LewisZone

2011-07-28T09:50:00.002-06:00

some where in the craziness of blogger it deleted the all important picture of Elways bust. So here it is.....

2011-07-27T11:16:00.018-06:00

I couldn't get my captions to line up with the right pictures, so I will just let you look at the pictures and try to figure them out. If you have any questions let me know. Basically though, there are 3 Denver Broncos in the Hall of Fame...... John Elway, Gary Zimmerman, and Floyd Little. Shannon Sharp is being inducted this year. If you don't know anything about them, google 'em (-: We had a REALLY fun time at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There is so much to see and interact with! Jayla even said she thought it was a lot of fun. If a 10 yr old girl can say that then it must have been good. Although, she is Dan's daughter. Speaking of Dan. You could tell he was in heaven! The last picture is driving to Canton. See all the haze? It's not humid or anything. Have a great football season! Now that there really is gonna be a season.....

2011-06-10T09:47:00.002-06:00

Things I've learned the last couple months...........

First, we got a new camera and I can't figure out how to upload the pictures. I can see them on my iPhoto but when I try to upload or edit they are not there. Frustrating. So I had some pictures for this post but can't upload them. You can use your imagination.

So here are the things I've learned....

1- Don't rely on the "pre-programed" buttons on your microwave. (Short version) A month after living in our house my cutie-patutie (sp?) daughter asked if she could have a sweet potato for an after school snack. I said sure. I put it in for her pushed the "baked potato" button and told her to watch for it to be done. I was then told by the oldest child he needed 3x5 cards for his homework, so we left to go get some. I was gone for 5 min when I get a call from sweet daughter saying that they were at the neighbors and that there were 2 fire trucks and an ambulance at our house. I immediately turned around to head home. Of course it takes longer to get home than it did to leave. I found out that the potato caught fire! The poor daughter smelled something burning, saw the microwave flashing "end" but it was still going/cooking. No beeps or anything. the kitchen was full of smoke. She grabbed her 2 younger bros. and the dog and ran out onto the drive way and called 911. They told her to go to a neighbors house and they would send the fire department. They were there in less than 5 second after making the call. I came home to ambulance and 1 fire truck leaving. The fire department was so wonderful and kept telling me what a smart daughter I had and how she did the right thing. I was amazed that she knew our address after such a short time living here. I got to meet our neighbor for the first time because of this incidence (She probably thinks she is living next to a bunch of looney's). I was grateful that no one was hurt and that the fire was just contained in the microwave. It didn't do any damage to the surrounding cabinets. This same neighbor saved our front door from being smashed by the fire department (it was locked and the kids left through the back door) and told them the back door was open. Needless to say our house smelled like smoke for days. I got to argue with the maker of the microwave for 3 weeks until they gave in and replaced it for free. (That is a story in and of itself). And we now have a working microwave. FYI- I learned from the appliance guy,that was in and out of my house about 6 times, that people should never use the programed setting because there are too many variables that can cause a fire. The 2 biggest culprits.... potatoes and green beans. Keep your eye on those things!

2- I learned how to pull a tick out of someone's body, namely the head. Here in Ohio ticks are EVERYWHERE. Because of the trees and fields they are quite prevalent. Well probably not just here but the midwest and east in general. Because of the field behind us and to the side of us (vacant home lots..... wanna come build a house next to us? It's totally affordable). The kids are always running around the neighborhood with friends and the dog thinks it is a lion in the field stalking the little birds. Two weeks ago I was giving the little boys a bath and Z started yelling at me ..... "Mom!Mom! J has a tick on his head!" "Ya, ya Z. You don't even know what a tick looks like." "No, mom! He really does!" So I took a closer look and yep. There it was. Using my sons head as dinner. I tried to keep my composure, cuz I knew what kinds of disease those things carry. Ok, Ok, I totally freaked and yelled for Dan. I grabbed the tweezers and my phone. Yes my phone, so I could google how to get a tick off of my kids head! I was totally nervous about trying to pluck this gross thing out the right way. Google it if you really want to see how many errors you could make and increase the risk of spreading sickness into the host. BLAH! I pinched it as close to my kids skin as possible... pulled with steady pressure and Viola. I got the whole thing out , head intact. Whew! I put it in a baggie and labeled and it with date and time just in case J started showing symptoms. A week later he started complaining about a sore throat and head ache. No fever. I was worried anyway and wanted to make sure that we could catch whatever it was early just in case it was from the tick. Took him to the dr. Still no fever or any rashes so the Dr. said to keep watching him closer and call her if anything changes. We'll that night he was running a low fever, still no rash. The next morning no fever. That night, fever again. Next morning no fever. That afternoon I could see the fever coming back and called the Dr and told her how he was having a fever at night and fine in the morning. Because of the tick bite she wanted to see him for herself. Thank goodness we are 5 min away so we could hurry over. The nurse took his temp. It was 102. It had not been that high when I was taking his temp. She checked him out and still no sign of rashes, but then she checked his ears. The poor kid ended up having an ear infection. We got him on some antibiotics and he is starting to show signs of his normal self. I still have to keep that gross tick for at least a month, because symptoms can manifest 30 days after a bite. That thing is still alive in its baggie taped to the inside of the laundry room door. Needless to say we do tick checks on a daily basis. Oh.... and I took the dog to get groomed the day after the tick bite. We got him shaved and the poor thing had to have at least 4 ticks pulled off of him too. Now we gotta keep and eye on the dog for symptoms and he is on Frontline.

2011-01-19T21:22:00.002-07:00

First off ..... I have no pictures. I know that people like to see pics, but my camera is dead and I lost the charger, and I'm too lazy to get the ones off my phone.

That said, lets play catch up. Where do I start, hummm. I will give the condensed version from my last post. I just had to check when that was. WOW, Aug! I'll go month by month (if I can remember that far).

Sept.- School started. I was sad. Kids were sad. Football started (-:

Oct.- G'ma Pratt, G'pa Pratt, Aunt Ellen and Gavin came to visit. FUN! Universal Studios, football games, swimming and lots of visiting.

Nov.- Thanksgiving. Had it all by ourselves. Dan and I made the entire meal from scratch. Great family bonding.

Dec.-Christmas! The kids got a haul. Dan found out he will be the Farmers Executive of Ohio. He got to spend almost 2 weeks with us before leaving ( started Jan. 1)

Jan 2011- G'ma came to visit/ babysit while I went to Ohio to look for houses. Disneyland!(with some wonderful guides to show us the ropes! Thanks Dalands!) Dan came home for that weekend.

So that brings us up to date.

My focus these days is survival, and trying my best to help Dan find us a house. It is rather difficult, since all I can do is look at pictures and he has to tell me how the neighborhood is and how the house really looks and feels. It's frustrating for both of us that we couldn't find anything while I was there. But we know that the Lord will bless us and we will be back together soon.

On a "cool" note. Google - Daniel Lewis Farmers Insurance. Cool, huh!? He was given a press release on his new Executive appt..... (click the link) http://classic.cnbc.com/id/41142524

I am very proud of all his hard work.

I'll try to stay more up to date. Famous last words!

2010-08-19T13:16:00.000-06:00

I am missing my house......

Especially the kitchen....


and the all the windows that kept everything brite.....

California is beautiful. The beach is wonderful. So many things to do (of which we haven't just yet) Wish I could have transplanted the house. But that would make life too perfect. And if you have a perfect life, then you are dull. Things happen so that life stays interesting. I wish for perfection..... but if it actually happened then I would become like a stagnant pond. Never doing anything.....Never moving or evolving..... and just breeding mosquito's (-:

Since moving the house isn't going to happen. Then it just needs to be taken, so I can continue on with my life here. (and do those things, of which we just haven't yet....)

2010-07-28T11:35:00.000-06:00

I just haven't been feeling the blogging bug lately. Sorry. Not that we haven't done anything...... visit to Colorado, Fourth of July, Beaches, etc. I just don't have the desire to put all that we've done out into the "blog-o-sphere". But I know that there are a few of you who are actually interested in what is going on..... so here's what's going on, not in any particular order.

Zach's been playing basketball.
Jake's been playing soccer.
Jayla's been playing volleyball.
Tanner is starting football this week.
I am busy with all things Relief Society and children.
Dans been BUSY with work and scouting. (and going to the ESPY's. SO COOL)
Beach days.
Park days.

So there you have it.

The end.

2010-06-02T19:56:00.000-06:00

Here's a little bit of a run down of the last week....
Tanner and his class gave speeches at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The students were put into units with the same topic. They were then "judged" by a panel of 3 experts. One being an Editor from Houghton/Mifflin (?) a High School English teacher and a Professor at California Lutheran University (this school is located right around the corner from us, seriously)
Tanner did a great job! His group was given the highest score.

I decided that Jake and I would take advantage of the fact we were there for free, so we wandered around some of the exhibits. Reagan Library is only 10 min from our house..... it is SO cool!

Here's Reagan's Air Force One. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside. It's dated but still really awesome to go through. Reagan LOVED Jelly Belly's so there is a container in each compartment. (I knew there was a reason I like him so much).

This is his L.A. motorcade.

This is Marine One..... Ginormous!

This is his resting place. We saw a few other little exhibits, because the main part of the library is being renovated until Feb. of 2011.

Here's "Super Star" Jayla. Her 3rd grade did a play called "Vacation to Mars". Since we came in so late in the year she didn't get to try out for a part. She was a WONDERFUL venutian back up singer!

Zach also was in his kindergarten play of "Chicken Little". He was Ducky Lucky.... and a darn good one. Jake said it was the best Chicken Little play he'd ever seen! I agree!

Now that Dan is the Scout Master we are supporting him in all the court of honors and things he has to attend. Here Tanner is getting a patch for something they did at their Camporee. He is the only 11 year old scout at this time so they are including him in the older scouts.

The 2 above pictures are of Jayla and Zach getting an award for student of the month at school. Tanner got one too, but it was a surprise and I didn't have the camera out to catch him. All of their teachers had such wonderful things to say about them. The school, students and teachers have made it a great transition for the kids.

The pictures below are of all the kids at Chuck E. Cheese. We went there on Sat. before Zach's birthday to celebrate as a family.

Zach's birthday landed on Memorial Day this year and some friends invited us to go to the beach with them. It was everything I wanted it to be! (-: Sun, water, playing and fun!

Jake walked around most the day looking like he had a 5 o'clock shadow of sand. He didn't want me to wipe it off, so it stayed.

After the beach Zach wanted to go to Chili's for dinner .... and of course we did. Then we took him home for presents and cake.

2010-05-18T10:15:00.000-06:00

Out of my comfort zone.....

I'm normally not one to get all spiritual on this blog, or in general. Not that I don't have a strong testimony of Christ's gospel, but probably more because it means SO much too me, I keep it personally in my heart, because I don't feel eloquent enough to express it and give it justice. Well I'm stepping out on a limb because I feel I have to.....

During the last few months our family...... I should just really say me....... has relied upon the Lord more than I have ever had to. I knew that moving would be difficult in all aspects of my life. Leaving family, friends, and just the comfort of having been in one place for 10 years. All I can say is that Heavenly Father is always mindful of us, our situations, and our needs.

Our move has not been easy, by any means. The stress has been so overwhelming at times (finding a suitable home for our family, adjusting to a new job and just adjusting to our new surroundings) but I have always known that this is what the Lord has had planned for us. So while my logical brain was saying "this is too hard. It's so much easier to forget about it". My spirit has been pushing me to move forward, because as the scriptures say "this too shall pass".

We have opened up a new chapter in our lives. We are trying to make new friends, and find our way in a new environment. There are times where I feel that I have to keep moving forward or I will be sucked down into the depths of unhappiness. What a motivator!? But, a motivator none-the-less. The Lord, again knows this. Thus, He has seen fit that Dan and I "put our shoulder to the wheel" and keep us out of trouble by giving us something to do in His "work force". I have been called as the 1st counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and Dan has been given a call as the Scout Master. We both are feeling TOTALLY unprepared for these new assignments. Quite honestly, I think that Dan feels more unprepared than I. We both know that these callings came from our Heavenly Father, and we will surely learn more than those that we will be serving. But, it doesn't ease our feelings of inadequacy.

Because of my testimony I will do what he has asked me to do. I know that as I continue to rely on Him and follow His promptings I can be like clay in His hands and be molded into the person He sees me as. All I see in myself is just a huge blob with no idea how to become a work of art.

I will trust the Lord.

2010-05-13T16:59:00.000-06:00

Ramblings......

* I have a love hate relationship with renting. I love that when things break, I don't have to find someone to fix them. I hate that I have to wait for someone (landlord) to decide when those things should get fixed. I can't decide how much time or money I want to put into decorating, when we don't know the length of stay (at the very least 2 years).

* I love California weather. But I haven't really been able to enjoy it.... still unpacking boxes... finding places for things... organizing...school....etc.

* I like working out ( Gold's Gym), but I miss LifeTime. I was SPOILED!

*Think its funny when people in California say..."Yeah...it's more expensive to live out here. But, you get paid more too!" They have NO IDEA.

*Likes that where we live (the city) that everyone seems to have lived here for a LONG time. Perfect strangers will randomly give me all sorts of info, as soon as they find out we are new. Like where the good beaches are, shopping, playing etc. There are SO many people that have lived here for 40+ years.

*Thousand Oaks is beautiful!

* I really like the kids' school. I was worried . I loved Southeast and how things were there. But, the kids here are REALLY friendly! They have made it an easy transition for the kids.

* I like our Ward. It is BIG, but again, because of the lack of "movement" here.... everyone knows we are new and has made an effort to stop by our house and introduce themselves. I still can't name them, though. There are A LOT of members here.

*I think it's funny that one of the first questions I've been asked from people that live here is..... "So have you run into anyone famous yet?" My response...." No... I probably won't, unless my kids actually run into them. Are there famous people that live this close to me?" Here's who I know that lives within a 15 min radius .... Joe Montana, Will Smith, Wayne Gretsky. All their kids go to a private Christian school within 10 min of where I live. Kardashians live in Calabasas.... not too far down the 101 Hwy. There are apparently others, but I really don't think I would know them if I were to see them on the street or in a car. I am retarded like that....

That's enough of my rambling...... FOR NOW.

2010-04-26T09:33:00.001-06:00

Ok... so my last post I had put a whole bunch of pictures on, but they didn't all show up. THEY ARE NOW THERE! Check them out in the post below........

2010-04-21T10:30:00.006-06:00

Our Trip to Santa Barbara. First off I'm having issues with blogger so, just look at the pictures and I'll give you a run down......

Saturday, April 17, 2010, Dan decided we needed to do something fun as a family. Since it was kind of last minute we decided on Santa Barbara. It's about an hour from our house. It was a beautiful day! We really just hung out at Stearns Warf and the surrounding beaches. We walked the pier and took a little taxi boat over to the next pier. Those are what the pictures are of us on a boat. Tanner and Zach were the only ones that wanted to help the captain drive the boat. Jake and Jayla were a little leary. We rented a 6 man bike "thing" and pedaled around the beach. We got a lot of fun comments with the two boys sitting in the front baskets. When we passed people the boys would yell.... "passing on the left!" We teach our kids good bicycle safety. And then if there were girls they would say "Hellooooo Ladies". I did NOT teach them that.... I blame it on their dad (-:

We had a wonderful day and will definitely be going back there!

2010-04-16T10:48:00.004-06:00

We have made it! We are now enjoying the California experience. Everything is now finding a place and getting into a schedule. Here has been our last 2 weeks ......

March 27-29: MOVERS COME! I tried to pack as much of the house as possible. We didn't want to be charged a full move, so I wanted to make sure that we packed as much as we could. Yes, we were given a chunk of $$ for Dans relocation.... but whatever we didn't pay the movers we got to pocket. So because we are greedy we wanted to save as much mula as possible (-; THANKS to all my family for helping out ! Whether is was helping me pack, clean or just taking my unwanted "stuff"(or re-wrapping the basement, getting us a new window etc. ). I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITH OUT YOU! I LOVE YOU!

March 31: Fly out from DEN and into LAX. Thanks to my mom and Dave for driving our brood out to the airport, and thanks to Renae who flew with the kids and I out to CA. Dan and his Dad drove out (they left the 30th). That was in itself stressful getting 4 kids and a dog through security. We even got through with some things that we weren't supposed to. Maybe they saw me as this pathetic looking lady and thought if she wants to blow herself up maybe we should let her.... J/J. The highlight of our travel was we got to be waited on by my Sis-in-Law's sister. It was so nice to have someone we know as a flight attendant, so again I could get some sympathy with the 4 kids and a dog. THANKS AGAIN TO FAMILY!

April 1: Movers meet us at our new residence. It was chaotic... needless to say. Trying to get everything unpacked, and boxes and packaging back on the truck (FYI- if you are moving and they charge by the weight, have them back load the truck so the packaging doesn't count in the weight. If that makes sense. Again, we are greedy [-: ) It was a tiring day!

April 2: Dan goes back to work, leaving the kids and I to unpack the rest of the boxes left. My In-Laws were going to go visit some mission friends that day. While in the midst of everyone getting ready for the day, we realized something that apparently happens quite often here (CA) when there are so many trees....... SEWER LINE BLOCKAGE! Not to dwell on the disgusting. My In-Laws canceled their plans and stayed with me to get this "problem" figured out. Since we are renting, I called the Land Lady and she got a plumber to come out. IT WAS GROSS! Moving on ....

April 3: Spent the day as a family, that will now be together in the same state for a while. The In-Laws went to Bob's sisters house for the night. It was so nice to be together!

April 4: Enjoyed Conference, Easter and my birthday. Dan's Aunt(Dan's mom's sis) invited us over for lunch and to watch conference and to celebrate my b-day. We had a WONDERFUL time!

April 5: Got up and started unpacking. Dan invited us to meet him for lunch, because we can , now that he is only 10-15 minutes away. After lunch drove down to Malibu to show the kids the ocean. It was a little chilly, so we just drove around. After getting home, we walked into our house where a swarm of bee's had decided to try to invade the house. I just happened to be talking to the land lady about the plumbing, so I asked her if she had ever had bee issues. She didn't believe me, so she and her husband came over. Boy were they surprised! The bees were coming into the house from the CLOSED fireplace flew. We vacuumed up the live bees, started a fire and she wanted to see if they would go away. That night when we finally turned he fireplace off, the bees were NOT gone. Dan and I taped some plastic over the fireplace hole, so the bees couldn't get into the house. We lived like that for 3 days, before the land lady decided to call a Bee "person" ( she didn't want the bee's totally exterminated, just relocated). So Day 5 the bee guy came and "kidnapped" the queen and put her into a box. The majority followed her into the box, but the stragglers got terminated anyway. The bee guy said that there were over 10, 000 bees in the chimney! That's right..... OVER TEN THOUSAND! Aaaahhhh! He told us to leave the plastic up for another 3 days or so to make sure that the stragglers don't get in.

Those are all the dead bees. They tried their best to get out, but it didn't work.

I told the land lady that if there was an influx of locusts, frogs or crickets I would be leaving before my first child died! ( She did find that humorous, she is VERY religious).

In the midst of all this unexpectedness, we have enjoyed Cali. The kids have started school, and are really enjoying it. We seem to have a really great ward. It is HUGE..... the rows go into the cultural hall and almost to the stage ( Brighton Ward revisited). I had one lady stop by unexpectedly to see if she could help clean or unpack.... she had 30min. before she needed to pick up one of her kids from school. The elders quorum presidency visited us last night. The church makes the world seem so small (There are a few Colorado connections with people already).

We miss our friends and family, but really are excited to have a new adventure here in Cali. (hopefully they are more enjoyable then the adventures of the last couple weeks). We know that the Lord has plans for us here. We are in the right place for our family.

2010-02-08T09:15:00.002-07:00

We are MOVING......

I posted this on Facebook, but there are some that don't follow that, so I thought I better post here too.

We are moving to some place in Ventura County, CA (click on link to see a map) Dan's office will be in Westlake Village. We would, of course, like to stay close to his office so he doesn't have to have a too awful commute.

We have known for a while that to "move" up in Farmers, we would have to pay ours dues in California at their "home base". We just didn't think it would be in such a whirl wind. A few weeks ago Dan was "told" to apply for a job opening in the home office. So he did. Then, last Thurs. he was given the official word that he had gotten the job, but that he will be leaving in a week. WHOA! A weeks notice to figure out what to do with 2 houses, a wife, 4 kids, and a dog.
Well, we are trying our best to keep it together and figure all the things out we need to. We have a little bit of an idea about where we would like to live. We will be renting in CA. We have decided that the kids and I will move the week of their spring break and try to be back together as a family by April.

If any of you know the area of where we're headed let us know..... Any info would be great!

2010-01-20T08:34:00.002-07:00

Car Accident.......

Well last Fri was my first EVER car accident. And of course if your gonna have one you might as well make it worth your while.... and your kids'........and the state troopers..... and the insurance.

We were headed to the stock show to meet up with the Lewis'. As I was changing lanes on I-25 the box delivery truck in front of me slammed on his brakes ( not sure why. All the traffic was moving along just as they should. And it was the middle of the day, so it wasn't rush hour or anything). I tried to swerve and slam on my brakes, but hit his driver side back bumper to my passenger front fender. But to my surprise Mr. Box Truck didn't even stop! He drove away with the flow of traffic (about 65mph). Needless to say I and my children, all 4, were STUNNED. I didn't get his license plate #, but I did get the company name on the back. I pulled over and of course called the hubby first. I was hysterical, and the kids followed my lead. I don't "lose" it hardly ever, so Dan knew it was bad. After I called him I called 911 and then called the insurance. Must express some gratitude at this point: 1- That NO ONE was hurt. We all had our seat belts and car seats buckled 2- No air bags deployed 3- That the hubby works for the insurance company.

The lady State Trooper was really nice, as they should be. She gave Jayla a trooper teddy bear to hug (Tanner is too "manly" and by the time she got there Zach was listening to an ipod and Jake was playing his DS). Dan had called our agent and already had a claim started, even while I was on the phone with them. G'pa Lewis came and got us ...... we were still gonna go to the stock show, darn it! And the car got towed to a body shop.

Luckily, the car is NOT totaled. It will be in the shop for at least 2-2 1/2 weeks, after they get all the parts in. Dan just got a new company car last week, which left his old one available. His boss was kind enough to let me drive that until the suburban is fixed. We can't fit everyone into one car but we never ALL have to go the same place except for church. So it will do. I still have to figure out school car pool.

So there you have it! That's my story and I'm stick'n to it (-:

2010-01-14T09:21:00.002-07:00

I have become a very private person these last few years (sorry to all my friends). I don't know if there was anything that triggered this response, but I don't "talk" much anymore. I like to blame kids and busy schedules, but I know really that those things are really not to blame.

I have decided to make this blog private...... or maybe this is just really a test to see if anyone reads it :-) I don't really care who reads my blog, but I would like to know if anyone does. So if you want to continue to read about this Crazy Lewis Family leave your response or just email me, call me, text me etc. I haven't decided how quickly this will happen so act swiftly!

Have a great Day! :-)

2009-12-10T08:47:00.004-07:00

Pictures......

We took 2nd in our League. Our championship game was played against a Broomfield team that hasn't lost in 3 years.... and is the ONLY team we've lost to in 3 years.

This team has played so well! These boys are so great, and so are the coaches.

Of course you can't win football games with out CHEERLEADERS! There are 2 girls I am missing in this picture.

The CUTEST cheerleader!

After our season was over, the boys (and coaches) weren't ready to quit playing, so they decided to play in The Golden Classic. A weekend tournament... 3 games in 3 days, playing different top teams from the Denver area. A team from Denver, Aurora, and Golden.

Well, we took 1st place! It was so much fun watching them play. You could tell that they were more relaxed since they were done with their season. Not all of the boys on Dan's team could play in the tournament, so we picked up some boys from a different team in our league. They turned out to be great assets.

Dan had surgery on his elbow on a Fri morning and was coaching that evening. He doesn't listen to me, of course.

We had a great season. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED US THROUGH IT! FAMILY ESPECIALLY! WE LOVE YOU!

2009-11-18T10:08:00.002-07:00

H1N1

Well the kids and I have gotten our H1N1 Flu vaccinations. Our Tri-County Health Dept. put together a bunch of clinics around our area on different days (probably to keep the masses at bay). There was one last Sat. at one of the local High Schools. No one knew about it until the school district had their "computer" call all the families that have kids enrolled in the district. We weren't able to make that one, but when I got onto the districts web site they have a bunch of scheduled sites. Mon. there was one at one of the middle schools. Again wasn't able to make that one, so Tues. they had another one at one of the other middle schools that Dan has football practice at. I took the kids after football practice expecting a huge long line. I was pleasantly surprised, when we were able to walk right in. It helped that I had already printed and filled out all the consent forms. And for once it helped that I have asthma, so we got bumped to the front of the short little line there was anyway!

I had tried to prep the kids before hand about what to expect and that they would have the choice to snort the vaccine up their nose or have a shot. I told them that I was going to have to get the shot and I didn't have a choice regardless (the asthma thing). Tanner went first and was a little nervous about having something stuck up his nose, but he did fine. Next was Jayla. She CRACKS me up! She sat down and her eyes immediately welled up with tears. The lady asked her if she wanted to have the mist and to my surprise she said NO and that she would do the shot! The tech lady and I both were shocked. We both tried to talk her out of the shot and to do the mist. She just kept crying and said that she didn't want the mist and she would do the shot. Finally after a bunch of coaxing she snorted it up her nose and was totally fine. I still don't know why she wanted to do the shot. After watching the 2 before him Zach was brave and had the mist. The tech let him touch it so he knew there was nothing sharp being stuck up his nose. He did it with out a hitch. Jake was just being 3 and was throwing a tantrum about toys before we even walked into the clinic. So needless to say he was already crying. He got the mist, too. He didn't quite understand, so after he snorted he told the tech that he snuffed up a needle and thought it was funny. Whatever..... he's 3 and I don't understand his thought process. Then it was my turn. Again, I HAD to have the shot. All my kids were watching to see how brave I was going to be. I don't mind shots, that doesn't mean I like them, though. I didn't flinch when I was stuck. I took it like a real woman. But, as soon as she pulled out the needle the blood gushed down my arm. The kids gasped, and Tanner gets a little freaked out by blood. So all I heard was "AAHHH.... my mom is bleeding EVERYWHERE!" in a chorus of 4 freaked out kids. The tech told me I was her first bleeder that night ( surprising since we only got there 45 min before they closed and they had already been there for 3 hours). I wasn't so surprised. I always bleed. Of course now I can't hardly move my arm, and NO I didn't tense my arm during the process, I know better. It's bruised and a little swollen. Oh, well......... at least we won't turn into pigs now (-;

side note- Dan couldn't get one yet because of his surgery that's scheduled for Fri. So he will have to get it after. They have another clinic up this was on the 30th. The best part was that these vaccines were FREE!! YA!

2009-11-11T20:34:00.003-07:00

A "Peeve"........

WARNING: very open hostility. Read at your own risk!

I have this nagging peeve about people who talk about needing "Me"** time. Anyone who knows me, knows this. I get tired of listening to whining wives saying that they don't want to "lose" themselves, through their roles THEY have chosen as being a wife and mother.

This blog is not big enough to hold my rants about this topic.

My answer to this is........ LOSE YOURSELF! I have found a much better "me" as wife and mother than I could have ever imagined!

** I am all for keeping up on certain interests and such (ie. mine being going to the gym or taking time in the day to read part of a good book), but not at the expense of my family. Do people really need girls nights every day or every other day for that matter! Yes, those people do exist.

2009-11-05T10:58:00.003-07:00

Prematurity Awareness Month............ Giving our support.

( my camera didn't get changed from "action" mode so the picture is grainy)

Farmers Insurance is a big donor to March of Dimes. Every spring we do the March for March of Dimes. It is a BLAST and the whole family has fun. Well last night we were invited to THIS (click) event. Farmers "bought" 2 tables and we were invited to sit at one of them. We had such a great time sampling all the fares. Two of our favorites was the (1) Butternut Squash and Smoked Trout Bisque from Jax Fish House (2) The Halibut from McCormicks. I haven't been to either restaurant {of course Dan has :-) }, but I may have to make him take me now. There were SO many vendors/restaurants there. While the food sampling was going on they had silent auctions going on as well for a plethora of things. Trips, cooking lessons, football tickets, basketball tickets just to name a few. After all of that they had a live auction and a live donation. It's amazing how much money people have to spend at things like this. I guess its all for a good cause, but I was a little overwhelmed. During the live donations they started the first donation at $5000.00 . One guy immediately raised his auction number and said to times it by 4! $20,000.00 (yes I can do math.... sometimes)! What was interesting is that Dan knows this guy. This man is the Executive Vice President and Chief Distribution Officer for Jackson National Life Distributors LLC, Clifford James Jack . The company Dan left, to come work for Farmers. They said that every $5000.00 will fund one March of Dimes program in one Denver Area Hospital. Wow, that's 4 hospitals (again, my knack for math). I became more educated on the role that March of Dimes plays for premature babies, and the research they've funded to help these babies live and thrive. Deborah Takahara, from Denver channel 31, was the Host. She gave a story about how her 7 yr old son knows about breast cancer, but how we need to make the topic of premature babies just as "popular". I didn't know this, but November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Did you know this? Check out the stats at March of Dimes

2009-11-02T10:42:00.010-07:00

What we've been up to........... (I have a new camera and ha ve FINALLY uploaded pictures)

Jayla had a "Grandpa Lewis/ Granddaughters date" that he took all the granddaughters in the area (Jayla, Cora, Rachel) to Wicked. She had such a GREAT time! He took them out to a nice restaurant for dinner before the play. I had talked to her about the story line before hand so she wouldn't feel lost as she was watching. She said that some people at the theater told them all how beautiful they looked and how appropriately they were dressed for a "night on the town". She thoroughly enjoyed the production and having a night out with Grandpa! She didn't get home until almost midnight- it was even a school night. I had told her that I would call her school the next day, but circumstances made it so I didn't have to ......

Jayla all dressed up before her night out.

Which brings me to how I didn't have to call her in. We got a nice bit 'o snow the next day and they cancelled school. I'll be honest, I was shocked that they did. Our school district hardly ever cancels school! So needless to say the kids.... ok, and I.... were totally excited about no school. Dan went to a half day of work, and then came home to work the other half. After he felt he had sufficiently done enough, we took the kids to some little hills over by our house to sled. The kids loved it. Jake decided it was even more fun to fore go the sleds and just roll down the hill in the snow. We were there for quite a while, before Dan and I decided to call it a night. My kids LOVE the snow. It did make me excited for the winter. Maybe Dan and I can get up on the slopes and do a lot more snowboarding this year and even get the kids to enjoy it this year!

Dan pulling the little boys. I have more pics of sledding, but they are on my phone.

Our next event was approx. 3 days later..... Football. You gotta love Colorado with it's extremes in weather! All these pics are sunny and drier. Our season is now into the play-offs. We have only lost 1 game this season. In the last 3 seasons we have only lost 2 games. Yes, I am bragging. We won our game, so championship here we come!

Jayla scrunching her face because the sun was in her eyes.

My cheerleaders at half time. We are missing 1, but the little girl in the pic decided she would fill in. She is a daughter to some of our good friends. We have had a fun season. This is the last season I will be able to coach.

Tanner is #53. He isn't as small as he looks next to these other boys. The tall kid next to him is 5ft. 8in and about 190lbs. This team is made up of mostly 10 yr olds, and a few 11 yr olds. Tanner loves football!

Tanner is warming up.

Coaching staff. There is one more that isn't in this picture. Look at the hot stuff tucking in his shirt. I think I want to get to know him better ;-)

This was during the game against Lafayette.

All the parents and cheerleaders do "the bridge" after each game for the boys to run through. After all the boys run, the cheerleaders run through while all the parents cheer. The kids love it!

Then there was Halloween in the mix. My kids can't make up their minds of what they want to be until the very last minute. We went over to some friends house to go trick or treating, so the kids could go with some friends. They had such a great time.

Here's all of them after getting their "loot".

Jake was the Hulk, but didn't want to look at the camera.

Zach started out as the Blue Power Ranger, but when Tanner got to have a mustache, he wanted one too. He didn't want to wear his mask so that everyone could see his "make-up". He decided to wear a baseball hat instead (like Tanner) so then we started calling him a NASCAR driver.

Jayla wanted to be a cat..... AGAIN. She thought it would be funny to be a cat walking the dog.

Tanner came up with the idea to be a Black Market Assassin....... whatever that is. Once he told me what he wanted his make-up to be, we just started calling him a spy. Although, he could totally fit in with the CBI (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) office, don't ya think Pratt Fam?!

2009-10-26T08:26:00.002-06:00

My kids are not know to be the perfectly reverent children, who sit quietly with their arms folded all the way through sacrament meeting. We are probably "that" family that no one wants to sit next to because our children, namely the 2 little ones, have no volume control. Luckily we have found some wonderful friends who bring our kids snacks (I bring them, its just more fun for the kids to get them from someone else. Aren't things ALWAYS better when they aren't yours?!) and don't mind sitting next to us. I'm not delusional enough to think that some of this isn't due to parenting.

Anyway, yesterday was our typical sacrament mtg. Children having to go out because they hit someone, getting thirsty, and of course having to go to the bathroom. During one of those brief moments of togetherness, which happened to be right in the middle of the sacrament, Zach in his not so quiet voice told me....."Mom, your never too old to rock 'n roll!" Needless to say it started a chain reaction of snickering through the rows around us. I was glad that some of that snickering was from our friends who get a regular "kick" out of our family antics. I think there was one of "those" families sitting close by that had to just give a look of concern. They probably think we are teaching our kids how to bite the heads off bats or something.

Oh, well! I LOVE MY ZACHIE!

2009-09-24T14:35:00.002-06:00

Maybe I'm reading into people too much...........

So the last 3 days Jayla and I have been going to a dance camp that our league sponsored ( on top of our other obligations) . Of course 2 of those days I had to take my little boys with us. MISTAKE!

The first day was managable. We only had a few close calls of toys hurling through the air and almost decapitating a few cheerleaders. The second day was a non-football day so that Tanner could watch the little terrors at home(Dan works late on non-football days to try to make up for the days he is coaching). I didn't mind being outside in the cold and rain that day, when there wasn't the stress of making sure that one of the little boys didn't try to slide tackle a cheerleader to her knees. The 3rd day was inside, but I had to bring the 2 little devils. Unlike many parents, I try to teach my kids to behave in public. Not more than 2 minutes after starting the camp, the discipline started. Again toys flying through the air, name calling began, running through the cheer formations turning into a "frogger" type game. Who can run through them as fast as possible without getting knocked down by cheer moves. The boys spent more than half the time sitting with their backs against a wall, with the threat of loosing limbs if they dare escape. The 5 year old is smart and takes his punishment, the 3 year old thinks it's funny to try to run away, while yelling "Ha, Ha! Come and get me mommy!"

I love the stares I get....... Some as if to think "it serves you right!" Others just glare, even while their children are playing the same "frogger" game and sliding their toys through cheerleaders feet. I find I get defensive and end up in a starring contest. Who ever wins is the better parent. I find that I feel that where ever I go I am always being judged by people. I have had people flat out tell me "That's why we've stopped at one".

Generally my kids are well behaved. A lot of the stress I feel is self imposed. Yes my kids act like kids, but I do try to give direction to them so they have minimal effect on others around them. Though I have those days where I think "What have I done!?" and maybe want to sell a few to make a buck. Those days are really few and far between. If they are not harming those around them I find myself laughing at their antics. I really wouldn't have it any other way.......... but "the buck stops here", uh I mean at 4.

2009-09-22T14:02:00.001-06:00

Vote for Sidney to be on a Jones Soda Label! Click HERE

2009-09-10T14:00:00.002-06:00

Things I love.........

I have been trying to have better thoughts go through my head, than the negative ones I have been having lately. So this morning as I dropped my kids off at school I was trying to make a list in my head of all the things I love. Here is just a few things that went through my head.......( some are deeper than others, but it's MY list of things)

The blessing I have to be a wife
Being a mother
taking my kids to school so I am the last person they get encouragement from before entering into their long day of learning.
Picking my kids up from school so that I am the first person they talk to about their immediate reactions of what that day at school brought them.
Spending time with my family, even if its as little as driving them around. (as you can tell most of my life is in the car)
Having a devoted husband and father to my kids
Watching my husband in his working capacity (it's fun to see him interact and see how co-workers interact with him) I like seeing him in a different angle.
Having the ability to see my kids learn at such fast speeds
My opportunity to volunteer in such a great school that fits my children's needs
I love the gym, with the mental break it gives me and learning the importance of my body
The gospel, and how it affects my daily decisions for the better
Ice cream
the friends I have
My husbands ability to work hard, and provide me with the option to raise my kids.
Learning

Those are just a few things. I have an on going list in my head that I will hopefully be able to recall when I am having those negative things pop back into my head.

2009-09-08T14:09:00.004-06:00

I really need to get a camera! I can't keep storing all the pics I take on my phone. And for some reason I can't get the pictures I do have to post on to the stupid blog! There, that's said.

My kids have started school. It is a love/ hate relationship. We love having a schedule but now I feel we (I) am too scheduled. My kids are everywhere and I am with them. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I feel. It makes me feel sort of guilty that now I have 3 in school I can't wait for #4 to join them! Is it wrong for me to want some of my own time again?

Tanner is back into football, and is already learning to work through some physical pain. He has a slight muscle tear in his chest, which was making any pushing motion kind of difficult. We did have him x-rayed to make sure it wasn't something more. I keep telling him that if he wants to take some time off he can, but he doesn't. He looks so small with the other linemen he has on his team. It's really weird seeing those tables turn . He is as happy as a 5th grader can be about being in school. It really freaks me out that he will be in middle school next year! UGH!

Jayla decided to cheer again this year and is doing cross country as well. She is LOVING school. She always does. She has her best friend Isabelle in her class for the 3rd year in a row. They are quite a pair. Both are so shy it's almost painful, but when they get together they are hilarious! Just a bundle of giggles. She is really liking cross country, but is still a little reserved. She is such a great daughter and sister!

Zach is LOVING school as well. He is so happy to have homework (we'll see how long that lasts). He is OOZING personality. And will talk to anyone or tell people how it is. He is a crazy man in soccer, and will talk trash to the other team (again, PERSONALITY). He tells Dan on a weekly basis he is going to score "like 10 times". He has score multiple times each week, but hasn't hit that goal yet.

Jake is LOVING school, too. Because then he is the only one home for part of the day. The first week of school, we would drop the kids off and he would tell me "lets go home so I can play the Wii, ALL BY MYSELF!". He wishes he could do something in sports like the other kids. I keep telling him that next Spring he will get to play soccer. He can't wait.

I have been in a "mood " it seems for the past couple months. It's all internal, but I have been really trying to work on a better attitude towards "things". Be patient with me as I may vent sometimes on this blog. Or write cryptic messages. It's just LIFE.

2009-08-27T18:58:00.002-06:00

Ya... I know.....

I haven't been blogging. It's my frame of mind. Its the old adage, "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

There ya go folks. That's it, for now. Until I am in a better mental place. Or just a better place..........

2009-08-10T17:48:00.001-06:00

Testing testing.........
Trying his mobile blogging thing.

2009-07-23T14:11:00.003-06:00

PLEASE SHARE!

I have been thinking about the upcoming events in my life (namely football/cheer) and am trying to plan out schedules already for when we are in the "throws" of this chaotic season. One of the biggest issues I have have is "what's for dinner?!". Here's where the title of this post comes in.....

What is yours, your families, or your friends favorite slow cooker/crock pot recipes? Or 15 min and under recipes?

During this fun time of events we generally don't get home and eat dinner until 8pm, so the quicker the prep to finish time, the better. My family gets tired of eating sandwiches and chicken and dumplings.

Thank you for any and all suggestions! Love ya all ! And here's to all of our busy individual schedules!

2009-07-23T10:56:00.002-06:00

Goings On.......

Not really feeling the need to blog right now. I still don't have a camera so I can't post pics (I've tried my phone, but I can't get them to post from my phone.) Here are some random things .......

Went to Chicago...... It was AWESOME!

Jayla and Zach have been doing track since May- I love to watch both of them run :-)

Just signed Jayla up to start Cross Country in a couple weeks.

Zach will play soccer this fall

Tanner has been doing speed and agility training since May (3x a week) and this is the last week

Tanner and Dan have started football (that doesn't end til November)

Jayla and I will start cheerleading in a couple weeks ( yes.... I am coaching! {sigh} )

School is going to start Aug. 13 :-(

Zach will start kindergarten the week after :-( - (3 down one more to go)

I've been in a sort of slump lately...... Life just seems to need a change. What, I don't know. (And NO...... I will not be having another kid)

As always, is totally in love with Dan!

I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life! I have so many and need to be better about acknowledging them.

Have the BEST family. Both immediate and extended!

Have been going to Water World and the pool at the gym. ( We really should live in a neighborhood with a pool. It would save us so much $$)

Is not sure what to do about my calling in church (due to the CRAZY schedule that will be starting). Would I be that bad of a person for asking to be released?!

I love going to the gym. More for the mental boost it gives me, but with the perks of being a little more healthy.

There are so many more random thoughts/things to blog.... but MUST quit and get on with the things that need to get done today.

2009-05-23T11:18:00.002-06:00

Uh oh.... they think it's MONO!

Poor Jayla has had a headache for a couple days now. She didn't even feel well enough to go to the last day of school (may 21) , so I knew there was really something wrong with her. She has either been a sleep on her bed or a sleep on the couch for those couple of days. She is on the couch sleeping as I type this.

I took her to the Dr. yesterday, not really knowing if I really should. She wasn't running a fever or throwing up. Her main complaints were headache, dizziness when she stood up, and a little bit of a sore throat and TIRED. Her rapid strep test came back negative, but her lymph node in her neck is swollen. Her spleen isn't tender and , again, isn't running a fever. The Dr just looked at me and said "I think she has Mono. We can't give her anything, other than you just treating her symptomatically with Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. " She showed me where to feel for swollen node and said " if she starts raising a fever and the node is bigger or staying the same bring her back".

Our Dr. didn't want to do all the "mono" tests because it requires a lot of poking and drawing blood, which neither of us wanted to do to Jayla (she looked so pathetic :-( ).

So we are just waiting it out. What a way to start summer..... with mono! (maybe....hopefully not!)

2009-05-13T21:49:00.002-06:00

I get this question all the time..........

I am asked "where are you all the time! You are never home." Some say it in a kind joking manner, but others have asked me in sort of an annoyed tone. Well here's where I am. (you asked for it)

Mon. 8-8:45 Getting kids to school
11:25-11:30 picking up Zach at preschool
11:30- 1:30 driving to the gym, working out, then driving home
3-3:45 picking up the other kids from school
6-7:15 taking Tanner to speed and agility camp
Tues. 8-8:45 Getting kids to school
8:45-11:00 driving to the gym, working out, then driving home
11:25-11:30 picking up Zach at preschool
3-3:45 picking up the other kids from school
5-6:30 Tanner Baseball Practice
6- 7 Jayla soccer
Wed. 8-8:45 Getting kids to school
11:25-11:30 picking up Zach at preschool
11:30- 1:30 driving to the gym, working out, then driving home
3-3:45 picking up the other kids from school
4-5 Piano lessons for the kids
6-7:15 Tanners speed and agility
6-7 Cub scouts (I'm the Bear Leader)
6:30- 8 Tanner Baseball practice
Thurs. 8-8:45 Getting kids to school
11:25-11:30 picking up Zach at preschool
12:30-2:30 driving to the gym, working out, then driving home
3-3:45 picking up the other kids from school
Baseball Games sometime in the evening
Fri. 8-8:45 Getting kids to school
8:45-11:00 driving to the gym, working out, then driving home
3-3:45 picking up the kids from school
6- 7 Jayla soccer
Sat. Soccer and baseball throughout the day

Now, I don't write this all out to complain or anything. I am just a mom, who loves her kids. Who enjoys watching her children learn and grow. This schedule (this is just all the stuff that has actual time allotted for these events) is probably close to every mother who enjoys what she does. And I know there are many who are more scheduled than I am. To them I say........ Way to go!!!!!!! I LOVE BEING A MOTHER!

I don't want to leave out the very important father in all of this. Dan is very supportive of us and, when he is able and not trying to support our family, he is right there "going and doing" right along with us.

So when I am not answering my phone, or screening my calls, or just plain not available this is why. Please don't take offense. I don't when you do it to me.

2009-04-16T14:01:00.002-06:00

I haven't disappeared...... just in a slump with blogging and my kids schedules are starting to overtake my life. I will blog shortly. Don't worry.

2009-03-02T10:31:00.006-07:00

I am so proud of my kids! There will be bragging in this post.... so be warned!

Last week (sun. the 22nd) Dan and I were asked to speak. When I asked how long and if there were youth speakers the Counselor presiding said that there wouldn't really be any youth speaker..... "instead, isn't Tanner getting pretty old? (uh, 9 almost 10) We were thinking that he could be the youth speaker for that day. Do you think he will do it?" So, the nice mom that I am said OK.

Long story short. He wasn't nervous until he was sitting up in front of everyone and then it sunk in. Dan just told him that it was ok to read his talk word for word and that it isn't any different than speaking in primary- instead of kids not listening , it's adults not listening- he, he. He also told him it would put hair on his chest and make him a man. Needless to say he did a great job! I am so proud!

Another proud moment is my little miss smarty pants Jayla. She is in a gifted and talented program called Destination Imagination ( Rising Stars is what they are called in 2nd grade) Her and her group wrote and did the sets for a play they came up with. They will be in competition this Sat. with other groups from Colorado. They have been meeting weekly, since Jan. putting this together. She has LOVED being involved in this! It has been so great watching her bloom.
She is also having such a great time playing basketball. She is one of the littlest one's out there but she is really starting to catch on. She still has moments where running down the court ends up with her racing the girl ( she is the fastest, but then forgets to go after the ball).

Can't leave the other 2 out so..........

Zachary is doing so well in pre-school. It's funny because I have had a couple moms tell me that their little girls have crushes on him. He is learning so quickly and I can't believe that he will start kindergarten next year! He wants it to be spring.... right now..... so he can play soccer again. Of course he thinks he can keep up with the big kids. So every once in a while we have to "hold" him back so he doesn't kill himself (or others).

Jake is just Jake. He is FULL of spunk (and other things I will not name). Being the last, he gets away with a lot more than the other ones did. He is too smart for his own good. He can talk WAY too much and likes to use words that aren't allowed in our house. Even after all the "scoldings" his gotten it doesn't detour him, not even a little. I have to hand it to him..... Maybe that stubbornness will come in handy sometime. He sure is cute though. That's benefited him more than once.

Those are just a few things about the kids lately.

2009-02-24T21:07:00.002-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.........

TO MY BEAUTIFUL JAYLA

My baby girl is turning 8! Wow. She is such a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. In honor of the big 8, here are 8 things I love about her...............

1. Her love of learning
2. Her desire to choose the right
3. Her love for her family
4. Her intelligence
5. Her willingness to help
6. Her excitement for the gospel
7. Her desire to be baptized
8. Just because she is my daughter!
(and of course there are SO many more reasons)

I love you Jay!

2009-02-23T17:30:00.003-07:00

Introducing...........

Our new dog, Chip. He is a Shi-poo, and 2months old.

We had to find a better home for Sassy. She needed a bigger yard and a family who had more time to give her the training she needed. We found her a home with a couple who had a teenage daughter, and they were so excited to have her. That happened Fri. night.

Jayla was the only one who was pretty sad about letting Sassy go, so Dan (and me, too) decided we would get a smaller more manageable dog and have Jayla be the primary care taker. He is for the whole family, but Jayla got to name him and take the primary role as "pack" leader. He will only get to be about 10lbs full grown.

I'll blog more later about our new addition.

2009-02-13T14:48:00.002-07:00

ARGH!

My camera is broken! I'm pretty sure it had some help from some little people around the house. I just don't know what to do..... with them OR the camera.

2009-02-05T09:46:00.002-07:00

HELP..........

I am (as always) trying to find the best ways to organize things...... ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING. So I was wondering what is your best organizing tip, technique, ritual or whatever.

Please share and help me.

Thanks in advance. I love you ALL!

2009-01-28T08:52:00.004-07:00

Tagged.......

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder
3. Explain the picture
4. Tag 4 people to do the same. No cheating!

Here's what came up. This is (from left to right) SIL-Raenie, Lil'sis- Ellen, Big sis-Martha, Me and Jayla. We took this picture while visiting Martha in Huntsville, UT it was the fall of '02. At the time this was all the girls in the "Pratt" fam. Since then we have added Cami and Kenzie. When I look at this picture I think..... Wow I feel old!

Tag your it..... Martha, Alycia (if you are reading this you better do it ;), Kay and Kathy. Hope to see some fun pictures!

2009-01-27T12:05:00.002-07:00

GUILT.......

I have been feeling this a lot lately. Here are a few reasons why......

Having enough time in the day to get everything done
Family scripture study & prayer
House work
laundry
playing with my kids (lack there-of)
teaching them sports
Lack of sharing my testimony.... especially to my family.
Serving others
letting my family know that I love them
personal scripture study & prayer
etc, etc.

I'll spare the other gory details.

How does everyone else handle this or overcome it? (Probably by not being on the computer so much)

2009-01-21T20:05:00.002-07:00

Up date on the "goals"

Well, as far as the goal to go to the gym goes...... I am ace'n that one. I have gone to the gym 6 days a week { Mon. - Sat.}. On Sat. we take the kids swimming after I and Dan's workout. I can't tell you how happy the gym makes me. I get so giddy! During the week my friend and I hit a workout class a day (sometimes she does "two-a-days", because she says she has no life:) ) Too bad the L-B's don't come off quicker.

Reading lessons- Not so hard, because I take the scriptures and Manuals with me to read in the car while waiting to pick up the kids.

The kitchen thing..... lets just say that maintenance is number one priority right now.

FHE.... Failing badly! With 2 kids in basketball(Jayla practices M & W Tanner practices T & TH and games on Sat), one in cub scouts, me as the Den leader, Jayla - miss smarty pants ;) - has gifted and talented after school on Fri 'til 5:30, we are lucky if we eat a meal together {if we do, it's usually sandwiches in the car or dinner at 8 pm}. I'm not complaining, I like staying busy. Especially when it's with my kids. I don't know what will happen when the other 2 start doing things, though.

2009-01-08T11:53:00.002-07:00

Little steps......

I am never good at New Year resolutions. I always set myself up for failure, because I think I can turn into Super Woman and get everything done. So this year I have ONE resolution. It is this.....

3-4 goals that can be worked on per month.

January Goals
1. Workout! NO EXCUSES! It has been made easier with the gym that has a cool kid zone. So far since receiving this wonderful gift I have gone at least 5 times a week. YA! I feel like a better person and more clear headed. I hope I will start to see results soon, to keep me going. If not, it is still good for the mental break it gives me.

2. Read the Sunday school lesson and Relief Society lessons in advance.

3. Take one room a month and fix the things that drive me CRAZY. This month I will focus on the kitchen.

4. Have Family Home Evening. I know that this is supposed to be a weekly thing, but I'm shooting for 2 lessons a month. Between all of our schedules it is hard to have a "planned" FHE. We do make time to spend together as a family, but not the structured lesson, song, activity, treat thing.

There ya go! It is written in the blog archives, so it now must be followed through!

2009-01-07T19:45:00.002-07:00

I am tired..........

I admit to being somewhat of a blog stocker. I need to get it under control :)And here's why..... I am tired of seeing all these perfect "images" of families, homes, people etc. Everyone makes their lives sound like the epitome of bliss. I am just not buying it!

Why can't people be real. Be real to others and themselves. I understand that for the most part we try to put our best foot forward. Act like we have it all together. I have probably done the same things in my blog and life. I really do try to be as real as I can {without scaring people or freaking them out}. My tendency to be private may be misconstrued as an act that I am "uppity" or , again, thinking I have everything all figured out. Here is me being honest to the whole blogger world......

My house is a DISASTER! Do I like it that way.... NO! I would show you pictures, but I am too lazy to go take them. My kids have been known to maybe wear the same outfit for 2 days. They do wear clean clothes when we/ they are going any where in public, but if it is just staying at home, they look like little Tasmanian devils. I need(want) to loose at least 30 lbs. This doesn't happen easily for me! I have to work at it 7 days a week, and it is NOT fun for me. Although, it has been much more enjoyable having my Christmas present from Dan and having my gym rat, I mean, gym bunny friend endure the pain along with me (you know who you are. THANK YOU!) That leads to the fact that I absolutely hate shopping! Clothes or otherwise. Probably because I want to shed unwanted weight, so I hate shopping the sizes that I have to, and that to loose the weight means eating healthy, which means eating more fruits and veggies, which then means more shopping because they go bad too soon or they get eaten quickly. (sorry for the sentence). It's a vicious cycle. Basically I just wanted everyone to know I AM NOT PERFECT! And proud to say so.

But to turn the tables a little..... I DO have a PERFECT HUSBAND for me, and the most PERFECT CHILDREN for me and I know that the GOSPEL IS PERFECT! Those are really the most important things to me in my life and my life hereafter.

So when you come to my house and there is laundry everywhere, dust on the shelves, crumbs ground into the carpet, children who may have been in their pj's all day, papers on the counter I don't know what to do with, me in my sweats and t-shirt, here is my APOLOGY for not having it all together!

2009-01-06T12:27:00.004-07:00

Please read.........http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia#

And this......http://shedoeshair.blogspot.com/

This is a scary thing to have happen to those who own small businesses or if you sell or give handmade items for children.

I don't sell childrens items or own a small business, but I am concerned that if this passes, what will be next! Will I be able to make things for my own children or grandchildren or will I be prosecuted?!

Write your congress person! Don't know who it is go here........https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

I will step off my soap box.

2008-12-29T15:12:00.004-07:00

Merry Christmas!

First I can't get blogger to STOP underlining! That said......

There always seems to be some sort of a theme for Christmas. This years theme was electronics. Jayla and Zach got Nintendo DS's among other things, Tanner got a bunch of PSP stuff (he already has had the PSP for a couple of years) and the family got some more Wii games and accessories.

Little gamer.

Lots 'o gamers (Dan is playing Sudoku on Jayla's DS, Jake is playing the now hand me down leapster)

Jayla being left out of the gamers club. Us girls stick together.

One of the things that I decided to try to do this year, and maybe start a tradition of, is making homemade doughnuts on Christmas day. This was my first attempt at making doughnuts, EVER! And yes to "toot-my -own-horn" they turned out really yummy. Some are glazed and some are just dipped in sugar.

Dan and I don't usually get each other gifts at Christmas. We think it's much more fun to get the kids stuff (and then play with their things). But, this year Dan bought our family passes to LifeTime Fitness (you really should check this out.... AWESOME!). They just opened one up in Westminster ( 20 min drive from our house). I know that some people might think, " what's he trying to say by buying a gym pass" or "that's not very fun". But to those people I say "BAH HUMBUG TO YOU!" I have been asking for a gym with daycare and need that physical release. This is exactly what I wanted.... asked for..... and got. He totally loves me!

Now, every time I get those Christmas Questionnaires that has the question about "who is the most difficult to buy for" I always answer Dan. I never know what to get him. Maybe it's because I am always looking for that gift that will really let him know how much I love him and appreciate him. This year is the same as the others as far as that goes. Eventually he got what he asked for, which was a nice camel colored dress coat. I also surprised him by making a book about our life, so far, together on snapfish (thanks Mar for the heads up!). I think it turned out pretty good.

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas and that you were all good boys and girls so that Santa came to YOUR house. We miss all those family members and friends that are far away, or those that we don't see enough, and think about all of you often!

2008-12-18T16:34:00.002-07:00

Dan's puncture was right smack dab in the middle of the cornea. Again, Jake has good aim.

More on the eye.......

Dan is doing great! He went in again today to have his eye checked out AGAIN. {I think this doctor likes him :) } He can wear his contacts again, but still has to use some of the many drops he was given. But he is in the clear.... literally, ha, ha. So let's see......He has been to the eye doctor 5 times in the last 6 days. That is WAY too many times in a week.

He is going into surgery tomorrow for his ankle. They bumped him up to the 9:45 am slot (someone canceled) so we have to check in by 7:45 am. That means we have to leave our house at the butt-crack of dawn! Of course, it has to start snowing now, just to make sure the roads are nice and treacherous for us. Hopefully it will be all cleared up by the time we drive home. Dan's surgery is an out patient thing. He will have a great ride home, right!?

And then there is my sis..... she was induced today, and we are still awaiting the arrival of Gavin/Dean Alleman. As of this, moment she has been given an epidural and pitocin, now it's just a matter of when he wants to come meet us.

2008-12-17T09:30:00.002-07:00

Dan's eye continued...........

Since the last post, Dan has gone to the eye Dr. again to make sure things are progressing. When he went in on Mon. the Dr. told him that she thought his eye would heal more quickly if she gave him an eye drop that would dilate his eye for a week { apparently when his eye dilates to adjust to the lighting, it doesn't let the small tears he had around the puncture heal well}. She also gave him another prescription, a steroid this time, to drop in his eye every hour. I've lost track of how many different eye drops he's up to now. He has another appointment today. We'll see what he comes home with this time :)

So around all this eye stuff he is still preparing for surgery on Fri. We have to drive down to the Springs again. This time it's on the right ankle- the better one. Along that note this is for all you prescription smarties- Char- What is diloted/doloted (sp?) ?

2008-12-15T08:58:00.002-07:00

It was inevitable......

Tanner and Jayla are wearing glasses!

It really isn't that surprising since both Dan and I wear them (well contacts mostly). Aren't they cute though? Their prescriptions are about the same, and isn't very bad. They really only need to wear them to see the board at school. But, they are both so excited to have them they want to wear them all the time. I've told them that pretty soon the "newness" will wear off and their ears will start hurting and then they won't want to wear them anymore. :)

Don't they look so studious!

We got the call Sat. that they were done. Dan got new glasses as well. It was a good thing the kids wanted to go get them right away. Here is the story.... as shortened as possible.........

Dan woke up on Sat. morning saying his eye hurt. It was watery, pink, and hurt. So we thought maybe it could be pink eye. We just thought we'd wait out the day and see if it got worse. It felt better to wear his contacts, so we thought that maybe his eye was just scratched a little. We went to our ward Christmas breakfast, and it just kept getting more swollen and red. When we got home and got the call from the eye Dr. that glasses were done, the kids wanted them so bad, and we left to get them fitted and take them home. Once there, Dan asked them what they thought was wrong with his eye. The Dr. examined him. He has a puncture hole right in the middle of his eye. The Dr. said "get those contacts out of your eye immediately!" She said that his eye looks horrible and that if this doesn't get taken care of he could loose his whole eye. WOW! We left with a prescription for antibiotic eye drops and the Dr.'s home number with instructions to call her if the pain got worse or if white spots appeared in his eye and to go immediately to the ER. She called us later that day to check in with him, and just wanted him to know how concerned she was because she didn't want him to go blind or loose his eye or need a complete cornea replacement. THANKS Doc! Way to make us feel better! He was putting his antibiotic drops in every half hour all day. Then Sun. we woke up and his eye was neither worse nor better, but the Dr wanted us to call her regardless. She wanted us to meet her at the office so she could just check his eye out. We drove there and she checked him out. She said that his eye looked better, and that she was relieved. She continued to tell us that she was so worried because with these problems he could loose his sight and eye within a matter of days and they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. THANKS AGAIN Doc! He has another appointment today, but already, his eye isn't nearly as swollen nor as red. So we're hopeful that he will not loose sight or his eye.

He was trying to think of when he could have punctured his eye. He thinks it was when he was wrestling around with Jake. He remembers getting something in his eye, but nothing that seemed traumatic. Jake has good aim, whatever he did.

2008-12-11T09:22:00.001-07:00

So, Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. I always feel bad for Thanksgiving because it seems to just get glossed over and full force into Christmas. I was glad that my family could come up and enjoy dinner over here. And I am doing exactly what I said is sad..... and going right into Christmas. I am not being a scrooge, but I am just not "into" the holiday spirit this year. I haven't decided if I want to put up all of my decorations or just go simple this year. I just don't know if I want more things cluttering my house when it it cluttered with all the everyday stuff all ready. I am in a slump in general and just don't know how to pull myself out of it. Dan, on the other hand, has got the spirit for both of us. We are all done shopping for the kids, other then the little last minute stuff. We needed to be done before Dan goes into surgery again. Like I said....... I really am not a scrooge. Just not enthusiastic.

2008-11-22T09:49:00.002-07:00

"I'm so glad when daddy comes home. Glad as I can be......."

Yay!!! Dan comes home today!
Our week as we were living it seemed to take forever, but when I look back on it, it seems to have gone by so fast. Grandma and Grandpa invited us to go out to dinner and a movie with them last night, which was a wonderful and welcomed break in our routine. It was nice to have someone else to have the kids "deflect"off of. THANK YOU!! I don't know how single parents do it. I can cope for a couple of days {or a week}, but I can't imagine doing this for months or years.
To go along with my sisters "things I am thankful for"...... I am thankful for a husband; wonderful kids, who tollerate my "crazyness" when dad is gone; for family who cares and loves me...... I could go on, and on, and on, but I will stop here for now. Gotta go clean up the house.

2008-11-16T08:41:00.004-07:00

My mind has been put at ease.......

I have been stressing because I hadn't heard from Dan to know if he made it. I had all sorts of weird fears in my head about what could happen to him { he had to have $250 in cash to buy his visa into the country and had to be bills that were printed after 2002. The bills we got were 2004, but what if they decided not to accept those because of our economy and detain him or something! I know, I know a little bit extreme.... but you never know}. I was having a hard time getting Skype to let me "on", so he could try to call. But I woke up to a nice email from him letting us know he was safe and with his parents. WHEW! So I can sort of function again and not sit by the computer just waiting for some sign of him.

2008-11-14T13:05:00.006-07:00

"It's so hard .... to say GOODBYE" (can you tell me who sings that)

I took Dan to the airport this morning, so he could start his adventure to Africa. I hate saying goodbye to him, and this time was especially hard. Probably because he is flying WAY out of the country to go visit his parents in Nairobi, Kenya.
We were going to make this trip together, but because of how things worked out, it was better that I stay here. So instead him and his brother, Chris, decided to go since neither of their spouses could accompany them.
What a great adventure, though. They are going to go on Safari for 3 days, see the orphanage the church and his parents are helping, and getting to take in all the culture of Africa.
Even though it will be hard (since we can't really communicate with each other very well) he will experience a once in a life time trip.
Tell your parents we love them and are glad they are serving the Lord and helping spread the gospel through service and love. We love you, and will miss you tremendously. Come home safe and tell us all the cool things you got to do!

2008-11-12T11:23:00.004-07:00

The Crazy Fanatic Lady.......

The first weekend of Nov. was the football championship game. Yes, our cool little team made it to the championship game. It was on a Sunday, which I was NOT happy about.

Here's where the story started. ...... a couple weeks before the "Big" game we found out that it was going to be played on a Sun. I was not happy, and poor Dan got an earful about it on a daily basis. So, finally he said "Honey there is NOTHING I can do about it. If it's making you this upset email the people in charge." So I did. With in about 10 min of me sending my first email Dan had multiple messages on his phone about the email I sent. Here is what the first email said (it was sent to the league pres. and the reps from Brighton)......

Hi,
I am a concerned mother of a football player and cheerleader. I was made aware that our team, Brighton White NFC 9 yr olds, will be playing on Sunday Nov. 2. Since when do we play games on Sundays?! I was under the assumption that our league plays by CHSAA rules, who DOESN'T allow their games to be played on Sundays. Now, I don't know how religious any of the board is, but our family spends our Sundays worshiping God and spending time doing activities that help us remember Him. It is the one day of the week where we try to make different than the rest. Am I now supposed to tell my children that football comes first and foremost over our worshiping Him and "keeping the Sabath Day holy"? I DO NOT appreciate how YOUR decision will now be affecting the standards that we have tried to instill in our children. This subject has put a strain on our family. We have also tried to teach our kids the importance of finishing what you start, and that they are part of a team. If this is where the league is going our family will not participate in the capacity that we have been (my husband has been coaching or on a coaching staff for 3 yrs and I was asked last minute to help coach the cheerleaders). I have heard other parents complain about this as well, but I may be the only one to keep you in the loop about how upsetting this is to at least our family.
Sincerely
my name
my email
my phone#

Needless to say, no one called me. They all called Dan to find out what was going on. It went through the league like wildfire. Apparently I managed to offend a bunch of people ( I don't think it was me as much as it was their conscience.) I won't go into the gory details. Lets just say that Dan was put into an interesting position (he totally backed me 100%, but just not the email etiquette I was lacking), I left the house in an angery rush and drove around most of the evening.
I came home, calmer and focused. The next day with the help of my etiquette adviser I wrote another email to the above mentioned people. Here is the 2nd email...........

My husband read my email last night and brought to my attention how offensive it could have been if someone had sent it to me. Let me first apologize for the way it was worded, it was never my intention to offend any of you or challenge your religious beliefs. Those who know me know that I would never intentionally offend or upset anyone.

I am concerned that the games are being played on Sundays and I wanted my concerns heard. I apologize if I didn't go through the right chanels, but I do think it's a big enough issue that it should be brought to the board's attention. I have had discussions with many other concerned parents, and I wanted to share those concerns with the board.

Again, I realize that my email I sent to each of you was tactless, and I hope you can accept my sincere apology for any offense I've caused you. I respect the time and effort you put forth volunteering to provide our kids an opportunity to participate in football and cheerleading.

Sincerely,

My name

We still played on Sun. and took second place. But hopefully the league will think about next year differently.

What are you opinions of my emails?

2008-10-24T08:58:00.006-06:00

Catch up...... (Blogger is making me underline everything AGAIN!)

Well Cabo was AWSOME! All I can say is .... "Hurricane!?..... What Hurricane!?"

This is a picture I took as soon as we got to our hotel room. As you can see, it is hazy and a little windy. I'll take that over totally blowing and raining like I thought.

Here's what it looked like the rest of the time we were there. This is a picture of the marina/Pier.

Another picture from the hotel pools. The only residual effect of the hurricane was the huge waves. Don't swim in this ocean. This is from the 7th floor.........

which has this bridge to get across to the restaurant on site The pictures below are from the view standing on the bridge.

This was from our balcony the last day we were there.

Here was what our schedule was......

1st day- Left Denver at 7:30 AM. Land in LAX around 9am. More than half our party got on the next plane to Cabo, while the rest of us didn't leave until around 2:30PM. So, Dan's boss bought the 11 of us that were left a day pass to the Admirals Club (The nice club that you get to walk through the cool frosted glass doors. Or like the Tina Fey commercial for American Express). We watched the Texas/OU game and ate alot of Chex mix, cookies and little muffins that were FREE. Dan's boss smuggled in a couple orders of nachos from On-The -Border. I got to start reading the books I brought. (i jumped on the twilight band wagon. Discussion Later) Left LAX.Our only detour because of the hurricane was instead of flying down the coast to Cabo, we had to fly like we were going to Arizona and then come across Mexico into Cabo. We landed. Got our stuff to the hotel. Had to get FOOD! We ate at a place called the Shrimp Factory. So we ate lobster and lots of shrimp. Met everyone else at Cabo Wabo (Sammy Hagar's Club) It was sooo busy because he was there that weekend, because it was his birthday and he was going to perform on the Mon. night we were there. So we went across the street to Hemingways. We watched everyone enjoy themselves and then called it a night.

2nd Day- Got up, when we wanted to. Ate breakfast, when we wanted to. Hung out at the pool, for as long as we wanted to. Do you see a pattern? At the pool we played some water volleyball with the "Farmers" people that were there. Dan is such a trooper because I know that laying out in the hot sun is NOT his favorite thing to do. But he does it for me. I love him for that! The pool side bar did have some football games on, so every once in a while he would go sit under the shaded bar and watch some of the games. And, of course, I read. I finished twilight that day and started "New Moon". That night we had reservations at Lorenzillo's. I had steak and lobster, YUM! One thing about Cabo is that everyone is so layed back. It took us 3 hours to have dinner and then they don't bring you a check unless you ask for it. On the way back to the hotel, we eyed a DQ so of course we had to stop and get some ice cream. I know.... not very "mexican".

Day 3- Dan had to be up and out of the hotel room by about 6:30AM so he could meet up with everyone that was deep sea fishing that day. So I slept. Then I just repeated the day before. I did hang out with a wife of a District Manager that I knew, even before Dan started working for Farmers. Like I said before... repeat of the day before. Suntan, pool, volleyball, read. Dan didn't get back until about 4:30/5Pm. Out of the 7 guys that went, Dan and 2 other guys were the only ones that didn't puke most the day on the boat. They did catch a bunch of fish! One 165 lb. yellow fin tuna, one 80 lb yellow fin tuna, a Marlin (Catch and release, but the guy that caught it has an official certificate that he caught it) and a bunch of Mahi-Mahi. I will post a picture of that later. When you catch fish there, the hotel will prepare it and cook it for you. So that night at the "Farmers" dinner. We had some tuna and mahi-mahi. It was SO DELICIOUS! I am not a fish eater, but when it is so fresh from the water it is yummy. That night after dinner, we went with most of the group to hang out in town.

Day 4 - Got up and had to leave.

I had a great time! Especially because I got to hang out with my hubby almost the whole time! (We missed the kids, but really...... it was nice to have a little vacation)

2008-10-08T10:18:00.003-06:00

Bummed.... VERY bummed

Dan and I are going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico this weekend (Thanks Farmers). He came home yesterday and asked me if I knew that a hurricane was headed right for there. It's right on the tip of the peninsula. So I have been frantically looking at the weather forecasts to see how that is going to affect our get-a-way. Not looking so good. I was hoping to come home all bronzed and beautiful, but I don't think that rain and wind help me with that dream.

WHY NOW NORBERT! (what a stupid name for a storm. It's a stupid storm anyway cuz its ruining my vacation.) Keep you updated.

2008-10-03T09:42:00.002-06:00

More Trauma...... ( I don't know why blogger is making me underline everything, sorry)

Well, Dan has been out of town since Sun. (he got back late last night). So our/my week has been very tiring. Me, and kids were getting on each others nerves throughout the week. Well the day finally comes when Dad is coming home, and just hours before our missed and loved dad/husband gets home, I end up in Urgent care with #3 ( I have decided to not name kids, I am in a paranoid state. So the are numbered by birth order). I was too nervous to go to the ER again (that would be 2x in 2 weeks) because I didn't want a "file" to be started about , "Why have there been so many accidents in the Lewis household".

Here's what happened...... #4 and #3 are jumping off the half wall onto the couches. I put an end to that, so they have to go find something else to do that's CRAZY. They start racing around through the kitchen, around the stairs into the dining room, back into the kitchen. That is the loop. #3 and #4 are very competitive and start pushing each other to get ahead, #3 starts taking #4's beloved blanket and teasing #4 to come get it. According to #3 he was just running SO fast and bonked his face into the dining room chair.
I was trying bake some cookies and make dinner, so all I heard was a big thud and a blood curdling scream. #3 ran into the kitchen to get sympathy. At first I started giving him the lecture about how silliness spoils, but as I was watching him cry his cheek started to literally blow up like a balloon! So in my exhausted state I started freaking out. I have seen swelling before, but never that quickly and to watch the color change in his cheek within seconds! I called Aunt that lives close by on my way to urgent care, to check on the kids I left at home. I called #1 to get the cookies out of the oven and to turn it off.
To shorten this down...... #3 was checked out and x-rayed. No fractures to be seen, but wake him in the middle of the night to make sure he doesn't have a concussion. Ice often and give ibuprofen for swelling and pain.
The pics below don't do him justice. He looks like he is trying to smuggle food in his cheek for later.

If you look to your left you can compare cheeks and see some of the swelling. He wouldn't take the cookie out of his mouth.

#4 had to have his picture taken too. His "trauma" is healing nicely.( posted before)

#3 is so funny while getting examined. He was happy to tell everyone what happened and to check out the x-ray machine. NO MORE TRAUMA AT OUR HOUSE, PLEASE!

2008-10-03T09:27:00.003-06:00

Football Homecoming.....

So here are the sashes and ribbons I made for the cheerleaders. (The picture is on it's side) All the girls were the homecoming queen.

Here's another pic of them hanging on a hanger. I put Velcro at the bottoms of the sashes in hopes they will stay on.

This is just SOME of the banners I made for each of the boys.

Here's what they looked like all rolled up. I was going to drive around to they boys houses during practice and hang them on their doors, but I came to my senses and just gave them to their parents at practice.

This is what they looked like with the boys names and their number.

This is right before the game. Getting all FIRED UP!

Some random practice shots.

Cheerleaders holding the banner for the boys to run through.

The game was GREAT! We beat the other team by a bunch ( I can't remember the exact score). Everything went well until after the game, when the head coach from the other team tried to pick fights with our coaches. It was a good lesson for our kids to see what a sore looser looks like and to never act like one, EVER!

2008-09-28T21:24:00.003-06:00

My week........ ( the highlights of each day)

Sat (9/20) Wake up and start getting kids ready for football, soccer, cheer. 10 min. before leaving for soccer, Jake gets his foot slammed in a bedroom door (Jayla trying to get her bros. out of her room) . Dan takes older 3 to soccer game; I go to ER to get stitches for Jake (5 in all). Get home in time to shove a chick-file wrap in my mouth and head off to football with the rest of the fam.

Sun. Get up and get stuff and kids ready for church. Go to 2 hours of church, leave early with my Fam and another Fam in the ward. Change and hook up with other said Fam. to go to the Broncos game (don't judge me!) Enjoy and bake in the sun at Broncos game, but I WAS at the Bronco game, and watch them beat the Saints.

Mon. Get kids to school, drop little one off at Aunts house and go volunteer at kids school. Pick up Zach and then Jake. Get home, try to get some things done. Pick up kids, get them home and turn into drill sargent barking orders "Get at least half of your homework done!", "Go get ready for cheer/ football!", "Come on! Hurry! We are on a time schedule here!", "Lets Go!" Leave for practices. Come home, eat dinner, do homework, bed.

Tues. Finish homework. Get kids to school. Run over to church and set up for HFPE (put everything I needed to set up by the door last night). Get home and shower. Pick up Zach. Feed the boys lunch in the car on the way to my eye appointment. Get new contacts. Go on a hunt for Cheer stuff for homecoming (yes our little league has their own homecoming) Hit Michaels, JoAnns, and Hobby Lobby. Pick up kids. Get home and get last minute HFPE things together. Dan gets home just in time for me to leave to attend HFPE (blog more about that later).

Wed. Get kids to school. Watch nephews for a couple hours. Get some things done around the house. Take Jake to Dr.'s to get stitches out. Cancel piano lessons for kids. Pick up kids. Then the drill sargent starts, again. Repeat of Mon.

Thurs. Get kids to school. Make sashes for cheerleaders for homecoming game Sat. (blog more later), and bows. Try to put the house back together. Pick up kids. Have a nice afternoon, no homework because there is no school tomorrow. Our quietest evening.

Fri. Get up and put the house in order before the 4 "tornado's" wake up. Watch my good friends kids. (she still had to go to work, bummer) Kids played all day, i made 19 individual football banners. Picked up my mess and the other messes. Time to go to practice. Uncle Dave came to watch kids so Dan and I can go out (as late as it may be).- THANKS! -Tanner spent the night at a friends, so he only had 3 kids.

Sat. Get up and go to target to get all the snacks needed for the day. Pick up Tanner. Get all kids ready for football/ cheer and soccer. G'ma and G'pa took Zach to soccer and Dan and Tanner head to football (the games overlapped). I finish getting ready and help Jayla, and then we leave. G'parents bring Zach and Jake to football-THANKS!-. Got home, and ate lunch, and got some house work done. Picked up Dan's dry cleaning. Got ready for R.S. broadcast. Met mom and sis. at stake center to watch the broadcast. -THANK YOU GUYS!-

Sun. Jayla and I got ready and went to church. Dan and boys stayed home; Dan had to pack for his trip to L.A.. Went to church for and hour and came home, ate an early lunch and took Dan to airport. Went over to friends house to watch the Bronco game they recorded. Came home and tried to get ready for tomorrow and the rest of the week without a husband (he gets home basically Fri.)

One day I will miss this chaos. So for now, I try to enjoy it and relish the moments before I become obsolete.(some days I am better at this than others).

2008-09-28T17:36:00.001-06:00

FYI...

Here is a cool site i found for a General Conference kit

2008-09-19T13:57:00.002-06:00

more funny things said....

Zach at lunch. He just opened his yogurt. I am in the other room.

Zach- Mom can you get me a spoon?
Mom- I'm in the other room. You can get it yourself.
Zach- I really wish the Incredibles were here. Then Elasti-girl could stretch and get me a spoon!

He did get his spoon.

2008-09-18T09:20:00.002-06:00

(This is not my toilet)

Random...

So as is other posts I have stated my lack of being organized, and having a messy house. But I do fixate on weird things. I spent most of the morning yesterday cleaning toilets. Not just "cleaning" but REALLY cleaning. With so many boys in our house I hate not being able to get into the nooks and cranny's of the toilet ( I swear boys don't look where they are aiming, or maybe they do and that's the fun of it). So I literally took apart the toilet to get into those corners. I got 2 of the 3 toilets taken apart and cleaned and then put back together before I needed to go get child #3.

Other weird things I fixate on .........
Baseboards
sliding door tracks

2008-09-08T13:19:00.004-06:00

More Crafting/creating

We had football/ cheer pictures on Sat before the game. I wanted the cheerleaders to have cute matching bows. So Fri. I frantically sewed these together. (Thanks Mar for the ribbon you sent a couple months ago!) I found these cute little football beads at Walmart. I just sewed and glued them onto alligator clips. They ended up looking like the bows you stick on presents. Oh well. I hope the girls liked them.
We won the football game so now we are 1-1.

Then here is the pillow case dress I made for Jayla. In these pics the ribbon is too long, but I have shortened it after the pics. I couldn't just use the shape of the pillow case cuz it was to wide under her armpits. To fix that I made it more like an A-line shape. When I have more time I want to sew the same celery green ribbon around the bottom hem.

2008-09-08T12:49:00.004-06:00

All About Zach...

First was his soccer d'ebut. He has been anticipating this for weeks now. He woke up that morning and was so excited to find out that all of us (Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Ellen , Uncle Jason, Mom and Dad, Tanner , Jayla and Jake) would go and watch HIM.

It is the 3 on 3 with no goalie. Here he is practicing before the game (they practice 1/2 hr before the game with no practices during the week)

This was during the game. He is one of the smallest on the field and one of the youngest but is one of the most resilient. He kept getting knocked down, but would hop right back up.

Here's the half time oranges.
He was so much fun to watch! After the the game he asked me..."did you love watching me mom!?"

Zach started preschool as well. He is in the Colorado preschool program, so its FREE . Yah!

The school district renovated the old Hospital so the lower level has 4 brand new prechool rooms and a head start program.

When I took him in, he of course made himself right at home. He was building this tower, when one of the kids came by and kicked it down (we will be watching that kid carefully!) Zach yelled at him to go away and proceeded to tell me that he will NOT be playing with that kid. I don't blame him.

When I picked him up (he goes for 3 hours) he said..."Thanks mom for letting me go to school! You are the best mom ever! You are beautiful!" I will take those comments happily.
He can't wait to go back tomorrow.

2008-09-04T07:06:00.003-06:00

Look what I made......

I made Jayla some pajama bottoms! Ya me! I found this pretty floral pillow case($3/love finding bargains-it is Waverly) and wanted to make something from them. My first idea was to make those cute pillow case dresses ( check here )
Before making that I remember seeing a cute pattern for making pj bottoms/lounge pants (check here), so I made those first. And I did it! Forgive me if I gloat a little. I made these using a template from some of Jay's current pj's. I didn't want them dragging on the floor, so I made them a little shorter. The waist is just a draw string type, so there is a lot of room to grow. The legs are wide cuz, I just did a straight leg. I think she will like wearing these for a long time since they will look cute as capri's.
My next project will be the cute dress, and making me some lounge pants, and the boys some as well. No dresses for them ;)

2008-08-28T09:09:00.002-06:00

What my kids say.....

Setting- Driving in the car (as usual). Tanner was staring out the window.
Tanner- "Mom, I can't wait for Jesus to come again."
Me- "Really, how come?"
Tanner- "I think that when He comes He'll make gas prices go down"

So there you have it. I couldn't really say anything except... " Your, probably right, Tanner."

2008-08-28T08:37:00.003-06:00

Update......

We had our first football game last Sat. To make this short.... we got our butts kicked. But on a good note, we had the best cheerleaders out there! I would have taken pics, but between calling out cheers and dealing with 4 girls (between the ages of 6-9)who were too hot, hungry, and thirsty, I never got to pull out the camera.

Unfortunately, Dan has had a set back in his recovery. He was on the field coaching, when the ball got kicked in his direction and suddenly had a bunch of little football players running at him. He tried to "hop " out of the way and something popped in his calf. He made it to the side lines, and then dropped to his knees. I ran over to him, being the concerned wife, and trying to figure out what had happened. Of course he said it would be fine, so the rest of the game he limped around trying to coach. When we got home, he finally told me how bad it really hurt. I called the surgical clinic that did the surgery. I got the answer I figured I'd get... Ice, elevate, and stay off it. If it gets worse call back, otherwise they'll get him in on Mon.
So Mon. came, I took him in. Diagnosis.... He tore his calf muscle, but not where he had surgery, on the opposite side of his calf. Nothing to be done but take a lot of ibuprofen, pain meds. if it gets unbearable, and crutches unless it feels better and can put weight on it. They'll see us in 2-3 weeks. If it hasn't repaired.......SURGERY, again, YA!

What makes this so sad was that just the day before this happened Dan was saying how great his leg felt, he was staring to walk with out so much of a limp. Now we're back to square one. I feel horrible for him because he has a lot of traveling this month, so he won't be able to take it as easy as I would like him to. Oh, well... we'll/he'll deal with it.

I do have to give some props to the G'parents and Aunt Ellen and Uncle Jason (and dog cousin Roxy). I don't know what I would have done with out them at the game. They totally took care of Zach and Jake.

We are going to have some scheduling conflicts, hopefully not many, because Zach is starting Lil' kickers. It's the 3 on 3 soccer for the little kids. He wanted to play something and I didn't think it would be fair to tell him "No, you can't do anything because football/cheer take up our lives!" It works, though, because he has games on Sat. mornings with Practice 30 min before the game. So no practice time during the week. I am excited though! So far he is the only one of our kids that shows a strong competitive spirit. I will have to take tons of video and pictures to post.

2008-08-22T12:58:00.003-06:00

Are we happy to start school............
YES!
Our first day was Aug. 14.

Jayla is now in second grade in Mrs. Lori Kohls class. She was nervous about her first day and who would be in her class, and following her mothers footsteps, worried about what she was going to do during lunch.

Tanner is now in 4th grade and was excited to start school because his teacher is Mr. Jeff Tufano, the only male teacher in the school besides the P.E. teacher. Apparently that's a big deal, especially to the boys. In true Tanner fashion, he wasn't nervous at all, and told me he knew what he was doing.

I took the kids to school and showed them where their class rooms were (we missed back to school night because of football and cheer). Jayla was immediately put at ease because she noticed that her friend Isabelle was in her class and sitting right next to her.
Tanner had no problem finding his class and doing his "thing".

I was ready for school to start because I have found that I deal better when there is a schedule, which school helps fill. I miss the kids a bunch, but love that they are busy. It is amazing how having 2 gone makes a difference in the house. Starting Sept. 8 I will be down to just one at home. Zachary is starting preschool this year and will go 8:40-11:40 Mon. -Thurs. WOW! It is kind of exciting to think how much I can hopefully get done with just one at home. I won't have just one for long though, because I told my neighbor that I will watch her baby girl when she has to start back to work, probably Oct. We think it will only be 3 days a week, but then I can get a baby fix and then send her home.
It's amazing how much my life is changing. I am no longer the cute young mom, I am now the older, still don't know much , taxi mom.

2008-08-09T11:29:00.002-06:00

Funny things my kids have said...........

Jayla- Mom, why don't Disney Princesses have moms? (Can you think of any that do? I could only think of Sleeping Beauty, all the rest are step moms or evil witches. OOHHH wait, Mulan has a mom, but can she really be classified as a princess?)

Zach- Barney Stinks!
Dan- Why does Barney stink?
Zach- Uh, because, Dad, he's a dinosaur and is in-stinct!

Just a few things to think about.

2008-08-05T13:22:00.002-06:00

So I am horrible at following through. I am referring to The Laundry Room post. I have added a few things there, ie. a big cork board for calendars, lonely socks, school things, etc. and a new row of hooks, that things actually stay on. But, due to the clothes that are continually needing washed it is still somewhat of a disaster! I am now working on getting a laundry schedule, always easier said than done.

Football has started for Dan and Tanner, which means that cheerleading has started for Jayla and I. Yes, I said I. I have been roped into being the cheer coach for Jayla's cheer squad. They, of course cheer for Dan's team, so I figured...... I am going to be there anyway so might as well be useful, right?! We have 45 min. practices 3 times a week (they coincide with the football team practice schedule, just not as long as their 2 hours). Another reason I agreed is because I only have 3 girls, including Jayla. My only stipulation was that Dan not make me the Team Mom. He values my sanity too much (his sanity reflects mine, if you get what I mean.) There is one other girl who has a brother on the team and the other girl is the football players age and goes to school with most of them, including Tanner.

2008-07-31T15:48:00.006-06:00

What we have been doing..........

-1-
Wedding at Coors Field.
One of Dan's co-workers got married at Coors field.

This is the set up at Home plate, where they are exchanging their vows.
The bridal party came out of the dug-outs, boys out of one and girls out of the other.
The ring bearer was dressed with his rockies jersey and carrying the ring in his mitt (pretty cute).

Dan and I before we got all "crazy" (j/j). We had a great time and I even did a little dancing. And, of course, the food was great.

-2-
Limo progressive dinner in Colorado Springs.

One of Dan's District Managers bought this "deal" at an auction to support March of Dimes and invited 3 other couples besides himself and his wife.

Here is our group we went with. I won't name names, since I haven't gotten their permission. You can't see Dan and one other guy. It was a bunch of fun. We had appetizers at one restaurant, soup and salad at another, entree at another and dessert at another place. It made for a late night. (we had to be in the Springs by 5:30 and didn't get home til 2:30.) Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for helping us out!!!!!

-3-
CINZETTI'S
Need I say more! For those of you that haven't been, it is an all you can eat Italian food place. Again, need I say more.

Dan and I took the "crew" for Dad's b-day and to thank them for watching the kids the night before! We couldn't leave out Jason and Ellen, we love them too!

That's what we have been doing. The end (for now).

2008-07-31T15:10:00.003-06:00

Pools, Kankles and diapers........

Jayla wanted to put a diaper on her Cabbage Patch so she put one of Jakes diapers on her. VIOLA...... a diaper dress!

Anyone know what kankles are!?

I love Jakes fat legs! They have slimmed down, but they are still so adorable.

So this is what happens when mom isn't paying attention............

A pool in the sand box. I can't be very angry, because I remember making our garden into a mud pool as a kid, and making rivers in our sand box as a kid as well. I did have help (you know who you are). But, as a kid what is better than playing in mud. I guess life does come full circle. (Sorry, Mom and Dad, for the mud lakes, rivers, etc.)

2008-07-31T09:04:00.002-06:00

I got tagged, AGAIN........ 6 quirky things............here is goes........... ( I asked Dan what some of my quirky things are, I should have had him do this post)

1. Right now, it would be itching my throat. I have allergies (onset after baby #3) and my throat itches like CRAZY! So I do this weird thing with my throat, that makes a weird noise. Mostly at night and in the morning.

2. I am not a social butterfly. I am friendly and make small talk with people, but to go out with a bunch of people makes me nervous. I feel like I'm back in jr. high and all my insecurities come out. I am trying harder to put myself in social situations. This results in NOT a lot of friends but many acquaintances.

3. I have to check the weather channels every night.( comcast 212, 249 )

4. I carry a marker with me everywhere I go so I can mark things. ie, my kids names on their cups, left overs, pretty much anything so that I don't have to here my kids fight about who's is who's.

5. Hi my name is Emily and I am a blog stalker. :)

6. I like pinching my kids butts. They are just so cute that I have to pinch them, especially Zach and Jake because they are still little enough that it isn't creepy yet. Tanner and Jayla I just smack theirs like a love tap.

Tag-your-it: You know who you are!!!!

2008-07-18T10:13:00.002-06:00

Sorry.... not a good way to start my ambitious organizing project. I will make this challenge "due" next Fri.

Thank you for all of your 'well-wishes' for Dan. He is doing good. His Dr. told me "I aggressively cleaned out all the old scar tissue and cleaned him up. He had a lot of junk in there." They cut him open at his calf and lengthened the tendon. Dan says his ankle feels great, but that his calf is what is really hurting him. So, hopefully this will just prolong the inevitable. His Dr. also said that as long as this "cleaning him out" thing keeps working we will just continue to do this unless the pain doesn't go away after the surgeries. So about every 2-3 years he will continue this cycle.

2008-07-11T18:18:00.004-06:00

It seems that I am always on edge. I am tired of constantly trying to "fix" the house. I have pin-pointed some of my anxiety, as things not being organized. I am challenging myself to get a handle on this. This is not a remodel. Just a organization effort

I start to try, and then say "it is too expensive, I give up." I am not using that statement as an excuse any longer. I am going to be frugal and get inventive so that I can finally have peace of mind.

My challenge: to take a room a week. 7 days is all I have to spend in that room to get it organized and then move on. I will be inventive and try to think outside the box to get that room in order.

First room: laundry room- I spend way more time there than I want to. It is the entrance from the garage and I want it to be the main entrance for the fam. Here is the before.........

I will post an after next week. Any and all comments or ideas are greatly appreciated. (my camera is working! YA!)

2008-07-11T08:47:00.002-06:00

My camera isn't taking pictures..... I am really bummed! I am trying to take more pictures of my kids in their "element" rather than all the posed pictures. But alas, the camera is being STUPID!

I am starting to get nervous for Dan and his surgery. He wanted it done ASAP and the Dr./Surgeon he is seeing just started at the Steadman-Hawkins clinic in Denver. His "papers" haven't gone through the board in Denver so he can't do any surgeries up here yet. So we have to drive down to Colorado Springs to have it done, which means we will have to drive back up here after it's over (it's an out patient thing).

Dan is anxious to have this done so he will at least be off the crutches and just in the walking boot before football starts (He is coaching Tanners team and they are now a competitive team. Instead of just playing the local communities we will be playing the other competitive teams in the North Metro area) He wants to be fully healed by Oct (we are going to Mexico on Farmers dime) and then he goes to Africa to go visit his parents in Nov. Weird, but he wants to be able to walk pain -free for those things.

For those interested in what he is having done, here is my dumbed down version (correct me if I'm wrong honey!) He is having his lft ankle cleaned out of all the spurs and having his calf muscle lengthened to help the Achilles tendon (on the verge of erupting) in the hopes that this will give him back his range of motion and alleviate some of his pain in walking. This will give him a few more years until he has to have all this done again. How exciting! Eventually (hopefully when he is in his 60's) he will either have to have the joint fused or completely replaced. Maybe by then they will have a better treatment that will allow him to stay active.

2008-07-08T19:12:00.005-06:00

-Our 4th of July Weekend-

Here's how it went down.....

Thurs: I was recuperating from the crappy migraine, and my friend Kathy called to see how I was doing. During our conversation she asked me how my Relief Society lesson was coming. What R.S. lesson!? Short story I was scheduled to teach that Sun. Topic; "The Latter-day Saint Woman". Vague. I didn't know if there was a lesson manual so I started to look thing up at lds.org.
Packed Tanner and Jayla for their trip to Utah with G'ma and G'pa.
Dan got home late from his business trip to Grand Junction.
Fri: Got up early to get kids ready for the annual Scout Breakfast for our wards scout fund-raiser. Dan had to be there by 6:30 am to help cook. We were planning on meeting the G'parents there to pick up the older 2 for their trip. G'parents got there about 8. Ate breakfast and packed the kids up in their car.

Getting the kids things into the trunk.

Tanner and Jayla can't wait to get going!

All ready!

Dan and I took Zach and Jake to go see Kung-Fu Panda (2 thumbs up). Hung out the rest of the day. Jake and Zach fell asleep before fireworks, and Dan and I had an eventful night of watching "The Great Debaters" and then going to bed. Happy birthday U.S.A!

Sat: Got up and ran with the dog, Sassy (pic below)

(cont.) . I missed Tanner and Jayla. Dan went golfing.... he has to get as much of it in ASAP before surgery on the 16th. Zach and Jake fought together, played together, fought, played etc. etc. They have a very love/hate relationship! Went grocery shopping and to Dicks Sporting Goods, that just opened up by our house. Had Dan's bro. Steve came over and we ordered the UFC fights. GREAT fights, even the under cards!

Sun: Went to church and gave my wonderful lesson. I found out after the fact that there is a manual. I now know for next time. (I don't teach again until Nov.) Still missed Tanner and Jayla.
Mon: Got up and went running, came home took the boys and Sassy for a walk (Sassy needs some work on the leash when she runs w/ me) Dan went to work. I hung out with the boys, prepared 11 family home evening lessons to pass out that night ( I am in a FHE group that meets quarterly and there are 11 families in the group). Did Dan's laundry, cuz he was leaving for Kansas City on Tues. Went to the FHE group mtg. Zach pee-ed his pants at the park we met at. Got home, gave the boys a shower. The G'parents stopped to drop off Tanner and Jayla. Who, by-the-way, had a GREAT time. I'll blog about that later, or Tanner will.

Tues: Walked the dog. Cleaned. Took Dan to the airport. Cleaned. Cooked dinner. When Dan is gone I hate cooking (I hate cooking dinner anyway) So I usually do something easy that the kids will eat. So Pancakes it is........

To make myself feel better about the food, they are wheat pancakes to get some nutrition in there. And now, here we are.

2008-07-03T11:08:00.002-06:00

Football is already starting.....

Tanner has been doing a Speed and Agility camp this month. It is 1 hr 3x's a week. His last camp was Wed. (July 2). Usually while he does this I put the other 3 over at the long jump area, because there is sand and shade, and I try to get in at least a 1/2 hr run around the track( the camp is at the H.S. ) I say 1/2 hr. because it takes me at least 20 to 30 min. getting the other kids situated. Well since this was Tanners last day at camp I decided I should probably get some pics. Due to the unforeseen migraine that graced my being, these were the only pictures I could muster before I felt the nausea set in.

getting ready to warm up

doing some warm-ups

Running

playing some "buff" ball (?) They can only take 3 steps and then have to throw it to a team mate.

Some of the other drills they do are agility ladders, parachutes, boxes etc.

2008-07-01T08:01:00.003-06:00

Random Pictures........

Tanner wearing the "Guatemala" hat. I don't think that it is supposed to be flipped to look like a peter pan hat.

Zach..... Oh Zach! He looks like he is having a terrible time, but I think that every time I take a picture of him he always has to look like he's sad. He's really not!

I kept telling Jayla to slide down the slide and she wouldn't. Why ? Because they are hot. I kept telling her "no their not, they're plastic" but they were.

Jake, finding the shade with G'ma and Jayla. That was the only "safe" spot from flying wood chips. He was doing the "flying".

This is a family picture from the Lewis reunion. I don't have a yellow ear. Zach had given me a beautiful flower, a dandelion.

I guess I have some sort of "thing" with making food look like other food. This was for Zach's B-day. It is a sherbet watermelon.

2008-06-26T16:09:00.003-06:00

So, I have been a slacker in my "duties" as being a V.T. I have been inspired to try harder and to get it done. We just had our V.T. conference on Tues........"Feed My Sheep.... Every Sister a Friend". We had a guy in our ward, Rex Johnson, speak our R.S. Pres, Becky Smith, speak and a musical number by me.* I thought it went really well. I really liked that we had a guys perspective on V.T. and he shared some great service stories that his wife received when she had their twins his first year of dental school. And of course our pres. gave a wonderful inspirational talk about the importance of visiting our sisters.

So there you go.... I have been touched by the spirit and can not neglect it.

I visited one of my sisters today and had a nice visit. Because of my being "touched" I felt I had to repent of my slackerness. She forgave me and invited me to go to Texas with her and 3 other ladies next week. I had to decline ( maybe going to Utah for the Clark Family Reunion, my 2 older ones are going for sure w/ G'parents).

Off the subject. We did not get Water World passes this year because of our new purchase of Sassy, the lab/ St. bernard dog we adopted. What was I thinking!? The kids are bored and so am I. Oh well, for sure next year if we aren't moving. (I know I keep saying that, but it is at the point now that it is inevitable we will be heading for L.A)

* I didn't want to sing. I didn't want people thinking that now that I am in charge of HFPE that it will become "The Emily Show". The other ladies that were asked couldn't do it, so my committee leader begged me. FYI I sang "Miracles" from the Sally DeFord website www.defordmusic.com.

2008-06-18T08:44:00.005-06:00

Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
* People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
* At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
* Don’t forget to leave them a comment on their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to come back and read your blog for the whole story

Thanks Erin for tagging me!!!!!! Sorry it has taken so long to get it posted..........

1- As a kid I would ride my little tricycle around with my little hat pulled over my eyes(it was a knit hat with a pom-pom on top). Why?! I just thought it was cool that I could see through the stitches and I thought people would think I had x-ray vision because I could see through my hat and not crash. I also had to shake my head around to feel the pom-pom bobble around on the hat.

2. I love playing in the rain, but as soon as it thundered I would bolt into the house( as a kid, not anymore).

3. I have a hard time keeping a house clean. Some of it is because I have 4 tornadoes running through my house at all times, but I have a hard time "tidying". I am sort of a perfectionist( I am learning this as I get older)...... if I start cleaning then I have an uncontrollable urge to clean baseboards, clean out kitchen cabinet shelves, and just get too detailed. I AM WORKING ON THIS DAILY.

4. My favorite flavors in the world are CHOCOLATE AND PEANUT BUTTER. O.K maybe this is something that you don't already know.

5. As a kid my favorite meal was Rice and Gravy. Everyone thought I was weird because it wasn't pizza or hamburgers. I guess it was because that meal was something we ate a lot of ,and it gave a sense of comfort.

6. I have always had a dream of competing in a fitness competition. I know, I know, I have a lot of work ahead of me...... but this hope resurged (?) because the last winner of the national fitness competition was a 38 yr old from Colorado. I have a few more years. My dream is still within reach :)

7. As soon as I wake up in the morning I have to watch channel 9 news or the Today Show. It is a habit that I just have to do to get me out of bed (I don't watch the ENTIRE Today Show though).

8. I HATE LAUNDRY!! Have I ever mentioned that before!?

Tagged: Raenie, Martha, Melissa, Kathy, Mom, Rachel, Ellen.... and TANNER! (his link is on the side bar)

2008-06-10T14:49:00.003-06:00

We have done a lot these last couple of weeks. I will post pictures soon.

The kids were done with school May 22. It was a half day. So we picked up the kids at 12:30 and immediately headed for Dallas (Frisco), TX. It took us about 13 hours to get there (we arrived at 3 in the morning, that's with the time change.) We stayed until the next Tues.

Loved visiting with Chris, Wendy, Jocelyn, Brielle, Payton and Chelsea. Frisco is really a pretty and clean place. Full of new homes, shops, buildings etc. Chris and Wendy have a beautiful home and are a GREAT family. THANK YOU for letting us invade your space!

Zach turned 4 on May 31. The whole day he kept telling me that his name wasn't Zach it was 4. Whatever, dude! He got to spend the night with Grandma and Grandpa Pratt with no one else. When we dropped him off we had a cookout with G'ma, G'pa, Aunt Ellen and Roxie (the dog cousin). But, he had to remind us that we were not staying and that we needed to leave him there all by himself (he made sure that, that was clear to all his siblings).

We had the Lewis' Family reunion in Dillon/ Silverthorne. We stayed HERE.
It was beautiful! There were multiple trails to pick from so I had some wonderful places to pick where I wanted to go on my early morning runs. I just LOVE the mountains! We were also within walking distance to the outlets, which of course we just HAD to go to .

Like I said I will have pics soon.

2008-05-28T15:47:00.005-06:00

HAPPY 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY(May 16, 1998)................. (10 years= tin, aluminum, diamond- How do those all fit together!?)

In honor of 10 years (14 if you count dating) together, here are 10 things I LOVE about Dan:

1. He LOVES ME! Including all my quirks and mentalness (?)

2. He makes me laugh- he doesn't think he does, but he does.

3. He is an honorable priesthood holder.

4. He gave me 4 wonderful kids.

5. He is a hard worker.

6. Says whatever he wants or feels without caring what others think- sometimes good, bad or embarrassing (sometimes I think the same thing in my head, and I'm just to chicken to say it)

7. Supports me in EVERYTHING!

8. Always tells me I'm HOT! (So maybe he isn't as honest with me....hee, hee)

9. Wonderful Father!

10. He is so smart (he married me didn't he!?)

2008-05-15T16:34:00.003-06:00

GAS Wars!

No really..... We have been having a gas war here in Brighton.

I was listening to the radio while taking children to school, and heard about a gas station in Brighton who's gas prices were $3.19. WOW! I knew where it was so after dropping kids off I went and filled up. I was so proud of the bargain I got. Then later I went by again........$2.96!

A new gas station opened last Fri. and started out their pricing at $3.43 the gas station down the street decided that it was going to stay at least $.03 cheaper. So Sunday the "new" gas station ran out of gas when the prices were $3.12. So of course the competitor upped their pricing back . "New" gas station got more gas and so it began again.

It's kind of fun to watch all the excitement. The last time I drove by, the cops were at both locations directing traffic, news media is all over the place, the lines are incredible!

I don't feel now that I got the best price ;)

2008-05-14T08:54:00.001-06:00

THIS is beautiful!

2008-05-13T14:53:00.001-06:00

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow.
You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily.
Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in.
You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising.
You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

2008-05-09T08:38:00.002-06:00

Happy belated Cinco De Mayo!!

This is my attempt at celebrating...... Fried Ice Cream!!! I had planned a Mexican themed dinner, but Rachel (my sis-in-law) called and wanted to know if we wanted to go out with them to a Mexican restaurant. There is such a selection here in Brighton. What!? Brighton has Mexican restaurants! :) We decided upon El Jimador (pronounced Hee-ma-dor). But I had frozen these babies earlier that morning, so I didn't want my creations to go to waste, so no dessert at the restaurant.

In a miracle, we got Dan to meet us for dinner at 7pm. Dinner went well considering we had 7 kids under the age of 9. I was glad he could make it because he was going to be in Kansas City, MO (his favorite place in the WORLD) until the end of the week, so it was nice to do something fun before he left.

2008-05-05T13:23:00.007-06:00

What a way to start May...........

This is what it looked like on May 1, 2008. Yep! It's snowing! What really is funny is the day before it was almost 80 degrees and I got my first sunburn of the season (I was shoveling rock trying to get some landscaping done).

And like I promised ........ here are pics of Dan's 3/3 tournament. This was exclusively for Farmers employees, but they raised $3,000 for March of Dimes. Yes, Dan was the PUNISHER!

His team didn't win the whole tourny. They won 2 and lost 2. It was fun watching all the different skill levels :)

The pics below are of how Jake occupied his time while basketball was going on.........

stuffing his face.

2008-05-01T16:13:00.002-06:00

Raenie sent this as an email, so I thought I would blog it so everyone could see...........

1. YOUR NAME:
Emily Lewis

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of real name plus izzle)

Emi-izzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal)

Red Cow

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and the street you live on)

Pratt Hedgerow

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of
your first)
Lewem

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color, and favorite drink)
Orange Dr. Pepper

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 3rd letter of your dads middle name, 1st letter of a siblings first name, and last letter of your moms middle name)

mwalnek

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (parents middle names)
clark lenox

9. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of your pets)

Black Elbi

2008-04-28T08:51:00.005-06:00

WE LOVE BABIES!..............

Saturday was the March of Dimes Walk
It was a six mile walk through Down Town Denver starting at Civic Center Park. It wasn't the warmest day, but we did it!

The Guy with the microphone is James Purcell, the Colorado State Executive for Farmers Insurance. Farmers is one the largest national contributors for March of Dimes.

This is what the "Farmers Team" shirts looked like. The top photo is the front of the shirt, the lower one is the back with the super baby (I know, a little weird). We all wore our shirts, except for Jake and Zach because they didn't have small enough ones.

The boys all bundled up for a great walk.

Tanner and Jayla getting their sugar high before the walk. Don't let the sun deceive you....... it was windy and COLD!

WOW! Who's that handsome guy....... Oh that's my guy! Dan is also carb loading before the walk.

This is us after the 6 miles of windy coldness. But, we did it for the babies! Tanner and Jayla did such a great job. Tanner walked the whole way and Dan carried Jayla a short stint.

Next weekend is the 3 on 3 basketball tournament at Thunder Ridge H.S. Ya! You can bet I will be taking a lot o pics there! I am an observer at that one. The kids and I are going to have a great time watching.

2008-04-23T16:06:00.000-06:00

This is cute!

2008-04-23T10:07:00.002-06:00

Having Bleu has been way different than I thought. I get up in the morning and take him for a run. He gets so excited to see me and to go. The kids have really had a great time with him too. They get to go with me in the evening to take him for a walk again. Zach and Jake can't leave him alone when he is in the house, but he loves to just stay in the back yard and lounge around the patio and sand/trampoline box.

We are definitely going to have to get our own. It's just a matter of what kind. I really want one that can go on runs with me, that can be great with kids, will chill when we need it to etc.

Any one have any ideas?

2008-04-22T12:56:00.004-06:00

About Me

This is for Raenie!

Four jobs I have had:
1.working in an industrial lighting warehouse, doing everything from receptionist, cleaning the bathroom, organizing the lights and stuff.

2. Subway Sandwich Artist

3. Camping World

4. GNC

Four people who email me:

1. Bob and Renae

2. Hungry Girl

3. Relief Society

4. all friends and family

Four favorite foods:

1. steak

2. Ice cream

3. grapefruit

4. Sweet potatoes

Four places I'd rather be:

1. Mexico or anywhere on a nice warm beach soaking up some rays (Dan can come-no kids)

2. Vegas (again Dan can come-no kids)

3. Disneyland, world or somewhere fun WITH the kids

4. or shopping- as long as there would be no guilty feelings after.

Four people I think will or I would like to respond:

1.Martha

2. Ellen

3. Melissa (if she isn't sick or packing)

4. Mom- I think she will try if she can figure out how

Four movies I would watch over and over: (the first 2 I copied Raenie, but only because I really would watch them over and over!)

1.Ever After

2.The Mask of Zorro

3. Sabrina ( the newer one)

4. Oceans 11

Four places I have lived:

1. Salt Lake City, Utah

2. St. Louis, MO

3. Arvada, CO

4. Brighton, CO

Four TV shows I watch:

1. American Idol

2. The Office

3. ER

4.UFC (Ultimate Fighter)

Four websites I visit daily:

1. All of my friends and families blogs

2. Compass Bank

3. Angry Chicken

4. allrecipes.com

Four things I always carry with me:

1. cell phone

2. diapers and wipes ( I will count those together)

3. chapstick

4. antibacterial gel

Four random facts about me:

1. I hate grocery shopping and put it off as long as possible

2. I am learning I am not as social a person as I thought I was.

3. I am like my dad, and am always looking for the "best" deal possible - not to the point of dumpster diving, though.

4. I am always falling in love with my husband over and over- I'll include my kids in that , as I am learning more and more about them as people, and not just my kids.

2008-04-20T15:39:00.002-06:00

INTRODUCING................... The Newest Adopted Lewis!

This is Bleu! He is a 85 lb., 8yr old husky. He will be staying with us for about a month while his "mommy" is in Los Angeles, CA. Kristie (his mom) works with Dan. The company wanted her to work on some projects back in L.A. , so she will be working 12 hour days and Dan felt bad for him so................we took Bleu.

We have been discussing getting a dog for about 6 months but were just unsure about how the kids would be. They tell us that if we were to get one they "would totally help out!" Well here's their trial run! If they help with him, we will get a dog of our own.

He is such a beautiful and well behaved dog. He is VERY mellow and deals with the kids great. In the above photos I think he is wanting to take a nap, but Zach and Jayla keep "bugging" him and he just takes it. Had Jake been awake he would have been trying to sit on him.
He will probably love the peace and quiet when Kristie gets back.

2008-04-10T11:55:00.004-06:00

PICTURES!!!

Tanners birthday! 9 is so old (only cuz it makes me old). the other boy in the picture is one of Tanners friends

Mom/Grandma made matching bunny cakes (great job by the way) for Jake and Tanner for their birthdays. Jakes was on easter and Tanners was March 28. LOVE THE CAKES and the KIDS!

Dressed in their Easter Best.

Jake blowing candles. Happy number 2!
Tanner had Pinewood derby and took 3rd place in the wolf den, and 5th in the whole pack. Dan and Tanner took a whole 3 days to make the car. It's amazing what you can do under pressure! Love you Dan and Tanner!

2008-04-02T10:55:00.004-06:00

What's For Dinner!?

I always hate that question. Well in honor of April Fools Day, this was our dinner. After reading my great friends blog. I felt I need to let loose today and do something fun for my family (thanks Melissa!). I ditched the fixating on having a clean house and getting laundry done, so after volunteering at the school I spent the rest of the day whipping this up.

Yes, it was for "fools" day so don't let the picture deceive you. The "cake" is meat loaf "frosted" with whipped potatoes and cherry tomatoes top it off. The "hamburgers" were made with vanilla wafers, peppermint patties, frosting and green coconut.

The kids thought it was great, except Jake. When he took a bite of his "cake" he started to cry and whine "cake, me cake!" Tanner had 3 helpings of "cake".

2008-04-02T10:26:00.003-06:00

src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DWjhOH8Blt8/R_O0wg-bqzI/AAAAAAAAASE/lCpDL4xwocU/s400/Jayla%27s+b-day+2008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184686341612088114" />

Happy Birthday Jayla!!!!!!!!!!! (sorry it took me a month to post)

I don't know what I would do without my sweet Jayla. It is always us against the boys. She is so studious, and loves learning and drawing. You can usually find her in her room quietly playing or "keeping busy" while her brothers are ransacking the rest of the house. She is so pleasant (most of the time) and is greatly missed when she isn't around. She is a wonderful big sister, and has taught the little boys how to play a "mean" prince and the proper way to dance with a princess.

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

2008-03-06T10:01:00.006-07:00

Well, Dans been gone again. He gets to come home long enough to sleep, but then is gone at the crack o'dawn. The one night he did come home it was to watch the kids so I could go to my enrichment planning meeting, whoa- who! He works hard and wants to to a good job. This week he is in Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Lamar .... all those places down there. He has another dinner on Fri at Garden of the Gods(click). I am meeting him down there for that.
I feel like I'm being teased when he has weeks like this... "hi, I'm home , I'm tired, going to bed. Gotta leave at 5:30am, won't see you until 11:30pm. I have to leave again early tomorrow. LOVE YA!"

This morning Jake got my cell phone and was "talking" to Daddy. "come home. I wuv you. home!" Zach on Mon. night (Dan was staying the night in Pueblo) came into my room and just needed "to hold your hand until I fall asleep. I'm scared." He only does this when Dan is gone.

All in all, though. I love him! He, himself, never wanted to work this hard. He does like his job and the people he works with and gets to meet.

Tonight I get to do parent teacher conferences on my own. It will be great because my kids are great! It will be quick and easy because I see the kids teachers weekly when I volunteer, so there really isn't anything that goes on that I don't know about.

Being in Relief Society is going to be a REAL learning experience. We (me and my enrichment leader) have decided to NOT do a "super saturday". Oh ya!!! I can't wait to get the back lash on this one. Already 2 of the committee is freaking out.... nicely,but still freaking out. The commitee leader has been in for over 2 years and she tallied up the # of crafts she's done and it totals over 30. I totally back her up!

What are your ideas and some of the HFPE night you like/ remember? (my way of asking for help :) )

2008-03-03T19:41:00.005-07:00

The Colorado Rockies are so amazing!! I took this on my way to Grand Junction to meet up with Dan. As many times as I have driven this route the mountains never fail to impress me. It was probably a dangerous stunt to take this while driving winding roads, but .... oh, well. I probably shouldn't have taken the next one either.....

I went to Grand Junction (last Fri. 2/29 ) for a district banquet that Dan needed to be at. I jumped at the opportunity to go spend a night with him and away from the kids. I rented a car, a Nissan Xterra, so that we could drive back together. I have never really toured Grand Junction than to stop right off I-70 for a lunch break to or from Utah. It is really a nice town

2008-02-18T09:57:00.003-07:00

It's been too long......

literally. Too long since I have posted, and my hair too long. So for Valentines day Dan took the kids for a few hours while I got my hair done at a local salon. The last time I had done that was after Jayla was born. I usually am last minute "I need a hair cut, hope great clips isn't too busy," kind of a person. So here is the before and after.
The after is also after being on the treadmill, so I don't look totally put together but I needed a picture before I lose my time to get things posted. I will post one where I look more like the rock star I am.

And YA! I got a work out in! Tanner and Jayla are home because of Pres. day, so they kept the other 2 busy so I could do "something" to work out. They are such great helpers! I am having a moment of great love for all my kids. They are really great kids.

Well there is now a lot of screaming going on ,so there go my time.

How is everyone doing on their "health"?

2008-02-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Laundry.........

I think the one thing that drives me most crazy about laundry is matching socks. I DESPISE this part of the laundry. Well I decided to try to fix the problem and try to think of ways that would make this chore easier. I found this idea, and so far has worked great (as long as your family members will do their part.) Maybe some of you already knew to do this, but humor me because I think I have reinvented the wheel. I bought lingerie bags and have pinned or tied them to the laundry baskets. When socks are dirty the family is to put them into the lingerie bags together. When it's time for a load of wash, zip up the lingerie bag and wash and dry it with the load. Tada! The socks are together, no matching necessary. YA!
In I and Dan's laundry I bought 2 bags, one for white socks and one for colored.

If you would like pictures I would be happy to share, since I really am excited about this "new" way of being organized in the laundry scheme. I will post them as I figure out my new digital camera.

2008-02-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

OOOOHHH What have I done......

I have eaten like CRAP and still no work outs in. I am trying to ignore the life that is going on around me and wish I could be a hermit for a couple of days and not be bothered. I have hit my low for the week and will try to recommit myself for the rest of month.
Added Goal:
I want to feel better in my clothes by my birthday. I won't say how much I want to lose because I tend to think I can lose more than is a reality.

I miss my husband and the kids miss their dad. Usually we get to talk more, but because of the conference he is at he has had 12 hr days and then usually a happy hour after all the meetings. (I hope he is keeping it together and not dancing on tables or anything like that). It hasn't left him much "down" time to keep in touch.

The kids had a great time at school today. Tom Nalen(click on the name) from the Broncos came and talked to them at school and showed them his "gear" and his super bowl rings. They thought that was pretty great.

It's funny because Dan and I went to dinner with some friends about a year ago and saw him in person. He walked right by our table with jeans and a t-shirt on, we were at a really nice restaurant and we were all dressed up. I forget that Dan is just as big as some of these pro. athletes, Tom wasn't any bigger really than Dan. On T.V. though he looks enormous(Tom not Dan). There is a connection that Dan has with the Broncos, namely John Lynch. I'll blog about that later when I have more time.

Namaste ( that's for Dan, I love you!)