Sunday, November 29, 2009

Inner Space Caverns


I had a great day off last week. I got to be "mom" and help with Brody's field trip. We went to Inner Space Caverns. I was able to do this with Mairzey a couple of years ago and had a great time. We saw quite a few bats this time, both asleep and flying around. One room, in the picture, hadn't had water in it for at least 100 years. The cave was really warm and thick with humidity. I loved the time with Brody and getting to know his class better.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

My Brody Man

We all love Brody. We love how he is usually in his own world, thinking about building things or how things work and why things are the way they are. Often he interrupts from the back seat of the car as the rest of us are singing to music, with things to say...from Brody world. I laugh quite a bit but wanted to share his comments from yesterday's car ride.

B: Mama, you know what I think of when I say Brody?
Me: No, I can't imagine, what?
B: I think of ALL the colors of the rainbow. Thats what my name makes me think of.
Me: Wow! That's really cool.
B: Ya know what I think when I think of Maxwell?
Me: I can only imagine. What?
B: I think of lightning when I hear Max. It sounds like lightning. And well makes me think of a well.
Me: Hmmm...that's really pretty cool. I haven't ever thought that way buddy.
B: And you know what I think of when I say N*?
Me: Tell me please!
B: Happiness.
Aaawwwww! What a conversation. I love hearing what this boy thinks. :) I have loved his name since we gave it to him. I am so glad he loves it too.

Thursday, November 12, 2009


Happy Fall All Y'all!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

One of the Best Gifts...

One gave me the marbles I lost...

one gave me a boquet of red roses...

one made a picture of me with 3 fingers on each hand, but a big smile...

one gave me a card that said "I love you".

But this morning Zach gave me this:


Whoever is reading this knows me well enough to know that I collect and love stars, therefore wishes.


Thank you Zach, for one of the BEST gifts!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Happy Birthday Girl!


Mairzey is 10 tomorrow, a "decade" as she put it. I can't believe it! Just yesterday I brought that precious baby number 3 home, set her in the middle of the living room in New York, and just stared. I wasn't sure what to do with that 3rd child but we seemed to figure it out. I knew she had such a sweet spirit before she was born. I knew she was blonde and had blue eyes. She is our tender heart, teacher, and mother. She has always loved babies, whether they were real or dolls. She is creative, helpful, and a wonderful friend. She cares deeply and loves deeply.

We love our Mairzey! Happy birthday!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Blog Overhaul

A much needed overhaul....
A renewed look....
And I LOVE the blinkie and what it says. Don't you?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

"Teamwork"


Our theme at CRE is "Teamwork" this year. Our charity to sponsor is Special Olympics. Our pictures were taken to capture the fun. I showed you my kids on the first day, here's a pic of me. I know, I am rarely on here...shocker!

Monday, September 21, 2009

First Day picture


I don't get to do the normal "first day" of school like I used to. In fact, I am on the receiving end for 22 other kids but get really sad that I miss seeing my kiddos off on the first day. Todd took a picture and sent it to me to help me feel better. I can't believe how big my kids are getting!!! Jesse looks thrilled to start high school. :)

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Cloudy with a Chance...

Today we had a great time watching Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Our team decided a first grade movie night would be fun so we invited everyone that could come, all 170 of them...and their families!!! Since it was at 3:50 in the afternoon we didn't have everyone, BUT we did fill a theatre! If you get a chance, read the book and then head out to see it. It was fun! Don't go if your are hungry or in Mindy's diet contest. You may jump out of your seat at the HUGE donuts! :)

Yummy Cornbread!

I made chili and cornbread today. Yep, I am pretending I am living in NY and it is Fall again. Instead here I sit in TX heat, and a drought causing our stake to fast, and enjoying the fact that all 6 of us just ate the entire pan of yummy cornbread with melted butter and honey.

I had no Bisquick so I googled substitutes and found this one. It turned out light yellow and slightly crispy on the edges. I figured I would share...let me know what you think!

1/2 c butter
2 c Bisquick
1/2 c sugar
1 c milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3 heaping Tbsp corn meal

Preheat oven to 350. Put pan in oven with 1/2 c butter to melt. I use a glass pan. In bowl beat eggs. Add milk. Add dry ingredients and blend. Check on butter. VERY CAREFULLY coat the sides of pan with melted butter. Add melted butter to bowl. Mix well and pour into a greased 8x8 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

If out of Bisquick...
1 c flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. crisco (butter flavored was good!)
Mix dry ingredients. Then cut crisco into mix. Makes equivalent to 1 c Bisquick

Enjoy!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Maneater

We are currently in Colorado with Todd's sister and her fun family. We were able to head whitewater rafting yesterday. What a blast!!! These photo's are pretty funny. We went for a couple hours and this rapid was called Maneater. Just after our guide, Sherman, told us the name, this is what happened...in sequence.

Hold on Todd! :)

Going...
Going...

GONE!!!

Daniel, my brother-in-law, keeps teasing me about the fact that I am smiling, trying to decide how to spend the life insurance money. Ha! Truly I am oblivious and was until he was completly in the water.

Good times! We all had a blast!

Front to back left on the boat: Parker, Jesse, Devynne, and oblivious me.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Thankful Thursday


1. Eric Carle - love him, love his books, LOVE his artwork.
2. A good foot rub
3. genuine hugs
4. children singing
5. fortune cookies
6. blueberries
7. phone calls from home

Any Last minute Joiners???

Mindy is getting ready to start her summer/fall weight loss contest. It begins July 31st and runs 12 weeks. Email me if you want in!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Thankful Thursday


1. Marcy - Happy Birthday! I love you and hope you had a great birthday!
2. GSN - any dorks like me? This is the Game Show Network where I can get my "pyramid" fix.
3. Bryers Carb Smart Chocolate and Almond coated ice cream bars...YUM!
4. The VanDerwerkens - we miss you!!!
5. Boats, and friends with boats that like to share. :)
6. Spell Check
7. My PINK, cute, summery toenails
8. Little Miss Sophie, below, and that surgery went well today. Can't wait to see you next week!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

harry, Harry, HARRY!!!


Yep, off we go. Our night will start at 9:45 and end sometime tomorrow. We will be back after breakfast and then crash, I am sure. Off we go...Jesse, Sadey, Mindy, Me, TJ, Crystal, and many more. Fun times!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Thankful Thursday

1. Sisters
2. Small towns
3. Night swimming
4. Dibble Dabble - a childhood swimming game
5. The color blue
6. The smell of new cars
7. New Babies - how they feel, smell

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Queen Lamoni and Salmon

Todd and I are really really lucky. We get to teach the 4-5year olds in Primary together. We love it! We have 8 of them and they are so fun. Sunday Todd took over and taught the whole lesson. He was so brave! He was carrying small missionary tags, a sword and a pink sparkly crown with the usual black primary bag to church.

Lesson going well, the kids acted out the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. Since our class is so special, we had the girls take turns wearing the pink crown and being our royalty. At the end of class, they had a snack of goldfish(I assume that is what triggered the next event) and drew a picture of themselves as missionaries or something about the lesson. Emmy says, "Ammon, like Salmon! I was so excited being the teacher that I am, that she related it to something that would help her remember!!

Later that night it hit me...she was probably at home telling the story of Queen Lamoni and Salmon that cut all the bad guys arms off. Emmy is the one, afterall, that retold the story of Adam and Melinda...er Eve...haha. Click on Mindy on the side to read that one.

We LOVE our kids!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Thankful Thursday

1. Vacation Days with the family
2. Visits from family - Reyna right now
3. My Primary class - love the 5 year olds
4. Butterfinger cookies, big ones, for only 99 cents.
5. The adorable bird family that made their nest in my birdhouse on the back porch. They all grew up and flew away this week. So fun to watch!
6. chocolate milk
7. Emmy's adorable song with actions "All Wrapped Up in Jesus." Can't even think of it without smiling!
8. Amy - my Sis-in-Law...Happy Birthday!
9. Mother-in-Law doing so well after surgery.
10. Late night movies with great friends. (My Sisters Keeper...bawled my eyes out)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Checklist

Two inservice classes this week...CHECK
Sadey's 13th birthday bash...CHECK
Father's Day...CHECK
Girl's Camp at 6 am tomorrow...guess I better get to bed!

Off to enjoy the wildlife (skunks and racoons) and bugs (chiggers and quitos) and heat heat HEAT! (unless I am in my airconditioned cabin sleeping. haha)

Friday, June 12, 2009

Thankful Thursday...a day late as usual.

1. Summer Baseball - late nights when it cools down, no curfew, and relaxing
2. The Jazz Singer - ok...stop laughing. It was on late the other night. This, along with The Blues Brothers and MTV are great childhood memories I will always have. I can hear my dad singing all the songs. I watched it days ago and can't get "Hello" out of my head.


3. Stars - the shape, wishes, brightness, everything about them.
4. Musicboxes
5. Gumball machines
6. Down comforters
7. Strawberry Lemonade

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

School's out!!!

I survived...we survived...we laughed, we cried, we learned much. What more could I ask for?

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Thankful Thursday

1. Holidays - Easter was a nice day and great long weekend.
2. Flowers - happy on a stem
3. 14 yr. old son's who will still go to a cheesy movie with all of us. I owe you Jesse!
4. Music - all kinds and at all times.
5. Shakes - love that place! YUM! (when in TX, I will take you there!)
6. Friends - need I say more?
7. Family - they say what needs to be said, and love you in spite of yourself.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Not Surprised!


We got home from church and Brody started digging into his Easter candy. He, of course, was still in his Easter clothes. The next thing I know...the unexpected happened. He bit into the whopper and it knocked his tooth almost out! Blood, chocolate, more chocolate...I was picturing his adorable shirt covered. LUCKILY the tooth and blood had only hit the shirt in a few spots. I will now unveil my new best friend.





Happy Easter All!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Thankful Thursday

1. Birthdays...that allow you to laugh and eat fattening foods and not care.
2. Other people's birthdays...you aren't the one getting old.
3. cell phones to keep far away friends close
4. texting, at 1:30am from friends who care
5. "mental health" days off and still getting paid
6. Jesse's fractured wrist is healing well
7. my beautiful wedding ring and all it represents

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Am I dreaming????


Yesterday was Mindy's birthday. Yea! I feel so old because she is what I call "a youngin." Angela and I decided to kidnap her after she put her kids to bed and AFTER she put her pj's on. :) We took a silver crown with us, knocked on the door, and actually got to see her turn red...as she stared and Mr. Mindy who was in on the surprise. We left after 9 and went downtown to a place called Cookie Lounge...aka Heaven. I didn't know such a place existed. For people like me, who LOVE cookies and milk, this is pure bliss! You pick the dough flavor...yes I said flavor. Then you add the mixins...YUM! You pick your cookie size, I recommend Large at least, and then you can order milk...FLAVORED!!! I am not kidding! The only downfall is that you have to wait until they cook your cookie just enough to leave it gooey in the middle and then they bring your glass of milk and warm cookie out to you. WOW! I had no idea it existed...It seriously should be called Cookie Heaven. :)

And BTW, Happy Birthday Mindy!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

I've Lost my Marbles!


Conversation that took place between Mrs. N and Chelsea on Friday.

Chelsea: Mrs. N, I want you to have these! (smile)
Mrs. N: Thank you Chelsea! (She puts 2 marbles in my hand)
Are you sure you want me to have these to keep?
Chelsea: Yes! You need them.
Laughing Mrs. N: Do you think I have lost my marbles?
Chelsea: Yes, I do!
Mrs. N: Well thank you, Chelsea. I am so glad you found them.

I will keep them with me in my pocket for quite awhile.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Thankful Thursday...short and sweet

1.sunrise
2.friendship
3.FAMILY
4.bluebirds
5.music
6.children
7.wings

Monday, March 30, 2009

I am a little EXCITED!!!


It is done! Mindy's second weight loss challenge is over and done with and I came out a winner again! This time there were 43 of us in the challenge so the pot is much bigger. We will find out how many others were successful tomorrow. I am feeling GREAT! My family was so excited they took me out for some Mexican at Chuy's .

I have learned a lot on this 8 month journey to loose quite a few bags of potatoes in weight. First of all, set reasonable goals. 10% at a time in a 12 week time period was doable. Second, have family not sabotaging you. ha ha Third, have some great friends to compete with and enjoy a little smack talk. I have found that money and beating others is really good motivation for me.

What does that say to me about myself? I guess while I am putting on my single digit sized pants with a smile, I will admit that Todd has always been right on one thing...I am REALLY competitive!!!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Thankful Thurs....I mean Saturday!

I am thankful for many things right now...

1. Our car didn't get damaged in the hail storm this week.
2. I have a very special friend named Jann who makes my life so much happier with her in it.
3. It rained on the way to our farm field trip and on the way back but not while we where there!
4. Working at the same school my kids attend. I love getting morning hugs from Mairzey and all day hugs from Brody.
5. Mindy's weight loss fun...I feel SO MUCH BETTER. Thanks Mindy!
6. Spring and all that it brings.
7. Even though many people tell Mindy she looks like Jenny Mcarthy, which I think is good, they have stopped telling me I look like Tanya Harding, which I think is better. Yep, definitely something to be thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Thankful Thursday...

Thank you, Kaylynn, for the great idea. I am a couple days late but definitely need to make this list. I will try each week and keep it to 7. Just 7. I think I can do that. :)
I am thankful for...
1. sunny days, especially after all the rain last week.
2. 12 and 13 year old girls and their enthusiasm for talent shows at school. Good luck with dancing and piano Sadey!
3. Sleeping in.
4. A husband that made me feel like a queen last night.
5. Garbage Bags- I loaded 6 of them full of clothes that don't fit anymore and got rid of them yesterday. How fun was that!!!
6. Sweet Brody's hand holding each night as I lay down by him at bedtime. He even trades hands if he turns from his back to his tummy. I LOVE this!
7. Advice from a loving father-in-law.

Giving thanks has never been more important than today.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Playing Catch Up

You can't say I didn't warn you all...this was going to be hit and miss for me. I know what my journals, the whole stack of them, look like. I know that each has a few pages filled with memories, and then blank page after blank page. So....no surprise that I fell off the earth. :)
Since it has been so long, I will give a quick update on all the goings on in our family.

January brought us back to reality with school, work, and the routines of life. Jesse finished up his first season of basketball at the middle school. We had great friends from up in Mansfield come to see us. Paying for baseball ALWAYS comes sooner than I think.

March has brought Jesse's first youth conference and Sadey's performance, which was wonderful by the way. A "girl" weekend with Jann coming here has filled her closet with more clothes, emptied her bank account a little more, and filled her stomach with WAY too much food! haha Great times. Baseball practices have begun. Here we go again! :)

Sorry for the lack of communication. Hopefully you are all happy and well. We would love to hear from you! We do love you!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Christmas Visit to AZ

We decided to make the drive to AZ for Christmas. This was the first time in 10 years we were actually there on Christmas Day. We enjoyed brunch with my family and then in the afternoon headed over to spend time with my BFF, Marcy. For those of you who don't know, Marcy and I have been best friends since the 3rd grade. For many years I would head to her house Christmas evening for an absolutely delicious spread of food and fun game playing. This Christmas proved to be the same! I loved spending time with the family again. It was so good to see everyone!


Shelley&Marcy













Jesse, Brody, Shelley, Charlie, Marcy, Loudon, Sadey and Mairzey

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I Need a Hobby...ideas?

So, I have decided that I need a hobby, something exciting, fulfilling, entertaining, exhilarating. Something I can do occasionally that will help me refocus on life, smile, jump for joy that I am alive. I started looking for that hobby weeks ago...and looking...and looking. I have decided that I need your help. I know many of you have stopped checking this lame, out of date blog of mine but I post this in hopes of you giving me another chance, and wanting to give me your wonderful suggestions and advice. So...let me hear it! Please, none of you say keeping a blog...we all know how good I am at that one.