Five Little Monkeys

Baptisms, Baby Blessings & Swine Flu

2009-10-08T03:02:00.000-07:00

Well, Saturday Jaxon is getting Batized. We are so excited for him. It looks like just Derek's part of the family is coming. Derek and I both come from large families. So you just can't go to everything. My Brothers would come up with their families, but the cost of gas is crazy. Especially they both have family vacations planned the following weekend.

It is actually less stressful this way. I usually don't mind a house full of family, but I don't have the energy or health right now to go running allover this house cleaning like a normal person. It is going to be relaxed. We are going to keep the meals simple and after Jaxon gets baptized on Saturday, our newest nephew will be blessed the next day. Nice...I love a two for one!

The stressful part is: Austin, Kason, Megan, Jaxon and Hubby are sick! I am nervous. We got a note from the school asking us not to send our kids to school if they have any Flu like symptoms. Apparently, They have had a few kids with Swine Flu at school. GREAT!!! So I am going to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. I was just staring to feel better and now my throat is raw and I am achy. But really that is a cake walk to what I usually have. I just need to take care of everyone, Clean the house, Prepare food for 40 people for a weekend, do the Laundry, and then enjoy and try to enjoy my son's Big Day. How hard can that be? Monday, I will have a nervous breakdown or go to the dollar movie by myself, while the kids are at school. The latter sounds more fun.

Have a great weekend everybody! I sure hope we will...with no swine flu. The ironic part, we are serving Kalua Pork for his Baptism dinner. You gotta love it!

High Ho High Ho, I just gotta know!

2009-09-30T19:33:00.000-07:00

(If you leave a comment and say who you are like and why, I will find a pic and Post it on my next post. Have fun with it. Pick up to six. I do have other silly things to do like laundry, dishes, etc.)
M-I-C see ya real soon! K-E-Y why? because we like you! M-O-U-S-EEE!

Ok, so at Disneyland there's is a place called "Belle's Library" Well, Actually it is in California Adventure in ANIMATIONS! If you go into Belle's Library there are places to sit down and the touch screen in front of you will ask you questions about your personality. I thought for sure I was going to be Ursula, but Austin was right. The Computer dubbed me as Tinkerbell, because I am a hot tempered girl, but will do anything for the boy she loves. Derek answered all the questions the opposite of how he is and he was dubbed HOPPER from Bug's Life! Derek likes to shake things up a bit every now and then.

So here is my first question for all of you: Which 3 (good or mostly good) Disney Character do you relate too? Are you Mushou, Mulan's sidekick who is always messing up, but his hear is in the right place? Is there one of the Seven dwarfs you relate too? DO you ever feel like the blow fish in Finding Nemo? Or are you a Will Turner a self made Pirate? Perhaps you are Captain Jack Sparrow himself or are you Goofy?

Second question, who is your alter ego? Which 3 Villains do you most relate with and love to hate?

Here is mine:

Disney Gals I relate too:

Tinkerbell. When she looks at herself and measures her hips, she's not mad at herself. She is mad at the mirror. One time my scale did not show me what I wanted to see so I put it in the tub after my kids were getting out and the tub was still full of water. That Scale never went over 100lbs again. I thought it was funny when it said I weighed 47 lbs, I felt like "I showed you!" But as Feisty and as bad tempered as she is, in the end she wants to help those she loves.

Dori, from Finding Nemo. When I go downstairs for something, I completely forget and I have to ask someone what I was looking for. I will be talking to someone and then all of a sudden I am thinking, "What are we talking about again?" Yes, I remember some things well, but I don't know how to utilize that part of my brain very well and most of the time I have short term memory loss.

Jane, from Tarzan. I remember watching that movie for the first time and I thought Tarzan looked like Derek. You know blue inset eyes, distinguished nose. (the hair, thankfully not so much.) Derek is adventurous and I am a chicken, but I feel braver when Derek is there holding my hand or when I wrap my arms around him. Yes, when us city girls fall for our small town boys, we will give up our city living, Yellow dresses and parasole (or in my case High Heeled shoes) to swing through this Jungle we call life, hanging on to our MAN!. (Oh and Heidi and Matt, I still remember those "Halloween Costumes" you made for Derek and I, for our birthdays. Too Funny!)

Alter Ego's

The Queen of Hearts, she is funny. She has one way to take care of everything, "Off with your head!" It just seems to be efficient because everybody does whatever she wants them to do and I think this shows organization and management skills I want. I just have a whistle! I love her heart printed bloomers, too cute! And the way she stomps off when she is angry. You know that back when she went to "Deck High" School, she was the only girl on the football field and must have been one heck of a Linebacker. She is not afraid to really get down to business, when she pushes up her sleeves to play Croquet. Yep, that's the girl I want on my team.

Ursula. You gotta love her! She's a plus-size chic who is embracing her wider curves. She is all about CURVACEOUS!! She even has the guts to wear that tight Black cat-octopus outfit. Don't be fooled she is wearing a girdle under there. You can tell because of the fat rolls on her back. But with Purple skin, you have to admit, it kind of works. Her swim is a strut! When she gets Angry she grows into this massive form of herself and that is just how I feel when I have lost it! Like when I've told each of my kids 10 times not to leave their shoes and socks on the floor of the living room and go and put them in your shoe basket in the mud room, that is only 7 yards away. But then right when I think I have controlled it, Derek comes home and sits down and kicks his shoes off. AAAHHHH!!!! (Just making point honey, I know you hardly ever do that now.) Ursula is a woman who knows what she wants and she will do whatever it takes to get it. (Well, until Eric kills her at the end.) But that's just a miner detail.

This is a tough one, I really relate to Mad,Mad, Mad Madam Mim from Sword and the Stone, but I really like Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty. Because man she is Just COOL! She is Beautiful, graceful, and has a great smile and yet so Evil!!! Sure, she's got green skin but she makes it look good. (I'm thinking Botox injections!) And Man, that long Black leather dress, robe, and a hood to try and hide her horns, She makes that layered/gothic look, look pretty good. (Dad, I threw the black leather dress in their for you.) Maleficent is one clever gal. When she does not get invited to the most happening party of the 12th hundred century, she is pretty upset, but she takes it in stride. And gave the baby a little token, curse, whatever you want to call it even though she was snubbed. WooHoo! She takes it to a whole new level when she turns into a dragon. Not alot of woman can pull it off. We might act like it for one week out of the month, but to actually turn into a vicious dragon. My hat is off to her! But then she dies too. Again a miner detail.

So who are you?

....and then he came into my life. Part one

2009-09-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Someday I want to write a book about Falling in Love. I think it is Heavenly.

The September after I turned nineteen, I found myself at a crossroads in life. This crossroad came much faster then I was expecting in my life. I had met Derek in the begining of July and we hung out as friends about everyday after that. We were having fun with water fights while washing my car, hiking, Debating our opinions, talking on the grass during a rainstorm in Ivins. (I love the smell of Ivins after a storm) When we met for lunch at Taco Bell or whereever, I would drip somehing on my shirt, everytime. I was so embarrassed, but it was just Derek and as I would try to clean it up, he would laugh and say, "Jennifer, I am sorry, I forgot to bring you a Bib."
We planned a trip up to SLC and I was going to visit with family, while he was away. After a few days, I was going to the Airport in SLC to pick him up. I realized....I liked him more then a friend and it spooked me. He had had such a horrible trip, (I did not know this at the time) and when he saw me he just dropped his bags and grabbed me up in a huge hug. Now I was freaking out. Because maybe he feels this way too. My instict was RUN!!!! But he was my ride home.

On the trip home, he told me about his trip to Arkansas. It was awful and I was just sick for him and wished I could have been there for him. When we stopped at the gas station he said, "Hey...don't think I forgot it was your birthday, today! I got you a gift at the airport." ( I know...precious) He just had it in a bag and I opened it and it was a hand held mirror that whistled when you lifted it up to look at yourself. I laughed nervously. He laughed and with a smile said, "Well, it was that or the Death March Mirror. I thought this was better." He leaned over and gave me a quick kiss on the lips as he was geting ready to get out of his truck and get it gassed up. By this point my face was burning. He had nerver kissed me on the lips before, granted it was a friend kiss, but I was aa bundle of nerves.
I thought I was just going to have to tell him when we got home that we can just be friends, I did not want to have any relationships. I already kknew how it felt to have your heart broken and I was not going to let that happen again. Well, it didn't work out quite that way. He took me to BYU to walk around the campus, because he knew I wanted to go to school there. It was a Sunday and the campus was empty. WE walked with me holding onto him from behind and I realized, I did not have it in me to stay away from him. So we had the best time on the way home. That when we got to Cedar City, only an hour away from our destination, I was sick. I did not want the day to end. He dropped me off at home and asked for a kiss gooodnight, but I said, "You are going to have on that." His Birthday was two day later and I think on that day he was spooked. We took turns being nervous of what was going on in our friendship that was quickly becoming something else. On a lovely Ivins August night, he was leaving the house where I lived as usual and I normally did not walk him out. But as he got up to leave, I told him he forgot to kiss me goodnight. If there is a top 20 list kept on the sweetest most amzing first kisses that last over an hour, Derek and I are at the top that list. Everyday after was pretty amazing. Falling in Love is truley a heavenly feeling. One Night Derek and I went to a dance at a local church and I could tell he was distant. His buddy, Bud, was with us. He started speaking Spanish to Bud, and he was telling Bud, " Man, Bud there are alot of cute girls here tonight, I wish I came to this alone. Little did he know that although, I do not speak fluent Spanish, like he did. I was from So. California and I could pick up on what he was saying. I was heart broken and after a couple of dances, I told him that I had to go to work early. He picked up on that I was hurt and asked me if I was OK. I said, "I am fine. Go have fun. Like you said, 'Their are alot of cute girls here.' I laughed as I got in the car and in my rear view mirror I saw him standing there watching me drive away with his hands in his pockets. I think they were. My laughter was covering up the unevitable sob that was coming up my throat. My face was wet with tears and all I thought to myself was, "How did I let this happen to me again?"

Jaxon turn's eight!

2009-09-11T13:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to our Peanut! We Love Jaxon! It's great to be eight.

Mom got very lucky and got an Ice Cream cake from our local grocery store that someone did not pick up. Got a good deal and no need to buy Ice cream. I love all in one items!

I can do it. I can blow all eight candles out.

....phew....eight candles is tough to blow out!

Austin & Jaxon
Austin gave a really special gift to Jaxon & his parents.

Megan & Jaxon
Sis loves her brothers

Jaxon & Ryan
my little men

Jaxon & Kason
Kason stop smiling so much.

Back 2 School August 19, 2009

2009-09-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

Here they are. Man... They grow up fast.

Austin: My Freshman. You can usually find him at a scouting activity or strumming on his guitar. He might live in Utah, but this boy is a California Boy by heart. Surfer Boy.

Kason is in 7th grade and we are doing Homeschool together. So far so good.

Meg started 6th grade. I don't know if I am ready to send her to Jr. High next year. She is all girl!!

Jaxon is now in second grade. Two days after school started he turned eight. There is only one person in his class taller then he and and she is a girl. (Too Jaxon, that is weird.)

Ryan: This little guy is doing at home preshool with Mom He is a sing song kid. Every night lately he will just start singing, "I am a child of God" We love it.

These people make my life amazing!

Welcome Everest Jason Castle

2009-08-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

I am going backwards, but I wanted to post some pics of our newst nephew, Everest. I was going to post about our Vacation, but time is short right now. Everest was August 18th at 7:36am. He weighed 7lbs 6ozs and is 20 inches tall. Two days after we got home from vacation. (It was great of Wendy to wait for us to get home.) The night he was born, I went just to visit for a little while, but stayed three hours. This baby is just so sweet and he like a magnent. You just want to be near him. So theses are some pictures of me taking the kids the next day to meet their new cousin.

My five with Aunt Wendy and her first baby, Everest.

Aunt Wendy shows the kids the baby's tiny toes.

Everest's toes with Ryan, Jaxon & Kason's Hands

Austin & Everest
Everest is thinking, "I'm Hungry!"

Kason and Everest
Everest is saying, "Where is my food?"

Megan & Everest
Everest saying, "No food is coming out my fingers!"

Jaxon with Everest Everest saying, "I am serious. I am really hungry."

Ryan with Everest. Everest saying, "OK, now I am mad and I want my Food!

I got a turn to hold Everest too.

Everest is Hungry and looking for something to eat. Mommy is loving on him and he was making the funniest sucking noise.
WHen he finally found what he was looking for, Daddy (Jason) was making Mama (Wendy) was laughing and telling Jason to stop because it was making the baby shake. Jason just commented that that's even better. Now Everest is getting a Milk Shake. We were all crackin up as we were hanging out in the room.

Derek & Austin waiting for the baby to be fed.

Megan, the only child of mine, who behaved themselves during our visit.

Itchy and Twitchy finding amusement on the recliner as Everest is fed.
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Uncle Derek finally gets to meet him the next day. I asked Derek, "Does it kind of make you jealous that they are just starting out and get to enjoy a new baby? (I was serious) He laughed at me and said, "NO! I know what their in for and I wouldn't go back. I like sleeping and not carrying around a Diaper Bag." OK, this is coming from the guy who kept warning me that we were suppose to have five kids. As amazing as a new baby is and especially, one as sweet as Everest. I have to agree. You just hit a point when you know your done. But it sure is fun to have a big family and enjoy being a an aunt. I have loved being an Aunt for almost 21 years now. It is GREAT!
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Megan looking longingly at Everest
Everyone is Drawn to this little guy

Fourteen Years ago, I became a Mother

2009-04-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

Disclosure: This is full of typos and spelling errors, but I only had so much time and I really wanted to post this for Austin's Birthday. Please excuse the errors and understand that I am just typing this as fast as I can. (Because I have got to go to sleep.)
My Baby, who is not a baby anymore, but this amazing young man.
Oh, How I love him.

Today Austin turned 14. It is so hard to believe that it was that long ago that that little person came into my life. It was truely the best day of my life. So here is my long story:

(Austin at 8)

It was a Wednesday, April 19, 1995. I was HUGE!! I had a doctors appt. early that morning and was praying the doctor was going to tell me I was ready to have a baby. I was still five away from my due date, but I could not stand being pregnant one more day! I had done everything to try to put myself in labor. I thought it was ironic that I found myself wishing for pain! Pain of Labor. When I went to the doctors appt. they checked my urine sample. The nurse said my protein was high & I had gained 5 pounds in a week, so she thought the doctor might induce me. The Doctor came in and said, I was mot Dialating & the protien was not too high. I started to tear up and told the doctor, I just was done being pregnant. He was compassionate and said he was inducing a couple of other ladies on Friday and if I could get here by 5:30am, he could fit me in and see if we could get this rascal out. I about kissed that man!! I waddled my swollen self out of that doctors visit and went straight to the COllege (SUU, We lived in Cedar City, Utah at the time.) I found Derek between classes and said, "Derek, we are going to have the baby on Friday." He went three shades whiter. It hit him. We were really having a baby. I was as happy as could be. I celebrated by going and grabbing a bite to eat. (We were starving COllege students, with our first motrgage, so that was huge to me.) I felt a bit reckless getting the Nachos and hoping I would not regret it later. I got home. I was suppose to be on bed rest from that point on, because of the toximia coming on. So I plopped my swollen self on the couch and decided to watch The Price is Right. (It was still early) But to my shock, I turned on the TV and learned that the OKlahoma Bombing had just happened.

(Austin at Family Home Evening)

It had just happened and was barely being televised and then they said, that their was a daycare center in the building. I sat, I sobbed, and I prayed. I felt so selfish. Here I was so anxious to get my baby out of me, when people were losing their babies in such a horrible, sensless way. My Nachos went to waste, I could not eat, I felt sick as I watch the news for the next 9 hours of the day. Derek came home later that day and had heard what had happened. He had to head to work and asked me not to watch the news anymore. Derek did not like that I was so upset and did not want it to effect me or the baby. So I sat in the tub that night and read, my lamaze exercizes book. I had this thing Underlined, dog eared, Highlighted. Derek had school the next day & promised he would be home around four. I didn't watch any TV. I cleaned my house and that was the last my house was clean. Derek came home & I drilled him with question of how to suppport me during labor. I was all about the Epidural! I figured, that I was going to the same prize at the end, so why not have some pain relief. But Derek & I took the Lamaze class, just to have that full experience of "Having a Baby".

(The weekend Austin got baptized and he is hanging out infront of our house with his brothers and his cousins. My Brother Jim's Boys.)

He fell asleep about 10:00pm. He asked me if I was going to be able to sleep. I said I would, just to soothe him so that he would fall asleep without worrying about me. I set my alarm for 3:30am. It was like Christmas eve and The day before my Wedding; Nerves, excitement, wonder, worry, etc. I felt my eyes start getting heavy and as I looked at the clock it was 3:15am. I shut them and in what felt like a few seconds the alarm went off. I wanted to look good that day. (Well as good as a 200 pound girl could look.) I remembered, the videos in the lamaze class and the ladies who had the epidurals, still had their make up on and hair done after the baby came out. So as I showered, I felt Austin moving around and again I felt a mixture of emotion. By this point every tome he moved, it hurt! But this was the last morning of my life that I would feel this little person inside of me. And...well..I had kind of grown attached to this little person inside of me. It was like carrying a little piece of Derek with me, were ever I went. I proceeded to do full hair make-up and Extra Hairspray, just to make sure I looked decent in the pictures. (Silly..Silly Girl!)

(Austin & Jaxon)
Derek and I had a prayer and then Scripture study. Then I ran and cleaned the last toilet. Derek was thinking I was crazy. I was. I am. When we walked outside of our door on that APril Morning, it was still dark and snow flakes were falling and starting to stick to the ground. We both laughed and I felt this amazing felling of peace. The past few weeks had been sunny even hot. But not today, it was going to snow. To this day when I get snowflakes in my eyelashes, I think of that dark peaceful morning when Derek & set out to "the unknown" with excitement in our eyes as we kissed and knew, our lives would be forever changed. (We just did not realize how different.)
We got the hospital, got suited up, had the IV put in, the Doctor broke my water and at 7:30 I was thinking, "You know this isn't that bad, maybe I could do this without a Epidural. By 9:00am I was pulling the sheet over my head and asking if the Epidural man was coming!! By 10:00am relief. I did itch terribly. I was begging Derek to scratch my back so hard that he was nervous that he was going to scrtach my skin off. My back was wet from sweat and the water seaping out of me ontoo the blue pad above my sheet, that I lay on. By 10:30 we figured out I was allergic to the epidural. By 11:00am the epidural was not working and I was feeling EVERYTHING!!

(Autin crushing Jaxon in a heated game of Twister.)

I begged for a epidural refill, they gave it to me, but it did not do anything. The Epidural guy, Smiled as I told him how bad I hurt. He just replied that my body was doing what it was suppose to and that the baby was coming. He also rolled a closed, cold can of soda over my belly and asked if I could feel that. My reaction told him, I did. By Noon Derek & I were in heavy Lamaze mode and I was telling him I wanted to go home. THe baby was not getting enough oxygen and between, the mask, the sweat dripping down my face, the itching, and transitional pain, I was done! The nuse checked me and said I was alomost a seven. She had to check a few other things and less then fifteen mintues after she had checked me I asked her to sheck me again, although she thought it was pointless, she did. Next thing I know she is yelling, "Your at a 10! I am getting the doctor." By 12:45 the room was filling up and the doctor came in. The nurse was in our ward and she told me that sometimes pushing can take a few hours. I was so tired at that point and was feeling this overwhelming pressure that all I thought was, "That was the worst short pep talk, ever given!" Derek was by my side counting my pushes, telling me I could do it. I just focused on him. At 1:10pm. Our baby was out. My first question was, "What is it?" We did not want to know the sex of the baby during the pregnancy, but we both felt like it was a boy.

(Austin with Kason, Megan & cousin's Jaden & Derek "the Football Star" My Brother Jim's kids)

Sure enough the Doctor answered, "It's a Big Baby Boy!" I was so relieve to hear him cry and see his "Boatright scowl" (As Derek puts it.) He was perfect. Austin Derek Keller was born at 1:10pm on April 21, 1995. He weighed nine pounds & six ounces. He was 21 & 1/2 inches long and he had auburn hair. (not much, but he did have some.) The Grandparents filed in with cousins, aunts, & friends to see our new baaby. Later as the day went on and everyone went home. Just my Mom stayed and combed out my matted hair. Needless, to say the Make-up melted off and that extra hairspray just added to the mass of sweat and knotted hair.

(Austin playing Clifford at the ELementry School Book Fair)

Later that night, after everyone went home, I was walking around and in no need of help to get around. The nurses were amazed, but I felt so exhilerated to have the baby out, that I enjoyed walking around without the pressure of a nine pound baby against my pubic bone. I came out of the bathroom and Derek said, "I think the baby is poopy" I said, "Well I think we should have a tradition that you change our kids first diaper. He was the oldest of seven and shrugged his shoulders and said, "OK." He did not realize that the first poop was a sticky tar substance. He was like "Holy Moly KiD" We were both laughing. Then later on that night, "The nurses came in to take hime to the nursery, so I could sleep." But I told them I wanted more time with him. So Derek and I layed in bed, sitting up so we could hold our new little baby between us. The room was dim and Austin was peeping his eyes open at us. Their we sat, a little family. I turned to Derek and said, "Thank-you for making my dreams come true." That song, "Can you feel the love tonight?" Came to my mind and I sang it to my little guy as tears rolled my cheeks. What a Heavenly Moment.

The birth was harder then I thought it would be, but in the end it was worth it. I learned then that Life is not always what you think it will be. There will be hard times. Times were you want to throw in the towel. But There are perfect moments that get us throught those times. And Focusing on the good moments makes life so much easier. (Not easy just easier) And in the end, it is all worht it!

(Austin for Halloween, being a typical 11 year old boy.)

How thankful I am to have a son who honors his priesthood. Who tries hard to be obediant. He is nicked name "My right hand Man. Even though he is left handed. My Mother in law gave me a book called, "I love you Forever" It is a book that still makes me cry when I read it. (I know I am just a big baller.) But I sure love this young Man and I am so grateful he is my son.

2009-04-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

Wicked has finally come to Utah! Yep! I am so excited. We got tickets eleven months ago and finally in just two more weeks, and we go to the play on May 2nd.
We are going to have a blast! Derek's Mom, His brothers, His sisters and their spouses are all going with us. Derek's Dad is not big on Musicals, so he offered to stay home and babysit grandkids. (Poor guy has no idea of what he is in for.)

15th Wedding Anniversary & too late to shave my legs!

2009-02-05T08:38:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Johnson's Mill in near Park City, Utah.
Derek and I got a very sweet gift from Derek's sister, Heidi and her hubby, Matt. They had received two gift certificates to two Different B&B's in Northern Utah from the company they bought new windows from and they gave us one. They are the most giving people. They have done so much for us. They watch the kids at the drop of a hat, especially Ryan and the past few years with me being sick, they have really been with our kids alot. Our kids adore them. Matt & Heidi are fun and kind so the kids are not sad at all that we will be gone for one night and Heidi & Matt are coming over to watch them for us tonight. We are going to the Johnson's Mill B&B. We are staying in the carriage room. I love the rustic snow lodge theme.

I wish I was more excited to go, but I have been trying to organize my Kitchen and so most cupboards & drawers are done, but the rest of the house went to pot as I have been rearranging, sorting, categorizing, and getting rid of stuff. I have not been able to do heavy duty stuff for a while and the house shows! I made myself sick with stress about this nice gift and about Derek not having a job and I did not sleep at all the other night and last night, I kept waking up. It feels like something every week, puts us a step back. This week, Derek is redoing the floor in the kids bathroom. When we built this house, we just had them put their low standard linoleum in the up stairs, because their is literally only 74 square feet that is not carpeted upstairs. Anyways, little did we know the linoleum had pulled back just enough away from the tub, that by the time we noticed it folding up ward and out, the sub flooring was some molding, so Derek was ripping out the linoleum and the sub flooring. He locked the door when he was done for the day and of course I thought he was just locking it so the "kids" would not go in there and get into the tiles or tools. Well, I went in stepped right through the hole, I was not looking for and my right leg fell through the drywall of our first story ceiling. My leg came smack down over the Dinner table. Luckily just my one leg went through, not my whole body. It reminded me of the movie, "The Money Pit" When Tom Hanks is stuck in a large throw rug as he has slowly sunk threw the second story floor into the first story ceiling. It hurt and bruised and scratched up the back of my leg up to mid thigh. I am so wishing I would have shaved my legs before my fall. So today I am going to carefully shave my legs without doing more damage. Yeah I am just going to be one plus size- scratched- up, exhausted hot babe for Derek tonight.
When we got married, Derek & I were so tired after the long day. (not to mention the long days before, preparing for the wedding and reception.) We got Taco Bell at the Drive threw at 10:00pm, because we realized neither of us had eaten all day, aside from the "feeding each other the cake" for picture purposes. The Drive threw Lady was pretty surprised to see us pull up with me still in my wedding dress (veil & all) and Derek in a White Tux & Tie.
When we got to our hotel, instead of showing off those always shaved smooth long legs and putting on the "Wedding Night" appropriate attire, I put on sweats and we ate and watched some John Candy movie. I don't remember what it was because I was nervous. Now that we were able to be "together", I was finding that what I wanted to do with Derek the last few months was now OK and I did not know were to begin. I guess I got stage fright. I was surprised to feel this way. To be honest, it was everything Derek & I could do, to keep our hands off of each other. Saying goodnight & goodbye at the end of the day was painful while we were dating & engaged. Now here we are married and all of a sudden I am feeling nervous & self conscious. I thought I was chubby back then. I was a very stupid girl! I was not chubby at all. I had curves, but they were all in the right places. (Now I have curves in all the wrong places) Luckily, Derek was not just my best friend, whom I trusted completly, but he was so sweet, charming & funny as anyone could be and it was a great honeymoon! It was so great that we had waited for eachother and saved that special time when we knew their would be no regrets.
I am sure we will have fun, once we are off. I bought some Sparkling Grape juice and I am taking are own goblets. Derek ordered the romance package, which was romantic of him, except it's $50!! I gave him a big hug and said, "Thanks & please cancel that." I told him I would buy our own and I even got him cheese & crackers, Pirouettes from Hillshire farms, & White chocolate Macadamia nut cookies all for $15. I cannot enjoy things if they cost too much, especially when we are currently unemployed.
So that's what's going on here. Oh yeah and luckily, Derek is the best husband and after he helped me up out of the hole in the floor-now-ceiling, He made sure I was OK. Instead of being mad that I had made more work for him and I was going to have lay down for the next few hours,(because Yes, it hurt & still does!) He laughed and thought we should take a picture. I was not at that point yet, so I said no. (party pooper) He went right to work without one complaint grabbing his saw, drill, & 2 x 4's and put our ceiling back together. He is the BEST!! I won the Husband Lottery when I married that guy of mine!

2009-01-05T19:15:00.001-08:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Our Christmas Poem & My favorite CHristmas as a kid.

2008-12-10T10:10:00.001-08:00

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!

2008-09-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Sore throats, coughing, and back to school!

2008-09-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-09T18:01:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

dISNEY TRIP 2

2008-09-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

disney chapter 1

2008-09-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Boys will be boys

2008-09-09T16:24:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

austin's scrapbook

2008-09-09T11:10:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Yes, I am still alive!

2008-08-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-06-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T18:09:00.001-07:00

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.

2008-05-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

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Something to Smile about

2008-05-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-24T20:23:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-05-21T19:10:00.001-07:00

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?

2008-05-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-02T14:06:00.001-07:00

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

2008-04-26T17:52:00.001-07:00

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.

2008-04-08T21:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-04-01T11:39:00.001-07:00

Ship of Fools

2008-02-25T22:57:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-19T21:30:00.000-08:00

"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!

2008-02-14T00:57:00.000-08:00

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!!

2008-02-13T22:11:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-17T20:46:00.000-08:00

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!

2008-01-16T22:55:00.000-08:00

Strep Sucks!

2008-01-12T20:59:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-08T22:46:00.000-08:00

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

2008-01-07T00:15:00.000-08:00

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.)

2008 is almost here

2007-12-31T12:56:00.000-08:00

Derek's sis, Wendy put the following on the Keller Website. I thought I would share:

Yesterday in RS we studied a talk by Elder Faust (inserted into the back of the October General Conference Ensign) called The Power to Change (something like that) READ IT. Anyway we were also given a handout that goes like this:

PROBABILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION

A study at a major university attempted to delineate the factors involved in a typical human's ability to translate the acceptance of an idea in the implementation or application of that idea, i.e., turning thoughts into actions. The results were as follows:
ACTIVITY Implementation Rate
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Hear an idea that you like 10%
2. Consciously decide to adopt the idea 25%
3. Decide when you will do it 40%
4. Plan how you will do it 50%
5. Commit to someone else that you will do it 65%
6. Make a regular appointment with the person you 95%
committed to and report your progress

Anyway, I really liked that and I want to try that this year. We also talked about not making too many resolutions and/or making reasonable goals instead of something you will never be able to do.
Good luck to any resolution makers!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I (Jenn) thought that was great. Before I read the former, I was getting ready for the day and I thought of ways, I could better my life. To tell the truth I am a HUMBUG, when it comes to New Year's resolution, because I think of them as Weight Loss. Not this year, (Sure I need to drop a few pounds, but I am hoping to set other goals that might eventually leead to doing that.)

This Year, I have different ideas. I will write down my goals, but I will not bore you with my plans of action.

1.) I want to (will) Enjoy Life. (I have a great life & great people in it, so I want to LIVE it!)

2.) I want to (will) have a closer relationship to Heavenly Father.

3.) I want to (will) be a better wife to Derek. (He deserves it.)

4.) I want to (will) be a better mother and have better relationships with my kids.

5.) I want to (will) go to Cancun. hee.. hee...hee... ;0) (Thanks Larry & Karen!!)

What are yours??

New, New Year's Resolution

2007-12-29T00:11:00.000-08:00

This year, I am not going to make the same New Year's resolution, "Try and lose weight." It is not like it has been working for me anyways. Infact, it seems to be the opposite. Maybe I should say, "This year I want to gain 20 pounds!" Then maybe I would lose weight. No, with my luck I would finally accomplish a goal.

Yesterday, my Uncle gave me a nice compliment and said I was our family's, Erma Bombeck. Well, I was flattered. But I honestly did not know what Erma Bombeck wrote about. I just knew my mom really liked her books. So last night I got on the web and read quite a bit about her. WOW!! What a funny and wonderful lady. (Larry, thanks for the compliment, but I am no Erma Bombeck.)

After a long year of ups and downs, I have decided that my new year's resolution is going to be "Enjoy Life More!"

Erma Bombeck wrote a poem and after reading it last night, it just solidified my resolve to enjoy life more. Here is the poem:

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

"I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it , live it and never give it back."

Erma, thanks for leaving us with that great advice!

P.S. After reading some of her famous quotes, I was so relieved to find out no one has ever died from sleeping in an unmaid bed! Sheesh, I cannot tell you what a relief that is to me ; O)

Five Kids or a Blizzard? Take your pick!

2007-12-26T23:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I took Megan to Build-a-bear. She got a gift card from Santa In Manhattan Beach. I told her I would take her the day after Christmas. I decided it might be easier to take her by herself then with all 5 kids. So we left the boys(Derek included) home and headed for the Mall in Orem. The roads were icy and it was snowing. As we were driving home, I could not even tell if I was in a lane. I was starting to get nervous and thought, "I wonder what is scarier, trucking 5 kids through a mall or Driving in pouring snow on Icy roads?" The answer was obviously taking 5 kids to the mall. It was great to now have perspective and I was no longer nervous about driving in treacherous conditions.

The Christmas Bomb!

2007-12-26T20:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning, before the kids got up. The house looked so pretty. The whites lights glistening on the tree and on the greenery over our atrium doors. The presents were wrapped so sweetly under the tree. The Family Room, DIning area and Kitchen were nice and clean. It was a nice 10 minutes of enjoying that moment. Now I really know what they mean, when they say, "Take a picture it will last longer!" Derek had gone to go get the the kids. They all looked so cute. Ryan in Derek's arms. The kids half awake, but very excited! All them dressed in their Christmas jammies. Then it happened!!! The gift opening began and that we can keep a handle on by throwing away wrapping paper as each present was opened. But it was the opening of Teckno Dogs, Robotic spider, Remote Control Cars, Bratz Make over Doll, (I lovingly refer to Bratz Dolls as Hooker Dolls.) and way too many Spiderman toys that come with about 30 tightly twisted, wire twist ties each and their boxes that are ripeed into a million peices to get the beloved toy out of the box!! That is when our house looked like The Christmas bomb had went off at our house. It was crazy and I was thankful Costco sells batteries in bulk. My Aunt and Uncle gave us the most amazing presents. They suprised us with a nintendo Wii and they are taking both of my brothers, their wives, and Derek & I to Cancun this March. Derek and I are so excited. Especially since it will probably be snowing here in Utah and we will go enjoy 80 degree temps on a warm beach. I know gifts are not the biggest part of Christmas, but a trip to Cancun has got to hit top of WOWWY gifts!! Derek has always wanted to go fishing in the ocean and I am so excited he will get to do that!! Myself, I am hoping to hit a couple of zip lines in the rain forest area and go horse back riding along the beach.
This Year I was not feeling up to cooking a big dinnerand then cleaning up. SO we got a Costco Pizza, the kids put on the Nativiy Scene, and we watched It's a Wonderful Life on TV. It was GREAT!! We might do this every year.

How to be a in-the-closet Santa!

2007-12-12T22:36:00.001-08:00

Actually, I have no idea how to be an "In the closet Santa" It just sounded like an intriguing title. Tell the truth. Did it intrigue you? No, you can tell me. .......Oh, be quiet! It's my Blog! If you think I'm crazy, well I would have to comply with that quick observation. But really who can blame me. Being a mother of 5 at Christmas, can really wear a girl out. Especially, all that ordering online while Derek and I shopped for the kids at Toys R Us, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, and of course E-Bay! (We were wearing pajamas.) It is the first time I have done a bulk of my shopping online and hard to believe, I know, but the first time I shopped in my Pajamas.

OK, now about the closet thing. My closet is a walk in closet that is 16 x 5'. Now that might seem large to some of you and small to others. It is HUGE to me. Derek and I don't own that many clothes. Nor do I want to. I HATE LAUNDRY. The person who invents disposable clothing will have my undying gratitude for the rest of my life.....Oops! I got side tracked. Anyways, I have my sewing machine table and Ironing board set up in the closet and that is how I use up the bigger half of the closet that we don't use. Well, I just went into my closet and there are boxes everywhere. Infact, I can't get to Derek's clothes. It is not my fault. He is the one who stacked the boxes. Walmart and Toys-R-Us send huge boxes, for not alot of items.

You might be thinking, "Hey Lazy, wrap the gifts and put them under the tree." Well, that sounds great but, the kids take after me and poke holes in their presents to see what is in them. So I can't! I have put some Christmas presents under the tree. But I did not put any names on them. So that has stumped them, for the time being. (I just hope I remember, which present goes to which person.) It's a tricky business being Santa's Helper.

I love you Derek! Thanks for 14 fun years.

2007-11-18T00:03:00.001-08:00

Disneyland 2007

2007-11-17T23:43:00.000-08:00

Last March we headed to Disneyland with my brother Jim (and his family), my brother Josh (and his family), my sister Carol (and her family), and my Uncle Larry (and his family). We were quite a bunch! It was chaotic at times, but seeing the pictures it was obviously well worth it. Besides kids remembering going on rides with cousins and aunts and uncles. Oh yeah and parents and biblings, blah, blah, blah

Enjoy the Slide Show.

DIsneyland 2007 Slide Show

2007-11-17T23:42:00.001-08:00

We are Totally Twisted!

2007-11-17T23:29:00.002-08:00

Twister is the best game for a family. (Thus the reason we had 5 kids - Twister is just more fun that way!) We play without the spinner, which adds a new element to the game because the caller can call out anything. Which ends up pretty Twisted! I think all of our kids have learned their "right and left" from playing this together.

Twister with the kids

2007-11-17T23:29:00.001-08:00

Happy Haunting!

2007-11-17T23:23:00.002-08:00

So many SLide Shows, I know. WHat can I say? I love pictures (especially of my family(s).

Here is our Haunted House we made together for family night and last years pics of the kids. I have not yet got this years Halloween Pics on here yet. (I have a good excuse, I have 5 kids and I am having 25 houseguests for Thanksgiving Weekend. I'm busy! It will be so much fun though. The Excitement outweigh the STRESS!)

Happy Halloween 2006 and 2007 pictures

2007-11-17T23:23:00.001-08:00

TRICK OR TREAT?!

2007-10-30T21:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween??

Tomorrow is Halloween and today was Kason's birthday, Austin had a court of honor, Derek was in charge of the Court of Honor, I was in charge of pretty table and refreshments at the court of honor and then Kason had wrestling practice. AAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!
I am so so tired! And the thought of getting up and getting the kids into costumes and face painting at 7:30am. Sounds so far from fun, I just cannot tell you. I really do like Halloween, I just hate HECTIC!! Austin is not dressing up for school. (bless his heart, one less person to help get ready.) Kason is going to be a BAT! Megan is going to be a "Dead" Cheerleader. Jaxon is going to be a Pirate at school and a Dinosaur during trick or treating. (The only reason I am letting him do both is because, I all ready have the Pirate stuff and a friend lent him a big warm Dinosaur costume. All you have to do is take your shoes off, climb in zip up and put your shoes back on.) He could not decide which one he wanted to be, so he will be both. Ryan is going to be a King, which is fitting since we named him Ryan because Ryan means King. My friend had a King costume and Ryan loved it. (It has a long cape and he just LOVES that! But he keeps telling me he needs a sword. I will be going as my usual haggard tired mother of 5 attire and make-up is not necessary for dark circles under the eyes. Lucky me! Derek and I usually do not dress up. Just getting the kids ready is so much work. Maybe when the kids are a little older and they can kind of do their costume makeup on their own. I have always wanted to go as Miss Piggy and Fozzy the Bear (She dumped the Frog, the Bear made her Laugh!)

Another reason my child might need therapy

2007-10-04T00:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have to give a little back ground before I tell you of the conversation I had with my 6 year old. I am LDS and in our church we usually refer to people in our church as Brother (last name here) or Sister (last name here).

I have Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS). (I know I had no idea what that was until, I was diagnosed by my OBGYN this last June. After 9 years of thinking I was just having Severe IBS and Kidney Stones, we found out that we and 12 other Dr.'s were wrong. (if you would like more info here is a helpful website my doc. gave me to learn about it: http://members.aol.com/fibroworld/mps.htm (I hope that works)

So, I had picked up a 13 inch TV, without thinking about it (I am not suppose to lift thins over 20lbs. It is a Trigger point for a whirl wind of pain. This was Monday night and by 1:00am I was hurting pretty bad. It was weird because sometimes when I have not had the pain for a while, I start thinking was the pain really that bad? Maybe I could have toughed it out. Then Monday night it hit and by 2:00am I was thinking, this is kind of like Labor. You forget what it feels like and then Transition hits and you say "Oh yeah that's how it feels!" My hubby woke up @4:00am when he heard me downstairs and he was able to think clearly and get my medicine. We know if I take the medicine I will be out of it for at least 6 hours and feel very sleepy, especially since I hadn't slept. So we called a wonderful neighbor who is in our church and my 2 youngest boys stayed with her. I am going to call her "Sister Smith" (I don't want to use real last names) So my son came home after having a great day with her and said, I think I am going to call Justin's mom (Justin is his buddy) Mom Smith! I said, No, honey you don't need to call her Mom Smith, she is not your Mom. Just call her Sister Smith! Ok, how confusing is that to a 5 year old?? After I said it my Husband and I laughed. I love when I can find Humor even when it feels like I am having a horrible day. I just have to remember, I am not having a bad Day, I am just having a bad moment. There can still be humor just around the next moment!

Been Busy, Will write soon.

2007-10-02T22:18:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I have to just say alot has been going on. My health has not been so great, but I don't want to really talk about that. My Husband's aunt has been in the hospital the last couple weeks with Congestive Heart Failure. She died this morning (Oct. 2nd at 2:00am). Although, they do not live close, it feels like our energy and thoughts have been with her family. She was only 56. (We will miss you Berta!)

Baby Blues (Ryan, you'll be in my heart)

2007-09-20T22:19:00.000-07:00

Ryan is my baby. He is the 5th and final addition to are herd. Ryan celebrated his 3rd birthday and is officially wearing "Big Boy Underwear". He is very proud of this accomplishment, as am I. I was so excited to finally be free of Diapers after 12 consecutive years! And I am. But it feels kind of sad to see my little man running around in his "Fruit of the Looms". I guess with most milestones our children make, is Bittersweet. Ryan is a very hard headed 3 year old and will test the boundaries and then some. But he is my baby. I LOVE the way he says, "I lub you too!" Or after his bath, "Mom, I need a Talow." I LOVE IT!! I know that his speech is becoming better and he will not say those cute little things to me anymore.
I also have to admit, I am probably a better mother to him then I was to my oldest, just because I worried about everything back then. I still do, but not as much. Now, I feel like I know how to relax a little more and know which battles to pick. Not that I have this parenting thing down. Not even close! But I do feel like I am learning to enjoy it more, Take the little moments in, Sit down and play trains with them and Just be their Mom.

We had a lazy morning today and watched Disney's Tarzan together. I have seen this movie many times and it is one of my favorites. But today as I laid down next to my little guy as we watched it together, I felt almost emotional. You know, the song, "You'll be in my Heart" it just got to me, I guess.

"Did I sign up for this?"

2007-09-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have one of those days where, the house looks like a bomb went off and nothing you do makes your toddler happy? And then you ask yourself, "Did I sign up for this?" I've been having alot of those days lately......hmm.... for the last 10 years (when my oldest was 2) OK, I'm lying I've been having those kind of days for the past 12 years!

Not, that my kids are awful kids, on the contrary they are pretty good kids. I just remember being a young newlywed and saying to myself, "Hey, Derek is great with kids. We should have a baby! I mean, I think I could have one of those little bundles! It will be so great!"
(I know,......silly, silly girl!)

I was just thinking, "Let's have a baby!" Not "Sweetheart, (me speaking to Derek) I think we should have a baby and then have four more after that one. Because I want to have days, when I am horribly sleep deprived from being up with a crying baby. I want to have so much laundry that there is no way I will ever have it done, EVER! I want to have days where it takes me one and a half hours to get a toddler dressed and into the car. Because the child will of course go limp when I try to help him get dressed because he does not want to go to to the store."

"Derek Darling, I just don't think my life would be complete if I didn't have a 2 year old who loved to be naked and because hos older siblings will reliably leave the front door opened, so he can escape. Then as I am pass a window, I will see our naked toddler riding his bike, having the time of his life. As I freak-out, because it will have been the eighth time that week and our neighbors will wonder if the child has any clothes."

"Derek you do not have to worry. We will not have children who pick their noses and then eat it (eww), yet they are picky eaters and won't eat anything we make for them. (picky eaters -get it? I know, gross) We will never have children who will not come out of the ball pit, at the local Fast Food Play land, when their mother asks them to. They will not sit their and giggle while their 11 months pregnant Mommy tries to crawl in to that tubular contraption to show them she means business!"

"Not to worry Derek, my dear. I know exactly what we are signing up for!"

I didn't think that. Did you?

What is LDS??

2007-09-15T10:32:00.000-07:00

Dawn, from "Because I said so!" said she gets many people asking her if she is LDS. She did not know what that was. Finally she realized it was "Mormon".

I decided if anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them, as I am LDS. Don't worry I am not trying to convert anyone. I just know there are many "Mormon Myths".

If you want to talk about your religion, I would love to hear you about how it blesses your life.

Here Lies Foo-Foo

2007-09-04T21:27:00.001-07:00

Having kids, certainly keeps life entertaining. For Christmas, my daughter, Meg wanted one of those "Fur Real Chimps". Lucky for her Santa delivered! This Monkey looks fairly realistic, makes monkey noises and even sniffs for it's food. (It fits right in at our house, even though we have no "pets" just kids.)
Later that afternoon I asked Meg, "So what are you going to name your monkey?" (She names everything) She replied without hesitation, "Foo-Foo." I was startled a bit by this answer. Why? My childhood nickname was Foo-Foo. Meg knew that was my nickname and thought it would be so great to name the monkey after me. I was freaked out and flattered all at the same-time. Mostly freaked out! I mean come on, here she has all of these pretty Dolls and she names the Hairy Monkey that SNIFFS IT"S FOOD, after me!! I think I would of felt less self conscience if she would have named Malibu Barbie after me." (I am a size 18, so my likeness to Barbie would have been a little easier on the ego.) "Are you sure you want to name it Foo-Foo? How about Sophie or Fifi?" I asked "No, I like Foo-Foo." She quickly smiled and skipped off. I decided, it could be worse and forgot about it.
A few days later, her younger brother, Ryan aka Twitchy, got hold of the monkey and got up on the top bunk and decided to see if , "Foo-Foo" could fly. Meg walked in just as "Foo-Foo" took flight. Ofcourse it was a no-go on the flying and Meg was horrified as she picked up that Hairy thing and it would not move, talk or sniff. Meg was very unhappy and when she is unhappy we all know about it! (Because she is her mother's daughter.)
My Husband went in to her room ten minutes later to see if she was calmed down and to see if he could fix the chimp. When he walked in he saw a pile of blankets lying in a mound on Meg's bed. On top of the mound sat a home-made tombstone that read, "Here Lies Foo-Foo". Now I don't know about you, but it is a little disconcerting when you have a tombstone in your house with your name on it!!! Thankfully Derek, my hubby was able to revive the hairy little thing with a tightening of it's batteries. Meg was thrilled and I was beyond happy to throw away the Tombstone!
Kids, they keep you hopping!

My very own

2007-08-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

As a mother, I have very few things that are my own. My 3 year old loves to drink out of my cup. (hmm... I wonder why I am always getting sick?...) He also seems fascinated with MY toothbrush. Not his toothbrush, not his dad's toothbrush, but my dull pink, run of the mill toothbrush seems to say, "Ryan, come and put me in your mouth!" My clothes are not my own. My daughter does not like pajamas (no matter how cute they are) she would rather wear one of my T-shirts. I even have to share my bed. Just kidding Honey! I was just trying to make a point. But this Blog here is MINE all MINE!!:::::::::insane woman laughter:::::::::

Hmmm..... So now what do I do?