Marriage Tag!
LOL...thanks Nimo...
How long have you been married? 7 years
How old is your spouse? 35 1/2 years old ..
Who eats more? Umm hate to admit it but dang if we can't both put away a good feed!
Who said I love you first? I probably did, but he is the one that told me 3 weeks after we met he wanted me to be the mother of his children. Aww.. so sweet!
Who is taller? Him by a few inches :-)
Who sings better? We both sing well but he definitely has more 'professional' experience and sounds way better - plus he can harmonize which I can't do to save my life! 6 years of choir - so sad :-(
Who is smarter? Depends on the subject, but he knows facts about most everything!
Who controls the T.V. remote? Is this a real question? You know Big Daddy has to have the remote to 'his' TV .. LOL...
Whose temper is worse? Blair is Fast and Hot ... I'm a slow simmer at best :-)
Who does the laundry? Depends on who runs out of clothes first ..
Who does the dishes? Mostly Chad then me and if someone comes over, Blair. :-)
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? No one .. we sleep in the parlor. I know .. weird but it's the coolest place in our house. Oh and of course it's where the XBOX 360 is hooked up!
Who cooks dinner? Me
Who is more stubborn? Blair!
Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Usually me but he's been getting much better at this
Whose parents do you see the most? Mine ..
Who has more friends? Hmm.. our friends are mostly our family but he works with more people - he has more 'acquaintances'
Who has more siblings? I do - I am the third of 6 - he is the oldest of 3
Who wears the pants in the family? We have stretchy pants and share them :-)
Ok since all the family is already tagged - I tag my friends: Katie, Teresa, Wendy, Tracy, Melissa, Lisa and everyone else...
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother's Day
On to a happy post. *NOTE: EDITED TO ADD PICTURES
This Mother's Day was great! I was very surprised by all the thought and effort put into it by Blair and the kids. He kept asking me for the past few weeks what I wanted :-) I told him I just want a lei to wear to Church and breakfast. I thought that was fine.
Yesterday I went to San Diego to visit my Mom. I took my brother and sister as a surprise to my Mom as she thought it was only me coming down. We all showed up at her place and she was shocked! It was great. We went inside and sat down and chatted for a while..LOL.. just like we were kids we all wanted to be the first one to give our presents to our mother. Then we all piled in my car and went to Olive Garden. We were surprised by the line - hello!?! It was 2pm on a Sat... why was it so busy? Well it was Mexican Mother's Day. That's ok, while we waited we took a bunch of pictures.
I had planned to pay for my mother and I, then I thought I might as well pay for my brother and sister. Neither one ever has money so I, being the older sister, usually pays for them. I like to help out and I know they appreciated it. well just as I'm about to say it, my brother puts down his menu and says: In honor of Mother's Day and because you are my mother and you my sister's are mother's, I am paying for the entire lunch. Order whatever you like! WOW!!!!!!!!! That is a FIRST!! Seriously! I was super excited and very touched that he did it. That was his gift to us and I was so very touched.
We had a blast all through lunch - going back to the old days, talking about different things, laughing, my sister and brother put each other on blast .. LOL.. each telling a secret on the other that me and my Mom didn't know about. Ha Ha Ha!! It was hilarious!
After lunch we got back to Mom's around 4:30pm and all piled on her bed, just like we did when we were kids. I was very tired from the night before (Raymond's Prom - another post) so after a few minutes of looking at all my mom's pictures of us, I knocked out. By 5:30p my brother and sister were waking me up - they were leaving. I moved to sit on the couch and said good bye and fell asleep again. SAD! Geeze ... LOL.
So about 7pm I woke up and my mom and her boyfriend were there watching TV. LOL... Um.. I know I must have been snoring but thankfully they didn't say anything. LOL..
I spent the next few hours with my Mom just catching her up on my family and work. It was nice to have her undivided attention. Usually our conversations are rushed on the phone but this time it was nice and leisurely. I left about 9:15p and got home just after 11p.
When I got in Blair gave me strict instructions on what I was to do the next day. He was working in the morning but said the kids knew what to do and he would be home by the time we got back from Sacrament (short day for us).
Sure enough I got my lei for church and the kids and I piled in the car. Raymond was wearing his new brown suit and looked so handsome. Sacrament was wonderful - a very festive energy was in the room. The talks were wonderful and everyone loved my lei. The primary kids sang to us, poor Corina didn't get to sing - her last Mother's Day in Primary. She had a bloody nose right after the water and was in the bathroom cleaning up when it was time for them to sing.
After we came back from Sacrament Blair was already home preparing me and Malama's Mother's Day Brunch. Yum!! He was chopping peppers and already had the rice on. After I changed my clothes I was in charge of making sure Malama was up and ready to come over. So I headed over to her house and waited as she got ready. Then we had to wait until we were called over. It was so cute! They were so excited! Savanah was bouncing off the furniture with giddiness! She couldn't wait.
Finally Malama & I got the 'OK' to come over. When we go there the table was beautifully set with special places for me and Malama to sit. Then our girls brought us over to the couch to sit. Corina ran upstairs and and came back down with something in her hand. Blair had gotten Malama a lei too. So he took it from Corina and put it on her with a kiss and a Happy Mother's Day. Then the girls gave us our roses and we were told to go pick our ingredients. Each of the kids had a specific job they did for the breakfast. Raymond's job was to make our omelets. LOL..only thing was the boy had never made omelette's before. Hahahaha... so I showed him how to make one and he was then able to make Malama's. Chad made pancakes and sausage - they were so yum!! Everything was great and we all sat at the table and ate this wonderful food. After brunch it was back to the couch for part #2 - the bearing of the gifts. LOL..
So the kids were all excited and Blair took the 4 of them upstairs to bring down our gifts. We got balloons and everything! Malama & I each got a big Bath & Body gift basket! That was a total shock! I really was not expecting that at all. I got the Japanese Cherry Blossom set and Malama got lavender.
We also got beautiful cards. Then my husband surprised me again. He gave me a gift from himself! He gave me Tommy Bahama's signature fragrance and a very moving card. That again was so unexpected!
It was then time for us to exchange gifts. I had already received a Mother's Day card from Michael. That was so sweet and very touching. Raymond ran home to get their gift for me. It was so cute! Wrapped in Winnie the Pooh paper and it had a balloon attached to it too!
They got me a DEEP FRYER!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!! I'm so excited! I've wanted one for ages but just never got around to getting one. It's a really nice one and big. Corina was super excited because she picked it out and knew I had wanted one. Raymond, Blair & Chad were already picking out dinner to make with it.. Hahaha. It was such a nice surprise!
Then it was our turn to give our gift to Malama. I had wanted to do this for her for a long time but never had the money or time to do it. With Michael going on his Mission the time had come. So we gave her professional photo's of the kids. We were so excited! In true Malama fashion, she didn't say much other than - there's one missing and that she liked the black and white. I truly think she really loved the pictures and I hope she gets them framed. We had a wonderful time with all the kids that day - we all got our pictures done at one time. I'm going to get our printed next week.
Here are the shots we chose for her:
Raymond
Corina
I love this pose!
This is the one we blew up
Michael
After gifts everyone went home and we all took a nap. It was wonderful! They came back over a little while ago and we had ice cream and cake and watch my favorite show - Jon & Kate plus 8. Lama was cracking up at Kate. LOL..
It was such a great day. I truly feel blessed and am so thankful that everyone did so much. I'm especially grateful for my husband, who had family meetings with all the kids, made menu's, did all the shopping and made it so special. I feel honored that they all love me - us - so much to do this. It was the best mother's day I've ever had.
This Mother's Day was great! I was very surprised by all the thought and effort put into it by Blair and the kids. He kept asking me for the past few weeks what I wanted :-) I told him I just want a lei to wear to Church and breakfast. I thought that was fine.
Yesterday I went to San Diego to visit my Mom. I took my brother and sister as a surprise to my Mom as she thought it was only me coming down. We all showed up at her place and she was shocked! It was great. We went inside and sat down and chatted for a while..LOL.. just like we were kids we all wanted to be the first one to give our presents to our mother. Then we all piled in my car and went to Olive Garden. We were surprised by the line - hello!?! It was 2pm on a Sat... why was it so busy? Well it was Mexican Mother's Day. That's ok, while we waited we took a bunch of pictures.
I had planned to pay for my mother and I, then I thought I might as well pay for my brother and sister. Neither one ever has money so I, being the older sister, usually pays for them. I like to help out and I know they appreciated it. well just as I'm about to say it, my brother puts down his menu and says: In honor of Mother's Day and because you are my mother and you my sister's are mother's, I am paying for the entire lunch. Order whatever you like! WOW!!!!!!!!! That is a FIRST!! Seriously! I was super excited and very touched that he did it. That was his gift to us and I was so very touched.
We had a blast all through lunch - going back to the old days, talking about different things, laughing, my sister and brother put each other on blast .. LOL.. each telling a secret on the other that me and my Mom didn't know about. Ha Ha Ha!! It was hilarious!
After lunch we got back to Mom's around 4:30pm and all piled on her bed, just like we did when we were kids. I was very tired from the night before (Raymond's Prom - another post) so after a few minutes of looking at all my mom's pictures of us, I knocked out. By 5:30p my brother and sister were waking me up - they were leaving. I moved to sit on the couch and said good bye and fell asleep again. SAD! Geeze ... LOL.
So about 7pm I woke up and my mom and her boyfriend were there watching TV. LOL... Um.. I know I must have been snoring but thankfully they didn't say anything. LOL..
I spent the next few hours with my Mom just catching her up on my family and work. It was nice to have her undivided attention. Usually our conversations are rushed on the phone but this time it was nice and leisurely. I left about 9:15p and got home just after 11p.
When I got in Blair gave me strict instructions on what I was to do the next day. He was working in the morning but said the kids knew what to do and he would be home by the time we got back from Sacrament (short day for us).
Sure enough I got my lei for church and the kids and I piled in the car. Raymond was wearing his new brown suit and looked so handsome. Sacrament was wonderful - a very festive energy was in the room. The talks were wonderful and everyone loved my lei. The primary kids sang to us, poor Corina didn't get to sing - her last Mother's Day in Primary. She had a bloody nose right after the water and was in the bathroom cleaning up when it was time for them to sing.
After we came back from Sacrament Blair was already home preparing me and Malama's Mother's Day Brunch. Yum!! He was chopping peppers and already had the rice on. After I changed my clothes I was in charge of making sure Malama was up and ready to come over. So I headed over to her house and waited as she got ready. Then we had to wait until we were called over. It was so cute! They were so excited! Savanah was bouncing off the furniture with giddiness! She couldn't wait.
Finally Malama & I got the 'OK' to come over. When we go there the table was beautifully set with special places for me and Malama to sit. Then our girls brought us over to the couch to sit. Corina ran upstairs and and came back down with something in her hand. Blair had gotten Malama a lei too. So he took it from Corina and put it on her with a kiss and a Happy Mother's Day. Then the girls gave us our roses and we were told to go pick our ingredients. Each of the kids had a specific job they did for the breakfast. Raymond's job was to make our omelets. LOL..only thing was the boy had never made omelette's before. Hahahaha... so I showed him how to make one and he was then able to make Malama's. Chad made pancakes and sausage - they were so yum!! Everything was great and we all sat at the table and ate this wonderful food. After brunch it was back to the couch for part #2 - the bearing of the gifts. LOL..
So the kids were all excited and Blair took the 4 of them upstairs to bring down our gifts. We got balloons and everything! Malama & I each got a big Bath & Body gift basket! That was a total shock! I really was not expecting that at all. I got the Japanese Cherry Blossom set and Malama got lavender.
We also got beautiful cards. Then my husband surprised me again. He gave me a gift from himself! He gave me Tommy Bahama's signature fragrance and a very moving card. That again was so unexpected!
It was then time for us to exchange gifts. I had already received a Mother's Day card from Michael. That was so sweet and very touching. Raymond ran home to get their gift for me. It was so cute! Wrapped in Winnie the Pooh paper and it had a balloon attached to it too!
They got me a DEEP FRYER!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!! I'm so excited! I've wanted one for ages but just never got around to getting one. It's a really nice one and big. Corina was super excited because she picked it out and knew I had wanted one. Raymond, Blair & Chad were already picking out dinner to make with it.. Hahaha. It was such a nice surprise!
Then it was our turn to give our gift to Malama. I had wanted to do this for her for a long time but never had the money or time to do it. With Michael going on his Mission the time had come. So we gave her professional photo's of the kids. We were so excited! In true Malama fashion, she didn't say much other than - there's one missing and that she liked the black and white. I truly think she really loved the pictures and I hope she gets them framed. We had a wonderful time with all the kids that day - we all got our pictures done at one time. I'm going to get our printed next week.
Here are the shots we chose for her:
Raymond
Corina
I love this pose!
This is the one we blew up
MichaelAfter gifts everyone went home and we all took a nap. It was wonderful! They came back over a little while ago and we had ice cream and cake and watch my favorite show - Jon & Kate plus 8. Lama was cracking up at Kate. LOL..
It was such a great day. I truly feel blessed and am so thankful that everyone did so much. I'm especially grateful for my husband, who had family meetings with all the kids, made menu's, did all the shopping and made it so special. I feel honored that they all love me - us - so much to do this. It was the best mother's day I've ever had.
Sexual Harrassement in 1st Grade
This past week was very disturbing. Savanah has come home in the past saying that this boy likes her or that boy tries to kiss her, etc., Now I remember that age and yes, kids are more aware of liking the opposite sex. I didn't think much of it all though Big Daddy nearly was having mentals at the mere thought. So after a few boxing lessons for Savanah we haven't heard much since.
Until a few weeks ago. It seems Benjamin kissed her on her shoulder and chased her around the playground trying to kiss her. I brushed it off as harmless and told her to stay away from him. Then I noticed that she had something to report about him everyday - that he tells her she's cute and he likes her and always wants to stand or sit next to her. Still, I didn't think much other than he's annoying. Then last week she started asking me to have Daddy come to school with her so Benjamin would leave her alone. Again, I didn't think much but told her I would ask Daddy to come to school as he wanted to work in her classroom anyway. As things turned out he didn't go that week.
After FHE last week I had a talk with Chad, Corina & Savanah. Corina is going to 5th Grade camp this week so I wanted to remind them about inappropriate touching and such. So we spoke about it, we talked about where on your body was off limits to other people and what you should do if someone tries to touch you there. After all was said and done a few days later Savanah wanted to talk to me when I got home and told me she really wanted Daddy to come and tell Benjamin to leave her alone. This time I listened.
We sat down and I asked her what was going on with him. She proceeded to tell me that he always chases her on the playground and still continues to try and kiss her. She tells the teacher and he leaves. Then she tells me in Learning Center he tried to hold her hand several times and tries to put his arm around her and she had to yell at him to stop and the teacher made him move. Then she got very quite and she said he touched her inappropriately. My heart dropped. I asked her how and to show me with me being her and she being Benjamin. She said he touched her muli and rubbed it - and she came right up behind me and did it. She said she took his hand and yelled Stop! and hit him.
I grabbed my sweetie girl and told her she did the right thing! I was so upset - upset at myself that I kept brushing it off and upset that she had felt so bad.
The next morning I went to the school and spoke to the teacher. Here I am thinking the teacher would be surprised - but she wasn't. She said she noticed he was very sexual and that he was like that with other girls but they (the other girls) were/seemed unaware of it. I was floored!! She said she caught him "helping" another girl over something by grabbing her butt and has caught him mouthing "I Love you" to girls. I was so pissed off! I told her I did not want that boy anywhere near my daughter so she moved him. We also went straight to the Principal and I told her what was going on. The Principal told me this little boy had a very troubled life with no real adults to care for him. He lives with the Grandmother but she doesn't do much other than provide a roof over his head and food. He sees a counselor at school twice a week. The boy is 6 years old!! How sad!
I told the principal - if this boy is this aware of sexuality then I'm concerned about where he's learning it - either he's watching it or heaven forbid someone is doing something to him. The Principal thought the same and assured me that she would inform the counselor, call the Grandmother and if the Grandmother doesn't respond she would call the 'appropriate authorities' to investigate. She took him out of recess so he would not bother Savanah & other little girls on the play ground anymore.
It's times like these that I wish I could wrap my kids in a bubble. I know nothing really terrible happened to Savanah - thank goodness. But the thought that she was close enough to 'maybe' something bad happening to her - makes me sick to my stomach. I am proud that she came to me and asked for help. I'm so thankful for it!
She also feels relief. She was so happy I went to the school and took care of it. Friday she came home - and no reports of him bothering her. She was carefree again.
It is so scary to think of this things happening to our children. I am so sad that this little boy, here on the Earth only 6 short years and already has so much to deal with. I pray that he will be protected somehow and find the love and nurturing he deserves.
So very sad.
Until a few weeks ago. It seems Benjamin kissed her on her shoulder and chased her around the playground trying to kiss her. I brushed it off as harmless and told her to stay away from him. Then I noticed that she had something to report about him everyday - that he tells her she's cute and he likes her and always wants to stand or sit next to her. Still, I didn't think much other than he's annoying. Then last week she started asking me to have Daddy come to school with her so Benjamin would leave her alone. Again, I didn't think much but told her I would ask Daddy to come to school as he wanted to work in her classroom anyway. As things turned out he didn't go that week.
After FHE last week I had a talk with Chad, Corina & Savanah. Corina is going to 5th Grade camp this week so I wanted to remind them about inappropriate touching and such. So we spoke about it, we talked about where on your body was off limits to other people and what you should do if someone tries to touch you there. After all was said and done a few days later Savanah wanted to talk to me when I got home and told me she really wanted Daddy to come and tell Benjamin to leave her alone. This time I listened.
We sat down and I asked her what was going on with him. She proceeded to tell me that he always chases her on the playground and still continues to try and kiss her. She tells the teacher and he leaves. Then she tells me in Learning Center he tried to hold her hand several times and tries to put his arm around her and she had to yell at him to stop and the teacher made him move. Then she got very quite and she said he touched her inappropriately. My heart dropped. I asked her how and to show me with me being her and she being Benjamin. She said he touched her muli and rubbed it - and she came right up behind me and did it. She said she took his hand and yelled Stop! and hit him.
I grabbed my sweetie girl and told her she did the right thing! I was so upset - upset at myself that I kept brushing it off and upset that she had felt so bad.
The next morning I went to the school and spoke to the teacher. Here I am thinking the teacher would be surprised - but she wasn't. She said she noticed he was very sexual and that he was like that with other girls but they (the other girls) were/seemed unaware of it. I was floored!! She said she caught him "helping" another girl over something by grabbing her butt and has caught him mouthing "I Love you" to girls. I was so pissed off! I told her I did not want that boy anywhere near my daughter so she moved him. We also went straight to the Principal and I told her what was going on. The Principal told me this little boy had a very troubled life with no real adults to care for him. He lives with the Grandmother but she doesn't do much other than provide a roof over his head and food. He sees a counselor at school twice a week. The boy is 6 years old!! How sad!
I told the principal - if this boy is this aware of sexuality then I'm concerned about where he's learning it - either he's watching it or heaven forbid someone is doing something to him. The Principal thought the same and assured me that she would inform the counselor, call the Grandmother and if the Grandmother doesn't respond she would call the 'appropriate authorities' to investigate. She took him out of recess so he would not bother Savanah & other little girls on the play ground anymore.
It's times like these that I wish I could wrap my kids in a bubble. I know nothing really terrible happened to Savanah - thank goodness. But the thought that she was close enough to 'maybe' something bad happening to her - makes me sick to my stomach. I am proud that she came to me and asked for help. I'm so thankful for it!
She also feels relief. She was so happy I went to the school and took care of it. Friday she came home - and no reports of him bothering her. She was carefree again.
It is so scary to think of this things happening to our children. I am so sad that this little boy, here on the Earth only 6 short years and already has so much to deal with. I pray that he will be protected somehow and find the love and nurturing he deserves.
So very sad.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
We're back!
What a whirlwind April has been. I can't believe that month is over. I blinked - and it was done.
We had a wonderful time in UT. Sunday - Tuesday was non-stop family. The UT family was absolutely wonderful in arranging fantastic dinners, FHE and just so accomodating. It was truly a blessing for us to see them all again and how fantastic they all were. Michael had a great time. I was so proud of him. We FINALLY got to see the real Michael! Confident, happy, playful and affectionate. He talked with his Aunties & Uncles, played with all his little cousins and kept a good sense of humor and a good perspective of everything. My heart swelled with love, pride and joy that he was able to be released from the rigedness he always was in. He was relaxed and really became a man before my eyes. I only wish we could've seen that side of him for longer than a few weeks. I always knew it was there - he just always felt the need to hide it. Already his Mission has blessed him and his family. It was so great to reconnect with everyone in UT. I hadn't seen them in almost 1 year!
I had gotten really sick the week before UT. I think I was just worn out. The begining of April was very tough with training and getting Michael ready. I ended up relapsing while I was in UT. But I made it for all of Michael's celebrations and dropped him off at the MTC and that's all that mattered.
The MTC was quite an experience (MTC = Missionary Training Center). It was such a good energy there - everyone was so happy. It was hard to say good-bye to him. I watched him walk out that door and to know it's the last time I'll see him for another two years was ... indescribably. It's a mixture of sadness but happiness knowing he is serving the Lord.
When we got back Sunday we had some family from New Zealand who had been staying at our place for a few days. It was wonderful to see them. It was as if no time had past since we last saw each other, but it had actually been two years. We had wonderful conversations and it was truly a joy to have them. I was so exhausted as we were up until 1-2am each night catching up, then I was up in the morning to go to work. Needless to say I still haven't recovered from my illness yet.
Today - Saturday - I slept all day. I think I actually got up around 1130am. It was wonderful and I really feel good.
We had a wonderful time in UT. Sunday - Tuesday was non-stop family. The UT family was absolutely wonderful in arranging fantastic dinners, FHE and just so accomodating. It was truly a blessing for us to see them all again and how fantastic they all were. Michael had a great time. I was so proud of him. We FINALLY got to see the real Michael! Confident, happy, playful and affectionate. He talked with his Aunties & Uncles, played with all his little cousins and kept a good sense of humor and a good perspective of everything. My heart swelled with love, pride and joy that he was able to be released from the rigedness he always was in. He was relaxed and really became a man before my eyes. I only wish we could've seen that side of him for longer than a few weeks. I always knew it was there - he just always felt the need to hide it. Already his Mission has blessed him and his family. It was so great to reconnect with everyone in UT. I hadn't seen them in almost 1 year!
I had gotten really sick the week before UT. I think I was just worn out. The begining of April was very tough with training and getting Michael ready. I ended up relapsing while I was in UT. But I made it for all of Michael's celebrations and dropped him off at the MTC and that's all that mattered.
The MTC was quite an experience (MTC = Missionary Training Center). It was such a good energy there - everyone was so happy. It was hard to say good-bye to him. I watched him walk out that door and to know it's the last time I'll see him for another two years was ... indescribably. It's a mixture of sadness but happiness knowing he is serving the Lord.
When we got back Sunday we had some family from New Zealand who had been staying at our place for a few days. It was wonderful to see them. It was as if no time had past since we last saw each other, but it had actually been two years. We had wonderful conversations and it was truly a joy to have them. I was so exhausted as we were up until 1-2am each night catching up, then I was up in the morning to go to work. Needless to say I still haven't recovered from my illness yet.
Today - Saturday - I slept all day. I think I actually got up around 1130am. It was wonderful and I really feel good.
