The Love Bug

Here are a few things that I love.

20-The taste of really good food. (That is part of my overeating problem.)

19-Visiting Teaching. I must admit I always do it the last week, but I love getting to know different women while sitting on their couch once a month.

18-The sense of accomplishment and feeling empowered.

17-Finding old friends on Facebook and catching up through blogs.

16-Teaching. Although I've never wanted to be a school teacher.

15-Board games. (Especially when I win.)

14-Mountains. I spent 10 years living on flat ground. I am still awed by the mountains just outside my door.

13-Baking. I would make treats every day but, that just not healthy.

12-Primary. Kids are awesome! I think Primary is the most entertaining calling in the church. There are Sundays when I need to go home, stand in front of the mirror, and bear my testimony. Those days are rare thankfully.

11-A clean house, even if it only lasts for 7 minutes.

10- Hot chocolate and warm fires.

9-When my kids play together using their imaginations.

8-Watching children absorb information as they learn to read.

7-Newborn babies. (No, I'm not making an announcement. I love other people's newborns as well.)

6-Breakfast. Except toast, I've never liked toast.

5-Working together as a family whether in the house or outdoors.

4-Special needs children

3-Being a mother to my 5 kids (some days.....not so much but, most days I do.)

2-Being married to my best friend

1- The gospel of Jesus Christ

This was a fun one! I could have kept going and going. I tag everyone who wants a boost to their day.

The Last Bug

I think I've been tagged several times. It just takes me a while. Here are ten things that bug me.10- Whining. It bugged my mom when we were growing up, now I know why.

9-The state of Utah has no concept of what snowdays are. If there is a blizzard blowin' and the roads are icy, I shouldn't have to leave my house. Ten years of sunshine turned me into a winter wimp.

8- Constantly picking up the house.

7-The mess that occurs if I don't constantly pick up the house. (It's a no win situation.)

6-I am a perfectionist. This is weird because I make mistakes ALL the time.

5-When the Internet doesn't work. Take my phone, take the TV, but don't take the Internet!

4-I am procrastinator. I know better but, I put things off as long as I possibly can. I agree this doesn't go along with #6. (I have issues)

3-I have lots of projects I want to do that time and money don't allow for.

2-I don't like clutter. I always have things to take to the D.I. (charity). I give away things that I need later but I don't like things that just lay around.

1- I know what I need to do in order to be healthier, yet I don't do them. (This really bugs.) I've got to do better.

I now tag Staci, Arlynda, Monica, Evelyn, Sherry, Maggie, Natalie, and Kim. Come on girls, if I can do it you can too.

Tagged

I was recently tagged by two different people so, it must be my turn.

Here are six random things about me.

1-I love cookie dough, prefer brownie batter over brownies, and cake batter over cake. All of which are chuck full of raw eggs. I figure if I'm going to die of food poisoning, cookie dough is the way to go. On the other hand, I am paranoid about raw meat. I wash my hands twice whenever I handle any raw meat, I meticulously use a meat thermometer, and bleach down any cooking surface that meat has touched. If it's my time to die, I DO NOT want to die of raw chicken.

2-I am an organization freak (freak being the key word). I have to know where everything is. I don't like clutter. Alas, I have four-n-more kids therefore, my house can be a disaster. I'm learning to deal with it when it happens.

3-I like it when things get infected. I love to perform "surgery" any chance I get. I loved my anatomy and physiology classes. I find the human body fascinating but, I don't like feet. I think they are dirty and disgusting.

4-I get sick if I get less than 7 hours of sleep for two nights in a row. I get a runny nose and sore throat every time. My body needs 8 hours of sleep every night in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I wonder how my immune system is related to the clock.

5-Growing up, we always had a formal Thanksgiving dinner. Now I'm becoming a rebel in my old age. We eat Thanksgiving dinner on Chinet, instead of china. Yes, I know, I'm such a liberal.


6-I can't use shampoo and conditioner that are not the same brand. I change brands, but they have to be the same. We use shampoo faster than conditioner. Thus, I have a cupboard full of half full conditioner bottles.

There you have it. Six things that nobody knows about me. That's because they are things I wouldn't admit publicly (even though I just did). I tag anybody who is willing to do it. I have to admit, it was kind of therapeutic

School Pictures

Since I am a staff member in an elementary school, I had my school picture taken recently.

I haven't seen myself in such light for a really long time. (I won't go into detail about exactly how long it's been.) I seriously have the same smile that I did in my freshman picture in high school. (Again, I won't go into detail on how styles have changed since then).

Well, not only did I get my picture taken but, I received the deluxe package of pictures. I have more pictures of myself than I would ever want. So, I decided to share with everybody. If you want an 8 x 10, 5x7, or several wallets just let me know.

All On My Own

When we bought our house, water shares came with it. That means we have the right to divert water from the ditch in front of our house onto our property. We have a water turn every week for 3 hours. Essentially, we water our lawns and garden for free. The only bad thing is that it is hard work, like manual labor. It is nice in the hot summer because the water is cold since it comes from the melting snow in the mountains.

Last year, Aaron did all the water turns. This summer he has been traveling more so Esteban and I did them. The first time we worked together Esteban kept saying, "That's not how Dad does it." I had to remind him that Dad was not there so we were doing it my way. (Since Esteban doesn't read my blog, I can admit that Aaron's way is probably better.) One day, when I had mud all over my arms Esteban pointed out that he was clean and dry. I told him that just proved who worked harder.

We had another water turn a few days ago. Aaron was traveling and Esteban was in school. That meant I had to do it all on my own. I've never had to do it by myself before. Things were going great until I pulled the wrong dam out. Well, I fell in the ditch twice, flooded the neighborhood, walked a block to stop the water, and reset the dam in order to finish. Sure enough, my neighbor that looks like a super model drove by as I was standing there covered in dirt and water up to my chest. (Thankfully, there is not a picture of me to post.) The water was frigid especially since I was working in the morning when it was still cold outside.

The good news is that I watered all our lawns and garden. I even water most of the neighbor's lawn. (A bonus for me not knowing what I was doing.) I have a new respect for all the pioneer women who had to manage water crops and so much more all on their own.

All By Myself

A few weeks ago, Aaron's company had their annual party. Since we didn't want to drive two cars to Salt Lake he went in late to the office and I went with him. We made arrangements for the kids so, it was just us.

He dropped me off at my sister's house in Bountiful. My mom, sisters, Monica & Laurann, and I all went out to lunch together. It has been a long time since I have only ordered for myself. Then, my sister Monica took me to on to Salt Lake where she dropped me off at the Museum of Church History and Art near Temple Square. I had wanted to see the new Children's Exhibit with the "I am a Child of God" 2008 Primary theme. I did feel a bit strange walking through this part of the museum without any children. I enjoyed the entire museum. I especially enjoyed looking at the exhibits, not being rushed, or constantly counting heads to make sure all of my kids are in sight.

Next, I wandered over to the Family History Library just becuase I've never been inside. People travel from all over the world to use this library so, I decided I needed to go in since I there. I watched to presentation, talked to a volunteer, and realized there is research I need to do.

I spent the rest of the afternoon on Temple Square, one of my favorite places on earth, in the South Visitors Center. The greeter asked me if it was my first time on Temple Square. I replied,"No. It is the first time I have come without kids so I can actually read the signs." I found myself wandering for most of the day (with four-n-more, wandering is never a good thing).


Aaron picked me up and we went to the party that evening. It has been a long time since I have spent most of the day all by myself. It was nice, but by the end I was ready to be home with my family.