Where did all the WORDS go?

I love music and believe that life could be better and much more interesting if there was always a little background music.

Can you imagine running down the road trying to get your exercise in for the day or riding your bike and out of no where the Rocky song comes on.

OR you know that song that is played in the first part of the movie of Pretty in Pink while Andy is getting ready for school. Can you imagine getting ready to that song every morning?

OR when your child cleans their room after you have asked only once and from the roof top of your home you hear...Hallelujah.

This is all fine and dandy and even fun to imagine. I think if we could listen to "I am a Child of God" through out the day. The World might be a better place.

However, lately I am struggling with this idea that some people are having this happen and it's possibly not the right time for their glory song. Here are a few example of what I mean. I have noticed this trend of people wearing their IPOD everywhere and at all times. The following stories are true!

I walked into a shoe store a month or so ago and was greeted by the gentleman that was working at the store. He had his little name tag on and was for sure an employee. He walks up to me with his earplugs in and his white cable dangling from his ears down into his shirt. He asks, "can I help you?" He was talking loud and so I wasn't sure if he couldn't hear me due to music that was playing in his head or the plugs keeping him from hearing. I wasn't impressed with this customer service that I received. But, unfortunately, I think that Customer Service doesn't really exist anymore. It's more like the customers are bugging me Service. I asked the man, "can you hear me with those in?" He actually said "What?". I turned and left the store. What was his background music at that time?

The next time I came across a ear plugged ipod listener was in a mail store. NOT the post office, but one of those stores that are .10 cents more expensive, with everthing you purchas, but is much more convenient because it's in the entrance of Walmart. Again, this is not a joke. I walked in to mail some letters and the only person helping customers was this cute young girl, with her ipod plugged in her head. They weren't hangin there from her neck...but actually in her ears. I was wondering after I left, if my mail got sent to Washington DC rather than Washington Utah. The thing that bugged me the most was the fact that the manager was standing there next to her, and didn't say a word. I can only imagine what her life's background music was?

What happened to professionalism while at work?

Last story I promise...

While my husband and I were walking in a restaurant I noticed this family of 3 sitting there having a meal. I noticed the mom and DAd talking and then I glanced real quick over to the young man sitting there with them. I was shocked to see him plugged in and tuned out. The conversation was not including him, I am sure by his choice and the parents didn't seem to care much either. What was this kids background music?

NOw, don't get me wrong. I have an ipod and I listen to it while riding my bike or working on my computer, late at night when the kids are in bed. I LOVE music and would choose to listen to it rather than talk, most of the time. I just have found lately that we are losing the gift of conversation and it makes me sad.

If any of you have a story to share about a run in with an IPOD user....let's hear it. Your run in might of been with me, the other day while I was riding my bike and almost got ran over by a car. I was listening to what might of been my background music.

New Protein Bar

I know this might be a silly post...but I had to share this find. I love Powerbars and I like to eat them when I am in a hurry, or looking for a little snack. BUT...I found, well Luke found, this Kashi bar at Costco that is way less in sugar, calories, carbs, and fat. It's higher in protein and fiber. If you're looking for a new little snack or meal replacement, when in a pinch...check these out.

P.S. when I was pregnant....I always had a bar in my purse for my cravings! Wish I knew about these a few years ago.

OH, and they are very good!
Nutrition Facts:
Serving Size: 1 bar (55g)
Amount/Serving
%Daily Value**
Calories 200
Calories from Fat 45
Total Fat 5g * 8%
Saturated Fat 1.5g 8%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 210mg 9%
Potassium 120mg 3%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 10%
Fiber 6g 24%
Soluble Fiber 3g
Insoluble Fiber 3g
Sugars 14g
Protein 12g 20%
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 15%
Calcium 20%
Iron 10%
Vitamin E 35%
Vitamin B6 25%
Folic Acid 25%
Vitamin B12 25%
Magnesium 10

The wonder of Crayola

While we were visiting my parents in Utah...I was trying to rattle my brain and come up with an idea that might satisfy the kids in the car, besides the TV. So off to the store we ran and we decided on notebooks and markers. What was I thinking? I should of stuck with the good ol' regular #2 pencils that I originally had in my cart. I had a lapse of brain power at that specific time, I suppose. Anyhow...I did it..I bought the markers.

While we were driving around town and with my back to the kids I would pull over once we were at our destination and get ready to pull the kids out. The first time I opened the door to get Carter out, I was surprised to see this:

I told Carter that it was funny, but to please not do it again.

So, the next day I picked up my sister and headed over to do some window shopping and again pulled over and opened the back door only to see:

Carter told me "Mama, I am Nacho". I had to laugh and then again told him, "please, HOney, it's not good to write on yourself".

Later that afternoon, my sister thought it would be fun to paint pirate eye-patches on Carter and my nephew. HOw can I say NO to my older, wiser and sweet sister. At the end of lunch we had two Pirates in our car.

On the way home, right after lunch and the eye-patch painting session...I drove maybe 15 minutes to drop my sister and her kids off at her car. When I opened the door I gasp at the sight of her son. The following is our conversation;

Me: "Nathan, did you find a pink marker?"

HIM: "NO"

Me: "YOu mean you didn't find a pink marker and write on your face with it?"

HIM: "NO"

Me: "Now come on, Nathan, (thinking he must not know pink is the color on his face), did you find a marker and write on your face?"

( I am cracking up about now)

Him: "no"

Me: "you don't have marker all over your face, like a beard?"

Him: "NO"

At this point I take him out of the car and hand him directly over to my sister...and shrug my shoulders in the process.

She asked him "Nathan, did you write on your face with a marker?"

HIM: "Because".

This was a funny two days of Marker magic. Needless to say...we made it home with about 13 markers out of 16. What a blockhead move on my part. But it made for some funny pictures.

Part 3 of those things I love about Utah

More of my favorite things!

Another Fave thing about HOME

When I go back to my stomping grounds, I absolutely HAVE to take my kids to the

RED Rocks. I grew up with a LOVE for these amazing Mountains. I feel passionate about teaching my children the same. My parents are surrounded by them...Zion Nat'l Park is 20 minutes away, Red Cliffs is 15 minutes drive, Snow Canyon state park is 30 minutes away, the "Dixie Hill" is 25 minutes in the car. I could list many other places that are literally under an hours drive that people pay so much money to travel to from all over the world. And it happens to be in parents backyard.

Last visit to Utah I took my kids to the "Dixie Hill" it's a local favorite. You will see numerous families up there during the weekend. They are hiking around looking for small caves, or trails or free standing arches. It's beautiful because it overlooks the St. George Temple and the town.

This trip, I decided I would take them to Snow Canyon, because it's been a long time for me. So back we went. Oh, how I forgot it's beauty. We pulled over at this little parking lot and found a easy little rock to walk up. All the kids, except Creed could do it themselves. And it was easy enough for me to carry Creed on my back. But when I say easy hike, you might get the idea that we were going to miss out on the view. Which, just isn't the case at any point of this park. We totally loved, and when I say "we", the kids would all say the same...that WE LOVED this part of this Day! If you get a chance to go to Southern UTah...Snow Canyon is only $5.00 for a carload and it amazing.

A few of my favorite things!

I just recently got back from a trip to Utah. What a great 6 days we had. I always LOVE going up there to the land of the my Family and Red Sandstone mountains. I wanted to write a few things about what i love about it and why I love to go there. So the next few posts are going to be about that! Hope I don't bore you too much or make some of you homesick. But here are a few of my favorite things, about "HOME".

We were able to see Grandpa Julian to me and Great Grandpa Julian to the kids. What an amazing man and Spirit he has. He was a Sealer at the St. George Temple for years and we, Luke and I, were honored to have been sealed by him.

Carter always love to visit Aunt Sisalee's home. Wonder why?

MY Grandma Allen use to make what we called squeaky cheese...so after talking about it for so long with my kids, we found some at the local grocery store. IT's actually Cheese Curd..and it is So Yummy! (if you like cheese)














Of Course my MOM and (all) my sisters are always a major reason for a visit to UTah. They are so much fun and teach me a great deal. I try to coordinate my visits with my family that travels in from Louisiana, so it's more people to rub shoulders with. It worked this time!

While there..we were thrilled to wake up and see it snowing outside. Creed was not going to leave the window until it stopped.


Okay if you want a great Sandwich...Jimmy John's is beyond Yummilicious! Their Beach Club on Wheat....oh mylanta....this is the ticket. IT's huge and sloppy with avocado, sprouts, cucumbers, turkey and other veggies. When my brother comes in to town from Louisiana, he'll call me and rub it in that he is there...so I return the favor when in town. Luckily, we were there together this trip. (I will post about him later)

All the many nieces and nephews that live there or visit there while we are there...that is a HUGE reason to go. They are all getting bigger and older, of course, but also getting so much fun. They play great together, they love one another and they are all so different. I can't help but know that I am loved by HEavenly FAther because of these little people I get surrounded by.

***OH, and if any of you are making bets on me staying a few extra days if I can. Put your money on the extra day. You just might win.***

Candy Palace (d-land part 3)

I don't know what it is about this place but it makes me feel like a child. I remember when I was smaller, my parents took us to Disneyland and let us just roam around the candy store. I loved, walking around just looking at all the different candies and colors there were. I LOVed watching the people in the window make their different candies and chocolates. I remember once they were pulling taffy in the window and we watched that for so long. Also, I loved peeking into the display windows and seeing the crazy concoctions that they had. Like marshmallows covered in Carmel and chocolate on a stick.
And, OH....those chocolate covered strawberries that are as big as your head. The hugest rice crispy treats topped with everything yummy.
I also, remember all the little machines that were only a penny, which still are today. You know the ones, the OLD style cartoons, that you watch the pictures flip fast to make it look like the one man puts a hammer in his sock and hits the other man on the head. The real uplifting and non-physical ones. And how can you forget the humongo Green Glass elephant in the little sitting area in the back corner. I failed to get a picture....
Just another fun thing about the D-Land!

"Push" the Trash can that talks (d-land part 2)

So this is a normal looking trash can, right? Well, sort of. This can is actually a robotic trash can...still a normal functioning can, that collects trash, but it moves and talks to you .

When we entered into California Adventures we saw this can moving around. So, I decided to play a little joke on the kids. I walked up to it and put my hand inside, I kind of yelled like it ate my hand and then jumped back. I told Carter "it's gonna get you". Just then the can goes directly over to Carter and stops right at his toes. It made him a little nervous and so he back away. While he did that, I was hunting down the puppeteer of the can. I found this man standing by the fence with his little bag and talking into his wrist like some secret service agent. It dawned on him, that he was the magic trash mover. I drew my attention back to the can and saw my little Carter standing back, still, about 10 feet or so. All the sudden he turns his hat around and charges the poor little stinky "push". When he gets there he gives that can a solid left hook right to the gut. I am not sure what was going through his mind while he was standing back just observing, but I think he made his thoughts known. "NO Trash is gonna get the BEst of me". It was quite funny, except the man running the show in the corner said in his little wrist radio..."hey, that's not nice" directed toward Carter. Before I turned around, Carter was gone and wanted nothing else to do with this metal Meany. Silly kid!

Disneyland part 1

You will have to forgive me for the next few posts...I have quite a few stories that I want to write down for myself and they will be mostly about our Fun filled trip to Disneyland with some of our friends and their cute kids. Some of my stories might be funny, some might be cute and some are going to be things that jogged my memory of when I was a kid, while at D-land. Anyhow...Fair-warning has been givin.

Laugh out Loud Comedy.

I feel that I have a fun life. At times a comical life. I feel that I smile most of the time and even laugh quite often. But I have to say over the past few weeks there have been a few times that I was about on the ground rolling. I think the only reason i wasn't, was simply because I was already sitting down.

I want to give a recommendation to anyone that wants a really GOOD, Hilarious, FUn, CLEan, Knee-slapping time....it's a place called Jester'z. It's a comedy club in Scottsdale that is like the tv show "Who's line is it Anyway?. EXCEPT...it's for families. So it's clean and it's so darn funny. We have made it to the show 2 times and both times, we have left with a headache from laughing so hard. The last time I went was just last weekend and I remember sitting in my chair just a little worried that I might pass out from lack of oxygen to the Brain! I am not kidding. I actually started pacing my laughter so it wasn't requiring to much energy. Finally I gave in and let it rip. The show is quite cheap..only $12.00 and is SO worth it. Give it a whirl..only don't forget to call me when you go!

There is one more thing that I need to mention about my laugh fest over the past week or so. I mean I could go on and on about silly things that happen to me or my kids say that crack me up...but on this post I will limit myself to just ONE more.

I am the type of person, and this might sound horrible, but I tend to laugh at people when they get hurt. I mean, if the person is really hurt...NO laughing here! But if it's that kind that you see on America's Funniest Home Video's...well, I might end up crying with laughter. So, with that said let me continue with my little story.

It happened just 3 days ago, while me and my children where out for a bike ride. I just bought one of those stroller/wagon (behind the bike) dealie whopper. Anyhow, we all wanted to give it a try. So, I strapped the 2 boys in, attached it to my bike and the girls grabbed their bike and scooter. Lainie on her bike and Shelb's on the scooter. As we were heading down the road, I would turn my head just ever so slightly to see if the boys were enjoying the ride. Both of them loved it...Jackpot was all i could think. I was so excited. The girls were having fun trying to keep up with me. Let me draw a picture in your mind's eye if I may. Imagine if you will...me on the road, Shelby kicking her scooter along on the sidewalk and Lainie on the dirt between us. She was basically in a planter area with bushes, trees, telephone poles, light poles and what have you. She would ride up to the sidewalk then back through a slight ditch to the road...back and forth she goes. Well as we are all pedaling along, having a gay ol' time, we see ahead that there is a smallish palm tree right smack dab in the middle of the dirt area, that Lainie is riding on. I did notice that 2 palm leaves were pointing downward and were hanging a bit low...but in a matter of 30 seconds here are the decision that she had to make.

a) ride over the curb onto the road where I was

b) ride onto the sidewalk where sister shelby is

c) duck under the huge palm leaves to continue on the dirt.

She chose (C)....she even told me out loud "I am going to have to duck under these." So as she gets closer I slow a bit to see how this is going to go down. She get there and "ooooo" doesn't duck in time. The huge palm leaf, that are as big as her, are quite strong and basically holds her body back but the bike is just barely under the leaf...so it allows the bike to keep moving. At one point I noticed both her hands come off the handlebars and up in the air, like she was surrendering to the tree. Well, the bike POPS out the other side and she does too, slightly later. She lands on her back and instantly looks at me with a surprised look on her face, like "that was nothing like I pictured it". I realized that she wasn't hurt as she jumped right up. At this point, Carter and little Creed are in the stroller laughing hard and I find myself doing the same. Lainie dusted herself off and then told me that she got "bucked off her bike". What a great sport, she is! And what a funny scene.

Reflections of Christ

On Sunday I was sitting in Sunday School and the teacher mentioned something about an Art display at the Visitors Center. Luke, my husband, told me that many of the shots were taken down south where we are moving in a few months. That made me interested. I am a LOVER of art and seeing others interpertation of "whatever". I love to see paintings, sculpture, photo's...just about any element. After I had heard about this display I also read about it on my Sister-in-laws blog and how wonderful it was. I thought...I have got to see this. I had to sneek a peek online to get an idea of what I might see and also because I could hardly wait. The online video I saw did NOT prepare me for the Personal visit that I made today.

I decided that I would make the trek to the Temple today with all 4 children. I really wanted them to see it and to see what their response was. I also, knew that it might not be the visit that I had in mind for myself....simply because I like to see the "details" the "textures" of the pictures. And I some how knew that the 5 of us going might not allow that much time in a room with just pictures, as far as my kids were concerned. I tried to prepare them a little by telling them what me would see. "A picture of someone dresses up like Jesus" or "a picture of what it might of been like when Jesus was born, lived and died". The kids were great once we entered the Visitor Center. All Carter could say was "Jesus" as he pointed to just about every painting in the room. The kids were reverent and were told by a Sister Missionary that they might feel different in their heart, and that it was the Holy Ghost. Once we walked in I was instanting excited, and I knew that I still had to go to another room. They don't have this display out just where you might walk into it. They have it in a room, a dark room with lights placed carefully and exactly where they want them. They have the most Spiritual and perfect Music playing in about every corner you turn. It's an EXPERIENCE! And emotional, spiritual, overwhelming, loving, amazing Experience.!
I will never the forget way I felt looking at those Photos but especially the feelings I had in front of one or two. I will not tell you where you will find them, because it might take your experience away from you. But there are 3 photos that are almost exactly the same...with one change and that is Joseph, Jesus' father. The Manger scene caught me off guard. I was caught up with so much emotion, standing there with my little babes around me. I couldn't imagine the feeling that must of been in Joseph's mind. But when you see this Pictures, you get a better idea. There is NO questions on what is happening and what is feeling at that time. With the way they depicted or protrayed Joseph watching over and understanding the magnitude of his calling. WOW!
Also, there is a Photo of John the Baptist baptising Jesus that was quite emotional. Jesus is portrayed so happy and so appreciatative of this blessing. That is my take on this photo. I love how these Photos are so PURE and yet, there is so much to them. It's a simply pictures but so mind boggeling.
Oh, there are so many others that hit me....like, Jesus healing the blind or this one shows Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Photographer, Mark Mabry, portrayed Jesus in different parts of his life, thus "REflections of Christ. There is one that Jesus is teaching people...he is in this field of long golden grass. OH, what a shot. I asked the girls, what their favorite picture was and this one was Shelby's. Lainie's was a picture that was of Angels that had just heard of the Birth of Christ. (click to watch)
I loved that EVERY photo is Framed in the most beautiful frames...they are all different sizes and styles.
I can not wait to go back, when I can stay so much longer. (by myself)
For those of you that can't make it to the Mesa LDS Temple...here is a little link to some of the behind the scenes work. You do get a glimpse of about 8 of the many photos.
One last thing...I love seeing the scriptures and stories that we have all heard come to life in a Photo. I just felt like for a few minutes, standing in that room, I was able to take a peek back in time and witness something AMAZING.
OH, and tell me if the man that portrays Christ doesn't looks just the way you imagine him to look!

Oh Fudge!

Just a quick note to the lady that ruined my night. I ate all the fudge you gave us for Valentines. I ate it and didn't share one piece with Luke.

Because of my selfishness and thoughtlessness, Karma came back and bit me right in the.....face.

I went to bed with a sugar headache.

With that all said...Thanks For the Sweet Valentine!

I LOVED IT!