Batter Up!

Baseball is in Owen's genes. My dad played ball for the San Francisco Giants. So, I was really excited when Owen got a t-ball set from his friend, Caleb (and family), for his birthday.

Now that the rain has subsided for a consecutive 7 days, we finally got the set put together and set up for him. To say that Owen loved it is putting it mildly. Adam was teaching him how to swing the bat, hold his hands, and stand. Adam was doing this for a right-handed batter. Little did either one of us know, Owen prefers to bat left-handed. What?! I know that kids can still be "confused" as to which hand they want to use for coloring, eating, etc. But here's the kicker, Owen held the bat properly for a left-handed batter. I didn't teach him that and neither did Adam.

Anywho. Owen had a grand time smacking the balls off the stand. He even improvised when no one would shag the baseballs for him.

Make a postcard - it's easy!

I'm really excited for Owen to reach the age when I can sign him up for t-ball. It'll be fun to see if he is still batting "lefty."

Back to School

I'm venturing into territory that is almost foreign to me it's been so long. I haven't stepped foot into a classroom for over 10 years! But, in keeping with my goals, both short and long term, I'm going back to school. This time, however, I'm steering my education into a direction that I want to do and that I'm excited about. I'm going back to get my nursing degree. It's going to take me several years as I'll only do one class at a time of the pre-requisites. Then there's a wait time of about 18 months - 2 years to even get into the nursing program and then about 2 more years to complete the program.

My original degree, of course, was in Political Science. Why the change? While I love politics and governmental issues, it was also a major in which I had a lot of credit hours already done and I didn't want to change majors and put myself further behind. Therefore, I was looking to finish my Bachelor's as soon as possible. When all was said and done, in 7 years of post-secondary education, I had earned 3 degrees; 2 Associates and 1 Bachelor's. So, while I'll be well over 40 by the time I'm done with the nursing program, that's okay. I'm not in a hurry, this time around.

I don't regret choosing Political Science as my major, but there's not a whole lot I can do with this major. I could go to law school (one of the Associates was also a Certificate Program wherein I became a Certified Paralegal), but having worked for several attorneys, the last thing I wanted was their schedule - early mornings in the office, late nights in the office. No thanks!

So, in choosing a new area of study, I really considered the "mom factors" in making my decision. I've always said that if I could go back and do schooling over I would choose either teaching or nursing. I was really considering teaching at the high school level; that would allow me to be home and have approximately the same holidays as my kids while they're in school. But, I wasn't really excited about teaching high school. I knew my heart wouldn't be completely there and I would only be short-changing both the students and myself.

I've always had an interest in the medical fields and LOVE to watch all of the shows most people consider "gross", "disgusting", "icky", etc. In fact, the gorier, the better. So, without going into too much more sacrifice in every sense of the word, having a high-demand job, with a mom-friendly schedule, nursing became the obvious choice for me.

Honestly, I can't wait to get into the program. I know I have a lot of work to do before hand, but that's okay. With small children at home, one class at a time is about all I can handle. What doesn't excite me about school is all of the shenanigans that goes along with it - admissions, transferring credits and getting transcripts, registration, but worst of all PROVING THAT I'M A CITIZEN OF THIS COUNTRY! Excuse me? Shouldn't it be the other way around. Why do I have to prove that I'm here legally? Whatever!!!! I guess I'll have to get going so I can fax a copy of my driver's license to the school so they can change my status. What a crock!!!

Colors of the Rainbow

Okay, so black isn't one of the colors of the rainbow, but it definitely is one of my favorite colors ever. Interesting. I see myself in some of this description, but not all of it. Guess I'll have to lighten up a little bit. Ehhhhhh...maybe not!

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Black

Your color is black.The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

(I can't figure out how to change the color of the text within this box - it doesn't show up on my settings and colors and it may on yours. In any event, I copied and pasted the text below for those of you who can't see it.)

"The color of night. Serene and mysterious, black conjures up images of elegant evening gowns, dashing tuxedos, and gleaming limousines. Traditionally a symbol of success, black also represents power and an uncompromising demand for perfection. Not surprisingly, you tend to set challenging goals for yourself and do whatever it takes to achieve them — your strength of character is second to none. This unfaltering determination, along with your natural elegance, impresses people. But keep in mind that your personality might be intimidating to some. Try to temper your demanding side with a little softness — trust us, it won't kill you. Overall, though, black is the color of professionalism and achievement, which means it's clearly the color for you."

Pushed Around

Owen is constantly finding things to push around the house. Sometimes it's the laundry basket. Other times it's the basket with the shoes. Then again, it could be the basket for the balls. Whatever it is, chances are Owen is pushing it.

One day while I was trying to start dinner, Owen was zooming through the kitchen pushing the ball basket right through the kitchen. Caroline was crying and I'm wishing "Calgon (would) take me away!" Since that wasn't going to happen, I decided to improvise. Maybe, just maybe I could get Owen to push Caroline in the basket. Might as well try, right? What do I have to loose? Cari is already crying; this could afterall keep her quiet, or at least get her laughing.

I plopped Caroline into the basket. She started screaming. Apparently, she thought I was just going to hold her. She didn't like being put down, and into a basket no less.



I couldn't resist taking the picture while she's screaming! But, as she got use to the idea of "going for a ride," she quickly changed her tune and started to giggle, laugh, and just be a happy baby.




These last two pictures are my favorite.....2 happy, smiling, laughing, getting along kiddos!

Real or Fake?

Do you remember when the media roasted Rudy Guiliani over the coals for the staged events with his wife calling on Rudy's cell phone while giving a speech at several events when on the campaign trail? Well, well, well. It seems Hussein Barack Obama has taken a page out of that playbook. Here's an article I found while listening to Michael Medved. Medved discovered it through a Connecticut talk show host who put the occurrences together.

You decide whether it's real or fake/staged/rehearsed, etc.

Election 2008

I majored in Political Science while attending the University of Utah. I love politics. I don't necessarily enjoy everything about what happens in politics, but I love it. Not many people do, which is why I feel the need to really pay attention to what is happening in Washington D.C., and here where we live. I truly tdon't understand apathy towards politics. To say that you don't understand how politics directly impacts your life, you must be living in a bubble.

Therefore, I have added a new set of links in the sidebar. You will notice they are a conservative nature, because that's my point of view. However, some of the sites will give you both a liberal (cough, gag, hiss, booooooo) and a conservative point of view.

I vote in every election and I take my kids with me to vote. It doesn't take that long (typically) and I want them getting used to the idea of going to vote whenever there is an election, especially every two years for Senators and, of course, every four during a Presidential election. I took Owen and Cari with me to vote in the most recent Primary election.

Out of the candidates that were in the race at the time, I was really excited about Mike Huckabee. I really like the idea of the Fair Tax, the dismantling of the IRS (legall crooks), and getting rid of the NEA and putting education back into hands that know the children best - THE PARENTS. But, as time went on and as I did my own research, I was not liking a lot of his views on what I consider major issues. I also didn't like how nasty he got when it came to Romney's religion. Why does religion make a difference? And, if it does, then shouldn't EVERYONE'S religion make a difference? Although he aspouses a different religion, Obama's Muslim background should come into play but, of course, does not. You get the idea.

I then began my search to find a new candidate in which to cast my vote. I was trying every reason, and I did find quite a few, not to vote for Mitt Romney, including that he was LDS. I don't really like to think that some people voted for him just because he is LDS. That's lame to vote for him for that reason alone. I think Fred Thompson, had it taken the campaigning seriously, would've made a great President. John McCain...are you serious? He's not a true conservative and I don't agree with a lot of the positions he takes on issues. All one has to do is take a look at McCainFeingold, McCain-Kennedy and you'll see that he's not conservative at all. Not only that, but your suspicions should immediately go up when ANYONE teams up with a known murderer, liar, thief, drunk, and left of liberal, i.e., Kennedy.

In the end, I pulled the trigger for Romney. I had to. He was the candidate who closely represented most of my views. Although, I still have my issues with him. I am sorry to see that Romney pulled out of the race, but think he took the higher road in the nasty game of politics. There were some listeners to Dennis Prager who called into his show and expressed the opinion after hearing Romney's speech, where he pulled out of the race, wherein they wished that they could go back and vote for Romney instead of McCain.

What I don't understand is when people say if (and when) McCain gets the nomination for the Republican ticket, they will jump ship and vote for Obama (assuming he gets the Dem nomination). What makes them think that as bad as McCain is, and he is loathesome, that Obama will be better? If Hillary gets the nomination, would those same people jump ship and vote for Hillary? If not, why? Between the two, Obama & Hillary, Hillary is much more tolerable than Obama! Obama is nothing but fluff, smoke, mirrors, stuffed shirt, and hot air. He has proposed so many more governmental programs, but has yet to explain how those programs are going to be paid for. Can you say HIGHER TAXES? We're not talking just a little bit higher, but a whole lot higher, higher than Bill Clinton ever raised our taxes, which were the highest taxes in years. He wants to give everyone medical insurance, as does Hillary. So, here's a question...Are those same people who want to give everyone medical insurance willing to trust their healthcare to the same people (the federal government) who handled Hurricane Katrina? There were a lot of debacles when it came to handling the mess, and it's still a mess, of Hurricane Katrina. Can you imagine what would happen with your healthcare given these same individuals to handle your wellbeing? Unimaginable. Obama will make the Carter years look like the Garden of Eden when he's done. That's scary.

I've also heard the reasoning of voting a liberal into office will screw things up so bad that the proverbial pendulum will swing back to the conservatives. So, I ask, do you want to totally screw America over just because McCain isn't the greatest of Republicans or conservatives? I was thinking about this and then Michael Medved hit the nail on the head when he told a caller that sort of thinking and reasoning is "un-American" and "un patriotic". I couldn't agree more.

This same Democratic party who won the elections in 2006, who espoused to bring "big difference" in the first 100 days of being in power, and has yet to get anything constructive done. All I've heard is hot air leaking out of Nancy Pelosi's and Harry Reid's mouth.

So, while I despise McCain, I'm terrified of what the years of Obama or Hillary would bring to this country. I will have to hold my nose, run and puke afterwards, but will vote for McCain, if necessary but I don't want partial birth abortion legal in this country - unlike Obama and Hillary. Those who gave their lives ensuring our freedoms and liberties would only be in vain if Hillary or Obama get into office. I cannot live with that over my head. I love this country too much to not do my part.

Whether you agree with me or disagree with me, I don't care. Just do your homework and find out which candidate closely represents your views and then vote your conscience. Just make sure that whoever you vote for, you're able to look yourself in the mirror the next day.

A New First

Corn dogs in our family was part of everyday life, if you will, when it came to my younger sister. My mom and dad gave Owen a gift card and $5 for Christmas. I decided to take Owen to Sonic today for lunch. I couldn't decide what to get Owen for lunch until I saw the listing for "corn dog" on the menu.

Owen had his first corn dog today and he loved it. So, in honor of my younger sister, this post and pics are for her! Love you Min.

Um, Excuse Me?

Before I left for California, I got a call from the Executive Secretary, the Bishop wants to meet with me. Not Adam and me, just me. Great! I thought I would be able to put the inevitable off for a while - like a few weeks - since I was going out of town, sick kids, etc. No such luck.

The Tuesday after I got back from California, I responded to the summons and showed up at the Bishop's office. I had been speculating the entire time what it could be about, but had a feeling I was getting a new calling. I was right. In one foul swoop, I was released and immediately called to be one of the R.S. teachers for our ward. I guess the first time was a "dry run" Apparently, I'm not quite finished with teaching.

I'm excited for the new calling. It will definitely give me a chance to study more about Joseph Smith and his life. I enjoy teaching in a weird, sadistic sort of way. I always learn more when I have to teach a lesson than I think I am able to teach those in the class. I guess the Lord is determined to have me keep at least one of my New Year's Resolutions - study the gospel more and/or read my scriptures more often.

So, to those of you who read this blog and are in my ward who will have to "grin and bear" it through my lessons, please be patient with me. Just because I like to teach, doesn't mean I am any good at it.

Here's an interesting thought: Both of my sisters, one of my sisters-in-law, and I all have the same calling. We all teach on the same Sunday of each month. Kinda funny. It'll be nice to talk to them about how they will go about teaching the lessons and what thoughts and ideas they have regarding it. Just another reason for me to be excited, I suppose.

Glamour Shots

It was a beautiful day today and so I decided to take Cari outside and do a little "photo shoot" and take advantage of everything glorious about the day. She looked cute and I couldn't resist.

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

My Biggi is getting so big. She's 10 months old and she acts like she's going on 20...years that is. I love my Bigs!

Perception is Key

I was putting the dishes away from the dishwasher this afternoon. As usual, Owen was right there helping me. The bottom rack was done and now for the top rack. (We have two different sets of dishes. Adam likes one set - we'll call that set A - because of the cereal bowls. I don't like that set for the same reason. I prefer the other set - set B.) As Owen was unloading the different bowls, whenever he would pick up a bowl from set A, he would say "Dada". I didn't think much of it until he picked up a bowl from set B and said "Mama." He continued to recognize and distinguish out of which bowl each parent preferred to eat cereal.

I never knew a 2 year old could be so perceptive and would even bother to care or notice which bowl their parent preferred. I know kids are very aware of their surroundings and what is going on around them. What I didn't realize is how minutely aware of the details kids could be of their surroundings. Whoa!

It's Just a Game.....

But, it's a "game" that is saving us money! You can play along too, if you wish. What game is it? It's called The Grocery Game. This "game" is very similar to Coupon Sense, if you do that. I think this might be a little bit cheaper than Coupon Sense. It is $1 for the first 4 weeks as a trial. Then, it's $10 for the first store for 8 weeks and a graduating scale of cost thereafter. They look up stores that are in your area (including Wal-Mart, which price matches, CVS, Walgreens, etc.) and compare shop for you. They tell you which coupons to use, the date the coupon came out, which source it came from, how many of a certain product to buy to get the best deal, and at which store is the best to buy a product. The "game" takes into account that you have already signed up for the grocery store's savings card, preferred shopper card, V.I.P. card, whatever you want to call it.

I admit that I was more than a tiny bit skeptical about the whole thing. I've heard of Coupon Sense and know others use that and like it. I was pretty doubtful that I would save money, at least enough money to make it worth signing up to do this, but in the end decided to give it a whirl. I mean really, what can $1 for a month's trial hurt, right?

This is a HUGE deal for me. I made a commitment to Adam (and myself) to spend money more wisely this year. I loathe going to different grocery stores and running around town, especially with gas at - or above- three bucks a gallon. It's ridiculous to do that when the money you would save in groceries is going to gas for the car, not to mention two screaming kids along the way and at each stop. But, because of my commitment, I decided to give this a try. I went to Albertsons this morning to get the items that I needed there, according to my list and how The Grocery Game said I would save the most.

When I gathered up all of my things, I went to the checkout lane, loaded everything up with Onie B's help and waited for the grand total. Before the preferred card was scanned and coupons given, it was about $52 or $53. After all was said and done, I walked out of there paying only $20.81. It quickly made a believer out of me. I think I will continue to do this. I couldn't continue on and go to Fry's as it was time for naps, but I'll have to go later tonight once the kids are in bed. I'm excited to see just how much money I can save. Now my "game" has begun...how cheap can I get something and how far can I make my dollar stretch. Can't wait to find out.

I just have one question...why do you have to spend money to save money? Isn't that more than a little ironic? I don't understand!

UPDATE: I got back from Fry's a little bit ago in which I finished my grocery shopping for the week. At Fry's before my V.I.P. card and coupons the total was $136.30. After my card and coupons......drum roll please..........$75.81. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I saved a total of $60.49. Not bad for someone who hates running around town from store to store. I'd say I did a pretty good job of stretching my dollar.