I Gave Up

Ever so long ago... it was so long ago that we were living in Newton and Cooper wasn't even born yet... Brandon made me this armoire. It is supposed to have doors and a drawer. As you can see, it doesn't. I decided that it probably never ever will, and I should enjoy it as is. So, yesterday I painted it. I don't know where I got the stain that I used to antique it, but I realized after the fact that it was NOT water based, and I had no idea where the paint thinner is. Just in case any of you run into this problem in the future, and you have stain all over your hands... nail polish remover will work. :) Anyway, I think it looks much more finished now, and I'm excited for the stain to dry so I can put everything back in it, instead of all over my living room. Oh... and the tv fell off of the couch today, so it might be toast. I wasn't even in the room (in fact, nobody was, because I was the only one home!) so I have no idea how that happened. I just heard the crash. It was sitting on the couch for a whole day, so I don't know why it all of a sudden decided to jump ship. My only idea is that it wanted to get back into the lovely newly-painted armoire, but it just couldn't make it past the floor by the couch.

Most of All

Today when Melissa, Hannah and I were having a girl's lunch and chatting away about music... what? You said Hannah's in Texas? Melissa is in la la land? Whatever. Fine. When I was sitting in my sweats waiting for my jars to wash so I could can grape juice, and I was chatting online with Melissa and Hannah... I hate coming out of my fantasy world! Anyway, Melissa asked me who sang a song that I showed to her awhile ago. This song is fantastic, really! And, I bet most of you have never heard it before. I'm betting this because I had a hard time even finding it online. It's called Most of All by Mac Davis, and it's the sweetest, most tender love song ever. Ever! Okay, I can't hold a straight face anymore. It's a love song... I'll just say that. Listen to the clip of "Most of All", and then you should buy it. I dare you to listen to the whole thing without smiling. Then I dare you to listen to the whole song with your lover without... smiling. ;)

Middle School... Oh Boy!

I had the wonderful privilege of substituting at the middle school yesterday. I was the sub for some computer class stuff. They were working on cashiering. It was pretty easy, but I'll tell you what... those middle school kids THINK I'm dumb, but THEY are the ones who are really dumb. So neener neener on them. Or something. I caught so many of them playing computer games, and they tried all sorts of tricks. "Oh, that just popped up! I have no idea how!" And I was born yesterday. They'd also have both windows open, and hurry and change it to the cashiering when I came by. And I never use a computer, so of course I would have no idea what the button at the bottom that says "games" means. I also won't notice when a well-meaning friend hurries and changes his friend's screen, because he's talking to the girl next to him and doesn't notice me. I also totally believe that the teacher lets one kid do one screen, another do another screen, and then lets them copy off each other. This is why I hate subbing. I don't want to babysit a bunch of brats, who think the most fun they can have in a day is to see if they can pull one over on the sub. I was also shocked at how little some of these kids understood BASIC concepts. There were a few who could not even add dimes, and I'm not kidding. It makes me scared for our world.

Dry Fork 5 Mile Race

I ran this race today, and beat my goal time by a little over a minute! AND I did it all with a pulled muscle from 2 days ago in my left calf! (It was killing me the whole time, but I couldn't just stop! ;) My time was 38:52, so less than 8 minute miles! (That's good for me... I know other people would kick my pants!) It was a gorgeous morning, with gorgeous views, and nice friendly people. I'd definitely do it again. I WISH that I had a picture to post, but my wonderful husband and kids forgot the camera, even though I specifically told them that I wanted ANY picture of me running, since I have none. Well, maybe next time! Brandon did take some with his phone, so I'll see if he can upload those to here. This race is mostly downhill, so it's pretty easy... I would LOVE to have company next year, and there is even a walking division!

Oh. LAME. So, this is the ONE picture that Brandon got. He had the phone pointed at me forever, so I thought he was doing a video or something, so I did a little "woot", and that's when he snaps it. The ONE picture I have of me running, and I look like this. Oh brother!

Hip Hop is For Young'Uns

I went to the Hip Hop class at the gym today, and let me tell you... I could not make my moves look like the teacher's! I looked like some weird person trying to bust a move. Napolean Dynamite can dance circles around me! I was actually looking in the mirror thinking that maybe I'm too skinny to do hip hop (the teacher had nice curves), because there has to be some reason that I CAN'T DANCE!

We Love our Great Grandparents!

This past weekend we decided to do a quick trip to visit our Grandparents, and get away for a day. It was a fun-filled trip, and we were so glad we went! I found out that Grandpa and Grandma Howell would be at my parents' house, so it was a perfect opportunity to see them! We had a wonderful visit Saturday morning. Grandpa showed Aubrey lots of fun math tricks. Some were even useful! ;) Aubrey even learned that half of 12 is 7. You'll have to ponder that one for awhile. If anyone figures it out, you'll win! I don't know what you'll win, but you'll win!
Grandpa Howell with my Dad. It took a few tries to get a picture with Dad smiling and not blinking. I think he must be out of practice. I'll have to take more pictures of him. Grandpa looked great in every picture, of course!
Four generations of girls! Aren't we all beautiful?
We didn't get to do much there, but Mom fed us a yummy garden veggie lunch (without deviled eggs... thanks, Mom! ;) Oh, we also got ice cream, of course!
Brandon was being his usual model-y self. He loves to have pictures taken. Any opportunity that he has to jump in a picture... he's there. He's constantly begging people to take pictures of him, and sometimes cries if he can't be in every single picture.

After we visited at the Howell's, we went down south and visited Great Grandpa and Grandma Jarvis. It was so much fun to see them, and visit with them for awhile. I wish we could see our grandparents more often! Cooper sang them a beautiful song about worms... it took us a few minutes to get him to start singing, but then he didn't want to stop. He sang it a few times before he finally quit.
Grandma didn't think she was picture-ready, but I think she looks absolutely beautiful!

We also got to wander around Cabelas, Brandon's favorite place in the world. I went to Deseret Book and bought my temple case, so you can all cross that off your list for me for Christmas! ;) You'll just have to get me something else. Then we met up with Holly and Adam at Target. Target. Target! I like that place! I sure miss it. I bought some more of the headphones I like to run with, because I can't find them anywhere here. Then we just wandered around. It was fun. Holly had fun telling people who didn't know her what they should and shouldn't buy. ;) After Target, Holly and Adam shared a wonderful restaurant with us. We went to Mimi's, and it was delicious! It was fun to spend time with them, and be able to go to a "real" place to eat. After awhile, Winger's as the "fancy" restaurant in town just doesn't cut it anymore. ;) Thanks, guys, for hanging out with us! We hope to visit more family some day soon. We love and miss you all!

I'm Proud to Be an American

It seems that most of us have been afraid to share political views on our blogs. I know that I have, because I don't want to offend anyone, and I also am a bit afraid of being blasted. I saw this video today, though, and felt that I had to share it. So, be offended if you must. Blast me if you must, but you know, I am so thankful that I have the right to have an opinion, and express it. I am thankful that I have a choice, and that I can vote for the candidate that my values match up to the most. And, unlike some people, I am proud of my country. Yes, there are things that need changed, and things that could be better, but we have something a lot of people don't. We have freedom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

Cooper's Thoughts on Mom

I thought this was a cute blog idea. If you like it, do it with your kids too!

1. What does mom always say to you? Go clean your room!!

2. What makes mom happy? Giving her hugs and kisses.
3. What makes mom sad? When I don't obey.
4. How does mom make you laugh? That's a hard one... (Cooper toots... then laughs)... funny pictures?
5. How old is mom? 32? Is that how old you are? (No, but you're going the right direction, Coop!)
6. How tall is mom? I don't know. I don't KNOW I said!
7. What does mom like to do? Talk on the phone and play on the computer. All. Day. Looooooong.
8. What is mom's job? Umm... cleaning the house.
9. What is mom's favorite food? Soup.

10. How do you know your mom loves you? Because she hugs and kisses me. Is that the last one?

Heavy Burdens

What do you do when...
It's that time of the month, and you start when you're at the temple.
Your head hurts.
Your eyes hurt.
Your throat hurts.
There is too much to get done.
People you care about are dealing with things that are too difficult to bear.
You have to make big decisions that affect a lot of people, and you don't know what's right.

I'm going to go lay down.

Tagged by Vicki

Well, I guess I'll play... not like you wanted to hear quirks of mine, but Vicki says I must. ;)

THE RULES:

1. link the person who tagged you

2. post the rules

3. tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours

4. tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them

1. I don't like lunch meat sandwiches or hoagies very much. If it is required that I eat them to not seem rude, I will. I much prefer a tomato sandwich WITHOUT meat. I love tomato sandwiches. Heavy whole wheat bread, toasted, with miracle whip and a sliced tomato. Heaven.

2. I get little blisters on my feet when my running mileage goes up. They don't bother me much, though, so I'm not really concerned about finding out if it's the socks or the shoes.

3. I can sniff in really hard and hold my nostrils together without my hands. When I was younger and my nose was more pliable, I was really good at this. The strange thing, is that I really struggle with not getting water in my nose when I go underwater.

4. As long as we're talking about water, I hate to get water in my face when I shower. I'll wash my face, of course, but I hate it when it gets on my face the rest of the time. Unfortunately, our miniature shower box doesn't help in this matter.

5. I like to walk places. I'd rather walk than drive, if it's close enough. The other day I needed jars to can, so I ran to WalMart (3 miles) and walked back (3 more miles) carrying the jars. Brandon thinks that's psycho. I thought it was multi-tasking. I needed to exercise that morning anyway! I do realize that I probably looked ridiculous carrying those jars for so long.

6. I don't get bored. I always have a million things that I should be doing, and a million more that I'd like to be doing, and I also don't mind just sitting there doing nothing sometimes. If I have a book with me, I'm good anywhere for any amount of time.

I hereby officially tag six people who have six quirks. Yes, that's you!

Way To Go, DAD!

I am so proud of my Dad today! He did a triathlon in Kamas! I really wanted to be there to cheer him on, but I had other obligations, so I couldn't. I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet, but he told Brandon that he survived, and got 5th place for his age division (out of 6, but hey, he didn't lose, and he FINISHED! I think it's great!) Dad, you're an inspiration to me. Thank you for your example all my life of doing things, even when it's tough. I remember you delivering newspapers every morning in the dark, cleaning banks in the dark, doing dishes, going to the store when anyone even mentions they'd like a treat, and now, tackling a triathlon, just because your silly daughter said you should! Love you! I'll be there at the finish line for your next triathlon, okay? Maybe I'll do it alongside you... if you'll be patient with me during the swimming part! ;)

Helping You Out

I would like this for Christmas, or my birthday, or Columbus Day. Just in case anyone needs ideas! ;)

I Need Family

Last night I had a dream that Cassie (Brandon's sister) moved to my town. I was SO excited, and thrilled that I would have a best friend right around the corner! As soon as she moved here, I had lunch dates, shopping together, walks, talks, everything all planned out. During the dream, Hannah (another sister of Brandon's) came to visit us, and it was so much fun! I loved the dream so much that when I woke up, I was still excited... until reality set in. The funny thing is, about a week ago I dreamed that we had to move right by my in-laws, and when I woke up I was sooooo excited... until reality set in. Why can't my dreams just come true? Here's Cassie's cutie, Hayden.
Cassie biting her fingernails. ;) Here's a funny story... when Brandon and I hadn't been married very long, Cassie came to visit us and came to church with us. Lots of people thought she was MY sister, not Brandon's, because we looked alike. Well, I can tell you... I'll never be offended if anyone says I look like Cassie. (She, on the other hand, might be... ;)
My most recent picture of Cassie... and the last visit I had with her. Every time we visit each other, it just about kills me to say goodbye. I don't know what it is about Cassie, but every time we say goodbye I get so weepy. Maybe it's because I know that it's going to be way too long before we see each other again. I'd almost rather just run out the door and drive away without saying goodbye! We're about 6 months apart in age, and I have loved having her as a sister all these years. I just wish she really did live here... Cassie, do you think you could convince Doug to move here??? It would be perfect!