Jokae

Citizenship Award

2012-02-01T21:26:00.001-07:00

This is pretty cool. The school makes a big deal about the kids that bring back there homework, are helpful, respectful, etc. It's kinda nice. All the school comes in just to see the kids receive these awards and they invite all the parents and take pictures. Way to go Reid. I'm tired of schools that are afraid of there own shadow and have to baby every kid. Reward the ones who earn it. encourage the others. But don't give everyone a medal just because. Blargh.

How to Find the Kind of Joy That Lasts

2012-01-22T11:33:00.001-07:00

How to Find the Kind of Joy That Lasts

Now, don't get excited—but do get happy. Martha Beck explains the all-important difference between feeling thrilled, exhilarated, and crazed.

By Martha Beck
O, The Oprah Magazine | From the February 2012 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

Comment

Illustration: David Drummond

It was the bottom bottom of the ninth inning in game seven of the 2001 World Series. The New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks were all tied up. As Arizonans, my family and I were thrilled to see our state getting attention for something other than sun damage, so when Luis Gonzalez hit a bloop single to drive in the winning run, we went bananas—screaming, punching the air, jumping like jackrabbits on crack. Now, ordinarily my beagle Cookie (may he rest in peace) loved human celebrations. He'd howl along and do a little tap dance, castanet toenails clicking on the floor. But after Gonzo's historic hit, as the rest of us shrieked in victory, Cookie ran trembling to hide under the bed.

While trying to extract him, I suddenly realized that our revelry had indeed felt a bit crazed. Upon further reflection, I saw that it echoed a similar craziness in the TV commercials that had aired during the game. On television, people weren't just pleased about new dust mops or deodorants—they were ecstatic. Women threw back their heads to laugh wildly. While eating salad. Alone. Car salesmen announced bargains with such enthusiasm, I feared for their undershorts. In fact, everything I'd seen during the broadcast suggested that the ideal emotional state is one of intense, manic euphoria, and that we should all feel that way almost all the time.

Well, it isn't, and we shouldn't.

Cookie's animal honesty woke me up to the strangeness of something I'd begun to take for granted: the fact that our culture has come to define happiness as an experience that blows your mind. It's as though we're somehow falling short if we don't routinely feel the way Times Square looks—madly pulsing with a billion watts of Wow!

Don't get me wrong. Excitement is a great and necessary thing; without it life wouldn't be complete. But happiness—real happiness—is something entirely different, at once calmer and more rewarding. And cultivating it is one of the most important steps we can take toward creating fulfilling lives.

Peak Experiences: Faux Happiness

Intense excitement is what Asian philosophy might call the "near enemy" of true joy—something that looks like the genuine article but is in reality its evil twin. When a gift recipient or jackpot winner starts shaking, screaming, or hyperventilating, we call it happiness, but actually it's evidence that their neurological fight-or-flight mechanism has been triggered. (This helps explain why it's not just a play on words to say that mania can create maniacs, and why in some cases sports fans seem to riot more violently after their teams win than after they lose: Our fight-or-flight system predisposes us to violence.) Switching on this mechanism switches off the physiological processes that allow us to relax, connect, and absorb joyful experience.

What's more, high excitement is often followed by a mood crash. Afterward we may go through a phase of feeling lifeless and depressed. Users of the recreational drug Ecstasy are familiar with the hormone drop that follows a weekend rave. They call it Suicide Tuesday, and if you're an obsessive euphoria seeker, you've felt it, too, with or without drugs.

For people who think mania is happiness, the only remedy for Suicide Tuesday is another intensely exciting experience. This may explain why trips to Disney World are exalted like pilgrimages to Mecca, and why multiday extravaganza destination weddings are becoming ever more the norm. The attitude can be traced all the way back to the European adventurers who seeded American society; they were always seeking some variety of El Dorado, some prize to top all other prizes. As a Pueblo Indian chief once told the psychiatrist Carl Jung, "The whites always want something; they are always uneasy and restless. We do not know what they want. We do not understand them. We think that they are all mad."

Next: What does real happiness look like?

The Plains of Peace: Real Happiness

True joy lacks the wild ups and downs of an excitement-based life. It's a peaceful landscape, filled with peaceful thoughts and peaceful emotions. Indeed, it's so peaceful that, to our adrenaline-soaked culture, it looks rather plain. In fact, I like to think of it as the plains of peace.

You can probably look back on times that didn't seem very memorable when they were happening but that stand out in retrospect for their sweetness: floating in the ocean on a summer day; seeing the sun set as you drove home from work; picking berries in the country with friends. Relive those moments—the sound of the surf, the breeze on your face, the taste of salt on your lips, the gentle rocking of the water—and you'll see that they're rich, layered, and powerfully sustaining to the soul. Beagles, who wag their tails over every small joy, seem to recognize these moments continuously. Humans, not so much.

If you worry that your life is lacking in events so exciting they'll make your head spin like an industrial food processor, I have good news: You can relax. The best way to increase genuine joy is to stop searching for manic highs and instead explore the plains of peace. Happily, you're in the perfect place to begin: this very moment.

How to Be Here Now

People started telling me to "be here now" when I was about 20. "Great!" I responded. "How?" Be still, they said. Breathe. Well, fine. I started dutifully practicing meditation, by which I mean I tried to be still while compulsively planning my next billion-watt wow. But one day, while reading up on the latest research in positive psychology, I discovered a two-word instruction that reliably ushered me onto the plains of peace when I couldn't force my brain to just "be still." Here it is: Make something.

You see, creative work causes us to secrete dopamine, a hormone that can make us feel absorbed and fulfilled without feeling manic. This is in sharp contrast to the fight-or-flight mechanism, which is associated with hysteria hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Research indicates that we're most creative when we're happy and relaxed, and conversely, that we can steer our brains into this state by undertaking a creative task.

To get a dopamine "hit," make something that pushes you to the furthest edge of your ability, where you're not only focused but learning and perfecting skills. Cooking an unfamiliar dish will do the trick, as will perfecting a new clogging routine. At first, depending on how addicted to mania you happen to be, the excitement-grubbing part of your brain won't want to stop obsessing about over-the-top experiences. It will cling to its fantasies about the next huge thrill, its fears of Suicide Tuesday. Keep creating.

As you persist, your brain will eventually yield to the state psychologists call mindfulness. Your emotions will calm, even if you're physically and mentally active. You won't notice happiness when it first appears, because in true presence, the mind's frantic searching stops. In its place arises a fascination with what's occurring here and now. Though this feeling is subtle, it's the opposite of dull. It's infinitely varied and exquisite.

The aftermath of a creative surge, especially one that involves a new skill, is a sense of accomplishment and increased self-efficacy—which psychologists recognize as an important counter to depression. Instead of a Suicide Tuesday crash, you're left with the happy fatigue of someone who is building strength.

Pay attention to this process, and you'll see that the motivation to be here now will gradually grow stronger than the cultural pressure to seek excitement. You'll find yourself increasingly able to tune in to the delights of the present even when you're not actively creating. When this happens, you'll be on your way to genuine happiness: abundant, sustainable delight in the beautiful moments of ordinary life.

Next: What Martha has ultimately learned about happiness

And when something genuinely thrilling happens, you'll be ready. That wild rumpus celebrating the Diamondbacks' victory in the World Series turned me into a baseball fan. Ever since, I've enjoyed watching large men in pajamas strive for victory. I enjoy going briefly berserk when my team wins. I enjoy seeing the women in commercials ecstatically dust their furniture. But I don't take any of it seriously. What I do take seriously is the lesson I learned from Cookie and his successor, Bjorn: that happiness is available to me in every moment. It's there in the words I'm writing now, in my engagement with those around me, in the happy sigh Bjorn breathes as we sit together exploring the plains of peace. Wow.

Martha Beck's latest book is Finding Your Way in a Wild New World (Free Press).

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Find-Lasting-Happiness-Finding-Joy-That-Lasts/3#ixzz1kDIDjIP7

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Find-Lasting-Happiness-Finding-Joy-That-Lasts/2#ixzz1kDI1UFLv

I like this one!

2012-01-16T22:01:00.002-07:00

HONEY PUMPKIN PIE
1 1/2 c. cooked pumpkin 1/2 c. honey 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. salt 2 eggs, slightly beaten 1 c. evaporated milk 1 unbaked pie shell Combine pumpkin, honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Add eggs and milk. Pour into pie shell and bake at 425 degrees 40 to 45 minutes. Makes 6 servings.

All I want for Christmas.....

2011-12-22T21:51:00.002-07:00

Aria wrapping herself in Christmas wrapping paper.

Pack Meeting

2011-12-22T21:42:00.000-07:00

It's great to be 8!!

2011-12-11T21:34:00.001-07:00

Kyson, Cole, Braden, Tianna, Erin and Aria and Kyson.

Grandpa Keith Harris and Granny Lucy Harris

Grandma Tink (Sylvia) & Grandpa Burl Lambson

Barry Lambson, Reid, Cole, Tianna, Jokae Simons, & Aria.

Grandpa Dennis & Grandma Elaine Simons

Tucker & Jade Simons, Chalk & Hollie Simons, Barry Lambson, Aria, Jokae Simons, Sylvia & Burl Lambson, Cresha Peck, Lucy and Keith Harris, Dennis & Elaine Simons, Asher Simons (Baby), Reid, Tiana, Cole, & Erin, Braden, & Kyson Peck.

Chalk Simons and Asher Simons

Grandpa Burl and Reid

Jade and Tucker Simons with Aria.

Grandma Tink and Aria

Cole and his dad Barry Lambson.

Santa Claus is coming to town......

2011-12-11T21:24:00.001-07:00

Ohana

2011-12-11T10:43:00.000-07:00

This is our family. It's a little broken. But still good, yes, still good.

Ok in Jokae....And Jokae in Jokae Loves You!

2011-12-03T10:42:00.001-07:00

There will always be a "lie" in believe
an "over" in lover
an "end" in friends
an "us" in trust

& an "if" in life.

It's Snowing!!

2011-12-02T10:05:00.001-07:00

Good Morning! It raining all afternoon yesterday and started to snow about bedtime last night. My friend left Holbrok to come to Taylor last night and it took him 2 hours. It snowed all night. I could hear the snow falling off the roof early this morning. I got a text message from the school at 5 am telling us school was cancelled. And then a phone message at 5:45am. Ok, so try and sleep in. Here come the kids. I have all the kids in bed with me with my windows open watching it snow. By 8 am the kids were outside playing in the snow without breakfast. They weren't waiting for me to find their snow suits. I had to pull them all back in to get them on. The snow suit fairy took the purple snowsuit that was Aria's. It was here this morning and now we can't find it. She went out in her sleepers. At 8am the snow was 12 to 18" deep and it has been snowing steady every since. It's beautiful. It's a lot of snow. Compare to the snow storm of 1930 in Grants, Gallup, area.I don't think we are going anywhere. Maybe I'll walk over to Family dollar and get a couple extra pair of gloves. We will just keep hot coco on the stove all day and built a fire to dry off the wet clothes. What else can you do? But enjoy it!

Lost my 1st Tooth

2011-12-01T12:26:00.000-07:00

Holy Cow! I wasn't even thinking it was time for Reid to lose a tooth. He was eating an apple the other day and he said ouch that hurt my tooth. Sure enough he made it lose. He wouldn't let me touch it of course, so he's eating an apple again today and we still don't know where the tooth it. But it's gone. Tooth Fairy time..... The Dentist in our ward doesn't like being called the tooth fairy. HAHAHAHA

Halloween

2011-11-10T09:51:00.001-07:00

Trick Or Treat

Pumpkins all alight

Trick or Treating on our Street

The funnest activity we did this year was Booing People (mostly our Neighbors). You make a treat and leave it with a little Ghostly picture and poem(3 copies). Requesting that they Boo two others. Here's the little Booed paper. We made sugar cookies and usually eat a GOOD portion. I planned to share with our two nearest neighbors. The kids took the first plate of cookies and ran to hide when they came to the door. The Lady and her daughter, clapped there hands and exclaimed, "We've been Booed!" The kids ate this up! They had been sold on this Booing game. We had to go make more copies of the papers be.cause I didn't make enough. In all we went to seven places. This kids kept wanting to do another one and another one. Rudy our neighbor jumped out excitedly. Jennifer and kids waved down the street. Mr. Grant caught the kids read handed. They had a ball and never once complained that all the sugar cookies were gone.

The day before Halloween Rudy came over and knocked on the door. He said, "This is Trick or treating in reverse..." I didn't know what to say. He said, you have kids right? Yes. He then explained that he was not going to be home on Halloween night and didn't want us to think he was being anti-social. He left the kids five King size candy bars.

That being said. The best part of Halloween and candy was Tianna deciding to sell her candy to the orthodontist. The orthodonist and dentist team up to buy back candy. Its a way to support our troops by sending them the candy, matching the dollar amount and donating it to the children's schools. Check out the buy back program here.

Angry Bird costume made by Aunt Leni

Tianna came up with 2 lbs or candy to sell back and between the other kids we came up with 4lbs. For each lb of candy the kids got $2.00. I'm thinking this is my favorite fundraiser to participate in! Loved it!!

Sugar let down

My favorite comment about my costume for Halloween was from the little neighbor girl Mikala. She said, "What are you? Are you a God?" I was Abby from NCSI. Hahaha My alter ego. Laughing!

My little princess, dress by Aunt Leni!

I loved the pavilion at the church this year for the trunk or treat. There was none of my kids running through the church and LESS clean up. They were able to run around the grass that was well light and easier to keep track of my kids. Except Cole. I took candy to hand out of my trunk. But when it came to doing it in reality.....that's really funny. So, I grabbed my big bag of candy and headed along the row of cars with the kids. The first car I came to that had run out of candy......I just handed him the bag and kept going. Nope, don't have to pay me for it. Your helping me and I'm helping you. Were good!! Happy Halloween! The interesting thing is that, I seriously was trying to do too much. I have four kids and two hands. Come on, Jokae get real with yourself. I can't do everything. Those who can hand out candy do and those who want to trick or treat can. Yea, releasing stress!!

And Thanks to Aunt Leni!!! For making sure all my kiddos has costumes. That was a BIG weight of my shoulders this year!! Thanks to Aunt Pawnee for my costume and mailing it to me. Thanks for making it a night to remember. Lots of love!!

All the spooks are out tonight

2011-10-27T15:00:00.000-06:00

Camping in the Desert

2011-10-12T19:47:00.002-06:00

Max and Reid making funny faces.

Aria enjoying her breakfast and hot coco.

Preston and Cole sporting the good eats.

Playing in the sand.

Emilee and Aria helping pack up.

Boys helping Brother Eaves.

Cole's September

2011-10-12T14:31:00.000-06:00

September 2011 click here to watch slideshow.

In the World

2011-10-02T21:21:00.001-06:00

Reid wanted to send this to his Dad and tell him that this is the coolest, bestest picture of him in the world.

Legos

2011-10-02T21:19:00.001-06:00

I know its dang awesome. But I can't remember all the names he gives them. Then I get in trouble for not remembering the one he's talking about so, maybe I should take pictures maybe that will help.

This one is a Star Ship#5.

Discovery Park

2011-09-28T09:49:00.000-06:00

Reading

2011-09-28T09:44:00.005-06:00

Everyday the kids have to read for school. This is a good day where they were all reading at the same time.

Reuse

2011-09-27T23:06:00.001-06:00

Reid is in to recycling or REUSING everything. I have a hard time throwing anything away because he can make something out of it. We have lots of stuff made out of pizza boxes and salt boxes or whatever. The good thing is I don't feel bad about throwing them away after a couple days or weeks. Depending on how much they play with them. Don't tell the kids that, I'd be in trouble.

Here Reid has made a dagger and a sheath for it. He's sporting his work gloves that magnificently go with it.

I should work on a better back drop for my pictures. HAHAHAHA

Singing

2011-09-27T22:56:00.000-06:00

Tangled

2011-09-27T22:53:00.002-06:00

Mom got highlights in her hair. One day Aria found a lock of hair that was lighter than the rest. She said, "Mom, you have a golden hair. It doesn't belong to you, its tangle's. I'm going to take it out and give it to her."

Good Morning

2011-09-26T22:59:00.001-06:00

Mornings at our house. "Good Morning America how are you?" This is how we start. Every morning Tianna's alarm goes off about the time mom's does. She arouses only when I come in the room. Cole wraps up tight in his blanket so I can't reach or touch him. Eventually, I have to gently pull him off the bed. Reid just keeps on sleeping. Usually he has to be tickled good before he arouses even slightly. Then still, many times needs help getting to his feet. When showers, breakfast, hair, teeth brushing, and chores are done there sometimes a few minutes to watch PBS kids. And somehow, Aria manages to sleep through it all. Only to arouse if I crawl back in bed with her after the kids have left for school.

Hair cuts

2011-09-26T22:49:00.003-06:00

Well, Aria and Reid have been experimenting cutting each others hair this week. I finally decided to cut bangs for Aria. Well, it was a good idea but made it look worse. Because the hair behind bangs is just longer than bangs and it looks like a bad hair cut. Off to the beauty palor we go. What else do we do?

Cole talked me into giving him a mohock hair cut this time. Why not? Here he is sporting it. It's hair, it grows and it is neither illigal or immortal.....go for it!

Reid wasn't having it. He just liet me cut his hair so I won't put ribbons in it. Hahaha. Love it!! Reid moves so much, you get one shot at it. Good luck. If you try and repair it, you'll make it look worse. Just go with it.

2011-09-26T22:32:00.002-06:00

Aria was trying to call her dad on the phone. When he didn't answer and she got the voicemail, she said, "His phone got attack by an alien."

My precious little girl

2011-09-02T16:34:00.003-06:00

Aria's fall pictures shoot. The other kids will be available in a couple weeks.Click on Aria's name.

School Days

2011-08-30T16:11:00.002-06:00

Laugh or Cry?

2011-08-30T16:06:00.000-06:00

Maybe this is not something you post. Adventures in potty training; Early in the day, Aria came in and ask, "Mom, why are there bees in my bum?" Oh dear, I don't think you have bees in your bum but it might feel like it. Sometimes we get little sores on our bums and they hurt a little. "Oh, ok," she quickly replied, "Can I have a band aid?" she asked. I then had to explain that we didn't usually put band aids on our bums. Ok momma and away she went.

Later that day, she had an accident in her pants. Well, this is how I found her. Sitting in the bathroom sink. She was a MESS. And she was furious that I got wipes out and started to help her. She wanted to do it herself. But ya gotta make sure every things clean.

LOL

2011-08-26T18:00:00.000-06:00

Cole stuck his face into Aria's birthday cake. We instant messaged it to several people and I put lol under his picture. He asked what lol mean. I told him laugh out loud. Later I was sending the letter from the principal to Barry about Cole and Cole asked me what I was going to type under it and I said, "not lol." Cole laughed his head off. It kinda lighten things up about it. Life is good when Cole laughs. He makes us all laugh, its lots of fun!!

Happy Birthday Aria!

2011-08-26T17:29:00.000-06:00

I'm three! My birthday is pink. My mom made me a pink cake with white frosting and sprinkles. I love my happy birthday balloon! I got a Rapunzel barbie doll, pink clothes, and a baby Cinderella baby doll! I love it!

We went and had ice cream with Emerald today. Emerald got me pretty beads, bracelets, and skirt. I love them! I love my pink ice cream cone too. We had a fun time visiting with Emerald. She keeps saying we got ice cream with Emerald, need to go again.

Blessings

2011-08-15T14:57:00.000-06:00

Thinking of the Andrade family. Please keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Their little angel, Santana, is now in Heaven.

Crossroads

2011-08-14T18:42:00.000-06:00

At the Crossroads
He stood at the crossroads all alone,
The sunlight in his face;
He had no thought for an evil course,
He was set for a manly race.
But the road stretched east and the
road stretched west,
And he did not know which road
was the best;
So he took the wrong road and it lead
him down,
And he lost the race and the
victor's crown.
He was caught at last in an
angry snare
Because no one stood at the
crossroads there
To show him the better road.
Another day at the self-same place
A boy with high hopes stood;
He, too, was set for a manly race
He was seeking the things that
were good.
And one was there who the roads
did know,
And that one showed him the
way to go;
So he turned away from the road
leading down,
And he won the race and the
victor's crown;
He walks today on the highways fair
Because one stood at the
crossroads there
To show him a better road.
- Sadie Tiller Crawley

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_can_you_find_the_poem_At_The_Crossroads#ixzz1V384QC00

Sleepy Heads

2011-08-14T17:59:00.000-06:00

The day before we went looking for Aria and after everyone had been in the kids room, I went in and found her asleep on Tianna's bed. So, the following day when she turned up missing. We checked the beds and all the corners too. We found her fast asleep in the closet on a pillow.

Aaaargh! Pirates!

2011-08-14T17:43:00.000-06:00

by Jokae Lambson on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:12pm

Kids had a blast at Captain Grandma Tink camp! They have a wonderful Grandma who plans an excellent camp for them. There theme this year was pirates. They made treasure maps, hunted for treasure, colored in pirate coloring books, slept in the tent, made pirate flags, made sea mix/trail mix, went to the movies, watched peter pan etc. She made awesome pirate invitations and sent them a loot package that arrived today. What a great Grandma! They will remember that forever. They are still sporting there eye patches and treasure maps. Way cool!!

First Day of School

2011-08-10T17:21:00.001-06:00

Can you believe it? It's school time again. Wait, summer was way to short. Tianna loves school but for the first time she is not ready to go back to school. She couldn't sleep the night before we went to meet her teacher. Reid couldn't decided if he was excited or not. Cole couldn't wait for the first day of school. The kids found matching shirts for the first day of school. They did that on there own, I probably couldn't have planned it if I'd have tried.

I couldn't get him to smile. First day of 2nd Grade.

1st day of Kindergarten! Wow, life will ever be the same.

Aria wanted so bad to go to school today.

Reid waving good bye mom with his class and his teacher. There are five kindergarten classes. Reid was excited to see kids from church that he knew. Cool. The kindergarten has there own playground.

Summer Fun

2011-08-04T22:40:00.000-06:00

But Mom I am Smiling! We were all our of the pool during one of the lifeguard drills. We don't mind them because it means we are a little safer. I've told people that we were going to learn to swim this summer and so I'm a little surprised when they ask what we did this summer. It hasn't changed we still swam all summer. The kids are getting to be pretty good swimmers. Aria's ready for the diving board but I haven't consented to let her yet. She looks like a little frog. Its so cute. We have really enjoyed this time together and to have a ball learning to swim and enjoy each other. What a special time we have had together.

Harry Potter

2011-08-04T18:36:00.001-06:00

Tianna started reading the Harry Potter books last year. We told her we'd let her see the last one if she finished them all. We'll she did it. She had a ball reading them. She was so super excited to go see it with her. She was just bouncing off the wall. And it took me a while to remember what was going on. So, she was explaining it all to me through the whole movie. The girls in the row next to her were also enjoying the play by play. So, what if Harry doesn't take the Elder wand back to Dumbledore's grave. But man, does that guy really die. Love ya Tianna your so awesome and your excitement rubs on others. Thank you!

Little pieces of Heaven

2011-08-03T14:08:00.002-06:00

While in the swimming pool aria was wearing her flip flops, when one came off she dramatically cried "oh no, my glass slipper." : ) mommas little princess believes in fairy tales

Summer Fun

2011-07-14T17:31:00.000-06:00

Cole, Reid, and Kyson

Erin and Tianna

Reid loves his tractor

Tooth Fairy

2011-07-14T17:25:00.000-06:00

Cole finally lost his first tooth. We kept telling him it would happen, but he watched his friends all year losing their teeth and he thought something was wrong. But no, here is the proof. He wouldn't let anyone touch it. He has been pushing on it with his tongue forever. He couldn't get it out himself though he wanted to. Finally, he said I could pull on it once. That's all it took! He was looking in the mirror when I did and he didn't even notice or feel it, it was that loose. Now he says Tianna can pull out his next tooth. Way to go Cole, your awesome!

Moving on

2011-07-12T01:39:00.002-06:00

A Game that went well

2011-07-06T18:08:00.003-06:00

My Little Girl Loves Horses

2011-07-06T17:42:00.000-06:00

She had a great time riding horses but it wasn't good enough until she could ride with her Mommy. Yea! What a beautiful day to ride a horse and receive personal healing through my whole soul. I missed my kids tremendously!I didn't have kids so they could be taken away from me. My heart hurts, I know they need there dad too.

Massive Dust Storm Phoenix AZ

2011-07-06T17:29:00.000-06:00

You know what's really weird? The kids and I went to get in the car yesterday to go to the pool. Well, my car key would engage the locking mechanicism in the van. We tried all kinds of things to get it open including praying. I finally got a suggestion that my roadside assistance on my insurance would cover it(Thanks Becky). I still wanted to get out of the house I had lots of errands to run. Chalk had left his truck here but not the keys. I would have totally been out in this storm if I could have gotten in my car. I called the insurance and they didn't think the tow truck would make it back to the place before closing time to give some one the key so I opted out of doing it last night. Then changed my mind this morning and had a locksmith come instead. I may never know why..... but I do know that my kids and I are safe and we still have a vehicle to drive. So, it's all good. The Lord always answers our prayers, most of the time not the way we had in mind. But we are safe!

Beautiful, Lovely, or good report

2011-07-05T16:16:00.000-06:00

If only the camera could adequately capture this magnificent sunset.

Space Science

2011-06-30T21:10:00.000-06:00

Night at the observatory.

Galaxy m88a

ring_nebula2

Space Science

2011-06-28T21:03:00.002-06:00

I'm taking a class at NMT this summer called Space Science.

When I started this post I was helping my roommate navigate blogspot, she has to do a website and so I was showing her one way to do it. So, hmmm, let's get busy and finish it, eh?

Space Science has been an awesome course taught by Dr. Ilene Ryan. Dr. Ryan is very down to earth and has helped ease the pain of all the math calculations you have to do to do science. Is that a good way to say it.

Comet after sitting in the classroom for 30 minutes.

This class was about making comets. Once you understand the chemical make up of comets, you realize hey we have all that stuff here on earth, just in different amounts. I had never thought about making comets. I guess this will be a fun thing I can do with the kids this summer. Trial and error I learned we put in to much soil. Follow the instructions.......no actually we were trying out different recipes to try and find the best one. Ours wasn't the best one. But it was lots of fun!

Jerry explaining the universe to Jokae.

Jokae messing with dry ice.

Comets with too much soil.

More to come.......

Sleepy Heads

2011-06-26T10:48:00.000-06:00

These are some of the funnest pictures you can take as a mom. But you better hurry before they fall off the chair. We have been swimming every day. She is ready for a nap when we get home. I was trying to get her to eat before I let her go to sleep. I did talk into a half of a bowl of cereal. She crashed and slept all night. Well, mostly, she had to wake up and talk to me for an hour in the middle of the night, but went back to sleep. She is so precious! I think I have pictures of all the kids like this. I love 'em.

School Days

2011-06-25T23:18:00.000-06:00

Tianna pasted her NMSBA test this last year and received a Board Scholar Award from REd Rock Elementary School. She also earned a AR T-shirt(Accelerated Reading) for reading and completing test at school. Tianna loves to read and has been really self motivated to get this done. Also, there is a copy of a precious letter she received from her classmate and our neighbor in Gallup. We loved being in Gallup and the kids sure miss there friends! Life is too short, change guides us, We love you all and miss you!

Wild Krats

2011-06-25T23:10:00.000-06:00

Cole has been making different types of suits. I'm trying to think what they are called. He's been watching "Wild Krats" on PBS. I'm going to have to have him help me update this because he's made several suits and they are all supposed to be different animals. He's having lots of fun making them out of a box! Yea, boxes are free. Well, mostly. And they are hours of enjoyment for the kids.

Little Ones

2011-06-25T23:01:00.000-06:00

Memorial Day

Reid is a little helper at the cemetery. Of course, if you give him a tool, he will do anything you want him to do.

Families

2011-06-25T22:58:00.003-06:00

BtoF and LR

Barry Lambson, Sylvia and Burl Lambson, Granny Lucy Harris,

Johnathan Tanner, Makala Chavez, Uncle Joe Tanner, Tiana Lambson,

Brad Chavez, Aunt Karen Chavez, Grandpa Keith Harris,

Chad Chavez, Mike Chavez, Jade Chavez,

Cole, Aria, and Reid Lambson.

I am missing my extended family and all the activities. Hope your all doing well!! Great even!!

Uncle Bobbie Master's baptism at in Colorado on Father's Day.
Uncle Bobbie is in white with Reid, Aria and Cole Lambson.

Little Ones

2011-06-25T22:52:00.000-06:00

This is just after Aria got her ponytails cut off by her brother. Doesn't she look like Reid or a little boy. It doesn't help that she's wearing Reids old jacket. She was pretty mad to have to wear it at the time. She is all girl and wants something that it pink. She trys hard to do whatever Reid is doing but is really all girl.

Summer

2011-06-23T12:11:00.001-06:00

Swimming Lesson

We've never had swimming lessons before. The kids have always wanted to and I've always wanted them to. I like to take them to swim and play around but I haven't been able to do that in Gallup because every child under seven years old has to have an adult with them. So, you can see it was hard to get there. So, this summer, the kids are learning to swim. What are we doing this summer? We are learning to swim. What? Yes, we are swimming some more. This is our camps for this year.

Round 1 Swimming lesson Level I

I put all the kids in Level I (accept Aria) because they hadn't taken them before. Looking back Tianna probably could have started in Level II but oh well. Aria was so mad the first day and I couldn't keep her out of the pool so I found her a spot in the Tots with Parents class at the same time. So, everyone was in the pool at the same time. Cole and Reid did not like being in the deep water and struggled with that for a couple of days. Aria still screamed the first two days when she could get in the water. She just wanted to play in the shallow water. So, then I took her to Open Swim for two days and she started making progress in swimming lessons. She wants so bad to her own thing. She freaks me out because she just wants to jump in the pool and go under water. Hello, she can't swim. She can reach up and grab the side of the pool. She is a daredevil and has no fear of the water. However, we went over to Holly's niece's house and swam and she jumped right in. I had to pull her out by her hair. Tianna easily goes to Level II next session and the boys will do Level II again until they are more comfortable. Reid and Cole are both swimming under water. Of course, they are still holding their noses with one hand. Reid likes to see how far he can go. Reid and Aria both started diving into the swimming pool at Open Swim. I had to talk to them because the water is to shallow and they don't want us hitting our heads, we only dive in the deep water. It was amazing, after jumping in feet first that was the next step for them. Scary for mom though. I'd like to take them and read a book while they swim. But I am too freaked out and I watching them. Probably too much. Water scares me. But I enjoyed it so much as a kid. I loved to swim! Every summer, all summer long, we would run up to the lake and swim until there wasn't enough water and the water got gross with sea weed. I was never afraid. I loved water skiing. Almost drown several times while learning but I loved it. The life guards do drills almost every day while we are the pool. That makes me happy. I noticed they offer free CPR classes around the valley. I was thinking I should learn to do that and keep up with it. Especially where we live. We go to the pool once a week with the ladies from the ward. I would hate for something to happen there. It would make me more comfortable if I knew CPR well and could help someone if they got in trouble.

Reid almost got kicked out of the swimming pool because he kept hitting kids and one day bite another kid. I don't know what to do with him. He's hitting the kids at church to. But it's really annoying that I get ganged up on by multiple parents and then they still go to the manager of the pool. I wanted to say tell your kid to bite him back, maybe he'd learn that way. I know he should bite, I'm trying to get him to stop, and I said I'm sorry. But go ahead kick us out of the pool. Maybe he will learn that way. I'm ok with it, a life lesson for him is as good or better than what I can do at this point.

I've been having a blast with the kids at the pool. It's hard to get pictures of them because I'm in the water with them all the time. I love it!

Summer

2011-06-22T18:38:00.000-06:00

Feeding the Ducks at Discovery Park

This is one of our new favorite past times. We also love the turtles that are in the ponds at Discovery Park. We can take a whole loaf of bread and stay until its gone. This trip was particularly fun because there were so many baby ducks. Little tiny baby ducks. I have to ration the bread out or it'll be gone in a couple minutes. We can spend hours feeding the ducks. It's so relaxing and the kids really enjoy it. We have taken our own dinner to eat to but it doesn't usually get eaten until the bread is gone and then half our dinner gets fed to the ducks to. The simple things in life that I love.

Marriage and Divorce

2011-06-15T13:10:00.000-06:00

My bishop ask me to watch this video and pray about attending counseling for myself. I am supposed to report back to him in a couple of weeks. He also ask me to attend a couple of sealing sessions at the temple and listen to the words that change from singular to plural at the beginning and ending of sealing prayer. This has been a very interesting experience for me already. Michael suggested I set goals. He's right. I can do that.

School Celebration

2011-05-31T09:37:00.000-06:00

May 2011 at Chaparral Elementary School in Gilbert, Arizona. Cole's teacher was Mrs. Makinney and the last month the kids have been learning about habitats. The hallway is decorated in the different habitats. Cole made a ecosystem of a swamp using his legos to make all the creatures and plants.

Tianna's class has been studying Arizona and designed travel pamphlets to different cities in Arizona. Listing all the attractions and drawing pictures.

Here the kids show off there art work that they've done lately. It was lots of fun to have them show off all there stuff.

I am thankful!

2011-05-30T10:24:00.001-06:00

This weekend my parents went to McCammon, Idaho and were able to meet Lucas and his wife Dorothy. It turns out that my Grandpa Simons older brother had a son before he died while serving in WWII. Lucas is from October to March younger than my dad. He has spent all these years looking for his dad's family.

A couple years ago he finally was able to contact Uncle Jay Simons, Grandpa's brother. All these years, the family never knew that Floyd Simons had a son. Maybe he didn't know, maybe Luca's mother never knew that he was killed in the war. Lucas said that his uncle told him when he was 15 years old who his dad was, but had told him it was during the Korean war. He has been searching all these years. Mom says its been such a happy reunion to meet him, but kinda sad because all the time you have missed with this wonderful person and his wife. Some truly give all. So, this weekend Grandpa Simons was able to give Lucas the flag, that was draped over Floyd's casket at the McCammon cemetery and being a veteran himself read what they read at the funeral. Floyd Simons also received a purple heart for his service. I'm sitting here crying my eyes out, I wish I was there. I have never spent Memorial Day with my Grandpa Simons who served our country. Thank you Grandpa Simons for the service you freely gave. I am so sorry you had to lose your brother. Though my dad was only a year or so when Floyd died he has one memory of his funeral. Grandpa Simons was in the service at the time and Grandma was living in Hatch, UT with Grandma Fallis. They came up for Floyd's funeral when he died. I guess, Lucas and his wife live in Mesa during the winter. Hopefully, I will get to meet him and his family. Thank you!

Happy Birthday Tianna!

2011-05-28T15:59:00.001-06:00

Tianna turns 10 years old

Happy Birthday to my beautiful little girl who is growing up so fast. It is like yesterday that you were born, just a little peanut. You were so little for so long, ad now your a young lady. Tianna is a wonderful help to her mom and still enjoys snuggles. We had a "Tangled" birthday party. Tianna asked for brownies instead of a cake. Which is perfectly fine with me. I will take brownies any day over cake! She checked the mail every day for cards from family and decided she didn't want to spend all her birthday money, instead she put in her bank account, after paying her tithing of course. Tianna is such a sweetheart and makes friends easily. Tianna is learning to swim. Well, at least she is having a blast in the water. She has become a regular fish. Tianna got the book "Eragon" for her birthday. Just in time because she couldn't check out anymore books from the school library. She thinks it's great and loves to read just about everything.

Happy Birthday Reid!

2011-05-27T12:33:00.002-06:00

Reid's #5 Birthday in Gilbert, Arizona

When I ask Reid what he wanted for his birthday he said, "I want tools, but not real ones." He ask for a chocolate cake with vanilla frosting. We had a great birthday party.

Now that Reid is five he knows its time for him to go to school. He doesn't understand why he's not going to school all day right now. We did take all his paper work to the school and get him registered to go to school in the fall. He was even tough when he had to get his last shot before attending school. But he wants to go meet his teacher and see his classroom.

Reid misses his friends in Gallup, NM. He has found a friend named Max Eaves. Max just turned five too. They play a couple times a week for a couple of hours. They are having a great time getting to know each other.

Memorial Day

2011-05-25T15:46:00.002-06:00

The American Hero

by Roger Robicheau

The American Hero always comes through
To capture our hearts with a spirit so true

Some proudly are soldiers who march in harm’s way
Insuring our freedom, courageous they stay

While others come forth as civilians so brave
Determined in purpose, so steadfast to save

We should always keep clear a place in our heart
For each has a value beyond precious art

Their duty to country will not be surpassed
Please honor their courage, for some it’s their last

We live in a world which can be hard to bear
Thank God for these people, how greatly they care

Do ponder new heroes and what they will face
And pray for their safety no matter their place

Our heritage brings out the best, we all know
Our great book of heroes is destined to grow

Create

2011-05-20T17:03:00.004-06:00

I want to go create something right now! I love this video. I can do it. My most wonderful creations call me "Mom." They are miracles to me. Making a quilt, a dinner, writing a poem, teaching a lesson, or dancing have all been great accomplishments to me. But creating a child and raising them have helped me more to understand the condensention of God than anything else. But using the spirit to be able to create something is exciting to me. There must be more to learn.

"“Only the mind is capable of error. The body can act wrongly only when it is responding to misthought. The body cannot create, and the belief that it can, a fundamental error, produces all physical symptoms.

Since only the mind can be sick, only the mind can be healed. Only the mind is in need of healing."

- A Course In Miracles

Accept 100% responsibility.

This step can be the most challenging one (especially for my ego).

How do I accept 100% responsibility?

By accepting that:

My life, world, and experiences are the result of my thoughts (and subconscious memories).
I am 100% responsible for creating all aspects of my life, world, and experiences. No exceptions.
There is no such thing as a life, world and universe “out there.” Everything, including my body, is merely a thought and extension of my own mind “in here.”

It is important to remember that there is no blame or guilt involved in accepting full responsibility for all aspects of my life and world. Rather, the idea is that I created all of this, so now I can create something different, something that I actually do desire to experience."

http://zenchillcom.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-to-heal-yourself.html

I can use the spirit to create something I want. Let's get started!

Spring Music class

2011-05-20T12:34:00.001-06:00

This is really fun! Tianna had a great music teacher at Red Rock Elementary. The students moved from one instrument to another and were able to play different songs and use different instruments. It was really fun! I'll have to find the videos I took and load them too.

Laugh or Cry?

2011-05-19T15:12:00.002-06:00

This a good one. It was about 2 lbs of graded cheese.

All over the kitchen. Not to bad to clean up.

But the eggs, blagh.

There was a time I couldn't laugh at it. I was driven myself stark raving mad with things like this. One day I thought your going to go nuts. This is your life. Its a good life. You have everything you always wanted. It won't always be like this. Kids are little for a time and then there are different things to worry about. My mother always seem to enjoy children at every stage that they were in. I wanted to be able to so that. And when I thought about it, it is really funny. I'm afraid I encourage it by taking pictures. But what else do you do. I'd have to beat Reid every day and it would still do no good. He would still get into everything he can find and then some. So, again, it is I that must adjust my thinking. Its amazing what you learn from kids. So, I had to find a way to enjoy my kids even when they do stuff like this. Yes, I can laugh at it. Sometimes I still have to catch myself wanting to be mad at them instead I say sit down while I go get the camera. By the time I get back, I have calmed down. Enjoy your little ones. They are innocent and are just learning and exploring they don't always know better. And they didn't set out today to tick anybody off. In fact no one does.....well, maybe there a few. But people are generally good and deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Note to Self

2011-05-18T09:15:00.001-06:00

Imagination was given to man to compensate

him for what he is not; a sense of humor to

console him for what he is. ~Francis Bacon

Laugh at yourself!

Putting up the tent

2011-05-17T10:26:00.002-06:00

Reid was four when he did this. He set up the tent all by himself and took it down three times in one day and put it away. Because I would't let him sleep in it. He was all set to camp in the tent in the living room. He's always been good with his hands. The child locks never did work for him. Lots of fun!

Back to the Future

2011-05-16T23:00:00.001-06:00

Laugh or Cry?

2011-05-15T19:23:00.002-06:00

I choose to Laugh!!

Aria is the funnest to scare. Because she reacts,
but doesn't get upset. Then she smiles as big as she can!
Lots of fun!

I have some fun photos to add.

This is our latest. I think its close to 10 lbs of flour. I was about to cry....

But in the end I got my camera and took a picture instead.

It has taken me days to get it all cleaned up. I found flour on

the light switches today. Ha ha ha.

When I get where I'm going.....

2011-05-01T19:18:00.003-06:00

The Owl Critic

2011-04-30T17:37:00.002-06:00

Do you ever feel like the owl? I thought, my

greatest critic was myself. Then came a day one would

pick me apart as if I wasn't really real, standing in front of him.

I wish I had the words to describe their error of the one

who is still here, standing. Reality has crossed into

the cyber world or unreal. Hurting all in its wake.

Look closely, least you be deceived.

Written on my heart

2011-04-30T16:48:00.000-06:00

The Days come and go
But still I remember
   your faces,
   your laughter,
   your music,
and living on the edge.

Do you remember when you became yourself?
   In front of the crowd or behind the scene,
   living what you believe?

I look within myself and
   find part of you.....
written on my heart, your names.

Today I thank you;for helping
me reach within myself
   and finding you.

It's hard to describe me without you.
   though our paths are on
different roads.

A time faraway, sometimes like yesterday
cultures, families, schools, religions, friends, clubs,
all different.

One belief, one love to unite us for a time.
Don't ever forget "I love you!"
Written 1994 Jokae Simons

Good Morning!

2011-04-30T11:08:00.001-06:00

This is a little surprise I found this morning by my son Cole. It's really a toy spider. All my buttons and switches in the car have been flipped or pushed, so the windshield wipers are on and the heater is blasting away.

The little things in life make you laugh and keep you smiling!

We have Moved!

2011-04-29T09:48:00.002-06:00

The kids and I are now in Gilbert, AZ. We are starting a new adventure together.

Sleepy Heads

2011-04-19T16:49:00.001-06:00

Daddy

2011-01-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

While in Ramah, Aria was at the window. I ask her what she was looking for. She said she was waiting for her daddy to come. She was sure he was coming and if she kept looking he'd come.

I'll Make Ya Famous

2010-12-29T12:45:00.003-07:00

Gallup Independent Weekend December 11-12, 2010

Maybe it should say, "What can your wife help you do?"

No fair the school taking the credit. Barry is pretty

awesome.....and has a great job that he loves.

Beat that!

Barry Lambson

Network Supervisor at Gallup-McKinley County Schools

Barry is a unique and talented individual in the technology field. Not only does he have the ability to effectively problem solve any issues as an expert in his work, but he has tremendous abilities with people. His disposition both in management and support is astounding. It would be difficult to find a person so patient and with such amazing customer service. As a project partner on the GMCS SharePoint implementation, he was a true collaborator and partner, and showed his many talents, beyond just technology, with his presentation, communication, planning, and marketing skills. July 21, 2010

Shannon (Regional Quality Center Coordinator at Gallup McKinley County Schools ) worked directly with Barry at Gallup-McKinley County Schools

Gallup Journey December 1, 2010

Puppies

2010-12-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

Puppies, Puppies, and more puppies

Aunt Jade and Uncle Tucker Simons dog had 12 puppies on December 1, 2010. They raise Boxers to sell. Aunt Jade spent lots of time feeding puppies with a bottle to keep them alive. Here Aria got to help feed one of the puppies. They sell them for $250 each. They only lost one of the puppies. They did so well that they bought another female Boxer to breed. I think December 13 Uncle Elvin and Aunt Lisa Lewis's dog had eight puppies. We spent the holidays visiting and holding puppies. Nobody could convince mom that we needed a Boxer puppy. If dad would have agreed she might have.

Defending herself

2010-12-23T17:53:00.001-07:00

Cole and Aria having a shooting match in the doctor's office while Tianna was getting her cast taken off. Aria found the umbrella and used it as a gun to defend herself from Cole blasting her away. We ended up waiting for a long time so it was all good that they were able to entertain themselves. It was better than Aria getting into all the casting supplies. Why does she have an umbrella? It doesn't rain in New Mexico. It was a freak accurrance in New Mexico. I have to log it for the books.

Santa Claus is Watching You

2010-12-14T18:03:00.006-07:00

So, I'm not a great blogger. I love watching my kids eyes light up with the magic. They all participated in the Nativity at the church before Santa arrived. The girls were the cutest angels you ever saw and the boys the rowdiest sheep you ever saw. Unfortunately it was boring for Cole. Aria's dress was too big and she kept running across stage when she wasn't supposed to. Classic nativity play I'm sure, just with different proud parents of children they love. *smiles*

oh, don't forget Aria is sporting a new hair cut. Her brother Reid cut off her pony tails. Scroll down to see what her hair used to look like. ohhh man, its going to be short for a while. Gotta laugh......its funny. Especially, when its somebody else's kid. Right?

2010-12-14T16:47:00.001-07:00

I didn't know fisher price made these. Or put them in back packs.

A Good Day

2010-12-14T13:40:00.005-07:00

2008 Models

2010-12-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

Tianna's Piano Recital

2010-12-05T21:02:00.003-07:00

Balloon Fiesta

2010-12-05T20:36:00.001-07:00

Aria and mom

Cole (yes, even Cole got in the Hot air balloon) and Reid peaking over the basket.

Tianna with her friend Tiana riding in the balloon.

Below Barry, Aria, and Reid watching the balloon rise.

Way Cool!!

Balloon Fiesta

2010-12-03T15:36:00.002-07:00

What do ya think......good idea for a date or what?

Laugh or Cry?

2010-12-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Reid cut my ponytails off

This was definitely a laugh or cry. I totally wanted to cry but it was done and I couldn't do anything about it so I had to laugh. I found piles of hair in two or three places. I couldn't believe how much there was. Barry wouldn't let me leave her with a mullet, so I eventually talked myself in to cutting the back of her hair off as well. I couldn't cut it as short as it was in some spots though. Reid had taken the hair cutting scissors and cut underneath her ponytail holder so it was cut right at the head. I had to trim it up a couple months later. I probably should do it again now (June), but I want it to grow. Her hair cut was the last week in November 2010.

Happy Birthday Cole!

2010-12-01T20:58:00.001-07:00

Broken Arm

2010-12-01T19:48:00.000-07:00

Tianna at Hospital waiting for doctor.

Tianna and her siblings were sent to bed. A few minutes later she came into the living room wimpering, "Mom, I think I broke my arm." I took one look at her and knew she had broken her arm. Tianna's dad was on his way back from a trip to Albuquerque for a business trip soooo I needed to find someone to watch the other kids. I tried Kevin and he didn't answer his phone then I called Aunt Cindy. Forgetting that it was her birthday and that she was probably doing something or had plans. It was funny, I tried to tell her about Tianna's broken arm but for some reason it didn't registered to her that I needed help because Tianna had broke her arm. So, I sang Happy Birthday and about that time Kevin rang the door bell. So, now I'm trying to get off the phone while explaining to Kevin what I need. So, Kevin stayed with the kids and I took Tianna to the Hospital.

Tianna taking off first cast.

Ok, so how did she break her arm? Well, Tianna has always been my little monkey. She climbs everything. The rope swing at Tia Leni's.....she goes up and down it all the time. Well, she was climbing her door jam in her room. She got to the top and fell. She landed on all fours but slightly earlier on her right arm. She says she says its broken.

So, mom used a magazine and an ace bandage and made a splint and we waited at the emergency room. She was in pain so I had given her tyneol before we left the house. But they gave her more when we got the the emergency room. We waited about an hour before we were seen. It seemed like it wasn't that long accept Tianna was hurting, We tried to keep dad up to date as he was driving back to Gallup. We got right in and had x-rays and the doctor came in and decided not to reset the bone. He thought that the bones would straighted as they grew. So, we waited a little while longer and she put her cast on. Once she got her cast on it didn't hurt anymore. Yea!

Tianna pulled her own cast off.

Tianna thought it would hurt when they took her cast off. But she didn't have any idea about how they were going to do it and telling her they were going to cut it off, didn't help. She said it tickled a lot. She was the normal person with a broken arm, the itching drove her crazy. While in Ramah over the Christmas holiday it came time to get it off. Well, she started moving it around and discovered it might just come off without going to the doctor. She took it off herself.

November 18, 2010

I still can't believe that Barry had four brothers and not one of them has ever had a broken bone. Huh? How does that happen? I had a broken finger and a broken arm. I think Chalk broke his arm playing football and two weeks later I broke my arm falling off a pipe into an arryo walking back to school at lunch. I spent all afternoon at school. My mom thought I was joking when I told her I broke my arm. But when she looked at me she knew better. So, Chalk and I were a pair trying to help each other pour some koolaide with just our left arms. It seems like its a normal thing to have a broken bone. You just take care of it and a month or so you take the cast of and life is good. Kyson and Erin Peck, Cresha kids both had a broken arm before any of my kids did. I don't think my kids get out enough. ha ha, I better not say that. We have been blessed to not have more emergency room visits!!!!

Falling for You!!

2010-11-28T20:09:00.001-07:00

2010-11-20T16:44:00.000-07:00

Laugh or Cry?

2010-11-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

Aria likes playing with the toilet paper rolls. Hopefully, she doesn't ruin the toilet, she has been stuffing it with the toilet paper. She's not the first one that has done this and she won't be the last. Oh look, she still has hair. This must before December last year. I'm so far behind, I will never catch up.

Christmas Card Season

2010-11-06T14:18:00.004-06:00

Yes, I believe this is a genuine season. We've received them as early as September and as late as February.

This year, I have vowed to get into the season earlier than I usually do, and I am delighted to find Thanksgiving Cards and invitations offered by Seehere.

But, if I don't get to it quite that fast, then I still have plenty of time for fabulous Christmas Cards in all price ranges. I really like the modern look of the square cards, and there are designs that will hold up to six pictures - our kids are growing every day, after all!

The coolest new offering I've seen is Story Cards. This will save me tons of time in printing up a letter to fold and stuff into the envelope with the card! Woohoo! I prefer a card that says "Merry Christmas." I also love the red in that design - it is all the more Christmas-y to me. There are literally hundreds of options to choose from, and of course they have invitations and thank-you cards as well. Let the season begin!

If you're a blogger and want to get 50 free cards, seehere!

Tool Man

2010-11-05T13:26:00.000-06:00

My little tool man spotted a tractor by Dad's work one day. We had to stop and let Reid check it out and take a picture. We look for tractors, cranes, or buildings being built for Reid to check out when we travel around. It's a good day when we are stopped on the road for construction. He thinks that's great! Grandpa Burl gave him a hard hat and he wore that for weeks only taking it off at the table or to shower. Even when it was really hot outside he still wore it. Kids are fun! I find it amazing how different they are.

Fall

2010-10-30T23:01:00.004-06:00

“October is a fine and dangerous season in America. a wonderful time to begin anything at all. You go to college, and every course in the catalogue looks wonderful.” Thomas Merton

Indian Summer

2010-10-28T16:59:00.000-06:00

This was a beautiful day in late October. This is a picture laying in the hammock with my daughter and the other kids playing around me in the yard. This is a special moment of quiet and peace that encompassed my whole soul. I love these moments.

NMT

2010-10-10T21:36:00.000-06:00

Have a Horrible Halloween! Muah ha ha ha

2010-10-10T17:46:00.002-06:00

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Happy #2 Birthday!

2010-10-08T14:07:00.003-06:00

What You're 2? How did that happen?

All my cousins.......they are all boys. Ahhhhh

Pneumonia

2010-09-30T15:14:00.001-06:00

This is a hard one. When your baby is laboring to breathe. I was glad the albuterol treatment in the doctors office worked, if it hadn't they would have put her in the hospital. This was the first time is happen in September 2010. She got a runny nose on Saturday morning after being out in Ramah on Friday and by Tuesday morning she had pneumonia. The next time she didn't have pneumonia but was just as sick and laboring to breathe.

Geocaching

2010-09-10T13:53:00.001-06:00

Cool Find! Loved this cave and the sand in the bottom was soooo soft. Kids are glad to report there are not any large cave moles in this tunnel.