A must see....

Ok...I know I am a junkie but this has to be one of my favorite routines ever on the history of SYTYCD! Travis was one of my favorite dancers on the 2nd season and he choreographed this piece for the show. You must watch it! Phenomenal!

Talkerific.

Last Sunday Warren had the opportunity to give his first primary talk and he did such a great job! He wanted to do it for us again when he got home and even set up his own stage (background), podium and mike. I can't believe he is already a Sunbeam!

P.S. The tie is now part of his "day to day" attire . ;) Enjoy!

Disclaimer:

Participant is not forced to memorize books by his parents. They are NOT Nazi's of the unusual kind. This book was given to Warren at Easter and after reading it about 5 times through he had it memorized. We discovered his unique ability just before he was two years old when he started reciting his "reader" books to us if we paused too long. Slightly crazy, I know BUT we are hoping it will help pay for college. ;)

Haute Dawg!

The last few weeks have been full of milestones & growth for both of my boys. Warren who has always been a very cautious soul and has preferred moms help with most things, has been really stretching his wings. His independence has been gaining by the day and today he cooked & conquered his first meal. Haute Dawg-a-la-king! Mmmmm.....tasty.

A little longer........

As a mother I love to watch my boys grow.........BUT.......I just wish they would do it a little slower! This week was one full of milestones that were bittersweet. If you are a mom, I know you understand. Can't someone out there design a way to keep them little.... just a little longer? Love these little ones. 

I could just eat this kid! 

I can't believe I actually caught it on tape but I did. Benjamin has become a pretty speedy creeper and thought I'd get his cute caterpillar crawl on tape. Just fired up the camcorder he got up on all fours for the first time and away he went! 

The very next day I went to get him out of his crib after his nap and he had pulled himself up to standing in his crib! 

Every morning for the last year and a half it has been the same struggle with Warren. "Mom, I don't have time to get dressed!" Warren is our alarm clock which consists of coming down waking us up and making sure one of us gets his breakfast and cartoon going first thing. Getting dressed always usually comes MUCH later. Well, last monday I just about fell out of bed when he greeted my sleepy eyes ......fully dressed! Shirt, Pants, Hat, Socks & Tie! He now dresses himself every morning before leaving his room! 

Warren was a wonderful eater until he was about two. Since then, the foods in his repertoire that he will consume have sharply decreased in number. He will eat bread, ham & sometimes cheese but not together. He has NEVER eaten a sandwich. Last Thursday he grabbed a hamburger bun and some turkey and requested a "booger". So there you have it...Warren's first turkey booger. He ate the whole thing too! 

(Sniff.....sniff......sniff......snifffffffff) 

Hot Tamale Train...

Last night was the first performance of the Top Twenty on So You Think You Can Dance and really they were all phenomenal. I have posted my two favorite routines below Caitlyn & Jason (Bollywood) and Max & Kayla (Samba)! You have to watch the judges at the end of the rountine to get the full effect, especially after the Samba (1st one posted)! 

Check two more of my fav's at: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWvSc3m_oKQ

(jeanin & Phillip - Hip Hop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_AB9u-vnmc

(Randi & Evan - Jazz Contemporary)

Yes, call me crazy but I LOVE this show! 

Kayla and Max- Samba

THE HOT Tamale Train baby! Weeeeeeeew!

Caitlin and Jason Bollywood

Hot Hot Hot! Awesome!

Pony. Pone. Poni.

A few years ago life was crazy stressful and I was having a pretty hard time. One day I was talking with one of my friends on the phone who happened to be dealing with almost identical problems and worries.  Our conversation turned spiritual and we were both trying to buoy one another up. Life had not taken the course that either of us thought it should have. Sound familiar? I don't mean to minimize this because the trials we were both experiencing were very significant and we were both completely exhausted. At times, it seemed there was no light to be seen. No hope. We were both striving to be faithful and remained close to the Lord. We talked often. Each time we spoke, we supported and laughed with each other and tried our best to press forward with faith but the trials remained. 

In all that another constant remained, phone call after phone call. Both of us, although we wanted more than anything for these trials to be removed, could feel our Saviors love stronger than we ever had before in our lives. His tender mercies were abundant and we both felt a strong sense of peace and spiritual alignment with what God wanted for us. The bitter truly was made sweet. Not after the trial but in the midst of it. 

Even though I could see the tender mercies and was full of gratitude overflowing for His love , from time to time, I still found myself questioning and even whining again for my will to be fulfilled. My faith would slip for a moment and therefore so did my perspective. I knew right when it happened because I didn't feel as close to the Savior and peace would vanish.

A few days later, I was in Hallmark looking for a fun pick me up for another friend when I spotted it. At first it caught my eye because it reminded me of a strikingly similar picture of myself when I was little. Cute little girl, brown hair and round sunglasses. A little less dramatic as my glasses were not quite as oversized and I definitely did not have a convertible with white leather seats to roll around town in (EVER in my life). I pulled the card out to read the caption and instantly started laughing. Yes. Out Loud. In the store.  

I thought....so this is how Heavenly Father sends an "instant message" to me on earth! Just like my friend and I would laugh at ourselves.... I really felt like Heavenly Father gave me the humorous nudge I needed that day to remind me what I actually look like when I start to be less grateful for all that he has already given me. 

Suprisingly, I have not mastered this concept yet (cue sarcasm) as the "heavenly messenger" has chimed once again. 

The Heckler....

Since we have lived in our new house we have maintained our yard as normal folks do but there have been a few problem areas that we have needed to tackle but haven't yet for various reasons. We have these Sego Palms that are planted between our house and driveway that the previous owners had not taken care of and therefore had become SO overgrown that they really were too big to keep in their current habitat because the palm leaves were scratching the cars as we drove past. We love the palms but they looked horrible and I had no idea what could be done. Weston tried to remedy it his way and cut the leaves hanging over the drive off straight down. It solved the scratching the cars problem but then they looked even worse. I had pretty much accepted that they would have to come out and plant something else but then....the vision came (cue angels) and I went to work.  

Meet Curly (before): He was the biggest of the two palms by far and had about 10 times the bugs. 

This is moe (before): A bit smaller but equally stubborn and infested with creepies of unusual size. 

Meet the Heckler: He came home from the gas station just in time to witness his "beautiful" palms being "hacked and destroyed". Not only did he lack the faith and vision, he set up his observation chairs equipt with palm fanning super heros to back his position and charge. (Cue Nacho Accent) ...Those of little faith....if they shall believe....

....the master gardneress.....will bring you peace.... and groomed Sego Palms.... 

(tools used: hedge sheerz, pruners, garden hand rake, hoe & pick axe.)

Curly After.

Moe After. 

It took most of the day but the good news is Curly and Moe get to stay putt and they look beautimus wouldn't you say? Not too shabby for my first tropical grooming job.... if I do say so myself. 

Finally! 15+ years and...

Last night was such a special night. It has been about 15 years in the works but I finally received my Young Women Personal Progress Medallion! I know it may seem silly but I always carried some disappointment not having earned it as a young woman. Its a long story.... but as a youth I completed about 3/4 the requirements, lost my book, started over, completed about 1/2 the book the second time, then lost my book again at girls camp. I think it is probably still floating around the Uintah's somewhere. Anyways, I started again several years ago as a YW Leader and I finally completed it! For the second year in a row, all of our seniors received their medallions! (Although they are all not pictured here.)

Me and my girl Cleo. When she saw my old school personal progress book she fell in love with the old medallion (the gold one with the woman on it). We pulled some strings and were able to find one for her! I got the newest version. 

My dear friend Melanie has served with me in YW also. She also completed the requirements and received her medallion too. Matchy. Matchy. :) 

I had to put up this picture because Warren took it. He is becoming quite the photographer. He LOVED my necklace and kept telling me how pretty I looked and how special I was to get it. He insisted on taking a picture of me wearing it. LOVE that boy. 

Walmart Freaky

The Jeep has been having battery issues and because of Weston's busy work schedule I have been without a car for several days this week. The weather has been nice but a  little on the hot-ter balmy side... so biking & walking places has been less appealing. No biggie really but my errands started to add up and the pantry which was already on the low side became sparce. After wrestling the boys into bed that night, I was exhausted but needed to take advantage of Weston's car being home and therefore be as productive as possible in the approximately 2 hours available to me . Even though I don't like buying my produce there (from previous bad experiences) I decided the Wally World one stop shop, in a nearby town, would be my best bet.  

I shuffle into the store, start with the produce and weave down the isles toward the back. I turn down the paper goods isle looking for straws. There is only one other shopper in the isle (that I could see) ;) and as I approach them I hear a husband ask his wife "Why do we need straws anyway?" Perfect straw isle mark. I stop, grab some straws and throw them in my cart. I stopped only for about 10 seconds, maybe. I continue down the isle. About 5 minutes later I glance down in my cart only to see that I had a HUGE package of paper towels and another HUGE package of styrofoam plates in my cart. At first I thought perhaps I accidentally stole someone elses shopping cart, as that has happened to me before. As I traced the items in my cart I could see they were all there, not to mention the tale tell purse in the child seat (that I saw last) which also aided in the cart identification process. 

Hmmm. Very strange. Even if I did it withought thinking, which I know I better, I didn't need those things anyway and being the eco-concious person that I am (cue sarcasm) I stopped buying styrofoam a long time ago.  Not only did I have ANY clue how those HUGE items got in my cart, I also had no idea how long they had been in there. So... I am starting to think I am a little crazy, ditch the items (in their proper place of course) and I move on. 

I blast threw the freezer section and start my journey across the store to get some other random items. I walked past the make-up section and not even taking my hands off the cart, paused for a moment to think if there was anything I needed to pick up. I drew a blank and pressed on. I get to the hardware section and I find the WD-40 and look down to toss it in my cart when I see yet another unidentified object. Mascara. Not only did I NOT put that in my cart either but it was also a brand (Max Factor) that I have never used. I laugh and and at this point I start looking around thinking that somebody I know is in the store and they are playing a joke on me, right? I scan my surroundings and am vigilant as I explore the rest of the store but I see no one. 

Time to check out. As I pile all my stuff on the belt, the checker asks me "Would you be interested in helping the environment and purchasing some of our reusable shopping bags today?" I have contemplated it a few times now, as it is the latest and greatest in saving the environment and not to mention the enticing, oh so trendy styles popping up everywhere I go. I decline the offer and he continues to bag. 

I look down and see that the bagging rounder has almost fully rotated and I grab a few bags to start loading my cart. Instantly, I feel the bags are drafty and not even close to being full. I glance down at the other bags, only seeing perhaps 2 or occasionally 3 items in each bag. I see there are still groceries on the belt and I pause..."Oh, I'm sorry, where you sorting the bags still?" Then, he says "No, miss. You are free to start loading your bags, the rounder is getting full." 

Hmmm. Ok? I load my cart and he gives me my receipt. Chuckling, I load my bags in my car...one by one....by one....by one...by one. I get home and after putting the groceries away, I stuff my almost empty IKEA shopping bag keeper to the max. Still having quite a few bags left that won't fit. Which causes me to wonder..... just how many bags exactly did that oh so friendly eco-checker use on my 58 items purchased shopping trip? Not that I didn't have anything else to do but I succumbed to my curiosity. Twenty eight! The math = 2.07 items per bag. Saving the environment.....one Walmart Checker at a time. :) 

Bowl-o-Rama Bday!

Wednesday was Weston's birthday! He worked from home that day so we hung out some and went to lunch as a family. We sang like birthday songbirds do and had some delicious chocolate raspberry cake! 

Saturday....the REAL celebrations began....... 

If you think the balls were colorful..... meet a few of the competitors.....

Birthday Man aka "Thunder". 

Key Phrase: Was that Thunder or did the big man just throw down?

Ball: 15lbs, Navy Blue. 

Ball Speed: 50 mph

  

Brotha Jereck aka "Striker". 

Key Phrase: That was svelt.....like a dancer. Ssstriiiiike! 

Ball: Likes to mix it up but favored the 12lb orange.

Ball Speed: 10 mph

Warren aka "Green Turtle". 

Key Phrase: Clunkkkkk!

Ball: 6 lb, Green

Ball Speed: one lane per minute. 

Our Friends the Boss Family: Christian, Lara, Bella, Jereck & Hannah. 

Left Lane: Lara aka "Sparen"

Key Phrase: Nice shoes.

Ball: 10 lb, pink.

Ball Speed: 7 mph

Right Lane: Kevin aka K-Diddy

Key Phrase: Nice speed! Can we put the bumpers up?

Ball: 15 lb, Navy 

Ball Speed: 11 mph

Gabe aka "The Fronkster"

Key Phrase: "The Lord Of The Spares."

Ball: 9 lb, orange

Ball Speed: simply perfect

The Benjamin aka "Lucky Charm".

Not pictured: High rollers of the night - Emma Lee & Mimi refused requests to have their pictures published. ;)  

Happy Birthday Weston! We love you! 

Rub a dub dub....

the cutest little stinker in the tub.......

"Nice to meet you. I am Benjamin.....and YOU.....are gorgeous." 

Sporting nothin but... charm, squish and his first two teeth! 

"Hey girl. Motto Motto likes you....."

"Hey Motto, are those your friends or is that your......?"  

"Girl. Your as quick as you are chunkay. Its SO nice.... you say it twice." - Motto Motto

(Click here if you are totally lost: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8w6lTQNEWM&feature=related)

\m/

Warren's World

Last fall I joined with 5 other fabulous moms and started a Joy School Preschool class for Warren. It has been a lot of work trying to teach six 3-4 year olds and keep them engaged for three hours but it has also been A LOT of fun too. Annabelle, Lily, Warren, Rob & Chloe. (James was absent that day) 

This particular week we learned about the letter X, color orange, space & we celebrated Earth Day. The kids had so much fun having a picnic outside. All the kids shared what they loved about earth and how important it is to take care of it. It was a hit! 

Warren was ever so patient this week to go to one of his best "girl" friend's birthday party at the little Gym. Happy Birthday Charlotte!

Warren preparing for a professional "penguin" dismount.

Look for the handsome lad that is a head taller than everyone else. Thats ma boy!

 

2 words: birthday. cake. 

2 more words: haagan. dazs. 

2 MORE words: yum. may!

Seasons......

The Wednesday before Easter was the beginning of a new season for me. I was just finishing up with the YW activity at the church and one of the counselors in the bishopric pulled me into the Bishops office. I knew what he was going to say but my heart was bursting out of my chest as he asked me if I would accept my new calling. My pitiful answer? "Am I happy? No. Will I do it? Yes. " Then I burst into tears, right in his office.  So, the following Easter sunday I was officially released from Young Womens and sustained as the new Primary Secretary.

I know this probably sounds silly but this was hard for me. I thought perhaps somehow I had mastered the art of flying under the YW radar and/or had taken up a permanent residency, having served in Young Womens for 11 years! Just after I was released, I had to sing in sacrament (with the choir) and I was a mess. I pretty much lip synced the entire time! I tried to disguise it but Weston said it was totally obvious. I am such a dork. Anyways, I bawled the entire week but I am doing much better now! I just love those girls, they are such a part of my heart. 

I am also happy for the opportunity to serve in Primary. Last week was my first and it was so fun and refreshing. I have a feeling it won't be long until I fall in love with all the little ones! Looking out to there faces as they sang the welcome song to me was so sweet. All the ladies in the Presidency are wonderful also, so that is a plus. The change of pace will be good for me too! 

Here are just a few of my wonderful memories while serving these amazing girls! These vignettes were created for each value for New Beginnings this year. The girls came up with them all on their own. They did such a fabulous job, don't you think?

Youth Conference = sleepover at "Sistah Halls" = man catchin cookies = oh. yea! 

My current Miamaids! 

Camp Takula "Haka".....it was dope. ;)

I am a true believer of jumping right in with the girls!

Girls Camp = Heaven. EVEN in Texas....in August!!! 

YW Iron Chef competition....at my house. Each group (Bees, Mias & Laurels) were given the same ingredients and they had to whip something together. It was all fabulous! 

At the young women Fashion Show last weeked. It was AMAZING. The girls were trained for months in modeling by a woman in our ward who was in the industry. We had a professional stage, equipment, music, etc. They were so confident, fun and gorgeous! Sadly my camera died and so I did not get pictures of the girls. 

Easter Fun!

Easter was a very busy yet wonderful day! I sang with the choir in Sunday Morning, taught YW, came home and made Easter "lunch" and chauffeured Warren around to two Easter egg hunts! We were exhausted by days end! 

After church Uncle Steve and Aunt Julie invited us over for dinner and Easter egg hunt! All the kids had so much fun! 

Uncle Steve & Benny Boo. Always smiling!

Aunt Julie & me. 

Everyone got a bucket full of treats!

Our friends the Jones' also invited us over for an egg hunt at dusk & yummy Easter dessert!! 

Snips, snails & hunting. 

Janelle's classic Easter bunny cake & THE most delicious lemon cake EVER. Oh. Yea.