Christmas Eve

Each Christmas Eve we have a tradition of getting new ornaments we open them and put them on the tree. We also give the kids new pajamas. Drew was thrilled to get his. He was with me when I bought them and threw a total fit when I went to buy them, I think I already wrote about that. It was a lovely evening, I had been cooking all day for Christmas the next day, and as the kids watched ELF I was still cooking. And was a late night.

Dear flu bug,

Dear flu and cold bugs, 

I'm sorry to say but we do not enjoy your stay at our house. I don't know how else to tell you but it's time for you too leave.  You have wrecked havoc in our house.  Where to start?

First Savannah gets the stomach flu, thankfully it was just 24 hours and I thought we where in the clear of you, Flu bug.  

But no Mr. Cold bug just can't let us be, cough, coughs, and more coughs!!  Please can't you just go!   Drew just can't seem to shake you off.  You think his nose is a waterfall at times, I know you are doing this to him.  Which in turn causes him to want to be held all day long in front of the TV.  I just really don't appreciate this. And Savannah can't seem to shake you either, the poor girls is so congested and the coughs make her gang, how do you feel about that?

So back to you, Flu, a week or so after Savannah was feeling better  you came back.  WHY!!!  Taylor was vomiting all night long, all over my bed, the floor, you just couldn't let it go could you?  What did she ever do to you?  And She missed her preschool Party, how RUDE!  So finally that evening she was able to keep some crackers down.  But the fun does not end there.  

YOu just love to drag things out.   You attacked me!  Yes Attacked is the right word.  Making me frequent the cold porcelain seat many times that day.  Thinking I had no more liquid to possible come out you some how made more.  the pain, oh the pain you caused me.  You'll probably never know.  Finally it was just too much, and I couldn't take it anymore.  On my wonderful porcelain seat, and a nice bowl in my lap I was briefly relieved of your torture.  I couldn't eat, or drink anything.  

Thankfully I have a husband that can help me.  He gave me an IV but not after sticking me 3 times, because of you I was so dehydrated, and if it wasn't for you My children wouldn't of had to sit around and watch me be poked my  needles, 6 times (3 times for numbing and 3 IV needles.)  

But all I can say is a day later, please just leave us alone!  I don't know if my body is going to get back to normal because of you but I sure hope so.  

I'm sorry for such harsh words, but please leave!  

Sharon

P.S.  you are not welcome EVER!

Jesus is the Reason for the Season...

This is one of my Favorite Christmas songs. I love President Monson's message this month in the Ensign. He says,"To catch the real meaning of the “spirit of Christmas,” we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the “Spirit of Christ.”  I hope you all will be filled with the spirit of Christ this season.  

Merry Christmas!!!

Where have I been...

So you might be asking yourself, "Where's sharon?"  Ok, maybe not, but I'll like to think you've missed me.  I just really haven't been in the "blogger" mood.  Nothing much but busy getting ready for Christmas.  Which I really don't like celebrating it here.  It does not feel like Christmas when it's Sunny and 70 or even 80 degrees.  Ok, so that's not what it's been the past few days.  It actually felt like maybe November/October weather.  It's been pouring rain. 

So lets see what have I been doing if I've neglected my computer/and blog for so long?  Mmmm....I cleaned my carpets in my living room.  After being at my parents newly painted house my house just looking dirty, filthy...I didn't like it.  Granted Mauve carpets don't help.  And seeing how the house is like 40 years old it's never going to feel like my parents house that's only 20 years old.  But I went on a huge cleaning spree.  And I even cleaned my kitchen floor which many of you don't know but I hate it!  We have Mexican pavers, which have slowly come unsealed. They look a little like this (from Pioneer woman cooks) but mine aren't as dark as hers or as shiny.  So it's really hard to keep clean, the tiles just suck in the dirt.  I've been on such a cleaning frenzy Mark said, "When are you parents coming?"  I told him on Christmas day.  I was deep cleaning a week ago.  

Along with cleaning we decorated the house, which I swear every year that I'll never do it again, or just do it when everyone is gone.  I assume people are going to help and it's going to be an enjoyable moment is very laughable.  But it got done.  

I'm pretty set for Christmas, did my dinner shopping the other day.  Let's see...

We've also had Savannah with the 24 hour stomach flu, with fever and all.  We've all been fighting the cold and coughs.  Only Mark doesn't have the cough or cold, cross your figures he doesn't get i yacking t.  Poor Drew has had it the worst, so congested, and coughing, he even lost his voice for a couple days.  It was so sad and he tried to talk it was no more than a little squeak.  

And now Taylor is sick and I hope it's just the 24 hour stomach bug as well, no fever so that's good.  She threw-up all night, she was in my bed, so I am now double washing my sheets, once it cold to get the red color out (we had taco soup last night) and the second time in hot to kill the germs hopefully.  

One more day until School is out, I'm so excited, the kids are beyond ready.  Savannah can barely get out of bed in the morning, she is not a morning person.  And Michael gets up at 5:30 to watch some cartoon.  He's crazy!  

Lets see that's about it.  Now I need to re-clean my house for next week, wrap presents, and hopefully just enjoy the season.  

Mom and Dad

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Elfves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

The Trip home

On the way home we stopped at my Grandma house in St. George. She lives in a senior community there. There isn't much yard but the kids had fun with what they had. A pile of leaves is a lot of entertainment.

Here's Savannah with My Grandma, it won't be long before Savannah passes her up.

And here's Taylor.

They drive home went pretty good. They where exhausted and ended up watching a lot of movies. We had a few fights but after rearanging seating things calmed down. We got home in just under 14 hours. About 20 minutes better than our drive up. We had pretty much no traffic. It was great once again to have my Father-in-law to Drive, what a huge help that was.

Future Football player!

Utah Fun

We went to the Church of Jesus Christ Museum. They had a really fun kids area, the kids had a lot of fun, they had ornament making the day we went, and some other fun things, Taylor was the only one who wanted to get in the Christmas story. but they all got into the Hospital Nursery. Savannah had twins, Michael was the doctor, who couldn't put baby clothes on. Drew was super attatched to one baby and would not share. They had a great time. Thanks Diane for taking us!

A trip to utah would not be complete without the "bubble bath." My parents has a jetted tub so it makes fabolous bubbles. This is probably one of the few times it gets used. Michael ended up adding more bubbles, so there was a sea of bubbles. Drew really enjoyed it once he was in, he was a little nervous at first.

Fall Fun

The Kids had a lot of fun playing int he leaves. This is the Tree house my dad made a year ago. The kids love it.

A future football player.

I did it

We'll I did it. I cut my hair and donated to Locks of Love. I cut at least 10 inches maybe a littl more. So here is is before, it's longer than you think because I have wave in my hair.No that is not cousins it!

I figured two pony tells would be easier than one. I should of done three. My hair is pretty thick.

And her's the After.

What do you think? I actually was going to go longer, but it ended up shorter, but not as short as I originally planned. I like it.

And if you interested here's a little video. It took a while to cut each pony tail.

772 Miles A van and four kids

So on Friday My four kids, My father-in-law and me loaded up the car and drove 772 Miles to Utah. The trip actually went pretty good. WE had a couple of melt downs, and mcdonalds was pretty crazy. Taylor would just get mad at me every time I asked her what she wanted to eat, and than I didn't catch it when she did tell me. We made 4 stops. 2 major stops the others where just for gas. Michael had a melt down. And Savannah kept asking..."How much longer?", "this is the Longest ride ever!" and "If we are in Utah we should be there already!!!" Drew did pretty good, he would fuss a little towards the end of each stretch put I was truelly amazed how well he did. I had goodies for the kids evey so often. I will never bring anything with stickers again. They are still on my windows. Ugh!

And the best part I didnt' have to even drive. My father-in-law offered to come and help and he drove the whole way. I offered. He probably felt safer driving. WE made the 11 hour drive in 14 hours. Not too bad I think. My car wasn't even too trashed. A few crumbs but no too bad. Here's a picture of Drew and his cheeto face.

Mark

Ok, so I've seen this a few times and been tagged, in the group form so here I go.

1.Where did you meet your husband? Well we new each other from high school, but officially after his mission at stake institute class where I asked him to play on my coed soccer team, I knew he was a good player.

2. How long did you date before you got married? 7 months
3. How long have you been married? 11 years in January
4. What does he do that surprises you? mmm....He loves surprises, but for the most part I accidently find out. He did however give me a huge surprise when he surprised me for our 7th anniversary to Hawaii, he told me the day before.  He had all the baby-sitting worked out and everything.  He did throw a surprise birthday for me on my 30th but I kind of new what was going on.  
5. What is your favorite feature of his? That he is tall dark and handsome.  But I love his eyes!
6. What is his best quality? He does take anything seriously, which is good and bad.  And he is a very hard worker a determined hard worker.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? not really oh wait Babes.
8. What is his favorite food? pizza
9. What is his favorite sport? All of them! but soccer is #1
10. When and where did you first kiss? My front porch in August about 2 months after our first date.  
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Hang out, watch movies, we where starting to golf together but that's on hold for a while, that was fun
12. Do you have any children? Yes 4
13. Does he have any hidden talents? Actually he is a really good dancer, and a great artist, I wish he had time to continue with his art (outside of the mouth)
14. How old is he? super old- 32 1/2
15. Who said 'I love you' first? Mark
16. What is his favorite music? Hip/hop rap, anything really except for country
17. What do you admire most about him? his really patient, especially with me
18. What is his favorite color? Gee I don't know I think green
19. Will he read this? Nope
20. Who will I tag next? Everyone who has been married for over 10 years that reads this

Underwear.

This is one of Drew's favorites. He loves this pair of Michael's underwear. And it needs to go over anything he is wearing. Isn't he too cute.

Check out his robot? on his shirt.

And even though this face is dirty isn't he too cute? He looks so old her to me.

And aren't his feet just as cute. He wanted me to take his picture of each foot. He loves the camera.

A Movie Night!

Mark pulled out the sleeping bags and we put a movie on. Drew was all into this, but didn't last. Taylor really didn't want to sleep in a sleeping bag she wanted to sleep in her bed, she ended up going to bed on her own. I think Michael and maybe Savannah lasted. They had fun though.

Shopping with a CARS obsessed Toddler

So today after the gym I decided to run to Kohls, they are pretty close to each other.  I had Taylor and Drew me.  I just wanted to grab some pajamas.  We'll Drew and Taylor both found some toys they loved.  So actually it was fine for a moment they played with them as I looked at the clothes.  Than Drew wouldn't move, and either would Taylor.  She wanted a $60 doll that pees and poops.  and she wanted it now!  Eventually she let it go and got all into looking at the pajamas.  Drew wouldn't move still.  Until he spotted CARS cups, the movie Cars.  Than he saw the Pajamas I was thinking about, they also had Cars on them of course these are supposed to be for Christmas, he wanted them and wouldn't let go.  I had to basically wrestle with him to get them payed for.  I hid them in the back of the car (oh I had to hide the cups at the check out).  We'll when we got home he looked in my purse for the pajamas.  and he would hold out his hands and ask (in his own language) "where is it?"  I said they aren't here, He asked again and I told him again they aren't  here, he lost it.  He threw himself down on the hard tile and started to bawl, not cry Bawl.  He was so upset.  you would of thought I just cut his leg off.  It was so funny, and sad.  Needless to say he eventually forgot about it.  

Are you on Google?

So my friend just found out that if she put her kids name in google and hit search they appeared all over, in the images section along with her blog.  I checked mine but it doesn't.  Just a few tips.  Make sure that in settings under the Basic tab you click NO on the let search engines....(I'm not sure the wording).  Also another tip my friend gave me is don't include your name in the blog address, or title.  you may want to check.

Surviving

So I don't blog like I used to, not that it really matters. But I'll just say I'm suriving. Somethings I learned or I guess I already knew:
1. I can't live without my husband
2. My kids can't live without my husband
3. Kids have no respect for Mom,
4. School homework really stinks!

Mark has started a new much more busier schedule. He is back on the Oral Suregery rotation and he has been home once before 9 this week. He goes to bed well after midnight is up by 5 or earlier. And normally not home until about 10pm. My kids are not handling it well. Or maybe it's me not handling single parenthood well and thus my kids are a reflection of my shortcomings? But I know what thing Mark can never deploy. Which is a silly thing to wish for seeming that can really happen. But Michael has done a 360, total disrespect, I mean I had a little before but now, it's like pulling every single tooth out for him to do anything, he hates homework and reading. Whish is so frustrating, especially the reading because I dont' want him to hate it.
I'm not one of those super great women like Rebecca or Carley who do well and do amazing things when there spouses are gone. No I loose my mind, I can't retain much short term information. I Can't keep my house clean, nothing new there.
The good thing Daylight Savings the kids go to bed by 7:30 normally! Yea!
We'll I must get back to cleaning I'm determined not to ask my kids to clean today. I think I ask too much of them.

My Thanksgiving Decorations

This is mainly for my mom, but I'm happy with the way my cornucopia turned out. I bought some fall garland for cheap. I still need to take down my little ghost/pumpkin guys. But it still looks good. don't you think?

Happy Halloween

We had fun, it was a nice warm night out. We met some friends at their house and went around their townhouse neighborhood, we were 2 out of 5 families trick or treating there. The kids had a lot of fun, and Drew was really into it, he was a lways a little behind but did not want to miss any door. He would collapse on the ground if we told him no, not that door (because no one was home). They all came back and started to trade with their friends. They got a lot of good stuff.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Trunk Or Treat

A Vampire, A Witch and a very grumpy Cowgirl. Isn't she the cutest meanest which you've seen?

He looks like a bored vampire instead of a threatening vampire. He loved his costume.

And our cranky Cowgirl, did not want to where her chaps. Which totally helped "make" the costume. All she complained about for about 1/2 hour was wanting to take them off. Finally she forgot about them after awhile and went and played games. Oh and no picture of Drew he refused to get Drew get on his costume.

It was a busy weekend, first we had Michael's soccer game in the morning. I had browning to make, and a lesson to prepare. I mad I didn't take any pictures of my ghost brownies but they turned out really cute. Here's a picture I used.

I just did the ghost I couldn't find the black gel at the store I went to so I just used mini chocolate chips for eyes and nothing for a mouth they turned out so cute. And super easy to make.

My lesson went well but I was so stressed out about it. More so than other lessons I'm not sure why. But I have to say it did go well, I felt the spirit very strongly and diverted from my lesson plan a little and of course I cried. My lesson was on Testimony so how do you not cry? But after I had a head ache for the rest of the day.

I know I did other stuff this week but of course I can't remember. Oh I did receive some exciting genealogy stuff. I'm really into genealogy. It came from Michigan, it has a newspaper article about my ancestors murder, and a bunch of obituaries, so exciting.

So just a little side note Drew has some favorite clothes, one is his Halloween shirt with the pirate skull and cross bones, he wants it on all the time, and a pair of Michael's underwear. It's a star wars par. It's so funny, wants them on over his shorts, he slept in them last night. He is so funny already deciding what he does and does not want to wear.

Oh a big step for Drew he just learned to say Ball this week. We are so happy. Normally he says catch for anything with a ball. So this is a big step for him. One new word a month about. That's about it for us this week.