Heart of the Shepherds

Shepherd Kids - Fall 2011

2011-10-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Bo - Fall 2011

2011-10-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

Brooke - Fall 2011

2011-10-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Luke - Fall 2011

2011-10-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Bo - 7 months

2011-09-07T13:08:00.003-07:00

Ten Things... by Luke

2011-07-01T09:52:00.004-07:00

Ten Things I'd Like To Do Someday
by Luke Shepherd (all spellings left as is)

1. Work at a musem so I can give tours about when the dinosaurs romed the Earth.

2. Be a game desiner so I can make more Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the hedghog video games.

3. Play video games for 8 hours nonstop.

4. Stay up until 12:30 pm (not a typo, that's what he wrote)

5. Get 50 dollars for doing chores.

6. Invent another galaxy.

7. Beat My Dad at checkers.

8. Own at least 5 Ipads 2 MP3 players and 1 Ipad 2.

9. Creat my own Pokemon.

10. Make and Ilistrate my own book.

Shepherd Family 2011

2011-04-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

Shepherd Siblings

2011-03-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

Bo McKay Shepherd - 2 months

2011-03-13T18:49:00.003-07:00

Bo just keeps on growing and it kinda makes me sad! He'll never be this little again, so I'm trying to capture it on "film".

Who Is Brooke?

2011-01-27T17:06:00.005-07:00

Two weeks ago Brooke was the class VIP (Very Important Person). She got to fill at bucket with treasures that told a story about who she is and what she likes to do. Today she came home with a cut-out of herself that is filled with statements about her as written by her teacher and classmates.
As she read them to me, she was so proud! She kept saying "That's so true!" or "I am good at that!"

Let me share them with you:

"Brooke is funny, nice and playful. I love to sit by her at lunch and play with her at recess. Sometimes she looks like a princess." - Paris

“Brooke is my friend. Brooke is a good reader. Brooke makes me laugh.” - Kierstin

“Brooke is funny. I like to talk with Brooke.” - Alyssa

“Brooke is my friend. Brooke lives close to me. Brooke is really fun to play chase with at recess. - Jessica

“Brooke is an excellent listener. She likes to answer questions and tell how to solve math problems. She is very good at participating in lessons in class. She is a good worker and always tries to follow school rules.” - Mrs. Assel

“I like Brooke to play with me at recess. Brooke is fun. Brooke has a cute haircut.” - Chloe

“Brooke likes me and is my friend. I like to play at her house. Brooke is fun to sit by at lunch. Brooke is friendly.” - Maddy

“Brooke is always listening. Brooke is a good friend. Brooke is fun to play with.” - Dino

“Brooke is my best friend because she is nice. Brooke is smart and really good at math. Brooke colors in the lines really well.” - Brynnlee

“Brooke is fun to chase at recess. Brooke listens to Mrs. Assel and is a good worker.” - Ethan

“Brooke plays with me. Brooke is a good worker. Brooke doesn’t get bad cards.” (Discipline cards) - Breson

“Brooke knows her numbers really well. Brooke makes me laugh! Brooke is fun to play with.” - Katelyn

“Brooke sits with me at lunch and she is fun to talk to. Brooke plays chase with me. She is a fast runner.” - Hunter

“Brooke is really nice to me. She shares her pencils and crayons with me.” - Asher

“Brooke is a good friend to me. Brooke is fun to play with. Brooke helps people.” - Kyller

“Brooke is good at adding numbers. Brooke is a fast runner.” - Cameron

“Brooke listens to the teacher and follows directions. Brooke isn’t mean to people.” - Coleman

“Brooke is funny, she tells great jokes. I like it when she plays with me!” - Adria

“Brooke dresses cute. Brooke eats all her lunch in the lunchroom. Brooke is a hard worker and does good work.” - Reagan

“I like it when Brooke sits by me at lunch. Brooke plays hide and seek with me at recess and it is fun. Brooke is nice.” - Ashley

“Brooke plays with me and is a good friend. I like sitting by Brooke. Brooke is fun to play with at recess.” - Elise

“Brooke is really friendly to everyone. Brooke is a hard worker. Brooke is great at math.” - Camden

Bo Comes Home

2011-01-24T19:04:00.001-07:00

Welcome Bo McKay Shepherd

2011-01-22T23:56:00.001-07:00

Bo McKay Shepherd was born on Jan. 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

He was 8 lbs. 4 oz. and 19 in.

Sleepover List

2010-12-06T21:05:00.003-07:00

Last night the kids decided to have a sleepover (Brooke would spend the night in Luke's room), so they made themselves a list of things to do together. They even checked everything off as they accomplished it.

Sleepover list for Luke and Brooke Shepherd

1. Pokemon battle ds
2. Read books
3. Watch a movie on iPod touch
4. Snuggle with my sister Brooke
5. Watch another movie on iPod touch
6. Snuggle with a third movie
7. Play with stufffed animals
8. Play on the app iPuppy world
9. Check what everybody is doing when decided to (at this point they came upstairs and checked to see what Jason and I were up to)
10. Play any app Brooke agrees on
11. Help me pass off stuff for my pack meeting in Feb.
12. Go to sleep when wanted to.

Temple Square 2010

2010-12-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

Just before the camera's battery died, I snapped these pics of our trip to Temple Square.

Luke's 1st Pinewood Wood Derby

2010-10-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

Waiting for the races to start... Luke's heat is about to begin...

That's Luke Pinewood Derby car - the Blue & Gold one on the end. He and Mom designed and painted it.

And they're off! Luke is in the lead!!

Who will win??? I'll spoil it for you since I didn't get a shot fast enough - it was Luke!

Luke's car at the finish line. He won this heat too!

Time for celebrations!

The final awards have been given out and Luke didn't win 1st place, but he did get an award for the most awesome Cub Scout paint job. He was really happy with his night.

I wonder what we'll do next year?

Gardner Village '10

2010-09-20T19:23:00.005-07:00

The annual trip to Gardner Village to see the Witches...

Even after all these years, Brooke is still freaked out by this witch - go figure

Here are some random shots of the kids

Luke's Baptism

2010-09-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

On September 11, 2010 Luke was baptized by his dad as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We are really proud of his decision to be baptized.

Our family - Jason, Heather (featuring Bo), Luke & Brooke

The Himle Family. Our first full family photo since Eric & Elisa's wedding in May of '09. Note how Karlie, Elisa and I are hiding our baby bumps...

Back row: Paul (holding Leah) Himle, Alycia Himle Moore & Sean Moore, Eric & Elisa Himle

Middle: Megan Himle, Karlie (holding Kaylee) Himle, Jason & Heather Himle Shepherd

2nd Middle: Charlotte Moore, Kathleen Himle, Luke Shepherd, Doug Himle, Brooke Shepherd

Front: Naomi Moore, Sam & Abby Himle

Luke Gets His Bobcat

2010-09-01T18:30:00.000-07:00

Luke joined Cub Scouts when he turned 8 (Aug. 20th) and he worked really hard to pass off all his Bobcat requirements by the time we went to his first Pack Meeting on Sept. 1st.

Here he is pining my mother's pin on me...

Big hugs!

Here is Luke showing off his new Bobcat patch. Look how proud he is! We are too!

Luke's 8th Birthday

2010-08-20T17:53:00.001-07:00

For Luke's 8th birthday, he wanted a Kirby cake, but he wanted a yellow Kirby instead of a pink one (it's real color). For those of you who don't know, Kirby is a character from a video game.

This was a party year for Luke and he had his first boy & girl party. I don't know how fun it ended up being for the girls, because he had everyone battle Pokemon cards...

Day at the Zoo

2010-07-06T18:23:00.000-07:00

Nanny took everyone to the Zoo today. It was lots of fun for everyone!

This is what makes my heart happy...

Just "monkeying" around...

Random Shots From Today

2010-05-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Brooke In Spring

2010-05-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Spring visited us for a day, so I took Brooke to Gardner Village for a little photo shoot and free fudge sample excursion.

I Love Spring Blossoms

2010-05-01T13:52:00.001-07:00

The Grape Juice

2010-04-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

This is the awesome logo I created and that was polished by my little bro Eric. It says "Soccer Mom United" and underneath in latin "Don't irritate the mother". One day I plan to get it on a tee shirt to wear to soccer games. For now it's in vinyl on my car window. If you want one, they're $5. Call me.

This season Brooke's team is called "The Grape Juice" (note the purple jerseys...). She's gotten really good over the last year and it's fun to cheer her on.

Luke's On The Rockies

2010-04-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

Luke decided that he wanted to play baseball this Spring instead of Soccer. Mom was sad, but Dad was really excited about this. Luke even got his wish and was drafted by the Colorado Rockies.

Luke and his proud Dad. Jason even took off work so he could be at Luke's first game!

Visit With Lindsey

2010-03-15T13:05:00.002-07:00

We had an awesome visitor today! Jason's little sister Lindsey was flying to California and had a 3-hour layover here in Salt Lake.

We picked her up from the airport and wisked her off to our house for a tour and some photos, then out to lunch at Red Robin (Yum!)

We brought her back to our place for a few more photos and then took her back to the airport to catch her flight on to California.

It was a short but sweet visit!

Note: I AM in the picture, sort of, just look in the glass door behind everyone else... oh, and you'll probably see Slugger there too (look behind Jason's ear)!

Newest Shepherd Family Photos (Dec. 2009)

2010-01-09T15:48:00.002-07:00

Sparrows

2009-12-21T12:48:00.007-07:00

“Shadows of despair are dispelled by rays of hope, sorrow yields to joy, and the feeling of being lost in the crowd of life vanishes with the certain knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us.

The Savior provided assurance of this truth when He taught that even a sparrow shall not fall to the ground unnoticed by our Father. He then concluded the beautiful thought by saying, 'Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.' (Matt. 10:29-31)”
~ Thomas S. Monson

Luke

2009-12-21T12:35:00.001-07:00

Brooke

2009-12-21T12:29:00.002-07:00

Elves 2009

2009-12-21T09:48:00.004-07:00

Once again the Elves are at Gardner Village (yes, I love that place!) so on the first good day we had this month I took the kids on a field trip.

Ugh, sisters & mistletoe don't mix!

Luke checking out the candy outside Sweet Aftons candy store. He's hoping they give out fudge samples that big inside!

Once again, Luke locates his name on the Naughty list and isn't too happy about it!

"I don't think this is Santa's real list."

"Oh, no!!! Don't fall!!"

Tasty good Candy Canes!

Rest In Peace Josh

2009-11-04T22:08:00.004-07:00

Josh was laid to rest in a quiet spot in the Rolla City Cemetery. The grave was beautiful with all the flowers laid on it.

Son, Loving Husband, Brother (he was also a Daddy & an Uncle)

The sun setting over Josh's grave...

Cemetery

2009-11-04T21:49:00.004-07:00

Laying Josh to rest.

Pallbearers: Matt McDonough, Kevin McDonough, James DeLaMotte, Steven Carr, Luke Kearse & Ben Tinsley

Family & friends of Josh

Saying good-bye...

The Shepherds
Kyle & Lindsey, Lewis, Jason & Heather, Stephanie & Tyler
(We love you Angela & Ryan!)

Heading to the Cemetery

2009-11-04T21:12:00.005-07:00

There were quite a few Rolla PD who were friends with Josh (he participated in the local ride along program). They kindly provided an escort for the funeral party to the cemetery.

They blocked roads for us to pass uninterrupted...

... and stopped traffic so we could all get into the cemetery together (those cars on the side are NOT parked, they are waiting for the funeral procession to pass by).

This is a shot of just SOME of the line of cars that accompanied us to the cemetery. The whole place was FULL. I think someone estimated that there were around 400 at the funeral (I know I don't know that many people!) Josh was very loved.

Barbershop

2009-11-04T21:08:00.001-07:00

More Shots of Ryan & Steph

2009-11-04T21:05:00.002-07:00

Halloween '09 (with Ryan)

2009-11-04T20:39:00.003-07:00

Jason and I were blessed to spend Halloween with our nephew Ryan this year in Missouri. We tagged along with Tyler and Stephanie as they took him trick or treating.

He was dressed as a Bull Rider and Aunt Stephanie was his Rodeo Clown.

Ryan looking at the Dave's Barber Shop where he and dad got their hair cut.

Aunt Lindsey and the Roesner clan joined us to escort Ryan up and down the street to trick or treat. We had 10 adults for this one three year old! No other kid was as loved that night as Ryan!!! Ryan was gitting miffed that there were no bulls to be found to ride - only dumb candy!

Ryan all ready to hit the town (it takes too much effort to mover stuff in this stupid program, so you are seeing photos out of order)

More Shots of the Kids at Gardner Village

2009-09-26T22:40:00.004-07:00

Brooke & Abby

Luke

Charlie

Abby, Sam & Charlie playing in the fountain

Brooke

Abigail

Petting Zoo Visit

2009-09-26T22:06:00.004-07:00

Part of the fun at Gardner Village is a little Petting Zoo, and Grandma treated everyone to a visit.

Charlotte petting a goat

Kaylee petting a goat
Grandma & Leah

Leah LOVED the animals!

Karlie & Grandma with the twins

Sam gets brave and touches the goat's horn

Kaylee also LOVED the animals - she kept trying to hug or kiss them (to her mother's dismay)

Sam pets the sheep after seeing how friendly it is with Kaylee

Luke petting a sheep

Karlie and the twins. Leah is trying to give the calf a love

Charlotte says "hello little lamb"

Leah petting a goat with the help of mom

Fun With Family

2009-09-26T21:37:00.003-07:00

While Grandpa took Naomi (and Aunt Alycia) to the BYU game, Grandma took the rest of the little people (and Aunt Heather & Aunt Karlie) to Gardner Village for some fun.

Luke and AbbySam
Luke and Sam being monkeys in a tree
Brooke & Luke

Kaylee

Kaylee & Leah splashing in the pond

Leah

Charlotte

Luke

Abby

Charlotte again

Brooke, Charlotte & Abby

More Brooke

2009-09-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

Luke

2009-09-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

Brooke 3

2009-09-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

Brooke 2

2009-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Brooke

2009-09-23T18:50:00.000-07:00

Witchy Poo '09

2009-09-21T14:59:00.001-07:00

Every year at Gardner Village they have witches come in around the middle of September to the end of October. Since the weather is nice today, we headed over for a picnic.

As always we search out Witchy Poo (they move her every year) and snap a shot with her.

Luke suggested the poses, and the girls played right along!

My Cuties

2009-09-21T14:48:00.002-07:00

Soccer Stud '09

2009-09-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

Don't Feed the Bears

2009-09-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Soccer Diva Fall '09

2009-09-18T16:15:00.002-07:00

Disneyland (Fall Trip)

2009-09-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

"It's a Small World" starts the day...

Brooke LOVES Small World!!
Can't remember how many times we rode the Alice in Wonderland Ride...

...or the Teacups!

cruisin' the bumper bugs... Brooke enjoying one of MANY carousel rides...

Jason riding California Screamin'
Luke enjoying tea time!

The kids enjoying the very hungry catapiller ride (or whatever it's called).

People Brooke Met At Disneyland (or Can I Get Your Autograph, please?)

2009-09-16T14:19:00.009-07:00

Mom is allowed to be in a photo with Princess Aurora.

Brooke LOVES Ariel!!
Sharing an Eskimo Kiss with Minnie

Donald (and Dad too!) Goofy's son Max
Aloha Stitch
AladdinSnow White

The Mad Hatter, Alice & Brooke stroll down Main Street Hey Howdy Hey, Woody & Jessie!

Belle is impressed with Brooke's Belle hairbow!

"That is sooo cute!!"

Did I mention Brooke LOVES Ariel????Apprentice Mickey making magic with Brooke.

Random Disney Shots

2009-09-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Luke's 7th Birthday Cake

2009-08-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

This year Luke wanted a Pikacu cake. He's really into Pokemon, so this is what I came up with. He liked it, so I guess it was a success!

Brooke's 1st Lost Tooth

2009-08-17T19:21:00.000-07:00

Brooke's First Day of Kindergarten

2009-07-27T19:15:00.000-07:00

Brooke and Daddy walking to Kindergarten

Brooke and Daddy starting the classroom "treasure" hunt

Brooke decorating her name tag bear

Brooke and her AWESOME kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Drake.

Luke's First Day of School '09

2009-07-27T19:09:00.001-07:00

Mrs. McKee (one of Luke's 2 teachers)

Friendship

2009-07-21T15:36:00.004-07:00

I'm thankful for friends who “…are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort…” (Mosiah 18:8-9)

Luke

2009-07-08T19:52:00.001-07:00

Brooke

2009-07-08T19:49:00.001-07:00

3legged Race (starring Luke & Brooke)

2009-06-22T15:26:00.003-07:00

Luke and Brooke participated in their first three-legged race on Father's Day at the Sessions FHE. Sure looks like they had fun!

Thanks Daddy for filming them so I could enjoy this when I got home!

What I Hear ALL Day Long

2009-06-08T09:03:00.002-07:00

I heard this song on the XM Kids channel and it sounded all too familiar to me! It is by Bill Harley, but this is the only version I could find on YouTube. Still cute!

Hope it makes you smile!!

Eric & Elisa's Wedding

2009-06-01T10:45:00.006-07:00

I'm posting photos from Paul & Karlie's camera - I didn't think to bring mine until too late...

My little brother Eric got married on Saturday, May 30th.

The new bride and groom

Eric & Elisa Himle

Here are all the Himle/Shepherd/Moore cousins:

Charlotte, Luke, Sam, Leah, Kaylee, Abby, Naomi & BrookeThe Twincesses Leah & Kaylee:
Jason & Heather
The Himle girls

Karlie, Alycia, Heather, Megan & Elisa

Where's Jason?

2009-05-05T09:10:00.003-07:00

Jason got into a couple of shots from Jazz Locker Cleanout Day.

Can you spot him?

Hint: Look next to the t.v. camera

Hint on this one: The brown hair in the left hand corner and the brown sleeve belong to our boy!

Brooke Turns Five!

2009-04-17T10:06:00.001-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday Brooke!

Here is the birthday cake. Anyone who knows Brooke, knows that she has been asking for an Eric and Ariel cake for months (not one with them on it, but a cake like they had at their wedding!). Then at Disneyland she saw a Cinderella Wedding cake and that is what she wanted. So here is her wish come true: blue layered cake (same color as the Cinderella one) with pink roses (thanks to my Mom for making those!!)

Here we are singing "Happy Birthday"...

...and Brooke blowing out the candles.

Forest Green mini Hymn book personalized with her name from Mom & Dad (sorry B - they don't make pink ones!)
Pajamas also from Mom & Dad (Luke gave her an Ariel "Barbie" doll earlier)Here is Brooke laughing at the card from Nanny, Papa & Aunt Jessica. It's a Hoopes & Yoyo singing card.

Brooke was a lucky girl to have lunch and shopping earlier in the day with Grandma Kathleen and then having Aunt Megan, Nanny, Papa, and Aunt Jessica join us later for cake and ice cream.

Another First

2009-04-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is Brooke with her very first (very own!!!) library card. One of the perks of turning 5!

No More Training Wheels

2009-04-04T13:17:00.009-07:00

On March 18th (before the snow came) Luke learned how to ride his bike without the training wheels!

We're so proud of him!

To Infinity and Beyond

2009-04-01T14:53:00.002-07:00

This was Luke's favorite ride - the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. He went on it at least 10 times!!

I find that hilarious as the first time we went to ride it he and Brooke screamed and didn't want to get on and they had to be walked directly out the exit instead of onto the ride.

I'm proud of Luke for getting right back in line and trying to get on it. He did freak out as we started out and the ride stopped, but I got him distracted by having him shoot anything that scared him. It was love at first shot after that!

Even Brooke got used to it. She preferred the Toy Story Mania ride though.

M-O-U-S-E...

2009-04-01T14:50:00.001-07:00

Luke and Brooke had photos with Mickey and Minnie at California Adventure.

I Was There Too!

2009-04-01T13:52:00.005-07:00

This is me eating my Dole Pineapple Whip!

I had Jason take it to prove that I did get one and that I was really there!

I really enjoyed it and regret that I didn't have one every day!

Princesses

2009-04-01T13:33:00.004-07:00

My favorite part of Disneyland was Day 2 when we took Brooke to see the Princesses. She was so excited! The hour wait just flew by for her. She just giggled and shook with excitement.

The first Princess she met with was Jasmine. She almost walked right by her in her great desire to see Ariel (her VERY favorite Princess).

She met next with Belle, but she was really eyeballing the next Princess... Finally ARIEL!!! I was so happy that Ariel was there. Brooke could hardly talk she was so happy. She just stood next to her even for all of Aunt Jessica's photo time.

As we were leaving the Princess Faire, Jessica told Ariel that she was Brooke's favorite Princess. Ariel whispered to Brooke "You've been my favorite too! Don't tell the others!" That sent Brooke over the edge and left me in tears! It was a magical morning!!

Later that afternoon in California Adventures Cinderella passed us by. Brooke took off after her as she wouldn't stop for us. This is the only photo we got with her, but at least we got to see her!!

Teacups

2009-04-01T13:20:00.006-07:00

At long last, I'm going to start posting Disneyland photos!

Here we are on the teacups (I am including me, after all, who took the photos do you think??) The teacups were one of Brooke's favorite rides, so we rode them quite a few times!

Sleeping Beauty

2009-03-15T11:01:00.003-07:00

Our last day at Disneyland ended with Beauty falling asleep on Papa's head as they left the park.

So Cute!

2009-03-12T13:00:00.005-07:00

Isn't this the cutest clip ever?!? We saw it on a Snow White yesterday when we were in line at the Princess Fun Faire.

I got brave and asked the mother if she made it, but she said she got it in a little shop in her hometown in Washington. She said they can be found on ebay too, so I googled it this afternoon.

There are tons of shops that sell them. You can get all the Princesses and they are all just as cute!

If you're crafty, I also found instructions to make the Little Mermaid one. You can check them out here:

http://www.hipgirlclips.com/forums/instruction-contest/2696-mermaid-instructions.html

Morning

2009-03-11T20:58:00.001-07:00

Do your kids start the day looking like this?

At Disneyland????
Mine do.

Hey, Is That Matt Damon?

2009-03-11T20:44:00.001-07:00

Bangs or No Bangs

2009-03-06T16:53:00.002-07:00

Wednesday Brooke & I headed to my mom's for a hair trim (we need to look nice for our Disneyland photos!). Brooke needed to have her bangs removed from her eyes. After we were done, I started to muse that it was probably time to start growing them out.

That really upset her. She informed me as I held her bangs back that if she didn't have bangs people would see her bald spot (pointing to her forehead)!

My 100 Page by Luke

2009-03-06T16:43:00.002-07:00

In the papers brought home by my son I found this one they did when celebrating the 100th day of school called "My 100 Page". He had to fill in the blanks and I sure got a kick out of his answers.

I could eat 100...kit kats.

In 100 days of school I have learned...to make friends.

I wish I had 100...video games.

When I am 100 years old I will...die.

Need to Update

2009-03-02T09:06:00.001-07:00

I know I'm getting slack in updating the blog...sigh. But just wait until the week after next! There will be Disneyland photos and stories to enjoy!

Love at Home

2009-02-16T10:34:00.002-07:00

The kids are teaching Hannah how to play a game they got from Grandma & Grandpa for Christmas. I just overheard the following conversation:

Luke (6yrs) : "Stop helping Hannah!" (3yrs)
Brooke (4 1/2 yrs): "I'm trying to be a Child of God and help my friend play Totally Gross!"

Awesome Quote

2009-02-10T16:06:00.002-07:00

I found this on my old seminary teacher's 25 Randoms and I really liked it. Now I'm sharing it with you!

“Home should be the place where all family members get their buckets of self-esteem filled so full that the world can’t poke enough holes in them to drain them dry.”

My Random 25

2009-02-03T09:04:00.003-07:00

Amy used her blog and tagged me ages ago, but it took my awhile to come up with these:

1. I wash all our clothes in cold water despite what the care tag says.

2. I still wonder what makes the popular people popular…

3. I wish I were talented. I’m just not as creative as my sibling and cousins. They write, draw, sew, decorate cakes…sigh. (Is yelling a talent? then nevermind, I’ve got one)

4.I wish I could hire someone to wallpaper or repaint my bathroom. I painted it a year ago and it turned out HIDEOUS! I have no desire to paint again, so it’s still there.

5. I hate the new voices of Ernie and Kermit the Frog. (RIP Jim Henson!)

6.I secretly agree with my 4 year old daughter – Mover Dave is kinda dreamy…

7. I used to dread that I would become a “cat lady” (you know, single with lots of cats). I miss my cats…

8. I secretly want a tattoo (on my ankle) and nose ring.

9. I like doing the vocals on Guitar Hero. It makes me feel famous. (Code name: Bo Peep, Band: Shepherdess)

10. Wish I could still speak Spanish as good as I could in college.

11. Love the smell of a new box of Crayola crayons.

12. I’m thankful for all the other crazy ladies in my “circle of trust”.

13. I have always wanted to be on Seasame Street. ALWAYS.

14. I really suck at math. One night when I couldn’t sleep I tried to remember the times tables from one to ten. It was a struggle for everything other than 1, 2, 5 & 10. Sad, huh?

15. I can’t fly in my dreams.

16. Ask a Ninja makes me laugh out loud (http://askaninja.com/). Check out classic Question 20 – Killacon.

17. When a couple of cheerleaders walked by me at school the other day I was tempted to pick up a snowball and throw it at them.

18. By now I have probably been tagged by 25 people to do this thing. You’d think I could be random much more quickly. Only in real life situations people, only in real life…

19. I have so many series I’m reading that I had to create a folder in my favorites for Books so I could remember what they all are.

20. The song “Take This Job and Shove It” has been running through my mind recently.

21. Sometimes I forget how much I enjoyed working with computers. I felt a lot smarter back then…

22. I’m not a morning person. My brain is currently not functioning properly and when the phone rang a few minutes ago, it took me 2 rings to figure out what to do. I like to silently read my comics and take my time getting life started. I no longer have that luxury as a parent of school aged children and it is tough on all of us.

23. I’m getting closer to the end of this list.

24. I hate being late. This is now all I ever am thanks to uncooperative children who can’t tell time!

25. I will be going to Disneyland for the 2nd time in my life (the first was in 1980) in March. I plan to buy myself some Mickey Mouse ears and wear them. Seriously.

Urges

2009-01-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

Do ya ever get the urge to do something that you haven’t done in like YEARS?

Today I was getting Brooke ready for Preschool and her show and tell had to be something with the letter “J”. Brooke got a jump rope for Christmas and she was taking it.

I looked at it and decided to pick it up and see if I could still jump rope. I can. And I impressed my daughter too.

Next up on the list of things to do that I haven’t done for years – ride a bike. I just need to find one first, then watch out kids – be prepared to be impressed! No training wheels!

Jason and Dan Patrick

2009-01-21T08:30:00.003-07:00

Your husbands might know who Dan is if they follow sports...

For the rest of you here is part of a bio from Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Patrick): Dan Patrick, is an American sportscaster from Mason, Ohio. He currently hosts The Dan Patrick Show (you can hear this on Jason's station KALL 700 Sports), co-hosts NBC's Football Night in America, and serves as a senior writer for CNN's Sports Illustrated.

p.s. yes, Jason is excited to meet him...

What A Girl Wants...

2009-01-07T20:18:00.001-07:00

This:

Go Me...

2009-01-06T17:06:00.002-07:00

Well, the tree and Christmas decorations are finally down and the floor got vacuumed. Part of the driveway was shoveled and will have to be done a second time. So, anyway, go me!

Hope

2008-12-30T18:35:00.002-07:00

I don't know if the title really fits with the blog, but here is my ray of hope:
At 6:00 p.m. tonight I looked to the west and saw light over the mountians. It reminded me that these dark days will eventually be replaced with the longer lasting ones of sunlight.

Scenes from Christmas Morning

2008-12-25T10:43:00.002-07:00

Here are the kids and the tree. If you are wondering why laundry is drying next to it, they were my much desired presents from Jason - a nightgown and a laundry drying rack.

Here is Luke opening his much desired Martian Matter, a present from his sister. She was hoping he would love her since she got him what he really wanted.

Brooke with her much desired baby Ariel doll from Santa.

And Slugger with a doggie bone. Sadly, not much desired.

About A Big Kid...

2008-12-17T14:32:00.003-07:00

After asking Luke to do something for me yesterday, he told me: "I'm a big kid! Big kids like rock-n-roll, playing Wii and DON'T obey mothers!"

Luke's Gingerbread House

2008-12-17T14:28:00.003-07:00

While Brooke had Nanny day, Mom and Luke took time to decorate his Gingerbread house.

Brooke's Gingerbread House

2008-12-17T14:28:00.002-07:00

Thank you Nanny for helping Brooke do her Gingerbread house. Mommy just wasn't getting her act together!

Santa's List

2008-12-17T09:02:00.004-07:00

Here are the kids checking out Santa's List...

Brooke finds her name on the Nice List... Brooke was excited to find her name here. She was worried that Santa forgot her. When she found her name she yelled out to the sky "Santa, I love you!"

Luke found his name on "THE OTHER" (Naughty) list...Boy, oh, boy did this cause some major upset! He ran off crying and screaming "Santa I hate you!!"

Elves 2008

2008-12-17T08:46:00.004-07:00

At noon last Friday the sun came out and I rushed the kids into the car for 2 hours of fun with the Elves at Gardner Village.

Where I've Been Lately...

2008-12-09T15:14:00.005-07:00

I haven't been posting (or getting on the computer in general) much lately. Here is what I've been up to instead:

Mary Engelbreit aprons:

My Christmas apron:

Brooke's Strawberry Shortcake apron:

Fruity aprons:

Start Something!

2008-12-08T08:26:00.001-07:00

I found this on a blog I ran across while looking for something else:

"My challenge to you is to try something new today! Pick anything, educate yourself about it or find someone to help you out, and give it a shot!"

Obsession

2008-12-04T08:35:00.002-07:00

Shall I let you in on a little secret? I obsess about Christmas Stockings. And not just in December – almost all year round!

I have one that I LOVE. I have always wanted to have matching stockings hung at Christmas. Sadly, I don’t have the pattern for my stocking or the knowledge of how to knit. I don’t know anyone who can knit.

When we first got married we bought a red and green matching stocking, but didn’t get any that matched for kids. For the past few years they have been using them. I hate them. I want 4 matching stockings. I want knitted. I obsess about how I want the whole thing to look hanging on my not mantel.

Two years ago my beloved Aunt gave hers to me. Now I only need 2 more. Jason doesn’t love them, but I’m sure that’s because it’s red… I’m more than willing to have his be green or blue… I just need them to be matching!!!

I have found stockings that I like online and ones that I like in Christmas Stocking knitting books (http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Stockings-Holiday-Treasures-Knit/dp/1931499004) , but again the whole who’s gonna knit it thing comes up. Plus, I don’t want to spend a fortune on a stocking. $100 per stocking is too much for me. I don’t know how to afford 4 custom stockings.

There are lots of cute quilted ones that I might consider if I wasn’t so set on the whole matching thing. I can’t stop obsessing. I wake up in the night and think about this issue and how I’m going to solve it. It began before I was married (many years before) and now I can’t shut my brain off. I’m thinking I might need to seek out medication for this problem…

So, what are you obsessing about?

A Parent’s Thanksgiving List

2008-11-27T00:39:00.000-07:00

A Parent’s Thanksgiving List
From Families Who Laugh . . . Last by Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard.

I’m grateful my children demand I talk to them when I don’t feel like talking, feed them when I’m not hungry, and change their diapers even when I’m all dressed up and ready to go somewhere special. I don’t think I’d discover the world outside my own needs without them.
I’m grateful my children haven’t learned how to hold back their tears when they’re sad, laughter when they’re happy, or screams when they’re frightened. They constantly remind me that emotions are for sharing.
I’m grateful my children have broken nearly everything in my home and used a crayon or ink marker on the rest. They’ve taught me that things aren’t important, but people are.
I’m grateful my children start out small and helpless so they don’t become aware of my incompetence until they’re teenagers. By then, we’ve both grown so accustomed to each other, we somehow manage to make it through the rest of life together.
I’m grateful my children get their pants dirty, pick their noses, burp without saying “excuse me,” and quarrel in public so I’ll never be able to get too arrogant, proper, or judgmental of other people’s children.
I’m grateful my children sometimes call me names like “weird” because sometimes I am “weird,” and it helps keep a person humble to be told they’re “weird” when they’re acting weird.
I’m grateful my children occasionally miss the bus at the precise moment I’ve stepped out of the shower, contemplating the well-planned, organized day ahead of me. Experiences like jumping into the car after throwing on whatever’s handy and racing to school have a tendency to loosen rigid plans into something better known as spontaneity.
I’m grateful my children always need new shoes, piano books, prescriptions, haircuts, fieldtrip money, tuition, food, toothpaste, and underwear. That way, I don’t have to waste my time thinking about a new sofa. It’s difficult to get wealthy and think about luxuries when you have to buy toilet paper and milk by the truckload each week.
I’m grateful my children know how to play. My five-year-old asked me to come downstairs so he could “teach me how to play” with his plastic animals. While Jacob demonstrated the subtle techniques for sinking a rhinoceros into couch cushions while pretending it was quicksand, I realized my young son was right. I really do need someone to “teach me how to play.”
I’m grateful my children question my every command and giggle when I get angry. It’s difficult to feel too powerful or self-righteous with kids around to remind you of how funny you look when you’re pointing your finger.
I’m grateful my children insist I hug, kiss, rock, or put my arms around them often. Otherwise, I think I’d forget how the sense of touch is so healing.
I’m grateful each of my children is unique when the same strange, inexperienced mother raised them. Somehow they don’t seem to let me ruin them much.
And lastly, I’m grateful for the gift of children in my life. God willing, I’d like to fill the rest of my days with those interesting people who call me Mom (yes, and sometimes “weird”) but eventually “weird grandma.”

Tagged! (I Feel Loved)

2008-11-20T06:50:00.001-07:00

I woke up to find this on our windows and porch:

I must admit that I felt like I was special since we were included in the tagging of the neighorhood "Y" fans. It's fun to be included!! Thanks to whomever did this...maybe we'll try it next year!

My Thankful List (by Jason)

2008-11-18T07:46:00.001-07:00

1. Sports
2. tivo
3. family
4. weight lifting
5. chicken
6. television
7. satellite radio
8. mexican food
9. my car
10. my dog

And Now From #22

2008-11-16T19:15:00.001-07:00

#22 (on my list) has her very own list:

1. My brother
2. My dolls
3. Slugger (the dog)
4. Yummy rolls
5. Nanny
6. Fat Boys (the ice cream sandwich)