Wilson Family

15th Anniversary

2010-03-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Mike and I celebrated our 15th Anniversary this month. We took a quick weekend trip to San Diego. We enjoyed driving down by the Harbor, going to Point Loma, and visiting Sea World. It was a relaxing trip. Here's a few pictures:

Women of the Book of Mormon by Heather B. Moore

2010-03-21T10:47:00.001-07:00

I was priviledged to read "Women of the Book of Mormon" by Heather B. Moore. The thing that struck me as I read this non-fiction book was the overwhelming feeling of strength exuded by the women she speaks of. The first woman she talks about is our first mother, Eve.

Her story is so significant that Lehi refers to it a few times in the Book of Mormon. She was an example to the women of that time. Women, who didn’t have a very high standing in their society, could find strength in knowing that Eve made the most important decision this world has ever known.
Quoting from Heather’s Book:
One of the universal truths taught time and time again has been
that there must be “opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11), and
that the existence of the human family was dependent on choosing.
The prophet Lehi knew Eve’s choice was courageous and that it led
to freeing the powers of life (see 2 Nephi 2:11–13). To understand
Eve is to understand her decision. Of all the events in the history
of mankind, the Fall single-handedly “affected the entire earth and
everyone in the human family”29 in one of the most powerful ways. In
essence, we might think of Eve as a heroine, and that “Eve’s supreme
gift to mankind, the opportunity of life on this earth, resulted from
her choice to become mortal.”30
Eve understood the consequence of eating the fruit. She knew it
was correct and that it would lead to further knowledge (see Moses
4:13).31 In fact, “when [Eve] saw that the tree was good for food,”
the word saw was akin to God’s “acts of seeing,” meaning that in that
instant, Eve had godlike clarity (Moses 4:12).32
Eve knew a hard decision had to be made and she did it. We too have her strength to make the hard decisions. The world would have us think that we can make choices and they only affect us. But Eve has taught us, that though our choices probably won’t affect the world for the next thousands of years, our choices do have widespread effects. Not only that, but most of us have the same gift to "see" what needs to be done in our lives. I think most of us have had the experience of not knowing an answer, then after much prayer and thought we suddenly "know" what we have to do even when it's a difficult path we will be choosing to take. This is only a piece of the legacy of women that we can learn of as we read this book. It inspires you to read more of the book of mormon and more of what the prophets have said about these great women. It definately left me feeling empowered and strong.

This book comes out the beginning of April. It would make a great Mother's Day gift as it gives the gift of inspiration and the strength of women.

Top 10 Ways Moms are like Rockstars!!

2009-11-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

I felt silly and decided to write the top ten ways moms are like rockstars! So laugh along with me.

10. As soon as they are spotted, they get no peace.

9. They hear their name chanted incessantly on a daily basis.

8. They often deal with loss of voice due to overuse.

7. Often they have the same set of groupies following them around. (I can't get rid of mine, no matter what I do!)

6. Their most adoring fans usually want something from them. ("Mom, I love you so much...can I have the car keys?)

5. Hectic schedules interfere with regular eating habits. ( I am typing this between bites of a sandwich that is actually my breakfast that I am eating at 11am)

4. Some people mistakenly think they have unlimited supplies of money. ("But mom, it's only $20!")

3. They often have get encore requests. ("Mom, I forgot my lunch/homework/important project please bring it to the school.")

2. Their clothing choices are sometimes questioned. ("Are you really going to wear that in public?")

1. Their autographs are in great demand, especially at the most inopportune times. ("Mom, you have to sign my report card/daily behavior sheet/test grade/homework before school in 5 minutes!!")

That was fun! Do you have any you would like to add? Feel free to put them in the comments!

The Wilsons are Still Alive!!

2009-11-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

I bet you were wondering if we still lived or not! We are here! But while I was working for Uhaul I didn't really want to be around the computer when I was off, so I didn't blog. Sorry about that. But now that I quit my job, I should have more time for blogging...but don't quote me on that. Time for catching up.

The kids started a new school this year. They attend Oasis Elementary in the Peoria School District. It's nice having them all at one school. It's been working out really well since my Dad and Bonnie live really close to the school. Bonnie picked up the kids for me after school when I was working. She is a real life saver! (Thank you Grandma Bonnie!!) The kids loved going over there to swim after school. They love their new school. Sammi and Noah are both in band for the first time. They both play the trumpet, which makes for a loud house.

Sammi and Jessi both had birthdays in September. Sammi turned 13 and Jessi turned 10. We had big party at home with family and some of their friends.

Skipping to Halloween. The kids got to dress up as their favorite characters at school. Noah dressed like James Bond, Kassi dressed like the Little Mermaid in her wedding dress. Noah got real upset when he realized he looked like Kassi's groom!!

Sammi dressed up as 50's girl in a poodle skirt. Jessi was a vampiress with special vampire dentures. We had to make a special mold for her teeth so they would fit. They looked quite realistic.

These are pictures I took this morning to show their new haircuts that I did yesterday. Sammi and Jessi wanted more grown up hair styles

After I styled Jessi's hair this morning she thought she looked like Alice Cullen from "Twilight"

Kassi thought her bangs look alot like her favorite princess Sleeping Beauty. Whatever makes them happy right?

20-Yr old LDS woman answers questions at harvard

2009-07-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

Day of Faith: Personal Quests for a Purpose - 3. Rachel Esplin from Harvard Hillel on Vimeo.

I really enjoyed her answers! Hey Jason, I think she's single!! LOL!

Going Native

2009-07-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

Noah recieved his Arrow of Light for Cub Scouts last night. He really enjoyed the ceremony. They had someone dressed up like an Indian with the head dress and everything. They gave him the award and an arrow that had been painted with markings that represent all the awards and badges that he earned in cub scouts. I was really proud of him.

Then today, I took the kids to the Heard Museum West in Surprise. It's a smaller version then the regular Heard Museum, but once we got a tour guide it was really cool. It's a museum dedicated to Native American artifacts and art. We learned lots of cool things about their basket and rug patterns. One thing I learned today was that Navajo women weave the rugs and always make sure to purposely make one mistake in each rug. This is because they believe only a god can make a perfect rug and they don't want people to think they are a god. So I decided from this point on, I'm not going to be perfect anymore. I don't want anyone thinking I'm a god or anything. So any mistakes I make from now on are on purpose!! (Think that will fly? Well a girl can try!)

Wilson Family Reunion

2009-07-05T16:00:00.000-07:00

We had such a great time last weekend at the Wilson Family Reunion. This year is was in Flagstaff, AZ. The kids got to play with their cousins and some woodland creatures like these catapillars. The woods were their playground for the weekend and they never stopped finding new experiences. The kids built forts and had pinecone fights, and played soccer, baseball, and they even walked a tight rope and repelled up and down a tree (thanks to uncle Mike).

Lorie had asked me to take pictures of the twins so we decided what better backdrop then the woods. This was just one of my favorites.

The reunion consisted of Mike's Grandma Wilson and her children and their children and grandchildren. About 50+ people showed up and Mike really enjoyed seeing his cousins, some he hadn't seen in many years.

Kassi enjoyed the woods, we did have to tell her she couldnt' wash her hands everytime they had a little dirt on them!

Mike convinced a big group of us to go explore the lava caves in Flagstaff. I thought it was a really easy little hike so I invited alot of the kids to go. We had about 10 children with two as young as three years old.

Below is the entrance to the cave, it was about 60 degrees in there.

The first part of the cave was the most grueling, it went almast straight down, I did alot of scooting from one rock to another on my bum!

The kids didn't have as much problems with it as I did, it wasn't long before there was just a few of us at the back of the pack and most of them were adults!

Scott and Jared had a great idea with the headlamps. It was the only time I ever wished for one of those!

Here's a picture of us inside the cave we had a pretty good sized group and really enjoyed ourselves.

I Get Paid to Write!...Sort of...

2009-07-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

I get paid to write! Well technically I get paid to answer phone calls from my home computer for Uhaul. But in between calls I can write...therefore I get paid to do it. So that counts, right? No? Fine then. I also get paid to read books, edit my friend's manuscripts, edit photos on photoshop, check my emails, update my blog, and answer the handwritten notes waved frantically in front of me through the window. It did take me a while to get out my laptop and realize that I get online with it while I work, so that's why the long gap in blog posts. By the time I finish an 8-10 hour shift of the computer I didn't want to get back on.

So since I last wrote, Jessi's tonsil surgery went well. She is doing better at night, no more gasping for air, at least as long as we keep the cat away. Kassi and Noah had a great trip to CA to visit Grammy and Grandpa Costello. They got to go to the beach a couple of times and even went to the Santa Monica Pier. Grandpa Costello's niece, Isabella got to come and play with Kassi for a couple of days. They are the same age and loved getting together.

Sammi went to Girl's Camp for the first time this summer. She had a great time and really enjoyed herself. Just be sure to ask her about the snake that "almost" bit her. I have a feeling it was a lot further away then she thought!! LOL! Now Sammi and Jessi are in Colorado with thier Grandma and Grandpa Wilson and they won't be back until the beginning of August.

We went to the Wilson Family Reunion this past weekend in Flagstaff, AZ. Mike got to see some of his cousin and aunts and uncles. We had a really great time. I will be posting pictures of it soon, but the pictures are on the other computer and I have to wait until after work to access the internet on it. So be sure to yell at me if I don't post them soon!! LOL!

Sammi Updates

2009-05-25T13:27:00.000-07:00

Sammi is growing up so fast. She loves attending youth activities at the church. She was just called as the Beehive class president. That means she helps plan the activities for the 12 and 13 yr. old girls. One of her favorite things to do is babysit for her twin cousins, Ali and Spencer. She likes school and continues to try really hard at everything she does. A drawing of hers was recently in a contest at school. It didn't win, but her and I agree it's one of the best she's ever done. To see it, click here. She is looking forward to going to girl's camp this summer and going to Colorado with Grandma and Grandpa Wilson and her sister Jessi. She is growing up so fast. I know I already said that, but I still can't believe that she's twelve. She is very helpful at home and can always make me laugh! Plus she's my favorite babysitter!!

Noah Updates

2009-05-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

Noah turned 11 years old this March. He is definately my favorite son! Isn't he so cute? I can't believe how much he is growing up. Recently his school had a poetry reading night and Noah wrote his own poem:

The Life of a Plant

Once there was a plant,
He really liked to chant.
There was too much pollution,
It was after the constitution.

He really wanted to speak,
But all there was was a squeak.
It really was so rude,
It was like they were pulling some attitude.

All he was was a plant,
And they really wouldn't hear his chant.

His school has a link where you can view your child's artwork. To see some of his favorite artworks click here.
He has been working hard in the scouting program too. He earned his Weblos badge and Scouting badge. He also earned the Arrow of Light. He continues to work on badges and hopes to earn 56 in the next 3 or 4 years.

Jessi Updates

2009-05-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

Jessi has been loving school this year. She even wrote the most creative story for school. Here's the summary she wrote for her back cover:

Lilly was a girl looking for excitement but some doors are locked for a reason. Lilly was wondering the house and found a door that was locked. What was it? Will she find the key? Will she end up with the same fate as the others? What will she do? Will an old journal help her? Will she ever know what is in that mystic door?

Doesn't it sound awesome? I think I'll have her write all the summaries for my books from now on!

Starting the first week of April, Jessi began waking up at night gasping for air. The first time it happened I didn't know whether or not to take her to the hospital, but after we got her standing up she was fine. It was really strange. The dr. thought that it could have been asthma attack brought on by a sinus infection so we tried an inhaler and antibotics, a week later when that still wasn't working, we tried a nebulizer, she's on two different allergy medications, we tried upping the dose of one of them. Point and case, nothing worked. She went to see an ear, nose, and throat dr last week. I told him all that has been going on and after looking in her nose and throat he said her problems were caused by swollen adnoids, tonsils, and some ridges in her nose. So she will be having surgery in about two weeks to have her tonsils and adnoids removed, he will also be carterizing the ridges in her nose as well. We are hoping this works because for the past 6 weeks I haven't slept through the night and I pray everyday that she will wake up in the morning. It's been really scary and it has given me a chance to realize how much she means to me. She holds a very special place in my heart and in our family. She is so creative and imaginative. Her thinking is so outside of the box that she never ceases to amaze me. I don't ever want to do without her!

Kassi Updates

2009-05-19T11:58:00.000-07:00

Kassi turned 6 years old in April! I can't believe my baby is 6! She is getting so big! She will be in first grade next year. This year in kindergarten she is learning so much. She likes her class and loves it when I come to any of the family BBQ's her school has during lunch time. She had a program at school recently where she sang lots of songs including one called "Three Little Muffins" ask her to sing it for you, it's way cute.

She still loves dressing up and was my most willing model for my photography class. She loves playing with friends and watching movies. She is learning to read and loving it. I love watching her grow up!

Family Craziness

2009-05-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

Wow! It's definately time for me to play catch up! Life has been really crazy! I'm going to catch you up on what Mike and I have been up to lately then add posts about each kid later this week. The good news is that I have lots of pictures for my posts (just for you Keyth. I know how annoyed you get when there are only words and no pictures! LOL!)

Mike has been working on trying to find work for his guys in the cabling department. He actually had to let two guys go recently and that was really hard for him to do. In this economy nobody wants to make someone jobless. He's also been working with his young men from church. He works with the boys that are 16-18 yrs old. They also work on scouting too. They keep him fairly busy. He has also been helping an older member in our ward with a remodeling project while trying to finish our remodeling project at home. Back in December we closed in our back patio to make another room. He basically just put up a wall at that point, but now it's time to finish up with more drywall, electrical, texturizing, and painting. Oh, and he has one week to finish this. It will be my computer room and I will be needing it really soon.

I have been pretty busy with school lately as most of you have surmised. I have also been in charge of a few activities at church including a kind of spa day that we put on for the women. We learned exercise tips, healthy cooking recipes, makeup and skin care, stress relieving techniques, homemade beauty product recipes, and how to cut and style our own hair. I actually taught the last class. I think it went ok. It was alot of fun and I was really glad to be involved. My writing has been on the back burner lately. I think it has been nice to take a break from it and give me time before I go back to the story. I did write a short story for a contest that I entered recently but I won't know anything until like Oct. or Nov.

This past Friday night, I graduated from Glendale Community College with a two year Associates in Arts degree. I started this path 16 years ago in 1993. I stopped in 1995 as children began to bless my life. I started again in 2008 and finished the 17 credits I needed to graduate. It was nice to accomplish this goal. Now that I have it though, I'm not sure what to do with it. I will not be continuing on to a university at this point in my life, but it's nice to know that the option is there for me if I want it. I will be starting training for a new job tomorrow, though. I will be taking sales and reservation calls for Uhaul. The best part about this job is that after the week of training I will be working from my computer at home. (Thus the reason Mike only has one week to finish my computer room.) The only bad thing is that I can't take any vacation or time off for the first three months. That means no summer trips. Though the kids won't be neglected they have grandparents willing to make sure their summers are fun!

Speaking of family...I would like to thank all of my family that got to come to my graduation. It meant alot to me to see (and hear!!!) you all there. Thanks to all the family that sent cards and called me even thought they couldn't come. I love my supportive family! You are all so great!

My sister Tiffany is in AZ indefinately at the moment. She is staying in Gilbert (about 45mins away) helping Keyth's Grandma through her health problems. She has been able to come out and visit us on the weekends and it's been nice to see her and Annabella. A special thanks to my in-laws who let her borrow their extra vehicle so she can travel to our side of town to visit. (BTW they are selling that vehicle, it's a GMC Jimmy and really nice. They are selling it for a very good price. Let me know if any of you are interested!!)

Thanks to everyone for waiting so patiently for my next blog posts!! I know they have been few and far between!

Photography Class Final Project

2009-05-02T08:46:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've been swamped with school this semester. Photography and English Lit are not easy classes. My photography class was especially intense! We had two or three assignments going at the same time with thirty to fifty pictures due for each assignment. For our final assignment we had to pick a theme and make a cd with fifty pictures and print up at least 5 8X10's and mat them. My topic was "Many Different Personalities Make up a Family". My goal was to show each child's personality and illustrate the relationship of Mike and I. Then to show what our family was like as a whole. Some of the ones I printed are not my favorites, but since art is completely subjective I printed my teacher's favorites. To see my 50+ other pictures CLICK HERE. Check them out soon. Once I graduate I will no longer have the webspace. The ones I printed are below:

Kassi
plus Jessi

plus Noah

plus Sammi

plus Mike and I

equals One Crazy Family!!

Be sure to look at the others and tell me what numbers are your favorites!! I will be printing some up for family and friends soon.

Contests!!

2009-05-02T08:08:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm not clever enough to do my own freebies but my friend Jenni is! She has two contests going on right now. She lives in England and finds some really cool antiques. She is giving away an antique book here and a pair of antique gloves that were hand tatted in the 1930's here. Be sure to check them both out and leave a comment for your chance to win. Mention my name in the comment and I get an extra entry!! WAHOO! So be sure to help a girl out!

Save the Paper

2009-04-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

We had a birthday party for Kassi and Noah this weekend. I was folding up the gift bags and tissue paper, when I fondly heard my grandma's voice in my head saying, "Be sure to save the paper." I smiled as I folded each piece of tissue paper into nice neat squares and placed them into my gift wrapping box that I keep under my bed. In the slow economic times we are experiencing, I anticipate that I will be using more and more of my grandparents' tips for cutting corners. Those margarine containers are looking like the thrifty way to replace my dwindling rubbermaid containers. I recently tried my hand at canning jam and found myself telling the kids to save the jars and rings (man, those things are expensive.) because I can reuse them. These are all things I've seen my grandmother do to save money. Now it's time to use those tips and pass them on to my own children. I saw an Oprah about 10 yrs ago where someone said that whatever financial obligations you have, you will pass on to your children. For instance, if you pay for cable your children will feel it's a necessity. Ok, so I do have satelite. This is a case of do as I say, not as I do!! LOL! But it is giving me a moment to reflect on what we spend money on that I don't think my kids need. Another thing I have learned in all my years of wisdom ;) is that you can save time or money, but very seldom both at the same time. It's very much a juggling act to see what is more important, and every case is different. For instance, when I tell people I use coupons to save money, they say they don't have time for it. But my problem is that I don't have the money to save the time. On the other hand, I do pay for a website that tells me what coupons to use, where, and when to use them. This costs me a little bit of money to save time that is worth it to me. So as threats of the flu in Mexico get closer to restricting our trade and making our recession even worse than it already is, it's time for all of us to reevaluate our spending and where we can cut corners and be more thrifty like our grandparents. If anyone has any tried and true tips from generations past, please share them!! Thanks!

Temple photo gallery

2009-04-16T08:37:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I've been soo busy lately. Especially with my photography class. I have an assignment this week to make panaramic pictures. I made a gallery out of the ones I did of the Mesa temple. Please check this out. Tell me which one you like the best: night time, day time, day and night merged, day and night pasted together. I can only pick one to print up. Which one do you think it should be?? Thanks! I promise to post more of my photos later.

Renaissance Festival

2009-04-11T10:05:00.000-07:00

Hi all, it's been awhile since I updated. For our anniversary, Mike and I went to the Renaissance Festival. Most of you know that my book starts with a girl who attends the festival, so I really needed to go for research. It was very beneficial and is helping me A TON on my latest rewrite. I took pictures of everything, so that I won't forget what they looked like. I especially took pictures of the costumes people were wearing. Enjoy some of my pics.

I had to take pictures of the bleachers and jousting area too. I loved going to the dress shops. I was so ecstatic when I found the very dress that I described in my book. It was red velvet that parted at the skirt revealing a shimmering gold triangle of material. So of course I had to try it on. It didn't fit me, but it was fun to wear either way.

Noah's Poem

2009-03-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

Noah wrote a poem about the creations of God for a religious emblem he's earning for cub scouts. He showed me the poem then said..."You're not going to put this on the blog are you?" At first I said no, but then I noticed the giddy smile on his face. "Wait? Do you want me to put it on the blog?" "Nooooo" Then he stopped for minute..."Ok I do." LOLOL! So here it is, I think he's excited to see what everyone thinks!

Jesus' Creations
Tom and Bonny the cow
Heard some type of meow
They thought it was a cat
So they looked under the mat
And what do you know, it was a cat
The cat was teaching
The cat was preaching
The cow thought it was swell
He was teaching about Jesus' creations the lesson went well
Jesus made the earth he made us too
He probably said, "That will do"
Then here came us
Because he had trust in us.

Happy Anniversary to My Wonderful Hubby!

2009-03-11T10:44:00.000-07:00

You know you've been married 14 years when the alarm goes off at 5am, and your husband, not awake at all, mumbles "Happy Anniversary". I also have him trained to say "I love you" in his sleep as well. See he usually gets to snoring and instead of kicking him like I used to do...I just say "I love you honey" he stops snoring, says "I love you" and rolls over on his side (a survival technique to ensure that I don't try to continue talking to him!)

Anyways, we began talking this morning about how long we've been married. Please take the following conversation in the loving, playful manner it was meant (because that's the theme of our marriage!)

Me: Wow, I can't believe it's been 14 years.

Mike: I know especially after our first fight when I found out you don't do housework.

Me: Hey! (punch to the arm) Is that the only thing you can think about on our 14th anniversary...that I don't do housework?

Mike: No, I'm just saying it was our first fight and we survived it.

Me: Is that what we're doing, just surviving through the fights?

Mike: No...I'm just...I mean (finally exasperated he pulls me into a hug) I'm just saying, don't start doing housework now, it might throw off our groove!

LOLOL! How can I not love that man?!! I love you honey! Thanks for finally getting up the courage to ask me to marry you!

Science Project Time Again!

2009-03-06T07:21:00.001-08:00

It's that time of the year again when our house becomes over run by homework...SCIENCE PROJECTS! Though Jessi doesn't do science projects in 3rd grade, she had a detailed report due on Cheetahs complete with pictures.

Sammi is a girl, and I know they say that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I will have to disagree for Sammi's sake. PHONES are what she cares about. So her project was on how a phone works. Good thing for her that telephones run in the family! Her grandpa Wilson provided her with some antique phones that she could open up and learn the parts and how they worked. She really enjoyed looking at the guts of a telepone. I even got to test my photoshop knowledge and doctored a picture for her to make it easier to label the parts.

Now on to Noah's project...he is such a boy! And so is his dad! I mentioned last year about my friend Jenni James' son doing a trebuchet for his science project. (That's where I went wrong!) From that point on it was all the boy could think about. I mean, what boy can resist the idea of a giant sling catapulting objects into the air by means of a counter weight. So I did the motherly thing and told him to look it up on the internet. I was quite happy when I saw a table top version, and I thought, hey this could be good. I of course forgot the husband factor. His thoughts were "table top, schmable top! We can make one ten feet tall!" They did!! It was too big to take to school for the faire so they made a table top one too. But not before they saw how many things they could launch from the big one. (That's a can of coke at the top of the sling's arch right before it begins it's zenith into our cul-de-sac making it's demise as it explodes with a bang to Noah's satisfaction.) It was a father-son project that only those of their sex could truly appreciate. Don't worry guys, I'm sure they will find some way to work the trebuchet into their next paintballing trip! I will be no where near that one!

Now, it's time for me to get back to my mountain of homework that has been at a complete standstill for the last two weeks!!

"Abinidi"

2009-02-20T06:37:00.001-08:00

I have gotten to know some writers via the internet. It's been a really fun experience. One day I was at my Mother-in-Law's house when I saw this book, "Abinidi" by H.B. Moore. I was real excited to say that I had been to that author's blog and had really wanted to read that book. My MIL had read it and really enjoyed it, so she let me borrow it. I loved the book, so of course I had to tell the author!! She is so nice and even agreed to let me interview her for the Mormon mommy writer blog I belong to. So be sure to go to www.mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com to see the interview. Here's a summary of the book.

Raquel has a secret. As the daughter of one of King Noah’s priests, she enjoys a luxurious life and the admiration of powerful men. But her heart belongs to a commoner, a man with no earthly wealth but rich heavenly gifts. When King Noah demands that Raquel join his harem, she flees the only life she has known and marries her secret love. His name is Abinadi.
The couple finds abundant joy in their community of believers and in their firstborn son. But when the Lord calls Abinadi as His prophet, their faith is tested to the outermost limits. Abinadi’s commitment to the Lord requires them both to give their all—even unto death. Yet if Alma, the newest priest in King Noah’s court, chooses to overcome his troubled past and cleave unto the truth, their sacrifice may yield rich fruit.
With vivid detail and poignant emotion, this historical novel pulls readers into a fiery tale of love, courage, and faith that is difficult to put down and impossible to forget.

So go right on out and get this book! You won't regret it!

Silly Names & My Photo Web Gallery

2009-02-17T14:48:00.000-08:00

1.YOUR REAL NAME:
Nikki Rae Wilson
2.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(mother and fathers middle names)
Elizabeth Wayne
3.NASCAR NAME:(first name of your mother's dad, father's dad)
Wayne Phillip
4.STAR WARS NAME:(the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Wilne (is it just me or does that sound bad?)
5.DETECTIVE NAME:(favorite color, favorite animal)
Blue Unicorn
6.SOAP OPERA NAME:(middle name, town where you were born)
Rae Goleta
7.SUPERHERO NAME:(2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning)
The Red Apple juice (LOL)
8.FLY NAME:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Niwi (huh???)
9.STREET NAME:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie)
Cookie Dough Chocolate Chip
10.SKANK NAME:(1st pet's name, street you grew up on)
Brandy Calle Hohokam, Callas, Cheryl, 69th Dr. (seriously, pick a street, cuz I've lived on alot of them growing up)
11.GANGSTA NAME:(first 3 letters of first name plus 'izzle')
Nikizzle
12.YOUR GOTH NAME:(black, and the name of one of your pets)
Black Spike (lol)
13. STRIPPER NAME:(name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Lucky You Snickers

So do any of these sound like my pen name yet??? LOL! Maybe Black Spike?!

Ok, well this semester at school I'm taking a photography class. Here is a link to my photo web gallery. It was for a color assignment, analogous means colors close together on the the color wheel, complimentary means colors on the oppisite side from each other on the color wheel, and muted just means soft non descript colors.
http:/web.gccaz.edu/~nrwilson
Check it out and tell me what you think! Thanks!

Payback for Tiffany

2009-02-16T08:16:00.001-08:00

This is the picture that Tiffany would have you see, the one of a happy family with very happy child!

These are the pictures that came BEFORE the forced happy picture above!

See the plastered smiles on the parent's faces?

This one you must blow up! Click on it twice...look at Bella's face, then look at Tiff's face! Like mother like daughter. Can you just picture the fights those two have???

Yes, Annabella is spitting in this picture! Nice picture Tiff!!! Click on this one too, you will see Tiff sticking out her tongue!!

That's right Tiff! When all else fails, stick your chest out and show off the boobies!!

I'd Like to Thank the Academy...

2009-02-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog award! WAHOO!! Thanks, Jenn! So here's the rules:

Premio-Dardas: "This award 'acknowledges the values that every Blogger displays in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values with each message they write. Awards like this have been created with the intention of promoting community among Bloggers. It's a way to show appreciation and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web."
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who granted it to you, along with his/her blog link.
2. Pass the award to (5) other blogs that you feel are worthy of this recognition. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen as recipients.

1. Tiffany - for giving us a photo journal of her adventures as a mommy of a stubborn (sorry she doesn't use that word anymore, it's zealous!) child.
2. Nancy - For that wonderful recipe of Spring Rolls, I've been hungry for a week now!! (hey it's cultural!)
3. Sheena - For being so consistent in her postings and being so talented in all that she does.
4. Kim D. - Because I love her "Thankful Thursdays"!
5. Tara - For all her beautiful photographs, and very cute kids! I still love Jillian's video christmas list!!

Mormon Mommy Writers

2009-02-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited about the blog that me and some friends put together. It's www.mormonmommywriters.blogspot.com Check us out! It's not just for mormons, or mommies, you don't even have to be a writer to read our blog. It's kind of an interactive blog where we expect lots of comments. We have writing exercises, round robin stories, interviews with authors, and any other zany things we think up. So check us out, pass the link around, and be sure to leave plenty of comments! Thanks!!!

Long Time, No Blog

2009-01-29T17:37:00.000-08:00

Have you been waiting on pins and needles for me to finally post? Have you been refreshing your page every five minutes hoping something would change? Has the tension been driving you crazy? If you can answer yes to any of these questions then you know how I've been feeling for the past 6 weeks waiting for the agent to get back to me. And after 6 whole weeks of being completely stressed I can finally say..........I still know NOTHING!! I've been putting off posting because I really wanted to be able to tell you something about it, but I can't put off posting anymore! So here is our past month and a half in cliff notes version:

I finished the fall semester of school getting A's in both of my classes. Sammi and Noah got on the honor roll at their school. The week before Christmas, Mike's grandpa Swain passed away. So throwing everything to the wind, we took an extremely quick trip to Colorado so he could be buried next to Grandma Swain.

The kids had a good time playing in the snow.

It was really great to see Mike's Uncle Spike and his cousin, Kyle.

Meanwhile, my mom and Glen, Sean, and Ryan, Wyatt, and Jason, Tiffany, Keyth and Annabella were all at my house partying without us! What compassion! LOL! We got back on Christmas Eve and were still able to visit with everyone. It was really great having everyone together. We got a Wii and Rock Band for Christmas. The whole family got their groove on!!

My sister Stephanie came for Christmas too with her two boys. My dad had all his children together so we took a huge family picture complete with Grandpa in it too!

Dad had all his grandchildren all together for the first time....EVER! So we took lots of pictures, Grandma would be so proud.

Look how many kids my dad has!! This isn't all my bros though, on my mom's side I have 4 more half brothers! So after the excitement of the holidays, things are finally getting back to normal...kind of!! School started again for the kids and I. We built a new room onto the back of our house. A friend of mine, Jennie Mercer, moved in with us for awhile. Sammi got a homework award at school. Mike has lost about 10 pounds since Christmas. After sinus infections, upper respiratory infections, and pink eye (that was just Mike and I!) we are all finally healthy and feeling good. I'll try to be better about updating now! (I say that everytime, don't I?) Thanks for bearing with me!

Another Agent Requested my Manuscript

2008-12-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

My manuscript is now at the hands of another agent that wants it exclusively for four weeks. This agent also happens to be the agent of my friend Jenni James. Having friends in the business definately helps! Hopefully her agent will either be interested or be able to refer me to someone that might be.

It's crossed my mind that some of you might not know the process for becoming a published writer. It's something I've had to research extensively so now it doesn't seem so daunting to me. I will try to give a quick overview of the process. First you have to write a book. That is easier said than done! For the past five years, being a published writer has been my goal but I haven't quite been able to get past the first step until recently. I knew I wanted to write and had begun several books, but the "magic" never seemed to happen. If you've ever tried to take pen to paper then you know what I was looking for. I expected to suddenly be inspired to write and not be able to stop. Well it wasn't until I read a book entitled "Becoming a Writer" by Dorothea Brande, that I was able to find that magic. It is there, ready for the taking, you just have to be willing to do the work to find it. Her book helped me to harness my own magic. Another thing that helped me was online writing groups. They are full of advice and inspirational posts.

Second, you have to rewrite, edit, reread, edit, have friends read, edit, etc. Once your story is something you are proud of (not perfect mind you, because I could sit on my book forever with the excuse that it's not perfect if I let myself.) then you write a query letter. This is the point where you decide if you want to find an agent or send to publishers without an agent. I personally would love to have an agent. For one, some of your bigger publishers only accept agented works. For another, the book business is about connections, when you get an agent you are getting connections. This can only help. Plus the agent only works on commission so you know they will do all they can to sell your book and get you the best possible deal. Once you have decided which way you are going to go check out "Writer's Market" from your local library. It is full of advice on how to write a query letter and how to approach agents or publishers. It also has a full reprotoire of agents and publishers. It gives you detailed information on what each agent/publisher is looking for, who to contact, how to contact them, and what to submit.

So now that I am submitting query letters to agents, I hope for them to request the manuscript (which is what happened today) and review it. Now I wait. This is the hard part. Now let's say she likes my manuscript the next step is a contract, then she will give me some edits for my story to make it more marketable. Then I have to have a synopsis, and any other things the publishers may require, that I can give to my agent so she can get a novel proposal together. She would then approach a few publishers at a time using her connections. Once I land I publisher I am told the real work begins, but I'm not quite sure what that is yet. As I move through this process I will keep you all informed.

If you have any questions I will try to answer them. Also check out my friend Jenni Jame's website. www.authorjennijames.com There is a link to her blog on there as well. Pretty soon she will posting an interview from her agent about how the publishing world works. It should be pretty informative.

I feel so rejected!! LOL!!

2008-12-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

So the agent that asked for my full manuscript said that it was a very strong concept and the writing was good, but it wasn't right for him. I'm up to 11 rejections right now and 15 agents haven't responded. My favorite rejection was today when I got a personal email, (not a form letter) but she put a different title down instead of Dream Swords. I couldn't help but laugh. She wrote back immediately and apologized for mixing it up with another story, but it was still a rejection. I wrote her back and told her that I've been dreaming about all the rejections I've been getting but I never dreamt I would get rejected for something I didn't write!! I thanked her for the laugh and the personal email. She wrote back and laughed with me. It was a good moment. If there are any good moments when your are being rejected anyways!!

Thanks for all your encouraging thoughts and words!!

Another Update

2008-12-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

Life is crazy here! Let me give you just a quick update on my agent searching endeavors then I have to get back to studying for finals next week. I have queried 20 agents in the past week. I have a total of 7 rejections so far, and one agent requested my full manuscript!!! I sent it to him today. I should hear back from him by Dec. 23rd. So keep your fingers crossed for me!! I can use all the help I can get!!

Writing update

2008-12-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

Well I have finished editing my book for the third time. I sent out query letters to seven agents on Fri. So far I have recieved my first rejection and that's it. So now I just get to sit back and wait. Oh, and get another list of agents together for my next round of letters I will be sending next week. Thanks for all your help and support!! I will continue to keep you informed, but I won't bore you with every rejection letter that I get.

Summary of my story

2008-11-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

Once again I need everyone's help. I am writing a query letter to send to agents and the summary of my book needs to make them want to read it. So I am pasting my summary below and if it made you want to read my book go to comments and say "It worked". If not, please, please tell me why so I can fix it!! This is VERY IMPORTANT. I will be sending query letters next week!! Please help me!!!
Thanks!!

Mikayla is a normal twelve year old girl with an average, boring family; at least that’s what she thinks until her grandmother dies. Trying to make up for the loss, her father takes her to the annual Renaissance Festival she normally attends with her grandmother. The festival takes a different turn this year when she is given an extraordinary sword with mystical powers that allows her to enter the dream realm. Before she knows what’s happening, Mikayla is escaping from kidnappers, fighting duels, training for battle and balancing the good from the evil that controls the dreams of the waking world. And as if that isn’t enough, Mikayla’s dad has his own sword and could save her—the problem is, his sword fights for the wrong side.

Wow! Here's a nice article Thanking the Mormons for help in fighting Prop. 8

2008-11-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

Evangelicals Thank LDS for Proposition 8 Work, Call for Christians to Stand Against Attacks

John Shroeder, Article VI11/12/2008 01:59 PM MST

Though Proposition 8 has caused divisiveness in California and within the Church, one incredible by-product of this campaign has been increased brotherhood and unity among Christian churches. While the LDS Church has been under attack, prominent priests, ministers, and writers—as well as common members—have come out against such attacks and shown their support of the Church.
The following blog entry, communicating such support, was recently posted by John Schroeder, a well-known Presbyterian and an Evangelical writer, on his Article VI blog. It is reprinted with permission:
Proposition 8 is now a part of the California constitution!
That is probably the best news from an otherwise difficult election for conservatives and Republicans. In very large part, we Evangelicals must thank our Mormon cousins for that fact. They, along with our Catholic brethren, were better organized than us and that provided a base from which we could ALL work together to get this job done What more, as we have chronicled here, Mormons took the brunt of the abuse, derision, and even threats of physical harm that came with this effort.
And like us, they have given thanks to the Almighty that is ultimately in control, even if their understanding of that Almighty is a bit different than ours.
I cannot help but wonder how much more thankful we ALL might be today if we had been more willing to embrace these religious cousins a few months ago - but alas, politics is always about governing today and looking forward to the next election.
Said John Mark Reynolds:
“In the battle for the family, however, traditional Christians have no better friends than the Mormon faithful. It would be wrong if that support were taken for granted. We are intolerant of the false attacks on Mormon faith and family. We stand with our Mormon friends in their right to express their views on the public square. We celebrate the areas, such as family values, where we agree.
“A heart felt thank you may not win points from other friends who demand one hundred percent agreement from their allies, but it is the decent and proper thing to do.
“Thank you to our Mormon friends and allies!”
Hard to do better than that. The “Ruth Youth” ministry proclaimed yesterday “International Mormon Appreciation Day.” Very appropriate, yet still inadequate.
In addition to our thanks, Mormons deserve our protection. They have been oppressed in ways during the Prop 8 campaign that this nation has not seen since the 1960’s and the civil rights movement. The rhetoric has been deplorable, but moreover. we have seen instances of vandalism, property destruction, and some leaders in the fight currently find themselves with armed protection because of the threats made against them and their families.
Our nation will not and cannot tolerate this sort of behavior - it is incumbent on all of us to stand against it, and the best way to do that is to stand between the Mormons and the forces that would perpetrate such evil.
Now I am sure the Mormons can, and probably want, to take care of themselves, but as a Christian, it is my duty to protect the innocent and free the oppressed. To turn a blind eye in this circumstance is not only ungracious, it is simply un-Christian.
Make all the theological distinctions you want, but in the political arena we are yoked with the Mormons (he said borrowing some religious imagery) and it is darn well time we started acting like it.
Absolutely, positively thank the Mormons - but don’t stop there. Stand up and be counted against the evil that has been perpetrated towards them in this campaign.
As Christians we can do no less.
*To read what has happened since this entry was created, click here.

Nikki here - Whatever your view may be on this topic I think we can all agree that violence is not the answer. Let's continue to love the people even if we don't agree with their actions.

Cool Website

2008-11-14T18:32:00.000-08:00

Noah came home from school today with a cool website. http://www.freerice.com/ You answer academic questions and for each one you get right 20 grains of rice is donated to the UN World Food Program. It's great for kids...ok adults too. I'll admit it, I got sucked in. I loved the art questions, it's good to know that somebody is finally going to benefit from all the art classes I took in high school!! Have fun!! And let's donate some rice people!!! Noah's at 11,500 grains of rice, who can beat that??

I DID IT!!

2008-11-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

I FINALLY finished the rewrite of my middle grade fantasy novel, "Dream Swords". I'm so excited that it's done. Now I can work on book 2 of the series and I can perfect a query letter to send to agents. And of course I will be rereading what I wrote and perfecting it so that agents fall in love with it!! LOL! So, you have all been devoted fans for so long without any pay off. Here it is, a sneek peek at Chapter one of Dream Swords!

Sorry all, I took off my sneak peek. If you didn't get a chance to read it and still want to, let me know. But you have to promise to give me feedback!! Thanks for all your help!

Pictures: Birthdays, Chicken, and Halloween

2008-11-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

I'm a little behind on my pictures again. Sammi and Jessi had birthdays in September. Sammi turned 12 and Jessi turned 9. We had big family get together for both of them. It was great, thanks to everyone who came, the girls loved every one of their gifts!!

Here's a picture and Sammi and girls in Uncle Jason's car. They think they are so big.

Then we have our chick, Bob. We tried to hatch a chicken out of an egg again and this time it worked. Noah was still upset about last time when Kentucky had died trying to get out of his egg. But Bobby Q was a fighter and Noah felt good that it worked this time. But we couldn't keep Bobby, so we sent him home with Jason since his dad is the one with all the chickens.

For Halloween Jessi was a bride, Kassi was sleeping beauty, Sammi dressed up 80's style (yes I still own my very first crimper that I got in 1987) Noah was a paintballer and I was a hula Dancer.

Noah told me I should tie my skirt tighter cuz it made me look fat. I told him I didn't mind but he looked like he did!! LOL!

NaNoWriMo

2008-10-31T21:56:00.000-07:00

You are probably wondering what that is. It is short for National Novel Writing Month. Once a year people sign up to take on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word book in thirty days. This is a great feat but it is achievable. Not that I've done it yet, cuz I haven't, but I'm going to give it a shot. On the side of my blog is a little icon that should show you my progress on this challenge. It starts tomorrow Nov. 1st. I'm not quite ready for it because I'm going to do book 2 of my YA fanatasy book for Nano, but I haven't finished the second draft of book one yet!! I may be trying to do both at the same time!! How crazy is that?

Anyways for more info about Nano, check out www.nanowrimo.org It's a really cool challenge and a fun thing to be involved in. Be sure to cheer me on, I'll need all the help I can get!

Thanks!!

Warning to Parents Please Heed!

2008-10-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

To all you parents out there who participate in the yearly LDS ritual of the Primary Presentation, please heed my warning. When your children beg you not to take them to the practice the day before and assure you that they know their parts, "besides," they say to you. "I can just read my part up there." Don't listen to them. Don't do it I tell you!! THEY NEED TO PRACTICE!

To make a short story long, let me start by telling you about our day yesterday. We had no less than 4 things scheduled at about the same time. I told my family weeks ago I would help with the yard sale at my grandmother's house yesterday. Which is a major undertaking for any average home, but for my grandmother's house it's a feat of astronomical proportions. My aunts and Grandfather had been working really hard in the house to prepare for it. The least I could do is help at the yard sale. First let me tell you what our schedule was supposed to be for the day.

6am - Yard Sale
8am - Mike and Sammi clean the church building with the youth
10am - Primary practice
10am - Humanitarian Project (I am one of the people in charge)
11am - Baby shower for an old friend.

So to say that my head was spinning was an understatement. I woke up my kids at 5 am to go to my grandpa's house. Sammi came with me instead of going to clean up the church building. Mike stayed home to attend the service project. It took us until noon before everything was out for the sale. People started shopping around 8am but Bonnie continued to work hard at bringing more items out for the sale. It went really well I think. My kids were having such a good time that they didn't want to leave which is when they began begging to skip the practice. I had a conversation with Jessi where I asked her if she knew her part for the program. She said, "I just need to tell my favorite Book of Mormon story which is easy. My favorite one is where Nephi gathers his sons and asks which of them want to be king. They all say none of them because they want to go on a mission." She says confidently. I then correct her and say, "That wasn't Nephi who did that." She says, "Oh yeah, it was Alma." Again I say, "NO, it was King Mosiah and one of his sons was named Ammon. Is that who you are doing the story on?" She smiles and says, "Yeah, that's what I meant." I then told her we would talk about it later as the hot AZ sun didn't seem to own a calendar to remember that October shouldn't have weather near the hundreds. The sun was frying my brain, and I was too tired to deal with it all at that moment. So I blew everything else off, primary practice, humanitarian project, baby shower. Everything except the yard sale. There we stayed helping as long as we could. Going home I was too tired to deal with anything. Did I even remember my conversation with Jessi earlier? No of course not! When did I remember that conversation? Oh, how about when we are sitting in the pew at church, the program had already started and a little boy got up to talk about his favorite bible story. His story was written out and beautifully rehearsed. I could tell his mother had spent plenty of time preparing such a great little talk. I was feeling quite relieved that I hadn't had to do that with any of my children when the conversation with Jessi from the day before popped into my head. NO!!! I must have looked like a deer in the headlights as the children began to sing "Book of Mormon" stories. I turned to Mike and told him in my most terrified voice what was about to happen. Because we both know Jessi well enough to know that she wouldn't be daunted by the fact that she hadn't practiced what she was going to say. What was his loving, supportive response? He laughed. Before she even said a word his face was beet red from laughing. The singing stopped and I look up to see my Jessi at the microphone glorying in the moment. I put on my best I'm the mom and I know exactly what my child is going to say face. Then she began to "wing" it. "My favorite Book of Mormon story is when King Mosiah's sons went on missions to the Nephites. Then when they came home their dad asked them who wanted to be King." So far so good, she even got King Mosiah's name right. I'm starting to breath easier and even gave her a thumbs up. "They told him that they didn't want to be king because they wanted to preach to the Nephites." At which point I mouthed the word Lamanites. "Oh, I mean Lamanites. So Ammon went to the king of the Lamanites and asked if he could be his servant. He said yes and Ammon watched the sheep. So he was watching the sheep and everything and these people came and ran at the sheep and made them go here and there." She was using hand gestures at this point to show the sheep being scattered. "So Ammon told his companions to gather the sheep, but then the guys came again, so Ammon got out his sling" She starts swinging her arm around in circles to show how he would have used the sling. "And he threw rocks and stuff at them" please don't talk about the cut off arms, please not the cut off arms... was going through my head. "Then the brother of the leader of the other guys got killed cuz, well Ammon killed him." well at least she didn't mention the cut off arms. "So what happened was a while later the king was sleeping for like two days" I really have to apologize to those people reading who have never heard this book of mormon story before, because this is no way an accurate telling. "Everyone thought he was dead, they were saying 'he's dead' and all that stuff" I no longer am looking at my daughter at this point, my head is bent down with my hands over my face laughter shaking my body like an earthquake. "then the other people fall down on the ground like thier dead too. And the the leader of the sheep guys wants to kill Ammon because he's on the ground but he couldn't." The whole congregation is laughing, no one can help it, politeness can only go so far. She looks out at the laughter and starts laughing herself. "Well, I guess that's all." She says then she walked off. The whole bishopric was red with laughter and everyone of them was looking right at me! Of course they were, I'm the mom after all, I should have known what was coming. I know they probably thought it was just cute and endearing, and if it was someone else's kid I would have thought the same thing. Mike pointed out to me that she was just repeating the video version of the story that we haven't watching in eons because we have it on VHS and no longer have a VCR, which I then realized was true.

So the moral of the story is when your children comes home with their parts for the primary program, read them (I know I'm a slacker.) Don't assume that they can just read their perfectly scripted part off the paper on the podium (I bet you she gets a scripted part next year.) And DON'T, I repeat, DO NOT believe your kids when they say "My part's so easy mom I don't need to go to the practice."

Opposition

2008-10-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that when you are confronted with opposition in your life it only makes you stronger? Of course you have. So why do people that oppose you or your views insist on making your views stronger by confrontation? It's always interesting to see the different opinions and views that come out especially around a presidential election. I inevitably come across someone who thinks the opposite of me. It is always stimulating to hear their views and I enjoy seeing both sides of the arguments. I like to read both sides to verify my views. And I usually come back feeling stronger for it. I don't like to argue my side I just state my opinion and encourage the other person to state theirs. It's wonderful to have the freedom to say what we think and feel. So I am grateful for the opposition in my life and for the soldiers and founders of our country that have made this freedom possible. Please remember to vote no matter what your opinion is. Many people died for our ability to voice our opinions through the polls. Did you know that our country has some of the lowest voting rates. Less than half the citizens in our country vote in most elections. That is a sad fact. Let's change that this year! VOTE!

An FHE idea

2008-10-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to a blog that offers a new FHE lesson each week. The link I'm posting is to a lesson about marriage and family. I think it is a great way to teach our children about temple marriage and forever families.

http://nataliesfhespot.blogspot.com/2008/10/marriage-and-eternal-families.html

Standing up for what's right

2008-10-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

This November, the State of AZ will be voting on Proposition 102. This is an important proposition that will decide if the government is allowed to teach my children about what marriage and family is. Please watch the following videos and be sure to register and vote at the upcoming election!

3 short videos that show what has happened and what can happen if marriage isn't protected.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1784521903
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1784553601
http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1352578267/bctid1749436976

The Perfect Day

2008-09-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that perfect days are filled with many imperfections? I'm so grateful for the many perfect days I've had lately and I just want to share one such day with you. Yesterday was one of those perfect days where I can't help but see what I have and be extremely thankful. In the morning I tried to get everyone ready for church. I sat Jessi down to do her hair amongst her several protests that she didn't want this or that. To which I responded, "I'm the mom, I'll do whatever I want!" --imperfect moment in my perfect day.

After church, if Mike doesn't have a meeting afterwards we always race him home (He goes to church 2 hrs early for meetings so we have two vehicles there.) As we all walked out of the church doors I counted quietly to the kids, "1, 2, 3 GO!!" We ran across the parking lot, (in my heels no less) in a hurry to pile in the car. Driving like I mad woman, I still didn't get out of the parking lot faster than Mike. But after a few lucky lane changes (responsibly done of course), we were finally in the lead. We pulled into the drive way seconds before Mike did and the kids ran to the front door, (because the race is to see who can get there faster). I look over at Mike who bailed out of his truck as fast as he could, only to see his truck slowly rolling backwards out of the driveway. The look on his face when he realized what happened was soooo funny. He ran back to the truck and jumped in and stopped it. We were both laughing so hard! The laughter on his face at that moment is something I don't think I will ever forget and it made my heart swell. --imperfect moment in my perfect day.

Later that evening we went to my sister in law's house to celebrate my father in law's birthday. Most all the family the was there crowding the house to near maximum capicity. When it came time to sing happy birthday my husband tried his darndest to sing out of key, he succeeded. His brother, Matt, then began howling along with him. My mother in law (who is still fighting off cancer) was laughing as only a mother of 4 boys and 2 girls can do. The joy on her face the faces of all there made my heart grow even more. --imperfect moment in my perfect day.

I just want to say thank you to all the people in my life that make my perfect days possible!!

My letter to Stephenie Meyer

2008-09-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

Do you ever dream about what you would say to someone famous if you could talk to them? No? Ok, forget I said anything! Just kidding. I think about it all the time. Then I found Stephenie Meyer's (The author of the Twilight Saga) myspace account. There is a place where you can send her a message. I'm pretty sure she doesn't check it so I had myself some fun. Here's the email I sent her:

Subject: You're not going to read this anyway...so I can write whatever I want!

Ha!! It worked you're reading it aren't you, couldn't stop yourself from seeing what demented person is writing you this time! You're kind of morbid that way aren't you? Well I am a writer. And I need GUIDANCE!! I'm also a stay at home mother of 4 children. For some insane reason, I thought that since all my kids are now in school all day that I would add going back to college on my things to do this semester. Along with writing my second draft to the first book I wrote. Why would I possibly think I have the time for all this stuff?? So here's the thing, I'm taking a writing class and we need to do a profile on an author, I'm choosing to do my report on you. I'm fascinated with how you became a writer. There are a few questions I can't find the answers too for my report:

1) What are some of your writing habits? For example, do you revise in the morning and write new drafts in the afternoon? Etc.
2)Who, besides other writers, influence your writing? (husband, teacher, parent, etc.)
3) Is there anything about your background that has significantly impacted your writing?

You know that if you don't write back I'm going to have to make something up like...She writes while standing on her head and flossing her teeth. Or maybe...Her background as a vampire helped to contribute to her vivid details. Ok, so I wouldn't do that. But it is tempting.
While I'm venting let's talk about what other authors never tell you. How come the writer is so much more in the dark about the end of a story than the reader is? I am in constant suspense of what is going to happen next in my story...and it's the SECOND DRAFT!! You would think after writing the whole thing the first time I would know the outcome. NNNOOOOO!! The whole story is changing on me and I just want to scream!! Now don't get me wrong, I love the process of writing and all the twists and turns, it's like the ultimate choose your own adventure book!

My book is going to be the next big thing you know? At least that's what everyone whose read it tells me. Talk about PRESSURE!! My husband is looking at what you have made on some of your book deals and he's already started drawing up the plans for the house he wants to build!! How can I write with those kinds of expectations?? My kids have already taken orders at school for kids and teachers that want to buy my book!! How crazy is that?!! How do you write knowing there is so many expectations?? (Sorry phone just rang, why is it that when a conversation starts with the person on the other line saying, "Don't hang up" That's the first thing we do?")

Well as long as I'm dreaming...my teacher said we could bring an author to our class for our report instead. Since I go to Glendale Community College, I could just take you with me. We'll disguise you, you could be Gertrude a swedish foriegn exchange student. Talk about a good grade!!
If you actually read this I'm not sure if I will be mortified or ecstatic, but it would be fun to find out!!
Thanks a bunch!!
Nikki Wilson

New Kittens!!

2008-09-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

I can't remember how many times I have heard Mike say that we would NEVER have a cat. Yet somehow, our daughters have him wrapped around their little fingers, and now we not only have one, but two kittens. The white one is Jessi's cat and she named him Tiger. The grey one is Sammi's and she named him Smokey. Those kittens are already so spoiled, the girls are so happy with their new pets! I must have about 40 pictures of these kittens, so here are just a few.

Magic Mountain

2008-09-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

The first weekend in August, we went to CA to visit Grammy and Grandpa Stello. While we were there we took the kids to Magic Mountain for the first time. They had a blast. Some of the rides were a little too much for them, but we had fun in the kiddy land too. We rode alot of the water rides, since they were more kid friendly. We took all the kids except Kassi, on Colossus. Jessi was scared to death of any ride after that. The only thing I could get her to ride was Gold Rusher. Kassi was too small for alot of the rides which made it hard, but we still managed to have a good time. Grandpa Stello came with us too and rode the rides too. My brothers Sean, and Ryan came with some friends, but we didn't see them much! We had such fun as a family!

Family Trip to the Lake

2008-09-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

In July we took the family to Lake Pleasant for a Sat. Mike's parents and his brother, Scott and his wife Tausha came with their kids too. We took the canoe out and everyone had such a great time. Especially Spike, our dog, who loved the water. Course he swam behind the canoe wherever it would go. Until Mike finally had pity on him and let him in!!

We BBQ'd some hot dogs, drank lots of gatorade and water, and we even took a turn or two on the tube behind the motor boat. It was a great way to celebrate summer!!

Time to Catch Up

2008-09-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

I'm using my morning writing time to catch you all up on what's been going on in our family the past month. I haven't posted sooner because I always feel guilty when I post without pictures. Especially when I know I have a lot of pictures I want to put on here. So the kids started school in Aug, and so did I. So it's been a rather busy month. Kassi started a week sooner than the other kids because I have her going to the school closest to us. The other kids started Aug. 11th. They go to the same Charter school they've been going to for the past few years. I just didn't Kassi to have to deal with the long bus ride her first year in school. I started school the end of the month. It's been an eye opener to me. I didn't realize how much guilt I could feel just being away from the house and mostly unreachable, during classes. My first day of school, I'm in my first class for fifteen minutes when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I look at it and realized it was Kassi's school, but I couldn't answer it. So I try my best not to picture her bleeding to death in the nurses office and continue to listen to my new teacher. She let class out an hour later (way early, since that is my two and half hour class). I immediately checked my messages and my blood ran cold as I heard the message from the school. "Your child has been marked absent please call us back to verify." I took her to school of course and logically I knew it was probably just an error, but I couldn't stop my mind from going "there". What if she's really missing? What if I answered my phone an hour earlier? All these questions were going through my mind as I called the school and waited while they talked to the teacher and verified that Kassi was indeed in class. It just figures that something like this would happen on my first day of school. Aside from that incident though, school has been great. I'm taking Anthropology and a Writing class. They are both fun and really interesting classes. I'm enjoying myself immensely.

Mike's mother, Marilyn, had surgery Aug. 29th on her colon cancer. When they went in they found that the Chemo and Radiation and reduced the mass to almost nothing. There wasn't much left for the doctor to remove. She will still have to endure more Chemo and Radiation soon, but so far she appears to be successfully treated. I talked to her after she got home from the hospital after about four or five days there; she tried to apologize for not asking me how school was going sooner!! The lady has got to be a saint!! It's a good thing we're not going to lose her anytime soon!

Sammi turned twelve Sept. 3rd. I can't believe how big she is getting. Jessi turns 9 next week. My babies keep growing up without my permission!

Well that's all the morning writing time I have for today, so I will try to update sooner next time.

Check this out...Too Funny!

2008-08-20T07:26:00.000-07:00

This You tube video is hilarious! I'm not sure why but it just is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fVDGu82FeQ

Things that go BUMP in the night!

2008-08-08T22:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, note to self... don't write a scary, suspenseful story late at night when my husband is away camping with the scouts!! Here's how my night went. I started out really tired since I did all kinds of running around, (in 110 degree weather) so Mike would be ready to go camping with the scouts at the lake tonight. I almost fell asleep at 7 tonight, but the kids were still awake so I forced myself to stay up. I watched part of the opening ceremonies of the olympics then sent the kids to bed. Then I sat in my bed with the lap top deciding to write a little while I wait for the kids to sleep. So what do I write? I'm working on my first book again, the YA fantasy novel, and I must tell you it is much better this time around. Which is probably my problem!! The story has a dark presence that is after the main character. So here I am trying to get into the story and figure out what happens next when I hear noises. Actually I distinctly heard dishes being moved. So I check Noah's room to see where the dog is. Well the dog is sound asleep on Noah's bed. I stand in the hallway for a bit and finally go back to my room when I don't hear anything else. Then sitting in my room, I hear noises in the back yard!! I'm really freaked now! So I go back to the hallway and inch my way towards the living room but I'm too much of a chicken to go any further!! I'm standing in front of Sammi's closed bedroom, which is empty tonight since she is spending the night at a friend's house. When suddenly I hear a thump from her room. Jumping as much as I can I run to my room and grab my cell phone to call my husband, but guess what? There's no cell service at the lake. So here I am, holed up in my room with nothing but my laptop to keep me company!! No one to call this late at night, and very much wishing I had bought a security system from my brother!! It's going to be a LONG night!!
P.S. I'm sure it's just my demented imagination and nothing's really out to get me, so don't worry... too much!

Memories

2008-07-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.
It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

What The....???

2008-07-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

As a parent, I am almost 12 years old. Which means my oldest child Samantha is almost 12. I consider myself well versed in the way of immunizations. They start when they are so young getting those all important shots, that rip your heart out as you stand by helplessly and watch your precious child become a pin cushion. Today I took Sammi for her 6th grade shots and Kassi for her next Hep A. I felt relatively comfortable as I stood in line at the free clinic (I've gotten smarter over the years, and realized that free is the way to go. After all they're the same shot no matter where you get it.) I didn't even flinch as my children were given their dreaded innoculations. I was strong as a rock, after all, there wasn't anything new they could throw at me right? WRONG!!! So as lady at the counter starts highlighting all the shots that Sammi needs, she hands me a flyer about an optional shot. "Would you like your daughter Samantha to have the HPV vaccine today, it is a shot for recommended for girls ages 11-12 before they become sexually active."
I stood there flabbergasted for a moment and tried to pretend that my brain didn't shut down at the fact that she just said my daughter's name and the words "sexually active" in the same sentence!!! All reason left my mind as I politely rejected the shot, when all I wanted to do was scream at her and say, "ARE YOU CRAZY??!! SHE'S 11 I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT STUFF ALREADY!!" Sammi of course wanted to know what that shot was for? And why she wasn't getting it (not that she wanted anymore, mind you.) Remember that I told you my brain left my body, right? So I wasn't thinking correctly when I answered her. "That shot is given to girls before they become sexually active so they don't get viruses when they have sex. But your not going to be having sex, so you don't need it, right?" She just agreed with me, embarrassed I'm sure that her mother just said sex three times in public. Now my poor daughter probably thinks that people get a virus when they have sex unless they have this shot first!! And a big part of me is ok with that!!! How messed up is that??
I know that I need to approach this more reasonably, but I'm going to need someone with a clearer head to explain the benefits of this shot before I can get over the initial shock. Thanks for listening to my rant. And to all my friends that only have boys and always longed for that one daughter...BE THANKFUL!!! LOL!!

Books

2008-07-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

I stole this from someone else's blog. I love to read so I couldn't wait to find out how many of the great books I've read.

The Big Read, an initiative by the National Endowment for the Arts, has estimated that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they’ve printed. I have read 36 out of the 100 listed. Now I can't wait to read more!! I couldn't figure out how to underline the books I love. But I loved most of the ones I read.

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 De BerThe Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis nieres

39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Woo Hoo!! I Did It Again!!

2008-07-17T01:03:00.000-07:00

I wrote another novel!! This one is an adult romance novel. It has more drama than some romances I've read before, but it was really fun to write. I really got into the characters and was able to broaden my skills. I feel like I can go back to the first book I wrote, and revise it with a little more confidence. I do need a couple people to read my latest book and tell me what they think. So if you're interested, please leave a comment below make sure to give me your e-mail address if I don't have it already. But only volunteer if you promise to write me back to give me your detailed opinion! I'll take the first 2 people who volunteer, just because if I end up changing it, I will need some more fresh readers to give me their opinion!! Thanks so much for everyone's support and encouragement!! It really helps!

Preschool Graduation

2008-07-11T11:41:00.001-07:00

Kassi graduated from preschool this May. They put on a cute little show.

Kassi was Little Miss Muffet.

Then she got her diploma

Then ate cake, as you can tell by her dirty face. Grandma Bonnie came to watch and brought Carrie and Jordan with her. Kassi was sooo happy they came.

Professional Artist

2008-07-11T11:25:00.001-07:00

Every year, the principal and owners of the school pick some student art that they purchase from the student. Then they have it framed and hang it around campus. Noah was sooo excited to have his artwork chosen this year. They presented Noah with his check of $25 and let him show his framed art to the school. He is now a Professional Artist since he has been paid for his work!! His artwork is a water color with salt added for texture. He used tape to keep the trunks of the trees white. Then took the tape off revealing the white paper and decorated it like trees.

He was quite proud of his work!!

Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the ones that chose his art work. There were about 20 pieces of art work chosen out of the whole school!!

Honor Roll!!

2008-07-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

In May Sammi and Noah both made Honor Roll for the last Trimester of the year. Honor Roll is 3.0 and up. My nephew, Jake Denny, was up to the front 3 times. Once for student of the month, once for Principal's Honor Roll (4.0) and again for Presidential Honor Roll (4.0 all year long!) Great Job, Jake!! Keep up the good work!!

5 Everything

2008-07-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

I've been tagged by Lindsay!!

10 years ago: I was living in an apartment, Sammi was 20 months old and Noah was 4 mo. old. They were so cute and little, did I mention cute? What happened? LOL!
5 years ago: Kassi was just born, my brother, Jason was living with us and getting ready to go on a mission.
5 things on my to do list: 1. Send a thank you note to the scholarship committee. 2. Send my sister Tiffany the Family history pictures I promised. 3. Write, write, write (I'm 10,000 words from finishing a new book!!) 4. Revise my YA novel. 5. Write MORE agents about a children's book I wrote.
5 billionaire things: 1. Travel 2. Buy a ski boat 3. Buy a cabin up north where it's cooler. 4. build a house. 5. BUY A NEW OR VINTAGE MUSTANG!
5 places I have lived: 1. Shreveport, LA 2. Tucson, AZ 3. Glendale, AZ 4. Oxnard, CA 5. Carpenteria, CA
5 things you might not know: 1. From the time I was 10 yrs old til I was 17 my biggest dream was to become a lawyer. 2. Now my biggest dream is to become a published writer. 3. I once cried when my cracker broke. 4. I have turned in a 1 and 1/2 page book report with the first page missing. 5. I have given my husband a black eye before. But to hear him tell it, it's like 3 black eyes (me rolling my eyes! MEN!)
Tag 5: Tiffany, Ruth, Kristen, Crystal, Nancy

Air Museum

2008-07-08T23:18:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day weekend we had planned to camping in Flagstaff for the weekend. But since there was SIX INCHES OF SNOW!! We had to improvise. Instead we took the kids to an air museum in Mesa.

Here's a picture of one of the old planes.

Mike's parents were able to go with us and so were his aunt and uncle and their children.

This is picture of me in my "big butt jeans" by the way. Some of you know what I'm talking about if you've been reading my blog!! LOL!!

Sammi's Field Trip to Benihana's

2008-07-08T23:03:00.000-07:00

Before school was out I got to go on a field trip with Sammi to a teppinyaki restaurant called Benihana's. They cook the food right in front of you, and do tricks with their knives.

I wasn't really sure how educational it was supposed to be, but it sure filled my tummy and it tasted sooo good. So here are some pictures, Sammi took some pictures of EVERY thing. And then had me take some of her and her friends. I never knew how many pictures you could take at one restaurant!! Don't worry I will spare you from looking at all of them!!

Stephenie Meyer Book Signing

2008-07-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

Ok, so those of you that know me might not find this too strange, but for those of you that don't know me well yet, this might seem wierd. In May I went to a book signing to see an author whose books I hadn't read!! My sister had been going on and on about this author and her Twilight series of books. I was very curious about her, but her Twilight books are YA novels and I was writing a YA novel at the time. With all the rave reviews, I didn't want to read her books before I finished writing the first draft of my own. I was afraid I would feel like my writing was so terrible compared to hers.

So instead of reading her books, I read about her. Stephenie Meyers is an LDS stay at home mom that lives in Glendale, AZ. She had a dream one night and the next morning she suddenly started writing it down because she wanted to know what happened. After reading all this about her, how could I not feel a connection with her story? It was like I just had to meet her. So I found some willing friends to go with me to her book signing for "The Host". "The Host" is an adult science fiction novel, which is right up my alley. So after promising to get my sister, Tiffany a signed copy, off I went to Tempe. My friends, Stormy and Lindsay came with me. They had both read her other books and had a great time talking about them and listening to Stephenie speak to us. I enjoyed it as well. She even talked about how she became a writer and gave tips to those would be authors in the audience.

Now after reading all her books, I can safely say that my favorite is "The Host". But the other ones were good too. I definately recommend her books.

Scholarship!!

2008-07-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

Here I go slacking off again!! I promise I'll get back to adding more pictures, but first I must tell you my latest news. I got a $300 scholarship to use for my fall semester at GCC. It's not the scholarship that I wrote the essay about my grandma for, but I am quite happy about it!! It's from a women's group of some kind and I get to attend one of their meetings as well. I feel quite blessed to have been chosen for it and am very grateful to the people that chose me!!

Kassi's B-Day Party

2008-06-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

Kassi turned 5 years old this April. We had a party for her and she was all about the princess stuff!! She got more dress up clothes than I have real clothes I think. Here she is bestowing a royal kiss on Grandpa Jeanie!

She was even in her princess clothes to hit the pinata.

Tiff, here's the picture of Bella hitting the pinata. She is so cute!!

This is my husband's impersonation of Madonna. He thinks he's soooo funny!!

Here's my brother Jordi (Get it, Jordi? I guess you have to be a Star Trek fan!)

Here's Tiffany sporting her princess rings that came off the cupcakes. Gee Tiff, is that how many cupcakes you ate??!!

Noah's Paintballing B-day Party

2008-06-24T18:36:00.001-07:00

Noah really just wanted to take his friends and cousins, (uncles too) paintballing for his birthday. So we had the boys spend the night the night before so they could leave early to go paintballing. We made sure they all had matching bandanas. They had fun. The paintballing part got old fast so they played capture the flag and just ran around. They loved it!

Family Pictures

2008-06-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

These are some more pictures taken after my grandma's funeral. It was the first time in about 5 years that my dad had all his kids together. We were only missing my step brother Paul and his family and Tiffany's husband, Keyth.

Grandpa with most of his grandchildren. I think Bethie had left before we took pictures.

Daddy's Girls!! Me and all my sisters!! Tiffany, Stephanie, Me, and little Carrie.

Family Support System

2008-06-23T11:05:00.000-07:00

At the time of my grandmother's death, we recieved alot of family support and grandma would be so upset at me if I hadn't used it as a Photo Op. So here are some pictures of our family who supported us through the rough times.

My sister Tiffany, with our cousin Monique.
My Mom and Glen with all their grandchildren.

Mom and Glen with Me, Tiffany and Jeremy.

Uncle Jeremy with all his nieces.

Here are some pictures from the hospital waiting room while we waited for news about grandma. These are just some of the people that came to lend their support.

Mike and Mary Godbehere.

Aunt Marion and a relative of hers.

Josh Hogg (my cousin) and his wife Kathrine.

Brenda and Sonja Hogg (Grandpa's nieces) and my Uncle Danny.

Aunt Dori and my mom.

Grandpa and my cousin Kim (Hey Kim, I didn't realize how well you and grandpa matched shirts!!)

Kassi

2008-06-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Here's some random pictures of Kassi that I have taken in the past 6 months or so.

Kassi with her hair straightened. It didn't last too long, but she loved it!!

Here's some pics of Mike doing Kassi's hair with the leaf blower!

I realized that I haven't posted any pictures of Kassi since she's been in preschool. So here's a picture of her on her first day of preschool with her giraffe backpack. There's also some pictures from a few of her field trips. They went to the stuffington bear factory and to the county fair. Just to name a few.

Above is a picture of Kassi and her two preschool friends, Violet and Arlynn at the Stuffington Bear Factory. Below is her on a ride at the county fair with Arlyn.

Ruth's Visit

2008-06-23T10:29:00.001-07:00

My friend, Ruth, visited us from El Paso, back in March. Her 4 kids and mine have always been the best of friends. We had a picnic at the park and invited all our friends to come and see Ruth and the kids. We had a blast. We spent alot of time at our house so the kids could play together. The girls had a blast playing dress up. So I took pictures of Lainey and Kassi and Jessi and Ryleigh. The girls loved playing together.

I think Jessi and Ryleigh looked like a couple of garden nymphs!!

Ruth and I spent some time stamping some cards and just having fun. I was so glad they were able to come and visit!!

Read My Lips by Teri Brown

2008-05-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

I belong to an online momwriter's group and I won a book today. It's a YA book by Teri Brown (One of the writers on the group) called Read My Lips. Here is a trailer about her book, check it out!!

Look out Rocky, Here comes a REAL Fighter!!

2008-05-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hi all, this past month, my mother in law, Marilyn, was diagnosed with a medical condition that requires an oncologist. The doctors are very hopeful that she can be treated, but it's going to require alot on her part. She has an online journal to record her progress and really enjoys seeing how many people check it. So please check out her journal for more info and be sure to send her your love and support on the guestbook of her site. www.caringbridge.org/visit/marilynwilson. Thanks!

The long awaited excerpt!!

2008-05-28T15:43:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who read my prologue and commented either on here or via e-mail. Your suggestions really helped!! I wrote the prologue after the book was finished so it was hard for me to read the prologue with out connecting it to the rest of the story already. It was great to hear what it sounded like to you as a fresh opinion. Thanks again, and I may have more for you later!! P.S. If you read it but didn't post a comment, please continue to do so, or e-mail me with your impressions. Thanks!!

Tag

2008-05-20T10:20:00.001-07:00

I decided to do one of these blog tag thingies. This one is about my husband and I so here it goes.

1. What is his name? Mike
2. Who eats more? He does
3. Who said I love you first? He did
4. Who is taller? He is
5. Who is smarter? He is
6. Who is more sensitive? both
7. Who does the laundry? Now it's mostly me (which is why we hardly ever have clean clothes) But for the first 7 years of marriage, he did all the laundry cuz I was always pregnant and he didn't want me carrying the big baskets to the laundry mats in the apt. complexes.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I think he does, but it depends on which right you're talking about. (I'm over thinking again.)
9. Who pays the bills? He does
10. Who cooks more? Me
11. What meals do you cook together? Sometimes breakfast
12. Who is more stubborn? I think he is, but I'm sure he would say something else
13. Who is first to admit they are wrong? He is.
14. Who is more clean? we are about the same.
15. Who has more siblings? I do I have 1 brother, 1 sister, 7 half brothers and 2 half sisters and a step brother. Mike has 3 brothers and 2 sisters
16. Who wears the pants in the relationship? He would say that I do, which means I'm not doing my job right, he's supposed to think it's him
17. What do you like to do together? Play games, go outdoors, read, watch movies
18. Who eats more sweets? He does
19. Guilty pleasures? soda, ice cream and chocolate (Cold Stone ice cream)
20. How did you meet? church I moved into his ward while he was on his mission.
21. Who kissed who first? Mike, course I did my best to encourage it!!
22. Who proposed? He will always say that I proposed 1st, I disagree, but whatever got the job done, right?
23. His best feature? His gorgeous blue eyes!! (That he didn't deem fit to pass down to ANY of our four children! URG!)
24. What is his greatest quality? Wow, I only get to pick one? I would say he makes me laugh, he is very compassionate, he is very loving and can be quite romantic when he wants to be.

I'm supposed to tag someone here and they are supposed to put it on their blog so I'm tagging: Tiffany, Ruth, Beth, and Kristen (you new bloggers need more on your blog!) And anyone else who wants to!

Watch out JK Rowling... Here Comes Nikki Wilson!

2008-05-15T20:22:00.000-07:00

Ok, so in reality, JK Rowling has nothing to worry about, but I just finished writing a book! WOO HOO! It's a young adult fantasy novel about a 14 yr. old girl who buys a sword at a festival and finds out that it can transport her to the world of dreams where good and evil battle. It's still really rough and is in major need of a rewrite, but I'm setting it aside for a bit so I can get caught up with life again. I have pictures to post, blogs to write, laundry to wash, books to read, tv shows to watch, bedrooms to clean, a computer class to finish, etc. But I just wanted you all to be the first to know that I finished a book. Someday, when it's published, you'll say, hey I knew her when she was dorky. (Ok, so I'll always be dorky, but the public will hopefully never know that.) By the way, you are all the people I'll be hiring to go to my book signings to pretend that my book is the best one EVER!! LOL! I'm really not as confident in myself as I sound right now, which is why I'm not putting an excerpt on here yet. I have to wait until the rewrite, then maybe it will be good enough to show off.

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-12T12:57:00.000-07:00

I know it's a day late, but I just want to say Happy Mother's Day to all you wonderful mother's out there who still find time to read my blog. My mother's day was good, the kids got up early and made me breakfast in bed. Then they gave me all the cards and stuff that they had made for me at school. I'm going to share some of the things they wrote.

Sammi wrote me a name poem:
Nice
Intelligent
Kind of likes Mickey
Kind and gentle
I love her

Kassi made a book about me at preschool where she filled in the blanks of certain questions:
My mom is...50 yrs. old. she weighs... 100lbs she is...38inches tall. She likes to eat...alot of food. She doesn't like to... see people eat on her couch!
If I had a million dollars I would buy her...maybe like a heart! Or like a present like a ring, a necklace. And I might get her a pretty doll. If my mom don't like it, I will take it to my friend.
I love my mommy because..."I love her because her be nice to me. Her give me kisses and give me hugs. I give her kisses and I hug her. That's all."

Jessi was upset that she couldn't find her card from school so she drew me a picture and gave me some little things she had like stamps and a necklace.

Noah decided to write me a mother's day poem:
There once was a girl named Nikki,
She wasn't very picky.
She was always so cute,
But she didn't play the flute,
And her favorite character is Mickey.

Mike took the kids shopping Sat. and they bought me a teddy bear and some chocolate, and Mike got me the movie "PS I love you"

So all in all I had a great Mother's Day and I hope you all did too!!

American Idol

2008-05-07T18:53:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help but think of my grandma as I was watching American Idol this week. Grandma usually watched it and always had a favorite. The year Carrie Underwood was on, grandma voted for her and was so tickled when she won. Last year, towards the end of the season, grandma called each week to remind me to vote for Jordan Sparks. Since she was our home town girl, grandma was adamant that we vote for her. My favorite thing last year was the last show when grandma called to make sure we voted for her as much as we could. I said, "Yes, but you can only vote 10 times per phone line." This is where grandma giggled like a little girl and admitted to voting 10 times on all 3 phone lines she has. I couldn't help but laugh with her. The kids loved talking to her about American Idol. And a couple times last year, I called her during the show to see how she liked Jordan's performance. Now we're down to the final four contestants and I'm missing grandma's phone call telling me who to vote for!!

A little bit of Info about Mormons!!

2008-04-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

I am a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints. Sometimes known as the mormons. One needed only to see stuff that was said about our church when Romney was running in the political race to know that it is out there. All the stuff that was said, really bothered me and I wanted to write a post on my blog then, but I didn't because I'm always afraid of offending anyone. But I'm learning that people are going to be offended no matter what I do. Predjudices start because of ignorance and the cure for ignorance is education. So I am going to educate my family and friends a little in my religion. The first thing I want everyone to notice is that in the name of our church you will find that Jesus Christ is part of it. We DO believe in Christ! We believe that he was born of the virgin, Mary, that he ministered to the people, that he died on the cross and that he was resurrected. To me, that means that we ARE Christians. We strive to follow his example set forth in the bible. We also believe that after Christ ascended back into heaven and his apostles were killed, that the true church was taken from the earth. We believe that in the 1800's, a boy 14 years of age, was trying to decide what church to join. That boy was Joseph Smith and his family was split between two churches and he didn't know which one was right. He was reading the bible and came across a scripture in James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." So he decided to pray about it. He went into the woods by his home and knelt down in prayer. First he felt such a darkness about him and just when he was going to give up, he saw a light in front of him. Soon two personages were before him. One pointed to the other and said, "This is my beloved Son, hear him." Joseph was told that none of the churches had the full truthfulness and that he was to join none of them. To make a very long story short, over several years, Joseph was visited by angels and whisperings of the spirit to help to restore the fulness of Christ's gospel back to the earth. I know this sounds crazy and strange, but I believe that God can perform miracles. And if he can perform miracles then why not the miracle of establishing his church on the earth again, with prophets, and temples, etc. Why not have angels come down and pass on the power and authority that Christ had when he was on the earth? Why not show himself to a 14 year old boy who was of no threat to anyone, who was not learned, and who had the faith to ask a simple question? Now I ask you to think that if what I'm saying is true, how would Satan react to this? Would he let this church form without putting up a fight? Would he not suffer the church to be persecuted, like the church of old, like Christ was, like his apostles were? Would he not try to get this boy to take back everything he said, by putting it into the hearts of others to torture him several times, including having him tarred and feathered? Would he not put it into the hearts of people to exterminate the Mormons? And would he not have malicious rumors spread all over the earth about this church so that none would even listen to a word they had to say? I'm here to tell you he would!! But God is mightier than Satan, and his church was still established despite these oppositions. And people do listen to the gospel all over the world. I am not expecting everyone to go out and join my church, because I believe in the freedom of choice. What I do expect is the benefit of the doubt. What I am saying could be true. You can't disprove it. I also ask that if any of you have heard stuff about my religion that you don't understand, PLEASE ask me about it. PLEASE don't believe every rumor you hear. If you want to know something, ask me. I can live with any of you disagreeing with what I believe, but I can't live with you judging my religion on false information. Please allow me to put things straight. Here is a link to a website called http://www.mormon.org/ this also can help to answer questions you may have about my church. PLEASE, PLEASE come to me with any questions you may have. I love all my friends and family and I just want to educate you not convert you (unless you ask.) Thank You!!

More thoughts on Grandma Jeanie

2008-04-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

I am speaking at the services that will be held for my grandmother today. Here is what I'm saying.

Grandma Jeanie
I’m Jeanie Hogg’s granddaughter, Nikki Wilson, and I get to tell you what it’s like being her grandchild. Going to grandma’s house was always a great adventure. There was always so much to look forward to. For our first evening at grandma’s house we usually had Little Ceaser’s Pizza for dinner. And we were allowed to eat as much as we wanted. Then after we were feeling quite fat and happy for awhile she would say, “How does root beer floats sound?” We would get all excited and grandpa would say, “But Jeanie, we don’t have the stuff for root beer floats.” And she would tell him, “But you can go get some Wayne.” And he would say, “Yes I can.” And he would get his shoes on and go to the store and we would get root beer floats and Stephanie remembers sitting at the white bar stools waiting patiently. At bedtime we knew that most likely we would get to sleep in grandma’s bed, or if all the grandchildren where there at once, she squeezed all 7 of us on one air mattress. Somehow she made that seem like the best sleeping arrangements ever. She would pile us all on the air mattress then sit on a chair and tell us stories about when she was a little girl. Mostly she talked about her family and how much fun her brother and sisters would have with all their cousins. She would tell us how important family is and that we should help each other. Then she would have us lay down on the mattress facing one direction and we would scratch each other’s backs. Tiffany remembers that sometimes grandma would sit in the other room watching the news while we did this. But soon we would hear her call out from the living room. “Switch!” and we would turn around and scratch some more. It’s not until now that I realize she was teaching us an important lesson about serving each other, and the benefits that are in it for each of us.
Grandma knew each of her grandchildren well and knew exactly what we looked forward to when we went to her house. I loved a cup of apple juice in the morning with grandpa. So whenever I came to visit there was apple juice in the fridge, even last November when I visited her in Cordes Lakes. Beth remembers that whenever she came over, grandma had Sunny D and hot dogs with saur kraut. Josh and Crystal remember the ice cream because they weren’t allowed to have ice cream at home. Jeremy always ate grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup at grandma’s house. Kim remembers making the cream of wheat to eat with Grandma and she loved picking out a nightgown from grandma’s pajama drawer.
Grandma was big on education. She would encourage us to do well at school and to strive to go to college. Kimberly, Daniel and Evan remembers grandma reading books to all the grandchildren. She worked at Glendale Community College for a long time. Recently I wrote an essay for a scholarship I applied for and the essay title was, “How a GCC staff or faculty member empowered me to succeed and continue my education.” I of course knew this would be a no brainer for me and wrote it all about my grandmother. I took it to her at the hospital two weeks ago to let her read it. She told me how much she loved it and how proud she was of me. Then she told me to double space it and not to use abbreviations. Grandma was very forgiving in a lot of areas of her life, but grammar and punctuation wasn’t one of them.
If we thought grandma loved being a grandmother, we soon found out that she loved being a great grandma just as much. As soon as the great grandchildren, and more grandchildren, started rolling in, grandma was in seventh heaven. She always bragged at how good she was at getting any of the screaming babies to fall asleep. We always teased her that it wasn’t skill that her perfume acted like a sleeping gas. She would just laugh and say she had the touch. When my oldest child, Samantha, was able to talk, she got confused by all her grandparents and had a hard time keeping grandma and grandpa Hogg separate from great grandma & grandpa Hogg. So grandma told Sammi she could call her Grandma Jeanie. Sammi did as she asked but she figured that if grandma was grandma Jeanie then grandpa must be grandpa Jeanie. I was a little embarrassed when I first realized what she was calling him, until grandma started to laugh really hard, and said, “no it’s ok, you don’t mind do you Wayne?” Grandpa just shrugged and said, “It don’t matter to me.” So Grandma & Grandpa Jeanie stuck. Soon there were more and more grandchildren and great grandchildren to keep track of she did a good job of making us each feel important and special. Justin remember sitting on grandma’s lap just talking to her and then giving her hugs and kisses. When I asked my kids what they remember most about grandma Jeanie there was a variety of answers which included her hugs, how she never worried about herself, how she was always there for us when we were going through hard times, their trips to the boutique store, and they all said they will miss grandma saying, “Wayne!” cuz it usually meant she was sending him for Happy Meals.

Grandma was all about family. One needed only see the time she spent organizing the Godbehere Family Reunion every year to know this is true . She always took great pains to make sure the reunion letter was perfect and that no one was left out. The yearly reunion meant so much to her, and when any of us told her it was too much work for her she would just sigh at the fact that we didn’t understand and continue planning it. Every year people would continue to show up. This year grandma let me and my husband arrive early to set up and organize everything since she wasn’t feeling too well. As everyone showed up the first thing people noticed was that Jeanie wasn’t there yet. Everyone looked as lost as I felt without her there to shout out directions. I know now that she was just preparing us all to carry on the reunion without her and we will. My grandmother spent her life trying to keep her family close. This past week our whole family has benefited from the fruits of her labor. Because when it comes down to it, we are a strong close knit family thanks to grandma. Without all her hard work, our support system wouldn't be so extensive. She knew this she saw what the rest of us are sometimes too blind to see. So thank you grandma for knowing how much we really need family and for making ours strong enough to with stand anything even missing you.

Funeral Arrangements for Jeanie Hogg

2008-04-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

The viewing will be this Fri. April 18th from 5-8pm will be the viewing. The sevices will be held Sat. April 19th at 3 pm. Both will be at the Chapel of the Chimes on 59th Ave & Northern. The enternment will follow at Resthaven Cemetary. Thanks for all your continued love and support to our family. We will be doing a small meal afterwards. Anyone that would like to help with the meal please e-mail me at nickalodeon26@yahoo.com.

Everything I Need To Know, I Learned From Grandma

2008-04-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

When I am emotional or upset or nervous, I write. Words pop into my head. I used to ignore them but it would take alot longer to get over the emotions if I did. So now I write them down and get them out. Please bear with me as I reminise about my grandmother and write some of my feelings down. I wrote this little list today.

Everything I Need To Know I Learned From Grandma
1. Rootbeer Floats are one of the basic food groups
2. NEVER sit on a public toilet without a seat cover or toilet paper on the seat.
3. A grandmother's bed can always hold one more.
4. Dangerous objects for children include, but are not limited to: lollipops, toothbrushes, and afghans.
5. Paradise can be found anywhere even an old barn shaped house in Mountainaire, AZ.
6. ALWAYS count the hard boiled eggs you hide inside the house at easter time. The consequences could be foul.
7. Grandkids are not spoiled, they are loved alot.
8. If you find yourself or a family member in an embarrassing situation... be sure to take a picture.
9. Always look your best, going to the hospital for surgery is no exception.
10. When you are sad or depressed, it's time to go shoe shopping.
11. Thin Mint girl scout cookies taste best straight from the freezer when grandma's not looking.
12. The most important thing I've learned from grandma is that an imperfect family can still find perfect love.

My grandmother spent her life trying to keep her family close. This past weekend our whole family has benefited from the fruits of her labor. Because when it comes down to it, we are a strong close knit family thanks to grandma. Without all her hard work, our support system wouldn't be so extensive. She knew this, she saw what the rest of us were sometimes too blind to see. So thank you grandma for knowing how much we really need family, and for making ours strong enough to with stand anything.

If there is anyone in the family that would like to add something they learned from grandma, I would really love to hear it. Post a comment and if you don't have a blog just the click the circle next to the annonymous option and be sure to write your name in the post!! I can't wait to hear everyone else's lessons from grandma, thank you.

My Grandmother

2008-04-12T22:47:00.000-07:00

Today, Sat. April 12, 2008 my grandmother, Jeanie Hogg, left this earth. She was in the hospital for the past week while the doctors tried to correct her breathing problems, but she was in no apparant danger. Late Thurs. night she stopped breathing and they put her on a ventilator and other machines. She had been in the critical care unit since Thurs night. Family rushed out to be with her on Fri and Sat where we took turns sitting by her side as she was sedated. At about 6:50pm tonight she coded. Family gathered at the hospital where we were able to say our last goodbyes and support each other. We are extremely grateful to all the family and friends who have lent their support and prayers. This is a trying time for our family we were really close to her as she was the glue that held us all together...TIGHTLY. She will be missed greatly. Thank you for your continued love and support. I will post further information about the services as plans are finalized.

The Price Of Education

2008-04-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

While going back to college seems like a valiant endeavor, I have reality to thank for bringing me back to earth. The price of a college credit has doubled since I have graced the walls of such an institution. So I am doing what every poor, broke, college student should do, applying for every scholarship imaginable!! I have written an essay for one of the scholarships I am trying for. Since the essay is mostly about my grandmother I have decided to post it on my blog so I may preserve it for my posterity.

GCC Employees 40th Anniversary Scholarhip

“How a staff or faculty member at GCC empowered me
to succeed and continue with my educational goals.”

When I was a little girl, I used to visit my grandmother every summer. She worked at GCC as a secretary for many years. Every once in a while, she would have to go by her office on a weekend to pick something up or finish a project. She would let me tag along with her, and I would bring something to keep me busy. I remember that one time, I brought paper and I wrote a story for my cousin that was in the hospital. While Grandma worked around her office to finish something up, I drew pictures to go with the story and made it into a story book. Grandma was impressed with my efforts then she said, “Someday you can come to a college just like this one so you can become a famous author.” I told her I wanted to be lawyer, and she told me I could be whatever I wanted if I was willing to get the education for it. I asked if she would still be here, because I would love to go to school with grandma. She laughed and told me that by then I wouldn’t want my grandma at school with me. I of course, didn’t believe her, but the first seeds were sown in my early life for an education. I learned that with a college education, I could do anything.
In my last years of high school in CA, I realized that I wasn’t ready to go right into a four year college. My thoughts soon turned to going to a community college, and I immediately thought of GCC where my grandmother was still working. I moved to Glendale, AZ to live with my dad and continue my education at GCC. I got my childhood wish of being able to go to “Grandma’s School” as I had called it growing up. I was amazed as I started school, how many students would stop by to talk to my grandmother. They would tell me how helpful she was to them in getting the information they needed, or in guiding them to get help. I could tell that she was an inspiration to more than just me. Grandma introduced me to other staff and faculty at the school. Everyone who worked there was committed to helping students achieve their educational goals. It didn’t matter if that student was Jeanie Hogg’s granddaughter or not. There was a oneness about them all, as they would ask a passing student they knew, how the semester was going. I worked in the copy room during evening classes one semester, and every teacher that needed something done would always take the time to ask about my classes and how I was doing. I quickly learned that my grandmother wasn’t the only adult here that was committed to education, and GCC quickly became like home to me.
When I got married, my grandmother was immediately concerned with my education. She knew how hard it would be to continue my education as I started a family. I knew this would be true, but I also had another example that my grandmother gave me. As a child, she would talk to me about the latest college classes she was taking, I would tell her she was too old to go to school and she told me you are never too old to learn. So as I find myself re-entering college after 11 years, I can find my courage in her words and her example. It is also through her encouragement over the years, to go back to college that I find myself here. I would always protest and tell her it’s been too long, my credits probably don’t count anymore. She would just smile and say, “Well, it won’t hurt to find out.” My grandmother has long since retired from GCC, so I found myself entering the doors of the enrollment center nervous and disoriented. (The new Enrollment Center didn’t used to be there when I went to school all those many years ago.) I signed up to see an academic advisor and soon found myself face to face with someone who really did want to help me and believed that I could accomplish my academic goals. He showed me the same encouragement that I had come to love in my grandmother and the rest of the GCC staff over the years. It was like I had come home again.
As I write this essay, my grandmother lies in the hospital with breathing problems and other ailments that have plagued her throughout the years. I visited her there yesterday, and despite the tubes and the punctuated breathing, I could see through her frailties, and see the strong woman that I want to be. I know that education is one of the many factors that gave this great woman her strength and I want to make her proud. Completing my education and achieving my goals, will make me a woman she can be proud to call her granddaughter. To conclude, my grandmother, Jeanie Hogg, a retired GCC secretary, empowered me to succeed in my education. She planted the seeds of an education in my youth and continues to water and nurture those seeds even from her hospital bed. I will forever be grateful to her and to the rest of the staff and faculty of GCC, no matter the decade, who truly do want the students to succeed.

What Makes Me Special?

2008-03-29T07:12:00.000-07:00

My birthday was on Thursday. So yesterday, I found myself contemplating all the things I haven't accomplished in my 29+ years (29+ just sounds better than 30+). I guess I was kind of hosting my own pity party, thinking of all the goals that have gone unaccomplished. When Kassi walked up to me and asked, "What makes me special?" I thought it was a strange question for a 4 year old, but then realized she probably heard it on the show she had been watching. I looked at her blonde frizzy curls and her big brown eyes and wondered how I could possibly tell her how special she is to me in words she would understand. How do you tell a 4 yr old, that your heart has a different beat for each of your children? How do you tell her about how full she makes your heart, or how seeing her smile seems to light up your world? So I settled for saying, "You're special because I love you, and because you love me, and you're smart and nice, and you give the best hugs!" After which I was rewarded with a big hug and a kiss. Suddenly I couldn't resist asking her, "Kassi, what makes Mommy special?" She looked up at me with a glint in her eyes, excited for the opportunity to voice her opinion. "You play with me!" She said simply. And with that simple statement, life was right again. I may not have a prostegious job, or any published books with my name on them, or any awards, or a college diploma on my wall. But what I have is much greater. I have a wonderful husband, 4 beautiful children, and lots of family and friends that love me. Even better than that, I have a God who is my loving Heavenly Father. Whose heart has a different beat for each of us. Who is smart enough to know that when we ask ourselves, "What makes me special?" he can send a 4 year old to our side to answer that question.

To find out what makes YOU special click HERE!

Does My Butt Look Big in These Jeans?

2008-03-25T13:20:00.001-07:00

Now most men think there is only one answer to that question. But I am proud to say that after 13 years of marriage, my husband knows me well enough to know what I wanted to hear. So yesterday when asked that question, he didn't even hesitate before saying, "Yes!" See I was born with a very flat/nonexistant backside. So after having 4 kids, it finally has a little substance to it, and often still needs the help of good pair of jeans to enhance the shape. Thus, my husband wasn't even stumped by my question and reinforced my thoughts that these jeans did indeed make my butt look bigger. Don't worry, I will spare you from a picture of my backside in my now favorite pair of jeans.

Happy Easter to all!!

2008-03-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/the-bread-of-life/video/the-bread-of-life

It is important that during this Easter season we remember Christ and give him his rightly place in our festivities. So please enjoy this short video that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus as taken from the Bible. I know that Jesus died for me and I will be forever grateful.

Have a Great Easter!!

Happy Birthday Tiffany!!

2008-03-14T08:24:00.001-07:00

Today is my sister Tiffany's birthday. She is 30 years old today!! She is one of my very best friends, and I bet my mom is surprised to see us so close, especially after all the fighting as kids. We still have our arguments sometimes, but that's just because we aren't afraid to be ourselves around each other. We often have very different opinions on lots of things, but we aren't afraid to voice them around each other. She lives all the way in GA now which makes it hard to have a party for her or anything like that. But she loves e-mails and blogging, so please help me throw her a surprise e-mail birthday party. Her e-mail address is tiffanysuzanne@yahoo.com drop her birthday wish. I want her to get at least 30 e-mails for her 30th birthday!! Thanks for all your help!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY!!!

Desparately Seeking Susan or Becky or ..Well any girl will do really.

2008-03-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

I was at an Enrichment activity at church last night, and was talking to a sister from Bakersfield, CA. I just happened to mention that my brother, who is single and a return missionary, would be in Bakersfield for the summer. Then I proceeded to ask her if she knew anyone to set him up with. The conversation at the whole table turned to setting up family or friends with each others friends. This sounds like a great idea to me, (especially since I'm not the one being set up!) The blogging world is like a small community in some ways. So lets put that to work. Here's my personals ad for my brother Jason. He's a 24 yr old return missionary who enjoys dressing nice and looking good. He likes funny girls who can put up with his joking around. He is very considerate and one of the sweetest brothers I have. When I was pregnant with Kassi he ran to every fast food restaraunt imaginable to satisfy my late night cravings. He is going to school for a business degree and is the elders quorum secretary in his ward. There is really no reason he should be single except that he likes to shop around. Going shopping with him takes for ever, he likes to see all his options first, then he will buy. So, help me give him alot of options, and we'll get this boy married off yet. Wow, if he reads this, I'm likely to be in a lot of trouble. Good thing he never checks my blog, huh?

Serenity NOW!!

2008-03-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Do you ever visit a person's blog on a regular basis only to realize that they hardly ever update. It's a very frustrating feeling, I know because I feel that way everytime I look at my blog. I can't help but think, "What is wrong with that lady?!!" Then I remember, "Oh yeah, it's me!" I'm not really sure what my problem is, I only know that for a girl who likes to write and talk, I haven't been doing much of either lately. I think it must be all the time I've been taking for deep inner speculation. I figured it was time to delve into my subconscious and explore the deep waters that run within myself. Picture it now, there I am in my beautifully clean house, sitting yoga style taking advantage of the quiet serenity, as I picture myself as a beautiful butterfly ready to emerge from my cacoon. YEAH RIGHT!! As if I would have time, here's what's really been going on:
1 broken toe, 2 science projects, 3 fake sore throats, a remodeling project, a computer class, our 13th anniversary, a family reunion, RS enrichment groups & birthday dinner, a student of the month, lots of bills, a broken cell phone, and a partridge in a pear tree!! Ok maybe there wasn't really a partridge in a pear tree but there was dead baby chick in Noah's incubator that was his science project. So now it's time to elaborate a little, (not too much or that will take forever, I'm leaving out pictures too). Jessi (My step mom calls her "Grace") broke her big toe by dropping a chair onto it. She has to wear flip flops to school for 3 weeks while it heals. Sammi and Noah both had science projects due today. Sammi made 2 different kind of solar ovens to see which would work better, and even here in the AZ sun, neither one worked at all. Noah tried to hatch a chicken egg in an incubator. My brother Jason's father, has a bunch of animals including chickens and he set Noah up with an incubator and some eggs. After 3 weeks, one of the 3 eggs started to hatch, we watched as the little guy worked really hard to get out of the egg, after 2 days of trying, Kentucky (Mike named the chick affectionately after KFC) didn't make it. Noah was really disappointed, but I think he learned alot. Sammi, Noah, and Jessi took turns playing hooky from school with fake sore throats. Well, I think they really did hurt in the morning but they each made miraculous recoveries as soon as the bus pulled away. Mike and I are finally remodeling our family room. It is long overdue. When I say Mike and I, I really mean he does all the work and my input consists of saying "you missed a spot." I will post pictures when it is finally done. The only other thing that deserves more detail, is that Jessi got student of the month for Feb. This is a BIG deal for her. She usually gets in a little trouble at school at least once a month. So for her to make this was wonderful, Mike even made sure to take yesterday off for the assembly at school so we could see her get the award. Plus yesterday was our anniversary. We have been married for 13 years now. It sounds alot longer than it feels. Course it helps to have the best husband ever.
Well, I will stop for now and try to update more often so my entries won't be as long.

The Blog Family

2008-02-24T07:13:00.000-08:00

I LOVE blogging!! How fun is it to be able to put pictures of the kids online for all to see with the funny ancetedotes to go with it. Not only that, but everytime I go to someone else's blog there are links taking me into the lives of other people. It really is like watching alot of reality shows. I find myself laughing with people I don't even know, and celebrating their triumphs and sharing thier grief at thier trials. Pretty soon it feels like these people are family. The cool part is that the family is soooo big. So often you find the blog of a friend that you have lost contact with years ago. It's amazing how your own blog gets around too. I noticed that my blog has been viewed by someone in Germany, and there is one person in Nebraska that looks at my blog on a daily basis! (BTW, say hi sometime, share your blog with me so I can read yours too!!) So if you don't have a blog yet, sign up!! Or at least leave comments and say hi, so you too can become part of the blogging family!! (I'll be updating soon, sorry it's taking me so long.)

The Invisible Mom

2008-02-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

I got this story in an e-mail today and I really loved it. It helps give me perspective in this role called "Mom"!!

I'm Invisible

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Chan nel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right a round 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England . Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a hair clip and I was afraid I could actual l y smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Eur ope . I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte , with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: < /SPAN>
No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so muc h time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction . But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be o n. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime, because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself.

I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Great Job, MOM!

Photography Blog

2008-01-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

I've started a new photography blog. I've been having fun doing mostly wedding photography for a little while now, so I decided to have a separate blog for my photos. I would love for you to check them out. I still have more that I want to add later, but I went ahead and put the link to the side of this post beneath Our family and Friends, click on "My Photography Blog". Be sure to let me know what you think!! Thanks!!

Cable Wan Kanobi

2008-01-26T09:35:00.000-08:00

After already getting our tax return, we went for a date last night. This date consisted of Mike and I going out to dinner then off to shop for a new computer. We were concerned about our 7 yr old computer, that had been giving us problems this past year. So we found a really good deal on a good computer with monitor, and printer and came home to set up. Mike said that he really wanted me to set up the computer this time, as a "learning" experience. I of course deferred to his superior knowledge on the subject and tried to extricate myself from the situation. He would have none of it, so we finally settled on me just watching his efforts so I could be enlightened. I pulled up a chair, sat down to watch as I said "teach me Obi Wan." To which he replied, "That's Cable Wan Kanobi to you." Soon my simple job of watching turned into that of a surgical nurse.
Cable Wan - "Printer"
Me - "printer"
Cable Wan - "out of the box preferably"
Me - "Well be more specific next time."
Cable Wan - " CPU"
Me - "Hey, I know what that is!!"
Cable Wan - "Do you know what it stands for?"
Me - "Uhhmm 'comes pretty undone'?"
Cable Wan - "Uh, no, 'central processing unit'"
Me - "yea, so, I knew what it was, what more do you want?"

Suffice it to say that soon Mike released me from this onerous task, so he could do it in peace. That is how I come to be typing on this nice new keyboard today. Thank goodness for tax returns and husbands that know how to set up computers!!

Back to School

2008-01-20T18:06:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not talking about the kids going back to school, I'm talking about ME!! While I was complaining to Mike one day about what I was going to do with Kassi in preschool, he mentioned that I should find out what it would take to finish my AA degree at the community college. I was quite skeptical because it had been over 12 yrs. since I took my last course. But I went because, (let's be honest) I had nothing else to do. I was so excited to learn that all the credits I had earned years ago, still counted, except for the computer class (because I'm ancient of course and they didn't even have microsoft when they taught those classes). But I was very relieved to find out that my math class I took straight out of high school (pre-calculus and trigonometry) still counted, because, as I told the advisor, I could never do that again!! So, to make a long story short, I have 43 credits towards my degree and only need 17 more, and 7 of them are electives!! Woo Hoo!! I will take a computer class this semester while Kassi is at preschool, since it is an open-entry, open-exit, which apparently means I can start whenever and finish at my own speed and go to the school whenever I have time. Perfect!! Next school year when Kassi is in full day kindergarten, I will be able to take more classes, but I will still only take a couple at a time. I feel like I have a direction to go in now, not that I know what I will do with my AA degree after I get it, but I will have one.

Sad days

2008-01-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

Mike and I got news Wed. night that a friend of ours had passed away. Our friends, Catherine and Luke Short moved out of our ward at church a couple of years ago, and even though they didn't move far, we really didn't see them as often as before. We still kept in contact via e-mail and children. They have 3 daughters and 1 son. Their oldest daughter is Sammi's age, and their youngest daughter is Jessi's age, and the girls have been pretty good friends. So every so often they would come to birthday parties or visa versa. Well, on Wed. Luke died of an anerism at the young age of 38(?). This news shocked us and all around us. It's the one thing we all fear, but never want to happen, especially to anyone we know. I can't help but think of Catherine when she had to tell her children the news. My heart literally breaks at the thought of any child getting that news let alone children I know. When you get news like this, it is hard not to put yourself in their place and really ponder how you would cope. But also you think about the person and how he touched your life. We met Luke and Catherine at church. Our children were really close in ages, so it made sense that we started to hang out. Luke always seemed really quiet and mellow, but he was always so nice to everyone. I remember one time we had a few families over to play cranium. We played in couples and Luke and Catherine got the question "What was the first video played on MTV?" I remember the question so clearly because instead of just answering it, Luke started singing "Video killed the radio star" Catherine joined in and they were swaying to the beat, and I was so shocked to see this normally quiet guy not afraid to sing out in front of everyone. From then on, I knew the quiet was just a facade. He went paintballing with Mike several times over the years too, and somehow the guys seem to form a bond while shooting each other. Mike and Luke both worked on construction sites often and would occasionally run into each other at work too. So they both could relate to each other on a work level as well. But the real bond comes from knowing the Savior, Jesus Christ. Luke lived his faith on a daily basis. He went to church every Sunday, accepted callings, served in the community, and spent lots of time with his family. He was a good example to all who knew him. He coached soccer, I think, every year that I knew him, and last year my 8 year old brother was on his team. My step mom talked about how during the games, all the other coaches would yell at the kids to run, or shout at them to do this or that. But not Luke, he always found a way to let the kids know what they should do in a kind manner. I know that though his family will miss him deeply, that this is not the end for them. They have the blessing of their family being sealed in the temple for time and all eternity. In my LDS religion, we believe that the power to bind on earth and in heaven inside the Lord's temple has been restored to the Earth in the the latter days by the prophet Elijah himself. This is a great comfort during times like these, to know with every fiber of your being that you will be with your family again. I know that Heavenly Father loves us enough to make this possible through our Savior, Jesus Christ. And I testify that families truly can be together forever. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

For those of you that knew them here is the funeral information:
Funeral Services for Luke Short
will be
Monday, January 14, 2008
9:30 am - Viewing
11:00 am Funeral
at
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
79th Avenue and Acoma
Peoria, AZ 85381

*******************************************************************

Donations can be made to the

Cathryn Short Fund
account # 1001143272 routing # 122105359

at Johnson Bank
3131 East Camelback Road
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85016

Identity Crisis??!!

2008-01-08T08:58:00.000-08:00

I'm a stay at home mom, right? And a stay at home mom, stays home with her children. So what does a stay at home mom do when all her children are in school, including her 4 year old who started preschool today? Now granted, it's only 3 hours a day, 4 days a week, but this is the first time in 11 years that I have had that kind of time on a regular basis all alone. Now don't get me wrong, I can think of all kinds of things to do, but I seem paralysed to do any of them. I have been using my kids as an excuse not to do so many things that now I find myself doubting whether I could do any of them at all. I know that makes no sense, but right now I feel like anything I try to do, I will just fail at. Even something as simple as organizing my house. I'm just afraid to even try. How lame is that?!! Wow, if I react like this just with 3 hours alone what am I going to do when they all grow up and move away? I always complain at how clingy Kassi is, but I think she must have trained me well, cuz I'm having a hard time thinking of her in preschool without me. Boy, I never thought I would feel this way, I feel so lost with out my kids. Well, that's enough of my rant for today, besides, by the end of the week I will probably be so happy to have this time to myself. Just as soon as I figure out what to do with it!!!

2008-01-07T10:02:00.001-08:00

One More Video

2008-01-04T20:16:00.000-08:00

My brother Jason took alot of video clips on our trip to Flagstaff (or Staff Flag as Kassi calls it) and it was too hard to just pick a couple and I finally decided I had to add this one too. It's Kassi sledding with her daddy and she loves it!!

Flagstaff Trip

2008-01-03T14:59:00.000-08:00

Our trip to Flagstaff was really short. We went up on Thurs. afternoon and visited with my Uncle Danny, Cousin Josh, his wife Katherine, and my brother Jeremy in Mountainaire (right outside of Flagstaff). We had lots of fun and Noah was in heaven, since my uncle is an avid hunter and has deer, antelope, and elk heads all over his house. Then to top it off, he made burgers for us but they weren't just any burgers, we got a choice between, deer, antelope, or elk burgers. I'm not sure which one I got but it was delicious, so was the homemade mac n cheese that Jeremy made for us.
We didn't get back to the hotel until late and the next morning we got up and took a drive out to Sunset Crater and Wapatki National Monuments. Sunset Crater is an inactive volcano that we can drive past, it wasn't too exciting. Wapatki ruins are old pueblos that were built over 1000 years ago. They were really interesting to look at and the kids got to fill out a jr. ranger book as we went along.

Then we spent the rest of the day and the next day sledding. It was really fun and the first time our kids had done that. They loved it! Kassi was so brave the first day. She has a little yellow board to slide on that Jason got her for Christmas. She called it her boogie board. She would climb up the hills, throw it down then kneel on it and just go. The next day however, her first run down she hit a patch of dirt and landed in the snow face first. After that she wouldn't go alone. The first day the kids had tubes that Jason bought them for Christmas, but after Jason tried them out they broke. So we went out and bought some plastic discs and tabogans. Boy do those go fast! Noah was such a daredevil trying to hit all the jumps he could find. Sammi had fun on them too until she hit one so hard it knocked the breath out of her. Jessi was nice and bundled up in a snow suit that was handed down from one of my brothers. And she was the only one that managed to keep her tube from popping even using it two days in a row. We had a blast but I was glad to get back to warmer weather. I never thought I would say that 40 degrees was warmer weather, but compared to the 20 degrees (that was the high) in Flag, I have changed my views. Course we all ended up with terrible colds when we got back, but it was worth it.

Christmas fun!

2008-01-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas tradition for the past couple of years has been to not buy the kids presents from us, but to decide on a trip or passes to go somewhere. This year we decided to go to Flagstaff after Christmas to play in the snow. So Christmas morning was really quick since it was mostly just their stockings and presents that Santa brought. Sammi got a karaoke machine that we all had lots of fun with (as you can see from the above video! My kids are a bunch of spazes, but at least they take the focus off of me!) Noah got an air hockey table that just barely fits in his room. Jessi got a rock tumbler and rock driller so she can make jewelery. And Kassi got a princess vanity table. Everyone had lots of fun and we spent the rest of the day playing games and checking out all the new gifts. But the gift I am most thankful for is the Savior. I know that he died for our sins that our family may be able to return to him and for that I will forever be in His debt!

Holiday Greetings!!

2007-12-26T13:21:00.001-08:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated the blog. Not much has been happening besides school and the holidays. Sammi was William Shakespeare for a speech assignment at school. Boy it was fun making her dress in her grandma's clothes and wear felt on her face. I made the collar out of paper, I must say I think she looks pretty convincing hehehehe. Can you say teenage blackmail material?!!

Then Sammi and Noah both made the honor roll and perfect attendance at school this trimester. I went to the assembly and took pictures of them getting their awards. It was so great.

I couldn't resist posting this picture of Noah sleeping with his dog. Spike has his paws wrapped around him. It was too funny.

Michael's Craft Class

2007-12-04T12:54:00.000-08:00

Kassi still goes to craft class at Michael's every week. My sister Carrie goes too, and the girls love it. Last week, my dad was lucky enough to be the one bringing Carrie to class. The girls made cyclops monters, but before they did, my dad decided to show the girls a cool thing he could do with the googly eyes. They thought it was soo funny, so did I that's why I grabbed my camera real fast. It looks like Kassi will be going to preschool later this month to get help with her speech. I know she will really miss going to craft class though. We will have to make sure that her and Carrie still get together to play though, or she won't know what to do.

Thanksgiving

2007-12-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

Ok, so this is how it went down. The beginning of the week, I knew that my aunt Jeanette and her son, TJ were coming and they were bringing TJ's friend. My brother Wyatt was coming, but my brother Jason wasn't sure. We had invited Mike's parents to come, but then we heard they might do their own thing because Mike's sister Lori and her family didn't have anywhere to go. So of course I invited them too, that meant I had enough people to actually make a turkey and a ham. So the DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING, my mom calls and mentions that they don't have anywhere to go for Thanksgiving. I reminded her that I had invited her months ago, and I was told they wouldn't be able to make it. Then she said, "Well it's probably too late to come now, right?" I was ecstactic! "Are you serious? Well come on over then!!" Then my brother Jason called to say he was going to come too. So that is how we ended up with 6 more people at the last minute. It was so much fun. My mom and Glen and the boys, stayed until Mon. morning. On Fri. my mom, Wyatt, and I got up at 2:30 am to hit the Black Friday shopping. Our first stop was Mervyn's where if you were one of the first 250 people in line, you got a $10 gift card. We each got one. Then on to KB toys where there was a news crew walking around the store. I don't know what happened, one minute I was standing next to mom when a lady with a camera walked up and asked me why I got up so early to make these sales. I look around and notice that my mother is NO WHERE to be found. So my dumb reply was "Uh, I have 4 kids and I need the sp..specials, uh d..d..deals." (ok, so I found out I'm not so good in front of the camera, you should have seen my deer in the headlights imitation). So after Mervyn's we hit Target and Michael's. Then we were home by 9am. We still had time to go to the movies with everyone, after our naps of course. On Sat. the boys went paintballing, Glen took the girls to the movies, and mom and I went to Tucson to visit my uncle Ray. He hasn't been doing real great, so we wanted to go visit him and see how he looked. He was doing pretty good and we were very happy to see him walking around and talking just fine. He still isn't out of the woods, but I definately think there could be some hope there. Sun. Mom and Glen decided to avoid the holiday traffic and wait until Mon. to drive home, so we played games and ate leftovers. I was so happy and excited to have the last minute guests. It was great to see my Aunt Jeanette too and then to visit my Uncle Ray, it was just an amazing weekend. We will have to do it again sometime!!