My baby is Five!

I can't believe my baby is already five. That little guy melts my heart every time I look at him. He can get away with anything! This is a picture of Talon and Ethan...E looks so cute, and Talon wouldn't let me take another picture. I still had to put it up! Anyway, we had a slumber party on Wednesday with the cousins. It was a fun way to celebrate his birthday and kick off a really fun Thanksgiving. He wanted a Transformer theme, and I found these masks at WalMart. They looked so cute!We made home made individual pizzas and all of the kids ate their food. I was so shocked. We have so many picky eaters, but they got to make them the way they wanted, and they ate it. Small miracles in the making :) Here are some pictures of him opening presents. He is very spoiled, he got everything he asked for!That is my cute grandpa in the background. We don't see him very often so it was fun to have him there. I think he enjoyed watching all of the kids play together. Here is the bunch of them all together. (with my dad in the background)LOVE my nieces and nephews!!! They were so good. Uncle Fabulous complained a little cuz they were making so much noise at 9am. Seriously, 9am...In my world, that is sleeping in!!!

NKOTB!!!

That's right people, the New Kids on the Block made it back to Salt Lake City, and I was there! I go out for a girl's night once a month, and this month Miss Natasha picked NKOTB for us to attend. I had been so sick, so I was a little skeptical, but oh my gosh, we had soooo much fun. This picture shows how early we were..I think we were a little to excited. Do you see anyone else in the auditorium?

Tatia, Natasha, Jessica

Has anyone heard of Lady Gaga? She is VERY strange. She really has a good voice, but not my taste of music. The four of us were just staring in awe so I had to capture their faces. The girls really wanted me to delete this picture, but it was so funny....she is really out there, to say the least.

Natasha Bedingfield was next, and she is FABULOUS. I am not sure why I didn't take a picture of her, maybe I was too busy singing along....so I downloaded a picture of her....close enough, right?
But then...hearts pounding...Donnie, Joey, Jordan, Danny, and Jonathan took the stage. It was so funny. It took us back at least 15 years. Here are just some shots for posterity.... Seriously, it was just a great night, and I am so glad I went...you know you are all jealous...and you know you are singing...."You got the right stuff, baby....."

Yay Me!!!

What would my online diary be without the juicy stuff right? I told my new friend that I was going to dedicate a post to him...yes that is right ladies and gentleman, Mandy is talking to a male species...after you wake up from passing out on the floor I will give you the details. Just kidding, there are no details. I have just been having fun with a new friend. He does read this, and I don't want to look like a complete idiot. I will tell you that he is really cute, and he kind of has me hooked. I would show you a picture but I didn't ask his permission. Don't worry Jeff, nobody you know reads this blog...

I was just kidding about dedicating a post to him. Today I am giving myself props. I have lost some weight. I haven't felt any different, and in fact I look at myself in the mirror everyday and get really down on myself because I don't feel any different and I haven't noticed a change. I still have a lot of love around the middle, but the other day I wore a pair of pants to work...ummm....they were slightly too big. I finally realized that I have made progress and it was time to give myself a little credit. These are the pants I wore...I had to pull them out for the full affect, what would a weight loss picture be without this pose?

I wouldn't let Sammy get my head in the picture cuz I hadn't gotten ready yet today.

So this is me as of right this second. Ethan just took this picture...not bad for my little 4 year old. Did you notice the belt, yeah, even my new pants need a belt, I am ready to go one size smaller. And guess what Zach, no girdle...WooHoo!!! My goal weight is still about 8 pounds away...Yes I said 8 pounds. That is so doable...I can't believe it! I am at the point that I just need to firm up though. It isn't about weight to me, but it is about being healthy and becoming comfortable in my own skin.

Sorry for the yay me, but I am pretty proud of myself. Oh, and Sammy wouldn't take a picture of me if I didn't take a picture of her...so here is Sammy blowing a kiss to everyone. She loves you all!

Hot Date!!!

I know it has been forever, and since there is so much that has happened..I am just going to start with today...here and now!

I had the hottest date of my life on Saturday!!! I don't know how I lucked out to be his date on his birthday, but I was very honored. Check it out ladies, he is now 18 and legal!

Here are just some cute pics of the day at Frightmares. I don't feel like blogging so you aren't getting a lot of verbiage today.

We went t a ward Halloween Party tonight and here are my cute kids that were so excited to go...too bad it was very blah!

Happy Halloween everyone...

A month, Seriously???

I can't believe it has been a month since I blogged last. I am way out of the loop. It isn't like I have just been sitting on my rear either. This may be a very long boring blog, but I have kind of been using it like a journal so you have to have a recap of the whole month.

My bff Ashley and her husband Josh adopted the cutest baby ever. Her name is Shana Rae and we are so happy to have her in our family. She is a sweetheart!!!

I packed up my house, and officially moved out...the house in Payson is empty and the keys have been turned in. Here is Sam & E playing in the empty house.

That Labor Day weekend was crazy...I had to pack and be ready to move out of my house, I had a bunch of family in from Seattle, and I threw a party for Josh and Ashley. Steven had a football game on Friday night, and he had an amazing game. We have so much fun going to watch the Lions. We got our jerseys on and even had a little face painting fun.

3rd Quarter started, and Steve went up for a fabulous catch and well...came down on his shoulder....he broke his collar bone, don't worry he didn't drop the ball. I was in tears. He was out last season due to knee surgery, and now this. I guess he was not meant to play football no matter how good he is

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Then there was Onion Days in Payson which is against the rules to miss.

As you can tell the rain was about to start. Luckily Steve was on float #19, and the rain started right after he went by so we took off. Don't tell anyone we didn't watch the whole thing. This is a dark picture of the float, but we needed proof that we were there.

I got everything moved into the new townhome in AF as well. Crazy...and I was going to give details of the fun stories, but now it is so after the fact that you should have just been there. You see Ashley and Josh are my ex-husband's cousins. Ashley became my best friend so I threw this party for her, and all of the ex-inlaws were there. Love them and miss them, but boy was it emotionally draining. Glad that weekend is over!!!

The kids have their own rooms in their new home but this is what I found on that first morning.

They actually love being home. They have never asked if they could just hang out at home. Life is pretty darn good. Check out our theater room. These really aren't our posters, but this was the room before we moved in.

Speaking of movies...my brother's movie came out in theaters here in Utah. Fly Boys is a good family movie and he is amazing. Go and support him..and if you need someone to go with I am always up for the night out.

I should leave this for Trish to blog, but I am just grateful that her and her family are okay and doing well in Houston. She was very blessed. A tree landed in between her garage and the house. It could have been so much worse. Love you Tirsh, and I miss you tons. Can't wait til you move home away from those horrible hurricanes! (I had a picture but messed up the download.)

Hope everyone is doing swell....I now have internet at home so I should be back in this lovely blogging world!

My Princess

Well ladies and gentleman today was the first day of school. I want to start off by saying how upset I am with the school district for starting school so blasted early this year. I am sure my voice really matters to them. Tam & Sam went and got their haircuts on Saturday so they would look so cute for school. They both look adorable!

Sammy had to start her 2nd grade year at a brand new school. She doesn't know anyone, and for that matter neither do I. We won't be moving til next weekend, but we didn't want to move her. This is her 4th school already. Her teacher is great, and she was very excited to go....up until this morning.....

This is the smiley face at breakfast. She was so nervous!!! She didn't sleep at all last night. When she woke up she told me she didn't feel well. I of course thought it was because she was anxious. She didn't eat anything. I gave her some medicine to pease her so to speak. By the time we got to school this was her happy face.....
Grandpa picked her up from school, and the teacher told him that she let her sleep for 30 minutes at school today. She gets home and is burning up with a fever. I am such a good mom...I don't even know when my child really is sick. She just had the flu last weekend, I didn't think she was going to get it again. Poor thing. I am so proud of her though. She had a great day at school and met lots of new friends. She said she is in boy jail at her desk though. Surrounded by boys....Yucky....

I know this has nothing to with the rest of this post, but while my family was in CA we had family photos taken. There are seven kids in my family. We are all huge football fans, well Trish isn't, but she played along anyway. We each have a different favorite team so we decided to wear our football jerseys. I think they turned out really cute. Here is just me and my awesome children, and then the entire group of 22, which will soon be 23...pictures outdate so quickly!!!

We probably should have thrown a football in there somewhere...better luck next time!!!

Just an update

I have been so busy lately! In fact I am updating you on my blackberry. Since I have no patience this will be brief.

My new job is amazing! I don't think I have ever been so happy at a job. I am hiring an admin if anyone knows of someone. Had to throw that out there sorry.

I am moving to AF on September 1. Mike found the most perfect townhome.it has a big basement & our kids will love spending more time together. Sammy & E will both start at new schools on Monday and they are very excited.

Still not going out or dating anyone, but it has started to cross my mind. Maybe one day I will get out there. I miss eveyone a ton! I feel so out of the loop!

Need a Light?

I have some pictures from the Payson fire last night. These were taken from my yard. I say that like I live in Spring Lake, but pretty much we all know that I do. It was very scary and a lot of homes were evacuated, but at the same time nature is so beautiful. Just thought I would share some with you. The first one was taken at about 9, and the third one about 9:45, it was crazy how fast it was growing.

I'm Having a Baby

Ha...Just kidding. My kids have been gone all week. Their dad had a birthday on Friday so he had my best friend babysit. She was taking them swimming and had plans for a great evening. I missed them so bad that I bombarded the party. Anyone who knows me should realize that I was missing them pretty badly if I went swimming to hang out with them. I hate swimming! Anyway, when I saw them they were so tan! I said to E, look at my brown babies. He got so excited, "Mom, you are having a baby, Yeah!!!" No, no baby, I promise!

E just sat and watched the divers. He wouldn't let me leave, he said he needed to learn so he can do it when he was older. Not sure these are the people he should be learning from, but I have a feeling this is something he will indeed be really good at someday. My kids are fish, and I am glad they have people who love them that will take them, cuz I am not a fan. I like to watch it though!

Reflections

I sit down and write today very humbled. Today is July 13, and it is my one year anniversary of officially being single. I have had so many mixed emotions running through me today. Let me try to explain...

I got up today and didn't even want to get out of bed. I was feeling very alone. My kids are with their dad, and I am in a house that doesn't feel like home. I could have stayed in bed all day. I do need to say that I am not sad about being divorced. I am sad for my children that they have had to go through this in their short little lifetime, but for me I am not sad. There are just some days where I wish I wasn't waking up to an empty house. I chose to get up, obviously, and I attended church. It has been about 4 months since I have had the opportunity to attend my ward. (with working at the hospital on Sundays) I felt very uncomfortable and the new person all over again. I didn't want to go by myself, but guess what guys, I am by myself, and this is my life. I hate not having my kids at church with me, and pretty much just not having them around all of the time. They are my world. I tried to talk myself out of going and just running over to Spring Lake where I would be comfortable, but I did go, and it was one of the best meetings I have ever had. Tears were brought to my eyes several times today. I am sure a lot of that is because emotions are raw. I love this gospel that I have in my life. I am so blessed to be a part of something that I know to be so true. Mom and Dad, thank you for raising me the way you have. You are amazing parents, and I am so grateful for the job you did, and the wonderful blessings I have been given because of your examples. I don't know where I would be without the gospel in my life, actually I do know where I would be and thank goodness I have been taught by goodly parents!!!

So today I sit and reflect on things, and I am just feeling so blessed. I can't believe a year has gone by already. Sometimes people just need to write their feelings down. I probably let everyone in a little too much, but I hope you all have the opportunity to feel the spirit like I have on this beautiful Sunday.

22 People Survived Mickey Mouse

My entire family took a trip to Southern California. We did it all. We camped on the beach, stayed at a condo and went to Disneyland, California Adventure, Universal Studios, and then we even went down to San Diego to see Sea World. We had so much fun. We are all very tired, but it was one of the best times I have ever had with my family. We are so blessed to have each other. I only fought with Trish like twice. I think that is a record for us Trish. We rock! I have so many pictures and I can't figure out this slide show thing. If I ever do, I will post more pics. For now I will just share a few, which will still be a lot! Nevermind...I think I might have figured this out. Go me!!!

Cabin Fever!!!

Some of my brothers and I took a quick trip up to our family cabin. Thought I would share some of the beautiful views. And just some cute photos of all of us hot people that were there!

First and Last???

I had the oppertunity to have a girl's day for my friend Jessica's birthday. I have never even been to a spa, but there is a first time for everything. Natasha took Jessica and I, and treated us to a fabulous day. We all had pedicures and had our toes painted in glitter. Don't they look fabulous...(mine are the orange ones in case you didn't know)

Then we had lunch that was to die for, followed by an hour long massage. It was my first professional massage, and I loved it!!! I was very nervous, can you imagine having to get naked with two gorgeous skinny girls. Yeah, tell me about it, but I will be going back for another one someday. I was in heaven. This is me right after the massage, can you say relaxed.

We ended our day in the beach room. This was a room of sand and painted murals. It was very relaxing, but don't stay too long. It gets a little musky in there. Just be careful when you sit in the beach chair, it has a tendancy to whack you in the back of the head and cause you to throw up in the sand!

These are my cute friends Natasha, and the birthday girl Jessica. Thanks girls...I had a perfect day that I don't think I will ever have again. We can always hope!