Tuesdays Thoughts and Tidbits

After my post about the winter weather yesterday I thought today I'd post a couple of thoughts for Tuesdays Thoughts, trying, of course, to be a little more positive.

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

~

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.

Kin Hubbard.

~

If we had no winter then spring wouldn't be so pleasant.

Anne Bradstreet

Also, this weekend is General Conference for our church. Here is a link to a fun General Conference packet you can put together to help keep the kids entertained during conference. They take a little bit to download so be patient.


http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4295&Itemid=484

Here is another link to some more General Conference Activities.

http://www.theideadoor.com/General%20Conference%20Page.html

ENOUGH ALREADY!!

PPPPLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE! When will spring be here? The calendar said First Day of Spring March 20, it was nice for ONE day March 21 and now.......

Today on the way to school Harleigh asked me "Mom is it spring or Christmas?"

Elderly Road Trip

This was just too funny not to share, especially since my Mom and Dad just celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary. Not that this would remind me of them or anything.

Elderly Road Trip
...(Remind you of anyone you know?)

While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch.
After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip.

When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table,
and she didn't miss them until they had been driving about forty minutes.
By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around,
in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.

All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man.
He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive.
The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up one minute.
To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.

As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her,
'While you're in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card.'

Crazy Cousins

We went to Smokey and Kim's a couple of weeks ago to see Emma while Courtnie was there. She is such a pretty baby. I couldn't believe how much she had changed since I saw her last and how much more she is looking like Tyson. I guess it is only fair though since Kaydn looks just like Courtnie.

Harleigh was so proud to hold Emma.

Here is an older picture of her holding Kaydn when he was just a baby.

And could this little boy have actually been that small once?

What is a visit with cousins without a little wrestling.

And a little rock climbing.

And don't forget the bull riding.

Like I said CRAZY COUSINS!

Tuesdays Thoughts

This week's Tuesdays Thoughts is in honor of my Mom and Dad's Anniversary that I posted about earlier. The thoughts and quotes are all about grandmothers, grandfathers, and grandparents. Even though their Anniversary was on Sunday, I thought they deserve another day of recognition for all that they do for me and my family.

A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do.

~

A father is someone who walks in front of you when you need footsteps to follow... behind you when you need encouragement, and beside you when you need a friend.

~

Years go by - Seasons and styles change, But a Grandparent's Love endures.

~

Grandchildren are the reward for not killing your children.

~

The simplest toy, one in which the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent.

~

Grandparents are a family's greatest treasure, the founders of a loving legacy, The greatest storytellers, the keepers of traditions that linger on in cherished memory. Grandparents are the family's strong foundation. Their very special love sets them apart. Through happiness and sorrow, through their special love and caring, grandparents keep a family close at heart.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

March 22, 1957 ~ March 22, 2009

Today is my Mom and Dad's 52nd Anniversary. I hope that you have a nice day and the next year is a great one for you!
Thanks for the support that you always give to me and my family, even coming out on a rainy day to support your grandchildren. WE LOVE YOU!

Jayce's Goggles

The snow is quickly melting and today is the First Day of Spring, as Harleigh reminded me this morning, so I figured I should post this little blog about Jayce's goggles.

Since I work at the police department, every other year we have a police auction. Now I can't bid on anything, because I am an employee, not to mention I am usually busy working but Todd can bid and usually gets some good deals.

At our auction we sell items that have been stolen but that the store cannot take back. Quite a few of the items are brand new. One of the items up for sale this year was two pair of REALLY nice goggles. There was a red pair and a pink pair. Todd bid on them and got them pretty cheap considering they were about $80.00 a pair and he got both pair for under $20.00. BRAND NEW. Brodie took the red pair and Jayce got stuck with the pink pair.

I kind of figured he would never wear them and eventually Harleigh would become the proud owner. WRONG, didn't bother Jayce a bit he wore them to the Jr. High School ski/snowboard program and got teased. I'm so glad that he has a good self esteem, now don't get me wrong sometimes he doesn't but he handled everyone's teasing so well. Some of the employees at Kelly Canyon asked him "hey did you steal those from your sister" or "does your sister know you're wearing her goggles". Then he got asked "where is your dress". He wore the goggles when he went to the dog sled races in Ashton with his Uncle Smokey and cousin Colbie. Smokey told everyone that he brought his niece along. Jayce just laughs and continues to wear his PINK snow goggles.

What can I say - I love that kid!

Blog Award

I've been watching this Blog Award go around from blog to blog. I first saw it on Sherelle's, then Robyn's, and then Janiel's.

Janiel nominated me for the blog award. WOW, me, THANKS Janiel you made my day! Janiel's blog is one I MUST check out each day to see what their family is up to. She is the most dedicated blogger I know, whether its a water fight in the house or her husband hanging from the ceiling Janiel is coming up with a way to capture their everyday moments. Janiel is such a sweet and giving person. We met up a few weeks ago and she made my kids one of their new favorite things, rag blankets. Thanks Janiel for nominating me, I am flattered.

Now as part of this award I was asked to nominate five of my favorite blogs to receive the same great honor. Here are the five blogs that I nominate:

1. Ashley - I got to know Ashley from work, her husband is one of the officers that I work with. Ashley has very busy one year old twins and a four year old daughter to keep her busy, but if that isn't enough she also makes the most gorgeous and yummy cakes, not to mention keeps her house spotless. Her blog cracks me up as I watch the mischief that her kids get into. If you haven't already checked out her cakes go to my sidebar, Ashley's Cakes by Design, they are AWESOME!
2. Jodie - This is my niece who I don't get to see as often as I would like but love and admire her. I love reading about the adventures that their little family is up to like trips to Mexico and flying, her husband is a pilot. Although Jodie is too busy chasing after her 11 month old daughter to update often I still look forward to reading her blog when she does.
3. Michelle - Michelle is Harleigh's dance teacher and I consider her a great friend. She is the sweetest person and Harleigh LOVES her. Michelle's blog got me inspired that I could do it. Michelle was an addicted blogger in the beginning and has now switched to weekly blogs, which was somewhat of a withdrawal for me. I love catching up with the Adventures of the Ashtons.
4. Megan - This is Michelle's sister-in-law and although I have not met Megan in person I love to follow Michelle's link to Megan's blog. I liked reading about their Saturday Soup and seeing her cute little boys. Recently she has added Tuesday Tidbits and I love to check them out. Megan is always coming up with something clever that I think I need to try. I may just decide to copy this clever idea. Thanks Megan for sharing such fun things.
5. Bridgett - I met Bridgett through dance and Michelle. Bridgett has a daughter in Harleigh's dance class and I love to visit with Bridgett and check out her blog, her personality cracks me up not to mention the things that her kids are up to. Oh, and did I mention she makes the most adorable bows for little girls.

I will let you know on your blogs that I have nominated you in case you don't check mine as often as I do yours. You'll need to post the Lemonade Stand on your blog along with five people you nominate for the honor.

Thanks again Janiel for nominating me and thanks to those I have nominated for letting me share a part of your lives.

Tuesdays Thoughts

Okay, sometimes I just feel like I have nothing to blog about. Maybe it is the lack of sunshine, I don't know. So today I've come up with Tuesdays Thoughts.

First off, here is why I started thinking of traditions and memories. I like to do fun things with my kids and am always thinking of a new tradition that maybe we could start. Like I said THINKING. Thinking and actually carrying it out are two different things.

Today is St. Patrick's Day and I thought of all kinds of fun things to do: Make a Leprechaun trap, green eggs, Lucky Charms and green milk, treats at the end of the rainbow, a scavenger hunt, St. Patrick's Day decorations, Leprechaun mischief throughout the house with chairs turned over and pictures upside down, and on and on.

I've never REALLY done a lot for St. Patrick's Day in the past, other than we wear green. My babysitter, Sheila, has always done the fun green food and party for the kids so of course I've heard how fun Sheila is but when I mentioned to the boys about helping Harleigh make a trap for a Leprechaun I just got the look "You've got to be kidding". Then this morning I told the kids to put on green shirts, Harleigh had on a cute St. Patrick's Day shirt, and I'd take a picture for the blog. Brodie put on a blue and white shirt and said "No, Mom". The mention of green eggs and green milk make them all roll their eyes. The mention of corned beef and cabbage for dinner got groans. So for a little while I was feeling like BORING! I was feeling like maybe we should have started some St. Patrick's Day traditions a LONG time ago, like when Brodie was telling me as a little four year old how cool Sheila's green macaroni and cheese was.

So my thought is: Enjoy them being little because they'll grow into teenagers! Okay, not really. Here are my three thoughts for today:

We do not remember days, we remember moments. - Cesare Pavese

and

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. - The TV Show "The Wonder Years"

and

Traditions create memories that bond families together. - Unknown

Even though my kids might grumble, I'm going to keep on trying to make "memories" in our house. It may not be the big things, but the little things like the time before they go to bed. I love to unwind at the end of the day and talk to them. Harleigh always wants a story and we talk and she needs her back rubbed. The boys have not outgrown a request for a back rub and they are usually willing to talk about their day. When they were little I used to ask them "what was the best part of today" and we would talk about the best thing about their day. I still sometimes ask them that.

So, after all of my rambling, I hope you'll make a memory with your family!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sixth Folder...Sixth Picture

Janiel had this great tag idea.
1. Go to the 6th picture folder you have.
2. Open the 6th picture.
3. Tell the story behind that picture.

This is a picture of when my sister-in-law Kim and I took the kids to Bear World in April of 2007. I can't believe how much the kids have grown since then! Looking through the rest of the pictures in that folder, that was a fun day. It was one of the first days of the season so we were able to take free curator rides that day and fed the bears healthy twinkies. Harleigh is showing off her Build a Bear that she had just made in the gift shop. The weather wasn't too hot yet so the bears weren't all taking naps and they had their cute bear cubs to pet. Okay I'm wishing it were Spring and there were no snow about now.

Sponge Rollers

Does anyone remember wearing sponge rollers? I remember my Mom putting them in my hair. The worst thing was if we had somewhere special to go on a Saturday night and she would put them in my hair in the morning and I would have to go out to play in them all day. Talk about embarrassing. Now that I am a Mom I realize that they really can make things easier in the morning. So I occasionally torture Harleigh and have her wear them. But I haven't tortured her to wear them out to play yet, not sure I can do that having experienced my own embarrassment!It makes fixing her hair SO much easier the next morning. Only problem is occasionally we get the Shirley Temple look.

I guess I am getting old because neither Harleigh nor my boys had a clue who Shirley Temple was. I can't be the only one who remembers Shirley Temple can I?Then when I got older I got a set of hot rollers that I still like to use. My SWEET big brothers would tease me that the roller clips were antennas and I was communicating with the aliens. NICE!

Wii Boxing

While my brother Todd was home from California this past weekend to hear Michael report his mission and for a visit we took the Wii up to Blaine's house and Blaine and Todd did a little boxing. My niece took a video of them boxing that I just HAD to put on my blog.

I don't know about any of you other Wii owners but we have had a lot of fun with ours. Only bad thing is both my brothers were PRETTY sore the next day.

Recognition for Madison Cadet Squadron

Thursday night the Madison Cadet Squadron, which Todd, Brodie, and Jayce are members of, was recognized for helping with the Wreaths Across America ceremony December 13, 2008, which if you remember was a FREEZING day! I was going to hurry down after Shop with a Cop and Todd called to tell me the roads were too dangerous for me to drive safely and make it in time so I have no pictures of the 2008 ceremony.

The Cadets have participated at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Freeman Park in Idaho Falls the past two years. This picture is from 2007 when it was a lot warmer, believe it or not, they are literally shivering in this picture, and 2008 was MUCH worse.

Veterans from Veterans of America Chapter 972 out of Idaho Falls came and made the presentation. Mike Spencer from that Chapter made the presentation. It was really neat. He talked to the cadets about the order of precedence in which service branch flags of the military are flown.

He then had them fold a flag and read the meanings of each fold.

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn to times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of Kind David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents the emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust".

What was neat about the flag was that it was flown over the United States Capital on February 4, 2009, for the Madison Cadet Squadron.

He then gave the cadet squadron the flag, the certificate, and the meaning of the folds of the flag.

For those of you that don't know Wreaths Across America is a ceremony that takes places across the United States at Veterans Cemeteries Memorials on the 2nd Saturday of December at 10:00 Eastern Time. The ceremony is to honor our fallen heroes. This is a picture of the wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. At that cemetary and other Veterans cemetaries a wreath is placed on each headstone but at Veterans monuments a wreath is placed for each branch of the military: Army, Navy, Marines Corps, United States Coast Guard, United States Air Force, and POW/MIA. It is really quite neat and sobering to watch. And this is at Freeman Park in 2007.

They even made the local paper, although the reporter has a few of the facts mixed up.

Good job cadets!

Birthday Clock

Kim sent me a cool e-mail to check out some facts about the day you were born. I was born on May 12, 1967. Here is what I found out:

12 May 1967

Your date of conception was on or about 19 August 1966 which was a Friday.

You were born on a Friday under the astrological sign Taurus.

Your Life path number is 4.

Your fortune cookie reads: Don't forget, you are always on our minds.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 6 & 7.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 3, 5 & 9.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2439622.5.
The golden number for 1967 is 11.
The epact number for 1967 is 19.
The year 1967 was not a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 2/9/1967 and ending 1/29/1968.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Goat.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Beaver; your plant is Wild Clover.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Epipy, the third month of the season of Shomu (Harvest).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 2 Iyyar 5727.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 3 Iyyar 5727.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.17.13.12.18 which is12 baktun 17 katun 13 tun 12 uinal 18 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Friday, 2 Safar 1387 (1387-2-2).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 26 March 1967.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 30 April 1967.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 8 February 1967.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 14 May 1967.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 21 May 1967.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Thursday, 5 October 1967.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Tuesday, 25 April 1967.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 7 February 1967.

As of 3/5/2009 10:58:14 AM EST
You are 41 years old.
You are 502 months old.
You are 2,182 weeks old.
You are 15,273 days old.
You are 366,562 hours old.
You are 21,993,778 minutes old.
You are 1,319,626,694 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:
Jason Biggs (1978)
Kim Fields (1969)
Tony Hawk (1968)
Stephen Baldwin (1966)
Emilio Estevez (1962)
Ving Rhames (1961)
Steve Winwood (1948)
George Carlin (1937)
Tom Snyder (1936)
Burt Bacharach (1929)
Yogi Berra (1925)
Katharine Hepburn (1907)
Florence Nightingale (1820)

Top songs of 1967
To Sir with Love by Lulu
Daydream Believer by Monkees
Windy by Association
Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry
Somethin' Stupid by Nancy & Frank Sinatra
Groovin' by Young Rascals
The Letter by Box Tops
Light My Fire by Doors
Happy Together by Turtles
Hello Goodbye by Beatles

Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 5.97769080234834 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)

Your lucky day is Friday.
Your lucky number is 6.
Your ruling planet(s) is Venus.
Your lucky dates are 6th, 15th, 24th.
Your opposition sign is Scorpio.
Your opposition number(s) is 9 & 11.

Today is not one of your lucky days!

There are 68 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 42 candles.

Those 42 candles produce 42 BTUs,
or 10,584 calories of heat (that's only 10.5840 food Calories!).

You can boil 4.80 US ounces of water with that many candles.

In 1967 there were approximately 3.7 million births in the US.
In 1967 the US population was approximately 179,323,175 people, 50.6 persons per square mile.
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,800,000 marriages (9.3%) and 479,000 divorces (2.5%)
In 1967 in the US there were approximately 1,712,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1967 the population of Australia was approximately 11,912,253.
In 1967 there were approximately 229,296 births in Australia.
In 1967 in Australia there were approximately 100,000 marriages and 9,688 divorces.
In 1967 in Australia there were approximately 102,703 deaths.

Your birthstone is Emerald

The moon's phase on the day you were born was waxing crescent.

Anyhow, I thought it was kind of fun. I'm not quite sure what a few of the things mean, but hey most of it was fun! If you want to check out your own Birthday Clock, the link is below:

http://www.paulsadowski.org/BirthDay.asp

Welcome Home Elder Bagley

My nephew, Elder Michael Bagley, got home from his mission to the Australia Brisbane Mission today. We have been counting down the days and I have to admit I was just as excited as the kids to see him. In fact I had to follow his flights on the internet while en route from Australia to Idaho Falls.

The kids had to hurry out as soon as school got out. Michael had just gotten home, from being up over 24 hours, so he was a little, actually a lot, tired. We had to take a picture of the kids in the same spot as we did two years ago. Here is the before and after.

Harleigh was so excited to make some Welcome Home signs for him. Brodie helped her with one of them.

Michael brought home a LavaLava skirt.

Best of all he brought home a LavaLava skirt for my brother, Blaine.

I reminded Blaine that this would make a GREAT picture on my blog AFTER I took the picture!

WELCOME HOME Michael. We are glad you made it home SAFELY!

Tie Downs

Now when most kids want to take their bike to a friend's house they would just throw it in the back of the pickup. NOT Jayce he has to use tie downs to secure his bike in the back of the pickup, just like one would for a motor bike.
Now if you know Jayce you know that this is SO like Jayce! He started doing this a LONG time ago with his toy pickups and toy motor bikes.

Brodie's New Car

Okay maybe not a new car but I was looking through some old pictures on the computer and came across Brodie and the car he thought was so cool to drive while we were in California a year ago. We stayed with friends and they had this little car for their son, Tyler. Brodie and Jayce would take turns driving it down the road that was in front of Devin and Marcie's house. They literally wore out the bottoms of their shoes playing on this car. Actually the rest of the story was that Devin and Marcie had two VERY cute neighbor girls who were about the boys ages. The boys would spend a lot of the time, when we weren't out sight seeing in California, driving this car just to see if those girls were outside or not. Devin told them to just go ask the girls to play basketball, but they were too chicken. Now Tyler, who the girls babysat for, couldn't understand what the big deal was.