In Memorium

Nine years ago tomorrow was the day our country was attacked. I hadn't thought about the date until I turned on the TV and special after special was on, commemorating the event. It made me stop and think about that day. I think everyone with functioning memory will be able to say where they were the minute they heard. I thought I would share my memories, because I agree with former President Bush when he said, "We must never forget."

I didn't have a first period my senior year, and was snuggled comfortably in my bed, when my mom woke me up. "Someone just flew a plane into the World Trade Center."

I roused from sleep and asked. "On purpose?" She shrugged her shoulders and told me they were not sure what even had happened. I joined her in the living room. We watched the 2nd plane crash into the second tower, completely stunned. Both of us were shouting at the TV. "There's another one!! What is it doing?!" Thinking back, it makes me think of a sporting event, where you yell at the TV in hopes the player will hear you and do what you are saying.
We sat side by side on the sofa, riveted on the breaking news coverage. We flipped from station to station trying to find the best angles.

And then the first tower fell. I will always remember the sickening dread in my stomach. I looked at my mom with tears on my cheeks and said, "So many people have died today." Her eyes got wet and she pressed a hand to her mouth. I think I have only see her cry once or twice in my life time. She's tough. She touched my knee and we sat quiet. As that huge structure came thundering to the ground the news caster screamed. His composure gone.

I asked my mom if we could pray. We bowed our heads and I quickly prayed for the poor, terrified people and for the people sent to rescue them.

3497 people died in the September 11th attacks. 23 of them were police officers. That hits close to my home. I am grateful that there are men and women brave enough to put their lives in danger to serve others. I can't imagine walking into the face of danger with courage, strength and love. Only love for humanity and the desire to protect the weak could make a person so brave. I am grateful to police officers and military personal for all they do. I am grateful for my country. I am grateful that someone keeps me safe. I'm grateful for my husband. He is one of those people and I am so proud of him. I am so proud that he is brave enough to help those who need it, and protect the innocent.

Where were you on this day?

Kitty Fun

We kitty sat this weekend for my sister while she was out of town. I think Ella had too much fun with those crazy mews!! Can you hear the hysterical laughing? Dr. Jeckle loved chasing this piece of string, but Mr. Hyde kept his distance. I think Mr. Hyde is probably the more intelligent one!

Pheonix Laments

It has been almost three years since my Granny passed away. She died in November of 2007, 3 days after Thanksgiving. I grew up next door to her. My whole life she was just right around the corner. She was always good for a free meal, cookies, or cuddles. She was also a very attentive listener. I really miss that. Well, she did wear hearing aids, that she routinely turned down when things got too loud. Maybe she just turned me down, who knows. She also would turn them off in church when the speaker got too boring......But that's a different story!!!
I miss having someone to go to, and have them listen to all my sad, sorry worries. I miss her letting me feel sorry for myself. Brent never lets me do that!! He is so positive it's sickening!!! No,no, no.... that's a good thing. Just every now and then I would like to just cry and feel bad and carry on about how hard and miserable life is and have someone say, "Oh poor lady bug. Life is so hard. Here, eat a cookie."
I miss her so much. I miss my Granny and it will be so long before I see her again.




*If anyone knows where the title to my blog came from, I'll give you a prize!

The Great TV Debate

All mothers, doctors, parents and friends have long had the concerns that TV will rot your brain or make you eyes square. I have heard opinions and read articles that TV viewing will make you fat, lazy and stupid. Well, here is my opinion: I don't care if my daughter watches TV. A lot of TV, or movies or whatever.
I feel it doesn't count if she is JUMPING on the bed while watching Dora the Explorer. She is exercising!
I don't feel like it is going to effect her if she doesn't really watch it, it's just on in the back ground. Every now and then she will stop and pay attention to an interesting part and then scurry back to her play.
Ella DOES. NOT. SLEEP. And yes, I have tried to implement a sleep regiment since birth, but she DOES NOT conform to any plans or dictates. She is like me, and just doesn't sleep. So if she has only slept for 6 hours at night and then only took a 1 hour nap ( or heaven forbid, no nap at all) she IS going to watch Frog Princess!!
How is tossing my kid into her room, to sit in there for an hour or more before she actually falls asleep, better than letting her watch Sesame Street (learning about something) while cuddling with me and one of her dolls?
I have come to the conclusion, that schedules ARE NOT for Ella and I. We play each day by the moment. She is smart and healthy and happy. If watching Go Diego Go gives us an hour or so of peaceful co-existence, then I guess that is just what we are going to do!!

Lable me a bad mother if you would like, but Ella is very smart, so I don't really care.

The Dark Side

This is the image of a pair of 'Skinny Jeans"

Ladies: Unless you are
#1 Under weight
#2 Long legged
#3Have a non existent butt or a nearly non existent butt
These jeans are NOT for you!!

You know you're getting old when fashion styles from your life time are starting to repeat themselves. But when I was younger these were called 'taper legged' jeans. Now they have been christened skinny jeans. I see these fashion nightmares and it just makes me sad!! Poor women of all shapes and sizes are stuffed into these pants that are targeted for a very rare, slender, tall body type. And many of them are made from spandex... SPANDEX! What heinous, diabolical person said, "Let's bring back the tapered leg jean, and while we are at it, let's make it out of spandex."
From behind, the bums of the general public, look like two pit bulls fighting in a gunny sack. Wear clothes that are flattering girls!! Worse, I see ladies jamming themselves in spandex skinny jeans that ride too low on the waist and cut their stomach in two, creating the dreaded MUFFIN TOP. Some one please go to the high school and let them know that the muffin top is something to be AVOIDED not flaunted!! We must stick together as friends against the fashion "experts" of today and say NO to this travesty!

So please, be a friend.................

Friends don't let friends wear skinny jeans!!


*Note: If you are fortunate enough to have the ability to wear the skinny jean, this article is not for you. Please do not be offended!

What Do You Think?

The great debate has been waging ever since Ella was born.... WHO DOES SHE LOOK LIKE??

(We finally taught her to say cheese. Not overly attractive.)
I personally think: Ella has my body type, bone structure, especially in her face, and expressions as ME, but has Brent's coloring. Her eyes are definitely her Daddy's!! A beautiful, clear blue. She also has my small feet, but Brent's big, scary toes!!

So I ask you all.... WHO DO YOU THINK SHE LOOKS LIKE??

Vacation!!!

I had enough of the heat and decided to journey to my Aunt Katie's house in SLC. We got up unnaturally early and hit the road!! This is Ella at 5ish AM. Not super thrilled to be awake!! She was SOOOOO GOOD the whole trip!! No whining in the car. No fit throwing at my Auntie's house. No melt downs while we shopped... and shopped.... and shopped!!

This is Ella at breakfast. She decided to eat her toast that morning all natural!! I don't know what inspired this nakedness. But my Aunt had 5 sons. 3 of which still live at home!! I'm glad they were sleeping in, because I think they would have been scarred for life!!

This is Mac, the coolest dog ever!! He is a pug. I think while we were there, he slept 22 hours out of every day!! My kind of dog! He was so friendly and so mellow!! Ella chased and petted and basically tortured him for 4 days and he didn't even care!! As you can tell, he loves to cuddle!

We went to Gardeners Village in South Jordan, just a few miles from my Auntie's house. I shopped in their AWESOME home stores. It's an outside mall and was put in an old sugar mill. It's themed to be old world and so cute. They have a petting zoo on the lot. Ella wasn't interested in this goat.

But she LOVED the pony rides!!! She wanted to go over and over and I think we could have spent a whole day there. However, I was in sandals, tromping through the pony corral. Yeah, nothin' like a little manure between your toes!! :)

After her love for the ponies, and her love of Mac, I told Brent we are getting a pet!! He can give into a pony or a puppy!!! He is currently thinking!! :)

We had so much fun!!! My mom came with us and was my co pilot for the drive!! My truck is big so I needed help knowing when to move over in busy SLC traffic. I thought squashing a Honda during our journey might put a damper on things.

We missed Brent but it was hard to leave!! My Aunt's house is GORGEOUS and she has a picture perfect yard. We all spent hours out there, playing and laying on a blanket. Clouds came up and it rained a little and the weather was so nice!! We were a little depressed when we came into the valley and the temperature gage read 105. I know that's cool for this time of year but it was 85 in SLC.

We had so much fun and we have a standing date for next July!!! I'm so grateful my Auntie Katie let us invade her house for 4 days!! Yay for vacation.....booooo for all the laundry I have to do!!