Happy Halladays

My bucket-list

2011-08-01T13:58:00.002-05:00

- Go to France

- Eat Italian food in Italy

- go to New York City

- go to Hawaii

- write a book

- see all my children graduate high school (and hopefully missions, college)

- see all my kids get married and become parents of my grandchildren

- learn to like cooking

- become good at cooking

- pay for someone not in my family to go to college

- take in a 'stray' person

- get in shape

- go on a mission for my church

- get a vacation house

-Eat lobster in Maine

Cool things I have done before I turned 30.

2011-08-01T13:45:00.002-05:00

This is a 2 part post inspired by my friend who had a similar post on her blog. The first one is things I have done, the second list will be things on my bucket list.

Things I have done so far:

- scored our team's only points in an entire sports game

- caught a salmon in the Kenai river (Alaska)

- hitch-hiked (at Garner State Park)

- floated Frio River and Provo River

- white water rafted Snake river

- para-sailed in Cancun

- Driving ski-doos and knee boarding

- got married in the Provo Temple to the best guy ever! (That should be first.)

- been pregnant and felt life moving inside me

- gave birth to 3 beautiful boys

- had published poems

- wrote a book (childrens book. Still hope to write a novel.)

- cared for girl with special needs and she changed my life

- driven to all the states on the western half of USA

- caught crabs with my bare hands

- ate a lightbulb

- ran 3 miles (which for me is like a marathon!)

- learned to do a "gainer" actually called a reverse flip on the diving board

- seen about 30 live concerts of different artists

- been in a movie filming

- bought a house! Yikes!

- started my own business

- jumped off a 2 story roof onto a trampoline

- jumped off a 2 story pier into a lake (Dumb! It was so shallow!)

- received two big miracles in one year

Career woman!

2011-05-11T21:36:00.000-05:00

For those of you who somehow avoided hearing it already (you didn't see my skywriting??) I am now selling MARY KAY! I have already seen great results after only about 10 days of using the Miracle Set (skin care regimen) and also have received tons of compliments on my looks since I have started using their make-up. I am NOT just saying that either! So, if you want to give it a try or just want a free facial or sample, just give me a call or shoot me an email! ahalladay@marykay.com or you can use my personal email. Thanks and God Bless.

Why My diaper bag weighs more than my 1 year old. Mystery solved!

2011-03-24T09:44:00.001-05:00

The Straw that Broke the Camel's back...Why My Diaper Bag is SO Heavy! I know other moms can probably relate, but I think this is a little bit crazy!

This is what is in my bag:

1- hand sanitizer foam

2- hand sanitizer gel

3- baby nail clippers

4- bag for dirty diapers/clothes

5- diaper rash cream

6- jingle bell toy

7- wipes

8- formula

9- pedialyte mix

10- change of clothes

11- froggy toy

12- small blanket he has to have while he is going to sleep

13- burp rag

14- bottle

15- baby sun block

16- gum

17- kleenex travel pack

18- two extra pacifiers

19- baby thermometer

20- baby medicine dropper

21- changing pad

22- teething ring

23 - different teething ring

24 - teething beaded necklace toy

25-Brad's immunization record

26- teething, crinkly book

27- checkbook

28- my huge wallet

29 -extra mascara and eyeliner. Just in case.

30- hair cliip

31- pen

32- box of crayons and color sheet

33- chap stick

34- 2 advil

35- little toy ball

36- small container Reeses Puffs cereal

37- small container cheerios

38- Elmo phone (Why is this in here?)

39- another chapstick (i have been looking for that)

40- Dum Dum, chocolate mint, mini Hershey bar

41- dog bone (Thanks, Landon. We don't even have a dog.)

42- mini video game

43- feminine toiletry products

44- baby booties for feet

45- small tag blanket from Aunt Marion

46- comb

47- hand lotion

...And, the most shocking thing that I noticed last night...NO DIAPERS!

kids, kids, kids

2011-03-16T15:16:00.003-05:00

I have been babysitting, babysitting, babysitting! I have one friend in school, who I babysit for. A few who work, and then sometimes my neighbor needs a sitter, etc. Right now my kids are out for Spring Break and I am also babysitting two other kids this whole week. We are staying busy going to movies, Chuck-e-cheese, parks, Chick-fil-A, etc. I think that confirmed my decision that we are definitely done having kids!

Good news, Bad news

2011-02-11T20:52:00.002-06:00

The bad news: Me and Will both have the flu. Bradley is getting sick and now it seems Landon is too. I guess poor Dylan doesn't stand a chance....

The good news is I get to spend a lot of time in bed cuddling with Bradley. He is so sweet! He is just one big lump of sugar. I love him so much and am so glad he came to our family. I cannot imagine life without him and his huge smile.

Medical Update - Finding answers

2011-02-03T11:22:00.002-06:00

Anyone who knows me knows that my life is an open book. I have few secrets of my own. Here is the scoop on my latest medical drama. It was NOT a bad reaction to the drug (see previous entry) Tussicaps. Because I stopped taking them on Friday and on Tuesday I had another episode. I felt weak, like I would faint and had the numb, tingly hands and feet, I was sweaty and just felt really awful. ( I didn't drive anywhere this time!) It really worried me this time since I had no explanation for it. So today I went to see my family doctor and told her what has been going on. I researched on the internet and seemed to be having what is known as POTS - Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. She said I was, but that this is a symptom and not a cause. So she took my blood pressure while laying down, then sitting, then standing. While laying my blood pressure is almost normal (it has always been a tad low), when seated my bp (blood pressure) is low, and then when I stand up my bp gets super low. So, that is what has been causing the crazy symptoms. So now we know what is going on, we just need to figure out WHY it is happening. She did an EKG and it was normal. She is now sending me to a neurologist just to rule out anything serious, as a precaution. If all those tests are normal then she said we will 'take it from there' and try to figure out why my blood pressure is so low when I stand up. At least we are on the right track now! :) Oh, it also explains why I have been so tired all the time! Finally, an answer for that!

I thought I was dying, or something serious anyway

2011-01-29T12:25:00.002-06:00

So, i was picking up the kids from school and i noticed i had trouble staying in my own lane. I thought that was odd. Then when I dropped off the other kid that I take home (carpool) I felt like I was about to faint. i barely made it into my friends house and collapsed on her floor. I was sweaty and pale and my hands and feet were numb and purple. She called my mom to take me to the hospital and my friend watched the kids until Will could come home and get them. The doctor at urgent care thinks it was a bad reaction to medicine my regular doctor gave me yesterday for my sore throat, sinus infection. He sent me to the ER for blood tests. I am feeling a lot better (aside from the sinus infection) but man I thought I was dying! So weird!

2010-10-16T21:58:00.002-05:00

Man, it has been forever since I have written here. Things have been totally crazy!!!!! Life with 3 kids is so busy all the time!!!! I may just have to hit the highlights/lowlights to catch you up. -

- Will has been working LONG hours lately. He gets up super early and comes home anywhere from 7-1opm.
- he is getting his best bonus ever in 2 weeks, Wahoo!!!
- his car broke down, but at least it happened on payday
- Brad is 6 mo. old now and is still not sitting up or eating baby food. For a few days he ate it ok, but ever since then he gags on anything but milk or sometimes apple juice. I am mildly concerned but have other things to deal with first!
- Dylan had 2 cavities and Landon has 4!! We got Dylans fixed but Landon's are coming up. He has to get 2 root canals! Ouch! Luckily they will sedate him.
- I miss working at Wee School and my two BFF's there. But I love being at home with my kids. It is funny.
- Still tired all the time even though my bloodwork testing for anemia and thyroid came back normal. hmmm...
- Dylan is going to be Harry Potter for halloween and Landon a ninja. Brad will be an M&M. cute. I am coloring my hair pink (cause I have always wanted to) and wearing a witch hat. whatever!- -What else???There is more but that is all I can get into for now. I am not feeling great and Will too and Landon threw up all over our livingroom carpet tonight. Yuck! Dylan had the pukes last week and now it has hit the rest of us. Oh joy. Now would be a good time to have wood floors...

Deal of the Decade!

2010-09-04T08:01:00.002-05:00

Electrolux Washer and Dryer. Original price: $1,200 each. My price: $350 each!
We were looking for a new washer at Sears and all of a sudden one of the employees gets off the phone and says "Yall may wanna come take a look at these. They just went on sale." What a blessing!!

We're still here!

2010-08-19T21:09:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to update my poor, neglected blog and say that we are still alive. Will's mom Terry came to visit us in July. We had a great visit. I am so glad that she could come and meet Bradley.

Bradley is getting bigger every day and time is going by faster and faster with each kid. He is 4 months old already! He smiles a lot! But he is teething now so has mood swings from really happy to crying, then back to happy.

Landon and Dylan start back to school on Monday! Yay for me! They watched a space movie yesterday and as it was ending Dylan said "I want to be an astronaut some day!" Then Landon said, "I want to be an alien!" My crazy kids.

Will is enjoying his promotion at work and his new boss. Yay!
Consider yourself updated!

kids when little (45 photos), by Allison Halladay

2010-06-25T23:36:00.000-05:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

This Week

2010-06-19T21:39:00.002-05:00

This week was terrible. This week we inexplicably lost a great deal. This week we were saved twice. Make that three times. This week I stayed home all week. This week I lost my van. Then got it back. Then lost it. Then got it back. This week I watched about 15 movies (we no longer have TV.) This week I cried my way out of a $95 fee. (No, I wasn't faking it.)This week I was shown kindness by a total stranger. This week I went to my pediatrician twice. This week Dylan and I both have Scarlet Fever. This week I learned that people still get Scarlet Fever. This week I missed someone. This week I wrote a lot. This week was rough. Hopefully next week will be better.

funny and good pics of Brad

2010-05-24T19:25:00.001-05:00

will took this one. too funny.
he looks so comfy and content here on Will's lap
Dylan took this one. I like the angle.

Texas Bluebonnets and wildflowers

2010-04-11T21:08:00.000-05:00

Bradley William Halladay - 6 lbs 14 oz. 19 inches

2010-03-30T17:42:00.002-05:00

Well, even though it was 4 weeks early, my water broke on March 26, 2010 at 5:15 am. My water always breaks in bed! So, we called the dr and we went to Texas Womens Hospital. I had Bradley via C-section at 11:14 am. I love my doctor and my hospital experience was wonderful! I highly recommend Texas Womans Hospital to anyone! Brad was early so he went straight to the NICU. That was probably good because he had a little trouble breathing one time that first day
and so they kept him there another 5 days to make sure that didn't happen again and to rule out more serious problems. But, Big Bad Brad is a champ is eating well and sleeping well. He should come home tomorrow, barring anymore problems! God is so good! We know He is watching over us and has His hand in our lives. We are so thankful for our newest addition and for all the help, prayers, meal, gifts, and blessings we have received. Our hearts are full.

Surprise Baby Shower!!

2010-03-06T21:15:00.002-06:00

Thank you to all who helped plan this shower, especially the mastermind behind it - Melissa! It was so fun and now I am sooooo ready to have this baby! I have everything I need now. Only 6 more weeks to go!! Yay!

Goodbye Emma

2010-02-01T19:19:00.000-06:00

Emma Dunnam 3/1/2006 -2/1/2010 We love you.

Emma

2010-01-24T20:13:00.004-06:00

This is Emma. She is the little angel girl that I took care of at Wee School last year. She is a victim of Batten's disease (this disease slowly robs you of your abilities to walk, eat, see, talk, move, etc. as it shuts down your brain) and it seems her time is very near. She is almost 4 years old and is down to weighing 18 lbs. And now she has pneumonia. I will be sad to see her go, and so sad for her awesome family, but happy for her to be free from this awful disease and go be with Jesus. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family as I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. But, I am glad that soon she will not be suffering anymore. See you later, Emma.
If anyone wants to see her blog or buy a t-shirt or donate to Emma's Hugs (a non-profit organization that helps pay for food and parking for those that have loved ones in the hospital) the link is on the bottom of my blog called "I am especially fond of you."

Rockin' out!

2010-01-02T10:15:00.003-06:00

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These are pics of my crazy family playing 'Rock Band' on the play station. It was fun and funny!

That's my mom! Landon's Christmas program for preschool.

2010-01-02T10:08:00.003-06:00

Here is baby!!!!

2009-12-22T08:35:00.002-06:00

feet
face
diaper view of him showing off! It's definitely a boy!

We're Having A .....

2009-11-22T10:41:00.001-06:00

Can you believe it??? It's another boy! I am in sooo much trouble!

Silly Halladay Pumpkins

2009-10-16T19:17:00.003-05:00

Of course with my silly boys we had to make silly pumpkins!

T-ball

2009-10-16T19:11:00.002-05:00

1)The Maroon Team (Fall Ball is really laid back and not too creative with names.) 2) L joins D in the dugout. 3) D in action 4) D in his uniform! So cute!

baby #3

2009-10-02T17:04:00.003-05:00

Halladay baby #3 is in the oven!~All is well and we have better hopes for this time around. :) I tries to put a picture of the ultrasound up but it isn't working for some reason.

Basket

2009-09-13T19:04:00.005-05:00

Landon's new hamster "Basket" in his cage. I don't know why he named it Basket, but he insisted on it! Aunt AA got it for him.
He just lovesssss him!
So happy to finally have a pet! (And notice his big boy underwear! Finally potty training!)

random pics

2009-08-23T19:22:00.002-05:00

my brother when he was on his mission!
me at age 9 or 10
our engagement photo! I was so young and thin!!!!!
me at about age 4

Family Florida Trip (and flu) DESTIN

2009-07-21T15:56:00.002-05:00

We just got back from an amazing family vacation to Destin, Florida. The beaches were beautiful! Activities included wave runners, parasailing, miniature golf, outlet shopping, and of course tons of swimming at the clear water beaches and playing in the white sugar sand, and swimming in the condo's pools. It was fabulous! The 4 Halladays went plus my Mom, Dad, Canace, Adrienne and her fiance Tom, and brother Spencer who just got off his mission. We are already saving our pennies to go somewhere fabulous again next year! And Dylan caught the flu in Florida and brought it back to Texas. Dr. said lots of people are catching flu there. what a souvineir!

my trip to the mall (kinda gross. ok really gross!)

2009-07-08T13:19:00.000-05:00

So we were at the mall today and I was going to use a gift card that my sister gave me, and all of a sudden Landon ran by me and I smelled the worst smell and due to my years of experience in parenting I knew exactly what it was - toddler diarrhea! I looked at Landon and saw a huge brown spot appearing on his gray shorts. Ugh! So, no big deal I looked in my purse for another diaper, and -oops- i didn't have one! Uh oh. No baby wipes either! (So much for my years of experience!) Okay, stay calm. What to do? I checked with the sales people and they didn't know of anywhere in the mall that had 'emergency diapers' like the malls in Utah do. Dang. So I went to the bathroom to access the damages. Pretty bad. There was no way to salvage the diaper so I stripped him down and cleaned him up as best I could with wet paper towels. Then I threw out the diaper, ignored the people coming and going and giving me shocked looks, washed the poopy shorts in the sink with soap and water, dried them as best as I could in the hand dryer, and put the semi-wet shorts back on Landon with no diaper. Now obviously he isn't potty trained yet , despite my best efforts, so I hurried and finished my shopping and left with my commando toddler. I was just sorry that the bathroom had no diaper-pail in there and I had to leave all my mess in their open trash can. I should have put the 'do not enter' sign up when i left....
Just another day in paradise...

Finley/Harolds Family Reunion

2009-06-15T21:14:00.006-05:00

making donuts, the dreaded phone call, camera thief

2009-05-07T19:25:00.003-05:00

L got a hold of my camera. The dreaded phone call...I don't think I will answer it!

W made donuts for us the other day. (Thanks a lot, I am trying to watch what I eat!)

Looks yummy!!!

Pictures I love!

2009-05-07T18:15:00.003-05:00

This picture was put on last, not first. Anyway, I like this picture Canace took of me. Usually I hate pictures of me so this is a phenomenon.

Provo, Utah Y mountain. Love it!

Mt. Timpanogos. Beautiful.
Paris. I put this one in mostly for Bonni and Mark.

Houston at night. Pretty.

Downtown Houston.

Michael Jackson concert

2009-04-25T23:53:00.001-05:00

Topsy Turvey Tomato Update

2009-04-25T23:50:00.002-05:00

Growing great! Now if I could just get the kids to stop picking them before their time!!!

Utap trip -part 2

2009-03-29T20:09:00.003-05:00

Mt. Timpanogas

Beautiful! Up American Fork Canyon
At the Barn
This is a store that is in the mountain on the way to Utah. (We drove.)

Utah Trip March 2009

2009-03-27T13:23:00.004-05:00

Allison in blue bonnets - Texas
All the Halladay cousins at the park in St. George, Utah
All the Halladay cousins in the gazebo. St. George, Utah
All the Halladay cuties at Rob's Wedding Reception

Dylan and Grandma Terry at the park in American Fork, Utah. More pictures to come soon!

Topsy-Turvey Tomato Plants

2009-03-05T21:32:00.003-06:00

We have wanted to try these for a long time. We will let you know how they come out when grown up-side-down.

My crazy kids! :)

2009-02-27T22:44:00.003-06:00

Landon loves getting in this box. Not sure why???
Aye Aye Tak-kin! (He means Captain!)
What Dylan did to Landon's head with his bubble gun! Time for another bath!

Taekwondo

2009-02-27T22:38:00.002-06:00

Dylan had his first belt test today and went from a white belt to an orange belt. Wahoo!

Sad News

2009-02-19T21:27:00.002-06:00

Well, it turns out that I miscarried. No baby for us right now, but when God says it is time then we will try again! For now I have my 3 crazy boys to keep me in good spirits. And lots of great friends and family! Thanks to everyone.

80's party! Totally Radical Dude!

2009-02-15T19:39:00.002-06:00

Love the Michael Jackson outfit!
The girls!
We love the 80's! Bring them back!!!!

Valentines Shmalentines

2009-02-14T23:18:00.002-06:00

Well, things did not exactly go according to plan today. Will did get me some beautiful flowers and I got him stuff, but that was about all that went right. I forgot to get Valentines for my own kids cause I was so busy getting all the kids' classmates stuff and my parents stuff and Will's parent's stuff, etc. So I hurried and made some on the computer before they noticed, (I think.) Then our babysitter never showed up and Will ended up waiting to meet me at the designated restaurant for 2 hours. Then we ended up having dinner with the kids at the restaurant, and that was ok, but Will hated his dinner and so he waited those 2 hours for nothing but bread sticks and about 12 diet cokes. The highlight of the evening was coming home to three large pizzas that I had ordered for the babysitter (who never came or even called!) and her kids to eat. Too bad we were full from the mediocre food and all the coke and breadsticks. Then, I watched a movie (Twilight!!! At least that was good) while Will spent a couple hours at my parent's house helping them out with some things. Not ideal, but fine. Then, to top it all off we find out that someone really close to me is getting a divorce, and I end up crying. Hope next year is better!

#3!

2009-02-03T18:51:00.003-06:00

Well folks, guess what? I am pregnant with baby #3. Maybe we will get a girl this time, but if not a boy is fine. As long as it is healthy! We are due September 17.

Our Tree

2008-12-28T18:42:00.003-06:00

.

I like to experiment with camera settings to make pictures like these

Dylan's Pokemon House

2008-12-28T18:38:00.001-06:00

Dylan wanted a "Pokemon House" for Christmas. Unfortunately those don't exist in stores so I had to make him one. I think it turned out pretty well. I refurbished an old doll house. The things we do for our kids...

Snow in Baytown, Texas!

2008-12-10T21:07:00.002-06:00

Our house in the snow! That is a big deal in this part of Texas. Happens once in 10 years or so.
This was when it first started to snow.

Snowman the youth at church made. Also the missionaries.

Lights of Christmas and Parade

2008-12-06T12:41:00.003-06:00

The boys show off their light-up clothes

Us in the Baytown Christmas Parade. We were on the Blue Santa float, who delivers gifts to people in need on behalf of the Police Dept. It was fun, but cold!

Landon blew it up

2008-12-05T21:22:00.002-06:00

This is what happens when you put one hotdog in the microwave for over 20 mintues. Don't try this at home. Please. My house still reeks.

2 quotes I love

2008-11-18T12:36:00.000-06:00

HAPPY MOMENTS, PRAISE GOD. DIFFICULT MOMENTS, SEEK GOD. QUIET MOMENTS, WORSHIP GOD. PAINFUL MOMENTS, TRUST GOD. EVERY MOMENT, THANK GOD!!!

I believe God gives us one of Three Answers to Prayer:
1) yes!
2) not yet.
3) I have something better in mind.

Glow in the Dark Fun

2008-11-09T09:35:00.002-06:00

Babysitting? Grab some glow bracelets & a dark room and you are ready to go!

Zoo trip. November '08

2008-11-09T09:29:00.004-06:00

Okapi - my favorite zoo animal
nice giraffe photo
strange creature at the zoo
Cheetahs

our pumpkins

2008-10-30T21:53:00.004-05:00

the first picture is some sort of pumpking-squash hybrid. The second and third picture are our family pumpkin that we carved using the pumpking carving kit my sister got us. It took a while, but it was fun and worth it.

Pumpkin patch. I love Fall!

2008-10-21T20:16:00.003-05:00

We had so much fun! The boys each picked a pumpkin to take home. Dylan picked a bumpy one which reminded me of the book called 'The Ugliest Pumpkin' by Dave Horowitz. I love him! Anyways, we had fun at the patch and are excited for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I love my job!

2008-10-10T07:34:00.001-05:00

I work on Mon & Wed, and I really like it. One thing that really surprised me is how NICE everyone is. I work with about 20 girls so you would imagine there would be gossip, fights, drama, etc. But there ISN'T!!! Everyone is really nice. The two teachers that I share a room/class with are super nice and we get along great. Maybe it helps that I only work 2 days, and not 4 like everyone else. The kids were crazy the first few weeks, but now things are calming down and it is much better. The first day trying to get 13 toddlers (age 18 months) to all go to sleep at the same time in the same room was nearly impossible. The crying! But, they have gotten into a routine now and it is much better. I love the 'special needs' girl that I work with. She is such a sweet heart. It is hard seeing how frustrated she gets when she can't do the things that she wants to do, but I am figuring out ways to help her. It is hard to see her with her peers and see the difference in their abilities vs. hers. But, I think I have the best job in the whole place. Lots of times she just lays her blond head on my chest and we just rock, while I watch the other kids creating chaos around me. Ha! I love that little girl.

Sign in a Dallas Restaurant

2008-10-02T21:35:00.003-05:00

This is a sign I saw in a restaurant in Dallas. This was during our evacuation trip to escape Hurricane Ike and it made me think a little...

Hurrican Ike

2008-09-27T21:32:00.005-05:00

Pictures from Hurricane Ike. This was my parent's yard. First picture is of their neighbor's house. The neighbor's tree hit my parents house and roof. Luckily, it did not penetrate to the inside. The last picture is of my sister.

Evacuation Vacation

2008-09-13T21:08:00.003-05:00

Well, thanks to Hurricane Ike we decided to go to Dallas and stay with my second-cousin and his wife. They have two kids, a big screen TV, and a Wii, so the kids think this is great fun. Charlie and Giselle have been super hospitable and we even got our own room with a bed. Our house in
Baytown seems to be ok so far, just a blown-down fence. My parents house is ok, but has fallen trees on the roof. They say we will be without power for a couple weeks. Ouch! I hope not. I don't want to impose on my friends too long. Houston got hit pretty bad. Not sure about Will's work yet. We'll keep you posted...

Stupid Turtle

2008-08-26T08:37:00.001-05:00

I got peed on by a turtle this morning on my walk. Ew! I found him on the side of the road and was going to 'rescue' him but then he peed on me and a neighbor told me it was a snapping alligator turtle and that they are dangerous and bite and carry salmonella. So, it put him back in someone's yard.

School Bus Blues

2008-08-26T08:36:00.001-05:00

Dylan HATES getting on the bus and cried a lot both times so far. I have to push him on and then walk away fast. He likes it once he gets moving though, and likes his school. Any ideas to make the morning less traumatic? We made him a bus chart this morning that he can put stickers on and will get a reward at the end of the week, if he does good. Maybe that will work?

Ew!

2008-08-18T23:42:00.002-05:00

This is what happens if you don't put chlorine in your pool for 4 days.

My Crazy Life & Summer

2008-08-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

This summer has been fun. Lots of swimming, water parks, etc. Still need to hit the beach before school starts...
I spent all weekend worried about something that turned out to be fine, then when I thought everything was fine, my mom ended up in the Emergency room for 7 hours. She is home now and is staying with me for a few days.
We are gearing up for fall when Dylan will start kindergarten (yikes!) and me and Landon will go back to Wee School two days a week. It will be weird only having one kid at home all day.
anyway, I didn't know what to write, but wanted to write something. So here ya go!

Shadow boxes

2008-07-28T17:14:00.005-05:00

Top is Landon's shadow box with his blessing outfit and part of a knitted blanket.
Bottom one is some of my old medals. I told Will I would make him one for his Alaska things, but he didn't seem too interested. Maybe someday...

More Shadow Boxes

2008-07-28T17:07:00.007-05:00

Dylan's shadow box with his Preemie clothes, mold of fist, and picture.

Super Shopper

2008-07-25T12:58:00.001-05:00

I just got 9 shirts for Dylan (polos for school), 2 shirts for Will, one shirt for me, running pants for me, a new bag/purse, one Cars pillow, one Thomas the Train pillow, and a Thomas the train rug for the toy room. PLUS, I got 6 baby onesies, and two baby girl outfits (for shower gifts), and a shirt for my niece. All of that, for less than $100. Amazing! All good quality stuff, too. I am psyched!

You did WHAT??

2008-07-22T19:44:00.002-05:00

My kids are so crazy. Last week I had to take a locked door off the hinges to get inside, and also retrieve a cell phone from inside a wall. That one was tricky! Next stop...potty-training!

Must Read!!!

2008-07-05T22:40:00.002-05:00

I just finished reading a book called "One Tattered Angel" by Blaine Yorgason. It is SO good. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with it! It is a true story about a little girl baby who spent time off and on at Primary Children's Medical Center in Salt Lake, and since Dylan spent some time there when he was a new baby, it really got me. It is so good! So inspiring! It really made me greatful for my kids and everything I have been blessed with. It will make me think twice about ever having 'a bad day.' And, it has a good surprise ending! You gotta read it! Check it out at the library, order it online, locals can borrow my copy... JUST READ IT!

Bizarro dream

2008-07-05T05:55:00.002-05:00

This is a strange one...First I dreamed I was on a date with some guy, but Will was with me too (We were still married.) So the three of us were on this date and then when I started to like the guy Will got jealous. Then the guy was weird and started fighting some other guy so me and Will left. Go figure. Then, all of a sudden I was in this big building with my friend Britney and I was trying to find a bathroom. I found one that was for 'High School Teachers Only' but I really had to go so I went in anyway. It had shallow metal tubs that had blue water in them instead of toilets. So I sat down in the tub and started to go, with my friend looking on (there were no doors or stalls, just a room full of people and blue water tubs.) Then, all of a sudden I am in a church (still in my potty tub) and I am in a pew with people I don't know singing and dancing and going all crazy. Then they start passing communion around (I think it was supposed to be Baptist church) and instead of bread they had oyster crackers and instead of water they had M&M's. I took them anyway, figuring it was like sacrament at our church. Then, I was walking down the hall of the church -finally free of the potty/tub - and there was a statue of Joseph Smith but they had taken off his face and put on some other guy's face. It was crazy. That is about when I woke up.

Stars and Stripes

2008-07-03T19:45:00.002-05:00

I just made a ZILLION paper red, white, and blue stars to decorate for tomorrow.(We are having a family BBQ at my house.) They are really cute, but they take forever to make because each star is made of 4 cut out stars that you color or decorate and glue together and then hang up. I am going to keep them to decorate the boys' room after the 4th is over. I spent way too much time on them to throw them away. At least it kept my mind off my sore throat though! It gave us something to do today besides TV. Sick days are no fun. I always get sick on holidays! I am cursed! Maybe I will feel better tomorrow...

Domestic Me

2008-07-01T21:50:00.003-05:00

We got some big, red, yummy tomatoes through someone at church and so me and my mom decided to bottle our own salsa. It came out pretty good! We made a hot kind and a milder one. Yum-o. The down side is that it took us 5 hours and we only made 19 jars. Next year we will do a double batch.
With it being hurricane season here we are really trying to get our food storage up to par. We have tons of huge buckets of rice, beans, wheat, etc. This week we got some really hard plastic 5 gallon water bottles and I ordered a camp stove and heat cells for that. We are getting there. We already have the tent, sleeping bags, 72-hour kits, diapers, powdered milk, canned food, 55 gallon water barrel, propane heater, lantern, wheat grinder, etc. Anything else we need?

Papa Bear

2008-06-26T21:34:00.002-05:00

Will laid the smack down on some kids on our street who were playing a little too rough with Dylan. They were shooting him with a dart gun and forgot that he is 5 years younger than them. He talked to all the kids and later two of the kids and one kid's parents came over and the kids apologized. It was cute to see Will so protective. We will give them one more try before we ban them from ever playing with him again. Don't you mess with my boy!

Baby Borrowers

2008-06-25T21:49:00.003-05:00

I saw this new show on TV tonight (at least it is new to me) called "Baby Borrowers." These 4 couples of teenagers who think they are ready to have a baby find out what it is really like. They have to wear the pregnant belly, take a child-birth class (with all the gory details) and then they have to take care of a real baby for 3 days and nights by themselves. The real parents are watching on camera the whole time, and can intervene if they feel the need. It is hilarious! They have to do all the baby shopping, changing, bathing, feeding, bed time, etc. It is so funny watching them get mad at each other and be totally clueless as to what to do to make 'this thing' or 'it' -as one guy calls the baby- stop crying. It is nice to see them be worn out and frustrated. That is such a universal parent thing. Anyway, in the end they find out it isn't as easy as they thought and I'm sure they all re-consider having a baby. Most will probably break up. Anyway, it makes for some funny TV! I love it. It is great birth control.

'Nuff Said

2008-06-15T22:05:00.003-05:00

Here is Dylan's funny face. We got a little camera happy today at our Father's Day dinner...

Funny Faces

2008-06-15T22:01:00.006-05:00

We got in a bit of a silly mood today... I won't put mom and dad's on here to spare them the public humiliation. They were good too, though!!! ( I may be bribed...)

So Forgetful!

2008-06-11T21:13:00.002-05:00

Ever feel like you would forget your head if it wasn't glued on? I think I would! I got a pulled over yesterday and got a ticket for having an expired inspection sticker. (Texas does NOT send reminder letters when it is time to renew, like Utah did. I wish i would have known that!) So, since it was expired for longer than 60 days -oops- I have to pay a $175 fine and talk to a judge at the courthouse. Ouch! Then, I realized that Will's inspection sticker on his car is expired too (in January) and that I gotta get that done first thing in the morning! Man! Then, I forgot to cancel an payment to the bank that I was supposed to cancel, and it got sent. Dang! So, now I gotta deal with that mess and see if I can fix it. I swear I am losing it! (If I ever had it to begin with...)

I'm no Beetoven

2008-06-09T19:08:00.002-05:00

I am taking piano lessons. Yes, I know I am a bit old for that, but I ain't gettin' any younger! No time like the present. I am just beginning to put the notes on the lines and sight-read. It is hard. I can't imagine playing all 4 parts at the same time- (Soprano, Alto, etc.) -and paying attention to the length of each note (quarter note, half note, etc.) ! I don't know how people do it! It will take me a long time to get there, but it is fun to learn new things. I am open to suggestions and tips, if anyone has any.

Why Why, Lorelai?

2008-06-08T21:33:00.004-05:00

I am so obsessed with Gilmore Girls! It is pathetic! It has been off the air for like 2 years now and I still watch re-runs of it if I ever get alone time. Why? Why am I so obsessed with this show? Anyone got any answers for me?

Kids say the darndest things...

2008-06-08T20:03:00.001-05:00

I asked the kids at my Wee School how old they thought I was. One said "16!" and I said, "No." Then one said, "60!" I should have stopped at 16...

Lakewood Pool Club

2008-06-08T08:10:00.000-05:00

Today Will, the boys and I went to Lakewood Pool. It was their opening day and anyone could come for free, so we went. It brought back so many memories! I could have stayed there all day! I kept thinking I saw kids I knew from when I life-guarded there, but for that to be true they would have had to have not aged at all in 12 years. J I did see some people that I knew though. There was this one kid Matthew, that I used to life-guard when he was about 7 years old. He is 19 now, but we remembered each other. I had to help rescue his sister one time. It was the only save I ever had to do as a lifeguard. And he remembered it. I couldn’t believe how big he was now. I saw a couple other people I knew, but mostly I liked seeing the pool. I don’t know what it is about me and pools. I just can’t get enough of them. And this one in particular. It was shallow enough for Dylan to walk around in, has a baby pool, and a diving board – all the essentials. I was shocked to find out though, that they had done away with lifeguards (gasp!) and it was now swim-at-your-own-risk. The horror! I felt so nostalgic being there again. I spent most my childhood swimming there all day long, and then all of my teen-hood summers working there. I was excited about going, but was surprised by the rush of emotions that hit me when I got there. It was great. Will was happy that he finally got to see that piece of my life that he had heard so much about. I was very saddened to learn that they might have to close it. To me it will always be ‘The Lakewood pool’ – sandy bottoms, the yellow baby pool, and a thousand summer memories.

2008-06-07T21:05:00.000-05:00

I think this is hilarious!

2008-06-07T20:40:00.002-05:00

Grandpa Keith and Grandma Sheryl with the 'Graduate.'

2008-06-07T20:39:00.003-05:00

Dylan graduated from Pre-School this year and will start Kindergarten in the fall! I can't believe it! He is getting so big!

2008-06-07T20:25:00.003-05:00

Dylan and Landon love the beach! This picture is from last summer. We haven't gone this summer yet, due to crazy gas prices. But, we will soon. Those boys love the water! And, as you can see, the sand.

Gravity

2008-06-07T20:15:00.001-05:00

Kung Fu Panda

2008-06-07T19:47:00.001-05:00

Dylan and I (Will) went to Kung Fu Panda today at the Theatre. It was a good movie to take a 5 year old to and Dylan and I enjoyed it quite a bit. 4 out of 5 hamburgers. We also shared a kids movie kit (pcorn, m&ms, soda). This afternoon I watched the Belmont Stakes. Big Brown lost on his bid to be the first Triple Crown winner since I was born in 1978. Some other horse won.