I really need to learn to think about what I say BEFORE I say it. I have never been good about that so wonder if I ever will? Anyway, if I say something stupid or something that might offend you, don't get offended - PLEASE! And I will try my best to not say something stupid or offensive, at least until next time;}

McCall had his friend party this last weekend, and of course it had to be the weekend that I got sick... I had a bad head cold with horrible headache and a gross runny nose. The boys had so much fun though, and I am glad:) McCall decided to have a Nerf sword fight, so that is what they did. They were so funny, they put capes on and were out in the middle of our street 'fighting'. I took pictures and will post those later sometime. They had pizza, shakes, soda, and everything else that goes hand in hand with a party. Never have I been so glad for the rule we have about Sunday's being family day so no friends, than I was this last Sunday! It really wore me out having those kids here all Friday night and all day Saturday, and not feeling too great didn't help. But, as I have said before, they are young only for such a short amount of time, and these are the things they will remember so it is totally worth it!:)

As you know, McCall is playing trumpet in school this year. Well last Friday he was in music class and he had his trumpet on his lap when he decided to stand up for something. As you can imagine, that trumpet fell on the floor and the mouth piece got stuck... Instead of waiting for his teacher to help him get it un-stuck, he and a buddy took matters into their own hands and tried to get it out. Bad idea! They ended up breaking it, parts came off that were never supposed to come off. So, on Monday I had to go down to Orem to the place where it was rented from and have them fix it. I was smart though when we rented this for him to get the insurance on it - it was 'only' $2 more a month, and as it turns out a very cheap thing to pay in comparison to what I would have had to pay if I had said no to that insurance. It would have been close to $100, but I paid zero! It really made my day!:) Most of the time I opt out of extras but boy am I glad I didn't with this:)

So - McCall decided to cut his hair short. I made an appointment for him, and today I picked him up after school and we went. I really didn't think he would do it, cause last time he said that, he changed his mind at the last second and just had a trim. But today he went for it! It is so weird to see him with short hair again, it seems like his hair has been long forever. One thing is for sure, he needs to get some sun on that forehead of his, it's so white!:) He is a very handsome young man. He had his yearly check up yesterday, and everything looks good:) Guess he doesn't need any shots until next year, and that is fine by me.

Yesterday I called my friend Ingrid in Laredo, Texas. I haven't talked to her in a while, and I miss her. Ingvild, Ingrid and I used to be the 3 musketeers, and I miss us:( I wish we lived close so that we could hang out sometimes, but I doubt that will ever happen, cause her husband is a border patrol guy, and obviously Utah doesn't border Mexico or Canada... Anyway, it was great catching up a little, and I just need to be better at calling so that she won't need to answer with 'why are you calling?' LOL! Love you Ingrid!

I am done for now since Zane is pestering me about it being his turn to be on the computer;)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY McCALL! 11 years old today! It's a tradition in our family to open presents in the morning, so here are the pictures of McCall doing just that:) Our family is coming later today to help celebrate this awesome kid of ours, so I will post more pics later. He is having a friend party too, but not until next Saturday.

I think I need to stop reading other people's blogs. People are so creative and good with words and awesome, and it really makes me feel inadequate. OK, so I will still read them, it's like an addiction - I just can't help myself;) But seriously, there are so many awesome, awesome people out there!

Yesterday morning I woke up, looked at my phone to see what time it was, and it said that it was raining in Midway. I thought - hmm, rain huh? Then I looked outside. No rain, but BIG fat snowflakes! We had gotten so much snow over night! It feels more like Christmas now than it did 2 months ago. Mother nature, go figure, right?

I get these great thoughts about what I should write on this blog of mine, and then I turn on the computer and my mind is blank. What's up with that???

There was a farewell at church yesterday (if you don't know what that is, it's when our awesome young men or women of 19 or 21 years of age decides to serve a mission, and they give a talk before they leave, hence it is called a farewell. When they come home after 2 years, they have a home coming talk) Anyway, there were these great talks in church yesterday, and it really got me exited about genealogy. I really wish I had known my mom's parent's. Unfortunately, they died within 6 months of each other, about 6 years before I was born. It really is too bad that you don't think about asking your parents or grandparents about their life until it is too late. It isn't too late for me yet, thank goodness, cause I still have my mom so I need to start asking questions and writing down the answers. Everyone has a story, and I think it's fun to hear about people and kind of find out about what makes them tick and the reason for why certain people are the way they are.

It is incredibly weird for me to think back 11 years. I was SOOOOOOOOOOO pregnant with McCall. He wasn't supposed to be born until March 11th, but like the trend with all 3 of my kids, he could just not wait any longer than he thought necessary, and he arrived on February 18th. I feel so blessed to be his mom. He is growing up to be a fun loving and very unique young man. He has a lot of me in him, but also a lot of Derick, and I love that. His wit and smarts is definitely from his dad. I love how he is very quick with come backs, sometimes I swear I can see how his brain works:) Being a mom is the best thing ever. To watch someone grow from the time they are born is just amazing. I know him so well. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to be a mom to these wonderful kids of mine. Life truly would be very dim if I didn't have these kiddos to keep me on my toes.

A woman that I know lost her grandpa not too long ago, and she posted this on facebook. I loved it so much that I wanted to put it here on my blog, so here it is.


NOW THAT I'M GONE - A letter from Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived here okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me, and He said, I welcome you.
Its good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.

I need you here so badly, you are part of my plan.
There is so much that we can do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night the days chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years.
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is over.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy and Id like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who is in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night....My day was not in vain.

And now I am contented... that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick them up, as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when its time for you to go...from that body to be free.
Remember you're not going...you're coming here to me.

I love you so much Jake and Marita, and I think about you and miss you every single day of my life. My life is richer because I had the privilege of being your mom and sister:)

On Monday I went to help with Meet the Master's in McCall's class. It is a program that the PTA buys for their school to have kids learn about different artists. This last time they learned about Vincent Van Gogh. What a sad and depressing man he was! But holy cow did he know how to paint, maybe that is why he was such a good artist? The funny thing is that McCall and Zane learned about the same artist this month, which doesn't always happen, and they both made their own versions of Van Gogh's Starry Night. They have similarities, but it's fun to see how they saw the same painting a little different. I put a picture of their picture on here:)

I am addicted!!! Have you ever heard of pinterest? If yes, sorry that you have to read my goofy explanation of it, in fact you can just skip ahead:) if you haven't this is what it is ---> you have to receive an invitation to join, so let me know if I should invite you:) It's this website that looks like a board where you can pin things you like and others can push a 'like' button or re pin what you have pinned if they like it as much as you do. There are recipes for food, drinks, desserts, crafts, places to go, what to wear, you name it they got it. It is amazing the ideas you can get from there. I haven't tried any of their crafts yet, but I plan on doing some in the near future. Anyone that knows me is probably rolling their eyes and saying yeah, right! I am not known for my craftiness, for sure, especially if it is time consuming, I just don't have the patience! It is reaaaaaally addicting, but SO much fun:)

My mom is back from Spain. I guess she had an incredible time, and can't wait to go again:) I want to go too!!! Well, actually right about now I think I would be fine going just about anywhere to get away from the cold. I sure hope this summer is nice, long and hot;)