Family Pictures! Help Me Decide!

We had a family photo shoot and so many of them turned out good- so I need your opinions- which one do you like the best?

We are having an Easter Party

We are having an Easter Party and you are invited!!!
April 11th, 2009
11:00-2:00
My House
We are grilling out hamburgers and hotdogs.
We are asking that you bring a side dish or dessert to share.
We are having lots of fun for the kids and young at heart.
If you want to hunt eggs- bring 10 stuffed eggs!!
Don't forget to bring a basket, lawn chair and if it is warm- the gear for swimming!!
Just let me know if you are coming so I can buy the right amount of meat!!

5 Senses

I've been tagged- this one is called the 5 senses tag. You list 4 things you love, and one thing you hate, for each category. Then tag 5 people, leave them a note on their blog so they know. Also, let the person who tagged you know when you post yours.
So here we go....

SMELL: 1.I love the smell of babies. 2. I love the smell of something baking in the oven. 3. I love the smell of anything clean 4. I love the smell of a good lotion. Hate- The smell of tuna- makes my stomach turn!!!!

Touch: 1.The feel of fantastic fabric- you know the ones you want to rub over and over 2. Soft skin 3. A good tissue- when I'm sick 4. The laundry when it is still warm from the dryer. Hate- I hate to touch raw meat- I use any utensil I can to not touch it.

Sound: 1. I love to hear my children being nice to each other. 2.I love-love-love music. 3.The sound of nature. 4.My sister's voice- it just makes me happy. Hate- Hearing someone clip their toenails!!!

Taste: 1. Mexican Food 2.Italian Food 3.Donuts- although I rarely eat them 4.Oatmeal Raisin Cookies Hate- Mayonaisse!!!

Sight: 1.I love looking at my children 2.A freshly cleaned room 3.The beach 4.Flowers Hate- I don't like seeing someone tattoed from head to toe and body piercing galore- ugh!!!

The five people I tag are: Amanda Magonigal, Sydney Magonigal, Jossie Parish, Monique Phipps & Jennifer Richardson!! Have Fun!!!!

Joy in the Journey!!!

I wanted to share something from President Thomas S Monson's talk he gave in November 2008. The title of the talk is "Finding Joy in the Journey". I was so moved by this talk and everything in it- if you have not read it- I encourage you to to so - you can go to www.lds.org and search in the Ensign- November 2008 and find it. But here is some of it......

"This is our one and only chance at mortal life--here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it its brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey--NOW."

"Stresses in our lives come regarless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important- and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, " They do not love that do not show their love." We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."

I hope that this is as helpful to you as it was to me- I think I need to read it every day to be reminded- I may hang one of these on a wall in my house just for that.
Big hug, little hug, big kiss, little kiss!!!!

Something Homemade!!!

Who else want to play? No pressure. The first FIVE people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2- What I create will be just for you.

3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)

4- You have no clue what it's going to be.

5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it! Sounds like fun, right?

Bowling!!!!!

We went bowling with Britt, Jordan & Tanner!!

The kids and adults had lots of fun - we don't take it too serious!!!

Making Pizza!!

The kids love making pizza- we don't do it often enough but am trying to get better! I have tried several dough recipes- the kids like it no matter what because they made it!! FUN!!!!! Once again I have several chins- what makes me hold my head back like that????

New Teacher!!!

So after a long, very painful, conversation with Sydney. I have decided to try a new piano teacher. I think a lot of the frustration is that they don't like their teacher- she is a little crazy!! So I searched out a new one and they will start with her next week. Cross your fingers everyone and hope that it changes their point of view!!! At least the kids will know that I am listening and trying to make it better!

Piano Practice Blues!!

I am so tired of making the girls practice piano. It is like pulling teeth without anesthesia(did I spell that right). I know that they will appreciate this one day but they sure as heck don't appreciate it now!! I pay good money for these lessons and they cry, fuss, and find any way out of it that they can think of. So am I a mean mommy for making them practice or will this pay off in the long run. I am not sure if I have the patience. I am open for any advice on this subject!HELP!!!!

Papa Glen & Girls

This was a Daddy/Daughter Dance!

Sean was on his way home from Iraq but didn't make it for the dance so my dad went with the girls- they had a good time with their Papa Glen! I am thankful that my dad did this for them!

Apron!

This is the apron I made my sister for Christmas- i didn't use a pattern- just did what I thought was cute- thought I would post to share!!!

Shock Collar For Yoda!!

I love this shock collar we bought for Yoda! It has 5 levels of shock plus a beep. So the theory is that you beep first then shock- so in time all you have to do is beep and not shock. Yoda is already there- all I have to do is beep his collar and he runs to my side! I wish I could put this on my children- I know that would be cruel but it really is awesome. I wonder how long he will have to wear it? We are correcting his bad behavior right now but will use it to train to do some positive behavior later- like come and stuff like that. Yoda is a small dog and I only would shock him on the level 1 or 2 but I was in a rush the other day and just picked it up and shocked him for his behavior. Well he screamed like crazy- so I look down at the number and it was on 4- I felt pretty bad after that. The dog went and found Saxton for comfort- THAT IS CRAZY! I know he was scared if he was seeking out Saxton for protection.HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

CATSCAN!!!

Saxton had his catscan today. Sean came home from work- I made arrangements to be there. We talked to Saxton about it for a long time - trying to prepare him for it. We were thinking this would be traumatic--guess what--
HE LOVED IT!!!!
He was laughing- thought it was funny. The only problem with that is that he was suppose to be perfectly still so the tech came over and held him down- he still thought it was funny. We walked out the door and looked at each other and thought what did we fuss over that for?!>!>!
By the way he had a catscan because they think he had chronic sinuses- he may need surgery. The child has had several sinus infections in a row and has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks now and sounds like an avid smoker!! For those of you who don't know Saxton has had his tonsils and adnoids removed and has had two sets of ear tubes--I feel so sorry for him!! I honosetly think that it is his horrible allergies to blame for it all- that is just the opinion of a mother!!!
Peace out!!

Tug of War with Yoda

I'm Sad!!

Saxton has decided that he doesn't like his hair spiked up!! So he is getting his hair cut today in the traditional boy haircut. I will hold out hope that he will want it spiked up again- i personally think it is the cutest hair!!

While we are on hair- I just got back from having mine cut. I looked at the christmas pictures and thought why didn't someone tell me that I needed some bangs!! So now I have some- I will have someone take a picture of the new hair and post it soon.

Sydney is at the doctors right now- her eye was really swollen this morning- either it is a stye or a clogged tear duct. Sean is with her and we will soon know the verdict.

Bama and her great grandchildren minus Jordan

Parker, Saxton, Sam, Cooper & Sydney

My kids christmas morning with their stockings

(they have the coolest stocking stuff don't they?)

The Hood!!!!

This is Saxton precious "hood"- Sean was given this in Iraq and he didn't use it or want it- so it became Saxton's Toy and he adores it. He thinks he is a NINJA or Power Ranger or whatever character he can think of when he wears it. We make him take it off to leave the house. I can't believe he can stand it- I would have a panic attack with this over my head!! We get a good laugh out of this- thought we would share!!!!

Saxton's Christmas Party!

Saxton's Christmas Party at Preschool

They had a gift exchange and he got the hot wheels( he liked them)

They ate pizza and sang some songs- but most important was

that Santa cam to visit- the first thing Saxton asked was "Where is Rudolph?"

Then he was looking outside for his sleigh!!!

He is so funny- he was so embarrassed when people laughed at his

question because he did ask it very loudly!!!

These parties are such fun!! Little kids are a hoot!

I Can't Possibly Be HER Mother!

Okay- I can't be her mother because she looks to old for me to be! this is her professional shot from the pageant- she does look pretty right- it just freaks me out how old she looks! Tammi Darley was the photographer- she is amazing!

I Shouldn't Color My Own Hair!!

I have wanted to try red hair for sometime! So I got a whim the other day and decided I would just do it. I obviously picked the WRONG color because it looked horrid. So I decide well i will just color over it back to my regular hair color. Well my hair really likes the red because it did not take. It toned it down A LITTLE = not enough for my liking. The good news is that I didn't use permanent hair color- it should -i repeat- should wash out in a month. Hope this gave everyone a good laugh.. I'm considering this spreading some joy this holiday season!!! This is the most horrible picture of me but I am putting it up just to show you my hair- don't judge me because I know how bad it is!! The hair looks a lot tamer in the pic than it really is!

Sweet Wishes For the Season!!

For those of you who didn't get my Christmas Card this was one of the pics on it- there were three others. I would love to put you on my list if you didn't get one- just email me your address!!!!!!!!

SEANS COMING HOME

Sean is due to be home on Monday. He has started his travel back already so we hope all goes smoothly and we get to see him on Monday! YEAAHH!!!

Thanksgiving!!!

Okay so I didn't take any pictures! We had the Richardson's over for Thanksgiving along with my sister and grandmother! It was a small but wonderful Thanksgiving. I thoroughly enjoyed the company and was grateful for a the food everyone brought. I have so much to be thankful for including good friends and a loving family! Sean is due home on the 15th! I will definitley be thankful when he comes home! I love Saxton but I am not a good single parent- need some backup help with the discipline!

Email somewhat resolved!

I can access my email through someone elses screen just not mine- so weird- I do not know what is up with it. I will figure it out later- no time to mess with it now! The good thing is I can check my email!

Email trouble!

I have been able to access my aol email for 2 days now- if anyone is trying to contact me that way- i am not getting it- so call me or write on my blog instead!! Hope this resolves itself soon!

More Pageant Pictures!

Sage & Saxton before the Pageant The back of the dress

The opening dance number

After the pageant

Look how pretty!

Sydney's Pageant!

Sydney was in her school pageant this past Thursday! She was chosen one of the class beauties- yeah!! This is one of her good friends Tori- she was one of the other beauties! Sydney is so much taller than she is-funny! I think she is gorgeous! I will post better pictures when I get them!

Trials!!

Today's lesson in church was mostly about being thankful for your trials. Well this is what I took from it anyway! That which does not kill us makes us stronger. The Lord gives us trials so that we can grow from them. If we never knew adversity than happiness would have no place. I am not the greatest at this concept so I will try to improve. When tragedy comes my way I do usually ask why? but then I realize that I could possibly grow as a person because of it( however long this takes varies). I do try to keep my head up when things are bad because I know they could always be worse and I am thankful for that!! Sean being gone for 6 months has been a big trial that I am not yet grateful for but I hope that I have grown from it:)

I do want to share with you a poem that was read at my mother's funeral- and I once had it framed and want to put it up in my house again- it is by William Wordsworth? I think that is right- I am doing this from memory-

What though the radiance that was once so bright
Be now forever taken from my sight
Though nothing can bring back the hour of
splendor in the grass, glory in the flower
We will grieve not but rather find strength
in what remains behind!!

I will never be grateful that my mother passed away but I am working on finding inner peace about it- although it is a daily struggle!! I try to find strength in my family that I do have and I love them dearly:) I hope that they can be patient with me and my emotional roller coaster that I take sometimes.

SICK!!!!

Well on Monday I decided to take Saxton to the doctor. He was diagnosed with another sinus infection and is back on antibiotics. The poor kid- how much can one kid take!

While I was there I had my prescriptions renewed and they talked me into the flu shot. It has made me so sick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will no longer take the flu shot!! I am on my second day of sickness and am so tired of it! Say a little prayer for me that I will feel better:)

Trunk-or-Treat

This was the kids getting ready for Trunk-or-Treat at church on Wednesday! Saxton was so excited to finally wear his tinman costume. Sage was a witch and Sydney was a cool looking clown. I was a hippie- couldn't put the pic of me up- i have like 12 chins!!!yuk!!! The kids are cute though!!!!!!

Pumpkin Patch with Preschool

This was Saxton's preschool class- we went to Carroll Farms today! The kids had a great time learning about animals, playing on the tractor playground, making a craft, but most of all riding on the tractor and picking out their pumpkins. We did almost get blown away though- it was seriously windy today!!!!!

Champions of Hope

This was at the beginning of the 5K walk for the Champions of Hope!!

This was lots of fun and encourage everyone to come next year- they had a kids dash and they all got medals. Our team name was the PINK MAFIA!!!

More Iraq Pictures

Just a couple more pictures from that trip down to southern Iraq that I made a few weeks ago. And yes, I was growing a mustache down there again, but it is gone now.

Sean

CH-47 Under NVGs

A CH-47F ready to start another night of missions in Iraq.

Saxton Favors Sean in More than Just Looks

Stacey told me a story yesterday that made me laugh. At Saxton's school they were doing a worksheet in class. Saxton was being stubborn and did not want to work on it in class, so the teacher sent it home with him and asked Stacey to make sure he did it and tried to be neat. Well Saxton being like his dad was procrastinating doing this homework and generally being hard headed. As Stacey got more frustrated with him, Saxton tried to negotiate his way out of doing the homework and told Stacey he would like a spanking if that meant that he could get down from the kitchen table and go play. I was a lot like that when I was a kid and I am sure that my dad will get a good laugh out of this story as my antics as a young boy are probably responsible for a few of his grey hairs.

Sean

More Pics of Sage's Birthday

Family, Friends & Presents

This is what birthdays are made of :)

Let's Paint

Sage's party was an art party- all the girls got a canvas to paint on and an apron to keep their clothes clean w/ their name on it :)

Sage's 10th Birthday

SAGE'S FRIENDS

I've been tagged!!!
Monique Phipps tagged me so here it goes.
Here are the rules:
Link the person who tagged you
Mention rules on your blog
Tell about 6 quirks of yours
Tag 6 fellow bloggers to do the same
Leave a comment to let them know

1. I hate to be late to anything!!
2. I don't like hearing anyone clip their nails!
3. I despise mayonaisse.
4. I hate to be wrong!!!!and I certainly don't like to admit when I am!!!
5. I like to bake desserts and eat them- all you have to do is look at me and tell that!!
6. I hate it when people don't use correct english- like saying ain't!! A southern accent is one thing but you can speak correctly with an accent!!

I tag(sorry but you are the only ones that have not already been tagged)
:
1. Pam Barnhill
2. Jossie Parish
3. Christy Hornsby? can't remember married name
4. Kim Kindall
5. Holly Dippold
6. Sydney Magonigal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZkdcYlOn5M

The Results!!!!!

Allergy testing!! He is off the charts for lots of stuff- molds, grass, and cats!!

It looks like it hurts!! He screamed really bad when they pricked him with the needles! Thanks Jossie for being my support system!!:)

They are trying to switch Saxton to different medicines to see if we can give hime some relief!

Update from Sean

Just a quick note to say "Hi" to you all. I have been down in Kuwait for the past week which has been a bit of a break from the day to day grind up in Iraq though the flying over the open desert at night is still extremely challenging and brings its own dangers (different than the threat of fast moving projectiles in Iraq). As funny as it may sound though, I have thought to myself several times today that I am ready to get back home (meaning Camp Taji, Iraq). Though Kuwait is a nice change of scenery and certainly the work pace is much slower down here, the food in the mess hall was not so good. We cooked out hot dogs on the grill several times to reduce the number of meals we ate there. The beds here are not as comfortable as what I have up in Iraq either and I have had 5 roommates here which is fine, but it will be nice not to have to read by flashlight or worry about waking up my buddies if I have to get up in the middle of the night.

I was recently called to serve in the LDS Serviceman's Group leadership for the group there in Taji which has been fun. We have about 40 members on the rolls and have anywhere from 10-30 attend on any given Sunday. I gain great strength from the testimonies of the other members here and am constantly amazed at the blessings that the Lord showers down upon me. Thank you all for your prayers. Sean