Fantasy Canyon

We went on a little family drive to a place near here called Fantasy Canyon. It's a place that really seems make believe! (If you want to see more cool pictures, and find out more about it, just google fantasy canyon. There's lots of stuff out there.) It's a fun little place to take kids, and it was amazing how many different countries people came from who signed the guest registry! I guess it's more famous than I knew. I hadn't heard of it before Brandon took us there. When we were leaving we saw these horses. Update: We found out they really ARE wild horses. Tyler stuck his head out the window and got some pictures (I'm demoted to the back seat now, since Tyler's cast doesn't fit.)

We decided we didn't need to go to Arches now, since we've seen the miniature version.
These formations are amazing! It's so strange how something like this can be in the middle of nowhere. There's a lot of smooth places like this, and there are "canyons" here and there with the weird castle-like formations.

Can you guess who this one is? Da-da... da-da... (how on earth do you type the music from "Jaws"?)
My kids thought some of these looked like dinosaur bones.
Tyler was a good sport, and really did well navigating on his crutches. He went up hills and everything.
There were some spots that could not be navigated by crutches, so this is how Tyler travelled.

Oh, hello! Here are my lilacs on the table. Sorry for the random picture. Pretty, though, aren't they?
Aubrey took some of these pictures... that's why I'm actually in one! there were rock pathways like this that showed you where to go, and they had little markers (Cooper is looking at one) that told you where rocks that looked like something in particular were. It reminded me of looking at clouds.... trying to figure out what the shapes looked like.
I can't remember what this one was supposed to be, so you all have to figure it out. Let's see who out of all my readers is the most creative! Put your suggestions in the comments, and I'll choose the winner. Sorry, no prizes. Just bragging rights. ;)

Baby Calf

I was reminded today by my family that I forgot to blog about this exciting event! We were on Grandpa Lauritz's farm for part of Memorial Day weekend, and Brandon, Cooper, and I went for a walk on Sunday afternoon. Brandon was telling me that a baby calf was born the night before, and I was sad because I didn't get to see it. Right after that conversation, we were right by the field with the pregnant mothers and baby calves, and Brandon said he thought one was about to have a baby right then... and she was! It was probably about 1/2 hour, and we made grandma hold lunch... sorry Lynda!... but the kids (Aubrey and Tyler both came out too, to see what was keeping us) and I got to see a baby calf being born in real life for the first time. Cooper says it's neat and gross. It was so cute to watch the baby try to stand right after it was born. It is so amazing how their instincts just take over... the mother's and the baby's. It was truly a miracle, and something I was glad that I was able to see. Brandon's seen a bunch, but he still acted excited for us.

Random Pansy Poppy Thoughts

Look! Just look! I have some pretty flowers! I'm so glad that most of my flowers actually did pull through freezing and aphids. See, there's a lesson for me... when things seem hopeless, just wait... you'll pull through. Holly and Adam came to visit a couple of weeks ago, and I posted the hamburger post, but I wanted to post the pictures that I could've sworn Holly took with my camera. Alas, I can't find them anywhere. Holly? Am I crazy? Anyway, Brandon and Adam spent the day working on Adam's grandfather clock he started in high school for his mom. It's beautiful! We had such a fun time with them, and we really wish we could see them more often!
Look at that poppy! Anyway, Cooper got a good solid hit in his baseball game today! He was so happy about it, and it was fun to see his beaming face. Now he's home and dressed in his cowboy gear. Baseball player in the morning, cowboy in the afternoon. He's a well rounded kid.
I was SO excited because I was going to clean my LAST house for a long time today. Aubrey and I got there, got everything ready... and... NO WATER!!!! I was so mad, because this is not the first time this has happened. Now I have to have that last house looming over my head next week. I so wanted to just be DONE so I could just spend time with my kids. Their whole first week of summer vacation was spent home alone while I cleaned. Grrr....
I downloaded a new song by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. It's called Lucky. I love it! It's such a fun upbeat song.

Brandon and I went on a date Thursday night and saw Baby Mama. It was fun-ny! And pretty clean. I really enjoyed it, and would recommend it. Not necessarily at our theatre, though, unless you want it to start 20 minutes late in a dirty theater with the bottom 1/4 of the screen blurry. We enjoyed it despite all that.

I cleaned out the YW closet yesterday... there was stuff in there from back when I was in YW. That's really old. Really really old. ;) Good thing I'm a thrower-awayer. It looks a lot better.

Memorial weekend was spent with friends and family, and it was so much fun! I got to meet with my apron girl friends for lunch at Gardner Village, stay up until 2:00 a.m. talking to my dad, I got to go to TARGET! Yay! and then spend time with Brandon's family... staying up until 2:00 a.m. talking to Melissa, then staying up until 2:00 a.m. talking to Lynda and Brandon.... needless to say, it was also nice to come home and sleep. Although I wouldn't miss those late night chats for anything.

Tyler has to wear his cast for almost 4 more weeks! His muscle in that leg is already soft. Poor kid... he's miserable. This is not how a 10 year old boy wants to spend his summer.

Brandon made a commercial for the radio, and he sounds awesome! The radio lady asked him if he had done radio stuff before, because he was a natural. They did it in one take, and he seriously sounds professional. I wish I could have a recording of it.

Well, enough rambling, I suppose.

I Might Be Too Busy to Blog Much...

Apparently I must not have done a good job as the Ward Activities Chairman, since I only got one party done before I got released! No, no... it was really because I got a new calling... I am now the Young Women President of our ward, and I am really excited! I am glad I get to be involved with all the girls, but especially my own daughter. We're going to Girls Camp in just a few weeks, so I'm trying to learn all the ropes before then. I am so grateful for all the opportunities that I have to serve others, and especially to serve my Father in Heaven.

Read Me

http://blatterfamily.blogspot.com/2008/05/very-rosy-lesson-on-life.html I read this post from my friend Carol today, and had to share with all of my family and friends.

Holly and Hamburgers

Holly came to visit, and she took HALF a hamburger. I mean, seriously. She ate one whole one, and didn't want a whole hamburger more, so she made HALF of one. It's just beyond me.

* This post is a joke. It is only a joke. Do not freak out, do not call your best gossipy friend. Holly just asked me if it would be alright if she made half a hamburger, and I thought it was a funny question, and Brandon teased her that I was going to blog about it. So, here it is. Again, this is only a joke.

You Know You've Got Friends When...

you throw a pity party and you get presents!!! My sweet friends Felicia and Vanessa sent me a care package, because I'm a big baby. I've just been sitting here crying, amazed that they would do this for me! They both have trials of their own... I would dare say much harder than mine. What amazing women, and wonderful friends! Sorry the picture is upside down. I don't know how to fix it, but you can read it anyway. I love how they "cured" all of my problems! (Well, there wasn't a cure for the roof there, but I'll call the fabric good enough to help that!) Now I'm crying again. How would you girls know that just yesterday I saw some Zinnias on the field trip I went on with Cooper, and thought I should plant some because they looked so happy? How would you girls know that I LOVE the Prairie Paisley line? And Felicia... did you remember that peanut butter m&m's are my favorite from the quilting retreat? It's all so cute, and thoughtful. I love you both! Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart. I hope that someday I can be as good of a friend as you both are!

Come to My Pity Party

There are aphids on my petunias.

Some of my plants froze.

Most of my plants are dead.

I never see Brandon, because he does 4 jobs for the pay of 1.

This job isn't what we thought it was.

Nothing ever is.

Cooper never obeys.

My hair won't do anything.

Our lawn needs mowed.

Our lawnmower won't work.

Buying a new lawnmower is the last thing we want to do right now.

I clean houses for a job.

My house is never clean.

We're always all tired.

We have mice.

They ate my food storage.

They poop.

I hate them.

My hands are cracked from cleaning.

My favorite flip flop broke.

There is nowhere to buy new flip flops here.

Our nice neighbors just put their house up for sale.

We never have any money.

Money is stupid.

Aubrey is moody.

Tyler doesn't know what to do with himself with a cast on.

I never see Brandon.

The toilet is sluggish.

The ceiling is still an eyesore.

The roof still needs replaced.

The house still needs painted.

My pity party is over. Now leave.

Some Simple Equations

10 year old boy + soccer at recess = hurt knee

getting a new job + not getting the insurance papers filled out yet = no insurance coverage

results of MRI = crushed growth plate

crushed growth plate + young boy = worry and check ups for a few years to come to make sure bone is still growing

cast for > 6 weeks + NO weight on leg - baseball = sad boy

doctor + x-rays + orthopaedic surgeon + MRI + cast - insurance = a hell of a mess

Run with Miss Marathon

I got to run 6 miles this last week with my amazing friend... she's amazing in more ways than running, that's for sure, but for this post I'm focusing on her mad running skillz. She just ran Boston. Yeah, that's right, BOSTON! And she's running another marathon next month. Yeah, that's right, ANOTHER one... where she'll be qualifying for Boston next year. (The picture at the left is Janice at the Boston finish line... stolen from her blog.) You have to run pretty dang fast to qualify for Boston. Well, fast for me, anyway. I don't think I'll ever be there. So, Janice let me run with her, which I know is a sacrifice, because she's in training, and 6 miles at a fairly easy pace for her isn't much in the way of training. It was great for me though, because it pushed me to get past that 4 mile barrier that I've been at this spring, and it pushed me to go faster. That girl just runs and talks and doesn't slow down! I didn't do a lot of talking, because I was concentrating on breathing, but I loved listening to her talk. The time flew by. (Well, mostly... except for the few times where I thought we'd never be done! ;) It really made me miss my runs with my friend in Idaho, Annette. I enjoy running alone sometimes, but I really really like a good run with a good friend thrown in there occasionally! Janice, let me know if you're planning another "easy 6" anytime soon. ;)

My Husband is Amazing!

Brandon decided to build a picnic table today out of wood he got from Bob the Builder (the builder guy that I clean houses for). So, he looked at a few online, got some ideas, and made it up! He is so good at building things. He had to figure out all the angles and everything. It made me tired to watch him. Or maybe it made me tired to help him lift the thing...
This thing is BIG (which is the way Brandon builds everything!) It's 8' long, and as heavy as a hippo. This thing is sturdy enough to withstand our kids. I think it's going to last about 100 years or so. It seats plenty of people, so come on over for hamburgers, y'all! We grilled some hamburgers today, and they were delicious!! The picnic table worked great, although our family seems small sitting at it.
We've got blossoms like crazy on 4 trees. It's gorgeous!
Here's Tyler, attempting to enjoy the outdoors. Poor kid had to miss the Hit Pitch and Run competition today. Cooper participated... and he was very disappointed that he didn't get a ribbon. He thought he did better than the kids who won. When I told him that maybe they hit the target when they pitched, he said, "Yeah, but my throws were really good!" I don't think he quite got the point of the pitching part! Oh, and those crutches? $3 at DI. Not bad, eh? They're a little big, but he isn't going to be using them long. At least that's what I'm telling myself.
Here's Cooper's bike rodeo that he set up yesterday. He loves to ride his bike, but he has a problem with going out onto the street sometimes. He's been grounded a few times from his bike. Hopefully he'll learn!

Tyler's Day Off

Yesterday Tyler injured his knee playing soccer at recess. Since it's swollen to twice its normal size, and he can't even walk on it at all, and he woke up all through the night last night crying, I thought I should take him to the doctor today, and have him stay home from school. The doctor couldn't find anything wrong, besides swelling and excess fluid, so we were ordered to do what I'd been doing already anyway. I thought a couple of our conversations were interesting today.

1st conversation:
Tyler: I'm bored.
Mom: I bet you wish you could be in school right now.
Tyler: Yeah, I do.

2nd conversation:
Mom: Here's lunch. (Fake mashed potatoes with cheese on top.)
Tyler: Is this what you usually have for lunch?
Mom: Yep, usually something like this.
Tyler: Oh.
Mom: School lunch is lookin' pretty good right now, isn't it?
Tyler: Yeah. I used to wish I could eat lunch at home with you every day.

So, I'm thinking that I should keep a kid home from school every once in awhile so they can see that it's not so glamorous here. It makes school look better and better.

Bunco...Happy to Sad

Last night I got to have a much needed girls night out! Janice asked if I'd be a sub in their bunco game, and I jumped at the chance! I wanted to go bad enough that I would miss America's Next Top Model, and American Idol, without a second thought. ;) It was so much fun, and I loved every minute! It did make me kind of sad, though, because it made me think of friends I don't live by anymore. Our last day in Rigby, I didn't feel very sad, and didn't have a hard time leaving my house. Then I went to say goodbye to my friend Annette. I had a hard time when I left HER house... thinking about all those times of just walking right into each others' houses... just sitting in Annette's kitchen chatting about whatever. Annette was the kind of friend that I could go borrow her crock pot when she wasn't home, and I didn't even ask. She was the kind of friend who would ask me to drive her sons to football and baseball practice, and it wasn't a big deal at all. She was the kind of friend who I could call and ask to record a show that I didn't want to miss. She was the kind of friend who would run in the early hours of the morning with me, and fend off the big dogs. She was the kind of friend that would pick something up from the store for me, or ask me to pick up something for her. She is the kind of friend that still has me in her top 5 (or 10 or whatever) on her phone, so she can call me anytime. It's hard having our friendship long distance like this, because it was centered so much around life, and helping each other. Sigh. I guess that's life, and you move, and it stinks. I wanted to put a picture of Annette on this post... but I don't have any. Not even one. How can you spend so much time with someone for years and never have one picture together?

I Am...

Thanks to Rachel and Charlotte for the post idea, and Melissa for the picture!

I AM...

i am: a daughter of my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I love him.

i think: about things when I'm supposed to be going to sleep.

i know: that Jesus Christ is my Savior, and that His true church is restored again on the earth.

i want: to be the kind of mom that my kids will have only good things to say about someday.

i have: a family, and that is what I am most glad that I have above anything else.

i wish: things could be how they used to be with my sister.

i hate: messes, clutter...but you wouldn't know it if you saw my house.

i miss: living in Cache Valley.

i fear: alligators and crocodiles. No, I've never encountered one outside of a cage, nor is it likely that I ever will, but they scare me anyway!

i feel: happy most of the time.

i hear: wind chimes a lot at my house.

i smell: almost everything! I love the way books smell, and I can't pass candles without opening a few to smell them. I just like to see how things smell!

i crave: quiet, peace, time with a good book or magazine, and peanut butter m&m's

i search: for ways to improve myself, my kids, my house...

i wonder: how long we'll live here, and if we'll ever stay anywhere for the rest of our lives.

i regret: the times I have yelled at my kids, or not listened to them, or been impatient with them.

i love: Brandon more than words can say.

i ache: in my heart for things I cannot fix.

i care: about our pets, even though I don't really like having them. I'm really sad when they're hurt, or they die.

i always: wear my retainer at night. Well, almost always...

i am not: flexible. I have the flexibility of a musclebound man, but without the muscles.

i believe: that things will always turn out okay in the end.

i dance: very rarely. The last time I danced was probably with my kids when they were babies.

i sing: opera when I am happy, and I want to annoy my family. I've done that all my life.

i cry: at sappy commercials! It's so embarrassing, because Brandon always notices, even though I try to pretend I'm not.

i don’t always: eat the way that I should. I have been known to eat dessert for a meal...

i fight: with my kids sometimes. It's silly.

i write: everything on my calendar that I have to do, or else I'll forget!

i win: races all the time... when I'm racing against myself.

i lose: my temper sometimes.

i never: watch R rated movies, even though I've been ridiculed for it.

i confuse: people when I change the subject back and forth. My brain works too fast sometimes!

i listen: to music and podcasts of General Conference on my ipod when I clean.

i can usually be found: at the ballparks lately!

i am scared: that I'm going to run too slow, or not be able to finish the 6 mile run I have planned with Janice the marathoner tomorrow morning. Janice is nice, though... I think she'll forgive me.

i need: lots of love.

i am happy about: being a mom.

The More You Know

Camping at Red Fleet State Park

You Know You Do it Too

I had to laugh at myself yesterday morning on my 4 mile run. I ran past a nice looking young man, and, of course, I straightened up a little, ran a little faster, a little lighter. I can't help it! It just happens, I swear! Too bad nice looking young men can't be there the whole time I'm running. I'd either kill myself running too fast, or forget I was even running at all!

Happy Birthday, Cooper!

Yes, it's SUPER Cooper's birthday! He's 7! I can't believe my baby boy is 7! We're so glad that Cooper is part of our family. He's cute, funny, silly, loving, and smart! He loves to say, "yeah, right" with a lot of sarcasm. We're trying to break him of that. ;) Cooper likes to play baseball, run, be outside, play hunter or cowboy.... all that boy stuff. He is an excellent reader, and does well at school... when he's not being "silly".
This is Cooper with his favorite present... socks! ;) Actually he might say he likes something else better, but he sure looks happy here, right? We had to open presents at 6:50 a.m. It's such a crazy busy day, so that was the only time we could all be together. (Except about 9:00 tonight... and I don't think Cooper could stand to wait that long!)

Save My Wardrobe Fund

My friends keep telling me about these great places that I have to shop, and now I am in a pickle. I HAVE to have a new dress and a new swimsuit!! Anyone want to donate money? And another problem... how would I choose? They're all so cute! I think I like the brown and orange and yellow polka dot swimsuit best... but I can't decide!

Goldfish by Aubrey

Well, we "won" goldfish at the Home and Garden show. All three of us. All we had to do was cast a fishing pole and land it in a boat. It took Tyler one try, but it took me and Cooper at least three. So yesterday we went and got goldfish bowls and food. These pictures are before we bought bowls, so they're in plastic cups.

Mine is first. His name is Pumpkin.

Second, Ty's. It's name is Goldie.
Now Cooper's. It's name is Carrot. (Copycat)

Well bye!

This is for You, Geoffrey

This is my handsome brother, Geoff. He's a really fun brother to have around, and I love him a lot. He was so patient with me when he was a kid, along with my brother, Adam. I used to dress them up in girl clothes and take pictures for fun. Yes, I was horrible, but they were cute little brothers. Geoff is always good for laughs and fun, and he's got a wacky sense of humor. He's also super talented, and can play the violin amazingly! So, I just had to post this picture, because it makes me laugh every time I see it. I don't remember where we got those glasses, but they fit Geoff's face so well. When we took these pictures, we were laughing so hard we were crying.

Love you, Geoffrey!

High School

I subbed again at the High School today. It was rough. I read 1/2 a book. One class made up missed assignments, the next one played Monopoly, and then it was prep period, then the last two classes did worksheets. When I went to the substitute training, the girl next to me freaked out a little when I marked that I would sub at the High School. She said she was way too scared to do that. Well, I'll just keep this little secret that High School is SO MUCH easier than Elementary School that it's laughable. I can come home exhausted, sick of kids, and sometimes with strep, or I can come home having sat there all day reading a book. Hmmm.... I might have to think about that one for, oh, a nanosecond! Oh, and I actually LIKE High School kids. I can't say the same for Elementary kids. (Except my own, of course!) Okay, maybe that's a bit harsh. I can enjoy Elementary age kids at times, when they're not tattling, sticking things up their nose, putting glue on each other's chairs, crying, throwing things...

New Layout

I know, I know! I've changed my blog look like crazy lately, but I found the look I'm settling with... at least for awhile! I found this at Leelou's Blogs (link on the side), and she was nice enough to tweak a few things so it would work for me. Nice, huh? So, what do you think? I think I'm up too late messing with this, but it's fun.

I Know You Missed Me

You know, strep throat is not fun. I don't think I've had it before, but now I can say I have. During those days of laying there, I had a lot of random thoughts, so you know what that means.

So, I worked for 6 days teaching music at the Elementary School, until I came down with strep. I actually felt sick enough that I went to the doctor. (The white spots all over my tonsils also prompted me to go.) I figured out when all was said and done, that I made about the same amount of money working all those days that it cost to go to the doctor and get the antibiotic. I am pretty sure I got sick from germs at the school, SO, when all is said and done, I could have sat at home, done nothing, and been in the same place financially. And I would've been able to skip dealing with little monsters, and being so sick I couldn't get up. I think I'm done subbing in the elementary schools.

I hate hate hate going to the doctor. That's why I rarely go. Well, that and I'm rarely sick... anyway, I sat there for 2 hours. I was so sick that I just wanted to lay down, and I really almost got up to tell the receptionist never mind, because I had to go home and lay down, but I was too sick to stand up, so I just waited. Also, someone came in after I had been there about 45 minutes and brought their 3 little kids. They were actually fairly well behaved, but pretty noisy, and they kept coming right over by me, like practically on top of me, and the mom? grandma? didn't care. I felt like saying, "Um... I think I'm highly contagious. You might want to keep them away from me..." But I didn't have enough energy.

If April Showers bring May Flowers, what do April Flurries bring? Just wonderin'...

Tyler is pretty good at emptying and reloading the dishwasher, and Aubrey is pretty good at cooking. There was quite a bit for me to scrub when I finally made it off the couch. I really did appreciate their help though.

We have a bunch of green stuff poking up, but I'm still waiting for the flowers. One of the patches has little yellow buds trying to come out... I'm thinking daffodils, although some people's are already out.

I'm wondering how long I'll have to be in an "ugly stage". My hair could use a cut, but I want to grow it out. I'm thinking I'm going to look shaggy for awhile. The big zit on my chin isn't helping either. At least I'm not sporting the "hasn't showered for 3 days, looks like death" look anymore.

I need some new clothes. Or something.

Aubrey, Tyler, and Cooper have all started baseball practices. They all three had practices last Wednesday... at 4:30, 5:00, and 6:30. Then the coaches say, "Oh, we'll be done between 5:30 and 6:00", and the next one says "We'll be done at 6:00 or 6:30". And the first one isn't done until 6:15, and the second one is done at 6:00. These practices are about 10 minutes apart driving too. I'm really thinking this is going to be fun juggling all the practices and games. It's almost more of a sport for the parents. We should get a trophy.

Cooper is growing out of his clothes, but he's still the little guy on his baseball team. Good thing he has a birthday coming up. Pants... shoes... socks... Do those sound like great gifts for a 7 year old, or what?

It's not a good idea to watch Charly without tissues. It's not a good idea to watch Message in a Bottle without tissues. It's not a good idea to watch Touched By an Angel without tissues. It's not a good idea to watch tv when you're sick. It's all sad stuff, and it makes your head hurt worse.

I'm done. I could go on forever, but then everyone would quit looking at my blog, because they'd be scared that I'd always write long boring posts.

Oh, poop. I just realized I typed this whole thing on the wrong blog. I'll have to go transfer it now.

Testimony

Sadly, another session of Conference is over. I kind of feel sorry for the rest of the world, because most of the talks were written specifically for me. I guess it's okay that the rest of you listened in. :) I loved the talks, the music was beautiful, the Spirit was incredible. During President Monson's last talk in the last session, I was laughing and crying all at the same time. Throughout the whole conference I had such a witness of the love and sacrifice that my Savior made for me, the truthfulness of the gospel, and that President Monson is truly our prophet. I love him so much, and am so grateful for his life and testimony. I watched a program on him after the morning session today, and I loved getting to know him more. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father loves ME enough to give me so many answers today and yesterday, and so many insights into the way I need to live my life. I recently read the Book of Mormon two times since President Hinckley died, and was preparing to start the third (more details on the "Will You Join Me" link on the side.) I kept putting off starting the third time, even though I hadn't missed a day before this. Now I know why I waited. I needed to go into it this time with what I have learned from Conference. I thought I was being bad by skipping a week, but now I know I was supposed to! Yay for procrastination! As I was watching President Monson at the end, I remembered a poem I had written in my journal, so I had to dig it up. Don't laugh, okay? I wrote this at the end of the Saturday Session on April 1, 1995.

A choir of Young Men

sings

We Ever Pray For Thee

Our Prophet Dear

as pictures

of Hinckley are shown

on the screen

Suddenly

My heart is bursting

I can't hold my love

it spills out of

my eyes

and runs down my cheeks

But still does not leave

my heart

as a choirof Young men

sings

and my heart

sings with them

I know