Happy Birthday and Happy St. Patrick's Day

Today is J.P.'s 14th Birthday and I can't believe it.  When he was born, I never knew I could feel the love I felt that day.  He, as well as all my children, holds a very special part of my heart.  He is so much fun and can get anyone laughing no matter what kind of mood you're in.  Hope you have a wonderful day J.P.!!!  Love you! Mom

March 11, 1994

It was 15 years ago today that John and I went to the San Diego Temple and were married and sealed.  I look back on that day and all I can remember is how excited and happy I was.  No cold feet, no second thoughts, only butterflies because of how anxious I was to be married to my honey.  It was a beautiful day (sunny and a little windy) with lots of family and friends.  It was a wonderful beginning to our life together.  Now we have 4 children, who are amazing!!  We have been through so much and (of course) will continue to go through so much, but I know that we will be just fine.  John is such a wonderful husband and father.  I'm so blessed and so grateful to have someone like him!!!  I LOVE YOU John!!  Happy Anniversary. 

For our girls weekend this year, we spent our time in Washington.  Some of it was spent in Moses Lake, some in Tri-cities and some in Spokane.  The night Mindy picked my mom and I up we were talking and laughing and all of a sudden Mindy tells us that she has just been following the truck in front of us!!!  Well, the guy actually took us right to the on ramp of the freeway that we needed to get on!!!  It was too funny!!!  We were able to spend some time at her house with the family.  It was very nice.  Then we went on to the Tri-Cities area and shopped and ate and shopped ate, oh and had facials and pedicures and shopped and ate some more!!!!  It was great!!!  Then we spent Mindy's birthday with her family and went out again and ate!!!!  One thing was missing from this weekend and that was Shannon!!!!  She was not able to come and it just wasn't the same without her.  I love the alone time that I get to spend with my sisters and mom!!!  It is so nice to relax and just enjoy that time!!!!  It is a wonderful tradition!!!

Hidden Talent

Today, the kids and I went and had lunch with John near his work downtown.  We talked over to Subway, got our sandwiches and walked over to the Galivan Center.  A nice little grassy area, benches and an outside ice rink.  The kids had commented on how they were kind of scared of the city.  They didn't like crossing the busy streets and some people seemed really strange.  Well, we sat down and only a few seconds later were we visited by a homeless man.  He came up to us and started telling us a story about his life and why he was homeless.  Then he said, no that's not the truth, I'm not going to lie to you and tell you a story.  Then he goes on to say that he's embarrassed, but that he has nowhere to go and no money and if we could help him in any way.  Well John, had almost finished half of his sub sandwich and decided to give the man the rest of his sandwich.  The man was very grateful and felt that he needed to pay us back in some way.  We assured him that that wasn't necessary, but he was very persistent.  So he said that he would sing for us.  Well he started singing and started up a little dance.  We couldn't believe it.  It was pretty funny and, of course, entertaining.  Well as he sang we couldn't believe how good he actually sounded.  And boy was he animated.  People kept staring and watching as they walked by.  But we were the lucky ones that he picked to do the show for.  Well, when he finished we thanked him and told him we didn't need anymore payment and that he could go eat his sandwich.  He was very grateful again and walked away.  The kids didn't know what to say.  But I think we all left the center that day a little more appreciative and grateful for our life and for all the things we have.  I feel so blessed to have a wonderful husband who takes such good care of us.    

Boo!!!

On Halloween of 2008 my kids got dressed up and went out trick or treating in really nice weather.  Usually we have snow or it is very very cold.  Anyway, J.P. was a BYU Fan, Baylee was an Army girl, Brock was a dirt bike racer and Kamryn was a devil with pink hair. ha ha  My little cuties.

OFF-TRACK

When I was in Elementary we had a traditional school year.  My kids are on what you call a track system, year round school.  It might sound great to a parent, but it's not really.  The kids go to school for 9 weeks and then get 3 weeks off all through the year.  Except for July, all kids get about 2 or 3 weeks off.  My kids are off track right now, so they are home.  I love to have them home and spend time with them, but it kind of gets to me and to them by the end of the 3 weeks, especially in the Winter.  They don't want to go outside to play and their friends (unfortunately) are all on a different track this year.  So they are out of school while their friends are in school. I think by the end of this week, they will be more than ready to go to school.  I have to say, after having gone through traditional and having my kids on the track system, I definitely choose the traditional system.  Well, I only have about 4 and 1/2 years and then my kids will be out of Elementary and all in Jr. High or High School.  Time flies by way too fast!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm sure I will treasure these 3 weeks that they get off forever.

High School Tag

1. Did you marry someone from High School? No

2. Did you carpool to school? Yes, usually with Christine.

3. What kind of car did you have?  I didn't have one, but my family had an awesome Ford Pinto!!!! ha ha

4. What kind of car do you drive now?  Suburban

5. It's Friday night...where are you(then)? Out 

6. It's Friday night...where are you(now)? Out

7. What kind of job did you have in High School?  Paper route and lawn mowing!!  

8. What do you do now?  I am raising my children.

9. Were you a party animal?  That depends on the definition of party animal.  No, just kidding, I wasn't at all.

10. Were considered a flirt? I don't think so.

11. Were you in band, orchestra, choir or any other clubs?  I was in the Student Council for 3 years, Cheerleading, Songleading, FFA, and Journalism (my Senior year). 

12. Did you ever get suspended? No

13. Can you sing the fight song? Yes

14. Who was your favorite teacher? Mrs. Paniagua (my Spanish teacher)

15. Where did you sit during lunch? Johnnies

16. What was your school's full name?  Brawley Union High School

17. What was your school mascot? Wildcat

18. If you could go back and do it again, would you?  Maybe, for a day.

19. What do you remember about graduation?  Singing in the ceremony with some friends.

20. Do you still talk to people from High School? Yes