Remember when...

Remember when I couldn't sleep on Christmas Eve?

Remember when I was 13 and painted my nails every night?

Remember when I took a shower and then a bath in the morning? Ooooh I love hot water.

Remember when I used to listen to the radio in my room on my parent's old stereo with brown speakers?

Remember when I used to eat an apple and Hostess apple pie for lunch everyday?

Remember my bright turquoise mini skirt?

Remember when I convinced Scott B. that I was a skateboarder?

Remember when I used to have a Butter Flavor Crisco monologue?

Remember when Unsolved Mysteries was like the scariest TV show?

Remember when I picked up Meri walking home from high school and was sure that people thought she was my daughter?

Remember when Mini Mart was new?

Remember when I thought that I looked really good in the color peach?

Remember when I wanted a Trapper Keeper so badly that I had dreams about it?

Remember going to Skate City? I still love roller skating. Anyone want to go?

Remember when we always ran into someone we knew at Albertsons?

Remember the Lead Bullet and DTV?

Remember K-Mart models?

Remember when Mom and Dad had a social life that was way more active and exciting than mine?

Remember my pot belly pig?

Remember playing croquet?

Remember jumping on the trampoline for hours on end?

Remember when Mel and I limped past the construction site so the construction workers wouldn't whistle at us?

What do you remember?

Not Much to Blog About

Seriously. I can never think of anything to say. Sure, when I'm in the Gap trying on jeans standing there in my t-shirt, garment bottoms and black socks I'm thinking, "is this what it has come to? Is there anything more unflattering than this?". That is a blog idea. Or what about when I'm cleaning up poop, vomit, vomit and more vomit and I'm thinking, "for real? Isn't there anyone else to do this?" That's a blog idea. How about this, when I take Sophia and Penn to the pool at the rec center (they are my fish) and I'm thinking, "swimming suits are so weird. No other time would I consider walking around in public with so little clothing. Why is this okay?". That is a blog idea.

But alas, they are only fleeting thoughts....

Then there are more serious topics. Darfur. I watched a show on this the other night (until 2AM) and it is still so amazing that more was not done to stop the pure evil that happened and is happening there. How can human beings be so evil? What about the mom of that 5-year old girl who was killed in North Carolina who alledgedly sold her into prostitution? I cannot fathom any of that. What would I do if my face was literally ripped off by a chimpanzee? Would I have the strength to go on?

I guess the moral of this blog is that my most of my thoughts are very shallow when compared to the anguish that some people go through on a daily basis. I didn't start this to be "Debbie Downer" but maybe it helped to put things

in perspective!

Here is something to lighten the mood (don't worry I won't ever post poop or vomit pictures, or pictures of me in my garment bottoms!!). Also, you have probably seen (and maybe are sick of) this video but it cracks me up every time.

Winter Poem

Here is Sophia's Winter Poem that she wrote this afternoon.

Snow falls on the ground

No sunshine in the winter

Oh no what happened to the sunshine

Winter snow is so cold and white

So bright

What is Real?

A real picture of me!

I can't tell these days. Facebook and blogs are fun because you get to catch up with all kinds of people. People from different friendship "pools". Close friends, family members, distant friends, people you know from high school, college friends, ward friends, parents of your kids' friends, your parents' friends, people you may not even know, etc. You get the point. So what do I usually post? Usually pretty neutral status updates, good pictures, generic comments. I wouldn't want to reveal too much, right? We all get to choose how we present ourselves to the FB and blog world. I admit I often take pictures just so I can post them on Facebook or on my nearly non-existent blog.

The other day I was wondering what would happen if I was totally honest with my status or comments to other people's statuses (is that a word?) You know what I mean. What if you were totally honest? What if you typed what you were actually thinking all of the time? Of course society would fall apart. People at work think I am upbeat all of the time. If they only knew. Actually I am pretty upbeat most of the time but I have my moments. I had some yesterday.

I felt sad and left out from a 3rd grade boys basketball situation. Sounds silly but I was feeling sorry for myself (and Quinton even though he is clueless about the whole situation). Then I started thinking about feeling like this before. I must insert here that I know I have nothing to complain about. We are very fortunate and blessed. Our kids have relatively few problems (besides Penn's throwing and throwing up issues!) But back to the feeling sorry for myself... I started thinking about how we have only been "BOO'd" once since we moved in. My kids see the signs on the doors in the neighborhood stating that that house has been officially "BOO'd" and remember when we were "BOO'd" and never say what I am thinking, "why doesn't anyone BOO us?". Then I think about how I never went to any high school or college formals. No one ever asked. At the time it was mostly no big deal but a little bit of a bummer. Then there was the Libery Belle try-out disasters. I was also rarely asked out on dates. No big deal now, right? Thank goodness I had a thick skin and some confidence. Then I think about how I don't have many close friends outside of work, family, and friends from college and growing up. I must not be very good at making new friends. I know I am not. It is my own fault. I put up a wall. I don't chat much with the other moms at the bus stop. I don't go on walks with them. We don't hang out with many other couples other than Brady's friends from growing up. Don't worry, today was a new day and to be honest it is hard to conjure those feelings to even write this. I am over it.

So there is my honesty rant. I wish sometimes other people were more honest. I wish I was more honest too (to a point). It is hard to write from the heart when you are worried about who is reading what and who may be offended or think less of you. I need to realize that people aren't perfect and what they (and I) project to the world is not always 100% to be believed.

Don't get me started on reality TV either. I am totally into Super Nanny and Clean House and you know my opinions of Jon & Kate and the Duggars. But can we trust what we see?

Man, what is my problem? I promise next time I will post about all the fun the kids and I have and how organized and creative I am! Well not totally but I promise no more boo hoo....

Disclaimer: Most of you reading this are pretty honest so don't take offense. I mean Lysa posted pictures of her house in a state of disarray (subjective). I am not that brave! Way to go Lysa! You have always told it like it is (unlike me).

Boring Blog Update

The kids hanging out at the bar (which is really just he half wall room divider) chilling out eating frozen lemonade.

Is that what my Blog turned into? Me updating people on fund raising? B O R I N G ! ! By the way, I did spend $90 on frozen cookies so my kids could at least get the lowest prize. Lame, I know.

Quinton starts Running Club this morning. I am proud of him and hopes he likes it. Sophia wanted to do it too but you have to at least be a 3rd grader. I guess I am living vicariously through my kids to a point. I wish I had participated more in school activities and sports.

Speaking of running. I finally got my little running computer up and going. It is really complicated. There is a heart rate monitor that you wear around your chest, a foot pod which goes on your shoe and a wrist computer which looks like a watch. I had to go run on the treadmill at the rec center to calibrate the footpod. I don'tknow if I have ever calibrated anything before. Now I have to figure out what I am keeping track of in the first place. I just want to know how far I am going. Maybe driving the route with the car is easier.

Anyway, I have lots to do this morning so I better go...

Penn now knows that he gets a bath in the sink if he throws up in the kitchen. Nice face!

4th Week of School. I am trying to take a picture each week to see how fast they change!

The Fundraising Update

So, I finally emailed the fundraising coordinator at our school. Depending on how much our school sells we get 40%-50% of the $15/cookie order. Not as bad as I thought-still a rip off if you ask me. Tomorrow the orders are due and my kids will each have one order (from us). Bummer. Quinton's best friend actually sold 15 so I guess he gets to go on the limo ride. I will have to ask him mom about who bought all the cookies! Anyway, the coordinator said she wasn't there for the assembly and that her kids also came hope pumped up for the limo ride but alas they won't get to go either. Hmmm. That's it, no fight, no call to the news, no limo ride!

Let Me Eat Cake!

So I finally bought one of those chocolate bundt cakes from Costco about 10 days ago for Brady's Mom's birthday. I had always wanted to get one but really couldn't justify just buying a cake. It was really really good. So, yesterday I was at Costco buying Penn's weekly supply of Silk and what the heck, I got a chocolate cake too.

Well, last night Brady informed me that he was making a rule about chocolate cake from Costco. It is okay to get it for an occasion but not just because we want cake. Hmmm. This coming from the man who made us drive all around Grand Junction looking for a certain flavor of Ben and Jerry's ice cream for his nightly fix (he is over it now by the way).

Brady is not really into treats like I am. That is probably a good thing. When I was pregnant with Penn I would get hungry at night in bed. He would say, "just go to sleep, it will be better". Well, I only gained 15 pounds with Penn so I guess that was good advice.

Also, I will probably get over the cake with this go round and not feel the need to get it again....I better go see if I still like it!

Penn liked it too and it didn't even make him throw up even

though it contains whey. Yeah!

Yes, a blog post from Beth

Here is a picture to accompany my post. It is unrelated...

I am the first to admit that I am not very good at blogging. It is probably the perfectionist side of me (small side). I just feel like I can't "post" until I really have something to say or show. So last night as Brady and I were getting all riled up about school fund raising I decided that I could do a blog post about my frustrations. A warning, this is unorganized and rushed.

I am all for raising money for the school and understand that it is necessary. This year our school is raising money to buy more technology (smart boards anyone?) beautify the grounds outside the mobile trailer classrooms (yes they are staying) and to create an outdoor science lab (cool!). We have fun at the school carnival, spaghetti dinners, bingo nights, etc. Selling boxes of frozen cookies for $15 a pop? Not so into that.

Allow me to rant for a moment. I don't even mind selling (buying) cookies. Heck I bought 4 boxes last year and they were pretty good. The problem I have is that they worked the kids into a frenzy about selling, selling, selling. The kids came home totally excited about a limo ride to lunch. What?! Evidently if they sell 15 "units" (translate $225 worth of frozen cookies) they earn a limo ride to lunch. They had an assembly to explain the fund raising and the kids went wild when they told them that they could earn a limo ride to lunch (I'm picturing an elementary school version of the car episode on Oprah).

Brady and I are wondering how much of the $15 "unit" actually goes back to the school. Our neighborhood is full of elementary school students all selling cookies. I'm not sure how we will sell 30 boxes so my kids can ride in the limo. We want to ask how much of the cookie sale actually goes to the school, write a check for 15 times that amount and see if our kids can get the limo ride that way.

Maybe I am a grouch (well I know I am), maybe I am depriving my kids of important (selling) skills, but I am not a fan of adults trying to sell me stuff that I don't need and I am not a fan of kids selling expensive cookies either (isn't obesity a problem people?). It might be different if it was $1 candy bars or if the kids weren't manipulated using methods usually reserved for time-share sales people.

How much does it cost to rent a limo for lunch anyway?

All I can say is that this fundraising company is probably getting rich off of our school. Plus, they didn't even explain the logistics of the limo ride. For real, are they going to come to the school and take the kids to McDonald's in a limo? That is what the kids think. They are already planning where to go and who gets to get in first etc.

I'll send my email to the fundraising coordinator and let you know....no, I'm not calling the news.

PS: Let me know if you would like to purchase a box of frozen, pre-formed cookies, they actually are pretty good and easy to bake! (no, this is not some reverse psychology method of me selling the most amount of cookies by pretending that I hate it, I still hate it!)

Chinese Eyes...

Chinese eyes are watching you....that is what this picture reminds me of (sing it to Hall & Oates).  Brady came up with that little ditty which is pretty funny.  The story that goes along is that we were at a missionary homecoming open house for a kid in his parents' ward.  We were getting ready to leave and a little girl says to Brady, "your Mom has Chinese eyes".  Hmm, I'm thinking how did she know that Gombs (Brady's Mom) was his Mom as she was at the party but not with us.  Then I was thinking hmmm, Gombs doesn't have Chinese eyes.  Then it all came together--she was talking about me.  Pretty funny!  I believe the more PC term is "almond shaped" which is fine with me because I L O V E almonds.  

Anyway, I haven't posted forever because I feel like I never have anything of substance to say.

I thought about doing a whole post in the style of writing a letter like Meri does her Facebook status.  For example...

Dear Beth,

Please post something, I am lame.

Love,

Your Blog

or

Dear Oatmeal Cookies,

Did I cut my cholesterol by eating 2 dozen of you in one day?

Love,

Beth 

One more random story.  Tonight Quinton spotted what he thought was a Queen Ant on the back patio.  He was freaked out because it was huge and had wings.  I don't know if there are such things as Queen Ants but he seemed to know what he was talking about.  Brady trapped it in a bug catcher tube and left it out there.  Quinton is certain that the rest of the ants are going to be mad that we captured their queen.  He thinks they will attack as soon as they see us.  He is really freaked out.  So, then I thought it might be kind of funny (but also kind of cruel and I'm not going to do it) to write a note and leave it on the bedroom door that says:

Dear Quinton,

You took our queen and now you must pay.  We ants are vengeful creatures.  You better watch out.

The Ants

Dear Beth,

You have avoided me too long.  Stop blogging this instant.

From,

The email and document you said you would send tonight

Kate vs. Michelle

So, what is this about Jon and Kate (+ 8) having marital problems?  

When Brady plays basketball on Tuesday nights the kids and I like to watch shows about families with lots of kids.  For some reason they are fascinated by it.  So we end up watching TLC.  I do have to say that I'm not sure if Kate and I would get along.  I know many people love her no-nonsense OCD attitude but she kind of drives me nuts.  Like when she got so mad at her friend (coincidentally named Beth) for giving her kids gum while Beth was kindly watching the kids so they could do something individually with one of their older girls.  For real?  Get over it.  She also threw a caniption (I don't know how to spell it) when Jon used the nice matching hairbands for a stay home day or something.  Hey, I know, you have to be organized with so many kids, blah blah blah.  Also, it looks like they recently moved into some fancy big house.  That should have been the first sign of trouble--the fame is going to their heads...  

On the other hand, the Duggars (18 kids and counting) tend to drive me nuts as well.  The strange thing is that they are starting to grow on me.  Michelle Duggar (the mom) is so soft spoken.  She would never throw a fit about gum or hairbands.  They do have their strange ways like "modest" swimwear (hey I am all for covering up but...) and long permed hair (although in the newer episodes some of the daughters have started wearing straight hair I hope it isn't a bad sign), and the long denim/khaki skirts.  I did get annoyed when they were on the Today Show promoting a book they wrote and had it right on their laps even though the interview was supposed to be about something else.  Oh well.  They are growing on me.  

What would people say about me if our family had a show?  Interesting thought.  

So after the kids go to sleep on Tuesday nights sometimes I watch the Real Housewives of New York City.  Gag!  I want to look away but I can't.  What a juxtaposition with the Duggars and even Jon and Kate. 

Well, now you know what goes on in my head when I really should be going to sleep!

Up Too Late

Isn't ironic?  Remember that song?  It really should have been "Doesn't that just suck?"  Anyway, I'm addicted to the show Intervention.  Also, I'm agitated that my washing machine doesn't seem to be agitating correctly.  Now, isn't that ironic? 

Also my scanner isn't working but that just sucks, not ironic...

The picture has nothing to do with this post.  I just knew that Lysa and Meri would like a nice big bottom shot (and I don't mean Penn).  Plus, blogs are much more interesting when pictures are included.

Thanks for the Memories!

The funny thing about memories is that they always seem better than actually doing the thing you remember.  I spend a lot of time really trying to enjoy the moment but the moment is usually not the ultimate moment that I am planning on which leads to let-down.  I also spend a lot of time in the moment thinking "I need to enjoy this" because it is going to be a great memory. 

Case in point-Trip to Disneyland.  We had a really good time and I had withdrawals this whole week.  I missed it and wanted to go back!  However, when we were living the "moment" there was stress, frustration, instances of bribery and bad parenting trying to force our kids to have fun.   

Maybe this is a little too philosophical.  Back to the laundry....

Proof

Ok, so here is the link to the "special" photos.  Now, I hope all of you understand that I am attaching this link in good faith.  Please do not post to Facebook or try to blackmail me with these!  BTW-I hate those shorts!  How could I run in them?  Gross...

Woulda Coulda Shoulda

What I should be doing right now is sleeping, laundry, work, flexible spending reimbursement forms, or straightening up.  But I decided I needed to make a post to my blog even though I never know what to write about.  So, here are some random thoughts...

Quinton has a serious sleep walking problem which is why he usually sleeps in our bed.  It is scary as we have awoken (awaken?) to hear him running down the stairs for no reason.  He is always in a rush when sleep walking.  Tonight we tried putting him on our floor and sure enough he bolted out of bed and tried to rush downstairs.  A couple years ago I woke up to find him opening the front door.  Scary!  Brady and I are considering a gate or a cage for him. Probably not a cage.  

I went running outside on the trail on Saturday and it was awesome.  It made me realize that you really don't get the same experience on the treadmill (duh).  I thought I had been doing pretty well but that trail kicked my b$%*!  (I don't like to say butt).  The weather was beautiful and I was able to run alone which makes it easier to sing along to my ipod.  Some of my favorite running songs are Solitary Man (Neil), Upside Down (Diana Ross), Take a Chance (Abba) and Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tenille).  Yes, I probably need to venture into some newer tunes.  Any suggestions?

Another thought about running.  I know that I look retarded (literally, sorry not very PC) when I run.  I have proof.  At the NYC Marathon they take pictures of you at random spots on the course and then email them to you so you can buy them and share them with all of your friends because you are very proud of your accomplishment (run-on sentence-get it?).  Anyway, I saw those pictures and nearly died.  My mouth was slack and I had a not so bright look on my face in each one.   Needless to say I did not buy any of the pictures.  I wonder if I still have them on email?  I will look later.  

Depression

Beth, why so sad?  Are those tears?  

I am taking this way too seriously I know.  It all started out innocently enough.  I had heard good things about the books and in fact saw news stories about people camped out at bookstores at midnight just to buy the next installment.  Some would dress up and start reading the newest edition right there in the bookstore.  These people are a little strange I thought.  Now I am one of them. I don't have to wait for the next book to come out since I was a little late to jump on the band wagon,  but I am dreading the time when the last page is read.

Twilight?  No, it's Harry!

Our family started reading Harry Potter about a year and a half ago up at the lake.  We just finished the sixth book tonight.  The books have become a great family activity.  Brady reads out loud while the kids and I lay in bed listening (Sophia usually falls asleep) and then talking about our various theories.  It has been so much fun.  Our own little book club.

My depression is two-fold.  (If you have not read the books this is a spoiler alert.  If you have read all of them please don't tell me what happens in the seventh book--really, I might go postal!).  

Back to my depression.  I can't believe Dumbledore died.  I kept thinking no, this can't be happening.  Seriously, right now I am quite upset with J.K. Rowling.  Brady thinks he may not really be dead and I wouldn't be surprised but then again Serious was really dead and that was devastating as well.  Now you may notice that I may not spell everything correctly which is the magic of being read to, you don't actually see the words.  I am also upset because after the last book, that is it.  What are we going to do?  Lysa suggested the scriptures and I would like to think that is a viable option-maybe I should give them a chance but it will be very hard to compete.  Brady and Quinton are considering Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia but nothing will compare. 

Oh J.K. Rowling why not do one more?!  Its like crack for this 36 year-old mother of three, please!

What is the Procedure For....?

A few years ago I was on my way back from a work retreat in Vail.  I got a phone call from Brady asking me,  "what is the procedure for poop in the tub?".   I had him turn to page 32 of the manual (just kidding).  I was remembering this story on Sunday night when I was trying to get a few thing accomplished before Monday came so soon.  Penn loves baths so I had him playing in the tub while I was folding laundry at my bed.  I could see his little head from where I was and I was pretty excited to get the laundry folded and put away while keeping him entertained.  Well, I walked by the tub on my way to hang up some clothes in the closet and you can guess the rest.  Ugh.  While I was cleaning up the tub and gagging I was thinking "isn't there someone else who can do this?"  Being a Mom means sucking it up and doing the really gross jobs.  Kind of like the janitor in elementary school who had to clean up the vomit.  Although the janitors probably do have "procedures" and manuals... 

Bear's Baptism

Our Quinton Bear turned eight on January 12th and was baptized on January 25th with his cousin Clark and Clark's cousin Evan.  It was a baptism-cousin-trifecta!  I am so proud of Bear. He is truly a great kid.  

The baptism was bittersweet for me.  Brady is struggling with the church and this is something that I don't talk about that much but Brady is fine with people knowing (so that is why I feel comfortable blogging about it).  Brady still goes to church, holds a calling, and lives a clean honest life so it is hard for me to remember that he does not feel comfortable getting a temple recommend or baptizing his son.  Brady's Dad baptized Quinton and my Dad confirmed him.  It was not my ideal of how my son's baptism would go but I am coming to the realization that life is not picture perfect.  I was also a little sad because no one from our ward attended.  We did his baptism in another stake so the boys could all do it on the same day.  To be fair we didn't really invite anyone.  Quinton is very shy and didn't have any specific people he wanted to come.  But...the bishopric, primary presidency and our home teacher knew we were doing it and no one came.  I don't think any of this phased Quinton, and if it did he did not let on.  

It was a happy day overall.  My Mom gave a great talk on baptism and Diana's Dad gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost.  Lysa and Jared came with John and Kitty.  It was fun to watch Kitty and Sophia singing primary songs with other primary children while the boys got changed.  I think Quinton was relieved when it was over.  He had been pretty nervous and had never witnessed a baptism before so it must have seemed a little scary.  Afterward he had a great time hanging out with cousins and eating yummy refreshments.  I am very proud of him and know he will continue to make right decisions.  He probably doesn't realize the weight of the decision he made to be baptized.  

I think it is great when people list special things about their children.   I will try my best but I'm sure I will forget some.  

• Quinton does a great robot dance.
• Quinton is very good a math.  I think he honed this skill by playing sports video games from the age of 2.  He could always figure out the difference in scores!
• Speaking of sports, Quinton is a natural athlete like his Dad.  He may not be perfect but I can tell that he has natural ability.  I had an inkling when he was obsessed with hockey sticks at the age of 18 months.
  
• Quinton is an amazing speller.
• Quinton is a rule-following perfectionist.  I have no idea where that came from! (insert sarcasm here)
  
• Quinton looks like Smiegol (spelling?) with his clothes off.  Seriously.
  
• Quinton is a great big brother to Sophia and Penn.  He told me that Penn was the best Christmas present ever.  He makes sure to sit by his sister on the bus.  He is very sweet.
  
• Quinton's best friend is his Dad.  This is not an exaggeration.  His BSAF (best same-age friend) is Cameron but his Dad will always be #1.
  
• Quinton loves meat.
• Last but not least, Quinton is a great snuggler.  He taught Brady how to love snuggling. Brady jokes that when Quinton goes to college Brady will have to go with him so they can snuggle before bed.

About 9 months old (no this is not Penn!)

About 18 months old

3 Years old with Clark and Luke at Uncle Nattie's wedding

5 Years old 

7 Years old with Penn

Fall 2008

Hope and Soul

So I think my hang-up with blogging is "who is reading this and what will they think".  I am too worried about what to say that I haven't said anything.  That is pretty typical for me.  I'm much better at sitting back and listening than piping up-especially around acquaintances (not close friends but people I know, you know?).  So maybe my resolution for this year and for this blog is to just be myself.  I hardly ever even write in a journal because it is too embarrassing.  Here goes....

I voted for Obama and teared up while watching the Inauguration this morning.  I am happy that the nation (for the most part) feels hopeful.  It is cool that some of the things that I value are becoming cool-like doing service, trying to work things out rather than fighting, word games (just checking if you are paying attention), motown music, playing basketball and tall women.  I think Michelle Obama must be nearly 6 feet tall.  Anyway, earlier this fall I felt like I couldn't tell people which way I was voting because I was afraid of the "discussion" it might lead to.  Now I wish I had.  I may not agree with all of his policies but I like the way Americans are reacting to his message.  

Did anyone see Sting singing at one of the Inaugural Balls tonight?  Whoa, what happened my friend?  

Tonight while we were snuggling Sophia said "I almost snapped at school today".  So I'm thinking, oh no, what happened to cause her to "almost snap".  I have seen this girl have a breakdown and it isn't pretty.   So I said, "what does that mean?" and she showed me by putting her fingers together and trying to snap.  This I can handle!

Three Funerals and a ?-2008 Passings

Unfortunately it was not a cute movie with Hugh Grant.  2008 was a year that brought the passing of many dear friends and family.  Grandpa Ashcroft passed away last spring.  We knew it was coming and that he would be happier when reunited with Grandma but it was very hard nonetheless.  I felt guilty because I had not seen him for many years and was not able to see him before his death. I am sure he understands.  Penn and I made the trip for his funeral in Eagar, Arizona.  It was great to hear stories about him that I had never heard before.  He was a very hard-worker and kind but somewhat stern man.  I think he got softer the older he got.  One of my favorite memories of Grandpa is when he let Lysa have it when she said that the dinner that Grandma made looked like dog food.  It definitely was not funny at the time but showed the respect he showed and demanded for Grandma.  We loved riding in the back of his pick up truck when we were pretty young.  I miss him and missed sending him Oreos for Christmas.  

Jan Solis passed away in late May.  She is the mother of my best friends Melanie.  She died unexpectedly of a stroke.  She was a great friend to our Mom and even taught her how to swear (actually I think she was well aware of how to swear before working with Jan but that was the story).  I have so many fond memories of the Solis family.  Lysa, Penn and I were able to go to Phoenix for the funeral.  It was so good to see the Solis family.  We miss Jan and think of Ron and the kids often.

My friend Cecile Garcia was killed in a car accident at the end of September.  She was someone that I have worked with since I started at GDA over 9 years ago.  Cecile and I are the same age.  She has two young children aged 6 and 4.  This death was very devastating to me.  Cecile worked for our sister company ACF and I saw her about once a year and spoke with her a few times a year but every time we spoke it was like we were really good pals.  That is how she made people feel.  We always talked about kids and work.  She was very funny.  I was fortunate to be able to go out to L.A. for her funeral with Gary and other friends from GDA.  I miss her.

Our cousin Rochelle Ashcroft passed away at the end of the summer.  I had not seen Rochelle in many years but was very sad to hear that she has lost the battle with Cystic Fibrosis.  She is my third cousin to pass away from complications of CF.  Her brothers Adam and Gavin went before her.  We miss her and think of the Ashcrofts often and how they have had to bear more loss than most families.  

Well, I think that is it.  Some of my facts may not be totally accurate since I wrote from memory.  Even though we believe in eternal life and eternal families it is hard to be separated from those we love.  I am grateful for my living grandparents Grammie and Bompa and know that I will be devastated when it is their time to go.  

Idle Chit Chat

I am not very good at blogging.  I would much rather read other people's blogs than write my own.  Anyway, we had a great winter break and school and normal work schedules start tomorrow.  Bummer!  Anyway....I guess everyone and their dog got Guitar Hero or Rock Band for Christmas except us.  I kind of want it but the biggest obstacle is where to store all of the equipment.  Seriously, where does everyone put it away?  I also want my own camera-a small one.  Brady has a really nice camera with two lenses which all fit in a back-pack.  However, it is not very convenient or user friendly for those cute spontaneous moments with the kids or when going to the zoo with 3 kids when you don't have time to get the camera out of the backpack.  Lucky for me my birthday is in about 2 weeks.  Now I just have to decide what to ask for-Guitar Hero or a camera? 

I don't think this is very interesting.  Let me see if I have any juicy tidbits...Ok, so our house backs/sides to a busy street.  Last night the road was rather icy and Brady and I sat at our dining room window watching cars taking the curve too fast and spinning out.  It was really fun (don't worry no collisions or injuries).  We left the window for awhile and the plow or salt truck must have come by because much to our dismay no more spin-out action.  This is how exciting it is here at the Freestones.

Quinton is starting Cub Scouts.  I am scared.