It's the final countdown!

Take a quick look to your left....the countdown for Mom and Dad's return is at 1 month and 5 days today! I am so excited for them to get home! I know they have had some great experiences in Mexico and will miss their new friends (or should I say family?) but I am ready to have them back! Everyone is ready to have them back! But before they get home there are a few things that need to be done....Only a few, you ask? Well, okay, a lot of things need to be done! I have been living the high life on good 'ol Clark Street and now it is time to get down to business, serious business! So, Jared and I made a list of all the things I want to get accomplished before the end of the month. It is long and I will need to stay focused but I think it can be done. And we will definitely have lots of help....The sibs agreed to come help with some outdoor projects. They are the best! So, Mom and Dad....WE CAN HARDLY WAIT!!!! The party begins in 1 month and 5 days!

Keep your body fluids....I don't want them!

Well, it was a weekend of body fluids.....GROSS! I have a new philosophy, "keep your fluids to yourself!" Why would one have to proclaim such a profound philosophy you ask??? On Saturday morning Mals went and played volleyball. The high school team conducts a workshop each year and Mals thought is would be fun....back to the body fluids. So.....during a break Mals came over and had some juice. Oops....a spill! And there was no way she was going to go back to play with juice on her shirt. So, she turns to good 'ol Mom...."trade me shirts". Um...NO! But, I didn't want her to be embarrassed so after a moment of thought, I stripped off my t-shirt and swapped her. BAD IDEA! Did it even cross my mind that she had been playing volleyball for an hour in the hot gym? Um...NO! Sharing pit sweat is not FUN and I just couldn't take it. So I took my arms back out of the sleeves and just left the shirt over my shoulders (thank goodness I had a tank on underneath my t-shirt. Still gross, gross, gross! If that is not bad enough....

On Sunday....more fluids!!! I went to church and faithfully completed my primary duties (as hard as they may feel). A little girl decided to wander the room (it was quite distracting). So, good 'ol me takes her by the hand, sits on a chair, and puts her on my lap...M-I-S-T-A-K-E!!! When the little bugger jumps off....there it is!!!! A wet spot!!! Yes, it's true, she had an accident and left some of it on my skirt!!! Gross, gross, double gross! I would have left immediately but I had to present sharing time for the senior primary! So, I stayed and did my duty....smelling little girl pee the whole time!!! At one time, I threw up a little in my mouth! It was totally sick!

So......KEEP YOUR BODY FLUIDS TO YOURSELF!!! And I will do the same!

Kamille....our little trooper!

Little Kamille had to have her appendix out earlier this week (9/15/2008). She was such a trooper! She was so sick all weekend, spent the whole day on Monday in the hospital (before surgery), and is still there! But her spirits are still high! She was all smiles even though she has had no solid food since Monday! She is such a sweetheart! Last night a bunch of us went in to see her.

I don't think I have ever seen Kamille sit in one place for so long....but it didn't last....she had to go for a walk with the kids. A lot of the little ones were pulled around in wagons instead of in wheelchairs. But a wagon would hurt the tummy....And Kamille is too big for that, right? So, down the hall we went, big sister pushing her along.

And her wonderful Mom has not left her side! What a good Mom! It's just a good thing she has a great sister to bring her a change of clothes...Three days in the same clothes can't be fun! Now that's what I call L-O-V-E!

Kamille is feeling better everyday and we hope she is home soon! I am sure she will be back to bouncing off the walls very soon!

IHOP...NO...OPH...YES!!!!!!!

Today the SH gals and I had lunch at the Original Pancake House (I lovingly call it "OPH" pronounced, o-pa). It was DIVINE! So, I had to just take a moment to give this charming little resturant a shout out! I love breakfast-anytime of the day-but this place takes breakfast to a new level! When I eat at OPH, I question why anyone would ever eat at IHOP. I would protest eating at IHOP for the rest of forever but there is only one OPH in the valley and when a gal wants breakfast, she wants breakfast...like now! There is not always time to head to the city. And OPH isn't open 24/7 (afterall, the best breakfast makers need their sleep too). Just look at this waffle...

Isn't it beautiful? Why yes, that is a blueberry waffle topped with real whipped cream! Im' glad you asked. And there is no fat in that bacon...how they do it I just don't know. Yes it's true, I did have to move my taters to another plate so they didn't drown in yummy syrup but they were tasty as well. So, next time you are hankerin' for a good breakfast, head to OPH! You will be glad you did!

Fall is in the air.....

I know September has just begun but I can already feel fall in the air. The crisp coolness of the morning declares to me "the leaves will be turning soon." For me, fall is the most beautiful of the seasons! It is the time when we are treated with nature's finale, a fireworks show of sorts, as mother earth presents her last performance before she prepares to sleep. The rich colors of autumn...yellow, orange, red, and brown create a feeling of peace and warmth. I yearn for that lazy Sunday drive up the canyon to witness the miracles of fall. Gardens are bursting with fruits and vegetables, just waiting for the harvest. Sweaters and jeans come out of hiding. Once again their welcome embrace will surround me. Fall brings with her school, football, hunting, pumpkins, corn mazes, the World Series, warm blankets, apple cider, Halloween costumes, carmel popcorn, Gardner Village with my sisters, and this year MY PARENTS! The magnificence of fall is truly a pituresque scene, a moment where peace, warmth, beauty and love unite, as the Earth prepares to slumber.

Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds. Fall is the artist.

- Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

Family Pics

So, I decided that I needed to update my pictures of the kiddies....A friend at work dabbles in photography so I talked her into coming out to Stansbury Park and shooting some pics. I haven't seen them all but here are a few of the good ones.... What do you think?