Happy Birthday Courtney

My second to oldest is now thirteen today! WOW
She is such a sweet daughter and very kind and loving.
She is a normal girl with lots of clothes and always wanting to primp..
We are going to celebrate at Ninja...Yummy
She chose to use her money a week ago when me and her went to Las Vegas for the weekend for a soccer tournament. It was alot of fun and has become a bonding experience for us one on one.
Courtney wants a cell phone so bad and we have told her that when she can pay the monthly payments on it that she can have a cell phone. It is hard to hold to this cause of Christmas and then her Birthday 4 weeks later. So far we are holding strong but its hard for me and there are days that I just want to give in. Also its my cell phone that she uses 24-7. Which means that I don't really have a cell phone. So today is kind of hard cause I would love to give her what she really wants. O-well I know that it won't be the end of the world but I always want to please everybody. I wish her the happiest of Birthdays... I will be getting started on her birthday cake which will be flip flops... I will post pictures if it turns out.

The Christmas Season

Today is a day to reflect on all that has been done for me and my family through out the last year. We are so blessed to have good family and friends that are there for us. I have great love and appreciation for all the people that are so giving. I would like to make a New years resolution to be better in this area. I have lots of good examples around me to help me be a better person. Now as far as my day has gone it started off with a "bang" literally. I tried out for a special swat team and was running through the snow and shooting a pistol, shotgun and a rifle to qualify. I came in second place and feel pretty good about it. The best part was how fun it was even in the freezing cold at 7 a.m. at 13 degrees. Having people evaluate how you react in highly stressful situations. It was a "blast" and hopefully I get to be apart of the team before too long?
It has been quiet in my house because my sister and brother in law took our 3 oldest children and have had them at their house in ogden for the last 4 days. Too bad that Scott and I couldn't have been there to enjoy the fun that they have been having. Thanks to the Palmers for making my childrens holiday so.ooooo good. We hope that all our family and friends have a good christmas and enjoy there holidays with the ones they love....... Merry Christmas

Don't forget to put out oats for the reindeer and cookies for santa!!!!

The worst day ever!

Well lets just say that I am glad that yesterday was in the past cause I don't want to experience another day like it for a long time.
It started at about 10:00 p.m. when I went into work to run with a couple of guys that are wanting to get into shape as I am. I arrived at work to find a female waiting for me to change and move up. Which is okay cause I now get paid for going to work out.
As I ran I tried to keep up with Doug and Engelstead but couldn't do it. Let's just say that they were running slow to try not to leave me behind. Then as we got closer to the jail three cedar city cop cars go by and drive into the jail. Not a good sign but okay because its my day off (I get to go home.) As I am seconds from getting into my car and going home Iron county sherriffs vehicle drives in and rolls down his window and asks if I will accept a female before I go. So I turn around and go back into work. This was about 11:00 p.m. I ended up accepting 3 females all into the jail and by this time it is 12:30 p.m. I run to my car and start driving home. I get about 2 miles from the jail and I see lights on and a cedar city police car behind me. Well I know that I have a head light out so when he gets up to the window and recognizes me he is disappointed that he knows who I am and he doesn't have any stats to add to his record. He tells me not to be driving around after dark until I get it fixed. I'm alittle frustrated but know that I am closer to my end goal which is "SLEEP". I get home and quickly take a shower. As soon as I get out of the shower my cell phone rings and I as an idiot I answer it. Once again I am asked to come accept another female into the jail. I hurry and slap some make-up on and drive to the jail with my hair still wet and no bra on but with a coat over my shirt to cover it up hoping that I don't get pulled over again for the headlight that's still out. I get to the jail and end up having to take the inmate to the hospital and wait why she trys to pee in a cup for 3 hrs. I get home at 5:oo a.m. Exhausted and frustrated cause my only goal was to get some sleep and it didn't happen.
I wake up at 9:30 to the next part of my horrible day. Its the principle of Gavins school. "Crap"

I slept right through the alarm clock and the two phones by me. Scott trys to call me at 8:15 so that I can get Gavin to school. Its very hard for me because I usually am just getting into a deep sleep. So scott had been calling and I think I vaguely remember talking to him and telling him that I'm getting up. As soon as I hang up the phone I drift back into sleep. So now when I answer the phone and its the principle I am upset because Gavin is downstairs sleeping right through school. I understand that he needs to be in school and I know that I need to be better but I just don't know what to do? Any way the principle is trying to be nice but basically told me that I was setting him up for failure and that he will always be struggling in school if he is not there. He has missed 12 days of school in about 4 months. One week he had strep throat and was very sick but the other 6 days have been unfortunately due too my lack of sleep and exhaustion that takes over and I just can't get up to get him to school. Any way I sound like a bumbling idiot and hang up the phone feeling like the worst mother ever. As I'm crying I dial my husbands cell phone and try to tell him what just happened. Hes upset cause I didn't get gavin to school and I'm upset because my feelings have been hurt and I need some support. Anyway so he says that he will come get Gavin and take him to school for me. At this point both kids are up and wondering why their "psycho" mom is crying. I am not a very happy person when I am tired and so my day starts off with a bad head ache and a splotchy face from crying and feeling sorry for my self. I try to clean as I'm getting ready for the day knowing of all the things that need to be done and errands to be run. The rest of the day was one bad thing after another happening. Nothing too major just little things like locking the kids out of the house accidentally, having to drive to courtneys school twice for her violin. Driving out to parowan which is 20 minutes from cedar to take a meal to someone from my work. ( I'm on the employee's association for the Iron county sheriffs) Trying to get pictures on a CD for the sheriffs party which I'm suppose to be helping with and getting a "dump" headlight so that I don't keep getting pulled over. I had to run Courtney to a soccer work out and then she had to play her violin at another wards christmas party. Then she needed to be taken to a wrestling match for points in one of her classes at school. Needless to say by about 8:30 p.m. I am exhausted and crawl into bed knowing that I'm suppose to be running at 10:00 p.m. (I didn't make it) I'm not good at writing down my words and so alot has been left out and not worded right. I am hoping that their are mothers out there who feel the way I do. Or maybe I am just crazy and can't see it.
I am hoping that I never have a day like yesterday but look at when I wrote this post. Its 4:00 a.m. and I can't sleep. I slept from about 8:30 to 2:00 and now have been up for awhile. Its very upsetting when you should be sleeping and are not.
I know that I would deal with situations better and be a better mom if I could get some"sleep".
Maybe it will happen tomorrow..... I am glad that the worst day ever is over........... Good night

The Fall Season

Well, the last month has been a whirl wind of stuff. Kirsten and Courtney got there braces on. Kirsten will have hers on for 16 months and Courtney will have hers on for 13 months. They were in pain the first few days and both thought that they looked ugly with them. I think that they are beautiful and braces just makes them look older to me. (which I don't like) Gavin has been running a fever for 4 days off and on. I will think that hes better and then he will get a fever again. Rylie is of course her normal important self. She always has to have her way or no way. Its getting old and shes making us crazy trying to discipline her. She won't potty train at all and I know that she can go on the potty when she wants to. She just won't do it. Its not fun and I hope that she will hurry up and decide that diapers are gross. Scott is busy and works 7 days a week and has done so for the last 2 years. What dedication he has to providing for his family. I know that I am blessed to have him. Me, well I am working and trying to watch what I eat. I started working out also. I have run for the last week about a 1.5 miles a day. It is really hard to exercise when your so out of shape and it seems that if you miss one day that you are back to the beginning. It is a constant struggle for me and I yo-yo but for now I am 12 pounds lighter and trying to lose some more.
I love this time of year and have gotten all my Christmas out. It really excites me for this special time of the year. I love the feeling of giving that can come around this holiday season. I hope that my children will feel that and know how important it is to be giving. My grandma that has passed away had given me a Christmas book that has stories and scriptures for every day in December and it is out on our coffee table ready to start reading. The kids all love to read it and we hardly ever miss a day. This has been a great tradition that I am so thankful that my grandmother took the time do for us. She has brought our family closer.
Thanksgiving is next week how fun it is to see family and eat!!!!! We get to have thanksgiving with my sister Melissa and her family on Wednesday and then we are going to St. George on Thursday for thanksgiving with my Mom and Dad and my other sisters. I am excited to visit but I know that Scott is tired and would like to just stay home. Not to mention that its not as fun when its the In-Laws........ Thank goodness that scott is easy going and a good sport. We always seem to have fun no matter the situation.
We hope that you will all have a good thanksgiving and a Happy Holiday.....

Time flys

As I take a minute to stop and breath another month has flown by without any time to write on my blog. Here is the month in review. Work, children being taxied to and from soccer, piano and friends homes. Courtney has been playing in soccer games and has about 4 more games to go in the fall season. Kirsten is doing piano and loving it. She is always busy trying to earn money. She is sewing in school and loving that. She has already sewed a pillow case and a pillow that is a big foot. She is working on sewing an apron right now. Gavin is struggling to read and is very busy boy. His teacher says that he gets frusturated and then he just shuts down and wont even try. When hes not trying he is bothering those around him. I guess that he should have waited until he was one year older to start school. As a parent sometimes the right thing isn't always forseen and done. Hes a good kid just loves to play...Rylie our youngest is three and she is very important. She resently shopping with her dad when she put a hat in the store and looked at her dad with her hands on her hips and her hair tucked behind her ears and sayed, " look at me I'm scott". She loves to be the center of attention. She is going potty in the toilet when she wants to. Which means that she wears a pull up and still has a problem if she is busy playing to stop and go potty. Potty training is difficult.
This to will pass and when its does we will look back and wish for the times when they were young. Its seems to go too fast.

The bake sale

Last week was a busy week but then kirsten our oldest decided that we should do a bake sale for our neighbors that during the past week adopted 4 kids from the same family. So we got busy and she made up flyers and distributed them around the neigborhood and I got busy baking. Hours later with a table and a huge sign they sat and sold yummy goodies. They did this on a weekend and earned about 75.00. Throughout this whole experience the girls learned about the power of service and how it can help others. After the bake sale Kirsten went and gave this money to the family. What a great learning experience for my family and all who helped.

Remember how great you are

The One Flaw In Women

By the time the Lord made woman,He was into his sixth day of working overtime. An angel appeared and said,'Why are you spending so much time on this one?'And the Lord answered, 'Have you seen my spec sheet on her?She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,have a lap that can hold four children at one time,have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart-and she will do everythingwith only two hands.' The angel was astounded at the requirements.'Only two hands!? No way!And that's just on the standard model?That's too much work for one day.Wait until tomorrow to finish.''But I won't, ' the Lord protested. 'I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.She already heals herself when she is sickAND can work 18 hour days.'The angel moved closer and touched the woman.'But you have made her so soft, Lord.''She is soft,' the Lord agreed,'but I have also made her tough.You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.''Will she be able to think?', asked the angel. The Lord replied,'Not only will she be able to think,she will be able to reason and negotiate.'The angel then noticed something,and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek.'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.''That's not a leak,'the Lord corrected,'that's a tear!''What's the tear for?' the angel asked. The Lord said, 'The tear is her way of expressing her joy,her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,her loneliness, her grief and her pride.'The angel was impressed.'You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything!Woman is truly amazing.'And she is!Women have strengths that amaze men.They bear hardships and they carry burdens,but they hold happiness,love and joy.They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry.They cry when they are happyand laugh when they are nervous.They fight for what they believe in.They stand up to injustice.They don't take 'no' for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.They go without so their family can have.They go to the doctor with a frightened friend..They love unconditionally.They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards. They are happy when they hear abouta birth or a wedding.Their hearts break when a friend dies.They grieve at the loss of a family member,yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.They know that a hug and a kisscan heal a broken heart.Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail youto show how much they care about you.The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning. They bring joy, hope and love.They have compassion and ideals.They give moral support to their family and friends.Women have vital things to say and everything to give HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN,IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH