"Oh, they're soooo cute - especially when they sleep!"

Those words are the saving grace for a few of my "most prized possessions" the past few days. Being a parent - at least trying to be a GOOD parent - with those that have their own ideas on how the world works is sometimes trying. That's the thing about everything in this life. Something that may be good can also be bad at another time. I have always loved watching my children grow and come into their own ideas about things. Even if they are stupid ideas, at least I had raised them to think for themselves. But that "thinking your own thoughts" thing can backfire as well. Not that Tyler is going off any deep end or anything, but he does have his own ideas about stuff. Teenagers have the same problem today that we had when we were teenagers (only 10 years ago for some of us). They think they are invincible.

Tyler has been on just this side of the obnoxious line - OK, he's actually stepped across that line this week. He is obnoxious. I guess I find some consolation that at least he feels unconditionally loved here at home enough that he can be a turkey around me and to me. It's really not much consolation.

It also could be that I am experiencing that precious time that comes around every 28 days or so that makes no one in this life understandable or me patient, but I DOUBT THAT LADIES. I am sure that it is all his fault. I really don't think that there is much he can do to remedy the problem short of 1 dozen red roses, an apology ad in the school newspaper and a heartfelt "Mom, you are the smartest, wisest, most knowledgeable, most wonderful person in the whole wide world" comment in front of all his friends followed up by a two handed/armed hug (not just the jock wave). Yup, the more I think about it, I think that would fix it. Do you think I ask for too much?

As I have told you all many times I always, always, always have 1 perfect child. Who that perfect child is might change by the minute, but at any one time one of my 4 children are treating me perfectly. I am a selfish person though, an sometimes 1 is not enough. Today, I've had enough. I need chocolate, a girls night out and some good ol' belly laughter!

GIVE ME WHAT I NEED GIRLS!

Brigam's "Sick" haircut

I don't know if any of you noticed Brigam's new "do" today, but he had one and yes, it was on purpose! Tyler's "friend that is a girl" (we can't say girlfriend because that causes stress on teenagers) - her name is Jackie - gave Tyler a haircut. She really did a great job! Brigam was next and I was happy to let her. You know what they say about a bad haircut - it's only bad for 2 weeks. Anyway, she asked Brigam if he wanted a design cut out in the back of his head/hair. Of course he did! He wanted things that were next to impossible to create so clever Jackie came up with this "artsy" design and a mock Mohawk.

Brigam was thrilled and so was I. He was so excited about it, but thought it might disappear. He asked me when he woke up on Saturday if it was still there. I had to take a picture so that he'd know that it didn't disappear. I guess the science of hair growing is lost on Brigam.

I think he also had a little "crush" on his stylist.

Because when I asked him if he liked Jackie, this was the expression I got! Then he shook his head and said, "Man, I've got sooooo many girlfriends!" I didn't have the heart to tell him that when he gets only 1 is definitely all he'll be able to handle!

Snowboarding Season is Almost Upon Us

Saturday was a special day, it was the day we get ready for snowboarding! Mike, Jeremy and Tyler spent a good part of the morning at the annual Ski/Snowboard Swap at the fairgrounds. We had a few items to sell, but we also had a few items we were in need of.

Jeremy got some sweet snowboarding pants with butt and knee padding (not that he'll need it, he is a crazy man on the slopes - bombing it down the mountain stoping only for the lodge) for only $10.00. They are a great buy! He and Mykie also got new "Clicker" bindings so that they don't have to mess with straping their boots in anymore. They just step on them and head off down the mountain.

Mykie loves snowboarding. She is a natural at it.

Her gymnastics talents with balance really make

snowboarding come easy for Mykie. She is really looking forward to trips with dad and the boys this year. They will plan their annual one for Utah in April when they will take in a little boarding and General Conference with Mike's siblings.

Brigam is also looking forward to snowboarding season this year, although he has never snowboarded before. He has always been a little frightened at the thought of putting something attached to his feet on a mountain covered in slippery stuff, but for right now - he's pumped.

I do think that this is how most of his first snowboarding experience pictures will turn out, just that the surroundings will be white and wet. Hopefully, he'll just jump right back on and try it again.

As for myself, I haven't been snowboarding for years. I haven't even gone since we've been up here. I went a couple of times in Utah and really liked it, but the mountain was just 20 minutes away and I could leave anytime I wanted to. Here you have to drive at least 2 hours and stay ALL DAY because Mike is going to get his money's worth. We'll have to wait and see if I can try it this year. But knowing that I will be in the same position as Brigam for most of the day - that thought is kind of a downer! I wonder if the lodge has some place I can lie down, hummmmm...

Tyler - He Works Hard With A Little Help From His Friends

Tyler's new job at the new house is to rake the leaves. Mike has asked Tyler to do this for quite a while now, so when Saturday came, Mike was done with being Mr. Nice Guy. Tyler had to complete the job or no fun for Ty Saturday night. Apparently, Tyler needed a bit more prodding, so he brought along some friends to make sure the job was done right.

This is Jared and Dirk, they are really the "muscle"

behind the work getting completed:

This would be Tyler hard at work.

He really hasn't been working too hard - his jacket is still on! So Dirk had to pull the big guns out:

Dirk may look like all he does is work, work, work; but he and Jared have plenty of time to play as well. They all took a swing on the big ol' tree swing. I do think that they were actually making more work for Tyler to do by stressing the tree and making it drop it's leaves, but that means less work for Tyler next week!

Actually, these guys are super guys and we're just glad whenever they come around! Martin and Jackie were here too, but I guess they missed the photo opps that could have been theirs. By the way, Tyler's mission was successful, now he's on to the dishes!

The Boy Scouts Of America (or (better titled) Things That Can Make A Parents Job Harder)

Tonight we attended a Court of Honor. For those of you who don't have scouting aged boys, that is where the boys are awarded their patches for the merit badges they have earned. Lots of boys LOVE scouting. My boys do not. It all started with Tyler. He was enjoying scouting until about 7th grade. Uniforms, respect, helping little old ladies across the street - now in 7th grade these things are not cool (I think he also had a few leaders that didn't like scouting at all and some that were 110% scouting FOREVER. I think visiting those two ends of the spectrum in 2 years was too much for our Tyler.) I admire those that face their crowd of peers and say that they actually enjoy scouting. Personally, I think scouting is great because it gives opportunities for the boys to gain experience and knowledge about many, many, many things without having to dive totally into something with no understanding of it at all.

Tyler FINALLY earned his Eagle. We are so proud that he did it, but kind of sad because he really didn't enjoy the journey. In fact, he doesn't even want a Eagle Court of Honor even if there is dessert involved. He just wants us to be off his back about it.
Jeremy is kind of along the same lines as Tyler, but only because of Tyler's attitude. I tell him that it is OK to like scouting because of the many faucet's it can open up to him. Just because Tyler doesn't enjoy it doesn't mean Jeremy doesn't have to enjoy it. These guys are as different as night and day so why do they have to agree on this one thing? Deep down, I think he does enjoy it, he just doesn't want Tyler to think he's not cool.

Brigam, on the other hand LOVES scouting. He's only 6, but every time we go to something that has to do with scouting, he has to wear the old Cub Scout Shirt and Neckerchief. He loves the uniform and looks forward to the day that he will get to be in scouts. Let's hope this sticks.

Like I said, scouting is great when you don't have to berate! What makes your job harder?

Your Best Reason For Blank Blogs

The following is the #1 reason why I have been lame on blogging this week.

Vinyl orders abound at my house. My back makes me feel like a 90 year old woman - where hunched over is a natural posture. For those of you who don't know the process, vinyl comes in a big long roll. My uber-smart computer allows me to write (or should I say design to sound artsy-fartsy) whatever I want in whatever font I want in whatever height I want and then sends it to my vinyl cutter. The vinyl cutter lovingly cuts out the design and then the rest is up to me. I have to "pick" away the extra vinyl leaving the great design. It is a beautiful thing when it is done (I love walls that talk to you), but it is a time consuming, back bending process.

I had to break yesturday for a quick workout at the gym and spent sometime trying to put my back back on one of those large workout balls. I'm glad no one was watching but my friend Dacia. Dacia already thinks I am a geek, so I don't have to pretend not to be one anymore when I am around her. Lucky her. She gets me in all my naturalness.

I am back at the vinyl machine this morning - these creative juices cannot be stopped!

F.H.E.

Well, for those of you who brave FHE and have everyone still in attendance with no tears by the end of it – my hat’s off to you and I’d like to know just how you pull it off! Usually, I strive so hard for the Spirit to be in attendance that I usually offend about 1/3 of those at FHE with my orneriness. Then that 1/3 is sent to their room with reminders that they will be getting NONE of the delicious treats that were going to be handed out to those who actually made it through the “joyful family time” which means that I have to pull something out of the pantry to make those being punished salivate. It’s usually just some old store bought cookies that no one really likes the flavor of anyway because it’s not Oreos. Needless to say, the Spirit is no where in feeling (I was going to say in sight, but it just doesn’t work with the Holy Ghost.)
There is one reason and one reason only that we had a super successful FHE on Sunday – that reason was Tyler. Yes, ours in Sunday. Monday always looks like a great day for FHE until it gets to be about 9:00 pm and it still isn’t done. Tyler’s lesson was on the Armor of God. Not only did we find out what each piece of armor spiritually represented, but we proceeded to make it out of super-strong, super shiny tinfoil. Then we took photos(all Tyler's idea). My warriors….

Aren’t they looking like they are definitely the victorious types? I thought I’d share my successful FHE will you all complete with the pics. Tyler is available for loan for your next FHE, just make sure the treats are homemade and delicious!