Hey Y'all

I'm just a Muggle...

2011-07-15T00:56:00.000-07:00

Just got back from the midnight showing of Harry Potter.

I am just a muggle but I thought it was AWESOME!!!!!

Awesome...yep, that's about the only way I can describe it!!!!!

This is the only picture I have right now but hey, it's here!(thanks Heather)

Thanks for the fun H, L, and G families! Missed you Mindy and Angela

Mother's Day tears

2011-05-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

My sweet children were full of love today! Brody gave me a book of poems he wrote at school. I began the book with this:

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

You may get mad

but I won't stop loving you.

Ok...so no tears there. :) But a few pages later came this poem from my last born, my baby. OUCH!

I used to sleep in a crib

Now I sleep in a bed

I used to carry Jojo around

Now I put him on the shelf

I used to love doing mama & Brody time

Now I go to school

I used to watch the Backyardigans

Now I watch Avatar the Last Airbender

I used to play with the trains

Now I watch Quincy play with them

I used to listen to you read me picture books

Now I read chapter books

Happy Mother's Day to you all! Enjoy your babies! They grow up WAY too fast!

Snippits of March and April

2011-04-10T19:19:00.000-07:00

ROADTRIP to ARIZONA for Spring Break
*Todd's coaching his Lady Longhorns again and loving it
*7 weeks to summer for the teacher lady :)
*Jesse to Mormon Prom, looking VERY handsome!
*Sadey made JV Cheer! Go Dragons!
*Mairzey is getting a bit aggresive with soccer and such an awesome goalie
*Brody won the Pinewood Derby setting new records and all

Pictures? I am lame with those, as you know. I hope they come soon!!
What have y'all been up to?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2010-12-20T11:43:00.000-08:00

But I am still behind, as usual. :) The Christmas letter is in the works! It will be there...better late than never. My goal is to send it out before Saturday. I know, such a HIGH goal. :)
Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!

Glamour Girls

2010-11-27T19:33:00.000-08:00

Mairzey and her BFF Caroline had a great time dressing up for a Hollywood themed birthday party.

Don't they look gorgeous!?!

We love you Webb family!

2010-11-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

Snow in Texas! Feb. 23, 2010 Flashback

2010-11-14T17:51:00.000-08:00

What a FUN day! We all had a great time, even heading outside at each of the schools to let the kids enjoy the rare sight. One girl I teach with has lived here 29 years and had never seen it like this! I kept the window blinds open at school and let the kids just aww when it was falling quickly and heavily.

Poor Brody was sick that day. He enjoyed making snow angels and playing with Scatcher in the snow.

Mairzey and Sadey realized that making a Snow Lady, yes she is a lady, was lots of fun. We pulled out our snowman kit from NY and they made this cute thing.

Later when everyone got home, we drove around the neighborhood and saw snowmen in every yard. We then went sledding and had such a fun memorable day!

February Flashback...Brody's Baptism

2010-11-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Brody had a special baptism. His grandparents attended from both sides of the family. He also had his Aunt Krissy and cousin Spencer come all the way from Maui!
We love him and are very proud of him!

February Flashback...Pinewood Derby

2010-11-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

I finally got some pictures downloaded from the past year. I had no idea how many pictures those tiny cards can hold. I will give you a glimpse of our goings on here and there from the past year. First up...Brody's first pinewood derby. Feb 2010 AND his first true ingestion of peanuts, thus the lips are a little large. :) He handled it OK with only Benedryl. Luckily there was a doctor close by with what he needed if it got worse.
Brody took 3 place if I recall. He just turned 8 and they let him join in the fun. He did awesome and will only get better. He loved trying to figure out how to get a fast car. Meet the Deadly Viper...

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

It's a bird, it's a plane...no, it's a 39 year old Me!

Aaaaaa!

Kidding...Happy Halloween All Y'all!

Updates

2010-10-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

We're here...we're alive...we're busy as can be!
We celebrated Mairzey's 11th birthday yesterday, homecoming for the older 2 kids, soccer and baseball, blown tire, flat spare and a broken shoe while out and about all within 24 hours! Todd and I have never been so busy. It's so fun seeing each of our kids become unique individuals in all aspects of life. We have decided that having another driver soon will be very welcome! :)
Pictures will come soon...I have a ton from the birthday party.
We love you all very much!

They grow up WAY too fast!

2010-08-28T18:42:00.001-07:00

I feel bad for not posting these months ago when I got them.
Better late than never. Thanks to Nick for the wonderful pictures!

5th grade prep...

2010-08-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

So doesn't everyone do this the day before 5th grade starts?
Don't forget to EAT the cucumbers too Mairzey! :)

Good-Bye Summer!

2010-08-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

I start back full time tomorrow.
Kids all go back next Tuesday.
Good-Bye Summer! I will miss you!

I am in love...

2010-07-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is my new love.
We enjoyed our time together today.
In fact, the Brody man said, "It is shiny Mama!" I am not sure which troll took a shower upstairs in my kiddos bathroom but he left a HUGE dirty tub...the kind on TV in the before picture. I would hate to admit this if it weren't for the fact that it was a troll that made the mess, of course.

This stuff is amazing!!! I seriously sprayed and watched it drip off! I did scrub the tub with a brush but nothing like I have always done! My arms aren't sore an ounce!

I finished upstairs and then quickly ran to see what my glass shower would do. Then I ran out of steam. I did spray the door and it is as clear as the day we bought the house!

I LOVE this stuff!

What is your favorite cleaning supply???

Attempt at being a Chef

2010-07-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

I think TV makes you think you can do anything. And sometimes you really do make something or do something you couldn't do before. Well...this was NOT tv. I got a recipe, 5 star by over 50 people even, that involved salmon (yum!), honey (another plus), and some cedar planks (completely new to me). I wasn't patient enough to wait for Todd to get home so we could use the grill outside...which I HIGHLY recommend. :)

The picture above resembles what came out of my oven each time I opened it. I had my front and back doors opened, fans going full blast as well as the vent. This was all in addition to my arm flailing in a circle with a dishtowel in hand to steer the smoke away from the smoke detector. Are you picturing it? I did recruit Mairzey for the arm flailing for a little while.

In the end...my attempt at making Rosa's salmon tacos almost hit the mark. Next time, I will make the salmon on the grill, not cook it quite as long, and make my fresh mango salsa instead of buying it. But close made for a yummy meal!

Anyone have tips for using cedar planks with a broiler? Or an exact recipe for Tia Rosa's Salmon Tacos?

It's Great to be a GREAT!

2010-06-30T11:20:00.001-07:00

Mr. Rilus

Ms. Lexie and Ms. Sophie

Mr. Bradley, Ms. Makayla, and Mr. Jacob

What's so great about being a great?
* No matter what they do, it is adorable.
*They are the smartest kids ever...next to my own of course.
*They should each be modeling for GAP.
*They are perfect little angels...for all I know. :)
Wish I could see them more often!
I love being a great aunt.

Little Snack...

2010-06-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

Holy Crap! These are YUMMY!

Good Bye to Friends

2010-06-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

Shelley and Diana

Maddy and Mairzey

Lauren and Sadey

We moved here at the same time 4 years ago. Our girls matched up and became the best of friends. It was comforting to have friends who were also new and being initiated to the "Texas" way of things at the same time. New schools are hard enough but 5th grade is a tricky one. Here you are the oldest at the school. It really helped Sadey to have Lauren.
Our friends are now gone, on to new and exciting adventures. We wish them the very best and can't wait to send our girls to visit, wherever they land.
We went out to breakfast the very last morning they were here...had to drag out the week long goodbye process. Tears still came and we miss our friends a lot.
Good luck all of you!

Empty Bowls? No...Bowls of Memories

2010-06-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

I was making some birthday and Father's Day treats on Saturday, dirtying many bowls, and I got thinking about my childhood. Do any of you have certain foods, clothes, or items that remind you of special things? While I filled bowls with all sorts of things, I started thinking about bowls that reminded me of my childhood. I couldn't find pictures of these but some of you may remember them.

* The BIG yellow Tupperware bowl - aka "THE SCRAP BOWL" "MOM'S POPCORN FLIPPING BOWL" This bowl was huge and for our family it sat in the corner of the counter on occasion. Because of living on a farm, we would scrape our plates into it instead of the trash so the scraps could feed the pigs. Yum, I know. :) When we didn't have pigs the bowl was cleaned and on Friday nights and Sunday evenings it was full of fresh popped popcorn. My mom would sprinkle on the salt and toss and flip that popcorn like a pro. No pieces would fall on the ground, it was amazing!

*The iridescent blue bowl - aka "THE JELLO BOWL" This bowl was used on special occasions. It was rather large for a jello bowl but with 8 kids in the family, large was a theme. The best was when my mom would whip us fresh whipping cream from the milk straight from the cow and top the whole thing with it. YUM!

*The silver bowl in the cereal bowl pile - aka "DADS CEREAL BOWL" My dad would eat his cereal from a larger than normal bowl. It was usually some shredded wheat. On occasion that same bowl would be used for bread and milk with white sugar sprinkled on top, or cake with milk on top, two of my dad's treats. The taste of either makes me think of him, especially with lemon cake and milk.

Just empty bowls? No, bowls of memories.

Anyone want a house?

2010-06-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

OK...I have a deal for you. I have a house for sale in Tucson. It comes with 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, sprinkler system, open airy floor plan, weeds galore, dead landscape in the backyard, gross carpet from three years of 5 kids and some animals, and even a home full of said tenants with no lease agreement. They come with the deal since they won't seem to leave...oh, and don't like to pay. Hmmm....

Anyone? Anyone?????

I HATE being a landlord! :(

To parent or not to parent

2010-06-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Is it ever ok for someone else to parent your child?

While you are there?

Hmmmm....

Has this happened to you?

Please do share.

My Keys

2010-06-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

I turned in my badge and keys today.
Summer has truly begun, even though it's raining.

No sneaking back into my classroom for things to organize.
No sorting books.
No grabbing one more thing to redo for next year.
I think it's good that I have to give the badge and keys up.
I hope the 84 kiddos whom I have taught can slip from my brain for a couple of months.

True relaxation.
Summer fun for the N kids...here we come!

Fabric Fanatic

2010-05-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

OK...does anyone else "feel" the clothes they are going to buy? Especially baby clothes! I even catch myself smelling them on occasion, ridiculous I know. Todd thinks this is funny but fabric really does matter to me. You would think that linen, one of my favorites to wear, would not be found in my mother and teacher closet, but practicality really isn't the appeal I suppose.

I am looking for fabric to tie together my burnt orange (yes, I have orange couches...stop laughing, they're actually really cute!) and a good robin's egg blue or something similar. Upon this search I found an amazing fabric site. Anyone know someone coming here from Australia any time soon? haha I couldn't stop smiling. I want it all. I want curtains and pillows and aprons and quilts. ALL!!!!
Hope you enjoy, take a look. And PLEASE tell me if you find any fabric that has blue and orange together...oh, and isn't gross.
Thanks!

School's out, let the summer begin!

Hollywood in Texas

2010-04-20T18:01:00.000-07:00

At school we have been busy writing books the last couple of months. We participated in a program where each child gets to become a published author of a hardcover book. With each first grader able to make a book, it was only fitting to show them off by having our annual Hollywood Book Premiere. We all came to school decked and had a fabulous time. Parents came in the afternoon and each child sat in the author's chair while I spotlighted him/her and each got to read a portion of the book. I was lots of fun! Here I am with my silly kiddos dressed to the nines.

Give me an "S"..."A"..."D"..."E"..."Y"!

2010-04-10T19:07:00.001-07:00

We officially have a highschool "rah rah" at our house! Sadey had tryouts for Freshman Cheer today and found out this evening that she made the squad!

We are so proud of her. She has been taking tumbling the last couple of months to prepare and her sore legs have paid off! She has practiced more than ever, done yoga like crazy, and pushed herself harder than ever before to improve.

Sadey, we are so proud of you and excited for you to start high school this way!

Go Dragons!

Beautiful Blue

2010-04-05T16:20:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year again...they are along the sides of the roads and highway. They are a striking blue, one of my favorite colors, and I love seeing them. Originally I was surprised by the size, barely rising above the ground, knowing they represent such a huge state as Texas. I do love them all the same. Am I becoming a Texan??? Hmmm.

Footprints

2010-03-21T13:20:00.001-07:00

Todd found this online while getting our lesson ready for church. Is this real? Anyone have those "alien" moments like I did when your belly moved funky while preggers? I actually miss those times.

Now mine just moves funky because it jiggles like it's not supposed to.

Nice.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

2010-03-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

Some people say I look like my mom. Some say I look like my sister. Some see blood line resemblances. My sister says I am just like my other sister in my mannerism.

Do you look like your family?

Do you act like them?

Do you deny you do? haha

Sunday I sat and smiled as I watched my friend do the Disco to a church song in singing time at church. (Who knew Follow the Prophet could be so fun!) I then had to laugh...really hard...as I watched her 5 year old daughter do it with just as much enthusiasm. AND ATTITUDE!

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!

Ummm....ouch!

2010-02-25T13:40:00.001-08:00

plus

equals the fun I had in the ER yesterday. Let's hear it for kidney stones! :(

Teacher Treats

2010-01-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

At our school Hoedown in the Fall, teachers donate something for kids to try and buy through a raffle. I donated breakfast with me and a friend. These lucky brothers won the prize and here we are. I just thought I'd give you a little glimpse of my home away from home. Zach and Josh are in my ward and I am lucky enough to be Zach's teacher. This is a little late in posting but I figured I would just be true to my nature! :)

MLK Weekend

2010-01-24T17:55:00.001-08:00

What did you do over MLK weekend? We have a school holiday which gave me a chance to hop on a plane up to Lubbock. I had a blast spoiling these guys...Spencer, Ashley, Sophie and Lexie. Thanks for letting me crash for a couple days. I already miss playing all your imaginary games Sophie! These pictures were actually taken the last day I was there so I was at the shoot. Amazing they found such color in Lubbock...haha.

Cupcake Cutie

2010-01-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Cupcake Cutie, Mairzey, had a blast a couple Saturdays ago. She has wanted to be a "cooker" for years. For Christmas we gave her a bright pink bucket full of fun cupcake making tools and a new pink and black apron. It also had a coupon to my friend Trish's (www.icravecake.blogspot.com) Cupcake Cutie class. She went and had a blast learning how to use the tools of the trade. I do have to admit, it is nice having someone baking in my kitchen. Now I just need to teach this cook how to clean up her mess. :)

Inner Space Caverns

2009-11-29T19:02:00.000-08:00

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.

My Brody Man

2009-11-15T17:12:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-11-12T20:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Fall All Y'all!

One of the Best Gifts...

2009-10-06T19:13:00.001-07:00

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!

Happy Birthday Girl!

2009-09-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

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!

Blog Overhaul

2009-09-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

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

"Teamwork"

2009-09-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

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!

First Day picture

2009-09-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

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. :)

Cloudy with a Chance...

2009-08-30T16:20:00.001-07:00

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!

2009-08-30T16:20:00.000-07:00

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!

Maneater

2009-08-09T20:24:00.000-07:00

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...

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.

Thankful Thursday

2009-07-23T15:01:00.001-07:00

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???

2009-07-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

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!

Thankful Thursday

2009-07-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

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!

harry, Harry, HARRY!!!

2009-07-14T18:35:00.000-07:00

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!

Thankful Thursday

2009-07-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

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

Queen Lamoni and Salmon

2009-07-07T14:27:00.000-07:00

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!

Thankful Thursday

2009-07-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

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)

Checklist

2009-06-21T20:14:00.001-07:00

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)

Thankful Thursday...a day late as usual.

2009-06-12T08:01:00.000-07:00

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

School's out!!!

2009-06-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

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

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Not Surprised!

2009-04-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

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!

Thankful Thursday

2009-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

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

Am I dreaming????

2009-04-07T15:57:00.001-07:00

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!

I've Lost my Marbles!

2009-04-04T12:23:00.000-07:00

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.

Thankful Thursday...short and sweet

2009-04-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

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

I am a little EXCITED!!!

2009-03-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Thankful Thurs....I mean Saturday!

2009-03-28T11:55:00.001-07:00

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?

Thankful Thursday...

2009-03-21T14:44:00.000-07:00

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.

Playing Catch Up

2009-03-15T16:29:00.000-07:00

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!

Christmas Visit to AZ

2009-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

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

I Need a Hobby...ideas?

2009-01-18T16:23:00.000-08:00

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.

Wishing you and yours...

2008-12-25T12:45:00.000-08:00

A Very Merry Christmas!!!
much love,
Shelley and Family

Another Contest...all welcome!

2008-12-17T18:34:00.001-08:00

So Mama Cass is setting up another contest. Any and all are welcome to join. I have one more round on me! Any takers? Take a look.

www.mickmonkeys.blogspot.com

S...l...o...w...l...y

2008-12-17T18:27:00.000-08:00

That is how fast your annual Nevin Christmas Letters and Pictures are getting mailed. SORRY! They are on the way though!

San Antonio Temple Trip

2008-12-09T20:18:00.000-08:00

In November we were able to go to the temple with our two oldest children. What a wonderful experience! It was Sadey's first time, along with about 8 others. Our youth group consisted of 30 great youth, many of which had both parents enjoy the day too.

It was a beautiful day.

How many is too many?

2008-12-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

We have decided that Friday nights are friend nights. We order pizza, they all start here and eat around 6pm and then spread out or stay here. We know who they are with, enjoy visiting with them, and it makes for a fun night.

This weekend I have good friends who traveled to run a marathon (go Diana and Richard!) and left their 3 beautiful girls in our care. We are loving it. Here is a quick rundown in numbers from our last night fun.

4 pizzas plus
3 2liters of pop plus
2 packages of oreos plus
1 gallon of milk
_______________________

10 happy kids.

I LOVE a house full of kids.

Twilight Night...LOVED IT!

2008-11-30T11:00:00.001-08:00

So I went to hang out with my peeps for the Twilight premiere. Yes, I went at midnight, yes I was giddy, and yes, I still taught my first graders the next morning bright and early. My expectations of the movie were not so high knowing the budget and all. I loved it!! It was fun seeing something that wasn't even in production when I read it come to the big screen. I had plenty of time to work through the casting. I am so glad I have read the books to know the depth of the storyline and characters but really had a great time. My cheeks hurt the next day because I had a permagrin on for an hour straight, at least. Anyone else go? What did you think? Thanks for the pictures Angela!

Thanks ladies! We had a blast!

How would you live?

2008-11-23T19:55:00.000-08:00

I have a friend currently helping her mother through her last weeks of life. This experience has caused me to reflect on some of the things she is going through. One of her journal entries asked the question, "How do you live each day knowing that it might be your last?"

Isn't that how we should be living? Shouldn't we love more, give more, share more, care more, thank more?

This is my thank you to you....all of my friends and family who care. I am so blessed.

We really are here! With no help from AT&T

2008-11-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

OK...so the family has moved...and we attempted to switch cable networks. DIDN'T WORK! After weeks, we are here again. Our move lasted a couple of weeks and we are nicely settled in our home as of Oct. 15th. We moved in the first weekend in October and trickled in all the junk after that. WE LOVE IT! This is truly a blessing to us and we are often overwhelmed. It is just across the main road from our old address so the ward and schools are the same. Email me and I will send you our new address.

Thanks for your patience and for still checking on the lame blogger that is me, Shelley.

Love you all!

Ode to Shalyce

2008-09-30T20:02:00.000-07:00

This is my niece. Her name is Shalyce.

She had a birthday and ate lots of geese. Note the stomach.

LOVE YOU SHALYCE!!! HERE IS THE UPDATE YOU REQUESTED. I am now hopping on to yours to check out your latest. Hope it's a tummy pic like I requested! :)

Is that what I think it is?

2008-09-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

So today we had 5 classes of first graders out at recess. All of the sudden, a skunk comes running around the corner from the front of the school, along the edge of the playground and behind a portable, which had some of our kids on the other side. What would a first grader do if a skunk came racing toward them?

I have a possible idea.

I also know that it is a hilarious site to see 5 teachers running the other way trying to round up 100+ kids in a matter of seconds.

Oh, the joys of teaching.

This was more fun than the bull snake that came up out of the sand on the kindergarten playground in Arizona.

-10%

2008-09-01T14:52:00.001-07:00

For those of you who may not have read my earlier post, I am in a somewhat competitive group of losers, weight loss that is. We all have 12 weeks to loose 10% of our weight. If we are able to do this and maintain the loss as of October 6, we get part of the pot. (It's not gambling when it is for a good cause, right? :)) Today was the wonderful day that the scale screamed back at me that I reached that goal!!!!!! YEA!!

I still have some Brody weight left but feel so much better. Thanks for the boost Mama Cass! Couldn't have done it without ya!

A little glimpse

2008-08-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

Take a peek at the curtains and pillows that now grace my classroom. My friend Mindy, to whom I am forever indebted, made them for me. I LOVE THEM!!! It makes my days so much better working in a happy room! Thanks Mindy!!!!

It's ONLY been a decade.

2008-08-18T21:46:00.000-07:00

My posting might not be so regular the next week or two. Just giving a heads up. I am so excited to be wrapped up in my wonderful first graders!! I will be back though! I'm a bit rusty at running my own room...it's only been a decade!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

2008-08-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last month, Todd's work had "Take your kid to work day." Todd doesn't take 1 kid, he takes 4 kids. Fun for him, I'm sure. This year they had things planned from early morning until 4 pm, and I had a day at home all alone. WOW!!! As they left I told them to have a great day, kissed them all and asked them, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Jesse - An NY Yankee baseball player
Sadey - cosmetologist
Mairzey - a cake artist
Brody - Kindergarten Art teacher

When they all got home they gave me the rundown of the day. Jesse loved playing Wii in the break room for 3 hours, Sadey learned a little about saving money, Mairzey loved the fake badges and pretending to swipe it all day, and Brody loved learning how to make origami puppies and they were amazed that king size candy bars are 35 cents in the break room too.

Hmmmmm.
So I asked, "Now, what do you want to be when you grow up?"

Not one of them changed the first answer.

We love Todd. He is such a great papa and provider. :)

List of Me

2008-08-10T18:18:00.000-07:00

So, today I spoke in church. I had the hardest time getting this talk together for some reason. My topic was Joseph Smith. At first I thought the task was going to be easy but the more I thought about giving a synopsis of who he was, what he did for mankind, etc. in 12-15 minutes, I panicked. I wrote most of a talk that went out the window this morning at 5:30 am after sleeping restlessly all night. I finished at 7 am and went back to sleep, peacefully I might add. FINALLY!!! It was finally the right talk. I ended up listing 10 adjectives I would use to describe this special man and then gave evidence of my claim.

This got me thinking...how would I describe myself? What would my list include? What would you include on my list? How do others see me?

If you are reading this, leave me a couple of adjectives you would use to describe me. I'll hop on over to your blog and do the same. Be nice. I am dieting, remember??? :)

It's coming.....

2008-07-29T14:39:00.001-07:00

3 Days....3 Days!!!!!!!!

I'm in the lead!

2008-07-22T15:53:00.000-07:00

OK, so it isn't winning....YET!

We are now up to 8 people in our quest to loose some unwanted fluff.

Weigh in occurs Monday morning and I am in the lead, down 7 lbs.

YYYIIIPPPEEEEEEE!!!!

For those who have asked, I am going at this with the South Beach diet. I figure, this is getting me WAY closer to the word of wisdom than I was before.

Mindy said I would loose fast the first couple of weeks.

It's fun being in the lead!

I'm not competitive or anything.

(Todd's eyes always seem to roll when I say that. I don't know why!?!)

Here goes week 2!!

Camping Fun

2008-07-18T07:53:00.001-07:00

The boys headed south for Scout Camp last week. Todd was able to go for some of those days and enjoy time with Jesse.

I wasn't sure the whole "basket weaving" was real but here it is! Jesse came home with a couple of baskets that really made Mairzey happy to have.

Making his Mama proud...nice and healthy. 4 Chocolate milks and 2 pieces of cake. YUM!

Todd nearing the top.

Todd and Jesse with all the scouts.

They had a fun time and weren't eaten alive by mosquito's like last year.

I love my boys!

I am not craving ANYTHING!!!

2008-07-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

This whole no sugar and carbs for 2 weeks is going quite well,

thank you.

I have absolutely no cravings for things like ...

Crunchy, salty, cheesy, cheetos or

crumbly, chewy, chocolatey cookies.

Ya, WHATEVER!!!

Away it goes.....hopefully!!

2008-07-14T16:47:00.001-07:00

OK...so for some reason I have finally decided it is time to drop the baby weight. Call me crazy, but since my baby is 6,
years NOT months,
I think it may be about time! Any thoughts?

So a friend of mine has put me to the challenge, and hit up my wallet for a pot, and off I go in an attempt to loose 10% of my weight in 12 weeks. Maybe since so few of you are seeing this, I can just delete it if it doesn't work out?
Or plaster a picture of me rolling in the doe when I WIN!!!

You're so gonna lose Mindy!

Shel Froze over...she's starting a blog!!

2008-07-05T21:46:00.000-07:00

Yep...I have caught the bug. I really can't believe I am attempting my own blog. I told many of you I would NEVER do this. I can't really file this one away with all of my other journals I have in a box, each with 6 to 8 attempts at capturing some of my life in words. Hopefully, with the help from my kiddos and friends, this attempt won't be in vain. I owe an update now and then to family & friends far and friends near.

Shel must have froze over!!!!

Here goes my new advernture...