OUR BUSY LIVES

Project 365/ Day 6: Down with the Sickness

2011-06-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

I'll leave it to your imagination who threw down who.

Busy Saturday. Two parties.

One high school graduation....next door neighbor.

One going away...family from church moving to Brazil for 3 yrs.

Too much fun...and too much to eat.

Had to work off our calories somehow!

Project 365 Day 5: King of Limbs

2011-06-03T21:00:00.000-07:00

YES....I ATE IT!

Just a little octopus our friend (and sushi chef) shared with us. Isn't he cute? Well, unfortunately he didn't turn out quite the way I wanted him to. I took multiple pics but they all turned out fuzzy here and there. So I fooled with this one and made him psychedelic.

The best part of tonight was SIMON is back! For those who don't know, Brian and I have been doing our Friday night date nights at a Japanese Tepan Grill called Sakura EVERY week for the last 3 YEARS. Simon is the sushi chef there and now is a really good friend of ours. You may remember seeing him in some of my Picture Perfect pics... BUSY and SIGNS . Well last month he announced he was moving back to China. We were so bummed. He wasn't there very long though. Too bad for him...but we're happy he's back. :)

Because of that I had to use a psychedelic song. Radiohead seemed to be the perfect choice. Especially with the name of their last album "King of Limbs"...perfect!

Simon didn't want us to take a pic of him tonight...but we had another surprise as well. Sarah worked for Sakura for quite a few years but left almost a year ago to pursue her nursing school full time. She was filling in tonight and it was a blast to see her again too.

Project 365/ Day 4: Slide Step Back

2011-06-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

A very important move if you do not want to be kicked by your teacher!

Jack & Spencer have been taking Tae Kwon Do for about 4 months on Thursday mornings. We were lucky enough to find a friend of a friend who does it for homeschoolers during the day. They are working on their yellow belt.

Cute video of old song, newer artist, new movie and kids. Jack picked it out. :)

Project 365 Day 3: Alien Imagination

2011-06-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

We stayed in most of the day as it was 99F and 90%humidity. Only ventured out to the library as that is also air conditioned. :) I don't know if any of you have seen Bakugan. They are Japanese action figures. Baku means "to explode" and gan means "sphere". These little magnetized monsters when closed are spheres and when they hit metal explode open. They are played with cards (kind of like pokemon and yughio) which have magnets in them.

The boys decided to put them on the bottom of a stool and I thought it gave it a space alien ship effect.
LOVE Linkin Park....this video I thought gave the outer space vibe. It's a nice melodic song, especially the chorus.

Project 365 Day 2: Swim plaid

2011-05-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

So first of all...YIPPEE! I was able to redesign my background and columns so that I can put larger size images on here!! That was the biggest reason I wouldn't post on here much. So I'll be sure to use blogger consistenly from now on as well as my Multiply blog.

Well, here is day number 2 and I haven't missed loading a picture yet. I'm on a roll!

Today was first day of Swim Team practice. I am so so so so so excited that not only Jack but Corinne will be swimming this year! Corinne has not swam for swim team in 4 years. Jack has swam the last 4 but really did not want to this year. I periodically asked him and he always answered with an emphatic No!

I should have gotten his "girlfriend" involed months ago. She came over for a playdate last weekend and begged him to join. To my amazement not only did he comply but Corinne said she would join if he would. A very happy mom I am!

Today we went to buy their suits and while I was there I snapped some shots of all the different colors and styles. I really like the way this one popped out with the colors and lines. Not what the kids are wearing for their team, but their colors are green and black. I'm sure there will be pictures of them in their suits before too long.

I think I'm going to take this opportunity to put a video in each daily blog as well. Something I'm listening to that day. I've been listening to a lot of Amos Lee lately. I was bummed I missed his concert a few weeks ago when he came to Baltimore, sigh. well, maybe next time.

"WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN"

perfect combination with swimming and summer i thought.

Project 365/ Day 1: Corinne & Ray

2011-05-30T16:25:00.000-07:00

My cousin Heather, who is a professional photographer, specializing in newborn baby portraiture

http://www.heatherblairphotography.com/

decided to start this project where she posts one photo to represent that day in her life. She asked me to join her and I thought it was a fabulous idea and I invite everyone to join in with me!

I thought Memorial Day was a fab day to start...but any day is a wonderful day to begin! This morning I asked my daughter if I could try a new "waterfall" braid on her hair. I came upon a hair tutorial on youtube and found some really cute hairstyles. Thankfully she enjoys being my guinea pig and I love it! I wanted to head out back to get some pics of her hairstyle and she grabbed Riemann too. He hates the camera and always looks away when I try to get pictures of him. But evidently he hates kisses even more. Here he is looking at me like HELP while Corinne tries to give him a smooch. hahaha Priceless. ;)

and because it's Memorial Day, I wanted to share this amazing video by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing "America The Beautiful" on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial. Those same steps I stood on when I was in D.C. to take pictures of the cherry blossoms!

POPCORN POPPING ON THE APRICOT TREE!

2011-04-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

OUR ART PROJECT THIS WEEK!

Goes quite nicely with the Cherry Blossoms I took pictures of last week down in DC. :)

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.

Spring has brought me such a nice surprise!

Popcorn popping right before my eyes.

I can take a handful and make a treat.

A popcorn ball that smells so sweet.

It wasn't really so, but it seemed to me

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!

To see the rest of my DC pics go HERE

Dora's Digitals: Relief Society Connection

2011-04-02T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ohhhhh....gonna use this! blogging it here so i can remember where i found it and print it out later. :) Dora's Digitals: Relief Society Connection: "Have you been wondering how to keep your auxiliaries updated with the happenings of Relief Society? Give this a try! Binders Covers: Downl..."

Smash Factory: An evening enjoying our friend's band

2011-01-09T20:52:00.000-08:00

Our Friend, Aaron White, Brian has known just about forever and I have known him since I was a teenager. We grew up going to the same church. Aaron and his bandmate Steve played/sang Extreme's song "More Than Words" at our wedding....almost (cough)20(cough) years ago. Time passed, their band broke up. They married, had kids, lived awesome lives. Then 15 yrs later came back together and formed another band. Aaron is the lead guitarist and Steven lead singer/guitarist. Their drummer is Calvin and bass player is Dave.

We went to see them play last night and they RoCkEd!!! \m/

Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, Md.

2010-12-28T06:31:00.000-08:00

Since I haven't been on Blogger in a while, I'm catching up! Putting up a few highlights of what has been going on the last couple months. We saw the Christmas lights in OC when we were at my parents house for Thanksgiving. We met my cousin and her family there the day before Thanksgiving. A Christmas time tradition we've been doing the last couple years since my parents moved to Delaware. Here are a few pictures and video I took! The light display is quite extrodiary. It gets better each year! The theme is the 12 days of Christmas.

I uploaded my pics backwards...still not used to doing it on blogger. i need more practice! :) Here are 3 of the kids with Santa. Spencer did not want to sit on his lap.

But he did enjoy some Hot Chocolate with Jack!
Jack loved posing in front of the lights for me.

The cousins in front of the pointsetta tree (sorry about the smudged lens)

and on the tram ready for the ride to see the lights!

Alter Bridge Baltimore concert @ Ram's Head Live 12/16/10

2010-12-28T06:17:00.000-08:00

Well, we've been waiting 2 years to see them again! It was well worth the wait, the best AB concert we've seen so far. We saw them 3 times in 2008. Twice in Baltimore and once in upstate New York at a festival with Godsmack. It was awesome seeing them with Godsmack but this last concert was a better one for AB for a few reasons. One, their new music...love it! The new ones in their playlist were Slip to the Void, All Hope is Gone, Ghost of Days Gone By, and Isolation. Wish they would have played more new stuff, especially my favorite, Wonderful Life. The crowd was REALLY into it...another reason this one was better. No moshing, everyone was singing along and cheering the whole time. Even with the new songs most everyone was singing along! Myles really loves it when we sing with him and he said we were the best US crowd so far. :) It definitely makes a difference when the crowd gets into the music. The band feeds off of it and gives us a better performance.

So here are the two videos I took from that night:

And here is the full playlist. All 19 songs played in Baltimore. Most of the videos are from the Baltimore show that night, but a few I couldn't find so put in the song they played (in order) from another show.

"Back To Cali"

2010-08-13T11:02:00.000-07:00

Just something else for me to drool over...

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy

official video released today!

FRIENDS & FUN

2010-07-17T04:06:00.000-07:00

This one if full of action..Jack & his friend Robert. If nothing else though you HAVE to watch the end starting at 5:10 and see how well Jack & Spencer harmonize. :)

OVER THE HILL & THRU THE FIELDS TO GRANDMOTHER'S

2010-07-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

not much action in this one.

a look at where brian & i work,

over the bay bridge,

in my mom's beast of a garden

& jack's funny way of eating his breakfast.

we just took a couple day trip to my parents at the beach last week

& i forgot to upload this footage.

Angela Johnson sculptures of Christ

2010-07-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful video & message by the amazing artist

Angela Johnson.

Her exhibit is in the Washington DC LDS visitors center

now through October 31st.

Everyday 10am-9pm

Free Admission

HAPPY 4TH! STARRING CHRIS "THE HAM"

2010-07-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

ummm...so i sound like a horse saying wooo to jack hahahaha. ugg. i'm learning still. :)lol

this is a very fun video starring my friend Chris. I went to high-school with him and hadn't seen him is 25 year until we met up on facebook and saw each other with a group of others from high school at a local club. we've done those a few times now and he & his wife invited us over to their house for the 4th. Thanks Chris & Sharon!! He did a great job setting off the fireworks and was very entertaining in front of the camera for sure. :D

FRIDAY NIGHTS = SAKURA TIME!!!!

2010-07-03T20:42:00.000-07:00

Where we go EVERY friday night!!!

loads of fun

and yes, i giggle WAY too much

just ask my kids! :)

EARLY MORNING SWIM TEAM PRACTICE

2010-07-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

not always the easiest especially when it's cold.

OUR FIRST VLOG!!!

2010-07-01T11:34:00.000-07:00

So I've been wanting to VLOG for a long time now. I ran across http://www.youtube.com/user/SHAYTARDS last year and have been following this amazing family everyday. I've hooked Brian, Spencer & Jack as well and Jack has been asking if we could vlog too. Well, Brian surprised me for our Anniversary with a Kodak Zi8!!! SO EXCITED!!!! We'll see how well I can do this. The first one is pretty comical in that I'm not good at it yet. But it will show our life and I thought it would be great to put on my blog. A look into our life. 8)

Ryan Bennett Tribute

2010-06-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

Ryan Bennett

August 20,1970 - May 31st 2006

Brian's cousin passed away in a car accident May 31, 2006. Four years ago yesterday. Ryan's younger brother, Randall, put together this video shortly after and shared it with us via Vimeo on FB today. It's hard to believe it's been four years already. What an amazing family.

Ryan was co-founder of popular MMA news site MMAWeekly.com and host of hit radio show Sound Off Radio.

He was an in-ring interview for the UFC (great footage with Chuck Lidell in the video) and also did play-by-play for organizations including WEC, Rumble on the Rock, K-1, IFC, and more.

Love and hugs to Ryans family who continue to strongly mourn his loss.

Ryan Bennett Tribute from MMA on Vimeo.

Jack made the school talent show!

2010-05-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

He was so nervous last week when they had try-outs for the elementary school talent show (3rd, 4th & 5th graders). Yes...they had try-outs. I was surprised, but when I saw how many kids tried out I understood why! Jack chickened out at first. Parents weren't allowed in, but when the 3rd graders came out after auditioning Jack wasn't with them. I asked his friend where he was and she didn't know. She said he didn't do it. So after all the kids left I started to walk back toward the auditorium and out he came with a teacher. He ended up doing it and the teacher was really impressed! I still wasn't sure if he would make it since he wouldn't do it at first, thinking they wouldn't want someone who is scared to perform in front of an audience. But he came home yesterday saying he made it! He was SOOOOO EXCITED. He said it was the best day of his life. So he's been practicing and practicing, and getting better. Not perfect yet, but he's got one week! He's feeling more confident now and says he will be less nervous. Tomorrow is rehearsal after school so that will give him another chance to do it in front of a group of people before the talent show. Way to go Jack!

By the way, he learned the first part of Fur Elise in one day so he could do it for the talent show. He's always been good at picking up piano tunes by ear. I played the first part for him and asked if he wanted to learn it, he said yes, so I taught it to him. It took him a week to get smoother with it and now he's starting to pick up some speed. With more practice I think by next week it will sound perfect!

Testimony of the Book of Mormon: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

2010-05-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

I have read this book, and study it along side the Bible. I do believe it to also be the word of God through the experiences, teachings, and revelations of the ancient people who left Jerusalem before it was destroyed (600 b.c.) and were lead by God to the promised land (the americas). They are part of the scattered tribes of Israel..."other sheep I have which are not of this fold" as Christ told his disciples of in John 10:16. He visited these other sheep after his resurrection just as he visited the Jews. There is record of this in the book of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon.

I know this book to be the true word of God as well as the Bible because I have prayed about it and have felt the Holy Ghost bear witness to me of the truthfulness of these words. In the last book of the Book of Mormon, in Moroni 10 it says, "(3)Behold I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts, (4)And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. (5)And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things. (6)And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is. (7)and ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost;"

sweet peace

2010-04-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong. On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right.” Living the gospel does not mean the storms of life will pass us by, but we will be better prepared to face them with serenity and peace."

--President Howard W. Hunter, "Following the Master", Ensign, Apr 1995, 21

It's been really hard to try and blog lately, or facebook, or e-mail.....anything on the computer the past couple of weeks. I received immediate inspiration as soon as the Bishop asked me to recieve this calling to READ THE SCRIPTURES. I've also since last Saturday been fasting (I'm on day 6 of 10 days) to help me focus even more and prepare me for those things my Heavenly Father would have me do. I've read through the Book of Mormon once and have started again in the last 2 weeks. It's been wonderful reading straight through without stopping to study and ponder further, but am getting wonderful inspiration and enlightenment along the way. I will continue to read and re-read all the way through until I feel I am guided to do it differently.

The quote above I received this morning in e-mail from LDS nuggets. I love how these daily messages always pack such meaning into what is going on in my life THAT moment and always is just what I need to hear. I am ridding myself of things that really had me miserable these last few years....what started out as a hardship seemed to drag me down to almost unbearable circumstances because of the choices I made. Hardships will not cease to be and I know I will continue to be confronted with stumbling blocks, but because now I KNOW how much harder it is to be without Jesus as the center of my life I hope to be better prepared and gladly endure to the end.

Mommy time

2010-04-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Well, with the weather finally nice, spring break (all last week plus this Monday), going to my parents for Easter, and being busy with my new calling.....I've not found time to blog!

I was very happy I got to spend the 3rd weekend in a row w/my mommy! 3 weeks ago we went down together for my cousin Gabe's wedding in Topsail Island, North Carolina. Last weekend she came here for Jack's baptism and we spent a nice long relaxing weekend at her house for Easter.

When I say relaxing I really mean it. We didn't really cook that much either. We didn't have a lot of family over. A lot of times extended family comes to celebrate with us too but we decided to keep it simple this year. We helped her rearrange some furniture in her house to better accomodate my dad. Friday night we went to her neighbor's house & I learned how to play Canasta--fun! Saturday Corinne & I spent the morning taking pictures in Lewes, Delaware (the first city in the first state) for her blog. Last week's picture perfect theme was "oldie but goodie" and she got some really great shots!

This is the one she used for her blog: it made her smile :D

Here are some other I liked!

As we were walking back to the car I had to take this spring-time pic. Love the purple flowers against the purple house and the still bare tree branches.

That afternoon we went to Agave Grill on Main Street in Lewes. We've been there before & LOVE their fish tacos!!!!

Jack was being a cute lil man

and Spencer was being his funny self :)

I may get to see my mom tomorrow again too! She coming this way to have lunch w/friends (former co-workers) and has invited me along. I'm loving all this time together. :)

very special weekend

2010-03-28T10:59:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling overwhelmed with emotion after this weekend. Our youngest, our baby, our little man, Jack, was baptised yesterday! It was a very nice small get together with just family. I was happy my mom drove the 2 hrs to witness it and be there on Jack's special day. Brian's parents came and said the opening and closing prayers. They are spiritual giants and a wonderful influence and example to our family. I am so blessed to have such amazing in-laws. Brian's brother, Kevin and his girlfriend Crissy came too. It was so nice to have them there as well. Bishop Jones, presided..a wonderful wonderful man. I cannot express fully how thankful I am that he is my current Bishop. He has helped me in so many ways.

Spencer did a great job reading the 4th article of faith: "We believe the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are, first, faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, second, repentance, third, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and fourth laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost." Then Chris gave a wonderful talk on Baptism. I was very impressed with his words and overwhelmingly felt the spirit as he gave it. Brian then baptised Jack which was very cute. :) As they were getting dryed off and dressed I played a slideshow with pictures of Jack growing up and selected primary hymns.

Corinne then shared the scripture, D&C 33: 10-11-- "Yea open your mouths and they shall be filled, saying Repent, repent and prepare ye the way of the Lord, and make his paths straight; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand; Yeah, repent and be baptised, every one of you, for a remission of your sins; yea be baptised even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost." I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and then Brian confirmed him a member of the church and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost throught the Melchizedek Priesthood which he bears. The Bishop and Brian's dad also participated in this ordinance. Then the Bishop welcomed Jack into the ward and gave him some words of wisdom and Sister Mucciarone, the primary president welcomed him as well. Thanks to all who were there and helped make his day special.

The family came back to our house and it was very nice to visit & have some good eats! :D

Today they sustained a new Relief Society Presidency. Audrey P. is our new President, I am her 1st counselor & Whitney N. is her 2nd counselor. WOW!!! I was just called to be a Relief Society teacher a few months ago. That calling I only teach once a month and have only given 2 lessons. This was very surprising, so I am very humbled as well as honored and excited. I've known Audrey for a long time. My first calling in the Young Womens Presidency (back when I was pregnant and just had my first baby Chris!) was with Audrey as the President. She is a truely wonderful sister. Whitney is new to our ward. :) Her husband is the teacher of the "teaching is no greater call" class in which Brian & I have been particpating in. They are a beautiful young family & have 3 kids. So I'm very excited to work with Whitney and get to know her better. A big thanks to our former Relief Society Presidency who did an AMAZING job. Kim P., Katherine R. & Verity L.. They left very big shoes for us to fill!!

Starlight~Slash ft. Myles Kennedy

2010-03-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I may be getting Slash's new CD (self-entitled Slash) just because of this song. :) But in all sincerity I'm excited to hear all the songs. It looks like an awesome playlist!!!

of course Myles Kennedy is lead singer of my favorite band, Alter Bridge
I'm loving this rock ballad. Myles's 3 octave range is beautiful as always.

Full Album Track List -
01. Ghost (Ian Astbury, feat. Izzy Stradlin) (3:34)
02. Crucify The Dead (Ozzy Osbourne) (4:04)
03. Beautiful Dangerous (Fergie) (4:35)
04. Promise (Chris Cornell) (4:41)
05. By The Sword (Andrew Stockdale) (4:50)
06. Gotten (Adam Levine) (5:05)
07. Doctor Alibi (Lemmy) (3:07)
08. Watch This Dave (Dave Grohl, Duff McKagan) (3:46)
09. I Hold On (Kid Rock) (4:10)
10. Nothing To Say (M. Shadows) (5:27)
11. Starlight (Myles Kennedy) (5:35)
12. Saint Is A Sinner Too (Rocco De Luca) (3:28)
13. We're All Gonna Die (Iggy Pop) (4:30)

Bonus tracks
14. Baby Can't Drive (Alice Cooper, Nicole Scherzinger)
15. Paradise City (Fergie, Cypress Hill)

GOT IT!!!

2010-03-22T12:32:00.000-07:00

Brian was too scared of the wrath of Kimmy to open my signed Mark Tremonti poster while I was gone so it was one of the first things I did when I got home! Now I just need to frame it and figure out where I'm going to hang it. :)

It's official--Chris is a certified driver!

2010-03-17T09:43:00.000-07:00

Went to take his test today & he passed with flying colors :)

starting

here we go!

turnabout

parallel parking

looking good

perfect!

he passed!

Congratulations Chris!!

Now you can run all my errands ;)

signed Mark Tremonti Guitar Edge cover!

2010-03-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

I WON!!!!

About a month ago I posted an interview with Mark Tremonti from Guitar Edge magazine.

HERE

I had found the link to the article from Alter Bridge's myspace page & noticed that Guitar Edge was on FACEBOOK. So I friended them.

Well.....yesterday GE posted as their status that they were going to give away 3 signed copies of their Mark Tremonti cover! So I changed my pic to the one with the pink AB shirt I bought at their concert in Darian Center NY (along w/Godsmack) we went to in June of '08 and had all four of them sign. Then i liked and commented on GE FB status. About an hour later I got a message in my inbox that I had won!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!!

Can't tell you how excited I am. :)

btw--my kids think i'm one crazy momma ;)

Kim Holler Durrant is a fan of

Guitar Edge Magazine

Create your Fan Badge

driving, food and school

2010-03-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

Chris should have his license soon! He took the driving classes last September but then things just got crazy and we've been procrastinating his driving time w/the instructor. My mind has been on so many other things and I just keep forgetting to call them and schedule. He reminded me yesterday and he's going out today, tomorrow and Thursday...then he'll be ready to do the driving test! YIKES!!!I'm excited for him though. He's been waiting a long time for this. He's had his learners for a year and a half and is already a very good driver. It will be nice to send him on errands too. He's turning 18 in two months and will be ready for a real job. More opportunities for him once he is 18. He worked for Brian @American Cedar two years ago over the summer. It was a great experience for him...hard work and regular 40hrs a week. He's turning into a man....sniff sniff.

Yesterday was SUCH a nice day! It's finally starting to warm up. I hope we are done with all the snow! Brian actually took me out to lunch AND dinner! We've both been so sick this past week and we didn't go on our usual Friday night date for sushi. I wasn't really feeling like going anyway since Simon, our regular sushi maker is gone for a month to China.

So we went to Miss Siagon for lunch. Brian & Jeff (his co-worker) both had pho and I had stir-fry tofu & veggies...yummm.

Then we went to Sakura for dinner and had a nice surprise as Lee was making sushi! (Lee is on the left and Max is on the right being funny w/my bunny ears...hehe)

He's an awesome grill chef and in the past has also made wonderful concoctions in the back for the rest of the employees to have after work is over. We have been lucky enough to enjoy some of those meals with them--some of the best stuff i've ever tasted!

Jack has been stressing about MSA's (Maryland state assessment). They put so much pressure on the kids for these. He's only in 3rd grade! He's an honor roll student and really cares about his grades and stresses if he doesn't do well (a first out of my kids). Today on the way to school he asked if middle school, high school and college were going to be hard. I told him it could be challenging but he's a smart guy and he can handle it. He asked me how I knew that...hehe. poor kid. Brian and I have already decided we would homeschool Jack as soon as he is done with elementary school. We are soooo tired of Old Mill. The teachers/administration/guidance have been so hard to deal with. The schools in AA Co. are just so overcrowded that so many kids fall through the cracks. I'm so glad I have been able to stay home and school them myself. What a blessing to have the resourses at your fingertips today to be able to do so. So many more families are homeschooling these days. I'm not saying it's better or worse, I'm just glad it is there as an opportunity for us.

funny how things happen :)

2010-03-02T16:33:00.001-08:00

As part of a Christmas present to my brother-in-law I gave him a coupon to clean his house once a month for the whole year of 2010. For some reason he thinks I have mad cleaning skills! Of course I do have my own cleaning business, but it's commercial, not residential. When I was going to BYU I earned xtra money cleaning their science building every morning so I knew I could do commercial cleaning pretty well. But residential is a whole-nother ballgame. I never feel like my house is all the way clean since we have four kids that are constantly messing it up. I have cleaned my mother/father-in-laws house to help them out before too, but never have done residential cleaning for money so when recently I started thinking about extending my business to include this I was nervous. I have been looking online to see what I could find on pricing, what all is included in the cleaning, and anything else that may go into that side of the business. I've been mulling it over in my head for about a month and just yesterday I told Brian I was thinking about doing this, but only by word of mouth for friends, etc. Since I'm homeschooling I don't really want it to be a full-time thing, but I think I can handle 2-4 clients a week. So today when I went to my brother-in-laws house to clean he said the receptionist where he works asked him if I was looking for any new clients! She has a sister that lives about 10 mintues from my house that is looking for someone. I told him that is sooo funny I was just thinking about that! So he's going to have her call me. :)

Asperger's Officially Placed Inside Autism Spectrum

2010-02-25T13:58:00.000-08:00

My Spencer is an Aspie...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833

Asperger's syndrome is really just a form of autism and does not merit a separate diagnosis, according to a panel of researchers assembled by the American Psychiatric Association.

Even though many researchers already refer to Asperger's as high-functioning autism, it hasn't been listed under the autism category in the official diagnostic guide of mental disorders, called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, or DSM. The DSM serves as a guide for mental health professionals and government agencies.

But a new draft fifth edition released Wednesday moves Asperger's officially into the autism category, provoking a wide range of responses among people with Asperger's — some of whom say they do not want to be labeled as autistic.

Redefining A Disorder

Instead of including a diagnostic category for Asperger's, the DSM 5 draft includes traits associated with Asperger's, such as difficulty with social interactions and limited, repetitive behaviors, in a broad category called autism spectrum disorder.

"The intent is to try to make the diagnosis of autism clearer and to better reflect the science," says Catherine Lord, director of the University of Michigan Autism and Communication Disorders Center. Lord is part of the group that decided to consolidate autism-related categories, including Asperger's.

But the change is going to be hard for some people with Asperger's, says Michael John Carley, executive director of the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership in New York and author of Asperger's From the Inside Out. "I personally am probably going to have a very hard time calling myself autistic," says Carley, who was diagnosed with Asperger's years ago.

Many people with Asperger's take pride in a diagnosis that probably describes some major historical figures, including Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison, Carley says. Under the new system, those people would represent just one extreme of a spectrum. On the other extreme is "somebody who might have to wear adult diapers and maybe a head-restraining device. This is very hard for us to swallow," he says.

Yet Carley says he agrees with the decision to fold Asperger's into the autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

Reworking The Book Of Mental Disorders
When clinicians see a patient with mental health issues, part of their job is to determine if the patient is experiencing temporary emotional struggles or if the patient has an illness. To do this, doctors rely on the bible of psychiatry, a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The DSM lists all the mental disorders recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.

The book is also used by insurance companies to decide which treatments they'll pay for, and by courts to help determine insanity or other mental conditions.

The APA is releasing a new draft of the DSM Wednesday, the first major revision since 1994. This latest version of the book, the DSM 5, proposes some significant changes to the following disorders:

Bipolar Disorder"Cutting"Binge EatingBlurred Lines From The Start

Since 1994, when the fourth edition of the DSM added the Asperger's category, health care professionals have struggled to find a way to separate Asperger's from autism, Carley says. "Every time they've tried to draw that line it's been proven false in practice," he says.

Right now, the diagnosis often hinges on a person's language skills. But that's pretty subjective and can change as a child grows up, researchers say. "The categories are just not used by clinicians in a reliable fashion," Lord says. A single category for autism spectrum disorder will let clinicians stop agonizing over which diagnostic category to put someone in and focus on their specific difficulties with communication, or social interaction, or information processing, he says.

The change makes a lot of sense, says Roy Richard Grinker, an anthropologist at George Washington University who has studied autism in various cultures. He is also the author of Unstrange Minds, a book about his daughter, who has autism. "As somebody who has a child with a diagnosis of autism, I want to be able to turn to the official criteria and see a description that sounds like my child," Grinker says. "Right now my child sounds like three or four different disorders."

When his daughter was 4, she met the criteria for classic autism, Grinker says. Now that she's in high school, she would probably be considered Asperger's or maybe just a quirky kid, he says.

Eliminating the Asperger's diagnosis won't mean that people in that category will lose access to services, Grinker says. That's because "almost anybody with an Asperger's diagnosis also could qualify for what is called autistic disorder," he says, adding that the change could make it easier for some parents to get help for a child with Asperger's.

Right now, states including California provide services to children with autism but not those with Asperger's, Grinker says. "So removing Asperger's really removes what is a false barrier to parents getting care for their kids."

back in session

2010-02-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

Well all that snow is just about melted and we are supposed to get hit with another big one! I sure hope not. The homeschool review I was supposed to have earlier this month was postponed due to schools being cancelled because of snow and it's rescheduled for this Friday.

I haven't blogged in about a week or so. Since reading that homeschooling book i posted before I've been having too much fun with Spencer and more hands on approach to his learning. Boy has it made a difference!

Originally when I started homeschooling him I bought the CALVERT home school curriculum. I'm glad I did because I really didn't know where to start. Even though I went to BYU studying elementary education, I had never been a teacher and didn't know everything that I should be teaching him at each level. I was very nervous, but leaving him in the public school was looking less and less to be an option and we just couldn't afford trying a private school. One day during the summer of 2005 a friend of mine I was close to when we lived in Annapolis called me out of the blue. I hadn't talked to her in probably a year. In our conversation it came up that she was homeschooling her next to youngest and would be doing the same with her youngest once he was old enough using Calvert. It's an accredited curriculum and you have access to education counselors & advisory teachers who grade your students end of unit tests which you send to them. They keep a copy there and this goes to the county school board so you don't have to worry about doing reviews with them. But after 2 years of using Calvert, I decided to try a different route because with his Aspergers he had difficulty in his reading/writing, but excelled in math, science. I needed to do something that was not all same grade level inclusive. When I did this it was not such a struggle/fight for him to do school work....especially the language arts. He wouldn't shut down and not try. Slowly he has worked himself up to a level where he is reading without struggling to sound out the words. He still doesn't like writing, but he is doing it.

After I read the homeschooling ideas book I decided to put more effort into doing more things that he really liked/showed interest in. Mainly this involves science and experiments! We've been doing 2-3 related experiments a day and have started to wait until the afternoon to do this, when Jack is home, because he loves them too. :) This was one they really liked!

this one was fun too!

The Tone Behind The Man

2010-02-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

(love his faces he makes while playing--could watch him all day!)

MARK_TREMONTI~The_Tone_Behind_The_Man:

interview w/Guitar Edge

Tell me about Creed’s newest disc Full Circle.

Tremonti: We just wanted to make a record that showed six years of gained experience since the last Creed record. We didn’t want to put together something that sounded like the last one, so we gave it a facelift, per se. That was the only real agenda that we had in mind with this album.

How did Creed get fired back up again?

Tremonti: We had new management that Scott [Stapp] had reached out to in contacting all of us to set up a meeting to talk about touring again. After that, there wasn’t any tension and everyone realized what happened in the past was something we could all overlook and move on. It would be such a shame to throw away such a unique experience to be able to go out and tour arenas again. It’s so exciting. The biggest thing we feared in our camp was having to go and dig up the past; asking who said what, and pointing blame. Thankfully, we didn’t have to do any of that so it made everything so much easier in moving forward.

Tell me about the tone you went after on Full Circle.

Tremonti: When I went to the studio we had a lot of amps to pick from. Along with the 15 or 20 heads the studio provided, I brought in eight of my amps to play with. For each song we would piece together the perfect combos. Most of the time it was a mix of the Boogie [Mesa Dual Rectifier] and the [Bogner] Uberschall together for the distorted parts. We also mixed the Diezel Herbert for some of the lower and heavier parts. We just catered to every song’s individual needs.

I remember in your earlier days you almost exclusively used all Mesa amps. What got you into mixing the Bogner Uberschall with your Mesa tone?

Tremonti: I’ve always been a big fan of mixing tones together. The [Mesa] Rectifiers have my core tone that I’ve always gravitated towards, but sometimes for lead stuff it can be a bit too bitey and harsh. So I used the Uberschall’s tone to calm it since it has a warmer and rounder sound to my ears. On that note, I’m a fan of a lot of amps. I’m an amp junkie so I get really carried away with buying amps. I was online last night and it looks like I’ll be purchasing a Cornford very soon. [Laughs]

Any other amps that have blown you away as of late?

Tremonti: I really love Bogner stuff. Every time they come out with something new, it just blows me away. I actually just bought a Shiva 1x12 Combo and that’s actually all I play on at home right now. It’s great for leads since it has such a warm tone, but it’s also something I can write and rehearse with. That thing has a more rock and roll tone compared to the edgy tone I use live, but it’s the best combo I’ve ever used. Also, I was at Rudy’s music in New York a few months ago and tried out the new Ubershall with KT88’s in it which really blew me away. Lastly, I really like the Mesa Boogie Mark V, as well.

You’re also the lead guitarist of Alter Bridge. is it difficult to maintain that position in two high profile bands at once?

Tremonti: It’s a lot of work but it’s something I enjoy. We have been working every day for the last month and a half on the next Alter Bridge album. We already have 17 song ideas arranged and we are heading to the studio before the next Creed tour this summer. Alter Bridge, to me, is an outlet for the more artsy, experimental and heavy stuff. I am able to branch out into a different area that I might not go to with Creed. Creed has more of pop sensibility that appeals to me as a guitarist, as well. So, nothing goes to waste.

What can you tell us about the direction of the next alter Bridge album?

Tremonti: The first handful of songs really started out heavier because I realized that’s what I grew up on; speed metal. My niche has always been in metal bands so my influence really showed in the beginning. After that, everyone voiced their concerns on making sure there were dynamics and intricate moods. Now, it’s turned out to be a really well-rounded record that’s getting me excited to start recording it.

You decided to go with Michael Baskette, who produced your last album, Blackbird.

Tremonti: Yes. He is a great producer because he is not afraid to raise his hand and say “Love the song—hate the part,” which normally sends our vocalist Myles Kennedy and I to our computers to scroll through all the parts of the songs to pick out something that will fit. Of all the producers I’ve worked with, he’s the one who pulls stuff apart more than anyone else and we respect him enough to let him do that. It makes the record better and it makes us better.

With Creed’s world tour coming up in the spring, this obviously won’t be an album where you spend a ton of time in the studio.

Tremonti: The Creed tour starts at the end of April, so it’s been a fire drill putting this together. I think sometimes when you’re forced to work fast and make the most of your time, it makes your brain open up in different areas that can really help make you more creative.

You make a lot of guest appearances on albums. anything new brewing in that area?

Tremonti: I don’t have anything I’ve helped out with as of late, but I did get really excited about an unsigned band from Europe. I actually have the CD right here. The band’s called Tequila Rockin’ Bird. [Laughs] A fan of ours came out to a show and gave me their demo. We put it in and were just blown away. It sounded like old school Maiden… but heavier. We ended up hooking them up with opening up for Alter Bridge for some shows on tour. The fans loved them and hopefully we can play with them again soon!

What’s your “Gear that got away” story?

Tremonti: Well, I’ve lost stuff through theft that I wish I had back. For actual gear, I wish I still had my first half stack. It was a Crate G1500. [Laughs] When you’re a kid, your first half stack is the best thing in the world. I loved it at the time. I probably wouldn’t now, but I would like to have it back as a keepsake.

You’ve had gear stolen from you?

Tremonti: I’ve been a victim twice. The first time was in Boston—it was my first Les Paul that I ever bought. I grew up on it. It was my baby and I never let anyone touch it. [Laughs] We were doing a show where there were a lot of bands playing in the same area. We were young and stupid. We had a van with a trailer that had all kinds of radio station stickers on the back so it made us a big target for theft. We woke up to finding the lock picked off on the curb.

Ouch!

Tremonti: You’re telling me. The second time was at our rehearsal studio. That time I lost a couple PRS's and effects racks. It’s funny because whoever stole all the stuff, stole all of the stuff that was programmable; plus my guitar. So someone came in and stole my tone. It turned out that it was someone that was fired from the rehearsal studio that still had a key.

PRS and you have had a relationship for quite a long time now. Other than your signature guitars do you have any other PRS's that you cherish?

Tremonti: One day I went to the factory and Paul handed me a 2002 or 2003 Dragon and asked me what I thought of it. I just was like, “It’s spectacular!” He responded with, “Good, because I built you one!” [Laughs] I was just blown away. I have it in a display case at home and would never play it. I don’t think it’s meant to be played; I mean the whole body is inlayed. It’s incredible. Another cool thing about the guitar was that I got the original artwork that was done by Jeff Easley, the artist behind Dungeons and Dragons. I was a huge D&D nerd growing up so that was really cool.

Any new techniques that you’d like to share with Guitar Edge readers?

Tremonti: Right now, I’m in learn-everything- I-can mode. I’ve been just scanning though YouTube looking at videos by Greg Howe, Guthrie Govan, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. I try to learn as much as I can from my favorite players. Lately, I’ve learned more from just listening to guitar players talking about their theories on simple things that you sometimes overlook.

Everyone in rock seems to be dropping their tuning, going to baritones or switching to seven strings. What are your thoughts on that?

Tremonti: PRS actually gave me a single cut 7-string that was just wicked and I’ve tried to spend a lot of time with it, but it hasn’t become natural for me yet. I get frustrated easily because I have a very limited time to play having two kids and two bands. If I sit down with it for an hour and I can’t vibe with it, I just pick up my six string to get away from it. I’ve done that time and time again with the 7-string. As for baritones, I used the PRS Mushok signature on “Time” on the Full Circle record. I liked that guitar.

Considering your speed, are you very particular about your picks?

Tremonti: I’m using Dunlop 1mm’s right now. I switched to the Jazz III’s for awhile because I thought they were my answer, but then I noticed I was having trouble picking aggressively between strings. I could fly on a single string run, but I was falling behind on some of the snappy pentatonic riffs. You don’t realize it until you pick up a pick and get used to it for a day just how much it affects your playing. I might try a heavier pick soon, though. I know Guthrie Govan swears that the heavier pick you use the better response you’ll get.

You’re also a guy who doesn’t use in-ear monitors. I understand you bring your own custom floor monitors to every show. is your hearing shot?

Tremonti: Yes. My monitors are just as big a part of my rig and tone as anything else. I rely on what I’m hearing on stage since I don’t like in-ears. As for my hearing, I got my hearing checked about a year ago and the doctor said I was average for a person my age so I’m going to keep using what I’m using. [Laughs]

You have so much going on in your life. With having a family and two touring bands, is it hard to get excited about playing sometimes?

Tremonti: Never. I get excited every time I pick up the guitar. It’s what I love to do. I especially love going to work right after writing a new record. It seems like over the years I’ve learned how to write records that are fun to play. If you write a record that’s no fun to play, it’s no fun to tour. So I’ve learned to write songs that are fun to play right from the start. That’s a big lesson that you pick up over time that keeps you loving every aspect of playing.

Back To School!!!

2010-02-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

FUNNIEST COMMERCIAL EVER!

...and how i felt this morning after Chris & Jack FINALLY went back to school after a week and a half off for snow!!! It's been so frustrating because I can't get near as much done with Spencer and Corinne's home schooling when the other's are off. I try to at least get them to do some work though. We got a lot done today and it's nice to be back into routine.

I went to the library with Spencer in the morning. He picked up a Magic Tree House book, a book on Karate (yes I've been wanting to sign him up for this for a while now since he's been asking) and a book on Canada. I thought it would be nice for the young one's to read a little about the country where the Olympics are being played!

I also picked up these 3 books for me.

Already read the homeschool one....LOTS of great ideas. I'm really excited.

This photography one will be used as a text book for Corinne's class.

And this one is so I can understand Spencer more and maybe find better ways to cope and help him. It's very interesting so far. He has not officially been diagnosed (by a doctor), but after reading things online I figured that's what he is, and now reading this book....he definitely is.

Winter In Colors

2010-02-15T23:24:00.001-08:00

click to enlarge

I took this picture last December after a light snowfall, in Annapolis. I started playing around with the color saturation and thought it would look cool put together in a collage. I'm thinking about printing the collage as a poster and framing it. Not sure where I would hang it. But I love the way it turned out!!!

Valentine's celebration with friends

2010-02-15T06:20:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors John (in red) and Andrea (grey) had the great idea of us friends going out to dinner to celebrate Valentine's Day. Since he knows we go to Sakura every Friday night, he thought it would be fun for all of us to go there. It didn't dissapoint! John and Andrea had been there with us before and I know a few other times on there own, but I don't think any of our other friends had been before. They all loved it!

Bev & Dave, Brian & I, Jenn & Randy, Andrea & John, Brian & Alison

Bev is a Valentine baby & turned 40 this year.
Leave it to Jenn to find the funniest cake for the occasion!
Happy Birthday Bev!!!

Back to Brian & Alison's after dinner for some fun in the hot tub.
me, Bev & Alison

me, Bev, Alison & Jenn

These girls are lots of fun...and the guys aren't too bad to hang out with either. :)

Love is in the air

2010-02-15T05:37:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY~Love_Is_In_The_Air:

Hope all my friends and family had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!!

2010-02-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

click to enlarge picture from NASA

Nicknamed “snowpocalypse” and “snowmageddon,” an exceptionally severe winter storm dropped several feet of snow around the Washington, D.C., area in early February 2010. Crashed and abandoned cars littered roads as airlines canceled hundreds of flights. Even the DC Metro train system stopped functioning in places.
The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this true-color image on February 7, 2010, showing part of the region affected by heavy snowfall. Snow blankets the area hundreds of kilometers inland from the Atlantic coastline. Along the latitude of New York City, however, snow cover thins considerably.
Authorities urged residents to stay indoors, but hundreds of thousands lost electricity. The Washington Post reported that the snow-induced standstill might last until midweek, especially if a second winter storm arrived as predicted on Tuesday. As of Monday morning, government offices remained closed, and many streets remained unplowed

We have so far accumulated 80" of snow this winter! Blown away the previous record of 62"...and we're not finished yet!!! We currently have 5ft on the ground.

Jessica Lowe's Vlog - HunDuddle

2010-02-10T10:01:00.000-08:00

I met Jessica 7 years ago on a little LDS group of ladies, most of us young mothers, on OPRAH'S website. Since then Oprah's site has changed and we are no longer there. But through blogs and facebook most of us still are involved in each other's lives. 5 yrs ago Jessica (who is from Rockwall Texas, but currently living in Jacksonville, NC with her Marine husband & 5 kids) she came to visit me...back when she only had 2 kids! Her hubby, Austin was down in Virginia for boot camp and she spent a few days with us. She is super cute and funny and her blog is always entertaining.

http://www.thelowefamilynews.blogspot.com/

Her new endeavor is starting a Vlog. She has done video's on her blog in the past so I'm sure this will be a blast!! Looking forward to it Jessica. She is wanting all her friends to pass the word and get as many ppl to follow her. She likes attention. ;)

This HunDuddle Hussy button links you to her Vlog

Her Vlog is currently set to private while under construction and will be up and running on Monday!!!

I survived Maryland Blizzard -- Feb. 2010

2010-02-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

30" TOTAL!

AND MORE TO COME! ANOTHER FOOT TO 20" TO FALL TODAY/TONIGHT. UGG!

2010-02-05T22:42:00.000-08:00

This weather forcaster CRACKED ME UP....telling it just the way we all felt.

We have had more snow than I EVER remember having in Maryland and it's just not going to stop any time soon. We had 2 ft of snow the week before Christmas, then another 4 inches or so the following week.

Then in January we had a couple snowfalls, each 3-5 inches and Fri-Sat we're supposed to get another 2ft, then Wed-Thursday another foot.

SNOWPOCALYPSE!!!!

I put my pretty face on for the camera though.

You would never know how I really feel...

I went out around 10pm and shoveled. The snow is sooooo wet and heavy, and it is seriously blizzard conditions. I had to wear a scarf to cover my face to keep the pelting snow from burning. By 1am it barely looked like I shoveled out there and it's still coming down hard. I was going to shovel some more, but the wind was so strong it blew me right back in the door! There was no way I was going out there again.

Well...maybe for a second to get a picture of my poor fir tree. You can't really tell here but it's a 6ft tree. I had to cover the camera & lens so the wind wouldn't get to it.

This I took from inside, upstairs. From this angel you can tell a little bit that I shoveled.

Not looking forward to tomorrow!!!

From Myles Kennedy blog:

2010-02-04T04:26:00.000-08:00

Still in the Womb
Greetings

I hope you are all well.

We are already a month into the new year....pretty hard to believe. I feel like it was just yesterday when I was back home for the Holidays. The truth is, I have been down in Orlando putting together AB 3 for the last month. Things are moving along nicely. We are still in the middle of Preproduction with Elvis (our producer). He is bringing out the best in us like he always does. I think I will stop calling him Elvis and start referring to him as George.......as in George Martin (the 5th Beatle).

For those of you who don't know what the term "preproduction" means, I won't bore you with the gory details. I will say it is the most crucial part of making a record (other than writing the songs). It basically consists of sitting with the producer and making sure that the song's arrangements are solid. Does this verse need a different kick pattern? Does this riff have a smooth enough transition into that bridge? yada yada yada.

If one were to hear what we have completed thus far they might be led to believe that this is going to be a dark and heavy record...I am going to hold off on committing to that set of adjectives until the record is done and let you decide. How many times do you hear a musician (especially a Rock Musician) say "Dude, this record is gonna be the heaviest record of our career!" It gets kind of predictable. How refreshing would it be to hear a Rock artist describe his or her next record as "a collection of easy to digest radio singles that will please everyone from Soccer Moms to ABBA fans." Not that being a Soccer Mom is a bad thing......and I love ABBA!!!!! Who doesn't?

So what is happening with my Solo album? I'm trying to juggle my schedule so I can lay down the rest of my vocals and solos. Speaking of solos, yesterday Slash was kind enough to add some of his guitar genius to one of my tunes. As always, he knocked it out of the park! They don't call him one of the best guitarists of all time for nothing. I can't wait until you hear it.

I am still trying to figure out the best time to release my record. I have been inspired by those of you who have expressed that you are looking forward to it. It makes me happy to know that someone other than my Wife and dog will give it a listen.

I really do miss seeing all of you.....trust me, in the coming months I will return from the creative womb....back to a stage near you.

all the best

mk

NO SCHOOL DAY FUN!

2010-02-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

First of all I have to say I'm getting a little faster at this blogging thing on blogger. It took me forever to figure out what size to make pictures so they would fit on this blog site without getting cut off. So the more I do this the more wordy I might get because I'll have more time to write. :) Not sure if those reading will appreciate that or not!

So this winter has by far been the snowiest winter we've had in a loooooong time. In fact this past year we have had a LOT of precipitation. Our backyard has pretty much been a boggy mess since last Spring. The kids don't get to play back there much and if they do it's just to get on the trampoline. Luckily there is a field right on the other side of our fence where they can play and get rid of their energy.

This is the view from our back yard out onto the field and up to the hill the kids enjoy sledding on when it snows. We've been getting lots of that in this winter! I decided to go out with camera this time since I'm trying to blog every day. :D

It was such a beautiful day...look at those blue skies!

I can't believe the kids had off school. They said it snowed 4-5 inches, but to me it only looked like 2. At least this morning anyway...and it melted fast since it's over 32 during the day. It drives me crazy that they get off school with only a few inches. It messes up my homeschooling the 2 middle kids and at this rate the other 2 will be in school half the summer!

Jack's trying his hand (and feet) at snowboarding...minus the snowboard.

Peace mom...look at me loungin. That's his friend Robert behind him.

I loved this photo of all of them at the bottom. So colorful. Jack had fun! Spencer decided not to go out today. He's such a lazy bum...haha.

Jack going faster on his new sled

he had to get mom on too....i'm such a noisy girl. :)

Winter Wonderland

2010-02-02T20:48:00.000-08:00

Today I had a beautiful drive up to my brother-in-laws through some countryside that was so beautiful with the winter snow. It's been snowing a lot this season! Luckily only the first snowfall so far was a big one. The last couple of times it's only accumulated 3-6 inches. Sunday was 5 inches and it's snowing again tonight. The frustrating part is that Maryland schools close so quickly. It totally messes up my homeschooling the two middle kids and I'm sure will eventually lead to a longer end of year school year for the ones who are in public school. Since I've set the goal of bloggin everyday I'm trying to keep the camera on me at all times. Here are a few of the pics I took on the way!

From LALA-Land!

2010-02-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

We got a package in the mail from LaLa (my mom) today for Spencer and Jack! She has started to make these ear scarves made out of fleece that are super warm. She's trying all sorts of different styles and is going to try and sell them. This season has been exceptionally cold so the boys will get great use of them!

Brian thought he looked pretty macho in the bow that wrapped the present.

These are knitted with fleece lining--love them! They match their winter coats too.

Save that for later Brian...I'll be right with you. <3

Jessica's give-uh-way....

2010-02-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

http://thelowefamilynews.blogspot.com/

Go to Jessica Lowe's blog to see GORGEOUS costumes made to order and

the cutest little girl dresses her friend Valinda made for

her give-uh-way!!

OK JESS!

2010-01-30T17:36:00.001-08:00

So I'm going to just come on here and write something daily....no matter how boring or dull my day has been. maybe that will get me back into blogging again. I promise not to be too long winded if I'm having a dull day!! Hopefully I can share fun things about each day. And maybe a picture or two as well.

Today we were pounded with snow. :T

looks pretty, but I absolutely hate going out in it.

Isn't Reimenn's coat cute? My mom makes them. :)

Poor thing doesn't look very white in the snow. Guess it's time for some puppy beautification.

This was a fun picture I wanted to share too:

I gave our kids some new chores and Spencer's is taking care of the pets. He gets to feed the dog, cat & bird, clean the kitty litter and take the dog for a walk DAILY!

So far so good!!!! I thought it was funny he needed a scarf to do his inside job though. :)

I've been spending time this afternoon commenting on my

PICTURE_PERFECT

group.

This weeks theme was "MOVEMENT"

I chose to share this photo of Jack I took in 2008.

Does it look like he's moving fast?

A close 2nd...and much faster, which I didn't share was

this picture of the Blue Angels I took last summer.

I like the editing effects but I thought the picture of Jack was a much better picture.

OK....SO THAT'S ALL I GOT FOR TODAY!

SEE YOU TOMORROW!!

(unfortunatly i had to shink the last two pictures too small to appreciate. i guess you can click on them to see them bigger.)

2010-01-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

So Jack's favorite group is SHINEDOWN

We used to listen to it every morning b4 going to school and then in the car on the way to school. He knows every word to all of the songs on their "The Sound of Madness" CD, and to quite a few of their other older but popular songs. We took him with us to their concert in DC December of 08, over a year ago....his very first concert at the age of 7! Anyway, I had my youtube playlist going and was out of the room, working around the house. Jack must have heard Shinedown come on and went in and started singing at the top of his lungs. It brought a smile to my face and I went into the living room to see if Brian was hearing him. Well, both Brian and Corinne were laughing because they heard him as well. I just HAD to get the camera. I tried to get him without him seeing me, but it was too far away so I went in and asked if he would sing for the camera. We started the song over again and this is what we got. :)

It's been a while again since I've blogged!!! I HAVE started a journal however and hope to write more on here as well. I am getting better about writing like this. I used to blog pretty regularly up until 2 years ago then it just became hard to do. I think I'm back on track now. ;)

Creed vs. Alter Bridge

2009-09-27T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm a little torn. I feel like a traitor watching and singing to

CREED

again! When they split up in 2004 I was somewhat bummed but understood that the band members, led by

MARK TREMONTI

(I melt whenever I see him or hear him play)

decided to split, mostly due to lead singer Scott Stapps overuse of alcohol and possibly drugs. We went to a Creed concert in 2003 @ Nissan Pavilion in Virginia and absolutely loved it.

The following year however, my brother-in-law informed us that Mark Tremonti (lead guitar), Brian Marshall (bass), Scott Phillips (drums) and Myles Kennedy (previous lead singer for Mayflower Four) formed a new band

ALTER_BRIDGE .

We bought their CD, "One Day Remains" and FELL IN LOVE!!! Not a bad song on there. My favs are

METALINGUS , OPEN_THEIR_EYES & BROKEN_WINGS

but really love them all.

Then they released "Blackbird" in 2007 and again.....not a bad song on there!!!!

WHITE_KNUCKLES is rockin'!!

I cry every time I hear WATCH_OVER_YOU . Myles sings this acoustic version beautifully on their DVD: Live from Amsterdam. They also had Cristina Scabbia of "Lacuna Coil" do backgrounds for another version and I love trying to sing her part. :)

ONE_BY_ONE is one of the best songs I've heard in support of our troops and fallen heros.

And BLACKBIRD is such a beautiful song w/Tremonti doing what he does best for his guitar solo.

I'm not exaggerating when I say I listen to these guys EVERY DAY. We went to see them in concert 4 times in the last 3 years (this past year they didn't tour). We even drove 5 hours to see them perform with Godsmack in upper New York. It was soooooo worth it! I got to meet them, hugged Mark Tremonti (yes I melted and felt like a young school girl groupie) & Myles Kennedy.

I got them to sign my shirt (while it was on me...hahaha) and they signed their blackbird CD for me as well.

Only 2 more days until their DVD comes out, Live from Amsterdam!!!! I've been waiting a year for it and can't wait to be able to watch my favorite band any time I want. On 10/4 we're going to see Myles at Ram's Head Live in Baltimore as well as the Paul Reed Smith band--very stoked!

So Alter Bridge fans (including us) have been very leary of Creed getting back together. We don't want to see our favorite band split up! There was talk earlier this year that Myles was going to go on tour with Led Zepplin as their lead singer, but that never happened. We have been informed however that Alter Bridge will continue to be together. Like I said, their DVD is out this Tuesday, and they also have a new CD coming out in 2010.

Meanwhile Creed is touring now and their new CD, "Full Circle" is being released 10/27/09. They set a Guiness Book of World Records last Friday night at their Houston, TX concert for "most cameras used for covering a live performance event". They had 242 cameras as they broadcast live on-line at http://rockpit.com/ .

I video taped some of their songs, including their new singles

"OVERCOME"

and "A THOUSAND FACES".

The original band members, Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall & Scott Phillips are back together, along with Eric Friedman who plays awesome rhythm guitar and sings powerful back-up.

It was nice to hear him sing their old songs too.

"WITH ARMS WIDE OPEN"

"SAY I"

"FACELESS MAN"

"TORN"

ROCK ON CREED AND ALTER BRIDGE!!!

Turning 42

2009-09-12T08:08:00.000-07:00

Despite my birthday being on September 11th, I am able to enjoy my me-day again. A big part of that is due to my family, especially Brian, who loves to spend time with me and is great at feeding me. :)

A very lovely surprise awaited me the day before, when I came home from picking up Jack from school. A friend from church whom I've known since my family joined when I was 8yrs old and who I consider another mother figure in my life, brought these by the house while I was gone. Chris was home & accepted them from her, but unfortunately didn't know her name and when I asked if it was Carol he kept telling me no. He was describing what sounded like her though so I finally found a picture of her on facebook (in her son's pictures) and found out...yes that's exactly who the cupcake angel was. <3>

I did have to get up early to go to work...4am. Since I wasn't feeling well the day before and didn't go in. When I got home though, around 6:30am. Brian was up and had breakfast all ready for me and the kids. He always knows how to use a little flair with his presentation....this time using sriracha smileys. The one on the left looks a little like Jimmy Durante don'tca think?

He took the day off of work to spend with me and we relaxed all day together and went out to Miss_Saigon to have pho for lunch. Just what a girl needs on a rainy day....yummmm. Especially yummy w/sriracha (yes i'm addicted to the stuff) and hoisin.

The day ended w/an exciting evening out with the girls!!! Some friends who are mother's from school/swim team along with a slew of friends of friends...nurses, went for a fun fitness party to Xpose. I was cracking up laughing when I was first invited and found out what it was, but totally had to try it and I'm glad I did!!! They gave us fun names according to certain letters in our real names. I am "Princess Silver Thong", but only my girlfriends and hubby are allowed to call me that. ;) We started in a huge darkened room w/chairs where we did some fun, sexy, aerobic moves to upbeat music. We learned the names to these sexy moves and one by one we each had to perform one of these moves to the girlfriend on our right while she sat in her chair. I had to give Bev a "hair flip saute". She was very nice to me while I performed for her...hahaha. After we each did our thing we all did the routine again using all the moves we learned and at a faster pace. Then we moved into the Pole room! We learned how to spin, twirl and lots of other physically demanding things that were so much fun. We all agreed we sooo have to do this again!!! You definitely get a workout and it is way more fun than ANY fitness program I've ever done!!

Here are some very cute cards from the kids that made me smile. :D

Chris--yes I love elephants! also love his cheesy smiley!!

(you may want to click on some of these to enlarge and see everything written)

Morgan (Chris's good friend who spends LOTS of time w/us and went on vacation w/us this summer.) As you can tell I have given him a few haircuts and he likes pretending he has muscles...haha.

Corinne & Dani (Corinne's bff)--this was a huge card and they felt it was the best of the bunch. I loved it too.

Spencer--He didn't want to make me a card but the older boys made him. He has a hard time doing things like this because of his impaired fine motor skills so I was impressed!!!

Jack's love note he made me & Bri at school

2009-09-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

In honor of our troops and all lives lost on 9/11/01. I'll never forget that day, as i'm sure many, especially americans, who witnessed the horrific events. For me, it was my birthday. A beautiful sunny morning. The neighborhood kids had brought me hand-made b-day cards before heading off to school. I got my older kids on the bus and was getting jack ready for his two-week well baby visit to his doctor. I was still physically getting over just having a baby and was enjoying my morning getting this together to leave the house. I had cartoons on the tv for spencer who was 2 yrs old. My mom called to ask if I had the tv on and i told her "Dora"...lol. She said a plane crashed in to one of the towers in NYC, so I turned the channel right b4 the 2nd plane hit. I was talking to my mom and shaking, wondering what on earth was going on...also hearing the fear and astonishment in the newscasters voices. I finally had to say good-bye to mom and get ready to take jack to the dr. On the way I had the radio on and heard a 3rd flight had hit the Pentagon and a 4th plane was missing. That's when it hit me what was possibly going on and thought....this is the beginning of the end and we are now at war. While in the Dr.'s office I was so jittery not knowing what was going on. They didn't have a tv or radio on in there. I couldn't wait to get out so that I could turn the radio back on in the car. By the time I got out I heard the plane had crashed in PA.

Then my mind turned to ppl I knew who could have been affected by these crashes. I had a cousin who worked in New York and a friend from church who worked at the pentagon. I called my mom back to see if she had heard from her sister and knew if my cousin was ok. I think she hadn't (of course all the phone lines were soooo busy that day) but we heard the next day that she was fine, but had a close friend who had dropped off a child at daycare and turned around to get the child right after the first plane hit.... they both got out ok. Our church friend was not working that day either and so was ok too. The eeriest thing though was NOT hearing the planes the week after the event. We live in BWI's flight path and hear planes go overhead ever 5 minutes. We almost don't even notice it anymore except when your outside having a conversation either on the phone or with a neighbor and talking from a slight distance. You have to stop what you're saying until the plane passes. So when there were no planes flying it was too creepy. Being close to D.C. though every once in a while you would hear a plane in the distance (military) and that would be even scarier!

Since then my b-day has never been the same. The first couple years really sucked. I just didn't want to be reminded...it was very depressing. I have gotten past feeling bad that it's on my birthday though and can celebrate my day happily again, but will still never forget what happened 9/11/2001. God bless all the family's that lost loved ones and the hero's that helped.

My Baby is 8!!!

2009-08-31T06:35:00.000-07:00

The last of my kids hits the Big 8!

A very special age since he is now old enough for baptism!!

Since his birthday is in August, right before school starts it's always hard to get friends to come to his party. But we sent out save the dates the last day of school in june and we got some more friends to come this year. :) UNFORTUNATELY hurricane rain decided to show it's face that day and we had planned a pool party. Lightning and torrential rain started 1/2 hr before the party started. So I had to call everyone and tell them we were going to start the party at the house to do food/cake/presents and then hopefully go up to the pool after that. It worked out great. The rain stopped right b4 the party started and didn't come back. So the last hour we spent at the pool and we were the only ones there!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Jack

Happy Birthday to you!

Who's gonna be the first to blow out the candles?

Gotta lick the candels. :)

Taking some underwater pics with his new camera

Some of my fav pics of Jack over the years:

He was scheduled to be delivered a week early because he was big, 8.3,

and I'm...not so big. Thanks Dr. Williamson!!

Chris, Corinne & Spencer hung around until the pain got really bad

6 hrs of labor and he arrived!

The only time Spencer got near Jack was here. After that he had a complex

about having a baby in the house.

2 months old portrait taken w/handmade blanky made by

Aunt Leslie

First Halloween. Notice Spencer does not want him ANYWHERE NEAR HIM! haha

First Christmas. He was soooo sick. Spent New Years in the hospital.

First b-day. Chris and mini-Chris.

3 amigos. by this time Spencer loves his lil bro.

Yes, Corinne actually drew on his face with marker!

Anyone who has been to my house knows that I collect elephants.

So when i saw this costume I HAD to get it!!!

Age 2, right before i cut off his golden hair.

Funny hats at Busch Gardens, Williamsburg.

Puppy love

The day we got May

Daddy's little helper

Mommy's little helper

What all little boys love to do

Climb trees

park near Blowing Rock, N.C.

LOVE this pic of father/son

Chiquita silliness

I wonder where he gets his silliness from?

at the beach this summer

Happy Birthday my funny little man!!! I love you. <3

where has the summer gone?

2009-08-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

Well, school starts next Monday. Got all the back-to-school shopping done...as they say "it's the most wonderful time of the year"! It's been a good summer though so with mixed feelings I send 3 of my 4 off to school. I'm still homeschooling Spencer...and probably will through HS.

Chris is a senior this year!!! It's so hard to believe. Seems not so very long ago that I graduated, and from the same school. He wants to go to electrician school in D.C. after he graduates and then move to California with a friend of his who has family out there and said would hire them. He's working hard on getting his drivers license. Going to school for that now. It took us a while to sign him up. Loved the days when we were young and it was free at the public school. He's had his learners since last November so he is doing very well and will pass the class and test with flying colors I'm sure.

It's been a long summer for Corinne, but a good one. Her freshman year was a hard one for her. Hopefully she has learned from her mistakes. She spent most of the summer with my parents in Delaware, near the beach, and had great fun with a good friend there plus helped my mom out a lot. My mom said she enjoyed having her there and hopefully next summer she can come again and get a summer job at the beach! We have been working on renovating her room all summer too. It's just about done. I'll post pics when the rest of the stuff comes from JCPenney's and all the decorating is done. :)

This year will be the first that i'm homeschooling Spencer without an expensive all inclusive accredited curriculum. I've been doing that the last 3 years and I feel I can find everything I need on-line and seperately @online-stores & local teacher stores for much cheaper. Homeschooling has definitely been a learning experience for me!!

Jack has been the busiest this summer with swim team everyday except Sundays all the way thru the last day of July. He did very well this year in learning to do proper breathing for freestyle learning breast and butterfly strokes.

He's 8 this Friday and will be getting baptised soon!!! What a proud momma I am. <3

Jack's Opening Day

2009-04-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

FotoFriday ~ MAKESHIFT

2009-04-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

FOTOFRIDAY-MAKESHIFT

Funny...I was going to blog about this today anyway as Jack just finished this "stringed instrument" for his music class project this morning. I thought it fit in nicely as MAKESHIFT for picture perfect.

FOTOFRIDAY~Black/White

2009-03-06T02:37:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY:BLACK/WHITE~

Taken same time as my PP pic last week on Lines. From Annapolis Rock. Our daughter Corinne is resting on a rock before we hike back down the trail. I spotted her sitting there and just had to capture the pic. I love this pic in color but in b/w it just gives her that extra darkness that her mood seems to be saying at the time.

McPuke...

2009-02-25T07:33:00.000-08:00

That's what brian called what he cleaned up the other night after spencer started spewing all over the place 2:00 in the morning! Yes, we've been passing the flu around since Brian's mom was at the hospital last week. Brian got a call from his dad 11:30 last Wednesday night that mom was really in bad shape. Since she's diabetic after several days of not being able to eat and everything either coming up or out she was near death's door. Brian told his dad to call an ambulance and he went to follow them over. He then called me a little after midnight to tell me his dad was also sick and was stumbling around as well. He is diabetic too and had forgotten to take his meds that day because he was so worried about mom. When they got to the hospital he was in the bathroom the whole time getting sick. So I came and took him home, made sure he took his meds and insulin, drank some gatoraide and went to bed. Then I went back and sat with Brian and his mom until I had to take the kids to school.

Anyway--she was in the hospital for 4 days. We couldn't help bring her home because Brian got sick Saturday and was in bed all day and I got sick Sunday. I"m telling you it's the worst thing I've had in a long while. Since neither one of us felt like cooking Sunday I had Brian pick up McDonald's for the kids that night. That's where the McPuke came from....hahahaha. Poor Spencer. And Poor Brian, who cleaned up the mess while I was cleaning up Spencer and making a place for him on our floor to sleep...of course with a bucket next to his head. Brian's brother, Kevin, was the one who helped bring mom home and he ended up with it Monday as well.

STAY AWAY FROM US!!!! haha. just wanted to state why i haven't been around in a week. don't have enought energy to post a blog. i have been on FB however. funny how that works! but since lots of family are on there it's been nice to keep all of them up to date with what is going on. hopefully i'll be doing blogs again here shortly.

another questionnaire...25 random things. :)

2009-02-08T04:17:00.000-08:00

I’ve tried doing this list for a month now but it’s been hard thinking of 25 things & then I get distracted. The last time I tried I was in the middle of the list and my computer shut down…ugg. Maybe I’m not supposed to do this list? Haha. Anyway it’s been fun reading about all of my friends lists so I guess I better do mine now too. :P

1. Thanks to Stacey, my cousin, I’m back on Facebook. I was on here a few years back but was pretty bored with it. This time around I have found many long lost friends and connected with family that normally are pretty hard to keep in contact with. It’s been so much fun!!

2. I have a myspace too…mainly to keep an eye on the teenagers, but enjoy the music on there as well.

3. I went to nursery school (with Stacey) in an old building on 1st ave. in Glen Burnie. Went to Linthicum elementary school through 6th grade. Went to old mill north for 7th and 8th and old mill high school.

4. I have 4 kids…my oldest are now going to old mill high school! Yikes…I’m too old. I home school my 10 yr old who is severely inattentive ADD and has reading disabilities. My youngest goes to rippling woods elementary school.

5. I’m an only child and my husband is 5th of 7 boys.

6. I love being part of a large family!

7. I’ve known my hubby since I was 8 and he was 10 when my family joined the LDS church. I spent many fun times over his house when I was little…mostly playing with my now brother-in-law Kevin. I don’t remember much of Brian from back then. He was older and I was probably scared of him. I was very timid back then!

8. When I was going to BYU Brian came out to visit his brother Scott and we had a great time climbing Y mountain. That was when we first “noticed” each other. He started calling me after Christmas that year and after a few months we were planning our first date when I came home in May.

9. We dated 6 wks. Before getting engaged, but were engaged exactly one year. He asked me to marry him June 22, 1990 and we married June 22, 1991.

10. I just had to ask Brian when our anniversary is. I can never remember the exact date!!! How crummy a wife am I???

11. Hubby and I have been going out every Friday for our date night for about 2 years now.

12. We’ve been going to Sakura every Friday night (unless something else is going on…but MOST every Friday night) for about a year now.

13. I took dance for 10 yrs (tap, jazz, ballet) when I was young and really really really want to get back into some kind of dance. Especially after seeing how much fun my friend Christina has belly and ballroom dancing!!!

14. I hate cold weather. I hate being cold. I never wear socks so my feet are always cold!

15. I love being outside in the summer time. My kids are on swim team so I’m up and at the community pool every morning by 7am.

16. I love working outside taking care of my vegetable garden, flowers and even the lawn. It’s very therapeutic for me.

17. I am now writing this list on word document (so it can be saved) because the battery plug in for my laptop doesn’t work and when it becomes unplugged my computer shuts down. It got disconnected on number 13…..why am I still doing this list?! Haha

18. My dad was a lefty pitcher for the Orioles minor league and was room mates with Jim palmer but threw his arm out pitching a slider and never made it to the majors. He was my softball coach for many years and I loved playing, but was never any good. I was scared to catch pop-flies and wasn’t strong enough to hit the ball very far. But I could however bunt very well and was so fast that even though the other team knew I was bunting they still couldn’t get me out at first. :D

19. I started my own cleaning business a few years ago when hubby’s company wasn’t happy with the ppl. that cleaned their offices. I go in at 4am twice a week and am learning how to be a morning person.

20. I got pulled over by the police going to work in the early morning because my back lights were out (my van keeps blowing fuses). I then found out I had been driving on a suspended license for 3 years—what???!!! I had no idea, supposedly for an unpaid ticket. I had to call Brian at 4am for him to come and get me because the police wouldn’t let me drive away on a suspended license. Thank goodness he heard the phone!!! Then I had to go to court and was scared because they could have actually locked me up! Very stressful December…haha. Luckily we just had to pay the original ticket and nothing else, phew. I guess because I had a clean record…hadn’t been pulled over in at least 3 years!

21. I love going to the beach, but hubby hates it. My parents live near the beach so I take the kids there for 2 wks every summer while hubby stays home. It’s a great vacation for him too as it’s peace and quiet!

22. I love to laugh and can’t help laughing out loud. I hate my laugh though it’s much too loud. My daughter always mocks me when I laugh. My husband loves making me laugh in inappropriate places like in the middle of church…soooo embarrassing.

23. I love going to concerts with my hubby. We went to see Alter Bridge 3 times, Shinedown twice (we took jack our last time), Godsmack, Sully Erna’s (Godsmack’s lead singer) acoustic show & Hootie and the Blowfish once last year….as well as a few unsigned bands. Really want to see Opeth & Lacuna Coil this year and wish Kenny Wayne Shepherd was on tour again!

24. I hate T.V., hardly ever watch it.

25. I collect elephants. It started with some that my grandmother had and gave to me and I added to the collection with my first job at Scrimshaw Traditions in Annapolis mall. Since then my family & friends have given me lots of great ones. My favs are one from my brother in law Kevin made of white china with green painted clovers on it he got on his trip to Ireland and one from my sister in law Leslie blue cloisonné she got on her trip to China.

and of course, yet again my hubby had to do it too...

25 Randumb things...

Here we go...

1. I hate doing these surveys. (mostly)

2. If it takes me a month to plan and execute a random survey, it's not random.

3. this is a random survey.

4. My music tastes change with my mood.

5. My mood can be changed by music.

6. My ear itches.

7. I scratched it.

8. I'm glad that my ear is the only thing that itches.

9. I love my kids dearly even when they drive me crazy.

10. I miss sitting around my parents table with my brothers after softball discussing every play of the game.

11. I'm lucky enough to still like my job more than I hate it.

12. I like Alter Bridge better than Creed.

13. my wife collects elephants. i collect tools. they're both mostly for looking at.

14. I love my 7yr old the best because he still believes i'm always right.

15. I love my teenagers too, they think i'm never right.

16. My parents are on facebook.

17. I don't know the size of my carbon footprint, but my nike one is 11!

18. I believe sweat pants are for wearing around the house, not to Wal-Mart or work.

19. I love my wife now more than ever.

20. I finally understand how my mother felt when she worked to prepare food for us and then had to yell at us to get us to come and eat. I hate that.

21. Sugar was the best dog ever...she loved kimmy too.

22. I loved pets when i was a kid, now I prefer other people to have them.

23. I'm a lover, not a fighter, and if you don't believe it I will kick your ass!

24. tV is a huge waste of time. Occasionally I waste time.

25. " I am not perfect, and I don't claim to be..." I'm trying to be a better version of me!

FIRST BORN...questionnaire

2009-02-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born! Just copy and paste it in a new note for yourself!

Let's see how much you remember!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
not really

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
he was pretty much a honeymoon baby

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
scared to death, but when brian was excited that made me happy.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
no way

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
23

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
hpt

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
left the hpt on the bathroom counter for brian to find.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
yes....i'm very impatient. brian didn't want to know but when i found out i couldn't help but tell him. i'm not very good at secrets either.

9. DUE DATE?
may 25, 1992

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS
all day sickness for 1st trimester

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE
starburst candies!!!

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
i don't get irritated

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
A Boy!!!

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
i was hoping for a boy.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
23 lbs and left it all at the hospital. love those first babies!!

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes. 2 showers

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
family/friend shower was surprise. work shower was not.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
no.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
St. Agnes. Baltimore Maryland

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
4. my water broke before any contractions...but the contractions came on REAL fast. i was ready to push by the time we arrived to the hospital.

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
My Husband in an old honda w/NO SHOCKS on the very bumpy beltway!!! i thought he was going to come out in the car!!!

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Husband

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
au natural...no time for anything.

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
no time!!!

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7.13

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?
10:00 am May 17, 1992...8 days early!!

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Christian Jacob...after my great-grandfather (Dee's dad)

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
16

To go along with it my husband decided to answer the questions himself...in his own unique style. :D

First Born: another perspective--

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
If you're not trying to stop it, then it's planned.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Blissfully wed for two months

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
YEA!! I love babies

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
no way

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
25

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
Kim left the hpt on the counter. It was blue!

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
My Parents...I think, or maybe Kevin.not sure

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
NO, but my wife did and she can't keep a secret!

9. DUE DATE?
may 25, 1992

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS
No, I did get tired alot from watching Kimmy throw up though.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE
sex...pregnant ladies are hot!!

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
i thought the hospital might, but they were great. So no one I guess.

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
A Boy!!!

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
NOPE!

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
I lost 15 Thanks for asking ;)

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes, the morning he was born I took a shower and then almost had a baby in the car. been feelin' guilty about that shower for 16 1/2 years.

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
Surprise. I asked Kim's permission first.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Nope, it was all good.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
St. Agnes. Baltimore Maryland

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
I was in labor for 9 months with an extra part time job, but after Kim's four hours of labor I quit. Wanted to ne home with my two favorite people!

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
I expertly negotiated the Baltimore beltway dutifully avoiding the major hazards and patiently listening to my loving wife yell at me about every pebble we caressed with our tires.hehehe...It was a rough ride!

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Me and George Williamson.He's the coolest OB in AA county and one of the 2 doctors I really trust.

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
au natural...although still requiring a number of sutures.

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
What pain...Ha didn't feel a thing.

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7.13

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ?
10:00 am May 17, 1992...8 days early!!

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Christian Jacob...after my great-grandfather (Dee's dad)

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
16

he was born with huge hands that he immediately started to chew on and when he cried he sounded like a duck! I was so proud!! (shhh don't tell anybody, but I still kinda am)

What's up???

2009-01-21T02:18:00.000-08:00

It's been quiet around here (blogland) since right before Christmas. Many of us have been busy with families, Christmas, the new year and trying to get back in the swing of things...and of course Tint without power for weeks now!!! It seems the only thing i've been able to keep up with is Picture Perfect each week, but even that has been a struggle that I've been pushing myself to do. I haven't done Friday Five at all--sorry FF friends!

I NEED MOTIVATION!!

Anyway--I guess I'll do the list thing to try and get caught up here... (love how my friend jess does her random list on blogger at least once a week)

1. Brian's had off since Friday. Today's his last day off and so far he hasn't gotten anything done on his to do list! ha. that's partially my fault. i've been keeping him busy having fun. i love having my hubby home!!!!!

2. We were supposed to go to Ohio last weekend for my cousin Eli's wedding. Man--bad timing on our car being freakish. Brian went Friday night to drop our dog off at his parents house for them to watch him while we were gone, and when he got back in the car it wouldn't start. he was out until midnight in sub-freezing weather working on it and then again in the morning....no luck. got it towed Saturday and found out the security system was shorting out and was acting like someone was breaking in to the car and wouldn't let it start. So we pulled the system out....but by that time it was too late to drive 8 hrs to the wedding. BIG BUMMER!!!!!

3. THE RAVENS LOST!!!! And of course it's to the Steelers, but my cousin Heather has been good enough not to rub it in....yet!

4. Yesterday we kept the kids home from school so we could watch the Inauguration as a family. They were going to be watching it in school anyway. Chris's 2 best friends came over too. Corinne of course was on myspace and facebook and aim while watching it...but hey, she was with us watching it so we were happy!! lol

5. I lost 10 pounds before the wedding we were supposed to go to, but it's starting to come back on again (just a little). :( I hate winter!!!! I much prefer to be outside doing stuff to get my exercise and I'm not like my brother-in-law Kevin who will run in sub-freezing temps. He was complaining of not being able to feel his face last week. I should see if underarmour makes ski masks and get him one. hehe

6. I'm reading "My Father My President" by Doro Bush. Very interesting and fun read! He was such a quiet president. It's a great look behind the scenes of all his really did and what a strong character he has. Even though I was getting tired of Bush 43, I have great respect for him and his family too. They are a very loving, giving family. And Barbara (Bush 41's wife...not the twin grand daughter) is a hoot!

7. Brian and I are still spending a lot of time at our favorite restaurant, Sakura. Not even just Friday nights anymore. We went there last Sunday to watch the first half of the Raven's game, and went there last night after we went grocery shopping just cuz we were hungry! They treat us so well there and give us so much more food than we order. We happened to see some friends from church last night--the Uder's! They were out celebrating their 14th anniversary. They got the grill then came over and chatted with us at the sushi bar before leaving. We ended up chatting for an hour!!!! hahaha. We should spend more fun time with them.

8. I'm listening to my hubby snoring right now....I must have wore him out.

FOTO FRIDAY ~ Disordered

2009-01-15T03:10:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY~DISORDERED:

Was wondering what in the world I WANTED to take a picture of that was disordered. I thought of many things that were disordered in my house. Believe me, with 4 kids there are many things! haha. But nothing that would make an interesting pic for sure. Then I saw the randomness of the magnets on my fridge and I thought to myself--PERFECT!

Summer Hail Storm...(follow up to foto-friday~cold)

2009-01-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

Foto-Friday's theme this week is cold and I posted a photo of the hail that had accumulated from this fluke summer storm at my parents house last year. As I said, it only stormed for about 3 minutes and there was a ton of hail! In these pictures you may have a better idea of how hard it was coming down. Got some fun ones of the kids in it too.

Corinne decided she was a little cold..haha

back yard--coming down so hard and accumulating in little gully.

poor sunflowers...

After taking this pic we noticed there was a little wormy on the flower, so mom put them outside. they got demolished in the storm. at least i got some good pics of them while they were still in the house!

After the 3 minutes storm was over they kids ventured out to see how much there was

Posers--notice the boys are shirtless. They seem to always be shirtless!!!

FOTO FRIDAY~ Cold

2009-01-09T02:49:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY~COLD:

This was a fluke hail storm in the middle of summer while we were visiting my parents house near the beach in Delaware. The kids came out and danced in it. My daughter, realizing how cold it was went back in the house for a blanket! It poured for about 3 minutes...look at all that hail in that short amount of time!!

catching up from the holidays...

2009-01-05T02:10:00.000-08:00

...and what a long holiday celebration it was! I finally got the kids back in school this morning and am able to sit down a little bit and blog. haha. It's been fun hearing about what a few of my friends where up to this Christmas and New Years. Hope everyone had a great one!!

Brian and I have been trying the past couple of years to not do so many presents for Christmas. I grew up an only child...and spoiled I guess. I was used to getting lots and I wanted to do the same for my kids...especially when they were young. But now that we have 4 and the older ones want more and more expensive things it's brought stress into our lives and we have started focusing more on the reason for the season instead of drowning them with presents! This year especially we are so thankful for our family...and that we are still together. We started going back to church the beginning of December. Not really because of Christmas, but because it was time for us to get past what has happened to us this year and move on. It has been so refreshing and freeing to do this again.

So the presents under our tree are fewer (although you may not be able to tell since there are 6 ppl in our family--ha!).

Even the stockings aren't stuffed and overflowing like they have been in the past. (notice the half eaten gingerbread house on the table..that's ANOTHER story!)

But Santa did have a few nice surprises up his belt (for Spencer & Jack)

We have trained our kids well to wait until after breakfast to open presents...

Corinne even helped make breakfast!

Brian was dressed as naughty santa....lol.

Corinne was very happy with her camera. now she doesn't have to keep borrowing ours...

and was even excited over a 100 slim jims!!! Her favorite breakfast...breakfast of champions??

Chris got games for his The Dark Night movie and some games for PS3. Plus promised him some new shoes and hoodie he's been wanting & actually needs. Chris & Corinne both love their ultra soft body pillows. They feel soooooo good!!!

Brian surprised me with a hoodie of my own! Here we are with our new gear from some of our favorite bands.

Uncle Kevin (Brian's brother) is trying out my other present. A new camera.

But the biggest hit was a present to the little ones from my parents. We were wii wii wii-ing all day long!!!!

even grandpa got into the fun! We found him snoozing later so maybe he had a little too much fun...hehehe.

Reimenn wasn't sure where to get amongst all the fun...

We are counting our blessings that we had fun together as a family this season and that we love each other more than ever. The Lord really has blessed us and we thank Him for that and remember His birth, His life and His death. We rededicate ourselves to Him this year and strive to do better, live better, be better.

FOTOFRIDAY~Peace

2008-12-12T01:06:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY~PEACE:

Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole?
When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice,
I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?

Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run?
Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?
Who, who can understand?
He, only One.

He answers privately,
Reaches my reaching
In my Gethsemane, Savior and Friend.
Gentle the peace he finds for my beseeching.
Constant he is and kind,
Love without end.

John 14:27; John 16:33

Hebrews 4:14–16

A short 2 minute video I took Christmas 2006 of the lighting of the LDS Temple in Washington D.C.

"The temple is a place of worship which brings us closer to God and teaches us how to strengthen our families."

"All of you in this great worldwide family who are joined together tonight, I extend to you my love and my blessing. I pray that the true spirit of Christmas will abide in the hearts of all. May the Christmas bells ring loud and clear for every one of you". ~President Gordon B. Hinkley

A Few of My Favorite Things....

2008-12-10T04:57:00.000-08:00

Such a cute little parody by Hilary Weeks (LDS singer). Especially NEW MOM'S will identify with this!

FOTOFRIDAY~Life

2008-12-05T01:46:00.000-08:00

Thanks Millie for the thought provoking theme this week! I really loved the analogy she posted so would like to post it here as well for my friends to see who aren't part of PP.

Maybe you have heard about the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,600 miles in the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland, Australia, it is the largest coral reef in the world.

Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef.

On one tour, a traveller asked the guide an interesting question.” I noticed that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colourful," the traveller observed. "Why is this?"

The guide gave an interesting answer:” The coral around the lagoon side is in still water with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms -- surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested, it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces."

Then he added this telling note: "That's the way it is with every living organism."

FOTOFRIDAY--LIFE;

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"

Some things come along at the perfect time. On pondering which photo i could use for this weeks theme my mind went to Christ and how he gave his LIFE for us so that we could have ETERNAL LIFE. Over the years I have taken lots of pictures of the Christus' in the various Visitors Centers at our church's temples. But this picture has double meaning on the word LIFE since it is our wedding pictures and the start of our LIFE together as man and wife. As I mentioned, perfect timing.....we have had big struggles in our life together this year, both spiritually and in our marriage. As Millie's analogy reminds us, it's life's storms that make us grow strong. We are thankfully refining our journey together with Christ helping us along the way.

Logan, Sky Angel Cowboy

2008-12-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

God DOES talk to us. He does love us, and He does understand....

A friend sent this to me today in my e-mail and it really touched me. If you haven't heard this before it's pretty powerful what this young boy has to say. Simple, but powerful.

My jingle bell kids

2008-12-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is Jack & Corinne 2yrs ago singing Jingle Bells. If you were friends w/me on yahoo 360 you probably remember this video. It's so cute I wanted to post it again. My how they've grown since then....

Nice family Thanksgiving by the beach

2008-12-01T03:24:00.000-08:00

Well...yes, i did miss Brian when he wasn't here and headed home a day early. But we did have fun at my parents visiting with them, my cousins and their families. We have also made friends with my parents neighbors who have kids Chris & Corinne's age. They came by for dessert Thursday evening and then came with us to see the festival of lights in Ocean City.

I was so proud of Chris. He just got his learners permit a few weeks ago and only drove 40 minutes before heading to the beach. He drove the whole way there, 3 hours and crossing the Bay Bridge (can be scary for some). He drove down to Ocean City from my parents (an hour) and back and drove back home. So now he has over 5 hrs of driving time logged. He needs 60 hours (and 6 months) before he can get his license. He did VERY well too!

Dad's not doing so well. The doctors have him off his anxiety meds because he has been having tremors for a while now and they've been trying to figure out why. Maybe his meds. Dad took himself off all of his meds but then he wasn't sleeping so mom has gotten him to take sleeping meds. That was one reason we came home one day early too. Having us (especially the kids) wasn't helping matters. He was up all night worried about them because of his condition (anxiety). Please keep him in your prayers! It's hard to see him looking so frail. He's only 65 yrs old.

Kind of worried about Brian's job too. His company has laid off people at other 4 locations this year because they weren't doing the business. Our location has been doing strong, but a few months ago their numbers have gone down as well. Last week they laid off 3 ppl and so far today they have laid off 2 more. No one is safe and we are all holding our breath! Brian is middle management. Hopefully he/his position is enough of an asset to keep. It really sucks to be laid off right before Christmas!!!

Looking up...i've started back on my spiritual journey. I spoke with our Bishop yesterday and am looking forward to taking necessary steps to get me/us back into church. I know I have some hard things to do in getting back, but i'm ready. Another reason to be thankful.

Gonna miss hubby

2008-11-25T03:51:00.000-08:00

I'm finishing up laundry today and packing then I'm off to the beach to visit my parents for Thanksgiving! Aunts, Uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins will be celebrating with us too. Friday we will be going to see the Ocean City Christmas festival of lights again with cousins kids. I'm hoping I can get better pictures of that this year. Last year they turned out too fuzzy. Brian has to work Friday though, so he will be coming late Wednesday evening with his brother and then going back home Thursday after dinner. I used to be good at being without him for a week, but now just a few days (today and then Friday & Saturday) is gonna kill me!!! Since we've been struggling together this year we haven't been without each other for 1 day. It's hard to just go a full day without him while he's a work. I'm such a baby!

LOVE YOU BRIAN!!!!!!

Blogging friends FINALLY meet!

2008-11-23T04:50:00.000-08:00

Well....after at least 3 times being at the same place at the same time without even knowing it, Christina and I finally met!!! lol. I met Christina on the blogging net when we were on yahoo 360 and she was about to move to Maryland from Virginia Beach. We had a mutual friend and I noticed Christina was moving up by me, so I befriended here then. It's been over a year now and we have moved from yahoo onto Multiply and also are connected on Myspace and Facebook. We live about 10 minutes from each other and it's incredible we haven't planned on meeting before this. Life sometimes just gets in the way. My husband & I have been wanting to go see Christina dance before, but other things have come up. We are soooo glad we made it this time! She is such a beautiful dancer and all the performances were so much fun to watch. A new experience for us. Christina is also just a beautiful person inside as well as out. She is totally the same person she is on her blog. Thanks for being so kind to us last night and showing us your talents!

me & Christina

Christina & her bellydancing troupe Sestraluna

sorry the pictures turned out a little fuzzy. i didn't want to use my flash while they were dancing and the lighting was dim. the girls were also spinning and twirling their scarves so fast that they tended to be a blur. hehehe

Foto Friday - WORN

2008-11-21T05:44:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY~WORN:

Brought to us by Heather--HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

The first thing that came to mind when I thought of worn was my grandfather's old hoe he used for his humble backyard garden. He used it every year up until he passed away in 1979. When the handle started to break he taped it with duct tape (yes....good for everything) and kept right on using it. He wasn't one to dispose of things and buy new. My father kept it after he passed and kept it sitting to the side of his garden to remember his father. When my parents moved into a condo they had no place for it so now it sits next to my garden....

Having fun with stars

2008-11-19T04:02:00.000-08:00

We took our family to Washington DC last weekend and one of our stops was the WWII memorial. This wall has stars on it and each star represents a certain number of American soldiers who died in that war. I think maybe each one represents 100? I can't remember, but there were over 400,000 who died. This is a picture of the whole wall of starts.

and this is a close-up of a section of stars (unedited) I thought would be cool for a background & to play around with.

edited the exposure here.

edited the color saturation.

did an invert edit.

South Beach's Pumpkin Pie recipe

2008-11-18T22:27:00.000-08:00

I haven't tried this recipe yet. I just got it in my e-mail from South Beach. I've really liked their recipes in the past and am trying not to gain all the weight I lost this past year. It's always a little more of a challenge over the holidays!

For most people, pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving tradition. Fortunately, there's no need to deprive yourself of this holiday favorite; just enjoy a slice of our irresistible version. On the South Beach Diet, you can have your pie and eat it too!

Pumpkin Pie (Phase 2)

Description
Nothing completes Thanksgiving like pumpkin pie. Redolent with spices, this warm, creamy treat is enhanced with a delightfully crispy, light crust that tastes deceivingly buttery, though no butter is used. Whipped topping and chocolate shavings make a gorgeous and irresistible garnish, if desired.

Tip : Pie filling can be made up to 1 day in advance and refrigerated in a covered container until needed. Whisk well before filling pie shell.

Makes 8 servings

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time:1 hour

Ingredients
6 (9"x14") sheets whole-wheat phyllo dough, thawed
1/3 cup granular sugar substitute
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 large egg whites
1 large egg yolk
1 (12-ounce) can 2% evaporated milk
2 tablespoons sugar-free maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Light or fat-free whipped topping (optional)
Bittersweet chocolate for shavings (optional)

Instructions
Position rack in middle of oven and heat oven to 350°F. Stack phyllo sheets on plastic wrap or wax paper; cover with a barely damp towel to prevent sheets from drying out.

Lightly coat a 9" pie plate with cooking spray. Lay 1 phyllo sheet in the pie plate. Coat sheet with cooking spray, making sure to spray edges. Repeat with remaining sheets, rotating each slightly in the pan to form a circle. Fold and crimp edges.

Place a piece of parchment or wax paper on top of crust. Weigh crust down with pie weights or dried beans and bake until edges are lightly golden, about 10 minutes. While crust is baking, combine sugar substitute, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat pumpkin puree, egg whites, and egg yolk until well blended. Slowly add milk, maple syrup, and vanilla, beating until blended. Add spice mixture and blend well.

Remove crust from oven, and remove pie weights. Pour filling into crust and bake until tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 45–50 minutes. Remove pie from oven and cool at room temperature to set. Just before serving, top each slice of pie with 1–2 tablespoons whipped topping and chocolate shavings, if desired.

Nutritional information
130 calories
2.5 total fat (1 g sat)
19 g carbohydrate
7 g protein
2 g fiber
300 mg sodium

FOTOFRIDAY~Celebrate

2008-11-14T03:31:00.000-08:00

FOTOFRIDAY~Celebrate

Looking over all of our pictures and the different things we celebrate I must say even though I look awful in this picture I absolutely love it because it reminds me how much I am loved. Thanks Jack and Daddy for the delish breakfast each and every Mother's Day!!!!

Foto Friday ~ HANDMADE

2008-11-08T02:50:00.000-08:00

FOTO-FRIDAY~Handmade:

I love handmade things and have collected and been given many precious handmade things over the years. I feel like I don't have much talent when it comes to making things, so I am very proud of my cross-stitched Christmas ornaments & stocking I made when my older kids were very young. I made the ornaments the year after my first child was born (1993) and made the stocking for my daughter the following year. Jack's stocking was made years later in 2002. I would love to get into cross-stitching again. I just seem to not be able to find the time anymore.....

Friday Five ~ Halloween Costumes

2008-10-31T04:18:00.000-07:00

FRIDAYFIVE~HalloweenCostumes:

Well--since I don't have any pics of me in my costumes as a child (my mom still has them all), I put up a pic of my youngest two kids from last year. It's so much easier today to dress up as you can buy costumes. But the most fun costumes are the ones you make yourself, which I did with my older ones when they were small. I got lazier with each child....hahaha.

So lets see my most memorable ones:

1. Gypsy: I was about 3 years old and had my grandmother's short blond wig. I had on a raggedy but colorful handmade skirt and a white blouse and my mom stuffed pillows underneath of me to make me look "full figured". And I had a crochet shawl on top. Very eclectic!!!!

OH I REMEMBERED I HAD ONE OF ME!

2. ok--so two would be clown. That's me on the left in the hat and my cousin on the right w/the wig. Her mom made those costumes. :D

3. Indian. I remember being in the elementary school parade in my Indian dress my mom made me. I think I was in about 5th grade and all the kids in our grade had to dress up as indians or cowboys for the "festival" and parade. She has a great pic of this one w/me & my best friends.

4. Sorry this will be my last entry because I the only other thing I can remember being dressed up as was a ballerina...or other kind of dancer. I took dance lessons and used my recital costumes for halloween every year. :D

FotoFriday ~ SEASONAL

2008-10-31T03:49:00.000-07:00

FotoFriday~SEASONAL:

This weeks theme is:

~ Seasonal ~

To everything
there is a season
And a time for every purpose under heaven

~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*~*~~*

I took a lot of pictures this morning of the turning leaves and wasn't really sure which one to use until I fooled with the color saturation and exposure on this one. I love how the trunks turned blueish and more striking in the midst of the other colors.

Picture Perfect - FAVORITE

2008-10-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/journal/item/156/Picture_Perfect_Favorite?replies_read=101

I'm sure this weeks theme, Favorite, was a hard one for everyone. I'm not a "photographer", and it was soooo hard for me! Most of my pictures are of my family and the things we do. Only if I see something that catches my eye will I take other pictures just for the sake of catching a beautiful pic. I had a few pics like that, but I had to make my favorite one of my family because this really is one of my all time favorite pics. This is our oldest son, Christian, holding May (the lab/retriever mix we used to have) the day we met her back in 2003.

fotofriday: INTRICATE

2008-10-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

http://guazzetto25.multiply.com/journal/item/129/PICTURE_PERFECT_Intricate

NATIVITY FROM PERU--

Friday Five--random pictures

2008-07-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

This weeks Friday Five idea is brought to you by Grainne and is all about 5 Random Pictures.

Select 5 random photos that you've taken (you may add a description if you wish or just post the picture).

I SPY "P"

2008-07-11T01:48:00.000-07:00

I had a really hard time getting a "P" picture I liked! I finally decided to get a pic of our community pool while Jack was doing swim practice this morning for swim team. I like the way the sun reflects on the pool in the morning. I also decided to get the lifeguard chair in there too. I thought it made a nice shadow in the foreground....

Thanks Di and Deb!!!!

2008-07-09T23:20:00.000-07:00

The earrings I won from last months contest on http://totaldelights.com/ arrived the other day and I've been wearing them ever since! For dangling earrings they are so pretty and delicate. Very nice for me because one of my ears got pulled years ago and dangling earrings usually don't hang right in that ear, but these looks great. I really love the periwinkle crystal at the top of the chain...kind of hard to tell in this pic. But that is my favorite color!

Swim Team pics are in

2008-07-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

My handsome son, Jack

Jack--bottom row

2nd from left

And here he is in freestyle, backstroke and relay

FREEDOM

2008-07-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

FREEDOM

A picture I took of one of our visits at Ft. McHenry in Baltimore Maryland.

This flag is a replica and the exact same size of the one Francis Scott Key saw when he wrote the Star Spangled Banner.

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER

Francis Scott Key

Birth:		Aug. 1, 1779
Death:		Jan. 11, 1843
Lawyer, poet who penned the national anthem of the United States of America. Born at Terra Rubra, his family's 1,865 acre plantation in Frederick County just north of Keymar which today is in Carroll County, Maryland, the son of judge John Ross Key and his wife Anne Phebe Penn Dagworthy Charlton. He went to St. John's School in Annapolis and then continued to study law with his uncle's firm there. He considered the ministry more than once in his life and became a leader in the Sunday school movement. His published works include The Power of Literature and Its Connection with Religion (1834) and the posthumous collection Poems (1857). By 1805 he had his own well established practice in Georgetown, a town of 5,000, just a few miles from the Capitol. The tranquility usually found here had been broken by the British attack and capture of Washington where they had set fire to both the Capitol and the White House, the flames of which could be seen forty miles away in Baltimore. While at war with France they were trying to keep control of world shipping and had entered the Chesapeake Bay both to interrupt trade and to prepare for an assault on Baltimore. Learning that a much loved elderly physician of Upper Marlboro, Dr. William Beanes was hostage on the British flagship Tonnant, Key together with Col. John Skinner, an American agent for prisoner exchange, set sail on a sloop from Baltimore flying a flag of truce approved by President Madison. After much negotiation the release was arranged, but they had seen and heard too much of the preparations for the attack on Baltimore. They were forced to wait under guard behind the British fleet. It was from this position that after a long night of battle where they were assured by the ongoing shelling that Fort McHenry had not surrendered. Long before dawn there was a sudden and mysterious silence and waiting in the darkness that anxiety was finally broken when daylight came, the flag was still there! This led the amateur poet to write on the back of a letter in his pocket the lines that would become central to our national anthem. Later that same month the Baltimore Patriot published the completed verses under the title "Defence of Fort M'Henry" with the added note "Tune: Anacreon in Heaven." A Baltimore actor sang the new song in a public performance the next month as "The Star-spangled Banner" and it became a popular patriotic song. In 1931 Congress enacted legislation that made this the official national anthem. He was appointed the United States District Attorney and appeared many times before the Supreme Court. Married in 1802 to Mary Tayloe Lloyd, they had six sons and five daughters and continued to live in Georgetown until around 1833. He died in Baltimore from pleurisy while visiting his daughter Elizabeth Howard and was first buried at Saint Paul's Cemetery there in, but was removed to his family's lot in Frederick in 1866. The Key Monument Association erected a memorial in 1898 and the remains of both Francis Scott Key and his wife were placed in a crypt in the base of the monument. There are cenotaphs at Fort McHenry, on Eutaw Street in Baltimore and at the Presidio in San Francisco, California. His collateral relative, F. Scott Fitzgerald was named for him. (bio by: D C McJonathan-Swarm)

YEAH--I WON!

2008-07-01T07:36:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited Diane and Debbie! Thanks Di for letting me know about your contest. I won the beautiful dangling crystal earrings they had for June's contest. I'll be sure to take a picture with them on when they arrive. Here is a picture of the bracelet they are giving away for July's contest. Be sure to go there and enter!!!!

I'm pretty sure all of my friends already know about TOTAL_DELIGHTS . But for those who don't, you need to go visit their website! They make such gorgeous pieces. I already have a beautiful red beaded silver bracelet that Debbie made. She also made a dragonfly bracelet for friends of ours who had a still-born baby last year. Interesting I just saw on their site as well, they have a page set up for another Multiply friend of theirs, Haley. Haley is involved in raising money for Leukemia & Lymphoma and Total Delights is helping her in those efforts by selling selected pieces and donating 50% to the organization Haley is running for. GREAT JOB LADIES!!!

twisted...a little late ;)

2008-06-30T09:28:00.000-07:00

Well, Brian came to my rescue and brought home his camera from work! Here are some twisted vines from my cucumber plant. I thought they looked pretty cool!

Picture Perfect- GOBSMACKED

2008-03-20T23:57:00.000-07:00

http://fotofriday.multiply.com/

Well, my friends know i've been MIA for a while. It's been a crazy month really. But I just COULD NOT pass up this weeks picture perfect theme because I thought I had the perfect picture. lol.

This is my grandmother on her surprise 40th wedding anniversary. She had been in the house at leas 5 minutes saying hi to everyone....already having been surprised, when suddenly she sees across the room one of her old neighbors she hadn't seen in 20 yrs. I think this picture is priceless!!!!

Thanks John for this great theme!

Picture Perfect - SHADOWS

2008-02-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

Shadows can be survival to us in extreme heat. These pictures I took over the summer at Graves Mountain in Syria Virginia. This poor bull looked so hot and tired. His gaze followed us where ever we went, but his body did not move an inch.

Some more shots of him...

Picture Perfect RED

2008-02-14T22:22:00.000-08:00

was going to take some kind of picture that represented Valentines Day, but when I opened my pictures already on file this RED AZELIA jumped out at me. I took it last spring while visiting my brother and sistr in law in Virginia. The sun was shining so brightly that day and the bush just looked so pretty. I was actually trying to get a shot at some of the bees that were landing on it, but i wasn't quick or quiet enough...haha.

Mary Harper Moses Durrant obituary

2008-02-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

View/Sign Guestbook

Mary Harper Moses Durrant

Mary Harper Moses Durrant 1904 ~ 2008 Passed away Feb. 1, 2008 at her home in Salt Lake City, at age 103.She was born August 3, 1904 to Jesse Tilten, Moses Jr. And Lavina Harper Moses. She married Earl Durrant, March 30, 1927 in the Salt Lake Temple. Earl died in 1967. Mary was active in the L.D.S. Church, teaching in primary, relief society, and Sunday school. She loved being with her children and grandchildren. She upholstered furniture, made many beautiful quilts and worked in the foster grandparent program until age 96. She is survived by four sons: Norman (Edna), Ronald (Annie Mae), Wilford (Carol) and Jerry Durrant. One daughter, Joyce (John) Steed. Two sisters, Lavina Jacobs and Leone Jorgensen and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband, Earl, baby daughter, Mary Jane, her parents, two brothers and four sisters. Viewing will be Wednesday, February 6 at Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive in Holiday. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday, February 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., prior to the funeral service at Hyland Lake Ward 981 Revere Circle at 11 a.m. Burial in Franklin City Cemetery. Franklin Idaho.
Published in the Deseret News on 2/5/2008.

Guest Book • Funeral home info • Flowers • Charities

Brian's on his way to Utah...

2008-02-05T23:20:00.000-08:00

I just got him on the plane. He, five of his seven brothers, and his dad are all going to their grandmothers funeral. She was 103 years old. Boy...we thought she would really live forever! Like many her age, she was such a hard worker. You had to be back then. She lived on a farm in Franklin, Idaho most of her life. Her husband died over 40 years ago. Since then she has lived with her only daughter and her family in Salt Lake. She has 4 sons and 1 daughter all of which are all still living, my father-in-law being the oldest. He will be 80 this month and is now the oldest living member of his family. The picture is 4 generations. Great-Grandma Mary, Grandpa Norman, Dad Brian and our oldest son Chris. She worked up until she was 95, helping out at the local school. She also did a lot of quilting. Each of her grandchildren received a hand sewn quilt from her when they were born. She also made lots of quilts for charities. She had many many talents and such a kind loving heart. She did a lot of babysitting her grandkids/great-grandkids in Utah as well. I was so amazed at how strong she was while still in her late 90's. She's little like me, hardly 5ft. and so petite. But she was picking up those very wild and strong little boys she was watching like it was nothing.....haha.
A remarkable woman!!! She passed away the day after President Hinckley did.

Pres. Hinckley Book of Mormon Challenge

2008-02-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

My sister-in-law sent this to me in e-mail and thought I would share here:

"As most of you know, our beloved prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley passed away at the age of 97. His funeral will be on Saturday, February 2nd.

I was thinking of how I could honor his legacy and I came up with an idea. My friend and I have created a challenge for those willing to accept it: Read the Book of Mormon in 97 days. We are trying to get everyone to start on the same day. Here are the details:

Go to www.hinckleychallenge.com and create an account (free, of course).

On Feb 4, 2008 (the Monday following the funeral) have an FHE lesson on the Book of Mormon and begin your reading.

Each day you read, record what page number you are on by going to www.hinckleychallenge.com

We would like this challenge to be heard all around the world! Please forward this message to everyone you know. We would love to see over 1 million pages of the Book of Mormon read by the time this challenge has ended.

Do you want to show your support? Do you want to follow the prophet? Do you want to get rid of all of your excuses for not reading and become a warrior? Then join me in this challenge!!!

We are going to spread this throughout the news media (TV an d radio) and we've already contacted Fox news, KSL, CBS, and ABC. But we cannot get the word out to everyone without your help! Please forward this on to EVERYONE in your address book. Time is of the essence!! This will be the one forwarded message that everyone will be happy to get :).

--Join by going here www.hinckleychallenge.com/createUser.php

-Jake Andersen

P.S. You can always see an updated list of those who have accepted the challenge by clicking here www.hinckleychallenge.com/warriors.php

http://deseretbook.com/temple/hinckley Pictures of President Hinckley's final public appearance.

Me and Pop

2008-01-19T00:27:00.000-08:00

My Pop (my dad's dad) died when I was 12 yrs old. It devistated me. I remember walking out of middle school getting ready to walk home like usual, but my mom and aunt where there. I knew something was wrong because my mom worked and I was always home by myself after school until my dad came home about an hour later. My mom and aunt told me and my cousin that Pop had died. He was only 63 yrs old and had a heart attack. I cried so hard right there on the school grounds that my nose started bleeding profusely. In fact the principal came over to see what was wrong, thinking someone had punched me in the nose! haha. I haven't cried over him in years. My mom has been super busy the past couple months scanning slides into her computer. She's has taken hers, and my two uncles from the years of approximately 1967-1977 and now has all of them as jpg.'s and slideshows on DVD's and given us each copies. What a wonderful blessing to have.

I saw this picture and just cried and cried and cried. I haven't cried that hard in a long time and have not cried about Pop in years. I now have this picture as my background pic on my computer.

Pop was a man larger than life. He had a very gruff voice and very strong presence. But, like a lot of big gruff men, they are teddy bears inside. I was his blue-eyed angel. That's what he called me. I was the only one with blue-eyes (and red hair for that matter) in our family. He always made me feel so special. He always had a compliment for me. He told me I was smart even though I was usually not...haha. I went over to my grandparents each day before and after elementary school because both of my parents worked. In the afternoons I would do my homework at their dining room table and he loved just being there watching me. When I was smaller I would love falling asleep on his big belly. Was very close and loving in a physical manner....climbing on his lap, giving him kisses and hugs.

It's been nice going down memory lane with him and remembering what a great man I had in my life. I miss him......

My son loves me

2008-01-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

How do I know?

I was laying next to him this morning while waking him up for school. And he had a content smile on his face. He said, "I know I can't marry you when I grow up mom, cause......well--then you'll be as old as .....dad. hahahahahahahahaha

I was cracking up laughing. He said, "what"? I said, daddy's only 2yrs older than me. I told him dad was 42. And Jack asked me if I was 24....again....laughing out loud. I picked him up and gave him lots of kisses.

He made my day.

A different Christmas

2007-12-26T02:41:00.000-08:00

This surely has been a very different Christmas for me. With me and the kids getting the flu right after Thanksgiving and it hanging on forever, I was not in the mood for being festive at all. The only decorations this year was the tree--we didn't even hang stockings because Brian couldn't find them in the attic! The kids got their stocking stuffers in a Christmas gift bag...lol. I told Brian pretty early that I was being "grinch" this year and he did ALL of the shopping. He did a great job and saved Christmas for the kids. It was fun for me to just sit back and see what everyone got without really knowing.

Saturday we went to Brian's parents and celebrated with his parents and brothers families who still live in the area....I gained two pounds. ;) We invited Brian's single brother and Brian's parents over here for Christmas morning. His brother and dad came, but his mom was not feeling well enough to come. She has a hard time getting herself together in the morning with all her "old age" ailments. We have trained our kids well that we eat breakfast first and then open presents. Well, they get to dig into the "stockings", which have stuff in it that is not wrapped, but then wait until about 10-10:30 before going under the tree. Then we all take turns opening and the younger two are still at the age that they have more to open so we don't get finished until around noon. My parents drove here from Delaware and arrived just as we were finishing with presents, then they gave the kids some more. By this time Brian had to go lay down....his body finally succumed to this darn flu. We went to my aunt/uncle's (my dad's brother) later for Christmas dinner (I gained another 4 pounds) and gift exchange with my extended family and Brian stayed home. I can't believe he went to work today. Hopefully he'll come home early.

My parents are taking Corinne and my cousin's daughter Sarah back home with them and I may follow later with the three boys. We'll be back Friday and hopefully, if Brian is feeling well, will go to Virginia to visit his brother and family over the weekend.

Some of the highlights--good and bad...

Christmas Eve Jack was helping dad wrap some present and brought mine down to put under the tree. He was so proud of himself in being so helpful, when he bent over to put the first one under the tree and the whole tree fell to the floor! Our REAL tree! What a loud bang. A mess on the floor, but no broken ornaments. Poor Jack was crying and deflated that he was trying to be so helpful. We all laughed and got the tree back up and Jack vaccumed up the mess. ;)

Spencer's favorite present was a "re-gift". He got his Nintendo DS taken away from his several months back and then it was forgotten. So one of the times Brian was asking the kids what they wanted for Christmas Spencer said he wanted his DS back. hahaha. So we wrapped it up and also got him a new game...that was his favorite and most played with gift! Brian thinks we now need to go into his room and find something else to take away from him so we can re-gift it next Christmas...lol.

Jack's one wish from Santa was a telescope, but Brian has been telling him you have to be 7 to get one of those. Jack has been debating him all month that even 6yr olds can get one. Jack was right and very very excited when he saw santa agreed with him.

We were wondering so bad this year where to find coal because if there was a year to hand it out it was this year for Corinne!!! Brian buys food stuff for several of his co-workers and he had those things all together in the refrigerator and in a bag in one of the cupboards. Well, he first noticed that the pickle jar gift had been opened....Corinne!!!! Then a few days later he saw someone had gotten in the bag and taken out two packages of gum from one of those boxes of 24 you get at BJ's. I thought Brian was going to blow a gasket! And the thing is Corinne acted like it was no big deal..it's just gum--I'll give you a couple dollars. It's the fact that she had already been yelled at for breaking into the other present, that she didn't ASK, and that Brian had to make another trip to BJ's for another box of gum (she thought he just needed to replace the 2 she took. :p What is is with girls turning 13?!!!! I told her she was getting the gum for Christmas and that Mr. Randy was getting her present (i-pod shuffle). I really really really wanted to give her coal....lol.

Brian was very good at having Chris convinced that we didn't have the money for the one thing he thought he was getting (i-pod touch). Well, we really didn't until he got his bonus, which we never know how much that will be. Chris was being very good about not expecting much this year. He opened his two CD's, two video's and cologne and was patiently watching the boys open all their gifts. After we thought all the presents were open Brian handed each of us a shirt box and told us they were all the same so we had to open them together. We each got John Deere boxers (Corinne and mine were pink!) with something hid inside. Chris & Corinne got their i-pods and I got printer ink--which I've needed for the last couple months. It was fun and funny to hear the relief in Chris's breath. ;)

The best present I got was from my cousin, Heather. Our grandmother, Dee, passed away 3 years ago and on last November, on the anniversary of her passing, she asked each of us if we could e-mail her pictures of Dee. She put all of the pictures together with music and words to create a video memorium (below was her first version, but since added a lot more pics). It was absolutely beautiful. We watched it all together and she gave us each the DVD.

decorating the Christmas tree

2007-12-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

We finally got our tree up! I had the flu for over a week and some of the residual is lingering. I'm still coughing up a storm...I think I had pneumonia too. The boys also got it and Spencer is still down although is starting to get better. He's able to hold some food down.

Anyway--this is the 1st real tree we've had since Chris was born 15 yrs ago. In fact the one and only time Brian and I have had a real tree was our first Christmas together. It's the perfect size...not too big and nice and full. I just love it.

Alter Bridge concert

2007-11-28T06:55:00.000-08:00

We went to see Alter Bridge last night at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. They were a lot better than when we saw them a few years ago. For those who don't know this band used to be Creed when they had lead singer Scott Stapp. Now their lead singer is Myles Kennedy. When we saw them as Alter Bridge for the 1st time, their sound was very similar to Creed. But with their last albumn, Blackbird, they have a sound all their own now.

This video shows just how awesome Mark Tremonti is--especially 3/4 of the way thru!!!