It's been a LONG TIME! However, at the urging of my blogger whiz, Chrissi- I've decided to resurrect the blog and begin again! Stay tuned... more to come.

The World through a 5 Year Old's Eyes

Sarah and the boys came to visit this weekend.... which was so wonderful! I absolutely loved it. On Saturday, he was going to sleep and wanted to sleep with me and Jack for awhile. (In BETWEEN the two of us).
Ashton LOVES to talk at night in bed... and he really will reveal so much about himself then. (As a matter of fact, Sarah did the same thing at night while laying in bed).
Anyway... we started talking about stuff... and so I started asking him some questions. Here were his answers- as I remember them.

1) My question: What are 5 things that big girls like to do?
His answer: (I can only remember 3) 1. Do hairstyles with their hair
2. Wear lots of rings
3. Sleep a lot
2) My question: What do big boys like to do?
His answer: 1. Watch football
2. Play video games
3. Play football
4. Sleep a lot
5. Watch television
3) My question: What do little girls like to do?
His answer: (I could only remember 3) 1. Wear makeup and dress up
2. Be smart
3. Be cute
4) My question: What do little boys like to do?
His answer: Oh, that's easy! 1. Play Star Wars video games
2. Play football
3. Play on the computer
4. Watch television
5. Only sleep a little
5) My question: What do grandmas like to do?
1. Play legos
2. Take a break
3. Water the flowers

He talked and talked... and told me more things, but I was so tired... I forgot. What a great little boy!

Fall TV Shows

My children wrote about their favorite fall TV shows in their blogs- So I guess I'll admit that I do have a few guilty pleasures on television. The following are the list that I watch:
Sunday Night: Brothers and Sisters
I am a bit annoyed by a few of the story lines- and I find some of it VERY uncomfortable to watch! IE: Kevin and his partner. (I forgot the name) I have to cover my eyes when they show affection.... it's just ....uncomfortable. I do not like the ultra liberal bias of the show, but there is something about it that is engaging. All of the other story lines are pretty interesting--except for the Tommy and whoever line. I don't even remember his wife's name.
Tuesday Night: Biggest Loser
Both Jack and I love this show. You get involved with the people on there, and it's just so inspiring to watch them all lose this huge amount of weight and to get healthy! In fact, it just makes me want to jump off the couch and do some weight lifting. Of course, I would have to finish the bowl of "Chocolate Almond Indulgence" that Jack and I must eat while we are watching the show.
Wednesday Night: America's Got Talent- and starting in January... LOST!
This show was only on for the summer, and ended this past Wednesday-- but we loved it. The talent was incredible, and the last 5 remaining were all absolutely stand outs! I hoped that the winning talent would be Eli Matsom. (Not sure if that is how his last name is spelled) Not only was he very good looking- but he has this amazing voice! His style is definitely all his own, but he does remind me of a cross between Elton John and Billy Joel. (My favorite 2 artists). He plays the piano and sings... and I could listen to him for a long long time. Sadly, he came in 2nd place- but I'm sure that we will hear more of him in the future. If he doesn't get a record contract- then I'll be shocked.
LOST--- The most interesting and complex show on TV. I have to admit that season 2 or 3 seemed to be going no where- but this past season, it was really revived!! I can't wait until they begin again... and will not have repeats all season. Great move- as the reruns really are annoying and certainly add to the "losing interest" element.
Thursday Night: Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy
These 2 are both very guilty pleasures. Ugly Betty is just wacky enough to be funny, and the story line is interesting enough to hold my attention. Of course, ALL of the credit goes to America Ferrara. She is wonderful in the role. I hope they let her become "pretty" sometime.
Grey's Anatomy is so well written and well acted that I am addicted. I love this show. Of course, I wish there wasn't so much bed hopping involved.

So, that's it. I'm glad to have TIVO or whatever recording things that we use. I always let at least 20-30 minutes pass before I begin watching the shows. Then, as I fast forward past the commercials, I ususally end up in real time at the very end. Saves a lot of time and frustration.

I Love My Grandsons!

Ashton LOVES his brother Wyatt. He's trying to get him to stay still and to look at the camera.





Ashton loves to play on the computer!! The problem is... he loves it too much. And, he loves the Star Wars games where people shoot each other. I think we've decided that he's got to go back to the learning games.

When Wyatt comes over, he runs right to the big basket where we keep his toys. It's so great... when he's finished playing, all the toys get tossed right in the basket, we put the lid on, and it becomes part of our decor. We have a bunch of this rattan in our family room, and it adds style AND function.



It's sad to think that the summer is over. Ashton LOVES to swim in our pool, and to play his Star Wars in the sandbox. He's become a good little swimmer this year!

One time I heard him talking to himself, and he said, "no no no... they can NEVER move- unless it's another house with a pool in the backyard."

Early Morning Seminary

I am not a morning person! In fact-- I am SOOO grateful when I do not have to wake by an alarm clock that I will always ask Jack the night before, "guess what's good about tomorrow"? And he is sure to say, "let me guess..... you don't have to wake up early"? And he's always right! Let me qualify what I mean by early: any time before 8:00 am.

There is a truth about me: I truly appreciate each and every Sunday when we have afternoon church. (No alarm clock) And, on those alternate years when we have 9:00 am church- I literally count the weeks until January when we go back to afternoon church.

I also work four days a week. However, I schedule myself for the most part. And... I NEVER schedule myself before 9:00 am. Yes.... I love to sleep in. In fact- I can count the times on one hand that I've had to wake up before 6:00 am-- and that was usually to catch an early morning flight. (Which I grumbled about)

The only person I know who appreciates a late morning as much as I do is my good friend and co- worker, Tracy. She and I get along great- partly because we totally understand one another's need for a leisurely morning.

We were at work one day last spring discussing this very thing. I had just been released from my longtime stake calling, and we were speculating about what my next calling would be. As we thought about other Relief Society callings, Sunday School callings, and the like... we both sort of mentioned that it really didn't matter what calling we had-- as long as it wasn't the dreaded "Seminary Teacher" calling. We both sort of felt the chill in our bones as we tried to contemplate what it must be like to teach at 6:20 am. Neither of us are even conscience at that morning... much less showered, dressed, and out the door. I mean... I couldn't even imagine being able to FUNCTION... much less put two thoughts together. In short, we both concluded that there were people who were "seminary teacher" people and people who were not. We were definitely in the latter category. BIG TIME!

So- you can imagine my shock and dismay when the bishop of my ward came to visit in May. After the usual pleasantries- I said, "So, Bishop, I'm sure you are here to call me as an assistant to the assistant hymnbook straightener... right?" Wrong! He was there to issue me the calling of...... Seminary Teacher! And, before I could even get scraped off the floor, he mentioned that he had a different approach to Seminary in mind for this next year. Instead of one teacher- there would be 2. A team teaching approach! Okay..... and you'll never guess who he had called as the other teacher! Hello--- Tracy!!

So- yes--- you can be sure that the words you utter are heard. And- the Lord knows EXACTLY what you need to do to stretch and grow--- and will help to to get there.

That being said... I am getting up for Seminary at 4:45-5:00 am on the mornings that I teach. And- I am surviving! To be perfectly honest... I am enjoying it. (Maybe not the early morning business- but teaching is great.) The kids are wonderful and my love and concern for them grows each day. I LOVE reading in the scriptures! They are opening up to me in a way that I've never experienced before. I'm excited to help the class become closer to Our Savior and to help them "arm" themselves for the day.

It's going to be quite an adventure for the year! I'll keep you posted! (If I can keep my eyes open)

Our Seminary Class - The best kids EVER!

Our Door... It says, "I want to leave Seminary each day in such a way that the ddversary will say, "Oh no! They're armed again!"


We are studying the Gospels in Harmony. It's a great way to study the New Testament!

I Can't Believe that I'm starting a Blog!

OK-- I guess I'm hooked. After thoroughly enjoying Chrissi and Ben's Blog, and Sarah and T's Blog,( as well as many of their friend's) --- I've decided to put my toes into the unknown world of blogging. I'm not quite sure what I will say... or if I'll even be able to post anything of interest... but I'll be sure to learn a thing or two.
I do have some definite opinions about things... and so putting them down for all the world (or at least my two daughters) to read is a little scary. But- it will be fun too.
So- if you are reading my blog- feel free to post a comment. I would love to hear from you.
Now... if I can just figure out how to post a photo or two...