Singing with Grace

I bought the latest Taylor Swift CD. Grace and I have been listening to it in the car. Right away she identified the songs that she liked, and we have to listen to them over and over. "Go to number 3!" is what she usually says before I even turn the key to start the car...Here is what you would hear if you were lucky enough to be traveling with us:
(Grace and I both singing at the top of our lungs)
"We were both young na na I first saw you
I close my eyes
And the unn nn starts
I'm standing there
On a balcony in na na air

See the lights,
See the da na da da gowns
See you unn nn na na the crowd
And say hello
da na did i know

That you were romeo you were throwing pebbles
And my daddy said stay away from juliet
da da na na on the staircase
Begging you please don’t go, and i said

Romeo take me somewhere we can be alone
I’ll be waiting da da na na na na run
You’ll be the prince and I’ll be the princess
Its a love story baby just say yes!"

It goes on, but I won't torture you anymore. It absolutely cracks me up that she and I both can't figure out the exact same words...and wind up "da na na-ing" until we come to a word we remember.
I love her so much.

Thankful Thursday

1. Books!
2. Twilight tickets (boys and I are going tomorrow afternoon!)
3. Diet Pepsi (I'm basically trying not to eat until Thanksgiving. And this little beverage is helping me through. I'm well on my way to being pickled in chemicals. I plan on donating my body to a medical research lab.)
4. That my piece of #$&! van passed inspection and starts up when I turn the key ( I pray over it every day)
5. my purple plaid high heels
(That's right. I said purple plaid. They're fantastic. And Andrew bought them for me which makes me love them even more :)

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Fifteen years ago today, Ryan was born. Andrew was still a student at the University of Utah while working full time. I worked the whole pregnancy at American Express (4:30am start time!) and we built our house in Lehi. We moved in when Ry was 6 weeks old.
He came into the world by C-section...and aspirated some fluid on the way out. He spent his first 24 hours of life under an oxygen box. I didn't get to hold him until he was more than a day old. It was unbearable. But he quickly turned it around and has really never been sick since!
Here are 15 things that I love about him:
1. He is brilliant and loves to learn!
2. He is a hysterical germ-o-phobe. Sadly, some of us like to torture him with germs:)
3. He doesn't mind that I can't seem to stop calling him "baby." (well he WAS my baby for 8 years until Grace came along...now they both answer to the moniker)
4. He manages his time wisely. He's great at chipping away at assignments and never is slapping things together at the last minute.
5. He has a beautiful, sensitive heart.
6. He's our go-to-guy for figuring out anything electronic.
7. He's infinitely patient with Grace (he plays Princess Monopoly and Mastermind with her every Sunday!)
8. He is always kind
9. He comes to Primary with me and "performs" his Chinese language ability
10. He loves to read
11. He loves healthy food
12. He never complains about what I fix for dinner. He just eats it :)
13. He has a savant-like memory for numbers
14. He never misses a good-night hug
15. He never misses an opportunity to say "I love you!"
Happy 15th birthday my sweet boy. I love you more every minute of every day. You are absolutely a gift and a blessing to our family. And to me in particular. You make me glad to be a mother. I can't wait to see what amazing things you will do and be in the years to come!

Flat Grace meets the Best. Friend. Ever.

Grace was given the assignment to send a "Flat Grace" to someone we know that lives outside of Utah. This person would be required to take pictures of "Flat Grace" in her new habitat, doing...whatever. Who could I call upon to do such a time-consuming project? Who do I know that could be counted on to come through? Joy, of course!
This dear woman took Flat Grace around her city, took pictures of her, and mailed them all back to Utah. They arrived today. Grace was one of 2 kids in her class of 24 that got mail today! She was beyond thrilled, and described in great detail to me all that our beloved Miss Joy sent in the envelope.
Thank you dear friend for making a small one feel so loved and important and for coming through for us! You are truly the best. I hope we can reciprocate someday soon!

Fantastic Gift!

A lovely neighbor gave me this for my birthday. Apparently I live under a rock, 'cause I'd never heard of it. It is available as a picture book and a Documentary DVD. We watched the DVD for Family Night last night, and seriously, there are no words. Click here for more info.

41 years

It was my 41st Birthday yesterday. Here is a pic of my dad holding me. He always has this little twinkle in his eye in pictures that I love...the story goes that he actually only wanted 2 children. My mom talked him into more. Once she got him on board to have me, (4th child) they tried for a long time and nothing happened. Finally after a couple of moves, my mother joining the church and being sealed in the temple I came along. She always said that I was waiting until they were sealed before I would agree to come to earth ;)

It was a good birthday though. Jill was home, I planned ahead and got Papa Murphy's on Saturday so I wouldn't have to cook, and I got a nap. Excellent.
It was also our Sunday for the Primary Program. I'm the chorister. I hated this calling when I first started. I was terrified to the point of being physically sick every Sunday. It's the hardest calling I've ever had. It's like having to plan a full blown Sharing Time 52 weeks a year...and always struggling to come up with new, fun , exciting ways to keep their interest. But once I decided it didn't matter what I looked like, or how my voice sounded, I finally loosened up and I love it now. The kids are amazing, and it is so much fun to share my love of the gospel and music with them. I actually look forward to Sundays and being in Primary!!
I came home with a stack of handmade cards from some of the kids...my little 5 yr old Olivia who made a card with a picture of us on it and music notes floating around us! And so many other sweet messages from these kids....I love them so much!

Thankful Thursday

I know that a lot of people do this subject on Thursdays, but I have been feeling so grateful for things this week for some reason. Years ago during some difficult times I jumped on the "gratitude journal" bandwagon where you tried to find 5 things to write down every day that you were grateful for. So here goes:
I am so thankful for a warm house!
I am so thankful for hot showers.
I am so thankful for a husband who work hard to support us.
I am so thankful for my soft sheets (which I am snuggling down in right now!)
I am so thankful for this:

Which Witch

We told her to tell people she was Elpheba. I didn't dare actually paint her face green after last year's debacle with the fairy glitter. Suffice it to say the girl doesn't like having glue or excessive makeup on her face, and REALLY doesn't like having to wash it off!




This is Grace at school where I helped plan and carry out the funnest Halloween Party Ever!