I am failing

Having one of those days, I am having a day when I feel like I am failing at everything, Mom, wife, Friend, daughter, sister, human. Blah, blah is all I got. I have the feeling there is a giant elephant and not only cannot I not take a bite I can't even see around the other side of it. It is not helping that as of tomorrow I will officially have a teenager (why in the name of suess does that have to happen??) I hate my kids growing up for the record, hate it, alot. Especially when I look at pictures like this one

I did NOT give him permission to grow up, or get hugged by girls (except me) or to suddenly think I am lame. NO NO NO!

Okay temper tantrum over I am going to have a time out I will be back when I am not so grumpy! Have a great weekend.

Guess where I got to go??

So I have the best mom ever!! She took me somewhere I could never dream of going especially in this economy but it was so worth it. Here's a clue,
Yeah that's right Lion King baby!! It was truly amazing, I am a big baby when it comes to live theatre no matter the show I cry a little (or a lot) depending on the show at the beginning and this one I was so weepy the whole time it was truly amazing! If you get the chance, GO!! My best joke of the night... was for these guys. I think they work at Jamba Juice on their days off. Haha I am hilarious I know!!

It was awesome plus as my buddy said Simba is a hottie!!

Thanks mom!! Love you so much!!

Also I have to share this pic he lost two teeth in two days and couldn't be cuter, have mercy!!

Too Funny not to share

I usually don't share many stories from my work but this one was too good not to. So I am doing the first week of school schpeel (sp?) and I have an instrument simailiar to the one above that I use as a attention getter or a quiet down class tool. So last year all my classes voted and we named him Bob, I drew a face on him and when the class gets too loud Bob shakes his head in protest. So as I am explaining this a little girl raises her hand and says this....
'Mrs. Bankhead, Bob is funny because he kinda looks like my Uncle Bob except without the nuts... yeah go ahead and try and keep a straight face in front of your class. I dare Ya!!" Sorry sick sense of humor but ya gotta laugh!

A small interruption..

Just a question for you blends (yeah I stole that term), Do you ever have people who are in your life whether you want them to be or not, that make you feel well, yucky about yourself. And then you go around analyzing for the better part of your day, is it them or is it you just being paranoid. I have someone like that for me, they make me feel inferior and horrible about myself but do they really or is it just me?? My bet is it is just me, but there is some pretty stiff evidence that is them a little too. Sorry just wondering if anyone out there feels the same way, maybe I just needed a rant. We now return you to your scheduled programming.

This is one of my favorite quotes and current mantra
"No one can make you feel inferior without your permission"
Elenor Roosevelt
hmmmmm.......

Gotta go back.....

Well it's here that time for books, teachers and dirty looks. But this year was not as fun for some reason, letting my oldest venture into the depths of Jr High was particularly awful for me at least he was fine! But here they go!! We had a school clothes fashion show an idea I snagged from Nie Nie, packed up the packs, John did his dad thing, we had a Jr. High talk to Brodyman about standing up for what's right and off they went.

Seriously my youngest is killing me with sweetness in this pic!
The pic on the porch a tradition!

This is all he gave me I wasn't allowed to get out of the car, I had to take this sitting in the driver's seat while he walked away....its hard to drive with tears in your eyes....just so you know.

These are the things that stick in my mind and hurt my heart.

The elemetary ones, at least I get to see them a little.

First day of school for this girl is like Christmas, seriously..

Porter in his English classroom!

The boys are back in town!!!! I couldn't ask for better friends for my kid!!

Have a happy school year!!

Coming out of the Closet (heehee)

Just kidding!! But really I worked on this closet for ever!! And it was a labor of love, but what lies beyond the mysterious black curtain (don't worry I have since steamed it) you shall see now when my darling lulu asked for a black, white and lime green room, I was really excited buy I knew I would get bored and so would she if we painted the room green so this was a comprimise.
Isn't it awesome? In the pictures it looks more yellow than the green that it is but hopefully you get the idea.

On top of three of the polka dots which I used a mixing bowl to paint on individually uh yeah last time I do that I had the hubster cut me out some circles of scrap wood (free!) and got some pull from hobby lobby (2.50) and made some hangers for bathrobe, backpack, scarves etc.

They happen to be her initials

I love how it turned out even though it is a small closet we have tried to make the most of it. Pardon the stool in the closet I had just finished!

I loved this because unlike most of the things I do that I steal ideas this one was all me!! Happy Friday all!!

What are you watching??

This is a really dumb trivial post but I have found some really new great shows this summer that are decent now I can't tell you when they are on because I tivo everything but I might be able to tell you what channel they are on....maybe. Plus I need any suggestions, of your faves, Keep in mind I don't watch Bachelor/ette, survivor(don't tell my dear friend Neleh ;), big brother, but I have become a recent fan of biggest loser.
Anyway here they are:
1. Top Chef- I have watched this for a long time but it is still one of my faves plus I have a big monster chef crush on this guy I know its weird but its my weird. BRAVO
2. Covert Affairs-Have you seen this show, it is soo much fun its like Bourne Idenity for girls, plus if you were a fan of Ugly Betty you will love seeing Henry, cute and awesome and blind!! Yeah Love it!! USA
3. Flashpoint-This show rocks! It is kinda cheesy but so good and really intense and so sweet in some spots, this is a double winner because me and my hubby love it together. CBS
4. Rizzoli and Isles- This one is good, it hasn't gotten great yet but it is good and its better than watching CSI reruns. TNT
5. Burn Notice-My hubster has liked this one longer than I have I finally gave it a chance and tried to think of it more than just a show about a girl who loves guns show (which is what drew him in) and it is pretty funny and a fun show, great characters and a good time. USA
Again totally trivial and dumb but a little fun once in a while doesn't hurt!

One Proud Mama

That's right I said proud!! That's okay once in awhile right?? Well my Brodyman. Set a goal, worked hard and accomplished it! He really took to bike riding this summer when he did in cycling merit badge for scouts, well while I was training for my new scout calling I happen to see this bike ride up in Bear Lake called Bike the Bear where they ride around the lake for a 50 mile bike ride but because this is the 100 year of scouting and for a special badge (which they didn't get btw) they could do the lake ride twice so he wanted to do that. He got up for weeks at 6:00 am and would go on 10,15 or 25 mile bike rides to train and last Saturday he did and my very sweet nephew did it with him so he wouldn't have to ride alone (sooo grateful!) and he did it, he wanted to quit along the way but we told him we knew he could do it and so he just kept going! So Proud of him and all he accomplished and what he learned along the way!! Here is some fun pics of the day!! Getting ready to go soo tough!

Coming in from the 50, check out the traffic yeah I was a nervous wreck!
The last aid station that was open, his Dad and I became the roaming aid station after that.
90 down 10 to go and still smiling!!

The final stretch!!

If you can't tell that says 100!!! So awesome!!

Time to reflect

I realized I haven't posted anything about the loverely trip we got to take this summer, it was awesome!! We don't travel much (not that I don't like to, just don't get to much) So when we do, I try my best to make it FABULOUS!! Anyway we went to Zions National Park, Route 66 (the most important part for Porter) and San Diego and had tons of fun. Here are some of my favorite pics from the trip.

Porter and Daddy in the pool at Uncle Doug's house so nice!!

Kids hiking in Zions, and this is where we learned to read signs more carefully! Little more of a hike than we were planning on.

Porter and his ultimate find, we happen to think this looks exactly like Stanley from Cars, huge find! He was so happy!

I asked all the kids to do this but Catie really took to it, the first thing we do when we go to a coastal town is find the beach it was lovely!

This was like the mother ship was calling Brody and Porter home, they were in heaven and I really liked it too, amazing talented people live there.

Right before we left I was doing some famiy history and discovered that my great, great grandparents were buried in Chula Vista, Cali so my hubster humored me and drove me around to find the cemetary and it was so cool, plus I found another relative that the records had buried in the wrong place so cool!

Finally (for this post) was the Midway museum aircraft carrier I didn't expect to love this as much as I did but it was sooo cool, one of the highlights for me. Maybe some more pics later, much more to the trip but to many pictures make me crazy!

Ok so here it is

The only reason I am doing this post is so I can link here and be with the cool kids, I love this blog, everything about it, her humor, her style and I have a serious dog crush on Maximus. (You seriously need to read all the posts regarding him. But this is the blog where I recieved the inspiration for the tree in my daughter's room, that redo to follow soon! Anyway I wanted to do something cool enough to link on her show and share day so, I tried but I am not sure if I succeeded. Here it is: I had an old table my great grandfather gave to me years ago and I did a very sorry yet fitting for my furniture at the time redo and when I got bored (which is easy) I put in the kids playroom(dungeon) to do puzzles on. Well I really needed a end table in my living room so I decided to bring it up and see what I could do, here is the before:

Gross

Please don't judge me:

Obviously that no food in the playroom rule is not being followed, shocker!

Here it is primed :

And here it is painted red velvet red!! Loved it, but I do have brown faux leather couches so I decided I wanted just a little bit more so.......

I added a dark walnut glaze just to give a little hint or brown and make it go better with the room

There it is to see the really cool links to some awesome stuff go to Just a Girl button on my side bar. She never dissapoints!! Happy Friday!

Because I am a dork

and it took me a week to write a shout out post please scroll down to see a post I wrote and some of my favorite go getters!!

A video for Sunday

I love, love, love this song, I wish I could have it in my heart all the time. Happy Sunday!!

Had an awesome day

with my momma and little girl, went to the Artisan Fair and the quilt store. Sported my new sassy hairdo (really sassy! hehe) Then came home to a beautiful, wonderful smelling rainstorm. So I ordered my kids outside(only two of them listened) and demanded that they play in the rain while I grabbed my camera and shot some of my favorite pictures ever!! Please summer never end......

I am going

HERE on Saturday. You should join me, promises to fill that "I have a cool new thing that you don't have" need that we sometimes get. Lots of cool stuff held by this cute girl with one of my favorite blogs. See you there!!

I have the greatest

Mother in law, she is wonderful, loving and kind. She also has a wicked sense of humor if you listen close enough. I am so lucky to have her in my life. So here is my top ten list of things that I love about her.

1. This lady has chased,killed, and plucked chickens as a child. tough cookie
2. She can quilt, sew, bake, cook, can. (pretty much rocks)
3. She is completely selfless.
4. She endured being a wife to a Bishop 6 yrs and Stake President for 11 yrs and I never heard her complain. Think about that though long time.
5. She had a baby at 42 and still loves him.
6. She like myself sees how absolutely wonderful John is.
7. She loves my kids and takes the time to tell them.
8. Porter would say she always has cookies and string cheese.
9. She loves unconditionally seriously she does it for real!!!
10. She loves me despite my many faults.
Happy Birthday Mom!!! Love you bunches and Bunches!!

Good-Things-to-Come

I love these videos so I am sharing another one, a nice sabbath thought. I love Jeffery R Holland and always get teary exactly at the same time as him it seems during his talks. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Good-Things-to-Come

On a lighter note

I thought what about a little flashback friday, I thought this was funny although some of you may be too young to remember some of these. But excuse while I go roll my jeans and put my banana clip in my hair! Have a great weekend!

Taking a break today

I get to spend the day with these two angels, and I couldn't be happier. As much as I adore being a mom, I really love being an aunt, kinda like being a grandma without the wrinkles. (hopefully). So forgive me today but I really need some snuggles and lego, and gi joe time with these sweeties.

Today is yucky.

Its hot and humid, I have no motivation, and its a sad day for me, but I am taking in some lovely peace with this, thought I'd share. Have a lovely day.

Do you know people??

That just rock? you wonder how they do what they do, and you are in awe of them, I know alot and though I am not a big hugger or note writer, (if you have ever given me a gift, I apologize I am grateful I just suck at writing Thank you notes). But I do notice things, I have done something simailar to this in the past and I am always looking for ways to be more positive, I want to try again. Ultimate Positive People are going to be featured today. They may never see this but I know its here and when I look back I can model myself after them when I want to choke the nearest ding dong.
1. Smilin Stacie Keime=always GENUINELY smiling, So sweet and grateful, plus she's beautiful with sweet gorgeous kiddos. I love me some sweet little Millie! I also love that she always really thinks about what she says before she says it and you can see her being very careful. I DON'T have a filter like that. Love, LOVE love Stacie!
2. Amazing Ann Brough= I have NEVER heard this girl complain about anything. Not to say that she doesn't but I just have never heard it. She is such an awesome person, always wanting to help people, such a great Mom plus she makes me laugh! I love how motivated she is always running or doing something athletic, (seriously can we bottle that drive). Love Ann
3. Nie Nie I don't know her personally but I go to her blog for a kick in the behind whenever I need one. First the odds she has overcome are truly INSPIRING but her take on life usually always makes me cry. I want to know how to be like that, take a trip to her she really is so awsome.
More to come don't worry if you know me I admire you in one way or another and your time is coming!!

February Are you kidding me??

Has it been that long since I blogged, WOW what a loser! Well needless to say I have a ton to recap but I am not sure how much I will recap because who wants to catch up, but a few things yes maybe... I can account for my time from February to April, So here goes I am now a certified sparkler (phlebotomist, if you are a fan of twilight you get that) and a CNA, neither of which I am using at the moment, but it felt so good to be back in school learning something even if I just use it for family and such. I also helped direct another school musical, my favorite so far Willy Wonka plus I got to work with two of my favorites! These girls rock!!

I would insert a picture here of us together but for the fourth time I was too busy to even get pictures of my kids. Ugh! Horrible Mom!

Also this little guy turned 7 and had his first friend party (I don't usually do this because me being one of 6 John being one of 7 we are a walking party) He had fun and so did I, I might even do it again (maybe) We had a cowboy party and the boys were so cute, they roped a bull (plastic) rolled the hay (clarification not a roll in the hay) and got tractor rides with my other 7 yr old John who did donuts in the tractor. It was a blast!

I have also been working on some remodeling projects that don't suck! So I will post pics of those soon when I finally finish putting down the baseboard, and when just went on a FABULOSO vacation! That was the best I have ever been on!! I love my family!! Hopefully I will still have readers and followers but who knowS?? Is anybody out there??

Are you there blog??? its me crazy...

I know, I know we all say we'll do better but sometimes we just have to let somethings go my prediction will be about 3 weeks from now, I will be better but who knows?? I am helping with a school play at my childrens school, Going to school myself so I can sparkle!1 (I'll explain later if you don't get that). Had a couple horrible weeks at school (my work) when a family endured an unthinkable tragedy. Kind of rocked my world a little more than I thought it would. Tore all the ligaments in one of my ankles, (ever tried to chase oompa loompas on crutches not fun!!) Anyway these are the reasons, there not that great but there mine. So I hope to be back soon and as for my journal blog (not that you care) I have kept careful notes I just need to transfer them to computer. Hope your all well Loves to the bloggies!!

I think I fixed it!!

Let me know if it worked I think it was somewhere in one of my widgets. If it popping up on you please let me know! Thanks for the input!!

Can a blog have a virus?

I think mine does, everytime I pull it up I get this stupid adopted austrailian thing? Is it doing this to you when you pull up my blog? If it is I am terribly sorry. If you know how to get rid of this any suggestions would be welcome!! Happy Tuesday to you. AI is on tonight and I am hoping to recap sorry I have been a slacker to much life lately.

So this one show started again,

I love this show, but I don't really always watch all of it, I really like the beginning. You know the part with a lot of weirdos?? And one of the blogs I love to stalk, recaps The Bachelor which I refuse to watch but I love reading her recaps so I thought I would recap AI.

Hasta la bye bye, won't miss you at all, can't wait to hear the sound of you gone!
Sorry if you like her

Can't wait to see what she brings to the table, I really love her, but not like that!

If this is his last season it is also mine, he is why I watch, I love his honesty.

I liked Posh Spice more than I thought I would, she was really nice and not as weird as I thought she would be. (Are you sure your friends with Tom Cruise?)
Here are some of my faves.
OF Course the cutie patootie cancer surviving guy from Utah
gorgeous eyes a little Sinatra like and blue eyes to boot?? HELLOOOO!
Justin Williams

The Alicia Keys girl with the beautiful teeth and voice
Ashley Rodriguez
I predict top 20!

The little girl with the Grandma with Alzheimer made me cry
good, but didn't love it.

The afro,Jim Morrison, broken wrist dude...can't decide yet...he kinda looked dirty to me.
The boat driving dude loved him! But I don't think he'll go that far.
I love the Amadeo Diricco funny New York Italian guy. Maybe it's because I am sitting through some musical auditions this week also, but I enjoyed it being back!
Welcome Back AI!
See you for Orlando REcap and please tell me your favorites!!
And if my recap is horrible! or if its okay!