Chaos

What a chaotic week- and day! Matt has been gone this week and just got back last night. Dillon had a Dr. appt. on Monday, I got home from the appointment, and 1/2 hour later Camden has a high fever. So I take him in to the Dr. the next day. He is up a TON in the night, and only takes one 25 min. nap the whole day. Morgan had an eye appointment today. Her eyes have changed a lot since her appointment last year. :( Poor thing! I don't know where her bad eyes come from. Matt and I both have 20/20 vision. The appointment took forever, and we were supposed to be leaving to the temple in 15 min. and we were just leaving the Doctor's office. Matt had a root canal today, so he isn't feeling great, but we still wanted to go with his family to the temple. I was glad to be able to sit in peace somewhere, because it has just been one of those weeks. It was very nice. We were going to go out to dinner with his family afterwards. (I had only had a protein shake today and was so hungry at this point.) So, I check my phone and have 3 panicked voice mails from home.

The toilet flooded and now water was in the basement, and the fire alarm has been going off for 1/2 an hour. Dillon is scared to death and won't stop crying. He is afraid he is going to be electrocuted (I don't know why he thought that!) He had his coat on and is at the mailbox with his favorite possessions, because he didn't want to lose them if it is really a fire. Of course we came home instead of going to dinner- and Morgan had called our friend and he came over in his PJ's to turn off the fire alarm. Our poor babysitter looked a little frazzled when we got home! Hopefully she'll come back, because she is the only one I have ever left Camden with. She has a daughter Morgan's age- and she loves the kids! Anyway- between baseball practices, games, homework, volunteering at the kids school, chess club, voice lessons, piano, doctor's appointments- and tomorrow all of the kids have to get cavities filled- I am done- at least for the night! :)

A mullet and a mustache....

I think this picture might age us. :) This is the guy I fell in love with in 1989. The guy with red hair, a mustache and a mullet. He had this mustache until the night before he left on his mission. (Yes- he even had it at his farewell.) One time, he came to pick me up from work, and somebody said, "Jennie-your Dad is here." I walked out and saw Matt, and about died laughing. (Especially since we are only 11 months apart!) In spite of the mullet and mustache, he has had me under his spell, since the day we met. He has definitely aged well. I don't think anyone would think he is my dad anymore. :)

Spotlight

There are things in a child's life that just cause excitement and bring something to look forward to. One of those is getting recognition. Logan was the 'spotlight' in his class. We made up a poster with pictures of him through the years, and things that are his 'favorites'. Then I got to go to his class and talk to the kids about him, and tell funny stories about him. His classmates could ask me questions about him, etc. He was so funny, because I was trying not to say anything that might embarrass him. He whispers in my ear, "Tell them how much I used to LOVE sucking my thumb." So much for not bringing anything embarrassing up. :) Matt came also, and did an activity with the kids outside. He had a huge checkerboard, and the kids got to be the human checkers. The two teams had colored bandannas on, and they seemed to really enjoy it. For his 'treat' he handed out bubbles. Since they go to a "Gold Medal" school, they can't bring food, candy or treats to their classes. So bubbles it was. Logan is such a cute kid and had so much fun being recognized and appreciated. He is growing up so fast and we love him so much!

100 things you might not know about me...

1. The longest I have ever lived in the same house is 3.5 years.

2. My favorite color is pink.

3. I don't like nuts in food. (Some are okay by themselves, but not mixed with food!)

4. I love sappy love notes.

5. I hate sappy romance novels.

6. My favorite vacation spot is Hawaii.

7. I broke my tailbone in college.

8. I have never had stitches.

9. The nicest hotel I've ever stayed in was in the Philippines.

10. The worst hotel I've ever stayed at was on our honeymoon- and I didn't care!

11. I always wanted a red head baby.

12. I have never won anything.

13. I had a 2nd and 3rd degree sunburn. (and many more sunburns- darn fair skin!)

14. I'm allergic to Christmas trees, fresh cut grass, and cats.

15. I have a rock in my knee from a skating accident in 3rd grade.

16. My favorite place I've lived is Oklahoma.

17. My least favorite place I've lived is Tennessee.

18. There are 12 kids in my family.

19. I hate mice.

20. I couldn't kill a mouse if my life depended on it.

21. I love to read.

22. My friend Nicole and I snuck into a hotel to swim at the pool.

23. I got a concussion from hitting heads with her at the pool. (Lesson learned.)

24. My first car was chocolate brown, with an orange stripe down the middle, and the size of a small limo. Yet, it only had 2 HUGE doors.

25. I was pulled over 4 times in the same night once, and didn't get a ticket.

26. The smell of eucalyptus makes me sick.

27. I was chased by the MTC "police" when Matt was in the MTC.

28. I used to have a paper route.

29. I was bitten by a dog on my paper route.

30. I missed 43 days of school my freshman year, because I kept getting strep throat.

31. I got my tonsils out the summer after my freshman year.

32. I can never remember punch lines to jokes.

33. I don't know how to play chess.

34. I married the greatest guy in the world.

35. I don't like snow- or being cold.

36. My favorite type of dessert is a soft, warm cookie.

37. I don't like salad dressing.

38. I play the flute (But haven't played for a long time.)

39. I don't like wearing socks.

40. I feel like I'm going to get sick when I have to speak in public.

41. My favorite season is spring.

42. I don't wear perfume.

43. I had a BAD haircut in 6th grade, and people called me Annie. (As in orphan Annie- curly red hair- you get the picture!) :)

44. Matt and I had the same hair do. (See above description.)

45. When I taught Sunbeams in Tennessee the kids called me "Sister Spaghetti Head." They didn't even know my real name.

46. I would like to sky dive someday.

47. I don't know how to sew, but I'd love to learn.

48. I sang at 2 farewells and a baptism in one day in college.

49. I was propositioned by a man in a nursing home, with my blind Bishop right there. When I declined- he tried to pee on me. (The man- not my Bishop.) :)

50. I love to decorate.

51. I would rather get a thoughtful card or letter than a gift. (Although- gifts are good, too.) :)

52. My favorite food is Mexican food.

53. My husband can make me laugh more than anyone else can.

54. I pass out when I donate blood.

55. I haven't slept through the night for longer than I can remember.

56. The best smell in the world is a clean baby's head.

57. My favorite flowers are: tulips, lilies, and gerber daisies.

58. I love to stay up late.

59. I like playing card or board games.

60. I don't like rides that spin.

61. In 7th grade the Dr. thought I had mono., but after weeks of daily blood tests realized the pharmacist made an error, and I was being over medicated.

62. I am sick for pretty much the entire 9 months of pregnancy- but I still like being pregnant.

63. I wish I could wear flip flops everyday.

64. My friend and I put out a grass fire by ourselves in high school.

65. I have driven through the middle of a tornado, and not in Oklahoma.

66. I love to listen to my kids sing.

67. I have been chased by a moose.

68. I have also been chased by a wild boar in Guam.

69. I have had my own room for about 3 months of my entire life.

70. I like listening to political news.

71. I have a good memory.

72. I love getting into a warm bed.

73. I love painting pottery-even though I'm not artistic.

74. I crashed a car into a neighbor's tree when I was three.

75. I was the 1st runner-up in our elementary spelling bee.

76. I was 25 the first time I went to Disney Land.

77. I don't like seafood.

78. I accidentally wore one pink shoe and one red shoe and realized it while I was singing a solo.

79. I got out of ticket because I had a "good drivers licence picture."

80. My sister put Vaseline in my hair right before going to my first day of primary.

81. I was almost bald until I was 18 months old.

82. I used to love dolls. Any kind.

83. I had the chicken pox so bad, they were even on the bottom of my feet.

84. I sat in poison ivy at girls camp.

85. My fingernails grow really fast, but my hair goes really slow.

86. I would love to adopt a baby from an underprivileged country.

87. I don't like talking on the phone.

88. I like driving a mini van.

89. I am a people watcher.

90. My idea of a good date is dinner and a movie.

91. My favorite job is the one I currently hold, being a mom.

92. I love pictures, especially of my kids.

93. I would love to live in San Diego.

94. I don't like being tickled.

95. I hate peas- of any kind.

96. I used to listen to Karen Carpenter music all the time.

97. I have to have a clock in the room, or I can't sleep.

98. I can't leave dirty dishes in the sink.

99. I love to take long, hot showers.

100. Above all else, I love my husband and kids more than they know.

I know that is more than anyone wanted to know about me. However, if you want clarification on any of the above, feel free to let me know. :)

No more surprises!

We have really messed our kids up! A few years ago, we wanted to see if we could plan a vacation for the kids without them knowing. We decided to go on a Disney Cruise and to Disneyworld. Everything went off without a hitch. We planned it, and even packed for them and they had no clue. The day of the vacation came, and we went to pick them up early from school. When we got there, of course they asked why we were picking them up early. We told them we had to pick up Uncle Nate from the airport. Of course they believed us. Then they saw the bags and we made up some lame story about them. Dillon and Logan believed us, but Morgan was suspicious. Matt dropped us off at the airport and took the bags to the Sky Cap, so the kids couldn't see where we were going. I told them that Uncle Nate's flight didn't leave for a while, so we had to go in and wait. We got through security and Morgan says, "Okay- I know we are going somewhere, because they wouldn't let us go through security without a ticket." So we told them, yes we are going on a trip- but you have to guess where. They all say "Disneyworld!" So we told them yes, we are going to Florida and we will be there for a whole week. The kids were so excited, and jumping up a down, screaming. We went to Disneyworld for 3 days. We still hadn't told them about the cruise. So we were wondering how we were going to pack up and leave the hotel, without the kids realizing we were really leaving. Well, a lizard and a spider got into our room, and Morgan started screaming, because she HATES spiders. So we asked the kids if they'd rather get a hotel closer to the beach, a hotel without spiders. Of course, they all say YES! Because, come on, it's the beach!

So the next portion of our journey begins. We had been on another Disney Cruise a couple years prior to this. As we get nearer to the port, Dillon says, "Mom- This is the road the Disney Cruise is on!" How he could remember that, I don't know. I said, Yes- it looks like that road, huh? So Matt asks Morgan to get the instructions to the hotel out of his bag, next to her, and asks her to read the directions to him. She said, "Dad- these aren't directions, it just says My Cruise Documents on it." Then she starts screaming, and the whole car starts screaming with excitement.

Morgan reading the "directions to the beach hotel."

Morgan realizing where we really are going.


Dillon's reaction.

Logan's reaction to the 'secret.'

Anyway, the point is, we wanted the kids to have a great surprise and wonderful vacation. They did. However, we didn't realize the lasting effects of our holding out on them. They don't trust us anymore. For example, last night, we went to Matt's Dad's birthday party. We decided to take a different way home. Morgan asked where we are going and we said home. "Sure- we are, " she replies very sarcastically. Last week, we were going out to dinner. Dillon asks, " Where are we going?" I say, I'm not sure, we haven't decided yet. "Hmmmm. I bet we are going on a fun trip." This has been going on for 2 1/2 years! The surprise was great- and fun to pull off on them. However, I don't think we will be doing that again anytime soon!

Marshmallow Kisses

This weekend was a quiet, and lazy weekend for us. On Friday night we attended our ward temple night and went to the social afterwards. On Saturday we watched General Conference with our kids and with Ashley and Sydney, too. Matt had the Priesthood session that night, so my sister in laws, and mother in law, Camden & I went to dinner. We left Ashley and Morgan at our house to watch the other kids. Then on Sunday, we watched General Conference again and by evening, we were all ready to get out of the house. We went on a walk around our neighborhood, and let the kids play at the neighborhood park. It's funny, because as a kid I dreaded conference weekend, because it seemed so long and boring. However, now I really look forward to them. I like spending quiet time with my family, and listening to the Prophet and Apostles speak. It was a great conference! Logan had his "conference packet" with activities to keep him busy, while we listened. He was so cute, all the sudden he would pipe up, "Mom- how do you spell Elder Christofferson? Did he have glasses? Mom- what color was the Prophet's tie, and did it have designs on it?" Etc... He was kept busy, but it was nice to hear that he was getting SOMETHING out of the conference! :)





Camden was really good during conference. He gives the best kisses, but he gives them, when he wants, and to who he wants. Matt always complains that it is never to him. However, Matt was eating mini-marshmallows, and Camden became his best friend. He never had tried a marshmallow before, but LOVED them. Matt would put one in his own mouth, and Camden would attack him and put his mouth on Matt's to get it. It was so cute! Marshmallow's or not, I'd consider it a kiss!


Logan gets in on the action, too. :)

My boys...

I love when I go to help in Logan's class and he has no reservations about hugging and kissing me, and saying I LOVE YOU, for the whole class to hear. He is not one bit embarrassed. I went to help in his classroom and he gets soooo excited for me to come. I walked in, and he started to tear up, I asked him what was wrong and his cute little lip starts to quiver and he says, I just have something in my eye, and I am so happy you came to class.

Dillon, on the other hand, is VERY reserved when I go to his class. He smiles, but barely acknowledges I'm there. However, when I read with the kids, out in the hall, and it is his turn to come out, he can hardly keep off of me. He is leaning on me, hugging, me, etc. Until somebody walks by, and then he sits up and pretends he hardly knows me again. In kindergarten, he developed a 'signal' that means, I love you, and here is a hug and kiss, too. It goes, "CH -CH". He still does that, when others are around. It's funny how different these boys are. I love that Dillon is so lovey- and wants to show me that, by developing, our own private signal. I love that Logan doesn't care who sees him hug and kiss me. They are completely opposite in this way, but I love and appreciate both of them, for the ways they are.

April Fools Day!

Happy April Fools' Day!

The Test :)

Well- I got Matt good yesterday. I pulled out a positive pregnancy test that I had saved from Camden (Just the test- not the gross part. I know that is weird- but I still had it.) Anyway- I first told him, "Honey- I've got to tell you something- please don't freak out." He gives me a scared look and I say, "Promise you won't freak out." He promises and then I hand him the test. He stared and stared and then says, "Is this yours?" I say yes, and he stares some more. "You're pregnant?" I was going to carry it out longer than I did, but I thought he might cry- so I said April fools. I have never seen relief come so fast! We love Camden so much- but the kids is still not sleeping through the night! I told Morgan about the prank and she asked if Aunt Katie took the pregnancy test for me. I said, "I'm not going to hold onto a pregnancy test that somebody else peed on, and she says, "Gross! You pee on it?!!! I thought you just had to rub it on your belly or something." I love that girl. She is so innocent and naive!







Matt was watching the kids while I was at the dentist. When I came home he said, "Dillon is in his room. Something happened at school today, but he won't tell me what. He's crying up there." So I go to his room and ask what happened. He won't tell me, and then finally says he got in trouble at school, because he threw a rock at the window and it broke. Then he hands me a note that says, " To the Parents of Dillon Graham." On school letterhead it says that Dillon is being suspended from school for a week for willful disregard and destruction of property. It goes into more detail and is signed by the principal. I couldn't believe it. Dillon is a rule keeper - and he was being suspended from school? Finally Dillon starts laughing, and yells APRIL FOOLS! Okay- I guess I deserved that! :)


Morgan is usually the first kid up in the morning. However, by 7:45 I still hadn't seen her. So I called up to her room, but her door was open, and there was no answer. So I checked the basement. She's not there either. So I go up to her room and she is under her covers. I saw her hair sticking out of her covers and it looks like a rats nest. So I pull off the covers and say, "Honey it's time to get up." But to my shock, it is pillows, made to look a person, with her doll's hair sticking out of the top of the covers. Instantly, I feel sick to my stomach. My first thought is that somebody kidnapped her and I scream. Just then Morgan pops out of the closet and yells APRIL FOOLS! The little stinker. :)

Because of the dentist appointment, I didn't have a chance to do the dinner I had planned. I was going to tell them we are having sweets for dinner tonight. I was going to make chicken in the shape of a heart, with pink gravy. (It looks just like a sugar cookie.) Then I was going to make mashed potatoes and gravy, to look like ice cream, and then cut up green taffy to look like green beans. I have the recipes so that it really does look real. However- I'm sure having sweets for dinner would have been a give away. We did however, dip cotton balls in chocolate to give to the scouts. They loved it!