7 quirks

Thanks for the tag, Michelle:
Hopefully you all don't think that I am too crazy. :)

1. I have tweezers in my car...and I use them. It seems like I always need them when I look in the mirror, and the light in the car is amazing.
2. I see people's names in letters, and count each letter automatically, and they have to end in an even number, or I recount them again so they do end equal...It's not as bad as it used to be.
3. I collect and have binders and files full of kids craft projects and activities, and it is all very organized, but it is the only aspect of my life that is.
4. I stress eat, and I love carbs and sugar, but hate being over weight.
5. I hate wearing socks.
6. I hate cleaning, and hate having a messy house...so I am pretty much depressed about my house all the time, it is either too messy, or I have to clean. And I like to make messes. Of course there are those rare days when I have just cleaned my entire house, and am happy for at least a day or two. (I think I see some kind of a pattern here with #4, and this one.)
7. I love the sound and smell of fresh garlic sizzling in olive oil.

I tag everyone reading this!

I just watched an interview with the President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili. For the first time in a few weeks, I feel like everything is really going to be okay.

He is an amazing man. He reminded me of how Winston Churchill must have been when he said this:

June 4, 1940

"We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

He has just recently stared Russia in the face, and decided to not back down no matter what the cost. He spoke about how Democracy is undefeatable...(unless it is destroyed from within.) and just what he has done and is doing for his country is remarkable.

He also said that he knew that the United States would overcome their financial problems and be better for it. He talked about how principals of Freedom and Democracy were not just American Ideals, but worldwide for freedom loving people. How Freedom for everyone is really the only type of Government that works. I have felt more hopeful than I have in a long time. I really feel like in this time of crisis, some amazing leaders are stepping forward, and I feel lucky to live in a time when some important history is going to be made.

Arrow of Light Ceremony

Jeff has been wanting to make a new bridge for the Cub Scouts for a long time...he did it just in time for Clint's Arrow of Light Ceremony. He really is able to put things together and make them look classy. The vinyl letters of the Scout Law were his idea too. (Thanks, Ashley, for making it happen!) The boys walk across the bridge when they complete all of their Cub Scout requirements, and enter into Boy Scouts. It was a great ceremony. The cubs were met by the 11 yr. old Scouts on the other side of the bridge. Jeff did such a great job.
I was a little emotional because Clint is growing up. He is 11 years old. I am just really grateful that he is growing up to be such a good boy. We are proud of Clint and Michael and Ethan too. We started in Scouts the same time that all of these boys did. It is cool to see how they have turned out. They are all good boys.

Colored Water

Serioulsy, this activity kept the boys busy for almost 2 hours. I just put 2 drops of food coloring in each bottle and let them squirt away outside.
I had to refil the bottles every once in a while, but it was a great afternoon activity, and afterwards, they were so worn out, they Watched Max and Ruby for another hour after that!

Medicine

So yesterday afternoon I finally went to the Doctors after suffering with sinus problems all week. (I hate going to the Doctors...who has the time?) Diagnosis: A sinus infection, an ear infection and strep all at once! I had no idea about the ear infection...I just knew I felt like crap. I have never had one before.

1 hour after taking antibiotics I felt 100 times better. So glad we live in an age of medicine. Now I have to contend with my house that has been neglected all week.

It would have been funny if...

It hadn't been at Derek's expense...Okay, so it was still funny!!!! It's a good thing he is a tough kid!

The waves had been really small and barley surrounded the board. You know how the Ocean is. All at once the tide just poured in. I was not watching at the time. I probably would have dropped the camera trying to rescue him. Dad's never seem to worry as much.

Singing at the Capitol

Clint is the one who doesn't know the sign language...

In Memory of Fallen Officers...

Clint's singing group was asked to perform last Saturday at the memorial for Fallen Officers in Utah, at the Capitol in Salt Lake. It was a good experience for him. There are some new monuments up at the Capitol to honor fallen Officers here in Utah. I am so grateful to the men and women who are brave enough to choose this line of work to serve their community and their country. I will try to load the song up sometime today. It was really pretty.

(Clint also almost got hit by a car while running to the stage. I had nightmares about it ever since. That kid.) Matthew came along with us. He is such a good friend to Clint.

For Greg...Thank you for being there, and for being a hero.

Priorities

We've been talking about it for a long time...

One of the most important things a boy can have...before he gets too old...

So, all Labor Day weekend, even though the living room needs to get finished, the lighting in the kitchen needs to be fixed, the entry way needs to be tiled and the stairs need to be repaired,
We finally built the Tree house.
In the Hackberry Tree in the backyard.
It really is a perfect tree...The branches and leaves make the roof.
Matthew and Clint slept in it last Friday.
< They let Derek visit.
The most important aspect of the Tree house is the pulley and bucket, so they can get all of their important stuff up there. And the trap door, of course.
The name of the Tree house is "Hydration Mountain". Derek named it. We don't know where the name came from, but until Clint thinks of a new one, That is the one we are sticking with for now.
Did you know, there is magic up there???

Happy Birth...?????

Does anyone recognize this van??? Anyone....Anyone...?
Happy Birth....(The day fell off my banner, and I don't know where to find it....)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!!!!!!!!!
Wow! 25 years old!

Pro Palin!

I don't even know where to start she is so amazing. Restored my faith in the Republican Party. If you havn't seen her speech, watch it now. It's in 5 parts. I put up the first part. To watch the rest, go to You Tube.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gozyYCT68lc&feature=related

Part 6--Street Market

Downtown Portland, every Saturday The coolest shopes and street vendors
Street muscians and performers...these guys were drummers and they were using buckets, boxes, water bottles...it was awesome!
Lucky 4 leaf clover necklace from a magic chinese lady...

Derek and Cole got insect necklaces...I found some pretty pink sandals...
Playing drums at the African Drum Shop....
Ginni found a nifty green shoulder bag. So many interesting things. Even more interesting people. Punk Rocker City!
The night before we left...I guess I feel asleep reading my book. It's been a busy week. (Jeff took this picture of me.)
Thanks Mom and Dad (Clair and Rita) for the amazing trip and family time that we will NEVER forget! We love you!

Part 5--Big Foot Country

Big Foot lives in Washington you know. We looked and looked and looked all over Silver Falls for him. We didn't find him. I wonder if he is related to Jacob. You know who I am talking about. We were really close to Forks after all. (All my friends who love Twilight...I thought about you all week!).

One of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The rain would be hard for me to live with, I won't lie about that...but the green and the trees definitely make it more tolerable. And when the sun does come out...wow! Unbelievable! And the sun did come out...they last 3 days we were there!

Each Family had their own little cabin. Clint and Derek are on the porch of ours.
This bridge was about 100 ft. from our campsite. We had fun exploring.
Clint and Cole got brave on a fallen tree log. The drop was only about 10 feet. Nothing too dangerous.
So I took Derek across too.
The vegetation is so different from anything in Utah.
Mossy Trees, One big Spider.
Jeff is giving Derek a lesson in forest survival...eating clover.
These two are going to lead us to the waterfall?!! (Jeff and his Dad).

Ready for an excursion?
Silver Falls....Really Beautiful!
Lower Falls...
More mossy trees...
Aunt Lelia brought marshmallow guns and other surprises for the kids...she is very sweet!

Derek and his cousins...it's so great that they get along and have so much fun! I am so glad that at least Garrett and Preston don't live too far away.

Washington, Part 4 of 6--Water Adventures

Yes that is me cliff Jumping. It was maybe 15 feet. Not too high. But the water was FREEZING!!! And it was raining, as usual. So it was even more cold than it would have been otherwise. So after hiking through the forest with flip-flops on, and wearing my bathing suit under my clothes for a 2 hour car ride, I was a little annoyed that everyone else decided that it was "Too Cold" to jump. (Say "too cold in your wimpiest voice".) I was not leaving until I jumped after coming all this way. I know it is not a very flattering picture of me...but I jumped! And nearly slipped into hypothermia afterwards! Kimm, Clint and Cole jumped too...we are all AWESOME!!!
The next stop was the Cheese factory. We came here last year. Clint loved it and wanted to come again. They apparently have the best ice cream in the world. And a lot of free cheese.

Scott, Cole and Clint get to sample all different kinds.
Derek is not a cheese fan, unless it is string cheese...but he remembered to bring his "D".
Tillamook was about 30 min. away from the Pacific. So we spent the rest of the day there...and the sun came out...and it was beautiful, and warm, and I love the Ocean!

Me and Jeff in really bad lighting...
Derek fell asleep in the car and slept for a good hour and a half before I woke him up. It took a couple of tries to get him coherent enough for him to realize that we had made it to the beach.
Clint, Scott and Cole Boogie Boarding...Scott used to surf when he lived in Hawaii...he really knows what he is doing!
It was a perfect day!

Clint and Cole are such good friends. I am so glad he was able to come from Boston for the week!
There was a cave down the beach...Clint, Jeff and Cole went exploring...I stayed with Derek while he was asleep, but it sounds like it was really cool.
Derek finally woke up and started playing with his cousins. Garrett and Preston are so fun!
Derek did a little boogie boarding too...He just waits for the water to come to him.
Jeff's sister Ginni...superwoman! Seriously! She is supermom! I love her! That is her little girl Leah...she almost likes me now.

Freaky, I know! (Don't panic...those are Clint's legs over Cole's shoulders:)
And those are Garret's legs over Clint :)
Shannon, (Scott's wife), and Preston...one of Derek's favorite friends, even though they are cousins too.
I can never get enough beach time. I love the beach!