YUM!

Guess who snuck her first bites of bakers chocolate...and liked it?

At least she doesn't eat dirt any more- well mostly.

kirsten-ism

True Story:

We were at the Logan Zoo on Friday ("What? Logan Has a Zoo?" you ask. Yes. Yes they do. Well actually, it's more like domestic animals in cages.)

We were looking at the turtles and Kirsten turns to Jim and says:

"Dad- I just read that the tortoise is the slowest animal in the world?"

PAUSE

"Huh. we always thought it was you."


We are still laughing.

In the opening prayer given in Ward Council on Sunday there was a part of the prayer that really hit me:

"Please help us to have the Savior in mind with all that we do this week".

Those words haunted me all day.

I don't think I have ever made a conscious decision to do just that...with ALL that I do in a week...as a mom.

So that is what I fasted and prayed for on Sunday-asking the Lord for some serious help.

It's Tuesday and if you could have seen the way I just handled the fifty-millionth spill of juice (in one day) on my carpet by my 2 year old you would be certain that either God didn't hear my prayer, or that the Savior really would have gritted his teeth, groaned, and reacted in such a manner as to cause a 2 year old to utter the words "I shorry mommy!"

Oh and Monday wasn't that stellar of a day either.

This is way harder than I thought!

Maybe I should set this goal for when all of my kids are in school...all of them.

xoxo tam

oreos

If she eats them with milk does it constitute a "Healthy Breakfast"?

Just wonderin'

"Oh, I don't read"

A few years ago I met and fell in love with a new friend...Liz.
What drew me to her?
Her sense of humor, brilliance, outspokenness, quirkyness and her honesty.
When I asked her to join the ward book club with me she simply said: "Oh, I don't read books."

I laughed.

She didn't.

I realized she was serious.

I only joined the ward book club because I wanted to feel a part of something.

I'll be honest, after reading my first book I realized that that "something" wasn't for me.

Just this past weekend I was speaking to a friend about my "problem"/ issues with reading or actually finishing books not to mention my complete disinterest in book clubs.

...."Here's the deal, I feel like after all is said and done...if I do have an minute of free time, I can tell you how I don't want to spend it=reading. Reading for me is a task not an indulgence."

However, there is a part of me that wishes I thoroughly enjoyed and looked forward to reading.

I have a pile of "really good books" sitting on the floor all dust covered, by my bed side table waiting to be read at the suggestion of some dear friends.

I have had these books for years.

One I have had for over 12.

SO...this is my official declaration of summer:

I, Tamara Hall solemnly declare that by the end of Summer 2011 I will have read every "really good book" that has been given to me to read.

There are 11 of them

And the majority of them have over 200 pages.

Now, that's a lot of reading.

Here's to hoping I Love and not Loathe when all is said and done

Otherwise I may have start using the "Oh, I don't read books" line and join my friend Liz in her Movie Club.

Wish me luck!

kirsten-ism

The other night at Young Women's, Anna's group did the Color Code Personality Test.

When the girls got home Anna told us all about her experience and what color she was.

Jim turned to kirsten (assuming she too had taken the test) and said:

"So, what color are you Kirst?"

Her reply: "Color Awesome!"

Most Smartest

Anna was inducted into the National Junior Honor's Society tonight.

You have to have at least a 3.8 GPA to get in.

This is a really big deal.
Almost as big as the time I was asked to be in the Who's Who Among American High School Students book... Well up until my dad informed me that all they wanted was my money which was really his loving way of saying "honey you're not smart enough to be in something like this--it has to be a scam. If you think I am sending in $75.00 to have your name typed in some book, you have another think commin" he was probably right. I mean that 12 on my ACT probably wasn't doing me any favors! but I digress

We are so proud of Anna. Jim suggested getting her something since she really does work hard and completely on her own too!
So I popped on over to the mall to get her a pair of Tom's. Now for those of you who aren't hip to the shoe scene: Tom's are very cool and all the kids are wearing them.


Why?

Well, the owner is a philanthropic cobbler who has vowed that with every shoe bought another pair will be given to a shoeless child living in some obscure and remote impoverished nation.

I don't mean to be cynical, I am all about helping the poor and shoeing the shoeless BUT the grand total for a pair of these "shoes" well let's just say I could feed my family for a week.

Hey Shoeless Joe Jackson, here's an idea: how about I bring in a pair of shoes my daughter hasn't really ever worn (there are several) and you knock off about $30 from the price. You will still make some serious cash and I can feel better about putting a pair of shoes on my own kid.

Listen, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no "cordwainer" but these so called shoes hardly seem worthy of such a hefty price. A little canvas, some thread and what looks to me like marshmallows for soles. Anna will be lucky if these shoes make it from the bus stop to her first period tomorrow morning.

We secretly put the box on her bed and awaited her reaction later that night. She was overjoyed when she saw them. She gave us both a hug and said thanks.

Worth the price now?

Maybe.

I may have not been a part of any smart society growing up and Mensa certainly isn't knocking on my door, but I do know one thing: Who ever said that money can't buy love never had a teenager!

We love you Anna!
Congrats smarty pants!

love

This has my heart today:

[SIGH]

I wish I could beautifully and eloquently write the thoughts of my heart. If you could read what I am feeling it would match the poetics works of Hemingway or the heartfelt musings of Jane Austen. But alas the gift of the written word is not mine...however if you need help with drywall, mudding and taping or a flower arrangement or a goofy way to remember the 10 commandments I am totally your gal.

SO here it is-what my sigh is all about and written in the only way I know how:

AHHHHHHHHH my baby is in a big bed!!!

Last night after crawling out of her crib and being put back in several times she went into Lilly's room, got in the bed and there she slept. I thought it may have been a fluke but when it was nap time today she walked into Lilly's room and got in her "new" bed.

Our baby phase has officially come to an end.

Over.

Done.

We are putting the crib away tomorrow.

I think Michael McClean wrote it and sang/spoke it best: "I cried the day that they took the crib down. And I want the baby phase to last more years round."

A dear friend (who has the gift of writing) said that she thinks most women go through some sort of grieving phase when they choose to be done having babies.

After finally getting married at the ripe age of 34 years and 8 months...In my mind I was barely 21 and ready to have a whole slew of kids.

I have 4.

There are days that those 4 seem like 20.

And then there are days when 4 just isn't enough.

I guess that's part of the grieving process.

Even though my baby phase certainly was shorter than I had imagined,

I am SO grateful that I even got to have one!

SOUL SURFER

SOUL GOOD!!!!

This movie is an absolute must see.
We all loved it!

Walgreens

To the lady behind me in line today
who felt justified in openly and rudely mocking me and my coupon I say:

"PPPFFFFFTTTTTT!"

or

"Really?"

or

You're not even worth the change I just saved!"

or

"The Jerk Factory called...they're all out of you!"

or

"You really hurt my feelings and almost made me cry."

FHE

After team teaching with Anna and then Jim for the past 2 weeks,

Lilly insisted on doing it...All. By. Her. Self!

So we let her.

She taped a picture of Jesus and handouts to the TV hutch


She called us in promptly at 7:00

She started off by informing us of her agenda

She TOLD Anna to give the prayer.

She TOLD us to stand and sing:
Once there was a snowman.
Singing a song if fun to do, fun to do, to do, to do....
And just the chorus of Follow the Prophet while marching in a circle around the room.

We were then instructed to sit on the floor where we were each given a coloring page and crayons.


After coloring she explained the rules to the game and shook her finger at Kirsten as she said "...And no cheating Kirsten!"

Then we played a rousing game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

We wrapped it all up with bowls of ice cream which apprised us of our lack of bowls -so we took a trip to Ikea to buy some more.

And as a side note: if you have ever wondered what I was like as a child.... :)

A short story...with no words

(Hint: pay close attention to their expressions)

One dollar to the person who can come up with the best story or captions

Armageddon 101

Today was our first of four installments of "Armageddon 101"

This is a weekly class that my all wise and all knowing mother has agreed to teach to my friends and me. Whoda thunk that "Pipe Down" (pet name for my mom from a few of my friends taken from a hilarious family story which I will tell another time) would be standing in my kitchen offering her pearls of wisdom on all things canning, food storage and preparedness when not 5 years ago the only thing that worried me about the second coming was if I would still be a virgin or not.

TMI? maybe but it really is the truth!

So what did we learn today?

Installment #1: bottling your own chicken

Eww sick!

Looking-Yes

Tasting-NO!

Go ahead and mock but I can assure you that when a natural disaster strikes-people will be begging me for my meat.
While they are foraging for food my family will be feasting on powdered potatoes, canned green beans and London Broil...in a bottle.

Yup... here's a look at next weeks course:

Sister Wives

If you haven't yet watched this fine Television program-you might want to.
If you haven't lived it.. you might want to try that too.
I have.
I am.
And here's my story

How's that for Drama. It's my intro when my life becomes a mini-series to rival only "Thorn Birds" Or "V". But not the recent"V" the "V" from the 80's that had us so enthralled on Sunday nights sitting as a family in our jammies with a bowl full of chocolate ice cream and milk poured over the top-to give it that crystaly? effect.

Anywho...

For the past few months, my good friend H.B. (to protect the innocent) has been coming over a couple of times a week. She has triplets that are the same age as Lilly.
They play well together-or so we think. We have sort of a "Don't ask Don't tell" policy while they are here. It usually works for us... well, up until they decide to pull all 50 or so of the alphabetized VHS tapes off the shelves and then scatter them all over the basement floor. Serves us right for having video tapes. Good thing they weren't laser discs because those things break so easily.

So she comes over and we get things done.
She grades papers.
I run errands.
She runs errands.
We watch episodes of our favorite shows that we have DVR'd
We make delicious lunches.
We make treats.
We do the daily crossword in the paper.
We talk about current events and engage in healthy debates (well not really debates, she's too smart to be bested by me. Some day. Some day.)
We craft.
We make menu's for the week.
We swap recipes.
We fold laundry.
She helps Kirst with homework while I cook dinner.
We finish up projects once started but not motivated enough on our own to complete.

I think Shel Silverstein would have written it best:

HB and me
Me and HB
I have one
She has Three
Together we are as happy as can be!

However...Our fundamental difference from the show: we don't share a husband.

In the words of my wise and highly sensitive husband..."why would i want to make 2 women unhappy?"

that girl can sing!

I know she's my sister and all -

BUT....DANG!

She sure can sing!

http://www.coverstruck.com/video/index.html?v=NxCk5p461

What the?

How's this for a random allergic reaction to who know's what?!

All I had for breakfast was a grapefruit

AND it got fatter throughout the day

I went to the K-mart pharmacy to pick up a prescription

I asked the pharmacist if he thought Benadryl would help my lip

"Help? You might want to see a physician about that....and soon. You might be experiencing the beginning phase of Bell's Palsy"

Bells' Palsy? For reals?

NOT my Best. Day. EVER.





Really...Bell's Palsy?!

My recipe tonight called for red wine

I went to the local liquor store and bought some

I stood in line and patiently waited my turn

I exchanged smiles with other patrons (and that's an entire post in and of its self!)

My turn came and.............she asked to see my I.D.

Best. Day. Ever!






She asked to see my I.D.!

THEY'RE HEEEEEERE!

My life.
My love.
My reason for living.
MY ALL!

An entire case of thin mints. I love that Jim bought an entire case without consulting me first-because he knows. Who needs a surprise bouquet of flowers of even jewelery. My man surprises me with the thin mints.

Jim thought it would be a good idea to freeze them and eat them throughout the year. And if by "throughout the year" he meant until roughly next week-I concur.

The Horror!!!

Human Hair

It's amazing what one can do with a pair of "First Aid" Scissors
(and 15 minutes to kill)

Pretty sure you can guess where this is going....

"Shear" Genius that Lilly-

There's no contending- She's got skills...


If you were going for the Appalachian/backwoods "ma just done' give me a hair cut with her army knife-pass me another piece of beef jerky and a beer" look.

So I did what any mother would do at 9:00 p.m. knowing we have her "Little Gym" class at 9:30 a.m. the next day... I trimmed it up and threw on a bow.





Not bad. Not bad at all. My favorite part...when I started cutting she started crying and said, "I'm going to look like a boy." And when I finished she looked in the mirror, started to cry again and said through her tears: "I look like Justin Beaver!"

If only Lill...If only.

shower

This morning Sophia wanted to take a shower.

I told her no.

Lilly felt sorry for her,

And gave her a shower-Lilly style...

Using an entire bottle of Dasher's Apple Mint hand sanitizer

Thanks for caring Lill'!

Sophia ended up getting that shower after all

mockingbird

I just finished reading this book.

I know, I know....Superfudge....

But it came highly recommended by my mother-in-law Ann as well as my daughter Anna.

And now I am highly recommending it to you.

Oh, and my recommendation comes with an idea: read it with your children.

You can read a review here: mockingbird

Or you can read mine:

"Wonderful!"

This book takes you inside the mind of a young girl with Asperger's syndrome and it tells an incredibly moving story through her eyes. I have a dear friend who gets it in a way that many of us never will and I thought of her as I read this book. I wanted her to be here by my side so I could ask her questions. I want to know how she is able to do all that she does in light of this difficult situation. The only word that comes to mind is Finesse: the ability to skilfully and adroitly handle a difficult or highly sensitive situation. I sure could use a dose or two of that!

Amazing

"Don't knock it till you try it. Rats are amazing."
(Actual Youtube quote)

Just off the top of my head I can think of about 100 more amazing things than rats. In fact, remember that "game" (older sibling torture device) you played where you would tap on your siblings forehead or chest and yell "Name 10 cereals" or cars or colors or whatever and then you would stop. I am confident I could have named 10 amazing things AND in less time than it takes to feel sick watching this clip.

AMAZING. When did this word become the catchall for those times when you think: "ummm I have no words for your weirdness so I will go with amazing and call it a day-cuz it sounds nice...?

As horrible as this was, I don't even want to think about what caused him to get to this point...or how close I may already be! and I don't even like animals!

bed time

Lilly loves to go t bed with books. In fact, she refuses to sleep unless she has a stack of them perfectly placed on her pillow. This of course is a far cry from her mother who still maintains that the last book she ever read was Superfudge.

This is how I found her asleep last night:

Just a little light reading before bed time.

Thanks Grandma Ann for her new favorite book!