Our Christmas Poem & My favorite CHristmas as a kid.

Keller CHristmas Poem (We have been talking about weirdness on my husbands family website. Thus the inspiration: ( DOn't worry! This is a fictional story, no beans were used.)

Twas the night of the weirdness
And all through kellerland.
no kiddos sleeping, although that was the plan.
The Stockings were hung by the kids with great care.
Hoping that a chocolate Santa would soon be in there.

The presents were wrapped with a bow or two missing.
I said,that will have to do. Because I plan on sleeping.

The normals were nestled all smug in their beds
While images of normal danced in their heads.

Derek, the kids and I all ready with our Christmas gear
were just settling in for another weird Keller year.

When out in the Den there arose such a clatter
I sprang from my recliner to see what was the matter??

Away from my Laptop I flew like a flash, (Well as fast as a girl my size can “flash”)
More often then not, I knew it was Jax!!

When what to my wondering eye did appear?
But A weird, (yet, handsome) man and five little dears.

The toys were asque and furniture with no luster.
I knew that a smile was more than I could muster.

How They giggled and laughed as dad did his tricks
I knew in a moment there was weirdness to be fixed!!

More rapid than eagles the weirdness it came,
And trouble was a rising, for he called them by name,

"Now Austin, Now Kason, Megan, Jaxon, and Ryan
You get the beans out of your noses, I mean it, I ain’t lyin’"

To the top of the stairs I echoed they should march.
Or it was their underware, that I would soon startch!!

Away with a basket He cleaned and straightened toys
While I gathered up Beans, And murmured , "Little boys"

I was frustrated by this weirdness I just had to exclaim!!
But this handsome man did not swear, snear or complain.

He gathered me in his arms and gave me a sweet Lip smacker
I knew at once my anger was going to be soon in the hamper.

He reminded me that weirdness was his sweetest traight.
And the normals were dull, and knew of this normal, glum fate.

We smiled and walked up the stairs with my hand in his.
I 've known every moment he was the right father for our kids!!

We kissed our sweet monkeys, with no worries in sight,
But I knew in my heart, they wouldn’t sleep through the night.

We decided it was late and we needed some sleep
That the laundry and dishes would just have to keep.

But before we could even scratch our weary head
A cute pesty boy had crawled out of his bed.

We could not get him settled, no, not even an inch happy
For we were soon on the phone calling his best pal,Pappy (Grandpa didn’t rhyme.)

With some weirdness from grandpa, Jaxon went off to bed with a nudge.
Grandpa soon promised to bring Grandma’s sweet Christmas fudge!!

The house fell silent, but once again that weirdness came
And I realized I loved this weirdness, for I was the same!!

We laughed and I knew it wouldn’t always be happily ever after
OhWell!! Happy weirdness to all and to all find good laughter!!




My favorite Christmas:

Hands down, my favorite christmas was when I was 13. Mom came to Noel and I and asked if we would be willing to donate some of our Christmas to let Josh get a nintendo. We each could ask for $60 worth of presents and if we gave up some for Josh's nintendo we would only have $30. We both said Yes. (That was easy, Josh never asked for much.)
Mom had Jim and Sara keep the nintendo at their house. And they were going to come over Christmas morning after We opened our Christmas Presents. I don't remember what any of us got that year except it was small and we were happy. Josh, had a look of disapointment on his face, but was trying to hide it and reassure mom that he was happy with what he got.
Finally Jim and Sara got their and Jim asked Josh to go get a wrapped present in his car. Josh went out and brought it in. Jim told Josh to go ahead and open it. I remember it being very quiet, (which was a first at our house) While we all watched a 12 year old Josh open his surprise.
The Reaction was awesome!! Josh was gangly. (In his growth at the time) He flung his arms and legs around Mom. As he screamed, "Thanks Mom!" Mom and Josh were both so happy as they hugged one another.
I knew then what it meant when others said, "It was better to give, then to receive."
(It really is!!)
Like I said I don't remember what any of us got that Christmas, except for the nintendo. But I will never forget the feeling I had on that Christmas Day.
Looking back, I realize we didn't just give something to Josh, but we also gave something to mom. A time to give her son a gift he really wanted. Mom did not have alot of those oppurtunities. As a parent I realize we made her just as happy as we had made Josh.

Josh, thanks for asking for that nintendo. We sure had fun on monday nights when Jim and Sara would come over for family night and we would all sit around while we talked, played Super Mario, and watched ALf.

Happy Birthday to my nephew, Taylor!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sore throats, coughing, and back to school!

Today Kason was coughing real bad before he went to school. Ryan wanted me just to hold him today. He did not not want to do anything, not even fingerpaint. I knew at this point, he is not feeling well. He did not want the TV on, he just wanted to be held while he coughed. He fell asleep and wouldn't you know it, I start thinking Man I need more water my throat is dry. Then Austin comes home and his face is bright red and he says his throat hurts. Megan was pretty lathargic and after she was done with her chores, she tells me her throat is hurting.
So by 4:30 we now have four of our five kids coming down with sore throats, & raspy, scratchy coughs. Ugh! It's not even winter yet, for crying out loud! I know when my kids don't feel good, because they become desperate. Kason just came in and asked for the Vicks to rub on his chest. Kason hates everything about Vicks, the texture, smell and burning.
FUN! FUN! FUN!
You gotta love those school germs that make their way back home from school. I put a pump of purell in the mud room and told the kids before scholl started what it was there for. Wash your hands with this as soon as you hang up your backpack. It is not working unless I am down there reminding them.
Jaxon is not sick so far and thankfully, is still his bouncey self. Yep! We are officially back to school. I shouldn't complain it was worse when they were little, I felt like every time one of our kids went to the Nursery, 3 days later they had a runny nose and fever. Oh and how can I forget how fun it is to pass around the stomach flu? It felt like we were playing,"Tag! Your It!"

Note to self: Make appts. to get flu shots for next FHE!

DISNEY TRIP 4

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

dISNEY TRIP 2

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

disney chapter 1

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Boys will be boys

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

austin's scrapbook

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Yes, I am still alive!

I have not posted, since my kids got out of school for the summer. But tommorow they start. OH HAPPY DAY!! It's been a busy summer and I am tired!

Are You Serious?

Tonight I asked Derek if we could start a new bedtime ritual. You know before we turn on the TV. (We are just Mr. & Mrs. Romance around here. <---Sarcasm here) Anyways, I felt like we needed to nurture our marriage, so I asked Derek if we could share 10 things that we are thankful for about each other. Derek complied and even offered to go first. (Bless his heart. I was not ready & it was one of those whim kind of things.) Yes, we started out a bit sappy. Which did not last long because neither of us is good at taking compliments & both of us cannot be serious for more than five minutes without cracking a joke. So this is how #10 went:

Derek speaking to Jennifer: Jennifer, I am thankful you love your Vicks. Because no matter how your night goes (insomnia), when you put on your nightly layer of Vicks vapo rub it makes you happy.

Jennifer speaking to Derek: Derek, I am thankful that when I finally start winding down at 1:00am and realize my Vicks jar is not on my nightstand, I can wake you up and you will hunt for it until it is found. (He will even go through suitcases if he cannot find it. Is that not love?)

I love that boy of mine! (and I love my Vicks too.)


FYI: How does the Vicks Jar disappear you ask?... Well, I'll tell you. See my kids don't like Vicks & if they start getting a little out of line, I just simply say, "Watch it! Or I will Vicks you!" (I have yet to do it, but the kids know one day I might make good on my threat. Especially, if they call me "Big Mama"!) So I figure they are the ones who try and hide it in the bathroom trashcan. Those Amateurs! I have about 5 jars around the house here or there.
Have you had your "Vicks" today?

Summer, Soaked & Sick

Yesterday was the Last Day of School. Last week we had told the kids we would let them have a last day of school party. That was before Kason gave me a head cold. Yep. We are starting off the summer SICK! I rarely get fevers and sure enough I have fever with this. We were suppose to go to my nephew's baptism in St. George, but we decided not to pass this junk around.
During the party my oldest child (my hubby) came home and because he is the scout leader in our neighborhood, the teenage boys loved tagging him with water balloons. Derek did not let his thirty-something age stop him, he grabbed the hose and soaked all the kids.
The kids kept busy with Air Hockey, Fooseball, the Wii, & a water fight.

So that is how we started our summer, Soaked & Sick.

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Something to Smile about

What makes me smile: (Things I am thankful for.)

1.)Derek's hands. I love to hold his hand. They make me feel safe, confidant,
and loved.

2.) My children's giggles. I feel my heart smile when I hear their laughter.

3.) Air Conditioning. I would be lost without it.

4.) Brownies. Nothing says comfort like a warm, soft, chocolate brownie.

5.) Humor. Laughter IS the best medicine

6.) Music. Although I have no musical talent, nothing touches me like beautiful
music does.

7.) Good Books. Sometimes it is nice to escape into another world.

8.) Freedom. It is a gift.

9.) Courage. To try harder to be a better person.

10.) Disneyland. I love the smell of popcorn & churros, while listening to the
music of Alice in wonderland as you wait to get on the Tea Cups.

11.) Cancun. Nothing says relaxation like laying under a Polapa while drinking
a virgin Pina Colada as you feel the warmth of the sun on your body.

12.) Sunsets. My testimony that God lives & loves us grows each time I watch the
sunset. It is beautiful & a miracle.

13.) Friends. (Laughing with a friend is living life.)

14.) Prayer. To always know someone is there, is peace. I walked in on my
mom countless times while she was on her knees praying morning & night.
What a great example of prayer. Thanks Mom!

15.) Life. I want to live it to it's fullest.

16.) Sitting with my family at Church. "I want to live my life with them through
all eternity." -families are forever, childrens songbook.

17.) A Father in Heaven. Because he makes all of the these things possible.

NEW INDIANA JONES MOVIE REVIEW

Is there a thumbs sideways? It wasn't Oscar great, but I had a good time watching it. I am going to say THUMBS UP! (I like Harrison Ford, so I am biased.) Hubby and I forgot how much fun going to the movies is. My family and I had such a good time just looking forward to it. It was fun to just sit and watch the trailers. (WALL-E & Hancock look pretty good.)

Obviously I don't get out much so you can't take my word for it. So when you go see it, let me know what you think. There is a scene with a snake that is pretty funny. (I hate snakes more then Indiana Jones.)

Sure I was the only one in the movie theatre who made a Cat Call when they first showed "Indiana Jones", but hey it was dark & nobody would have guessed that it was the plus size girl with 5 kids cat calling!

My opinion: Go with people you love to have a good time with & you will have fun at this movie!

Summer Blockbuster? Maybe.

I am SO EXCITED!! My husband came home with Indiana Jones movie tickets. We are going to see it Saturday mid morning. Now usually I am not one to say, "He is so good looking!" But for Harrison Ford..... yeah, I will. Sure, he is almost 66, but I still think he is WOWWY PAZOWIE!

There are few movies that come out that I get excited to go see, but this is definitely one of them. We really don't go to the movies that often. Now and then in the summer time I will take the kids to the dollar movie, when a family friendly show pops up. I think I would have to say I like comedey & action adventure.

What are you?

Are you a Sci-Fi, Chick-FLick, Comdey, or Action Adventure kind?

Is there A Summer Movie you are excited to see?

What would June Cleaver do?

So Tuesday, I had one of my friend's little guy hanging out with us after he & Jaxon got out of morning Kindergarten. I decided we needed to get out of the house. We headed to our local fast food indoor playland. (Ours has an indoor basketball area. I know. Cool!) I was prepared to be there for awhile. I took along a book I had got at Lowe's that I had wanted to look at. I brought the IKEA closet organizer workbook with me. (I even remembered a pen to make notes.) Guess what I forgot? Nope, not the kids. They were there. I forgot I had brought a child who still has wet accidents. (Ryan starts having fun & forgets to go to the bathroom.) Two minutes after I asked him if he needed to use the bathroom, he was sitting next to me in the booth, wet! We were just finishing up our Dollar Menu Double cheeseburgers & The older boys were just running over to the slide. What to do? I had no extra pants for him in the van. I was in a pinch. Now had it been ten years ago with my older boys, I would have felt defeated & packed everyone back up and went home. But now, I am older & lazier. So Ryan and I went into the Family Bathroom that was adjoining the playland and rinsed out his underwear & shorts in the sink using the pink hand soap as a laundry detergent. I usually hate those "push power hand dryers in the bathroom, but NOT TODAY!" In 2 minutes his shorts & underwear were perfectly dry! We were back to our plans in just minutes. Thankfully, we did not have a normal public bathroom where I would have to move away from the hand dryer every time some innocent woman or girl was just trying to use for it's purpose, as they watch the half naked toddler roaming around. Yes, ten years ago I would have been the woman judging that woman drying her child's underwear & shorts in the bathroom. But now I realize being a Domestic Diva is about sanity & working with what you got.

So in those moments of, "What are we going to do?" Ask yourself, "What would June Cleaver do?" And then laugh and do what you have to do, to keep what little grain of sanity you have left, intact. ;)

TWILIGHT MOVIE COMES OUT IN DECEMBER

Well I am officialy one of those Twilight Fans aka Twilighters or Fanpires. The book is so so good! It reminds how you feel, when you first fall in love. (and it is is sci-fi & I am a sci-fi girl.)

I Love the way you Love me

I have got to be one of the luckiest women in the world, when it comes to having a great husband. Derek and I met 15 years ago in July of 1993. We married in January 1994. (I know fast!) This has to be my all time greatest decision I have ever made in my life. Life has been a challenge at times (as it is for everyone.) but being married to your best friend, can sure make those challenges much easier. Nothing in our life is "picture perfect". Not even close! (We have 5 kids, not possible.) Derek and I get annoyed with eachother at times, I yell my kids for leaving their clothes on the bathroom floor, Laundry is an endless abyss, My health has not been what I thought it would be. Yet Derek seems to keep our house and our family going. And he keeps me going. We also owe some marital sucess to 2 great books; "The Pamered Wife" by Mark Douglas & "The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands" by Dr. Laura. When I get depressed, overwhelmed, anxious, worried etc. Derek knows how to make me laugh & keeps me going. I know not everyone has a great companion in their life and I feel very grateful that I do. (It also could be that we watch Everyone Loves Raymond and any husband looks good compared to Raymond. ;)jk

Derek and I did not have the ideal first date. Their was no love at first sight, no "call me". I ran to the front door said,"Goodnight." and shut the door. He was not expecting a kiss or a hug, but he was not expecting a door slammed in his face either. (That's a whole other story.) But for some reason Derek called me the following Monday because although our date was blah, we did have a great time talking on the phone (and he was bored.) We decided to go out again and we went with a friend of his and his date. The date was better then the first, but still I just could not relax. After golfing & bowling, we dropped off his friend's date and the three of us were driving to Ivins. Their was a Ray Stevens song playing in the CD player about a Pirate who wanted to sing and dance. Derek and his buddy, Mark, sung to their hearts content. I realized in that moment that this guy (Derek) doesn't care if I think he is being goofy or "not cool" because he was going to have fun even if I (his Date) chose not to and I LOVED THAT!! I was able to relax because Derek was relaxed in being himself. That to me was a a trait that I admired and rarely saw. He has been making me laugh ever since.

Sure, it has not been all flowers and hollyhocks since we met 15 years ago. We have had our share of disagreements. But thats OK, because making-up is sure fun. Derek thanks for fifteen great years. I hope we have a thousand more together.

Male or Female? This is funny.

Male and Female


I got this from my brother, Josh as a forward. I thought it was funny.

You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female.

Here are some examples:

FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.
(the next one is my favorite.)

PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again.
They are an effective productive devices if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons.

TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated
HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt.

SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.

WEB PAGES:
Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.
TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.

EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.
HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.

THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying

Check out my Slide Show!

Ship of Fools

Recently, we celebrated the life of Alta Johnson Brooksby. She was and IS Derek's Grandmother. She was a good, kind woman and even though her body would not keep up, she had a work ethic that would put others to shame. She loved dancing and she loved music! I loved her and know I am a better person for knowing her. During the weekend of her funeral,I thought about how happy we were for Grandma. We (her family) know she is with those who have passed before her. She lost her father when she was 9 years-old and decided then and there, that she was going to live the gospel and do whatever it took to be with her father again. Alta had a destination and did not just float through her 92 year of life. She worked, she loved, she was upbeat, she was serving others, & she always put her the Lord first. (which balanced her life, I believe.)

On the night of her funeral, I was zooming around on Wikipedia History and I came across a Dutch Artist named Bosch. Here is one of his Paintings

The painting is so small and I could not find a larger jpg to look at or post here, but I read the meaning behind this powerful painting and now I want to get a copy of this painting.

Here is the story behind the picture:




"In The Ship of Fools Bosch is imagining that the whole of mankind is
voyaging through the seas of time on a ship, a small ship, that is
representative of humanity. Sadly, every one of the representatives is a fool.
This is how we live, says Bosch--we eat, drink, flirt, cheat, play silly games,
pursue unattainable objectives. Meanwhile our ship drifts aimlessly and we never
reach the harbour. The fools are not the irreligious, since prominent among them
are a monk and a nun, but they are all those who live ``in stupidity''. Bosch
laughs, and it is sad laugh. Which one of us does not sail in the wretched
discomfort of the ship of human folly? Eccentric and secret genius that he was,
Bosch not only moved the heart but scandalized it into full awareness. The
sinister and monstrous things that he brought forth are the hidden creatures of
our inward self-love: he externalizes the ugliness within, and so his misshapen
demons have an effect beyond curiosity. We feel a hateful kinship with them. The
Ship of Fools is not about other people, it is about us." -Nicolas Pioch

WOW!! that to me is powerful. I love that description of humanity. It talks about how there is never long term joy in floating senselessly through life. You have got to have a destination in mind. Bosch being a man who believed in god, even put himself in the painting with the "sad laugh". He was not saying others were aboard, he was implying us as in all those who dwell in moments of selfishness.

My maiden name has a ship connotation attached to it, So I am biased to liking ships and boats. After reading and studying this piece of Art work, I thought, "The lord is our lighthouse and the light is ON, beckoning us back with love. However we are the captains of our lives and we decide the course to take.

Alta Johnson Brooksby was a great example to me of what it meant when you had your destination in route. It was a life that had hope, even when times were hard. It was a life of working even when your tired. It was a life filled with love and joy of her family. And peace of mind, because she did not put things above people or the Lord. She was not on the Ship of Fools. No, not Grandma, she had a destination and if you wanted to get on board she would bring you up. But the compass was checked often and she knew to look for the lighthouse in her life to see which direction to take. What an honor to be married to such a woman's grandson.

I am going to end this post with a quote from Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckey that I have always loved:

" I do not want to drive up to the Pearly Gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long perfectly manicured nails. I want to drive up in a station wagon with mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schneck's lawn. I want to be there with smudges of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with dirt under my fingernails from helping a neighbor weed their garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and a friends tears on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived!"

Poetry in Motion

"Poetry in Motion" That is the name of that hog sculpture behind my brother-in-law, Kody. He is an up and coming Sculpter. He finally entered his first Art Show and got a Honorable Mention. That is so Huge! the sculpters who took 1st & 2nd place are well known sculptures in Utah. So we were beyond excited for him. His first peice up for sale is a hog. It is $1,500. After walking through the Art Show, we knew it was a steal because the 1st place sculpture was $240,000. (Can you say Mortgage?)


The Art Show was great. It only consisted of about 300 peices and they had a "I spy" worksheet for kids. So the kids had fun walking around looking for the pictures on the worksheet.


This is the 3 foot size papa pig at Kody's studio, that we toured after the Art Show. (This pig is dragging it's belly. It is so funny. He also is working on some other really amazing sculptures and it is so fun to see Kody doing what he was meant to do.

Our Weekend


My Sweetie and his Brothers & Sisters.

We started off the weekend at Derek's grandmother's funeral. She was 92 & a great lady. She had 8 children, 48 grandchildren, 97 great-grandchildren, & 6 great-great-grandchildren. I think about 30-40 grandchildren came & 60-70 great-grandchildren including her children with everyone's spouses. It was a nice tribute to a sweet woman. We had such a great time seeing everyone and we were so happy for Derek's grandma to be with her husband again who had died in 1980.

Then we had a great time getting together with Derek's Brothers & Sisters and their families Saturday night. It was a night of Pizza & Games!

Sunday we got together with cousins and had a big lunch at my in-laws house. We were going to head home and we were on the road when we turned around and headed for St. George. (The opposite Direction) Kody was taking some family to the Art Show in St. George and we decided we wanted to be there and show our support. We thought we would head back after the Art Show & Art Studio Tour, but we stopped by both of my brothers houses to see them and ended up spending the night.

It was a great weekend, until we came home and realized we were sick. Especially Derek & Austin. There were about 15 people at the funeral who had the flu or bronchitis. Ryan has got such a deep cough, Austin is miserable, Derek came home from work tonight,I suggested he go upstairs and got to bed, he said OK! I knew at this point he has got to be feeling horrible. He never does that. I sure hope we all get over this before we head to Cancun.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines day to Everyone and Happy Birthday to my Dad!


I am doing this questionaire that was given to me by another fellow mommy blogger.


60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
Five other seats, crumbs, a glove, luckily I just cleaned it out or this could have been a 800 page novel.

2. When was the last time you threw up?
Do you really want to know that?

3. What's your favorite curse word?
I don't have one. Who wrote this list? DId some 15 year old start this?

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Better question, bad number.
Derek, just thinking about him makes me smile. Ryan (He played hide & Seek tonight with his bros, sis, & Daddy. Ryan counts so cute!) Megan, (She wanted me to help her paint a Valentine bucket for school.) Kason (Because he is animated!) Austin, (He got his fist zit today & let me get his picture, but he covered his tiny zit on his nose.) Jaxon, He is so lovey with me.

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
SLEEPING

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Trying to go to sleep. No Luck.

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
My Fianl answer is, Sleeping. (I hope, I get that one right.)

8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Thankfully No. When mothers see clothes thrown on the floor all we think is, "Hey put that in a hamper. Oh Crap! More Laundry!

9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
"I love you" to Derek

10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
My Favorite Flavor is: ALL OF THEM!

11. What was the last thing you had to drink?
sprite

12. What are you wearing right now?
Purple PJs & dark circles under my eyes

13. What was the last thing you ate?
a valentine cookie.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
I was just about to say no to this but realized last Saturday I bought a Swimsuit at Costco. (I know WHAT??? We are going to Cancun in three weeks.)

15. When was the last time you ran?
The last time the Ice Cream Truck rolled on by our house.

16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
Jazz game tonight, although not by choice.

18. Who is the last person you emailed?
My Uncle & Aunt

19. Ever go camping?
unfortunately yes

20. Do you have a tan?
ROFL!!! Not even a decent White!

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
sometimes, I think this is starting to me to sleep.

25. What did your last IM say?
Me no IM.

26. Are you someone's best friend?
Yep, he's snoring loudly right next to me. (Don't worry babe, Even when you snore, your hot!

27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Cleaning the house, Packing for a family member's funeral.

28. Where is your mom right now?
In Heaven, I hope!
29. Look to your left, what do you see?
the door to my bathroom

30. What color is your watch?
What Watch? The one I lost? I don't remeber if you find it, let me know.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ?
my tongue
32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Yes, OK, affirmative, all right, amen, aye, certainly, definitely, exactly, fine, gladly, good, granted, indubitably, most assuredly, naturally, of course, okay, positively, precisely, sure thing, surely, true, undoubtedly, unquestionably, very well, willingly, without fail, yea*, yep. SO do you no know how I feel about Plastic Surgery? (Thankyou Google thesaurus)

33. What is your birthstone?
peridot

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit thedrive thru?
WHy go in? That's why they call it fast food.


35.How many kids do you want?
3 but I have 5. Just Kidding, I really just wanted one.

36. Do you have a dog?
Like 5 kids is not enough to take care of?

37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
A neighbor

38. Have you met anyone famous?
Yes, but it was not the thrill of my life.

39. Any plans today?
See Answer for #7

40. How many states have you lived in?
3 states, California, Iowa & Utah.
41. Ever go to college?
Yes

42. Where are you right now?
Here. Where are you?

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
Again, that NOT SLEEPING thing keeps coming to mind.

44. Last song listened to?
Little Wonders -Rob Thomas

46. Are you allergic to anything?
Oh, that list is just too long. Ask me what I'm not allergic too.

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
Sneakers, I love them, I want to be barried in My Grumpy t-shirt, Jeans and comfy worn out sneakers

48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Yes, of everyone who is ASLEEP right now. I am awake doing this.

50. Is anyone jealous of you?
ROFL!! I highly doubt it.


51. What time is it?
I told you I lost my Watch.

52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes, very, very,very many of them do.

53. Do you eat healthy?
Yes I have veggies with my butter and salt, sometimes.

54. What do you usually do during the day?
Try not to lose my mind. But I really believe that is a lost cause. I really need to come up with a new goal for the day.

55. Do you hate anyone right now?
I don't think so

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Only if I am in contact with another human, which pretty much happens in a familly of 7.


58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
34

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
yes

60. How did you get one of your scars?
By giving Birth to my children!

Run Noah, Run!!

I feel so thankful tonight. I am in a warm bed with my Valentine, knowing all my kids are safe and tucked into their beds. We had a big wind/snow storm here and luckily we were clear of things.

We also got great news that our nephew is walking again. He had not been walking for 4 days and it turned out to be a virus that is on the mend. We got word that he is jumping off the couch and running around again. So Run Noah, Run!!

Kason's report on Walt Disney

WALT DISNEY
By: Kason Keller


Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents, Elias Disney and Flora Call Disney, had five children, four boys and one girl.

Soon after Walt’s birth, the family moved to Missouri. Walt had a very early interest in drawing and art. Infact, one time he talked his sister Ruth into painting one side of the family’s house with tar.

Walt Disney had many interests. He enjoyed trains, and studied photography. HE also gained a knack for acting and performing.

Walt started his first business, Laugh-O-Grams in Kansas City. The business went bankrupt and Walt packed up his suitcase and headed to California. Walt Disney was twenty-one-years old at this time.

Walt’s older brother, Roy, helped Walt start a new business and set up shop in their uncle’s garage. Walt married one of his first employees, Lillian Bounds. Together they had two daughters.

When Walt originally came up with Mickey Mouse, he called him Mortimer. Lillian convinced Walt that the mouse’s name should be Mickey. Mickey Mouse became Disney’s icon and Walt had a genuine love for his animated friend. Walt was known to say, “He still speaks for me and I still speak for him.”

Walt Disney was a innovator and an optimist. Even fourty years after his death, we still continue to grasp his ideas, and his creation, remembering him and everything he has done for us.

As Mr. Disney once said, “WE KEEP MOVING FORWARD and opening new doors and doing things because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”












January 17, 2008
Dear Mrs. Scanlon,


Thank you for doing this project! Kason and I have had so much fun learning about Walt Disney. He is one of my heroes and I have to admit I was pretty excited when Kason came home from school with news of this project and said he wanted to be, Walt Disney.

Kason enjoyed this so much. We had so much information that we had to go over how to organize sentences and paragraphs. (which, I am very rusty at) It was a great and fun way to help him learn. I know the handwriting needs work, but I am so proud of him for writing this report. I thought I would just type it up incase there were a few things that were not to clear on the paper. This is a piece of school work we will keep for Kason. We are getting props together for the Wax Museum part. (This was a labor of laughter and love.)


Jennifer Keller

Check out my Slide Show!

Strep Sucks!

So Derek and I both got Strep. Yeah. <---read sarcasm here! Our poor little Ryan has some chest congestion, fever and stuffy nose. (my poor wittle baby) It's hard to take care of sick kids when both parents are down. It is not too bad. Derek got an antibiotic shot, so he is on the upswing. I am allergic to some antibiotics, so I had to get the Z-pack. I know it works faster then most, but I would have rather got the shot and taken some benadryl for the itchiness. I am still laid out in bed.

Speaking of my bed. Ryan is sleeping with us again. Well, with him sick and both Derek and I feeling lousy, it just makes it easier. Infact all of the kids are sacked out on our floor. (I always think our bedroom is too big and then all the kids come sleep on the floor and I am reminded why Derek wanted a big bedroom.) I am starting to wonder why we have 4 bedrooms? Everyone sleeps in ours! Ohwell, at least when they are teenagers and they come in late, I will know!

Some cleaner recipes

The first is the Laundry Soap recipe. Mine did not gel at all. I don't know what I did wrong. I still am using it and it works great!
Here is the link to the recipe;
http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/03/15/how-to-make-your-own-laundry-detergent-and-save-big-money

Here is where I got the recipes for the glass cleaner it works FANTASTIC! I have not yet used the multi-purpose cleaner. I did add 2 tbsp of Baking soda to it, for an added abrasive. If you too, want to try this, add the baking soda ver, very slowly.
http://organizedhome.com/pantry-recipes-homemade-cleaning-products

PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW THEY WORK FOR YOU OR SEND ME A RECIPE THAT HAS WORKED FOR YOU.

I WOULD ALSO LOVE SOME GARDENING AND BOTTELING TIPS.

THANKS FOR COMING TO SEE US HERE AT, FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS!

She blinded me with Science

I have been trying to figure out ways to save money on our Grocery bill. It has been high since milk and now eggs have went up. ( I think also it has something to do with Austin and Kason getting older and TALLER. And Jaxon and Megan can hold their own in that dept.) So I decided, that there our a few things that I really like and don't want to have to do without. One is Fabric softener. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Downy's Lavendar Fabric softener. We never used fabric softener when I was a kid, but when I started to use it, I fell in love! I decided maybe I will try making my own laundry detergent. (I know I am up in the night.) But for you hum & haw 'ers, Yes, I did find a recipe and read many reviews about people who have used it.

With excitement for my new "Science Project" I went to Wal-Mart Friday and after getting 3 carts full of groceries (no, I am not kidding.) I found out that they do not sell Borax and washing soda there. I was a bit bumbed and tired. I took Jaxon and Ryan with me and we were there for 3 hours. Ryan was crying, Jaxon kept running into my heels with his shopping cart and I am surprised I did not need a blood transfusion from getting whacked on the back of the ankles so much. After waiting for 45 minutes in line, (I was the 2nd person in line and that should tell you how slow our cashier was.) the Wal-Mart check-out girl had the nerve to ask me, "Did you find everything Ok, today?"
I replied quickly with, "No, I could not find sanity anywhere!"
She said, "Oh, I think that's in the produce department."
(She thought I said celery.)
I decided not to take this conversation any further. I was allready on the verge of tears ( and I was a wee bit nervous I would jump over the scanner and strangle her to an unconsience state for prolonging my agony by 45 minutes.) I did want to disagree, by saying, "No, I think your sanity is kept in the Liquor dept., but I choose not to self medicate!"

Thankfully, Derek went to our grocery store on Saturday morning and came home with both of the things I needed. (My hero!! I love that guy of mine ; ) So tonight for Family Home Evening we talked about the importance of thriftiness and I told the kids how we might be able to cut some cost if we made a few of our own cleaners. Now, some of you might be thinking, "Why in the heck did she try this with her kids?" Well, after thinking of doing this by myself and getting excited about trying them out, I had an epiphany! (they are few and far between) If I am excited to try what I made, the kids would really be excited! Ok, well maybe atleast more willing to help clean and do laundry. So after we closed with the song, "Put your shoulder to the wheel", we went to the kitchen where we made our first batch of laundry detergent. Then after about 10 minutes we were done, so we then made our own Glass Cleaner and Multi-Purpose cleaner. The kids loved making them. I was reminded very quickly that adding baking soda to vinegar makes for a good volcano lava. It was not to bad. we wiped it up and then we were done. The kids were having fun and they were sad we were done. While the kids and I made cleaners Derek made our second batch of Laundry detergent. So, we now have 2,5-gallon buckets (with lids on them)sitting in our mud room. I am hoping it will turn out.

If my calculations are correct (I just love to say that) we will pay .015 cents per load. We usually spend about .27 cents a load. (that is without bleach and fabric softener.) At our house we do (well, we should do) 9 loads of laundry a week. So that is a $2.25 savings a week. I know that might not seem like alot, but I also found a Fabric Softener recipe that I plan on using. I have not figured out the cost savings on that yet, but it will be a much bigger savings and even though I did not want to give up my fabric softener, I am really excited to see how this works. I am looking forward to trying, toothpaste, mouthwash, and liquid hand soap. (The fun never ends!!)

I will keep you all updated on how our "Amish" cleaners go. (I figure it cannot get worse then shopping with kids and I have lived through that. Barely, but I have lived through it.)