note to self

Dear self....

please leave your house today..

remember how the kids were hyper and struggled going to sleep last night because they didn't see the sun and were full of energy!

remember how every child that you birthed cried yesterday due to the fact of no sunlight and being trapped inside those walls?

Can you remember, please, how ornery you were because every child you birthed cried yesterday due to no light coming from the sun touching their faces?

Do your best to remember how nasty you felt at bedtime, just after prayer, while yelling at every child you birthed because they weren't simmering down because they couldn't fall asleep being so wound up because they didn't leave the house and didn't see the wonderful thing called the sun. (whew, take a breath)

While you're at it...remember that the sun is good for the soul and spirit and is a great factor in keeping your children happy and alive.

sincerely and with every sincerity of my heart,

ME or You.....er.....us!

Coach, Creamers, Dude, Butterscotch, Cleed, Lucious

MY little baby boy turned 3 yrs old way back in May and I have failed to post a little diddy about my love...Creed.
Little BIG Creed is such a sweet doll face....I can hardly get enough of him.
He just recently had his tonsils and adenoids removed and I tell you what, it has changed this boy a bit.
He has always been a loving, hugging, caring dude....but NOW....he is even more than before.
**And let me note that he NO longer a snorer and he can actually breath while sleeping! AMAZING!

I love that he loves his mom & Dad!
I love that his best friend is his brother and he just loves to love him!
I Love that he loves his older sisters so much he drives them to laughter with just a funny face!
I love his funny personality and humor!
I love to just watch his hands move,to watch him sit, talk, laugh, sleep, run and I especially love to watch him play.

I can't remember what life was like with out my little Creed!

Happy Birthday

Coach, Creamers, Dude, Butterscotch, Cleedance, Luscious, Handsome!

When My Sissy comes to Town

I just want to say that I am exhausted!

I am Exhausted from all the fun we had while my little sister and her boys came to town.

...we packed the days full of something or other to do, as much as I could take.....

We went swimming at the pool.....

We went up the road to Madera Canyon for a picnic and

small small hiking....

We had to take the kids to the Safari park down the road, which has 20+ bronzed animals all over the park...which can get slightly HOT in the Arizona summers

(KISS At OWn RISK)...

We absolutely had to make a trip to Luke's work...

the Ranch...

to ride the horses, tractors and a ride on the gator.

We took a trip to the Pima Air & Space Museum by the Air Force base....

This helicopter was so strange...Like a TRANSFORMER..robots in disguise!

We watched our fair share of movies...

We celebrated a little 3 year old birthday....

We (luke & I) even got a date in....(thanks so much sis)...

but most of all the time spent with Sis was the best part for me!

I love just talking with her and being in the same room as her,

she has an amazing spirit of Life being good.

Hallows reunion 09

While In Utah we were able to attend the 1st of it's kind Hallows reunion...at Bret & Lisa's home. We spend most of the 1st day at the swimming pool in Washington and then ate some delicious BBQ, thanks again to Bret & Lisa's family.

We also had another get together with dinner at their home on Sunday and visit with family members that we haven't seen in years. I met one of Luke's uncles at our wedding, 12 years ago, and then saw him again at this reunion. I also met a few family members for the 1st time at this reunion...so it was a great time to get caught up and to be introduced.

I so enjoyed listening to the stories and memories that everyone shared about Grandma Kay and her life. It was a great time to see her again and get a few photos'. Grandma is such a sweet lady and I truly love her. She Never fails to mention, when we see each other, the friendship that she had with my own Grandmother. Grandma K is one lady that is so positive and loves unconditionally.

4 generations

It's always a GOOD time with the Hallows!

Goulding Reunion 09

This year for our Annual Goulding reunion it was Bug & Dustin's turn to host the fam, so they decided to turn the town it into our very own Olympics Playground.

Day 1
Sunday May 24th

Goodwill Ceremonies,

Passing and lighting of the Olympic Torch,

Talent Show

We started the reunion off by each family getting their assigned colored bandannas, flags, names and goodie bags.You couldn't start any self respecting Olympic ceremony off with out a torch presentation. Since last year was my families turn to host...I ran (trotted, loped, briskly walked) the guided path and handed off the torch to the Olympic Marshall (dad), which in return handed if off to the hosting country (family) the Wheelers. Following the lighting of the torch...Helayna then explained the next few days agenda and then we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the Toquerville Town Hall. Later that evening we all enjoyed the different talents that many of the family members presented to us. We had numerous violinist, pianist, dancers, break dancers, skits and whistlers.It was a great way to begin the yearly get together.

Day 2
Monday, May 25th

Breakfast of Champions @ Oymplic Village.

Unity Test...obstacle course for each family. Some were fairly competitive...like Nic and Dusk dragging their crying kids across the finish line. Or like my family when we basically dragged poor Birdie down the gym floor during the 3 legged race. Or the Elison's, Wheelers & Goulding's carrying most of the children on their backs down the gym floor.

Aw-Snap...being strapped to a bungee cord and trying to run to the end of the runway to place a Velcro bag as far as you can....and then SNAP...back you go. most of the family left with head and neck injuries.

Sock-it to 'em...every member pulls their sock down by the arch of their foot...like really floppy socks. Every one else tries to pull them off with their own foot. Hilarious, FUN & tiring.

family lunch

Lung Busters...which family could swim the most lengths of the pool in 2 minutes.

Treasure Hunters..diving for rings and things.

Bombs away...Cannonball/can opener contest. Grandpa did a great one as well as uncle Dusky off the roof!

Medals were given to each 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner!

Day 3
Tuesday, May 26th
Softball Throw...
Obstacle Course...

Going the Distance..all that could, participated on a huge slip and slide to see which family could go the farthest.
Street Fair...every family was in charge of a special booth/table where other members could swap, buy or earn different rewards.
There were bean bags tosses, dart throwing, basketball hoops, paper lanterns, jump ropes, watermelon & cantaloupe, assortment of candies, juice bags, bubble gum, punching bags, whistles and so much more. But my favorite was one that required shirts, shoes and a feather to enjoy, it was my parents booth...Navajo Tacos! I had been looking forward to this event for a month.
Closing Ceremonies...we ended with Dad playing his guitar and singing for all of us. We ended with the final medals ceremony and then the icing on the cake...a HUGE double rainbow!

pregnancy humor

I try, I really do try to find the humor in my current life situation...which just happens to be Pregnancy!

I have always loved being pregnant and I never really get sick. My biggest issues have been when I get a bit frustrated towards the end when nothing fits and I feel like I am drowning in myself.

This pregnancy has been slightly different and it being my last, I have really been trying to focus and find the humor in this little body of mine.

Over the past few weeks there have been times where I am all alone and find myself cracking up at different things that happen to me.

Example #1)

2 hr. Temple Session + Knee Highs folded to the ankles+ Pregnant swollen legs = tootsie roll type creased cankle, tree stump legs.

*When I was in the dressing room undressing and finally got to removing the knees highs and saw this result...I couldn't help but crack up all my myself. It's just good clean fun right there.

Example #2)

Swimming Race + competitiveness + Family Reunion + Pregnant Lungs = not holding your breath longer than 5 seconds under water. (quite disappointing)

*At the reunion it was family against family and so being the person I was, so sure of my swimming abilities....tried to do my best but when trying to go the length of the pool...I got maybe 5 ft...(Maybe) I could tell I really let my team down.

Example #3)

Running shoes + Pregnant swollen feet = bulging at the seams type of shoe looking thing.

*this morning while putting on my running shoes for the first time in a month...I just had to crack up at myself and the way the shoes looked and felt? From the top of the shoe it reminded me when the HULK's shoe get ready to split wide open. I had to laugh. It was like that saying "trying to stick 2 lbs of crap in a 1 lb bag"...yeah kind of like that!

Example #4)

shaving legs = a patch of hair always missed right on the shin

Example #5)

Root beer lovin husband on the phone + gallon sized container sold at A & W = sexy pregnant mama walking out of the A&W store by self with a huge plastic jug of Root beer in tow...and husband in car talking on the phone no where in sight! The picture of that makes me laugh!

I must say, I did have a swig or two of the ol' root-a-bega...yum-o

* that just cracks me up!

I want that!

While perched on the couch this morning with my breakfast and getting my update of morning drama from the news I over heard this commercial and just about spit my mini wheat's across the room from pure hilarity. I nearly had to check the information guide for a typo on what I was sure was the news....but seemed like a SNL skit. I was waiting for one of the actors to say
"LIVE, IT"S Saturday night" but no such luck. Which meant the commercial was legit.












What I saw was this lady walking around a bbq and she must of been in charge because she made a comment about how her fibromyalgia pain can't keep her down because all these people are relying on her to get things done. She tells the lucky viewers that she has a new love and it's LYRICA. It helps with the chronic pain and it's NOT an antidepressant!

Then her voice is muted and a voice over comes on ever so pleasant and encouraging. The voice says such things like:

"While taking this, please report any side effects that are similar to an allergic reactions such as swelling in the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue and neck. You could experience and should report any change in Breathing, skin, eye sight and/or Fever."

"Some other side effects could be suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in moods or behavior. There could also be signs of depression or increase in current depression. "

"You could experience dizziness, sleepiness and weight gain and should not operate a motorized vehicle until you are away of the side effects from LYRICA"

I couldn't believe this commercial...with all those warnings I was sure it wasn't seriously real.

"Dr., Dr. I wanted to report my side effects but was so dizzy I couldn't find my phone, once I found it I thought about beating myself with it but luckily walked by a mirror just then and saw that I didn't really recognize myself because my skin has changed so much and decided against it. When I finally realized what was going on my throat was swollen shut from an allergic reactions."

HONESTLY.....this is not an antidepressant but you will need one or two if you take this!!!

Sign me up!

the pool is cool

Just a few pics of the pool down the street that we love to go to. We just happened to show up to the pool the day they opened the kids lagoon park and played till we were so exhausted. The bucket on top of the park dumps out massive amounts of water..it actually knocks most the kids down.

Home Sweet Home (and I mean sweet)

If was brought to my attention that we might have a bee hive on the side of our house...so Luke and I of course scoped it out and saw a cluster of bees on the side of the house about 12 inches long by 6 inches tall. They were all clumped together and it was looking like something serious.


The next evening I came home to a garage full of bees and knew something wasn't exactly right. I hurried and turned off the garage light hoping they would find their way home by morning....but when I woke up and poked my head out...they were all dead on the floor of the garage.


When the sun rose and normal business people were awake and in the office the phone call was made to the appropriate people and before I knew it the Bee Busters were a knockin on my door. The gentleman mentioned that we had a pretty bad bee problem, so bad that the honey and wax were oozing (he used that word) oozing out of the bottom of the house on the exterior of the garage. I knew that they were on the exterior of the garage but had no idea the actual hive and comb were in between the drywall of the garage and exterior wall. The gentleman (Johnny) told me he was going to have to cut a hole in the drywall and get it all out. I just had no idea what to expect until he told me to come check it out. To my surprise I saw 4 sleeve type honey combs hanging from the top of the wall...they were roughly the length of my arm. Johnny said it was just over 30 lbs of honey/comb/bee eggs (just getting ready to hatch) & hive sitting there in the wall.

My mouth literally dropped open. I just couldn't believe my bee loving eyes.

Unfortunately the comb was full of eggs and not use able. I asked Johnny why the bees were dead from the night before and he said that when I turned off the light they couldn't find their way home and got lost...they literally fly around the garage until they dropped dead of exhaustion. I AM a bee KILLER! (and proud of it in this case)


I think our house is cursed. This is the same corner of the garage we just had black mold removed from....not but 2 months ago.

Adam Lambert...REALLY?

Honestly...is he really a top 3 finalist?

Can this really be true?

I fast forward all of his performances..I just can't stand the screaming!

I am almost sick thinking about what might conspire tonight on the results show?

YIKES!

silly post I know..but I had to get it out there and see if I could cause the universe to hear my plea and get him off the show.

He seems nice enough and quite polite...but the screaming has just got to go.

Now here is an Artist that I would buy his music

Go KRIS ALLEN!

P.s. You know what's kind-of funny...I have never in all of American Idol History picked up my phone and voted.

I actually have only watched maybe 2 seasons...but this season...super talented!

What a DRAG!

Hi, my name is Rennie and I am a recovering complainer.


I have a new goal in life and it's to go one conversation, one action or even harder yet....one thought without complaining.


I have noticed lately or maybe it's always been this way, and now just noticed it...but when people ask me "how are you?" I find myself running down the yearly pains and aches of my life, the monthly checkbook issues, the kids daily messes that I have cleaned up.

What a DRAG!

I recently read an entry from NieNie that opened my eyes to my unappreciatedness
(can that be a word today?)
It hit me that I need to find a new love for things that I do every day. I have such a tendency to complain in my brain about things like doing dishes, laundry, giving baths, vacuuming the house and all those things that occupy my life. When I read this entry it reads about how she was so happy that she could just pick up her son while sitting on the couch. She was pleased that she could make lunch. I understand that she has gone through a tragic accident in life and is recovering beautifully....but where has the JOY in the simply things gone for ME?

I do love my children so much, it's not about them.
This complaining thing is about ME and my unwillingness to see that silver lining.
well, it's gotta stop.
So many times I will hang up the phone from talking to a sister or friend and think...."was their anything positive in that conversation that came from my side of the phone?" I can scarcely think of one.

What a DRAG, I say!

Well, I am recovering and I say that because just like any other negative or non pleasurable thing...complaining is easy and so so addictive.
Happiness is a CHOICE. Happiness takes work. Happiness is something that you create. I know happiness is around me everywhere, I totally get that. And, I am a happy person...but as of late....I have made many efforts in looking past the happy and seeing the negative.

Again I say...WHat A DRAG!

Things look brighter today...things feel lighter today....I feel Mightier today!

9 year old in da HOUSE!

I have been avoiding this post for about a month. My little Lainie Bird turned 9 years old just a few days ago which is exciting and so much fun...but in the same breath I am slightly sad because of something my lover told me.

(at 4 months old)

Luke said "you know Rennie, this 9th birthday marks a half way point for having our girl at home. We have had her in our home for 9 years and will probably have her for another 9...and that's it".

That comment made the last 9 years seem so fast. I started to get a pit in my stomach due to the time I think I have left with her. I know 9 years is a long time and we'll have her for the rest of our lives and for eternity...but in my house, time feels like it is slipping away.

I see the "world" putting their mark on her. From school teachers saying little comments that break her heart to fellow schoolmates that turn their backs to just the daily exposure of life in general. It saddens me a bit and then lightens my heart so much to see how she responds to the craziness.
She is bigger than I give her credit for.
She understands so much about good and bad...it's just in her!
She has a gift for that I think. I pray for that daily for my little ones.


I love my little girl that is turning into a sweet older girl...I don't want to write young lady, just yet.
I love that she is still so young at heart.
I love that she will still curl up into a ball and let me hold her.
I love that she still loves spending time with me.
I love that she is such a great big sister to her siblings.
I love that she finds beauty in nature.
I love that she loves to learn.
I love that she tells me how pretty I am just about daily.
I love that she loves to help me around the house.
I love that she is so smart when choosing friends.
I love that she is quiet at times and is so loud at others.
I love that she still wants me to do her hair in the morning.
I love that she has a desire to take care of her body and mind.
I love that she loves our family.


She is a doll face....and I love her so much it makes me hurt.