Sunday Jam

Conference weekend! Ashamed, I admit that yesterday I completely forgot about conference until 3:18 pm. It was a crazy morning picking up kids from different places and it just slipped my mind. Luckily I can go listen to them Via the amazing Internet! (and I will) Last night, Glade, Nick and I went out to dinner before priesthood meeting. Usually Glade's family all go together and we wives go meet them after for dinner. This year we had to change plans because Glade bought tickets to the Ray Romano Comedy Tour. He came straight home from priesthood and we headed out for the 8pm show. I was a little nervous about it being inappropriate. I really didn't want to ruin my image of him. We got there right on time. There was a little mini opener who was kind of foul and not very funny. Then Ray came out and he was really funny! Tears kind of funny. It was great, all about marriage and family. THEN the last guy came out. It was his brother Robert from the show. Brad Garrett. He was FOUL. We didn't even stay a whole minute. He was using the F bomb like nothing else. If ever given the chance, skip that one. So we went for ice cream.

Sunday, a day of rest. Not this one. Got up early to make a big breakfast for my family, that's tradition. Watched conference. My kids did really well. I printed out packets for them and it was really helpful. Strange to not see Pres. Hinckley, but I've always adored Pres. Monson. Between sessions, we (Glade, the older kids and I) cut up 5 flats of strawberries to make freezer jam. Once that was done, we started refilling our 72 hr kits. Chelsey is amazing. She packed her kit so well we were able to fit in another oatmeal and a pack of cookies!

After the second session, which I think I enjoyed a little more, we got started on the jam. Amy and Tyler came over to help, that's also a tradition. I made my first ever batch of home made chicken noodle soup. Didn't even use a recipe. I thought it turned out really yummy. Glade and Tyler did most of the jam making. They were like steam rollers! Ended up with 44 quarts. That should last a little while.

My kitchen was an absolute wreck! Luckily I have great family. Everyone pitched in and helped clean it up. Amy even swept my floor! I was so thankful cuz now I can go to the gym tomorrow instead of staying home and cleaning. It kind of stresses me out when I don't get to go.

So though my day was busy, it was very productive. That's the kind of busy I like!

On a really happy Mommy note: Last night about 1:30 am, several lights flipped on. I sat up to see who was in the hall. It was Bo. He woke up, went potty, and put him self back in bed! Not a word! I put all his diapers away today. whew!

We used about every bowl and container I own

Chelsey working on 72 hr kits

Geography and Shoes

This morning we awoke bright and early to head to Tuscon for Stephen to compete in the State Geography Bee. We had to be checked in at 8 am. Glade, my mom, Stephen and I headed out about 6am. Traffic was horrible and we got there a little late but that was OK because they tell you to get here so you can sit and wait, which is what we did. They invited the top 100 students in grades 4 - 8 from the state. That in and of itself is quite impressive. They had 5 rooms with 20 students each. Stephen was the first up in his room. There was a series of 8 questions they had to answer. It was quite nerve racking. The first 5 questions were some type of multiple choice so it was a little easier. Stephen got all of his right as did the majority of other kids. Then the last three questions they had to come up with the answer themselves. I can't believe anyone on earth knew the answers to those. Stephen missed his first one. He was soooo close! Out of the 8 questions, he got 7 right. Pretty dang good! After the first round, they tally the points and search out the top 10 for the final round. Only one kid in our group got all 8 right. There were 7 kids that got 7 right including Stephen. Usually, the few that got them all right are automatically in the top 10 and then they have a tie breaker with all the 7's to see who the rest will be. We were so excited that he made it to the tie breaker round. So we thought. For the first time in the Bee's history, exactly 10 kids got all 8 questions right. No tie breaker. We were very sad. I say sad, but what I mean is SO impressed and proud of our son! He was amazing and knew things I could never imagine. It sure makes your heart swell to see one of your own succeed in such a way.

We all went to lunch at Red Robin (Stephen's first time). He loved it. It happened to be in the mall, so OBVIOUSLY I had to make a quick round to continue my hunt for some really cute shoes. I actually found 3 options. Hooray for Tuscon! I finally made up my mind after and hour of dragging my poor husband and son around the mall. Wellllll, they didn't have my size. Go figure. I came home empty handed. For fun, I took a picture of one of the pairs. They were perfect! If you didn't count the price. Any guesses??

$130!!!!!

I guess some woman named Deborah Evans personally glued each gem which were some kind of special, expensive gems. Whatever. As far as I know, Deborah Evans is the 5 yr old girl in China who works too many hours! Now my ambition is to bling my own flip flops to look just like them but with Wal Mart gems! I'll show her.

Had a wonderful day with the ones I love! Thanks Whitley for taking care of my babies and to my mom "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"!!

Stephen was supposed to go to a birthday party when we got back, but he lost the invitation. We turned the house upside down looking for it. We called anyone we thought might possibly know someone who would know someone who could get us the information. After and hour of tears and frustration, we decided to just call down the phone book. It worked! Only took about 6 calls. I was so happy for him. He doesn't go to a whole lot of things like this and he had had kind of a rough day anyway. When we got in the car to go, he was saying how amazing it was that it worked out. I said "if you just think outside the box and go the extra mile, you can accomplish a lot". He said "and pray." I love that kid.

Here are some pictures of the day.

Stephen and the scoreboard

Red Robin!!

Stephen in his new Geography Bee Shirt - Man he's cute!

What I learned Today

What I learned today was:

-to appreciate the little things your spouse does (taking Rhett to orchestr at 7:15am)
-babies like to poop in clean diapers
-roaches eat their dead (witnessed that one)
-good friends cut your hair on a moments notice
-swiffers were not meant for people with actual kitchens and actual dirt
-mopping earnes me 2 pts on Weight Watchers (might have cleaner floors from now on)
-you CAN miss a teenager
-falling asleep with a baby's chubby cheek on your own (chubby) cheek is blissful
-one bad url can cause a lot of frustration
-I know basically NOTHING about geography
-there isn't a single pair of REALLY cute shoes in this city
-Webkins cost $15 (what a waste)
-never trust a phone # written down by an 8 yr old
-dimples are the best!
-compared to others, I have a really boring life!

Bounce in my step!

Have you ever had a day where you just felt like you were walking a little taller? That was my day! Not even sure why. Morning started out kind of rough. I'm not sure why some mornings my kids forget they have to go to school. Ten minutes till its time to leave and I have one in the shower and 2 with bare feet and unbrushed everything. Hello?!? Why DO kids hate brushing there teeth so much? I say in a nice sweet voice, "go brush your teeth" and then later I say "let me check". THEN it turns to "GO BRUSH YOUR TEETH". Can't figure out why it's such a big deal. Heck, Bo wants to brush his teeth all day long!
Had two at home "sick" today. They probably should have been at school. I went and shopped for the 72 hr emergency kits today. I was SO excited. I thought it was going to cost about $8 per kit but it ended up to be only $6.50. I even put more food in it than last time! I was a little worried about fitting it all in the container but it worked out perfect. I posted the menu if anyone is interested in getting prepared.
I think Bo was dry today. He doesn't tell me anymore. He just goes. I went in to offer help when I saw him run in there and he very maturely told me "I got it!" Alright then. So I let him run around all day with his undies on backward. Time out. Bo wants to go brush his teeth, haha!
Ok, so last night when Whitley was throwing up, she laid in her bed and I guess fell right to sleep. Chelsey got up and turned out the lights. Whitley in a panic says "Chelsey! I think I'm blind! I can't see!" Chelsey assured her that throwing up doesn't make you blind and that she had just turned the lights out. The fun never stops.
Went to the gym this afternoon. While I was gone Whitley fixed dinner and as I was pulling up, so was Glade! He actually made it home to eat with us. Yeah! Cleaned up the kitchen, watched Deal or No Deal, and had a nice hot shower. It was just one of those days where you feel good about all you've done I guess. Chelsey just got home and had a rough day at track. She is a trooper though.
My sweet Mom is really sick. She didn't get out of bed or eat for 24 hours. Been there done that, and it totally sucks. At least she is too sick to worry about the break in attempt. Thank goodness Donna is still there.
I'm 18 pages ahead on my scriptures!

name search

Here is a fun site my dear father sent me. www.howmanyofme.com
It tells how many people have the same name in the US.

Laurie Smith 1742 laurie is the 354th most popular name and smith is, of course, #1
Stephen Smith (glade) 8281 stephen is the 53rd most popular name

the "needs" game

So this is a little game Kathy did on her blog. You type in your name (ie: Laurie needs) into a search engine and see what comes up. I only did it for Glade and I which was actually kind of funny since Glade is, you know, an airfreshner! Here's what I found:

Laurie needs mourning and remembrance
Laurie needs to lose weight
Laurie needs a favor
Laurie needs more police reserves
Laurie needs a crash helmet
Laurie needs a copy of The Complete Idiots Guide to Your Civil Liberties

Glade needs a home
Glade needs to really focus on service
Glade needs special care
Glade needs a hero
Glade needs to make an airfreshner (he he)
Glade needs a users manual - AMEN!

Sabotage!

72 hour kit menu
OK, so sometimes your family can be really cruel and not even know it! On Sunday, SOMEONE brought their left over chocolate pie and left it in MY refridgerator. Not a very nice thing to do to someone who is trying really hard to lose weight. I resisted for two days and today could no longer do it. I ate it. And it sucks. I went to the gym, worked off 500 calories and then ate probably more than that in about 18.3 seconds. For future, there's really only one good place for that, the garbage! And that goes for anyone thinking they don't want it around their house anymore. Grrrrr.
Today was a fairly good one. Had two good nights of sleep in a row. That doesn't happen very often. Went to the gym this morning only it was extra good cuz my hubby came with! I was so happy. It's much easier to accomplish a goal when you work together. It was a little awkward, I like to talk, him, not so much. It was ok though, I just liked having him beside me. I just have to remember not to get mad when he loses 30lbs in the next 2 weeks. You know how men are. I have only lost 13 lbs, but I feel better. I don't see much difference in my body, but it must have come from somewhere. (my chest ) Anyway, I'm still determined and that's half the battle.
Bo was completely dry today. I hardly even have to remind him, he just goes on his own. It's soooo great. He has even woken up dry most of the time. Rhett was still sick today and Whitley just said she doesn't feel well. Man, I just want everyone to feel better. It's been almost 6 weeks straight that we have had someone sick.
Today was crazy scout day. I'm in the car about every 45 min dropping off or picking up someone. This goes on from 3 pm till 7.
I never fix dinner on this day. We call it "fend for yourself" day. Makes a mess of my kitchen, but no one is here to eat all at the same time so it works. Got caught up on my scripture reading today. I'm actually 5 pages ahead. WooooHooo!
Tomorrow I am going to Costco to get the 72hr kits. I always love that. It's great to pile up the cart with tons of wierd, unrelated stuff. Makes people look. Oh, by the way, Brooklyn and Dalin did a really good job on FHE. Kinda funny though. They prepared some summary questions and they would barely let us answer before moving on to the next one. No discussion, just movin on! They tried though and I know it always makes them feel good when they accomplish it.
Lastly, I have never been a "Biggest Loser" watcher, until this year. I really hate the end. On other shows, its all about the money so you don't feel too bad when someone goes home. This show is different. It makes me cry every time. They have all done amazing. Truly inspiring.