It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!!!

Did my title give you the impression that I was humming "Winter Wonderland" while rummaging though my garage for the upcoming Christmas season? Did you think that I was being like the stores who pull out all the holiday stuff 30, 60, no 90 days in advance like we wouldn't be aware that the Christmas season is approaching us if we didn't have their reminders and a talking Santa during the beginnings of fall? Hello - we know. We're moms. It comes the same time EVERY year. Trust us, we have it under control!!!

OK, off my little tirade about the over commercialization of Christmas. The MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF my YEAR comes around August 26th this year (why on a Tuesday, I will never know. Did they think if they made it a Monday we'd be all in our "Summertime Moods" and FORGET that it was starting that day? Hello - we're moms!) SCHOOL'S BACK IN SESSION!!!!!

Now some of you may think that I am totally a terrible mother by wanting the summer to end, my children to be out of the house for hours at a time and have schedule that needs to be adhered to. All I have to say about that is - I really don't care what you think about me as a mom. My kid's need to go back to school!

You see - I am not a teacher of mathematics, reading, creative writing, PE or anything of the sort. I mean, I touch on those basically everyday, but having my kids take a college entrance exam after only having me as a teacher - let's just say that their outlook on a job would only be McFriendly.

Just to be clear to you all - I am a good mom (my kids will back me up on this one. Seriously, even the 17 year old would have to agree - they know which side their bread is buttered on.) I do read with my kids, talk with them, listen to them, laugh with them, teach them kitchen stuff and even how to fix a flat tire on a bike, but the finer points of algebra??? I don't even know the basics of algebra! And as for English. Yes, it is my native tongue, but what is a dangling participle? Sounds like some mess the I need to clean up after - you know?

So, to have my children go out into the world every August to expand their little minds - as a good mom who doesn't want their child to be working at McFriendly's for the rest of their working careers - I am happy to hear that school bell a ringin'!

I also feel that my children are so wonderful and full of love that it would be enormously selfish of me to keep these wonderful little people all to myself. As much as I would like to spend every waking hour (and quite possibly a "family sleeping bed") with them, I will sacrifice my time with them to share them with the world. Those poor teachers really need some kids in their classroom that makes them think, "Oh, I have so-and-so Nelson in my class. I can wake up and look forward to going to work. Lucky me!" Yes, lucky them indeed!

Princess will be going to a different middle school than Jeremy goes to (I think I addressed the reasons for that in an earlier post, maybe I didn't, but anyway....) and she and I made a "dry run" on our bikes to see how long the bike ride took us. It took us 16 minutes and I thought that was rather long, but she was a little sour on going, being with me, being with anyone in the family, breathing air - just about anything you could think of, so she might have been holding back on me in the hamstring/quad/leg department of biking. I am sure on Tuesday with the thought of seeing all her friends that day, she'll probably make it in 10 minutes, have to wait around for 6 minutes before the school opens it doors and she will end the day by coming home and blaming me for poor time keeping during the dry run.

After our little trip to the school, she cheered up some and we walked around to her classes trying to show her that 4 minutes between each class is actually MOUNDS of time to get to her next class. She was a little better when we went to Big Lots and purchased stuff for her gym locker (deodorant - etc.) She already has her first day of clothes picked out. She has placed them on her bedroom floor ready to go. I am not sure why they can't be chosen and left in the closet, but the way that she and I think differently about "organization" is another post entirely.

I think that she is excited, but scared. Middle school is that really crazy time in your life. Not so much 6th grade, but 7th. That will be fun (did you catch the sarcasim?). Hopefully, we will keep the communication open and she will know how much I love her even when she does stupid stuff (see - that was a good mom statement if I ever heard one!)

Jeremy and Tyler have both started Football practice. Somewhere to go in the afternoons! The TV does actually have an OFF button. Amazing. Tyler is actually doing two-a-days so he gets up to practice, comes home to sleep and then gets up to practice again. Wow. That is dedication. Probably gets that from his mom. :)

Tyler really doesn't go back to school until September 22nd because of going to CBC. He does have seminary and weight training in the afternoon at HS, but for the next month - it's just like normal for him. Except after 8:00 AM it will be quiet and he can continue to sleep in in peace.

Jeremy is loving football life as usual. He is pretty cool for such a confident guy. We went to his school last week to practice opening the locker and stuffing it full of all school items. Now on the first day of school - he will be a Boy Scout for sure - always be prepared. I am sure that he is excited for this year - being the oldest in the school, but I really think he's excited about next year and being in high school. I don't even want to think about it.

Brigam is just waiting for Tuesday. He asks me every day how many days are left until school starts (see what I mean? I can't teach math.) I am still not sure who his teacher is. Last year they told me one name at the end of the school year, then they sent home info that his teacher is someone else. Whatever. Anyone has to be better than last year's teacher. (Did I just write that out loud? Yes, yes I did!) If it's not - Mama Bear will be coming out of HIBERNATION.

Well, again, I don't really think I surprised anyone with my admittance to the love of the summer ending. If you know me, you know me! One thing that I am grateful for - seriously - is the opportunity my kids have to get an education. They not only have the chance to learn, but in many incidences they get to choose to get education in many different areas that they are particularly interested in. Gotta love the USA!

I guess that is one great reason for summer. 4th of July!!!! An independent nation and all that, but why can't school start on July 26th? Education is the key to our future - Right?

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Tiffani!!!!!

My cute-as-heck-blonde-super-smily-friendly-friend is having a birthday today.

She's like only 23 (because I know that I am FOREVER 28), but she is so much wiser than her years! I love you, Tiffani and hope you have a great birthday!!!

Andrea Tagged Me - Now it's your turn!

Here goes:Answer the following using the first word that pops into your head (and remember, use just ONE word! I really had a tough time on some "one words". I had to use the useful hyphen :)
1. Where is your cell phone? charging
2. Your significant other? sleeping
3. Your hair? crazy
4. Your mother? Mongolia
5. Your father? Mission
6. Your favorite thing? Solitude
7. Your dream last night? New House
8. Your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper
9. Your dream/goal? 150 lbs
10. The room you’re in? dining
11. Your hobby? vinyl-lettering
12. Your fear? dark
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Wedding-Planning
14. What you’re not? mean
15. Muffins? YES
16. One of your wish list items? Money
17. Where you grew up? Sandy, Utah
18. The last thing you did? Check Pool
19. What are you wearing? Jammies
20. Favorite gadget? Computer
21. Your pets? Beta-Fish
22. Your computer? Knowledge
23. Your mood? Content
24. Missing someone? Mom
25. Your car? Pathfinder
26. Something you’re not wearing? Make-up
27. Favorite store? Dress Barn
28. Like someone? Mike
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Trek Day

I TAG : Mykalyn, Pam, Taunya, Kristen & Roxsan

Captain's Log - Stardate 08.10.08

Alright - this title totally dates me as I remember that phrase from Captain Kirk. I was not a "trekky" by any stretch of the imagination, but I did think that Captain Kirk was pretty cool and that Spock had some interesting ears. Anyway, time for my update!

So Tyler went on the Pioneer Trek. It was really great for him. I believe that he will truly believe that when he is my age and even offer to be a "Paw" at that time. I've told him that "all these things are for your experience" so learn, but I'm just the mom and Tyler hasn't yet reached the "Wow, Mom is so smart. When did that happen?" stage of his life. I am sure that it will be sometime in year number 20 of his life. Looking forward to that.

He really wasn't excited to go to Trek, but went without complaint as THAT was one of the things he had to agree to do if he went on the previously mentioned California trip. So he dressed like a pioneer and filled his bucket and was on his way. I was such a good mom that I even bought him a pair of PINK "dance pants" for the ho down happening on the Trek's "Saturday night" (thank you Value Village). Tyler tried on these "dance pants" at home and they fit him just right. He even tried a few dance moves for the family - they were all along the lines of the movie "Hitch". I can tell you that he had the family doubled over with stomach pain as we laughed and laughed and laughed! What a funny guy. Wish I got pics of that or a video. THAT would have been funny for all to see. Unfortunately, he did not change into his dance pants for the ho down. Those kids really missed out on a good time. The dance pants are retired never to be worn by him again. I will have to replay that memory over and over in my mind to keep it fresh. Don't want to let go of that image EVER!

Tyler did end up having a good time. Can I just say, "I told you so!" I think the day he bonded and enjoyed the most was the Trek's Sunday. They had testimony meeting and mail was delivered to them by Pony Express. Tyler had three letters one from me, one from Mike and one from my parents on a mission. He also bonded with his Maw, Paw and the rest of the family then. When we went to pick them up the next day, several leaders came to Mike and I to tell us what a great person Tyler was. Hello! I knew that! I was glad that they found it out too. He really is a unique teenager compared to the teens of my youth. All these youth are unique. They completely impress me (mostly).

After the Trek it was school shopping time. That is always fun on the checkbook. It used to be a little difficult for me because they'd want this and then they'd want that. Brigam isn't so bad because I can shop in the little boy's department for him and the clearance racks. Jeremy has his own idea about what school attire should be - it is mostly shorts. I did talk him into 1 pair of jeans though. Mykie, I have learned, does not want to hurt my feelings so we'll buy somethings that she will NEVER wear (but of course, she has to remove the tags and wash them. Ugh!) I have to tell her that I don't care if I like it or not, if she likes it - she will wear it. Stop worrying about my feelings. The only time you should worry about my feelings is when I feel mad seeing something in your closet that you lead me to believe that you liked, but you really didn't! (that was a mouthful!) Tyler still goes shopping with me and likes it. I am serious - he does. (If you are confused - see above statement about unique teenagers.) I do have a hard time paying bouco bucks for a tee-shirt, but it has become much easier for me to do so. I say, "Tyler (or whomever I am working with), you have X amount of dollars to spend. Do with it what you'd like, but remember that shoes have to come out of it as well, if you need them right now." Then it is a stress-free shopping experience. Until Mike gets the bill.

Any who - Mykie finished up on her swim team last week with an "all team" meet at the Pasco pool. This is a sport that she really enjoys a lot and she's really pretty good at it. I hope that she would do swim team, volleyball and softball in her high school years. She would love to get back into gymnastics, but paying those fees are CRAZY!

A couple of weeks ago she was showing me the different strokes in our TCCC pool. I knew when I was doing them right because my muscles were screaming, "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?!?!?! WE JUST FLOAT IN HERE, REMEMBER?" They are tough, but so is she.

Last week we went on our one and only summer camping trip as a family. Or as a group of families. We went with the Nielsens for 4 days and 3 nights up at Hood. We usually go 3 times in the summer, but June was so busy for me at work, July everyone in the family was going their separate ways and August was the only month that had any days that would work. Sad but true, summer is truly at an end.

I've included some pics from our camping trip because we had so much fun together. By the way, if you want to go camping for the peace and quiet, to listen to the birds, for the campfire on a cool summer's night - Hood is NOT the place. but if you enjoy listening to the running traffic from the near-by freeway, roasting from the heat until about 5:00 am, dodging the night sprinklers and trying to keep your foodstuffs away from the rapid :) raccoons - HOOD IS THE PLACE FOR YOU! Just FYI.

Pam and I really enjoyed ourselves in our outside kitchen cooking away for each and every meal. Actually, we really did except if our "shade-people" wouldn't move the E-Z Up Shade Shelter for us quick enough to block the sun's shine!

This little video came about because of all the talk about a talent show - and what would you do? This is what Jeremy, Devin and Courtney would do:

Pam and I may have missed out on 2 days of Kickboxing at the TCCC, but our abs certainly got a workout on the beach this day. I ended up having to put the camera down and say, "Enough, enough - no more pictures!

Jeremy and Devin were working on their most glorious GQ poses for Pam and I. I will leave most of them out because mostly you wonder what they are thinking when they struck that certain pose. But here are two for the world to have.

Devin - What is that line down the middle of your ribs? Unique - see what I mean?Jeremy says, "The Beach is That Way!!!" This is his favorite pose people!

OK, OK, I'll throw one more in. Strike a pose(r) you two!

Do you think I could use this one as future blackmail material?

Here are Mykie and Rachel showing us how they really feel about each other. They truly do love each other - it's just sometimes it doesn't show so much on the outside. But we caught the true just of their relationship!


This is cute Ashley. She is so darn adorable (inside and out). That is all I will say about that. Someone might read my blog and then would read my mind about the future. Enough said.

Here are the kids with Mike playing King of Big Bertha. The trick was to turn the tube over to get the next king in his throne. All the kids tried, but as you can see - Mike is reigning King. He was de-throned eventually, but then the game was over. Can we say sore-loser? Or just "whew, that wore me out!"

And here is one of my cute-pie Briggy. I can't resist that one!

We had a great time together and even talked about a family trip to Lagoon next year. Then we remembered that we'd have to take the kids and Pam and I spoke of a girl's night over-nighter. Yeah, THAT sounds relaxing!

Yesterday was Stake Conference. Elder Willams (of the Quorum of the Seventy) came to speak to us. He's a great, down to earth speaker. I am more motivated to attend the temple now.

One of the things that another speaker said stuck with me as well. He told the story of a guy (Brother X) that was up on the stand. As he was there, he looked down at the congregation and saw a man in the back totally asleep with his head rolled back and his mouth hanging wide open. Above him was a skylight. Brother X on the stand started thinking if he could get up to the roof and open the skylight above the sleeping man, he could take little balls of paper and drop them directly into the sleeping man's mouth. His thoughts went along these lines for some time.

After the meeting was over and everyone was filing out, he overheard one congregation member say to another, "We were certainly spiritually fed at that meeting today, weren't we?" and the man who had been sitting on the stand thought to himself, "Where were you Brother X when the spiritual feast was served?"

The lesson? It doesn't matter if the speaker is boring or what the circumstances are. If you have come to be spiritually fed at church, our Father will feed you. You must prepare yourself. Great lesson!

Enjoy your last days of summer!

I WANNA PLAY!

I've seen this on a few blog sites and thought to myself, "I'd love a trip down memory lane!"

Here is a fun little game... leave a comment on my blog of a memory you and I have had together. It doesn't matter if you've known me for a short time or a long time. It can be funny, embarrassing, whatever (Roxy, I am sure that you have an embarrassing one!) Anything that you remember!

Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to read the responses.

If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you are playing and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. So come on, let's take a walk down memory lane together (I'll even hold your hand if you want)!