Our 10 seconds of fame

We were on the news last night here in Utah. Some of you heard that we were interviewed by Max Roth of Fox 13 about a month ago. It aired last night, in two parts.

You may not believe this, but they didn't choose me for my good looks, my fancy house, or because I'm a great interview. No, it just happened to be a matter of convenience on the part of the school. I was scheduled to go in and help Bella's class on a particular afternoon. I received a message from the principal about 45 minutes before I was supposed to leave. Reed wasn't feeling that great, so I was actually debating on going at all. The principal's message stated that the news was coming in to do a story and needed a parent to talk to. Because I was already coming in, would I be willing to talk to them. I called her back and told her that would be fine. At the end of our conversation she said "Oh, did I mention that they are coming to your house after school?" I replied by laughing "yeah, that's really funny". She said "No, really, personally I would need a cleaning crew to come in before they could come into my house." The reality began to sink in as I said "they're really coming to my house???!!!!" "Yes, they want to watch you do homework with Bella after school."

As I hung up the phone, I looked around. I wasn't dressed, or showered, and my hair really needed to be washed. The kids weren't dressed and they still needed to eat lunch. My house was a disaster with a sink full of dirty dishes. My son had diarrhea.
And I was supposed to walking out the door in 45 minutes???

Thanks to my great friend Chantelle for taking my little guy and exposing her children to yet one more childhood illness that no mother wants to deal with. I was able to tell the cameraman to only focus on a small area of the house that wasn't disgusting. The little girl you see with Bella at the house is Jessie. She is in Bella's class and we are great friends with their family. Her mom was working for a little bit, so Jessie would come over after school and we would keep her until her mom got off of work. It was great that she was able to do it with Bella, I think it helped Bella not be so camera shy.

To tell you the truth, I'm just glad I didn't sound like a dough head on TV, and my house didn't look like a total pig sty. I didn't say I didn't remember a lot of the spanish I learned on my mission, I said that I never felt completely comfortable speaking it.

In the video the reporter didn't get her name quite right. Bella thought it was funny at first, then it bothered her after a while. The first part is mainly us, the second part is another little boy in first grade (who's quite entertaining).

Click here for the video

Free photo book

Click here to get a free photo book from snapfish. Oprah featured it on her show yesterday. You just have to click on it by Friday night, and it will apply the credit to your account. You have until Sunday night to redeem the coupon.

Have fun!

SOFIA!!!!!!

I have a new theme song. It goes to the tune of a classic "Sound of Music" song about Julie Andrew's character "Maria".

How do you solve a problem like Sofia?

In the last week she has done the following:

Cut up a bunch of bananas into about 20 pieces
(she did this with a plastic knife, had bananas scattered all over the house. I have no idea how many Reed ate, but needless to say, he was in HEAVEN!)Opened a brand new box of cereal and dumped/scattered it all over the carpet in the basement where they play.
(from the great sale I went to last week. It was too late to put away the groceries when I got home the night before.

When a friend was over, she was the mastermind in taking 2 bottles of kids shampoo and pouring it all over the unfinished basement, and using the mop to spread it everywhere. Now my basement smells like cherry and coconut.
(same sale items that were promptly put away after this incident)

And that brings us to today. While I was on the phone with my parents, and trying to clean my room at the same time, she was watching a movie in the family room (or so I thought). I kept checking on her and she was just chill on the couch.
I went in the room about 5-10 minutes after checking on her and found this:
She got a hold of my kitchen shears (which are brand new, I can't believe she didn't cut herself), and cut up her cute new shirt, pants, and handmade beaded socks Stacia made. When that wasn't enough, she started on my couch cushions.
What was I doing you ask, while this mayhem was going on? Let's see, changing Reed's nasty diaper, taking a shower, and helping a friend upstairs.

I was able to get them patched, sewn and now they are turned backwards/upside down. Let's just hope something doesn't happen to the other side. She's wearing her lovely altered outfit all day today. If you'd like to come and see her new fashion design, come on by. You might even find her on the porch with a "FREE" sign around her neck.

For Sale

One sister for sale!

One sister for sale!

One crying and spying young sister for sale!

I’m really not kidding,

So who’ll start the bidding?

Do I hear the dollar?

A nickel?

A penny?

Oh, isn’t there, isn’t there, isn’t there any

One kid that will buy this old sister for sale,

This crying and spying young sister for sale?

-Shel Silverstein

Veteran's Day

My younger brother Daniel just recently left for a tour in Iraq. You can keep up on his travels through his blog, click here.

In honor of the many that selflessly serve our country, and those that are left behind in their service, please remember them in your prayers. I know there are many ways to help them this Christmas as well, please take the time and effort to show your support to our troops.

Sweet Spirit

Today we had our ward primary program. Because I'm in the presidency I had a big part of writing the program and organizing the teachers and children.

We had 120 children in our program today, out of 150+ that we have in the primary. As you can see, we had some not show up, which is typical.

The children did such a fabulous job. They sang beautifully, spoke their lines so well, and sat reverently. We not only have kids on the stand, but kids all along the front of the pulpit on the floor, and the first 4 rows of pews - full of kids.

The teachers were great in helping the reverence, and our choristers did the BEST job ever.

The spirit was so strong, and it made me so happy to be in primary, and part of the children's lives. They are such little sponges, just waiting to be led, and waiting to be taught. I am so grateful for the Savior, for his example, and for his teachings. I love that I get to be a small part of their lives, and their testimonies. They have strengthened my testimony more than I will ever influence them.

Bella did a great job saying her line, and I was happy to see her sing so well. Sometimes we have issues with her not wanting to sing so much while at church.

It was funny to think that next year both Bella AND Sofie will be up there together. Sofie was a little disappointed that she didn't get to say her line from her preschool program!

Freaking out

So yesterday I added the new "Twilight Countdown" to my blog. It wasn't until I was looking at it on the blog that it donned on me.

I'm attending the midnight showing with my sisters, sister-in-law, niece, and hopefully my mom (if she arrives in time) in Phoenix. Hmmmm . . . in Phoenix. (this is the part when I figure it out) The premiere is in 12 days (11 days now) and that 's all the time I have to get ready and get to Phoenix???!!!!!!

I'd better get moving. Whenever I have a trip, it takes me FOREVER to get everyone's clothes washed, ironed, and packed. Not to mention the million other items I have to go through to pack in the van and take to my sister Dayna (namely baby clothes Reed grew out of that I borrowed from her & baby girl clothes for her cute little one).

I feel the stress level heightening (even though it was high to begin with!)

Moolah!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - IT PAYS TO DO COUPONS!

I spent about 5 hours at the grocery store today (2 separate trips), and probably 2 hours last night getting ready for today.

I spent a total of $175.69

Saved $671.76!!!

Now I am exhausted, and must retire for the night. Tomorrow brings another busy day (someone has to find a place for all these groceries!).

Happy Election Day!

I'll be on pins and needles all night waiting for the results!

Make sure you get out and vote!

Welcome Baby Boy

We are blessed to have a new nephew.

Click here to check him out!

Fall Dress Party!

Jane & I are having another dress party on Wednesday! There are 1000 dresses to choose from, sizes 2T-14 and also infant dresses. They range from $20 to $37. This year she has a sale rack of $20 dresses from previous years. She also has separates on her sale rack (skirts, blouses, velvet jackets) for $10-12 each. Of course the photos that I have are all from SPRING dress parties. She only brings WINTER/Christmas dresses to this party. She will also have Baptism dresses available.

I have done these for years now, and always find great dresses for the girls. You can find matching dresses for all ages, and she can mail you any sizes she has out of stock. I always get many compliments on the girls unique dresses from the dress party.

Wednesday Nov. 5th

9-11 a.m.
We are doing it at JANE'S house this time

If you need directions to her house, please email or call me.Dress parties are going on all over the valley. From Spanish Fork to Sugarhouse. If you would like to attend one in your area, email me, and I'll find the party closest to you.

Of course there's a bonus to Jane and I if you can make it to ours.
We would love to see you there!

Sweet Sixteen

Yesterday Jeff & I put 13 plants & shrubs, and 3 trees in the ground. Needless to say, every part of my body is sore today.

And not a moment too soon, the wind is blowing, it's raining, and pretty nasty outside. Yesterday the weather was gorgeous. So sad to see our indian summer end, simply because I know what's headed my way.

We did all that with 3 little kids that had "Halloween Hangovers". So glad it's out of their systems now, and today will be back to normal.

Mmmmmm, good

Next Thursday there will be a new Chick-fil-a opening up at Jordan Landing (close to our home). Yeaaaaa! Thanks to Jane and Susan for the tip yesterday, we picked up 5 hot FREE chicken sandwiches, and 5 coupons for more FREE chicken sandwiches.

They are doing it again today, and guess what? We'll be in line again - can't get enough!