Un-yon

Sometimes we call Clo Un-yon and pretend like she's our little Taiwanese adopted child. It's just a fun word to say in a sing-song like voice - Un-Yon! Anyway not much to say. I lost Chloe again at Wal-mart today, but what's new right? I'm yelling her name this time because my alarmed little embarassed voice gets me no where. Today someone actually asked what she was wearing and eventually helped me track her down. "Her?" she asks, pointing a moving finger at something darting between racks. I angrily pick her up and whisper sweet nothings about throwing away all of her dresses and princess shoes and something about the longest time-out of her life. If we could just stay within the safe confines of our home, we would get along just fine. Oh, and she's calling me by my first name all the time now. It's kind of fun. I just pretend like I'm her hip, fun aunt and if only my sister could learn to control her kids. Anywho, Mindi you're amazing. I was just thinking about you yesterday as I was reading the birthday card you sent to Lyd. You are truly a wonderful person and I don't know how you do it all. I seriously feel like I'm just barely keeping my head above water. I did however hold Family Home Evening two weeks in a row and we're doing great with family prayer. Clo the other day was saying it and was going for a record. She was blessing everything she could think of, then proceeded to bless everything she could see in the room. "And bless - what that mom?" as she points to the fan. Fan, I say. "Bless the fan, bless Maddie Boo (she puts Boo on the end of everyones name, my favorite is Kev's - Big Daddy Boo) - I love her so much, and bless Heavenly Father and Jesus - they love me so much." It was pretty cute. Anyway, I'm seriously considering getting the internet hooked back up at my house. Maybe we could go without gas or something instead. Later, Leash

ColoradoBennett

Chels, how 'bout trying the diet our Islamic friends are on. They only eat "Kapsa" which is rice, chicken, tomatoes, lemon, onion, and oil cooked up in a pressure cooker. To my knowledge, they eat no other fruits or vegetables (except tomatoes and onions--which you might be ok with since they usually come on hamburgers). Adam saw some paperwork of Muhammad's the other day and it said that he is 5'9" weighing in at 122 lbs. But I bet he wouldn't look as good in your swimsuit as the swimsuit model does.
I think I may have survived another run in with the flu. My immune system must be shot this winter, I'm catching everything. The girls had a flu shot a few weeks ago and it doesn't look like they caught what I had, thank goodness. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: "Indiscriminate vomiters are the scarriest thing imaginable". I guess there are two things that really terrify me about this parenting gig, and that is: teenage girls and indiscriminate vomiters.
My favorite character in Arrested Development is George Michael and his "homely" little girlfriend, Ann, who isn't even that homely. I wish I could think of a good AD quote, but it has been way too long since I've seen an episode. But the one where Gob can say "brother" in every different language except Spanish--which would help him discover that his girlfriend loves his brother, that's the best.

classic -lydia

You guys classic! Real quick I’m at work and bored so on my break I call home. Chloe answers the phone but I don’t think twice about it because mom usually answers it and hands it to her! Anyhow she picks up and starts saying “hi….. (I say hello sissy) ….we’re coming to your house in 1 minute ok!” –she said it just so matter of fact. She kinda sits there and is waiting to make things happen and she starts telling me her hole life story and then I can hear her say “gama your phone –it judia” (she’s getting better at saying my name!) The Jackie picks up and realizes it’s me and starts laughing, I guess the phone started ringing in the other room so Chloe just went in and answered it! I love it so much she’s so smart.
i also love hearing everybodies blogs keep on keepin on it saves me at work!

mean jean

Cameron your little babies are so dang cute!!  The pictures from Christmas are on my fridge and mom’s too and everyone who sees them wants to know who those beautiful girls are.  You guys need to come up here and visit we would have such a blast.  How is monny doing?  I miss her so much.  It’s sad that we don’t get her on here more often.  

Chels as far as healthy food that tastes good and is not a fruit or veggie I have no idea.  I like cold cereals like grape nuts, or raw oats.  You could try cheese sticks; they are lower in fat and have calcium and protein.  Yogurt is yummy, but you should get like Nancy’s or mountain high, because they don’t add all the sugar but they take out all the stuff that is good for you.  Can you get eat cooked produce?  I think I would die without them.  

The other night wil said he couldn’t sleep because his pillow was too ‘spicy’.  Cor flipped it over for him and he said, “Thanks dad, it’s not spicy anymore”.  Hazel is moving all over the place not crawling, but rolling and skooching.  I can’t believe how fast they grow up.  Jackson is doing flash card words and asking if I think his dinosaur book is ‘intersesing’.  He loves to use big words, but some of them are hard to use.  He was struggling to sound out turtle and Bennett says for across the room “turtle”.  He tries to analyze everything to death.  I have to get benny ready for ballet with a new teacher.  I hope she’ll go.  She is so shy it’s painful.    

of course

of course it was you. and how could i forget about gob, repeatedly saying "come on." there is nothing funnier than arrested development. I highly recommend it to all.

I went running last night and did body pump this morning! off to a great start...we'll see how it goes.

cousin it was me! come on come on! (ya know from ad, when gob gets mad and all he says is come on!

chels

I'm not sure who posted the info about the double stuffed oreos, but thanks for making me feel worse. :) Just kidding, I have heard that before. Never seen the proof before though. I'm over it, I guess.

My little snow bunnies

Life is good and fun when it snows around here. I got home from work on Friday night and the girls were out playing in the snow making snow angels and having a snowball fight. They had so much fun.

So, two weeks ago I am driving my 11 year old scouts to Dirks Plumbing so they can finish their plumbing merit badge. And my trusty 1986 Toyota Camry died on me. We tried to save her but to no avail. We had to tow her to the junk yard last Thursday. So if anyone has ever thought about visiting Monica but afraid she won't be around now is the time because she is car-less for a while.

Jess & Tony, we drove by what we think is your new house and you will be in our ward I think. We are really excited for you and hope everything works out!

Gotta go, work calls.

http://www.bantransfats.com/british.html

yeah i read it in a magazine

ps chels double stuffed oreos have been banned from the uk for its fatty contents, i don't know how i know that but i do! right now i'll do some research and get back to you!

chelsea

Hello everyone. I keep checking the blog, hoping that someone has posted....but we've got nothin'! Let me give you an update on myself. I thought it would be a good idea to order my swimming suit a little in advance for this year. :) Turns out, it has only made me depressed, for two reasons:

1. Summer isn't for four more months!
2. I do not look like the model that was wearing my swimming suit. (which counter-acts reason number 1)

I have decided to take action. On Sunday I was at my Mother's having dinner/visiting. Afterwards we made a list consisting of things I can eat for each meal of the day. This list is sorta small for now because we were in a hurry. She gave me some good ideas though. This is going to be quite the trial. (I can seriously sit down and eat half a package of double stuffed oreos and it won't even phase me.) I plan to start bringing my own lunch to work and to also stop eating any kind of crap.

So....what do I do for lunch today? I went out, bought a cheeseburger, fries and a big ol' Dr. Pepper. Off to a great start, eh?! I know, I know.... it's ridiculous!

I'm going to go running on Monday's, Wednesday's and Saturday's and do Body Pump on Tuesday's, Thursday's and Saturday's. I've sorta been consistant on Body Pump over the past few weeks, but that is going to improve drastically. I will not let myself watch my shows (24, AI or OC) unless I have worked out that day. Great huh!

So any suggestions on some healthy snacks? (keep in mind I'm allergic to fruits and vegetables, quite litterally, if you don't believe me....ask jess.) Speaking of Jessica/Tony. Congrats on the new house! My Mom drove me by it yesterday. It' going to be pretty perfect for you guys.

Well, gotta get back to work.
blog out,
chels

I'm Going to Hollywood

Yes, that's the catch phrase around here as of late. Sadie puts her hands on her chest, closes her eyes and with all the attitude of a three year old says, "I'm going to Hollywood." Too funny. The first night she did it Jane and I made her say it about 50 times while we were rollin' with tears in our eyes. Needless to say, my kids love American Idol as well. Jane and Sadie try out for me on all the commercials. Jane sings Hillary Duff and Sadie sings ABBA. Crazy kids. Jane had me try out for her the other day in the car on the way to school. Then she took turns being Paula, Randy, and Simon. She kept telling me she really liked my vocal chords. I was dying. TV or not, it has been a bonding experience.

So besides that, Meagan asked all my questions for me. Please read and answer. Jess, I was so happy a year and a half ago when I bought my new couches and then we found out the water heater at our house in Oklahoma had to be replaced. There wasn't anything I could do about giving the couches back, and I adore them. If it had happened the other way around I would have never let myself get my couches. Now I want a new bedroom suite so badly I could die. Mike keeps telling me to wait till we get to Germany and look there first. I'm sure this is good advice, I'm just not the most patient person in the world and I want the whole house set up prefectly for him when he gets there.

Ellyn has had two ear infections this week. One after she had been on antibiotics for over twenty four hours. The doctor has referred me to an ENT (he's worried they will become chronic) which I am very happy about because Mike and I wanted her hearing and ears checked more thuroughly(sp?). I felt terrible the other night though, she was up for about 3 hours, screaming for a good forty five minutes. I was going to call Leash first thing in the morning and borrow "Demons Out, My Child is Posessed." But when I went in to wake her up there was the second ear draining. There is always a reason my kids start screaming in the night and I never fully comprehend it till the next morning. I just carry them and pat them like a walking zombie.

I have to get them out of the tub now, besides, this little plastic stool I'm sitting on by the bathroom sink is killing my butt. I love you all.

P.S. Lyd, you should just postpone your trip. Come over with me and be a mommy's helper for the summer. No pay of course- way too poor to be able to actually afford a mommy's helper, but you would have room and board and you could help me paint my whole house-we could do so many cool things to the girls' rooms- provided I get the military housing. Come on, Germany for several weeks with a few side trips. Think about it.

Blog out, Brooke

bg me

monday night we were babysitting brooke’s girls, so we went to the church to play in the gym for f h e while mom and dad did their cleaning assignment.  It was great fun.  Cor gave hazel whiplash, playing soccer with her in his arms and he bounced the ball off of baby Ellyn’s head, so he’s not the so good with the babies.  But the rest of the kids loved it when he chucked the ball at them sending them flying across the gym.  Bennett stayed and helped mom and dad finish and we went home to meet brooke and get jack in bed for school. he was so upset.  He wanted at spend the night with g’ma and pa too.  He hates school and he hates going to bed and he hates… the list goes on.  He asks me what he was going to get to do to make it fair.  I said he could read some verses during family scriptures.  He was so excited, thought that was a great trade off.  How long do you think something that good will last?  But now he reads one verse every night and it makes him and us so happy.  At one point it said “Eternal Father”, he had sounded out ‘eternal’ but could not figure out ‘father’.  He said, man I wish that said ‘life’.  He is so smart.  I love how the gospel just becomes part of their everyday lives.  Up at allen’s the other night he built a city out of legos and he told Linda first it was Jerusalem, then it was Bethlehem.  Then she was showing them this world map and pointing out deserts, then the red sea and jack and ben said, “that’s where moses made the water go swoosh!”  I want Linda to see all the good things kids are learning and they are showing her without us even prompting them.  Cory has always said that they will be the key to his families conversion, not that it seems to be working yet, but at least the babies are planting little seeds.  

Darla thank you for the complements, I think my babies are pretty dang cute too.  Yours aren’t too bad either!!  Mind, love the pictures, it’s been a long time since anyone has put any on.  They always liven things up.  Jess, where are you going on your cruise?  I am so jealous it’s not even funny.  I want sunshine so badly I could cry!!  Sometimes I do.  The clouds were somewhat thin for a minute this morning, so I stuck my face in the window and just stood there for a moment soaking it all in.  I think Bennett thought I had lost my mind.  Haven’t had time for light therapy as of late.  It’s either work out my big boody or lay in a bed doing nothing.  I just don’t have enough minutes in the day.  

Last night I was putting vim to bed and he was crying that he wanted to watch lost.  I love how my children are addicted to tv.  Jackson cleaned my whole house for me the other day.  I asked him to straighten his room and he did the whole house.  Made all the beds and everything.  I tell you six year olds are great.  Too bad he can’t be a six year old girl, because then I wouldn’t have to do anything at all.  I figure at the rate bennett’s going I will be able to hand all responsibility over to her within two years.  

Well this blog has taken me all day to write and I promised to make the kids peach cobbler.  I bet you all wish were here.  Even you rigby girls could pick out the peaches if you wanted.  I’m tricking the kiddos.  They want to stay up late tonight, but we are going snowshoeing in the morning so I just had them get in their jammies at 5:30, so by the time it’s 9:00 it will seem really late.  Aren’t I sneaky!!

                                                                      Blog to your blog…….me  

bless you! -lydia

“Bless you for being in the army” oh martin short you devil you! I got a phone call from a gentleman that was in Italy checking on his account. When I transferred the call to another representative (which is what I pretty much do is just transfer!) the rep came on the line and found out the gentleman had just gotten back from Iraq. The rep said well thank you for being out there and serving our country! Which I almost about started to tear up! Anyhow it reminded me of ad (arrested development) and probably the funniest episode I’ve seen. I’ll make this quick. The Bluth family on the show have this creepy uncle who really isn’t their uncle jack (aka martin short) he used to be on a t.v. series where he was the bullet like superman back in the 1950s or so. Anyhow he became a weight lifter and threw out his legs. So now he has this gentleman carry him around (aka the dragon) because he says “I won’t go wheelchair!” On his old series he used to yell things out to get them to happen such as “shoot me” and what not. Story goes on the bullet/uncle jack and his carrier dragon came to the Bluths house where uncle jack kind of impose –this is really all just a side note. But he sees Buster the youngest Bluth that is wearing an army outfit but really isn’t apart of the army but that’s another story, anyhow uncle jack yells “shoot me” and completely knocks over Buster to the ground and uncle jack just lays there and says “I’ve always wanted to take down an army man!” then followed by “bless you for being in the army” I swear I about pee my pants every time! That show I cannot get enough of! Anyhow that’s a long story but hopefully Mike will like it!

ColoradoBennett

Alicia, I only knead bread in my machine for 7-10 min. but if you are doing it by hand they say twenty. Which is only possible for women who crossed the plains, apparently. What is the yummy overnight roll recipe? Darla, I can't believe you had 4 kids to watch and you were making bread. Nothing like trying to win a battle with a 3 year-old when your hands are covered in goo and flour, eh? Jess, where are you going on your cruise? I came across some sort of tropical coconut smell today and I was dying to be on a beach. Today Gram and I went to the Cherry Creek Mall (b/c they have the best indoor playground), which is the richy rich mall of Colorado. Gram and I took turns watching the girls and doing laps around the mall. I haven't been window shopping (which is the only shopping I'm good at) in forever and I can't even believe people can spent so much time and money at the mall. Doesn't every girl have a husband like mine who finds great deals and does all my clothes shopping for me? Just kidding, I know I have a rare treasure in my Adam. Well, nap time is over...I'm off to find some snacks.

Provo's crazy too!!

Mindi, it must be the fact that you actually live IN Denver that makes for all of these fun stories. Poor Muhammad...or was it Ali? Sooo funny though. I couldn't stop cracking up. Come on, life can be pretty interesting here in Provo as well. Take for instance this morning when I ran to Macey's to grab some groceries. The same man who was smoking when I went in was STILL smoking when I came out. Yah? What do you think of that? Leash, we have to get Chlo and Cole together soon. That would just be hysterical. Cole's really learning how to be cute to get his way. He knows when we're about to beat him 'cuz he does this funny little face and puts his hands up in an "what'd I do" gesture, or changes the subject real quick. No, those 3 (and almost 3) yr. olds are not stupid. Lyd, we'll take you up on b-sitting some time. You're a gem. We really want to play in SL soon and go to the temple. If only we had known you were so close. I gotta go. Dayne has snot all over her face so I think i'll drug her with some Ibuprofen and put her down. Love dorka (my wonderful nickname in jr. high)

More Blogs Please

I was so happy to see some new posts on the blog. I check the blog a million times a day at work and it actually gave me something to do.

Mindi, Alicia wasn't mocking you...she really did go home and make your bread. I had some and it was delicious. The pictures were great. I noticed how you were cut off in the picture and when I read why, I was laughing. Your poor roomie must've been dying when they almost arrested him. It had to have been sheep lady...she sounds crazy enough to do something like that.

Lyd wasn't kidding about when Tony fell while sledding. It scared the crap out of me. His head hit so hard I thought he was a goner. He was mad only because in the process of falling his Smith sunglasses flew off his head and somehow got under him and he smashed them with his head.

Chlo loved sledding, she was going down these big hills all by herself. We were all tired after about an hour or two and she didn't want to leave. The other night I pulled her around the yard behind the 4-wheeler. Her hands were like ice and it was getting dark outside but she insisted we keep going. She is so funny.

We are leaving for our cruise on Monday. I couldn't be more excited. It is funny because we are having all this drama all of the sudden with school loans, financial aid, insurance, late fees, credit cards and the new house and I think, "should we cancel it and save the money?" but oh well, too late now, I am throwing caution into the wind and I am going to enjoy myself. Who knows, it may be the only chance we ever get to go, and we got such a great deal, I can't pass it up. The other day we found out that Tony no longer gets any government funded student loans so we are going to have to take out loans for the next 4 years of his schooling. We were both freaking out so the first thing he did was pay his tithing on the check he was just paid and we figure things will work out.

Sorry this is such a random blog. Keep on bloggin' baby. Jess

Since you've been gone

Clo, Mad and I were headed to Maddie's 6 month check up today, when Clo breaks into Kelly Clarkstons Since U Been Gone. It was hilarious. We weren't even listening to that song, nor had we heard it for like weeks. Then the other night we were watching AI (we too are addicted Meags). Clo gets out my aerobic step and standing on it tells me to tell her "go for it." I tell her and she starts performing an original piece at the top of her lungs. She gets done and comes over to me with her hand out. I give her five and she's like, "no, give me my paper." So I hand her a pretend piece of paper and she proceeds to run around the house with her "golden ticket" over her head. I've never laughed so hard in my life. I didn't even think she was paying attention to the show. Apparently she was. But don't fall too far in love with the little rascal just yet. She still managed to tip Maddie over in her swing the other day and still makes a habit of calling me an illegitimet child (even though I have seriously almost stopped swearing entirely). Oh well. Things really are getting better with her. Thank heavens.

Mindi, I wasn't mocking you. I seriously made it. I'm all about bread lately. I have this recipe for these rolls that you have to refrigerate over night and they are heavenly. Your bread was great too. Do you really put it in your machine for 20 minutes to knead? I got sick of the noise after like 10. I can't imagine if I was doing it by hand. I would've given up after 43 seconds.

Anyway, I'm here at moms and I need to go clean my house. Darla, I know what you mean about an hour to yourself. I mean seriously. I know the guys are working all day and I appreciate that. But they don't have someone with them every waking minute. I go to the bathroom and I lay Maddie on the floor so she can see me and not freak out. I too am looking into a gym pass which will have to come at the expense of my sleep, so you know I'm desperate. Ok, talk to you guys later. Leash

a very late birthday wish

I’m a crap head!  Lyd I didn’t even know it was your birthday.  Happy late birthday!  Is this the big 21?  Not like it means to us what it does to the rest of the world.  For my 21st, as all of my friends were going out partying, I was getting maternity cloths.  I mean who could ask for more?  I love you tons, I hope you have a great year!!  I love to hear you are doing something with your artistic skills.  You have always been so good at it.  I wish we lived close so you could baby sit our kids while we went to the temple.  They would love you!!  

                         Blog…..me

oh and

oh and thanks mindi for the hints and tips, that's fantastic! oh and those pictures are pretty funny!

oh cousins dear cousins!

to start off i forgot tell darla that anytime you need me to baby sit i can, i live right off the sugarhouse exit, i've moved several times since my last house! but if you need me to just blog or call and i'll see what i'm doing, i have school everyone's but i'll see what i can do!
i also thought i'd post and tell you the 411 for my birthday/birthweek! first off i woke up and went skiing, then i talked my family into going sledding -a day that i will never forget. tony of all people trying to stand on a sled and falling the hardest i've ever seen. and chloe never having been happier she loved sledding! then delicious roast beef dinner, cake and ice cream with the grandparents, followed by a fun filled night of sweet sweet karoke! for the birthweek my friends took me to dinner i went skiing again, and then tonight i'm going to black angus with the family and greg! that's right, that should be interesting! anyhow i went up skiing again yesterday with greg and we tried switching out on my skis and his board! it was fantastically hard, i remembered why i hate snowboarding! i'm so sore today it sucks! but i did do pretty well! i also took my birthday money and went and bought a nice new 27' tv and a dvd player that i've been falling asleep to every night, watching ad (arrested development) and wedding crashers, classic! anyhow i'm here at work and i better get to looking busy! blog to blog later

ColoradoBennett

So today I turned onto our street and saw three cop cars close to our house. I instantly had the feeling that it had something to do with our house. I pulled in back to the garage and there were three cops and poor Muhammad, handcuffed and sitting on the steps. I jumped out of the car, said what's going on, and once I established with the officer that I lived there, they filled me in on the stake out. Apparently one of our kind, concerned neighbors (possibly the sheep lady) saw Muhammad walking home from school and into our house. They thought he looked suspicious and figured he was breaking in. By the time the cops arrived, Muhammad was in his room, napping, when he heard Max going nuts. He looked out his window and there was a police officer pointing a gun at him. He obeyed the officer's command to come outside. They cuffed him, couldn't understand his English, and were about to take him down town, when I showed up. The poor kid was pretty scared, but good humored enough to ask me to take a picture so that he could send it to his mother. I talked with him a little bit afterwards, thought all was well and went on with making dinner. But then Muhammad got on the phone with his Saudi Arabian mentor guy who was very mad about the whole run in with the cops and the racist neighbor and then Muhammad came down to tell me that he wanted the cops to come back and tell us who called on him. Adam and I both told him that the cops wouldn't tell us who called, but he didn't like that answer. Now I'm worried that all of Saudi Arabia is going to be upset with our neighbors and the NSA is really going to get involved.
Darla, more kneading will help your bread. I'm glad to hear that you were successful for the most part. You can take over for me as the family bread maker, I've thrown in the towel. Alicia, you were mocking me and my recipe, but I can take it. Lydia, I've been thinking of some tips for European travel for you. My original list got erased, here is the summed up version. Eat bread and cheese and chocolate and gelato every day, spend most of your time in Switzerland and Rome, stay at the Kerouac, take a ridiculous amount of pictures, avoid spending the night at the airport if possible, pack light, beware of gated places in France where they lock the gate after a certain hour and you are trapped inside unless Adam can find you a way out, and traveling with family is the way to go. Enlist some of your cousins, take Geof. and Darla.
I've attached pictures, one of Muhammad in handcuffs and the other of all of us at the stock show. The drunk lady taking our picture cut me out, na ya.

dense bread issues

So I made the buttermilk ww bread Mindi..the taste is very good but the lower half is pretty heavy. I'm thinking it's 'cuz I didn't knead it for the whole 20 min. After 12 I gave up. My back was breaking and I was watching 2 extra kids that Cole couldn't stop stealing toys from. So do you think kneading longer would solve the density problem? I guess I could call you on all this but hey, blogging's fun right? Geof. however was VERY excited about the bread...almost more excited than he is about other things..but not quite. He's still a Bennett you know! The only problem with this desire to be homey in the winter is that I eat way more than I should. I barely enter my kitchen in the summer yet when I'm stuck inside I dream about yummy soups and cookies and of course that delicious bread. Unfortunately, my thighs and love handles are really enjoying it too. Oh well. I'll wait until the end of summer for Geof. to be working these crazy long hours...and then I've had it. I want a gym membership. or at least one hour a day out of the house, with out my kids. My friend from CA gave me her double stroller over xmas time, and it's great, but it's not a jogging stroller. Need I say more? It's so fun slushing through the snow and trudging up hills with a mini limo stoller..ugh. Meags, I in fact LOVE your blogs about your kids. I love it when Geof. says Dayne looks like Benny. That was my goal for my kids to look somewhat like yours (: Keep on bloggin people. It saves me. love Darla p.s. Jess, I'm excited and extremely jealous of your new house! can't wait to see it!

Leashy, Leashy, Leashy

I just have one quick second. Alicia, neither blog bothered me in the least. Don't you fret sweet cousin. I feel pretty confident that Ellyn will come through this just fine, and if this is something permanent than what a blessing that Heavenly Father trusted me with one of his very special little spirits. Either way I'm blessed with my little darling Ellyn.

What does offend me is that you don't have the internet. Woman, I don't know what to say about that. I hope you figure out something soon.

Jess, very excited about the house.

I have to go get Jane out the door, but I didn't want Leashy worrying. I love you all.

Love, me

my better journal

Mom was telling us all these things that pres kimbal had asked the saints to work on and I am not doing any of them. Brooke said the blog was like keeping a journal, but I haven’t been very good about writing and when I do it’s not anything good. So I will try to be better. The only time I ever kept a good journal is when I lived with leash. The sad thing is I still haven’t filled the one I started then. Yeah it’s been over 8 years. I don’t think they will let me in to heaven. So I am going to try harder.

Since my whole life is my children that is what I write about. They are way cuter than me any ways…the other day wil was looking for something and as soon as he found it, he yelled, “Wha-whoo, bimmers!!, I found it.” (bimmers is vimmers which is his nickname.) I made some homemade play dough and you would think my kids had won the lottery. They have been so happy, it’s all they want to do. We spent all this money on toys for Christmas and all they play with is cookie cutters and basically some flour and salt. As they were playing ben starts talking to someone. She says the missionaries are coming for dinner, so she’s making something for them while she is talking to them. Then she tells them, “don’t call us we’ll call you.” What a spaz. Wil loves to sing the a b c’s, but at the end it always turns into twinkle, twinkle little star. I think that is pretty advanced, I didn’t even know it was the same song until my senior year in high school. I was humming the a b c’s (which I had stuck in my head for over a year), and my friend started sing twinkle, twinkle. I was so amazed. Jack’s art is going to a whole new level. I really think he could illustrate children’s books. he is at such a sweet age right now. However he wants to be the best at everything he tries, so if he can see he’s not the best he will quit trying, like the whole soccer thing earlier. He had one of his friends over the other day before their tae kwon do class and the kid started teasing wilohm, and Jackson would not stand for it. It is sweet to see him stand for what he thinks is right. He won’t allow anyone to make fun of anyone else. Man I hope he stays that way. He gets mad at me if I ever say anything mean. I like him a lot. I just hope he gets tougher. I’m going to have to have brind rough him up when he gets home.

Jess awesome about the house. When is it going to go through? I would love to see some pictures. I’m ready for a new house, too. I have come to realize however, that if we don’t find land in amboy I am going to be in this neighborhood forever. Cory is scared of moving too far away from his comfort zone. I always thought that is was me holding us back, but I have really wanted to act on a few things we have found and cor has just drug his feet. I didn’t know why until he woke up the other night in an anxiety attack thinking about buying land an hour up the freeway. He’s a big baby!! Well the sun is shining and brooke and I have a outing to the park planned. So I had better get something done before.

Have a blogiful day……….me

Dear Geoffie

I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about a man who was hit and killed on his bike in Provo. They said he must've been headed to work because he had his lunch with him. Mom said he was probably headed to his third job and has like 3 kids at home. I immediately thought of you Geoffie and wondered if you still ride everywhere. Please be careful. I was just sick thinking about it.

Brooke, we no longer have the internet at my house (I shut it off, much to Kev's dismay, because I believe that the phone company is trying to rip us off - Eh Jess, 'Did that guy just rip me off?') and ever since I wrote that completely mindless blog about everything happening for a reason I've wanted to die. I think about it all the time and keep meaning to write something else. I still don't know what to say. Just disregard the other dribble. I will tell you this. Kev and I were talking the other day about spritits that come to bodies that are handicapped or mentally disabled. He said that in his dad's ward there's this mentally retarded girl and she went to get a blessing or something from the stake patriarch. Maybe it was her patriarchal blessing, I don't know. Anyway, apparently he is a very stern, emotionless man and he was absolutely bawling like a baby. He said he has never felt a spirit that strong in all his years of doing blessings. Pretty amazing. Ellynn being delayed in her learning is no where near that, I know. I don't mean anything by that other than to show how incredible those kids are. Kev said it's because they were so valiant in heaven that they don't have to prove anything now. Maybe I turned one bad blog into an even bigger one, but I thought that was pretty cool.

Ok, that's it. Oh, Meagan I'm not buying into the whole winter blues crap. Everyone looks better with a tan and you know it. Just kidding. I'm sure it starts to wear on you when you haven't seen the sun in months. Good luck.

Mindi, thanks for the recipe, I'm going directly home to make it. Leash

Ellynn's E-mail




Now that’s what i’m talkin about. So many emails, so little time. Well
it’s good to hear from all of you. Although i received a disturbing report
from some of you that you are not hearing from me. Brooke you can do it. only
like 2 more of these suckers to get circulated and then you will be released
from my calling as personal secretary. If you don’t have all the email
addresses still, just post this on the blog. I’m sure everyone wants to hear
about the life and times of the amazing sister bennett. Well as the song goes
�everyday things are getting better, going faster than a roller coaster�. My
time is burning fast and so is my energy but i’m working my face off to get
our area in way good condition for my little companion to carry on without me.
She’s pretty nervous about me leaving so i’m trying to make life as easy as
possible for her by getting some good investigator and getting them progressing
so she’s got some material. So far it seems to be working out. The crappy part
is is that we gotta get all the records perfectly updated and in order as well.
Pres says that means more time in the apt. Which is about the last thing i want
to do right now. things are so good right now though. Saturday was my last
mission council which was way sad. It was funny. They did this little role play
thing about being able to correct with love and help those missionaries that are
struggling with some rules or whatever. They decided to use the example of a
missionary that was leaving in 2 weeks and way trunky paired with a greeny that
is on fire and feels like his trainer is holding him back. Everyone was cracking
up because they all tease me about being trunky. They all know i’m not though
and that’s why they can laugh. It was an awsome council though. I will miss
working with the leaders in the mission. They are some really amazing men. Not
sure if i told you but when elder zwick came he told president that the
coordinating sisters were not supposed to be traveling. That was a way big
bummer and a huge dissapointment to me. You all know me, i’m not happy unless
i have a trip planned. Well pres was just reading in his new mission presidents
hand book and right in there is says that we can travel. So pack your bags
ladies, we’re going to savonlinna next tuesday!! Wahoo! That will be way fun.
Well i’m not so sure what else there is to tell you. Things are so good right
now. it’s really weird because i know i’m leaving but at this point its just
kind of like a fact. It’s not really real so i don’t feel anything about it.
i’m not sad or excited or anything. It’s just kind of there. Right now
it’s more like a deadline by which my area has to be ready for inspection or
something. Its fun. It definately helps that mom is coming and we will be here
for 2 extra weeks. That makes things way easier. By the end of that two weeks i
think i’ll be ready to go. Everyone says that i’ll get that confirmation
that it’s my time to go, i’m still waiting. I still feel like i’m needed
here. Well of course i just assume i’m needed everywhere. It gives me a sense
of security somehow. Maybe a false one but in any caseâ€∫
So what’s this lava hot springsness i hear about. When in feb? Is it after the
17th? Geof. i’ve been thinking about it and i think you should talk one of
your students into flying to portland again. That would be sweet huh? Then i can
fly back with you. Jessy if you and tony came up to washington i would be the
happiest little girl in the whole world. I miss your guts and in fact i just had
a dream about the cousins last night. I even asked you about neil and allie in
the dream. How crazy is that? Jessy don’t ever feel bad about not going on a
mission. Remember how you will have to share the gospel anyways? In other parts
of the world as well as at home. You are the coolest girl i know. i love you
like crazy! Well let’s be honest we have a whole family of the coolest girls.
One of the new elders that came in went to Davis and says he knows Lyd. His last
name is Zike. I’m supposed to tell Lyd hi for him. She’s just a popular
little kid. Remind me when i get home and i’ll tell her a funny story about a
DA i went to with him. Brinders i will get on that Book of Mormon for you. But
it’s gonna be a few weeks. I’ll be in the office on tuesday so i’ll pick
it up then and mail it the same day. Your thought on the ether 12:27 was way
good. I love how we learn something new every day in the gospel! Even when you
teach the same things over and over and over and over again. Still new insights
every time..almost. mindi thats awsome that you and adam have exchange students.
How fun! Well that does it. i love you all so much and i can’t wait to talk to
you soon. Keep me in your prayers to the end. I think now is when i need it the
most. Peace out krew.
Sisar Bennett

Europe (you better believe it) Lydia

oh and speaking of paris good cousins, i plan on going to europe this summer. i just turned in my passport on wednesday! so what i'm saying here is i need to talk to all the avid goers that so easily left me behind and get some tips! i plan on leaving may first and coming home june 15 or so, and so far it's me and one other person! so fun fun i'm so excited

povo

I have just spent the past hour getting caught up on all of the blogs. Good heaven my eyes are in pain but it was too good to resist and I'm working dispatch at the airport during an inversion so I had the time. Things are going great. The weather was poopy the other day so we made the best use of time while I couldn't fly. The troops filed into the altima and it was off to four different stores to find out that theyt had no more sleds. Well not to be deterred we grabbed big garbage bags shoved cole into one and pushed him down the hill. We all did it and it was fun. We also built the sorriest snow man in the history of snow man building. It was so much fun.
As for life Darla and I had to talk last Sunday and it's good to have that over. Darla was kind enough to leave me some extra time so instead of a 15 minute talk it was 25. Oh poor poor audience. Darla's talk was great and we are glad we were able to get to church early for once.
The flying is going well. I have passed off a private pilot and a commercial pilot now and I feel like a proud father. The other day I was up flying right as a viscious cold front rolled in. It moved in as fast as any weather I've seen so I decided we should head back to the airport. Well the student was new and the wind started to pick up. The controller clear us to land and so we turned base which is where you come in N. S. E. W. etc. of the airport with your wings parallel to the runway direction so that you can turn to final and enter straight in to the runway. Well the wind was so strong that I had the nose pointed in the same direction as the runway through out the whole base leg. We were getting rocked by some turbulence and the gust were around 31 knots or 37.2 mph. I told my student to just give me the controls. Well normally you land with the propeller going at 1500 rpms. well I came in at 2200 rpms with only one notch of flaps. It was like missile compared to how we normally approached. Everything went well and it was so much fun.
Cole and Dayne are the cutest they are behaving very well together and despite what Darla says I think that she's making a lot of progress with Cole. He's the cutest boy and a lot of fun. Dayne loves grunting and is really quite vocal with said grunts. Okay blog ya later dude.

Hello Paris -Lydia

Paris –Paris anyone? Yeah that’s right I saw her yesterday! Well last night I guess her elite black suburban and I were in a race to Arby’s at 9:50 before they closed. My friend and I drove up and thought what are these yuk-yuks doing? They must own the place, taking forever and whatnot! Then who pops out to go inside but the skinniest blonde hair thing I’d ever seen! Yes I have pictures to prove it, I’ll try and post them! We finally put it together that she just got in for sundance and was driving up to it.
As far as the office job sis. I’ll gladly switch you any day. Try this one on for size, the other day as the phones were red lighting (meaning after I get off one call another comes in, and that usually doesn’t die down for about 4 hours straight!) I had a lovely person call and cuss me out, using words that I don’t think I’ve ever heard strung together!
Moving on, I’m here at work again -every Saturday from 6:30 to 5. It’s putting a damper on my skiing situation! Oh well that’s all I’m thinking about. That and I’m sick, I can’t stop coughing. I’m sure all my co-workers love that.
As far as cooking goes, bread is good, but since I’ve seen Narnia (which I loved loved loved) I’ve been dying to make those gooey gooey Turkish delights. The ingredients are intense, some recipes call for rose water which makes it even more appetizing to make! I’ll keep you posted on how it goes! Well I’m going to get back to work, the phones are getting crazy! 6:30 in the morning on a Saturday –thanks tax season!

ColoradoBennett-Whole Wheat Wonders

I was on the phone the other day with Gram during the usual breakfast fiasco. I noticed that Sierra and her bowl of cereal and milk were missing from the kitchen. Gram laughed on the other line as I searched the house and finally found Sierra in her room just as she was slamming her dresser drawer shut. I asked her where her cereal bowl was and she told me that she'd hid it. I had visions running through my mind of a full bowl of cereal and milk in that dresser drawer, soiling layers and layers of freshly washed and folded clothes. But the gods of the morning breakfast were smiling on me and Sierra pointed out that she'd only hidden the bowl under the kitchen table so that I would stop nagging her to finish eating. Gram was still laughing and said that would be a good story for the blog, so here it is.
Darla, wheat grinders are great, maybe ask Santa for one. It is a great way to turn vast amounts of seemingly useless wheat food storage into healthful flour. I used to make bread a lot, it sure was easier to do with only one kid around. Now they both want to help put the ingredients in the bowl, and they both want to help kneed and eat large amount of raw dough. This results in a painful mess and I can't even bring myself to start that process again. But if you are in the mood for some really great bread, here is the recipe I got from Cory's mom:
Buttermilk Bread
2 teaspoons dry yeast
1/2 c. warm water
3/4 c. very hot water
1/4 c. honey (put the water and honey in measuring cup to equal one cup, then microwave for about 30 seconds so that the honey is easy to pour, but don't get the water too hot or you'll kill the yeast, use a clean finger to test temperature)
1 1/4 c cold buttermilk (the Allen family always seems to have buttermilk around, but if you don't have any just add regular milk with 1 teaspoon of vinegar)
5 1/2 c. whole wheat flour (I guess there is something to be said for freshly ground flour, but the store bought stuff seems to work just fine)
2 teaspoons salt (no comments on the salt)
2 to 4 Tablespoons butter (use cold, small chunks and put in last)
Now, you can knead the dough by hand--which is the big reason I got into bread making in the first place. I thought it would help me be a better rock climber. Turns out it is crazy hard to knead bread dough for 20 minutes, so I just use my Bosch machine. Then cook it 325 for about an hour. If you knock on the bread and it sounds hollow, then it is done. If you ever get your hands on some Canadian flour, I'll give you Brandon Smith's mom's bread recipe. I bet Geof. would quit one of his jobs just to be able to come home to a loaf of that bread everyday.
So I went to a funeral for my grandma Bonnie this morning. She is my bio dad's mom that just died of diabetes. Well, she had lung cancer and was getting radiation and that gave her diabetes and she died pretty quickly. Non-LDS funerals are so difficult, but this went better than expected. This side of the family has really been through the wringer lately. My dad's cousin just got stabbed and killed a few weeks ago, his sister gave up her daughter to the state because she is a difficult teenager, another sister committed suicide, and the list goes on. Our bishop's son was adopted and was talking about finding his real parents so that he could do family history work. I warned him about the Pandora's Box I opened when I found my bio family and suggested he do family history work without acctually contacting the relatives.

ahh...those good old office jobs.

Jess, I had to laugh about your blog. Right before Geof. and I got married some people from my aunt's ward hired me to work for their little (growing) contracting company. I only worked there for a month I think (Geof. will probably correct me on this), but it drove me crazy!!! They never even trained me so they would ask me to do a job but I wouldn't really know how to do it and then they'd leave the office and I wouldn't have any idea what to do. They (it was a husband and wife team) had about 4 other employees who would slack off completely after they left yet I felt so guilty so I'd do the same thing...you know, try to look busy. But you know, this was like 4 yrs. ago...way before I had any knowledge of the internet (sadly, I'm not joking)...so the only thing I knew how to do was check my email. Lame lame lame. I quit 'cuz I couldn't stand how the days dragged on. So my VT's just left. They brought some yummy bread. I have yet to learn how to bake my own bread. I went down and bought some whole wheat bread to make some last week and then on Sat. a man from my ward brought some over. I talked to him on Sunday about how he made it and he said he grinds his own week and that way it's still warm and moist so he doesn't need to put hardly any oil in it. Make sense? I don't know why I'm so obsessed. I'm sure it's 'cuz it's winter time and I'm trying to pass the time. I've NEVER been a bored person but with Geof. gone all day and my 3 yr. old driving me a little nutty, let's just say I can't wait for spring. So about the bread...any suggestions? Should I buy a wheat grinder or does the already ground wheat flour work? Mindi!? Well, love to all. Not much exciting going on here. I made a 0 point (weight watchers) cabbage soup today. It's so lame trying to eat really healthy. I LOVE good food! Blog out. Darla p.s. does anyone up north want to watch our kids while we go to the SL temple soon?

Gentile Street

I am at work and it is soooo slow. Yesterday I fell asleep at my desk and I was bored to tears...literally, Tony called and I started crying to him because I was so bored. You have to understand that I think I might get in trouble for reading a book or surfing the net so all I get to do is stare at my excel spreadsheet and my work email inbox and act like I am busy. There is only so much I can do to stay busy. I have already cleaned all of the "Guest offices" and I have cleaned out all of the file cabinets and drawers in the copy machine room. I am going crazy here. My desk is so clean that people aren't even sure if I still sit here. What can you do. Today the guy I work with went home early so I am sneaking onto the blog.

Well let me explain the title and why I haven't written for so long:

On Monday the 9th of January I told Tony that something had to give. I was ready for a change (in my heart of hearts I was getting a little baby hungry) He told me that before any baby stuff could happen we needed a house. So we decided we should start looking.

On Tuesday the 10th, Tony was driving up Gentile to go to Weber and he saw a house for sale. He told me where it was and I said I didn't want to live on that busy street but he insisted that we go look at it.

On Thursday the 12th, we took a tour and I fell in love. These two brothers that are contractors by day decided to invest in a home and redo the whole inside. It is like a brand new house. It is still in the process of being finished but so far it is amazing. I just think it is so cozy. That night Dad, Alicia, Kev and our friend Neil all came to see it.

On Friday the 13th, Tony's mom came to see it and she too loved it. That day Tony started the ball rolling on getting a loan.

On Sunday the 15th, Tony, his mom and his brother played in church so afterward everyone went straight from the church to the house. Mom, Lyd, Grandma, Parker and my friend Allie all loved it too.

On Monday the 16th we sat down with them and made an offer.

So now the ball is really rolling. I have been freaking out...but in a good way. I have felt really good about it. I rate myself like this to Tony: 95% excited 5% nervous. It will be about 2-3 weeks for the house to be done so we are planning on the 15th of February to move in so that will be a nice Tony's Birthday/Valentine's/Anniversary/everything for the rest of our lives gift. I can't wait for you all to see it. I will post some pictures as soon as I can.
The only down fall is the busy road and you can't park along it but there is a huge garage and breezeway and we figure about 12 cars can fit in the driveway. There is a church around the corner that Lydia was joking we could shuttle from.
We got in early enough to pick the tile and carpet colors so that is what I will be doing this weekend. Tony is back on at work so that equals a less fun weekend. Oh well at least it is better then being at work with a blank stare and my mouse clicking furiously from screen to screen to look busy.

I have loved all the blogs lately, keep it up. I sneak a peek every once in a while at work and it is a lifesaver. I love you all. Love Jess

Ellynn's E-mails

I would just like to take this moment to rebuke you all for not
writing me. Just kidding, but really, how’s it goin? I’m sure
you guys are just saving your energy for the big long
emails you are going to write me in my final 2
weeks as a missionary. Or it could be that brooke didn’t
forward my emails again.
Anywho, life is sweet. The time seems like it actually
dragging if you can imagine, but then when i realize that
it’s actually monday it seems like it’s flying. It’s that
crazy MTC syndrome. The days drag on but the weeks
fly by. I don’t know. anyways. The work is picking
back up after the holiday slump and i’m so happy to
teach again. I love teaching! So get the sisters at
home ready to take me along as long as it’s cool
that i teach in finnish. Just kidding. I’ve actually
taught in english here much more than one would think.
So many foreigners. To be honest it’s hard to know
what to write about because i feel like i just talked
to you and i’ll talk to you all again in like less
than a month. So this seems kind of turhaa. Sooo yep…..yep.
i really don’t know what to say. I’m at a loss and that
really doesn’t happen to me very often. I think you all
smell nice. My companion sisar kieffer is doing
wonderfully. A little sick but she finally got her
christmas package from her family today! Oh man, that
was a long wait for all of us. To see her excitement
and then her dissapointment every day when the posti
came. Oh man! So i’m still working hard and not getting
trunky. In fact if anything i think i’m trying to make up
for any time that i’ve wasted in the last year and a half.
Mom i actually wrote you a letter and even mailed it today
so be looking for that. That’s why i don’t jaksaa to write!
It’s because i wrote a letter to mom everyone. Sorry, but it
really was her turn. Okay well i’m gonna sign off.
You kids take care and hopefully i will have all
kinds of stories you tell you next week.
Sisar bennett

bg me

Ok, so last night I’m watching the news and they’re like…do you know what information your child is putting on the internet?  They were talking about the danger of putting too much personal info on your blogs.  I got all paranoid, and asked cory if he thought we put too much stuff on here.  He said the only thing that bothers him is if we post our addresses.  He says because we post pictures and we are all so dang cute we should email addresses instead of having them right here.  So I don’t know it’s just a thought, but maybe we should take any addresses off, except for the missionary ones and then email them to anyone who needs them.  How do you all feel about that?  

We started with another season of A. I. last night and the whole family is stoked.  Even wil is talking about ‘merican ido’ this morning.  Cory and I were laughing so hard.  It’s great that a something can really bring a family together like that.  No just kidding, it’s actually really embarrassing.  I a have a lot of guilt, because by the time we read scriptures the older two kiddo’s were asleep.  My sports bra is rubbing on my tender back and making me crazy.  Tender, because I have started tanning a few days a week for just ten minutes.  Cory wanted me to try it to see if it will help beat my winter time blues.  I’ve gone three times now and I have been pretty happy all of those days, of course it is only 9:25 on day three, but we will see.  He got the idea from his cousin who lived in Alaska for a long time.  He said during the dark winter months everyone does it.  I just like to pretend that I am getting ready to go on some tropical trip.  Well my last angel just woke up and she is licking my sweaty arm, so I must go.                                              
                                                     Blog…………..me  

The Guilt if Overwhelming

Okay, I just tried to get into my hotmail and it won't let me. I wanted to forward the e-mails to help aleviate SOME of the guilt but msn won't let me in. I log in and then it says DONE at the bottom of the page and the page is blank. Mike, if you are reading this and it is some totally easy explaination please go easy on me. Does this ever happen to anyone else or am I just a big dumb idiot?

Mindi, I was going to tell you about nap time for Sadie. If she watches a video in the morning she doesn't expend enough energy and she won't fall asleep. Sometimes I just let her lay down beside me and let her look at books and she always falls asleep at some point. I don't know if that helps at all but those are the two things I have found through trial and error.

Meags, thanks for your blog. Yes, I am a very lucky girl. I have an absolutely fabulous husband who adores me and I adore him in return. I couldn't be luckier. While I'm at it I might mention I have an absolutely fabulous sister- or two- as well. I love you all. I tried Jess and I will try again. I can't wait till Ellynn gets to blog too. Blog long and prosper. Brooke

I'm a Jerk

Jess, it's my fault that you haven't gotten Ellynn's e-mails. Their president asked them to only e-mail to immediate family and so Ellynn e-mailed dad and me and asked us to forward them. So...then dad made me the designated forwarder and the first week I did okay and then I lost all the addresses that I needed and I have to go back and find them. I'm sooo sorry. I will work on getting them all to all of you. Please forgive me and give me a couple of days to get done taking care of Mike's grandma and get myself put back together at my house. I will make a permanent list and send them out for the next- oh- four weeks until she's home. I'm the worst person on earth for this kind of thing and I'm sorry you all have to suffer for it. If only Mindi lived at the house. I love you and hope you don't all hate me now. Have a good night. love, Brooke

Before I forget...

I am at work and I only have a minute. I need to be put back on Ellynn's mailing list. I haven't received any of her emails for the last few weeks and I am so sad without her emails. So whoever sends her email out would you mind sending it to me too. My email is big_rig_14@hotmail.com. Thanks. I will write again soon and update you all, a lot has been happening for us so I will fill you in.

Love Jess

chelsea

That is very true information. Speaking of relationships, I will answer the question. My boyfriend is a new guy, not the missionary. Yes Geoff and Darla, you were right...you win. His name is Joey and he is real great. We've been dating for almost 6 months. Most everyone around here has met him, but not all of you far away family. :) Gotta work, have a good day!!!!

lucky couple

Oh I forgot to mention one thing last night.  Yes, mike you are a lucky man.  Brooke is an incredible woman.  She really does it all.  She is so patient, a quality I am still working on, and she’s a great mom and sister, not to mention wife.  Always being available to mike when he can talk so they can share all that in going on throughout the day.  But you know, you are not the only lucky one.  She is also very lucky to have a husband as loving as you are.  When you stay up as late as you can to call and make time whenever possible to talk, that is an awesome thing.  There are husband who live with their wives that don’t talk to them that much.  I am so grateful for technology, so you two are able to stay close.  I have been very impressed with the strength of you relationship and I hope the rest of us don’t take our easy relationships for granitite.  

fun, fun, fun

I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t blog after mindi’s ever so insightful blogs, but I will try anyway.  We spent a fun Friday the 13th.  First wil and I got to go try a new dentist.  Yeah we love the dentist!  Actually everything went really well.  They told me that they were not going to try to fix his cavities unless they get worse, for now at least, and I was doing everything right.  I like this one a lot better than the last one who dared to blame my children’s teeth problems on me.  Then after the two of us woke up from a late nap he was totally burning up.  I was trying to get some laundry done and he comes in complaining that his neck hurt.  So I pull up his shirt and he is covered in a rash.  cory thinks meningitis right off and kind of starts freaking out.  There have been quite a few cases around here lately.  So I get on the phone with the advise nurse and she says I need to have him checked out within 24 hours, but by the end of the call she says I need to get him in within 4 hours.  So more freaking out.  Poor Linda, who has just walked in from work, finishes her bowl of cereal and comes right back down to get the big kids.  (mom and dad are busy hosting the girls night party that I am missing out on.)  we took him into the brand new hospital and it was great, we didn’t even have to wait or be scarred by the other people waiting like we usually are.  You would think we go to the emergency room a lot or something.  Any ways really long story short it was great, they thought he had strep but it turns out that he doesn’t.  we still don’t know what was wrong with him, but it was a fun date and he is feeling much better now.  Although, he kept grabbing his little bottom and saying, “doctor poked my undies”.  He had to have a rectal temp, he was not a fan, but who would be?

Mom was spelling something to me the other day, (it was a very short word so I knew what she was saying) and Bennett responded.  Mom said, “can she spell?”  and Bennett says “duh, M- O- M!”  I thought we were going to die laughing.  Yes soon she will be out spelling me.  Jack has no school tomorrow so he was trying to make a plan as to what we could do.  He got to eat breakfast and ran out of ideas.  I feel the same way.  Alicia don’t feel to bad about clo’s little bathroom accident, I actually did the same thing in mom’s bathroom the other day.  Sans the whole twisting up in the curtain thing.  I, like jane and ben wait until the very last second to go to the bathroom because I absolutely hate it.  So I go running into mom’s bathroom and apparently brooke had been on toilet duty and had shut the lid.  Well I had not been expecting that so I sit down and start going before realizing I am on top of the lid.  Very funny and also a bit messy.  I know I am an idiot, I can’t help it.  Sometimes I am convinced I am still really only five stuck in this huge body that should know a lot better.  

Oh Alicia and another thing why on earth are you walking down stairs to feed mad?  I can barely roll over and kick cor so he can go get haz and bring her back to me so I can lie in bed and nurse her.  

                                                              Ok bye…….me

ColoradoBennett

Brooke, my mom just took my brother to the eye doctor last week and discovered he has a serious learning disability. I can't remember the name for it, but his eyes take a really long time to focus and he can't look at something by just moving his eyes around he has to turn his whole head. There are some other details that I've forgotten, but the point is that Jay isn't a wild and crazy kid for no reason, he has a disability that prevents him from staying focused on reading, etc. So my mom signed him up for therapy and she has a friend at church whose child has the same problem and she said therapy has worked wonders. So this is great that Ellyn can start programs that will help her before she gets into kindergarten and the teacher starts telling you that she is just a bad kid or something terrible like that.
Well, Kaia is hitting me with a hacky-sack and yelling something that must mean "get off the computer now! or I'll never stop yelling."
Ha, I've silenced the two of them for a moment with frozen go-gurt. I think the following poem is going to go down as one of the LDS culture favorites now that President Hinckley and this month's Ensign have both quoted it. "The House by the Side of the Road" by Sam Walter Foss.
Let me live in my house by the side of the road--
It is here the race of men go by.
They are good, they are bad, they are weak,
They are strong,
Wise, foolish---so am I;
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynics ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.
One of Foss' other famous poems is called "The Coming American" and the following portion was inscribed on a granite wall at the United States Air Force Academy to inspire cadets and future officers: "Bring me men to match my mountains, Bring me men to match my plains, Men with empires in their purpose, And new eras in their brains."
Now it is bed time, whooo hooooo blogger roooooo.

Ouch

First Brooke, I don't know what to say except for that I don't have to tell you that everything happens for a reason. That probably doesn't help. Sweet little Ellie has a great mom and dad and darling sisters that love her. Even Kev has a little soft spot in his heart for her and he's never even met her. We'll keep her in our prayers.

Anyway it's 3 am and I was headed downstairs to feed Mad when I slipped down like the last 5 stairs. I just held on to her and tried to slow the fall with my forearms. She cried a little from being jolted around, but now she's asleep and I have rug burns on my back and arms. Oh and my butt hurts. The point is I'm a klutz and now I can't sleep. That and Kev gave me a Booku last night and it's having a delayed affect. Anyway, just thought I'd give you all a daily dose of Clo. Yesterday she's on the toilet when she accidentally sprays the floor, the rug, one of Maddie's toys that was in there, as well as the wall. Pretty amazing. So I clean that one up, biting my tongue because she really didn't mean to. The next one I wasn't quite so nice about. It's about noon and I hear her say something about going potty. I go upstairs to find tinkle all over the closed seat lid and the floor. Apparently she saw the closed lid and thought it wouldn't matter either way if she opened it. I'm throwing a Kevin (my dad, not my Kev) fit and stick her in the shower while I clean it up. She, virtually un-phased by my anger, starts twirling up in the shower curtain. Soon enough the curtain rod and all comes smashing to the soiled floor. It's almost amazing. I've decided it's now my moral obligation to document these incidences - otherwise no one is going to believe me later. Anyway, maybe you all could've done without a huge bodily function story, but it's late. Actually early. Talk to you later. Leash

Ellyn Update

I missed yesterday, I know many of you might be cheering. We had a very busy day. When don't we really? I've found that I feel like I have conquered Rainier if I can just get everyone, including Grandma, up, dressed and fed in the morning. It takes about as long as climbing Rainier as well.

Lyd and Chels, thanks for filling me in on the apt. thing. You have sufficiently satisfied my curiousity- in that category that is. Now we need to hear about the boyfriend situation from Chelsea. I echo the question- new? missionary home? Please share.

Well we had Ellyn's assessment yesterday and really I don't feel like talking about it but I will give you a brief rundown. She scored an average of 10 mos- 16 mos. development in every category but fine motor. She is borderline in that area for now. I guess this was worse than I had expected and they couldn't tell me one way or the other if this was something she would grow out of with therapy. She will start her program next week. She will be doing physical therapy, speech and cognitive stimulation, and I need to take her in to a pediatric physiatrist or a pediatric orthapedist for her little bow legs. Mike's sister, Anne-the college volleyball star- had to have braces for her bowlegs and they are concerned with Ellyn's because there is a family history. So for the next couple of weeks we will have home visits and then when Ellie turns two next month she will start attending a special therapy center pre-school twice a week for two hours a day. I know it's not the end of the world and it's good we got this started early but I'm sure you all know how you would feel if it was your little one. She is such a beautiful, sweet, loving baby and I want her to grow into a healthy, happy woman, to be able to marry in the temple, be a mom, all that good stuff. I know the Lord has a plan and it could go either way. I just have to be patient and do everything I can to ensure her success. So please keep her in your prayers.

Okay, I started this blog this morning and it's now 11:30 pm so I am off to bed. Mindi, someday I'll have an inkling of what you are saying in German. Until then, Ciao!

Blog, Brooke

ColoradoBennett--Schafhirt

"Wunder Kann man rational nicht erklaren. Sie geschehen, wenn man den Geboten Gottes gehorcht." Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Brooke, your mom bought me a subscription to the 'Liahona' in German a year or so ago. The above quote says something important about miracles, I was hoping you could figure it out for me :).
Adam made us ice cream shakes tonight for dessert and Kaia has a river of purple ice cream running down her body. The great blessing of this pregnancy is that sugar makes me feel even worse, so it has been great avoiding it. The curse is that around 6 or 7 every night I suddenly melt into a useless blob and either crawl in bed or lie on the couch. Adam has been amazing: coming home from work, making dinners, cleaning up, getting the girls to bed, etc. I told him that my grandma called and said how she felt so sorry for me, and he said "why feel sorry for you! You've got it easy around here." He was teasing, but not.
Mike, should I be wary of "Men-In-Black"-looking guys coming to the house to place bugs, or is it much more high-tech than that? So far the only visitors we have is the poor sheep lady next door. I looked out the window yesterday and she was standing in the back yard next to Max's dog run with a pittiful look on her face. I went out and said "hi" and she looked really suprised and started telling me that she thought we moved out and how worried she is about Max being so skinny. So she brought over a big cup of dog food and put it on the sidewalk for him to eat. I asured her that we feed him everyday and that he is fine. It only took about 30 minutes from the time she left to the time the police arrived at my door. It was a really nice officer and he said Max looked just fine and that he would put in the notes that there is no need to send out the cops on us again. I feel really sorry for the lady next door. She wanders around in her bathrobe at all hours of the day and she spends a lot of time cleaning up after her sheep that she rescued from someone who wanted to eat it.
Anyway, Lyd if you get a chance to road trip to Crested Butte definetely go. I've heard it is beautiful, but unfortunetly is isn't in our neck of the woods. Also, please post your new address so we can send you large sums of money for your birthday. Or...maybe just a picture taped on a card.
Northwesterners, if you need a break from the wet you could always come to sunny Colorado. We've had 27 days of straight sunshine to match your 27 straight days of rain.
Glaube das blog!

Seattle Bennett living in Colorado

Chels is this the missionary you've been waiting for or someone new.
Lyd Crested Butte is about as close to us as Salt Lake although as the bird flies we're not tofar off.

hello hello

Wow what has it been probably 2 months of the blog not having me! Yeah I bet you re all pretty happy to see me back on! Lets break down the salt lake house situation. Jordan and I were sharing a room that was fun and fine and cheap, Chels was upstairs and hardly home, -working, school, etc. Jordan was gone most of the time working graveyards and what not, he and I hardly saw each other. And above all our roommates were a little wack, so yes we all went our separate ways. Still loving and happy cousins just not happy with our roommates that would steal Jordans parking spot and would have a conniption fit if I borrowed their syrup (really it’s just syrup –right! That’s a story within itself!) Plus Jordan and I quickly realized that we were paying 250 each a month to pretty much cover the cost of other rooms. So we got out quick and may have lost out on our deposits but oh well!

New 411 on me, I moved about 3 blocks away into some apartments that are pretty nice. I have my own room for once in my life of living on my own, but I am paying more. My landlord knocked off 150 for first months rent for me to come in and clean. I told her I’d do whatever she wanted for her to knock off that much! I live with the landlords daughter Portia who is a little rock climber and is in tons of competition many of which are in Colorado -so hello road trip! And hello cousins (and new foreign arab cousins, I guess!) Just kidding but not really how far is your place from Crestabutte?

I’m working 40 hours a week at Fidelity Investments, thanks to Jessica and the sweet hook up with that. Which is a little crazy and hard –I’m still learning, I told a lady the other day that the Dow was at 10,966 something dollars instead of points. Yeah like I said I’m still learning, but making bank! I also just got registered for all my classes and just finished my first week. I’m taking more than a full load, which you may all think I’m crazy, working 40 hours plus 16 credit hours. But get real people I’m majoring in some form of art -graphic design, or visual arts, etc. My classes consist of a special studies screen printing class (which I’m more than in love with 2nd semester around as an advanced class), a digital media class (my teacher is a treky/hippie if one was ever made!), oil painting, and a psychology class. Really all I have to do is show up! Besides that all I do is work and work, oh and I ski, I ski a lot. By myself, with my friends, whoever –I’m always up on the slopes and the snow has been phenomenal! But I’m not gonna lie, there have been some close calls in me being stupid and think I can do anything! No thanks to my friends that take me and push my limits and then I go back on my own and think I can do the same, even on heavy powder days!

I’m glad to hear everyone is doing well. To touch on Alicias stories of my mother dear dear Jacki and her crazy phone calls to me, she did in fact inform me that my dad was moving in with his parents! It was classic but kinda scary she called me and hadn’t remembered that I was just in to visit her and was wondering where I was. I just started to laugh cause I thought she was kidding. So I asked where dad was and she then informed me that he was moving out to his parents, I tried correcting her in saying “you mean he just went to visit them”, and she said no that he went home to pack and is moving out with them! Oh precious memories. But she’s doing well and came the other day to see my new place. Anyhow that’s all for today I have to get back to the phones! Peace out Lydia!

Seattle Bennett living in Colorado

It has been a while, work has gone from blah blah to very busy, as well as family life. New kid, new truck, new exchange students, 2 new bedrooms full of furniture (for the students), we finally bought dining room chairs for our table that we've had for four years now, so long mismatched folding chairs we're moving on up, new living room furniture. now we are dealing with the loss of our savings account.
Brooke go ahead and stick with five ten because I am and your taller than me (dang those Rigby girls)
Alicia parenting advice is most likely the greatest of my natural abilities it flows like milk and honey, shock collar. nothing more needs to be said get one with arange of half mile then even if there on a big wheel you can still give them a 5 min head start. they'll come back, soon they wont even leave and always so obiedint. Also I have found now that I have the whole family overt their eyes things have gone alot smoother here at home. Really though I play alot rougher with Sie and Ki than I would ever spank them the key is never spank in anger, with Sie it is the simple knoledge that she is being disiplened that is crushing, and in the end I'm not disipling myself by having to make sure she stays in time out. Although we have had a hard time getting Sie to finish her meals so now I dish up desert with the meal we all eat when we finish our individual meal we get our desert as soon as I'm done with mine Sie knows I'm going to start on her's and it is amazing how fast she can eat or how upset a bite out of a cream puff can make her. Last night she left the table with out being excused and Kaia was given the last cream puff Sierra must have gone around the house for 15 min "peam puff, peam puff, peam puff" to cute (does that make me demented)

Adam

chels

Thanks for the advice Brooke. I know what you mean about regretting stuff and it sucks. I just wish I could somehow make her understand. As for right now, Lindsey is just concerned about socializing I guess.

Real quick, as far as the old housing situation goes....like in all places, there was a little bit of drama. I personally moved out for a few reasons. I wanted to be in the centerville/bountiful area because it was more central to work, school, the family and my boyfriend. the commute is much easier from centerville to my new job then it was from the sugarhouse area. so there you have it. as far as jord/lyd, they'll have to fill you in on that. i stayed out of it as much as possible. :)

Gotta work! Peace out.
chels

NSA is watching you

Let me clarify...

I did not say the house should be bugged...

I said the house will be bugged...by the NSA. And maybe it deserves to be, or maybe not.

I do not know how you do it Mindi.

Korea is good. The job is improving, but of course I miss my girls and my wonderful wife. I hope you do all keep the blog alive, it would be a real shame to have it die.

Moms- I really sympathize with your situation. I will say the best thing I heard is that you should be firm and never let them see fear or uncertainty. I think that was Meagan. I may be a bit of a tyrant, and yes I will wack a kid if they deserve it. I might even wack your kid:) All joking aside, the point is I hardly ever have to use violence. A firm voice is all it really takes, and if you are not consistent and give in, or let something go, you just scored a point for their team. Always mean what you say and follow through. But, I am a man and therefore end up doing about 10% of the actual child rearing (especially in our situation), so why the hell am I giving advice?

(Edit) Lindsey, if you give up you're a loser. (Does that work?)

I pray for Jack every night, I am glad she is doing better.

Geof, you don't know how jealous you make me...no, no...not the hot wife bit, I HAVE that...the FLYING you lucky man.

Which by the way...story...I am following this other Captain out of a meeting on my way to eat lunch at my apartment. I walk right by the helipad on the way home. This dude gets into his Apache Longbow (Attack Helicopter) with his gunner, to drive home. You flyboys with your little airplanes and "helos" and...and...Geesh, you can't believe how envious I was, I can't even remember how to drive the au-to! Well, we all get lucky with something...or somebody... Good thing I met Brooke:)

Miss and love you all.

Mike

Hey Blogs and Blogettes

Hey Cameron at least you started, right? I have this overwhelming feeling that you guys had a pretty great home to begin with. I have to say that our regular nightly reading of the Book of Mormon was and is amazing. First of all the girls have calmed down during family scripture time 100%. A few months ago when we started reading the actual BoM with them and not just scripture stories I felt like the last thing I was getting was a spiritual experience. Now- knock on wood- they sit or lay quietly for the entire duration. Then one night as I was reading we came to a part that I thought was for sure going over even Janie's head. Jane stopped me and asked "so does that mean...?" She was right on track, she knew exactly what was being said. I was amazed and then she told me "Mom for a little while now I have been praying to Heavenly Father that I would understand the scriptures better and I really have." I think as a parent those are the moments to live for (they will come Leash, five years from now). We tried to decide what we were going to read next and we decided we are going to start all over. We are going to work on Old Testament stories for FHE to go along with what we are studying in Gospel Doctrine. Anyway, that is what our family is doing and I'm not telling you all to brag but as a way of sharing with you what has been an amazing blessing to our family (I know I've said it before). So what I'm saying to you Cameron, is that I can relate.

Chels- I'm so proud of you. That has to be a good feeling. I don't know why you're so anxious to be an adult but more power to you. I do think it is awesome that you are getting tuition reimbursement and insurance benefits. That's very cool. My only advice to Linds is this- you may never have another chance in your whole life to get to play something you love on a regular basis. Thirteen years later I still regret not doing soccer. Try that on for size. Chels, I hope that helps, it's true, but I find that teenagers never believe anybody over the age of 18.

So I don't know if I mentioned this, but I am staying at Mike's parents house for the next week and a half with the girls. We are taking care of Grandma Esther (Mike's dad's mom) while my mother in law, Barb, is back in Ohio with Mike's brother Tom and their new baby girl. Did that confuse all of you? It did me. Esther is 95 and she's a funny little lady. Several times a day she tells me that her youngest son had seven kids- that would be Mike's dad. She loves the girls and laughs at their antics all the time. She knows my name but doesn't remember that I'm Mike's wife. I guess she thinks I'm just a girl that brings her loud kids over to play on a regular basis.

Mindi and Adam, Mike is a bit concerned with the exchange student situation. You should have the house completely bugged;) Mindi, I'm concerned because you have to feed everyone while pregnant with your third baby. Forget the baby exam, go straight for the head. But if anyone can do it and enjoy it it's you. I am always amazed with everything that you accomplish.

So Cameron or Chels, what happened with the Salt Lake City apartment with Lydia? Did that not work out as well as everyone expected or was it just time to go your own way? Let me know.

Okay, now that this is a novella and my fourth night in a row of writing, I will say Auf Wiedersehen! I'm going to go study my German for about 5 minutes before I fall asleep. As always, I love you all. Blog, me

help

okay, again....i just have a minute. lindsey claims to be quitting softball all together. this decision seems ridiculous to myself, my family and everyone else questioned. i hope you all agree. if you can think of any advice to give to her, please blog! it's making us all crazy. she is an amazing athlete and there is nothing stopping her from continuing to progress. i know i'm kinda being a nerd, but i'm serious. i hate that she's quitting!!!!

chelsea

hello everyone. it really has been a long time since i have written, but it's funny because I am not the only one! a lot has been going on lately. I have a new job, i live in a new place and i'm taking this semester of school....off.

my new job is a lot different from the insurance world. i started at HOYT on december 19th. HOYT is a nation-wide company that manufactures/distributes/ect... hunting bows. i work with a bunch of huntin hicks! :) jk, everyone is really nice and laid back. i work in the credit department, which i know nothing about. they have me going to a few trainings that really help. i'm gonna basically learn from ground up, but that's what they wanted. the pay is better, the do tuition re-imbursement and i have great benefits. anyways it'll be a good move once i get completely settled in.

i'm living in centerville, in a one bedroom apartment. now...i already know that most of you realize how selfish i can be, but it took me a while to grasp the concept. having all of my own stuff and all my own space has really been nice. my place is older, but pretty perfect for what i wanted. it's real weird to actually grow up. after i refinance my car and sign onto my new company's health plan (effective 02/01/06) i will be 100% self sufficient! i know you guys are so excited! :)

everyone else sounds pretty good. i hope everyone had a great holiday. i can't believe it's already the 12th of january! well, i have a few more things to do before i leave work. gotta run!

love, chels

My $0.02

I am probably the last person in the world anyone wants to take parenting advice from but I'll back up Mindi and Brooke about the prayer issue. I have not alway been good at having my family read scriptures and pray together. Monica and I have been talking a lot lately about raising the bar in our own house and for about 3 weeks now we have read the Book of Mormon every night with our kids. We each say our prayers out loud every night before we leave their room. There is something about listening to each member of our small family praying for each other and listening to how we each feel blessed and what some of our individual needs are.
Monica and I were just talking a few days ago how the girls aren't fighting as much as they used to. Don't get me wrong, they still fight and I still get really frusterated with them but it is not like it was. I have had a quote in my scriptures since I was in Seminary that fits the situation perfectly:

President Ezra Taft Benson declared:
“There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. … [You will also enjoy] increased love and harmony in the home, greater respect between parent and child, [and] increased spirituality and righteousness.”
“These promises,” President Benson assured, “are not idle promises, but exactly what the Prophet Joseph Smith meant when he said the Book of Mormon will help us draw nearer to God” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1986, 6; or Ensign, Nov. 1986, 7).

Ok. I don't know if that made any sense but it is what we've been talking about at home.
I think a lot of it has come from Jordan moving in with us. In a literal sense my family is being watched. It is sad that it came down to that for us to make changes but at least we're trying.

We hope you are all doing well in the North West with all the water we keep hearing about.
Blog yall later.

three days down- a million more to go

Oh Martha, Oh Christmas. Today I have been downright teary eyed thinking of the revival of our beautiful blog. It was SOOOOOO good to hear from all of you again. Mindi, I was estatic to recognize the German word in the title of your blog. We just learned "sorry" last night. The girls all came over to the computer and started practicing the words with me. Jane memorized them better than I did. Sadie now regularly says, "when we go to Germany." The rest of the German was a mystery. Someday, someday.

Leash, I can only say that follow through has been the best solution with Sadie. I've slacked off and it shows. It takes effort, especially with a baby in your arms to say she'll go to time-out and then not give her another chance. Mike was really good at it with Sadie. He'd just pick her up and set her down. She knew why too. I really like The Nanny- Jo, not the set of three. She was very good and she'd had 15 years experience with real kids. Anything that I ever saw her do (she was on after 24) seemed very reasonable and calm. I have spanked Sadie, it wasn't effective with Jane (she would rather die than be taken away from social situations, time out was perfect). Ellyn either ignores me or stops what she is doing when I say no. I have tried to be careful spanking Sadie. I can honestly say it has never been a reaction to anger, that's when I really have to watch because she can make me incredibly frustrated. I agree with Mindi's advice most of all. Pray, this child was sent to you because you are the very best mother for her, follow your gut and don't worry what other people think. I know that is a concern for you. I tend to be the same way. Also, remember this is just a phase. Her reasoning skills will become keener very soon and it won't be such a challenge. Wow, don't I just sound like the mothering guru? I only wish. In the meantime it makes for fabulous blogs so feel free to continue to vent. I love you all. Off to bed. Love, Brooke

bad advice

Brooke’s plan worked. She figured if she wrote enough about our boring lives you all would kick in. geof. And darla I can relate to the whole baby girl not taking meds. In fact, hazel right now should be on her last day of anti-biotic instead the still full bottle is sitting in our frige. We thought her aspirating on them was worse than the ear infection. I have given up medicating my children all together. See, when they are sick they kind of just sit around or want me to hold them. As soon as I give them meds they’re back to their old, crazy selves. So that is one way to control your children, expose them to the flu or such, then do nothing and enjoy. Now you wont find that in any of those parenting books. Really I want to know how anyone with “high-spirited” children has time to read all those books on how to be a good parent. I am way too busy being a bad parent to do anything like that. I have found that threatening beatings works, only to scare people around you. The other day in Costco, I was telling ben and wil that if they didn’t sit down I would beat them. This guy turns around with this horrified look on his face, but relieved to see me still unloading groceries as my babies just laughed at me. But really two things that I know to be true…1. Never show weakness (you don’t want them to think they are in control.) 2. They can smell fear. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to make that knowledge work to my benefit.

Life around here has been…wet. I now have the swimming pool in my back yard I have always wanted. I also have one in my front yard, side yard, end of my driveway and any other low spot on the face of the earth here in the great state of wa. We have still managed to be outside almost everyday in spite of all the rain. This could account for wilohm always being sick. But remember a sick kid is a well behaved kid, so I will carry on. Cory has been working 12 hours days, and I, being from the work-smurk school of thinking, am having a hard time with it. I guess I will have to get use to it until his company gets off the ground enough to sustain my spending habits on its own. So if you need a web site or know someone who does you know where to go. And despite what he thinks, he is very good. The kidos are doing great, getting cuter everyday and a little scarier too. Jack is getting into other things now, big boy things like card trading and crap. Stuff I know nothing about. I am not looking forward to the day when he discovers that I am not the center of the universe. Ok this whole blog is really confusing, you should have stopped reading along time ago, but since you haven’t I will save you from any further suffering.

Blog……………me

ColoradoBennett--Entschuldigung

Bevor wir geboren wurden, lebten wir alle bei unseren himmlischen Eltern im Himmel. Der Himmlische Vater wollte, dass wire ihm ahnlicher werden, und deswegen stellte er uns einen Plan vor.
That's for you, Brooke, a little Sunday School lesson in German for you. I've been called to repentance on the blog and I'm very sorry. My excuse isn't that I've been writing birthday cards, Geof., because only Lydia has a January birthday. Rather my excuses are that both hands have been cut off at the wrists, our computer has been over at the Tillimann-Dick household where Shiloh has been working his magic, and my favorite excuse of all....we've been very busy getting ready for the Saudi Arabians that are moving in upstairs. We are not housing terrorists, I've been very prayerful that such is not the case, but we are taking in Muhammad and Ali, two exchange students who are here to learn English and attend the School of Mines where they will learn how to make nuclear weapons, or study petroleum or computer science or something like that. We have to provide furniture, breakfast and dinner during the week, and all meals on the weekends. They say they like staying with Mormon families because we don't smoke or drink, we are honest, and we don't eat pork. Adam quickly corrected them on the pork and the honest part. Our intentions for taking in exchange students is supposed to be (according to the paper work we have signed) to help them learn English and make them a part of our family, but really we are just in it for the money. $600/month per student and we figure we can fit about 14 kids in the apartment upstairs. Just kidding, it should be a really fun experience, and we only have 2 students, for now. Except the feeding them everyday part. I'm a human-stress-ball just thinking about it. I've looked up Saudi Arabian recipes online and they are full of crazy things like black lemons and spices I've never seen before. Plus, Muslims only eat meat that has been prepared a specific way so we can't feed them anything but Tyson chicken and seafood. There are a few Arab markets downtown that I guess we could take them to, but I'm afraid that means we blow the food budget. I mean these are two hungry, 17 and 19 year-old boys that could potentially eat us out of house and home and that is downright the scarriest thing imaginable. Plus, I'm pretty well useless in the evenings. I feel so dang sick I just want to sit in a big heap on the couch and do nothing. WHAT HAVE WE GOTTEN OURSELVES INTO? No, it'll be great, and I'm sure that I'll be blogging soon enough that this is one of the best choices we've ever made. I can't wait to post pictures of our new family.
And now I'll quote the Dalai Lama who has the best attitude about living with Muslims: "Whenever I meet people I always approach them from the standpoint of the most basic things we have in common. We each have a physical structure, a mind, emotions. We are all born in the same way, and we all die. All of us want happiness and do not want to suffer. Looking at others from this standpoint rather than emphasizing secondary differences such as the fact that I am Tibetan, or a different color, religion, or cultural background, allows me to have a feeling that I'm meeting someone just the same as me. I find that relating to others on that level makes it much easier to exchange and communicate with one another."
Now, Alicia, let's talk about beating children. I've spanked Sierra, but the only time I've done so was in a moment of pure anger. The result was: I scared the crap out of myself and started to cry, and Sierra was apparently unaffected and kept doing what ever she was doing. So I can't spank because it doesn't work for me and I can't control my anger problem if I do. The Dalai Lama would say....no just kidding, he doesn't have any kids and people who don't have any kids have terrible parenting advice. I would suggest to continue hoping that you are on Candid Camera and to get some new parenting books from the library like: "Raising Your Spirited Child", "Redirecting Your Child's Behavior", "Parenting the Strong-Willed Child" or "8 Weeks to a Well-Behaved Child" or go to http://good-child-guide.com where you can get free emails instead of having to read a book. We've been having a terrible time getting Sierra to take naps. After our trip to WA and seeing that Meagan and Brooke get all their kids to take a nap with them every day, I decided that it was necessary for my survival to implement the same program. It was working fine and dandy, until I got pregnant and naps suddenly seem like a life-and-death situation. Life to me and death to Sierra. Adam was telling a guy who was over at our house this weekend (and this guy is in a masters program in Social Work) that the only way we can get Sierra to take a nap is to hold her down while she freaks out and screams and eventually she gets so worn out that we can let go and she goes right to sleep. Well, this guy was like 'uh, I'll just pretend that I didn't hear that.' And for a moment it was a very awkward situation because I thought he might be planning on turning us in to the authorities. So, I've decided that it is sick and wrong to get Sierra to take a nap that way, plus it really hasn't been working for me lately anyway. Sierra just yells and wakes up Kaia and then none of us get a nap. So I really don't know what I'm going to do. Threatening to take away Dora or Diego used to work, but now she says that she doesn't care if I don't let her watch tv. Awesome, I'm feeling powerless to a 3 year-old with pig-tails. But I'm convinced with parenting there are a lot of books out there, some with information applicable to your child, but most are a waste of time. The only real success I've had is to prayerfully ask for help and do the best I can while I wait for inspiration.
Well, I've almost been here and hour and it is down right amazing that my family is still asleep. So I'm going to go do some prego yoga. Blog out...