All you need is LOVE......

We were babies 15 years ago. I had just turned 20 11 days before. Chris's birthday is less than a month away and he would be turning 22. What were we thinking? We were in love and we still are. We've learned a lot and grown up together. I wouldn't change a single day because if I did, I would miss out on what we have now. I love you Chris! Happy 15th Anniversary 12/16/94--12/16/09 and forever!
We went to dinner at Rodizio Grill at Trolley Square. That sure was A LOT of food. Good food, but a lot. 2 days later and I'm still full. Chris is my best friend and I love just being with him!

My Man!

Happy Birthday to ME!

I turned 35 on Saturday, December 5th. It's a good thing that 40 is the new 30 because that means 35 is the new 25. Right? Right! I really like being the age I am, but I don't really like saying I'm 35. It just sounds old. It's the oldest I've ever been.



Chris gave me my gift on Saturday morning. He did an awesome job wrapping it. He used black duct tape and red graffers tape. That was an adventure to open! It was a purple ipod nano. I love it so very much! I've been wanting one for a long long time. It's very fun!

I made a lunch date with some of my girl friends. We went to the Red Iguana in Salt Lake. It's a Mexican restaurant that's really popular. Really yummy too! Here I am with Krisanne, Catherine and Becky. A friend I used to work with, a friend from church and a friend who is also my sister in law.

This is Desirae and Tara. They are both friends from church. My friends April and Teresa were there too, but not in the pictures. Our waiter was enamored by Tara. Her drink order was the only one taken. The rest of us had to wait and order our drinks with our meal. Lucky Tara!

What a great group of gals! I loved being surrounded by beautiful women and great friends!

In the bottom left hand corner you can see my birthday dessert. I'm still not sure who told them it was my birthday! Some waiters and waitresses came and sang to me and then we all shared some yummy tres leche cake. It was good, but so rich I was glad to share.

All my siblings called or texted me birthday wishes. My mom and dad both called me too. I felt so loved! Chris baked me a birthday cake and we took it to the Ward Christmas party/dinner. I didn't fix a meal at all this day, and that my friends, is a pretty great way to celebrate a birthday!

Fat Cats

Last Friday, Tristan's school had an all school outing for UTVA students and their families. We went to Fat Cats in Ogden. We got to bowl and play mini-golf and ride the bumper cars. My kids are not experienced bowlers, unless you count the Wii. Connor won with a score of 76! I will blame my broken thumb nail which broke way down the first time I threw the ball. OW!! (next time I'm sure I'll find something else to blame...) It was fun. We still haven't really met any other students which is really quite bizarre. I don't really know what need to be done differently, but I really wish Tristan could meet some other 8th graders.

After we got done at Fat Cats, and were trying to figure out how to get back on the freeway to go home, we saw Farr's Ice Cream. I remembered my friend April telling me how good their treats are so we stopped and got some. Anna got Lime Ricky, Tristan got Root Beer, Connor got Strawberry and I got Macadamia Nut. It was definitely worth the stop. Thanks for the tip April!

Help me out!

I want a new winter coat. I found these at Nordstorms when I was shopping. I'm pretty sure that I want to buy one. But I can't decide on a color. My friend Catherine, who was shopping with me, told me I looked best in the red one. I really like the green one (of course, it's my favorite color). But then I think I should get a neutral color like black, brown, or charcoal. I already have black coat. So which one should I get? Vote in the comments.

late night musings...

I had plans. Big plans I say. I was tired, so I went to bed early. I drifted off to sleep. Woke up with a start. I forgot to take my medicine! Sadly, I don't take any medication, and even more sadly, I wake up in a panic several times a week with this same scenario. Sometimes I have to wake myself up completely to remind myself and convince myself that there isn't any medication I need. I don't know why I do this. Somebody please explain.

But back to my musings.

Lately, I'm having trouble. My kids just don't get along. Shocker, I'm sure. Connor and Anna are always at each other's throats, nitpicking on everything the other one says. Refusing to back down. Today it was over the word crasin. If I leave a room for a moment, they are right back at it. Tristan is always being so bossy to them. Connor takes 2-3 hours to do his homework. Tristan has NO friends. Anna gets distracted by everything. I'm in the car for hours every day. I need some help!

I have charts. I've tried bribing. I set timers. I yell. I ground.

I've decided I need to be more positive and fun. I know this works and it so important. But it's not easy for me. I forget easy, especially when the fighting starts or the school clothes get left on the floor (again!). I want my kids to have a fun childhood, filled with memories of doing fun things together as a family. It's really hard to do fun things together as a family when Connor is STILL sitting at the table doing homework when school ended 3 hours ago.

I'm not looking for sympathy here, but I am looking for suggestions. Chris suggested a fun jar, where they get to pick out something fun to do if everyone gets things done. I thought maybe they could earn something fun and have a jar to fill up with marbles or cotton balls for when they get along and get things done. What would be a fun thing for them to earn in the winter? Tubing? A day trip to somewhere? Do you know any middle school age boys who would want to hang out with Tristan? He really needs to spend time with someone besides his family.

Please leave any and all suggestions in my comments. I'm willing to try just about anything. If you don't have any suggestions, but may be experiencing some of these same issues, please please please share. I'd like to know that I'm not the only one going through this. I'd also like to know that it passes (please for the love of pete, tell me this passes).

Also: where in the heck did fall go? I cannot believe that December starts in 2 weeks! Christmas shopping? Not even a thought in my mind yet. Thanksgiving? Oh yeah, that's next week! Christmas decorating? really?? already??? I guess it's a good thing Chris never got around to taking the outside lights down last year. Ha ha we are one step ahead there!

A fuzzy purple hat...

Makes chores so much more fun!

update, shupdate

I know, I know, I need to update my blog. We've had good things happen, including photos. I just haven't gotten around to it. Halloween, school carnival, arrow of light in scouts for Connor. Maybe I'll post pictures and blog about it all. maybe not. we'll see

Not much going on around here. My parents brought us up their portable dishwasher. I am in heaven. I never realized what a pain not having one was. My kitchen looks so much better. It gives me great joy when I hear it running. The dishes are being washed and I'm not the one washing them!!!

Chris is starting to get into his slow season at work. He'll be home a lot more often now. It will be interesting now that I'm home everyday. I hope we don't kill each other.

Tristan is doing well with his new school. I really like it. I'm getting more organized with it too so it's getting better for me. We went on a field trip today to the plantarium that was fun. I still don't know very many people and they don't seem to want to get to know me. I tried to start conversations with them and they wouldn't even look at me. I guess maybe there's a reason some people like to do school at home. ha ha

I got my hair cut yesterday. I wanted to try something a little closer to home so I went to a salon by where my kids go to school. I'm pretty happy with the results. I'm trying to grow my hair out. I'll probably change my mind again before it gets long, that's what usually happens. girls and their hair....

sorry for the rambling. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew I was still alive!