Black Thursday

So, Black Friday this year really started on Thursday. I left home about 9 pm and went to wait in line at Toys R Us. What we decided last minute to get Nate was 1/2 off and I was getting one for my nephew too. So, I went. Had a blast joking with the people around me. My friend, Nichole, joined me at 10:30.

Stood in line at Toys R Us for 2 hours and 45 minutes (could not feel my toes by midnight!). While waiting to get inside, saw a mean guy trying to but in line get thrown under a truck. That was the funniest moment of the night. A whole line of people cheering to see a guy almost get hit by this truck. Seriously, barley missed him! Got what we needed!

1:30 - drive through at Burger King. Headed to Old Navy. Thankfully, the Old Navy we went to was inside a mall, so we got to line up outside. They opened at 3 am. Didn't expect it, but totally scored a Lego Rockband for the Wii for free! Got what I needed at Old Navy (and did my $65 return). Said goodbye to Nichole and headed to Target.

3:45 - Headed to Target. (Nichole headed to Walmart). Waited outside of Target at 4:15. Again, laughed with the people around me. Some people really are so funny. Went inside at 5. Checked out at 6:00 and headed home.

6:30 crawled in my bed and got kicked in the face by Nate until he got out of my bed at 8:30. Woke up by Aaron at 10:30 because someone was on their way over.

Got a babysitter and Aaron and I headed to Costco. Came home and realized I had forgotten something at Target, so I headed back.

Seems crazy, right? Actually, I saved myself more than $450. I had a lot of fun though. I look forward to maybe adding a few friends to my group next year (although Nichole and I had a BLAST!)

Did you go out? What was your biggest score? Have a fun story about a guy getting thrown under a bus?? Let's hear it!

ROFL

The highlight of my Thanksgiving Day was playing Balderdash with a gal in our ward that is from Japan. Can't speak or understand very good English. SO SO SO funny!

We hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving.

Happy Shopping!

Totally loving 30!!!

I am 30! I didn't dread 30 as much as a lot of other people I have talked to. For some weird reason, it is okay to have 4 kids if your 30, so now I am ok! J Anyway, here is a list of 30 random things about me. Some you may already know and some you may not!

1. I started out wanting 6 kids. That only changed after I had Maggie. There is no way I can handle any more!
   
2. I am an NFL fanatic. I love Sundays because of Football. Church is awful (at least for the time being, with the kids so young) but I get to watch football! (GO COLTS!!!)
   
3. I don't do the dishes every night before I go to bed.
   
4. I prefer ham for Thanksgiving!
   
5. I CANNOT stand Pie at any time of year (Comes with a birthday around Thanksgiving!)
   
6. Is loving living close to a Costco!!
   
7. When I was 10, I beat up my babysitter. She locked me in my room and I snuck out my window and "ran away."
   
8. I can turbo clean if listening to Metallica, Tori Amos or Sarah McGlochlin.
   
9. I have enrolled in a cake decorating class for December!
   
10. I really don't like the brown/pink combo (and I am not in the closed either – Dana!)
    
11. The one thing in life is to make people happy. My kids, my husband, my friends and even strangers!
    
12. I was almost bald until I was 2! When I turned 3, I had Shirley Temple ringlets down to my waste.
    
13. I lost my Wedding ring somewhere in Idaho while visiting my grandparents.
    
14. When I was 4, I sang "I am a Child of God" in front of all the guests at my grandparents 25^th Wedding anniversary!
    
15. I have soft spot for Justin and love it when he comes to cuddle with me!
    
16. I want to take a photography class. (Not that I don't have enough to do!)
    
17. I need a new cell phone. Don't quite know where mine is right now. Only 1 month until I can switch to AT & T
    
18. Took 1^st place in regional's (Debate Tournament) every year of High School!
    
19. Lettered in Debate my sophomore year of High School!
    
20. Saw the light and switched from Mountain Dew to Diet Cherry Coke!!
    
21. Love me a Blue Cheese Bacon Burger from Red Robin!
    
22. I am a sucker for a good deal!
    
23. I am currently stuck on 2 CD's – Full Circle (Creed) and a Hilary Weeks CD.
    
24. When I was born, I had 8 sets of grandparents.
    
25. I am the youngest person (as of 1998) to be diagnosed with Graves Disease.
    
26. During Christmas time, my favorite CD to listen to is Connie Lou's Christmas (Forgotten Carrols.)
    
27. I don't have any memories under the age of 8. My brother died when I was 7 ½ and I guess the way I dealt with it was to block it out.
    
28. I have been engaged (kinda) 3 times. Once in high school (3 years) and I was waiting for a missionary when I met Aaron and then Aaron.
    
29. Since I have been married, I have lived in Utah, D.C., Ohio and Alaska!
    
30. I love to be surrounded by the people I love. So, since you are here and read my list, leave me a message and show me some love!!
    

I got the best birthday present ever. All 4 kids slept through the night. Kennie gave me a note (see below) telling me how much he loves me and I didn't have to have a pap smear at my doctors appointment this morning! It is a great day!!!

Note from Kennie:

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you Happy birthday to Mommy Happy birthday to you.

Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday! I love you with all my heart. your the best mom in the whole wide world. Love Ken, Jus, Nat, Mag and Dad.

Lessons from Alaska

Since I only know 1 person that has lived in Alaska that reads my blog, I thought I would share with you some lessons I have learned from living in Alaska. I am an expert now, you know. We have lived here almost 4 months! (Note the sarcasm please!)

1. Don't rent a house. Buy a house or live out of a hotel. Everyone we talk to has been jipped by their landlords. It is not a nice feeling.
   
2. Don't leave anything in your car! Especially wet wipes. It is not nice to go out to get a package of wipes only to find them harder than a rock. What do you expect with 8 degree weather?
   
3. Snow tires are not a necessity! Seriously! These people know how to handle snow. It is a miracle! All of the places we have lived have gotten snow. However, this is the first time people know how to deal with it! Tractors are snow plows!! Seriously. Fabulous!
   
4. It is always colder than it feels. For example, on Tuesday, I went out to warm up my car and it didn't feel that cold to me. Came back in, put coats on Maggie & Nate and grabbed a LIGHT jacket for me. Got in my car and my thermometer read -10. Yep. That is NEGATIVE 10 degrees. Wow!
   
5. If you order furniture to be delivered, expect 3 times as many people as needed to come. They like to come to the base about lunch time, so they schedule all the base delivery's around noon and then they go to the BX cafeteria to get lunch. I have seen this happen on 3 different occasions. This morning, my new fridge was delivered and there were 4 people here to deliver it. Only 1 did anything. The fridge is on wheels. When I told them to enjoy their lunch, they all looked at me like a deer in the headlights. So funny! Just made my day!
   
6. All of the Native Alaskans want lower 48 food and all the military want "Alaskan" food. I have asked several times where good mom and pop places are. We want us some true Alaskan food. Nobody can give me any. But, they can tell me where both Applebee's, Chili's, Red Robin and all the Chains are. There are rumors that they are putting in a Olive Garden (there isn't one here yet) over by Target & Kohl's and folks here are counting down the days!! (FYI, old Alaskan people, they are building a movie theater over by Kohl's right now).
   
7. It is true, everything costs more. However, the only area that I have noticed a huge difference is in the price of gas. We are paying $3.30 right now. We are usually about $1.00 higher than my parents in Utah. Quite funny huh? Alaska is a huge gas supplier, but we pay so much more. Why? There are only 2 refineries here so they charge quite a bit more than in the lower 48 where there is more access.
   

Watch for more posts. This is just a small list!

My buttons are a poppin'

No, it's not what you think. Quite the opposite on that actually. I am so close to meeting my first huge milestone. 28 pounds lost. Just under 2 to go. I am so excited!!

Today, I attended another Rising Star Assembly at the school. This time Kennie was honored for his academic excellence and his friendly personality. Here are some pictures of that!

Cake with mom afterward -

Getting his certificate from Mrs. Mullings

He was so intent on reading it without anyone knowing, he just held it close and refused to turn it around.

Back in his seat posing for mom!

You might remember Justin being the rising star last month. If not, go here

After we got home, I was looking in the boys folders and found that Kennie has been chosen for the ignite program. This is the first time they have chosen a 2nd grader to participate in the program. It is designed for 3rd grade and above. I called and spoke with the teacher over the Ignite program and she was shocked to find out Kennie is only 6. After much discussion, she still thinks it's best if we start Kennie in the program. He is not being challanged enough in his regular class. Next year, they are trying to put together a 3/4 split and if they do, Kennie will be in this class. She mentioned that from here on out, she suggests Kennie be in a split. He is just to smart for his own good.

And, to top it off, she said he is VERY socially aware of what is going on around him. Most of the time when she sees kids this smart, they are socially "lacking," but not Kennie. She is amazed. Of course, I could have told them that at the beginning of the year, which I did. Everyone blew me off.

Off my soap box - Anyway, we are so excited for you Kennie! We love you and are so pleased with all you are accomplishing!

Hugs!
Mom & Dad

P.S. Thanks Stacie for watching Nate & listening for Maggie so I could go by my lone!! :)

{Eleven}

Eleven things I am thankful for at 11 on the 11^th day of the 11^th month!

1. Night shift is almost over! 1 more to go!

2. When I walked downstairs this morning, my sweet husband said, "Wow. You look good." Huh? I am still in my pj's and I just got out of bed. A minute later, (still staring at me) he again said, "Really, you look really good!" (2.5 pounds to go!)

3. We live so close to a temple! Can't wait to go!

4. My Thanksgiving invitations are finished. Now for the rest of my projects!

5. My mother-in-law taught me to quilt! Seriously, she is such a talented lady!

6. School! I have time to get the madness somewhat contained from 9 – 4 everyday

7. My parents are coming in 37 days. Bring on potty training!

8. We live near a Costco! Will be going tomorrow!

9. Date night on Friday! J

10. We have a reason to Celebrate tomorrow! (Happy Birthday Aaron)

11. I am almost 30!! Hooray!

I really did type this at 11. Just got pulled away. (Thanks for the idea Brandy! Very cute!)

Vital Signs

In her book, Peculiar In A Good Way, Mary Ellen Edmunds talks about vital signs. As a nurse, she would check the vital signs of the patients. They would give her an indication of how that patient was doing. In the medical world, they call it “TPR”: Temperature, pulse, and rate of respiration. “If there were patients who were lacking any of these vital signs, or if the numbers were too high or too low, there was trouble. For example, if there were no pulse…you get the idea. Vital signs are called that because they really are VITAL.” (Page 76)

She then talks about spiritual vital signs. The beginning of a new year is an excellent time to asses your vitals signs, but before you can do this, you need to know what they are. A few she suggested are prayer, scriptures, temple attendance, time and influence with her family, being grateful, keeping covenants and other promises, keeping the Sabbath day holy, and seeking the constant influence of the Holy Ghost.

Now I know we are still a little more than a month and a half until we are in January, but this is a VERY good time to figure out what your vital signs are. When you figure them out, pick one or two that you want to do better with. Set a goal to work on them the month of January. You could then add another one or two. That way, you aren’t trying to be perfect, a goal which we all know is unattainable! Baby steps people.

The snow is falling (at least it is here) and the weather is turning colder. Curl up on the couch with your journal or notebook and do some soul searching. You are the only one that can control your vital signs. You need to make the first step.

I know one thing I want to do more is attend the temple more. I am very excited to live closer to a temple. I even think Aaron and I might try to do it Friday night since we have a babysitter. Anyway, just thought I would share some of my reflection of late. Aaron’s pager just went off, so he is probably headed out and I will probably head up to bed.

{Health and Happiness to you}

Heaven Help us all!

The books have been purchased! The practice calendars will be made tonight, the lesson book will be made tonight and they are stoked!

Mom and dad - not so much! We are starting the boys piano lessons today. Heaven help us!! I don't know that I have the patience to fight them, but I guess only time will tell. Please pray that I will survive this!!!

Oh boy! I told them, once they start, they can't stop until 6th grade. I have a feeling then next 4-6 years are going to be TORTURE!!!

All Hallows Eve

Otherwise known as Halloween! This year it was quite interesting. We did 3 activities. It is against the rules to put out pumpkins - the Moose will eat them - so, we didn't carve pumpkins. I really don't like doing it anyway. Aaron did buy 2 pumpkins on Halloween, when we went for haircuts!

The festivities started off Friday at the Hospital for a Costume Walk. At least, that's what I thought. I wasn't aware that there would be trick or treating. So, we didn't bring any bags. Thankfully, the pharmacy saved us and gave us the brown paper lunch sacks to collect candy. I didn't think Maggie would need one, so I only got 3. Boy was I wrong. She walked up to every bowl, said "treat" and then picked what she wanted out of the bowl. Everyone thought she was so cute, so they would stuff candy in her hat. (She was a witch.) We had to leave early for an appointment, which meant we only trick or treated for 30 minutes. Most kids went for 2 hours. They took you through the whole hospital. In 30 minutes, we filled all 3 lunch sacks TO THE TOP!!!

Saturday, we went to a party at one of the play places on base. The place was packed, but the kids wanted to stay anyway. We trick-or-treated in this tiny space. Once again, I wasn't aware that there would be candy. I thought it was going to be a carnival. So, we brought 1 pumpkin for prizes. Well, between the 4 kids (and only 6 candy stations) we filled the pumpkin to the top. We collected 9 full-size candy bars. I couldn't believe it! We came home, Maggie grabbed a nap, I went to the quilt store and then we went to our wards Trunk or Treat.

Enjoy the slide show of the evening. Next year, we will only be doing the Hospital Event. Maybe we will go out to dinner during trick-or-treat time!