Really quick little 2 tag:

2 Tag

2 favorite names: I have more than 2. I have 5 kids. but my 2 other favorites besides what I named my children: Lily and Caroline. (good thing I didn't have any more boys.)

2 favorite months: July and May

2 favorite foods (and you can't say Pizza): chocolate and I guess I have a lot of favorites, I can't quite narrow it down. Let's just say italian.

2 favorite nuts: I don't like nuts.

2 favorite stores: Target and Barnes & Noble

2 favorite activities: I don't know. I'm pretty boring. cooking and camping.

2 favorite huggers: Will. and Owen and Lucy...

2 favorite conversationalists (besides spouse): Mommy. and I have to say Brandon, even though he's my spouse. Not many others like to listen to me as much as he does.

2 people to tag: hmmm...only 2? Angie b, I know you love tags, and Aleesha, even though I do like reading your nonsense. :)

evolution

I am in a blogging rut. It has been just under a year since I started this blog. I have been thinking lately about just how much my blog world has changed since that first post back in March. I'm not enjoying it as much as I did back then, mostly I think because the newness has worn off. I am keeping it going though, because I think maybe I'll get out of this slump I'm in and start enjoying it again. But sometimes I think maybe that isn't going to happen.
The blogging world is a fun place. It's a great place for me to go to "socialize"...and has proven to be a great place to:

• reconnect with old friends
• bond with new friends
• find or share a great recipe
• find a fun hairdo (for my girls)
• have a crazy comment conversation with people you have never met but that are hilarious
• laugh
• give--and receive--support
• get a glimpse into other's daily lives--and sometimes struggles
• realize that you are not alone
• plan a blogging buddies game night
• be uplifted
• really see people's personalities...through posts and comments, too
• get ideas for family fun
• have daily contact with far (or sometimes not so far) away family members

(There is also a down side. I think we all realize that in one way or another...)

Funny how "the pen (or should I say keyboard) is mightier than the mouth..." Once you have put something in writing, it is there for others to read and re-read, and to interpret however they see fit. All in all, I think the good outweighs the bad.

So I will try to adapt to the evolution of the blogging world. I've decided to try to get "back to my roots" so to speak, and blog the way I used to blog...keeping it real, and keeping it "me". Except I used to do that fun tuesday tell all and the blog that created that ended, so I can't do that anymore I guess. Oh well. I love all you blogging buddies, it's a fun little world to be a part of.

this is the song I have been singing every rainy day of my life...thanks, you tube

Will is 7

Sunday was Will's birthday. Seven, if you can believe it. Of course I get very reflective on my children's birthdays. I miss the toddler Will. That oh-so-sweet little square of a man, with white-blond hair and a John Deere hat. I'm afraid the John Deere days are all but behind us now, pushed aside for Mario Brothers and the Utah Jazz...sniff...

It was a day filled with cuddles and snuggles and hugs. Will is one to express his love to me constantly, and his birthday was definitely no exception. We all wanted to spoil our "golden boy"...he got as many gifts or more as he did on Christmas. A birthday dinner that consisted of crescent dogs, grape jello and cooked carrots, with carrot cake for dessert. And Willie boy makes it worth all the trouble, constantly thanking us and happy as a clam for the entire day. It's hard for a 7-year-old to sit through 3 hours of church on his birthday, but he made it, and in the end we were glad that his birthday was on Sunday. We spent the whole day together, enjoying each other.
So this is for Will. (Seen here with "Roy" the monkey, named after Roy Rogers...)
Thank you, Buddy, for being so loving.
Thank you for wanting to hang on me and lean your head on my arm, instead of just holding my hand while walking.
Thank you for loving my cooking, and for never failing to thank me after EVERY meal.
Thank you for taking things so seriously.
Thank you for being such a loving, helpful and proud big brother to little Odie.
Thank you for being selfless beyond your years.
Thank you for being such a momma's boy.
Thank you for saying "I love you Mommy" 49 times a day.
Thank you for being so "touchy", even when it is driving me crazy and I desperately need my space.
Thank you for having such a unique "Willie" personality...we love it.
and thank you for just being you, and loving every minute of it.
I love all seven years of you.

my favorite blog

my friend Alene sent me a link to this hilarious blog. It's a spoof on utah mormon mommy blogs. It is the saturday night live of the mormon blog world! the miss-spelled words, apostrophes in the wrong places, everything is part of the satire. This woman is RIGHT ON in so many ways. She totally cracks me up! Check it out if you want a good laugh. I had to read every post, because she hits on so many subjects that are just too funny. Her blog has been on the news, radio and newspaper-she has links on her sidebar that kind of explain a little bit about the blog, in case you don't really "get it"...
(and no, Mandy, I saw no similarities between her blog and yours!)
Anyways, enjoy! :)

Happy Birthday, Paige!

Today is my sister-in-law Paige's birthday. Since she has been bugging me about another post, I decided to dedicate this one to her!
I was only 12 or 14 or some jr. high age when I met Paige, so it seems to me like she's been a part of our family forever. She was around for all my jr. high dumb boys I liked, my crazy friends, my high school days and then she was the first one in my family to meet Brandon back in the dread days. Brandon always remembers going to their apartment in Provo before his WSU soccer game at BYU. She and Cory also lived in the house I live in now at the beginning of their marriage. I stayed with Cory and Paige in Provo when Cameron was around 2 years old to help tend him while Paige and Cory worked and went to school. That was in the crazy days of dating Brandon. So pretty much she's been around most of the life that I can remember. She's more like a sister to me than a sister-in-law!
Anyways, about Paige. Paige asks questions. She is very curious about people's lives and is not afraid to ask questions. She is a very open person, and gets to know people easily. She is a great cook. I remember going to her green apartment when she and Cory were just dating and she made us all chicken enchiladas that were amazing. (or was that in your Provo apartment? you made dinner for us at the green apt, too.) Paige likes to laugh. We always have so much fun playing games when they are up here for Christmas, eating dreams and laughing until we cry. Paige is a very clean person. I never dare invite her to my house, because I know it's not clean enough for her standards. :)
Paige, I've always had a special bond with you, and I am so glad you are a part of my family. I hope you have a fabulous birthday...Abby came home from piano at Debra's last night telling me about all of Debra's leftover candy. I wish I knew earlier so I could snag you a few extra dreams! Guess I'll just have to eat a few for you! Happy Birthday!