See my butt on my booty?

Brennan just ran in, pulled his pants down, and asked, "See my butt on my booty?"
Um, Brennan, haven't we talked about pulling your pants down?
Nobody wants to see your hinny but you!

The Family

Hey y'all. I went to the Women's Broadcast last night and had this on my mind. I haven't really looked at it in a long time, so I decided to print one for myself and see what nuggets of advice it has for my family. Maybe you'll get something out of it, maybe you won't, but here it is...

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

WHY?

Why

does

Jackson

POOP

so

much?????

Especially when Dad is at work or just not home???? I gotta go. Jackson has a present for me.

Finally

I have been putting off writing the 2007 Primary Program for the past four months. Knowing I needed to do it haunted me as I was in Louisiana and it has been on the back of my mind, always making me feel like I couldn't totally relax.
Well, I am excited to say that yesterday I sat down and typed out the outline I had forced myself to write during a football game a few weeks ago. After reviewing it once, I felt it was in a good enough state to turn in to the bishop for review.
Keep your fingers crossed that the bishop doesn't find major flaws (such as a "geaux tigers!" or "is that ref on crack" accidentally typed in from my notes) and that I don't have to start over. From scratch. The beginning. With only 6 weeks before the program.
Because, if I do...I may just JUMP OFF A CLIFF!

Stick Horse Races at Sunny Slope

River City Roundup

Today Brennan's preschool class is celebrating River City Roundup, a huge rodeo going on this weekend in Omaha. Brennan has been excited about it all week as they learned about cowboys, made 'cowboy' vests, and rode stick horses. Today the class dressed up in their cowboy gear and they are going to have a great time. Since Jackson needs to be like Brennan, both boys wore western clothes (does a tee-shirt with a horse/man on it that says "cowboy" count as western?) and boots. Thanks Papa for the boots!
Tomorrow (probably) I'll post the class picture of everyone dressed up in their cowboy finery at school.

Ashley, Daveion, Brennan, Aariah
Jackson and Brennan

Picture Time!

Today the boys got their pictures taken at Portrait Innovations. I have to hand it to them, that place does a great job! If you only get a one pose package, it is less than $11 for about 35 prints and 6 postcards. Not too bad, considering they take at least 30 pictures, you get to change outfits, and they change backgrounds a lot and use a lot of props. The best part is that you get your photos in about 15 minutes...great for the family Christmas card. Now, if you get more than one shot, it gets kind of pricey, but they are so good, it is worth it. Oh, and my trick to only get one pose...don't change the outfit. It's easier to narrow down the choices if you are deciding between two cute outfits.
So, yes, this is solicitation, but I'm not getting anything out of it, just the satisfaction of knowing you have great, timeless photos, too.
I expect every one of you to post a picture of the picture you get taken, too, or send me one in the mail, so I can see how cute they make your kids, too!


(This is a picture I took with my camera of the actual photo)

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

The World is Shrinking

I hate suckers. I am scared they will cause tiny holes in the boys teeth and they will get cavities. Bart, however, loves suckers.

Is Brennan shrinking, or is the world growing? I just don't know anymore.

JESSICA NEEDS...

Okay, I did Kathy's google thing (I'm supposed to be cleaning the bathroom)
Here's what I got:

• Coffee (strike one)
• a Revolution (strike two)
• Help (ding, ding, ding...we have a winner! Boy, do they know me or what?)
• Her "Eric" time (what?)
• Someone to talk to (yeah, so give me a call slackers!)
• to go away? (Nah, just on a vacation maybe)

Kind of funny...
Now, to the toilets!

Heaven

I love a good smelling fabric softener.
One that makes you sniff yourself every now and again.
I think I found one that will have me wanting more, wishing it was time to wash the sheets again and again.
Snuggle Peach Blossom and Sunshine Swirl. Just the name makes you smile. And the scent...delicious. I can't wait until my dryer is done and I can snuggle up in Brennan's blanket that I just washed!

Sorry, but this was the only picture I could find of it...even the flowers around its ad are heavenly.

Waiting

Here I sit...waiting...





Still waiting....


I am in charge of our ward's part of the "Emergency Preparedness Fair". I have had to contact the Sheriff's office, Police Dept, and Fire Dept. I started working on this Aug. 28. I just today talked to a fire chief, and that is only because I was "authoritative" on the phone...
Wow! A call back from the fire chief...I've only left about 10 messages with the Public Education and Affairs division...I am SO EXCITED!

Now, I am waiting again...


Waiting for another phone call...


Waiting to find out if the super cool traveling RV thingie they have can come to our LDS fair...


Wanting a shower but scared to miss the phone call (he said he'd call back as soon as he had a definite answer), so I sit...


Waiting.....

How is it?

• How is it that Jackson knows the exact moment I pour myself a bowl of cereal, even if he is in the basement playroom or sleeping?
• How is it that both times I have given birth the birthing room has turned into a three ring circus?
• How is it that I didn't even mind the circus and won't mind if it happens again?
• How is it that Brennan is reverting in potty training and having an 'accident' almost every day?
• How is it that I have gotten so fat?
• How is it that EVERY TIME Bart wants a t.v. remote, they have all grown legs and walked away?
  
• How is it that I can read Harry Potter in less than a week, but take forever to read the Book of Mormon?
• How is it that just when things are looking up, Bart smashes his glasses?
• How is it that Bart thought that his glasses were safe because he put them behind something on the kids table???
• How is it that my peaceful shower gets interrupted almost every day, except Sunday's, but that's just because I have to get up at 6:45 for a meeting.
• How is it that the bishop thinks we need to have PEC every Sunday at 8:30, when church doesn't start until 1:00?
• How is it that "Mamamamama" means about 536 things to Jackson? and that Brennan understands about 1/2 of those?
• How is it that I sweep three times a day and my floors are STILL crumby? (as in crackers, toys, juice cups, etc)
  
• How is it that it took 45 minutes for Brennan to get a 15 minute haircut?
• How is it that I will have nothing to to for a week, and then ten different things to do on one day?
• And Finally...
• How is it that I always have time to make a blog entry, but never have the time to put up all the laundry????
  

Cookies, Candy, Wolverines, and Brennan

Today is a great day for dentist everywhere. We are their job security.
Bart bought over $100 of candy for some promotion West is doing (because we all know that we work better when a single piece of candy is held over our head.)
Brennan and I decided that the candy needed to be open and mixed up so that the employees will get a variety. We had a lot of fun doing that, as you can see. We may have eaten a piece or two as we did this manual labor, too, to help us have the strength and energy to finish the job.

Our next door neighbors are having a Michigan VS. Notre Dame football party and they brought us some very yummy cookies to celebrate the occasion. We only recently met Kim, one of the neighbors, and Brennan is in love with her. He asks at least once a day, "Remember when we met that nice lady next door and I was on my bike?" So, thanks Kim and fam. for the great treats!

Brennan did get a little bit more sugar than normal, but we don't mind, because we are dropping him off at a babysitters house and going out for a little while tonight! As long as we remember to brush his teeth before he goes to bed, he should be alright...even if we are giving Bryan (cousin dentist) a heart attack.

Oh, and one final thing...those of you who are regulars to the blog may have gotten an email about Brennan's schools fund raiser. If any of you are interested, go to www.innisbrook.com. Brennan's school number is 103574 and his student number is R54693C. Don't feel obligated to buy something, because you will have shipping to pay, too, but if you just want something, get it...oh, and I personally think that the magazine subscriptions are the best deal, and there is no shipping...You only have until Sept. 19 or 20, so if you want some, get some.

Autumn is Arriving

Okay, this is not to make those of you in the South jealous, but because I am so excited for this! We have had the most gorgeous weather lately...I can hardly stand it. The boys and I are outside all the time. The weather is cool, the trees are actually starting to change colors...what is this??? Tomorrow is going to be "cold", with a high of 63, but as long as it gets back into the 70's again, I am okay with a preview of the beginning of the cold. And, yes, I know 63 isn't "cold", but it is to Louisiana ME!

G.R.I.T.S...it's not just a girl thing

G.R.I.T.S. Girls raised in the south...not anymore...Jackson and Brennan prove that it can be GUYS, too.

This little booger eats grits like there's no tomorrow. Jackson can eat his entire bowl of the yellow stuff, and then some.

And Brennan is a perfect little southern boy. "Yes Ma'am" and "No Ma'am" are often heard by Brennan's preschool teacher. And he even brings his teacher flowers from our 'garden'.

These kids should make their southern raised grandfather very proud.

All Tuckered Out

Last night we went on a walk around our neighborhood. We left our home at 6:45, thinking we'd be back within half an hour. Well, we took a street we hadn't been down, discovered an overpass for the interstate (it is relatively close to home, and yes, we do hear cars...boo) and explored the other side of the interstate. I was very freaked out to walk across the interstate...you are so high and the cars are so fast, but we did it. Oh, and don't worry...it was one of those covered things that keep the pedestrian safe. Because of discovering this secret road, I can now take what I believe will be a 'short cut' to Brennan's preschool! Yeah. Now, instead of driving two whole miles on a main road, I think it will only be about 1.5 miles on side streets. The plus side? LESS TRAFFIC. Now, Omaha is NO Baton Rouge...it does not take 1.3445 hours to get from Airline Hwy to Denham Springs on I-12, but it did take me 15 minutes to travel the two miles home last Friday. ( I think there was a wreck slowing up traffic.)
Okay, so I am rambling, but that is what I do best.
IN CONCLUSION:
We had fun, but as you can see, Jackson couldn't last the entire trip. We finally made it home right before 8 p.m. We are already planning how to better our next adventure walk!

Clifford the big red dog

HELP WANTED: Help me find Clifford the Big Red Dog snacks for Brennan's preschool. I am sure there are some out there, I just don't know what store sells them. So, if you have ever seen any food item that is a Clifford treat, please share this nugget of information with me so I can make sure Brennan's treats are the best.
Oh, Clifford is the "star" of Bren's preschool this month.

Lunch is Ready

Just thought you might like a laugh...I've waited forever to have one of my boys do this!

So tiny, yet so great

What's smaller than a breadbasket, bigger than a nickel, and lighter than a feather?
My Fujifilm XD-1-GB memorystick.
How is it that something that is so small can be so big? My memory stick currently has videos from our trip to LA, pictures of my family, and a few incriminating photos to save for future girlfriends.
Without my memory stick, I would just be a girl with a cool new camera. With my memory stick plugged in, I am MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE!!! Nah, just an annoying mom with a camera, capturing every last memory so when the boys are too big to be held I can remember...

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

Saturday was a lovely day...perfect to go out and watch a game of football. Unfortunately, we are in the land of Cornhuskers and had no tickets nor red teeshirts. So, we were stuck with the next best thing, ESPN ALL DAY LONG...(next best thing for???) However, since we had been blessed with the joy of football in our home since Thursday night, with the kickoff of college football featuring LSU, I was ready for a break from the t.v. announcer gods and pigskin saviours. So, the boys and I decided to go on a walk to the neighborhood park. Bart joined us (whoa, he could actually move away from the sofa??? J/K, he was actually pretty productive this weekend) and we had a great time. Even though it was a gorgeous day, not too hot, not too cool, with a light breeze and shade trees to make the park even more appealing, there wasn't a soul in sight...maybe that had to do with the fact that Nebraska kickoff was fast approaching. Anyways, we had a blast and enjoyed our own private park.

click here to see a video of all three boys sliding...just find the slide picture w/ a triangle on sept. 1 totally worth it to watch to the end...

Volleyball Rock Stars

Last Tuesday we had a casual R.S. enrichment night. It was a rainy night, so there were only about 15 people to attend, but we had FUN! I haven't played volleyball since 1996, and I wasn't that great then, either. Luckily, nobody was. Because we all know I like to be silly, I was making up rules and keeping very 'accurate' score. Helaman's Army won 5,692,357 to Gadianton's Robbers 3. Can't wait to do it again!!!