. The lady makes a point to tell Tom how professional his daughter was. She was so impressed. Tom said, "My daughter? You know she is only 7 right?" She said "Yes, I can't believe you would give her so much responsibility."
Oh snap! She thought I was my seven year old daughter. All those good feelings I had about feeling like I looked young enough to be Tom's daughter evaporated.
This kind of thing happens all the time. Every time I answer the phone, they ask to talk to my parents.

Video

Since Tom is back in LV, I thought he needed this one. First, I have a funny story to tell. The other day I had told Thomas (during one of his fits) that I needed him to follow the rules because he is the man around the house while dad it gone. He beamed at this idea. So tonight, at dinner, he leans over to Violet and says. "Yeah, mom needs me to be the dad. Dads are really good at doing the mean things and punishing and stuff. Yeah, mom isn't very good at that so I am going to do it for dad." That ins't quite what I had meant, but whatever helps me keep things in order...I think he mentions it in the video.
Now that I write it, it has lost something. I did ask him to say it on camera because I thought it was so funny, but he had said it so much funnier the first time. Fine I will post both videos, if you insist. You don't have to watch the first one with all the kids gushing over their dad, if you don't want to, (there may or may not be a hidden message in it-totally up to you if you want to watch it.) but I recommend the Thomas one. He deserves it, since he didn't get a feature in last nights post.

Finally, Some Pictures

I have been waiting to post until I could post a picture. I thought since my post are unreadable, it must be torture without them.
Oh, how are the kids? Great. Me? Great. You were just asking to be polite, huh.
I spent the day babysitting my nephew. His grandpa (on the other side) was sick in the hospital. He was so easy, but a little scary. He was born with a clef lip and palate. He has had all the surgeries he needs until he is bigger, but every time his nose would run, I would freak out. I was a little afraid to give him anything to drink. He was fine, and easy! He only cried once, for reasons unknown. he kind of just played the whole time. If my kids were like that, I could do what society is begging me to do, and have like 10 more. EASY! And Funny too. He is very cautious, and this little step made him nervous (I put a shoe so you could see how much of a step it really was. Atticus's shoe.) so he would turn around, get down on his hands and knees and take it backward. I couldn't stop laughing (on the inside, i didn't want to hurt his feelings)
This picture is one of Hazel looking sad. It is for dad. I think she wants you to come back Tom. (Seriously, she told me she was going to look sad in this one, for dad.)
Sorry I didn't get a good one of Thomas. When I looked at it, it was a bit weird, so i will get a good one of him tomorrow for you. The rest are cute though.