The Holidays

Well, another Christmas has come and gone, and it seems like I just got last years decorations put away & here I am putting away decorations again. When I was a kid it seemed like Christmas took FOREVER to finally roll around. But as an adult, I find myself in one of 3 frames of mind pretty much all year round.
1- Right now I'm done with Christmas, cleaning everything up and putting everything away, a little bummed I didn't get all of the great ideas I had drummed up accomplished, but there is always next year.
2- Soon I will be thinking what a great idea that will be for next Christmas, I must make a note of this so I can be sure to remember this when the time comes....
3- Then before I know it I will be frantically trying to throw everything together at the last minute because I procrastinated too long and now there's not time to do all those cool things I thought of throughout the year so I will just have to make a bigger note to do them next year!

And that's the story of my life in a nut shell, or snow globe seems a little more fitting : )

14 years ago....

14 years ago I was a young, immature, nieve 19 year old, experiencing insane amounts of pain praying I would hurry the hell up and dilate enough to get an epidural. As this day comes to an end, that's the thoughts I remember about this day, this time 14 years ago, just a couple hours before my "Saving Angel" was born.

This morning was a different story..... I woke at 6:30 and anxiously raced down to Nakia's room to present her with her birthday presents. I was REALLY thrilled that she was thrilled with the DC sweatshirt/jackets I picked out for her on my own. (She usually frowns upon the clothes I choose for her.) After she was ready for school & waiting for the bus, I noticed my parents were on the Internet so I quickly got on and told them they would have to wish Nakia a happy birthday now because she was spending her birthday at her dad's house, and that's the moment the flood gates were opened and the tears came gushing out at their own free will & I could not stop them. Dad told me I could cry all I wanted to him, just don't let mom hear, she wouldn't be able to focus for days if she knew I was a wreck.

Maybe it's because I miss my Mom & Dad, or perhaps it's cuz I'm PMS, or the fact that I FINALLY weaned myself off those stupid chill pills after 8 years, any of these are legitimate excuses for being such an emotional wreck lately. But the fact of the matter is that I miss my angel baby.

I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday, just don't ask me what time she was born, how long she was or how much she weighed. It was after Ropers or Retrix closed for the night cuz Marlo & Ben Kidd made it back from dancing before I had her. She was in the 6 pound range and somewhere between 19 to 20 something inches long. Details have never really been my strong point. But I remember events, like begging my mother as she stared wide eyed and panic stricken at me for drugs, please drugs, any kind would do, I was not feeling particularly picky at the moment. I remember Dad driving like a maniac to the hospital, not because he was worried I would have her in the car if we didn't hurry and get there, but because he had a flat tire on the car and the air he put in it before leaving the house, out in the boonies, was slowly leaking out and he needed to get to Les Schwab before he ruined the rim.

Hunger, that is a vivid memory. I didn't eat that morning because we were going to Preston to our Gregersen family Christmas party, there are a lot of excellent cooks in my family, & I was craving some Christmas food so I was planning on being good and hungry. Unfortunately we didn't make it to Preston to gorge on festive foods, instead I was "checked" (just the beginning of the humiliation that comes with labor), hooked up to monitors & was graced with all the ice chips I wanted. Needless to say I was a little bent about that so when Chris & Jerry showed up 10 hours later, on their way home from the Christmas feast, I willingly scarfed down the 1/2 a snickers bar Chris offered. Good thing I ate it before Mom noticed, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission sometimes. She scared me into regretting eating it though as she colorfully explained to me the reason they don't let you eat before you have the baby. Let's just say, If I did crap on the doctor, he didn't let on at all.

When I FINALLY did get the epidural it was such a relief that I took a nap & when I woke up I was scared it would wear off before I had her so I asked for another one. I was told "not a chance", they didn't even humor me.

Mom & Chris were in the delivery room with me and as I was pushing for hours and hours they were great support, but the second Nakia's head came out I was on my own. They were like a couple of school girls squealing about their first kiss! This was much cooler though, so I forgave them, eventually. Nakia's head was turned facing me & her eyes & mouth were closed. She peeked one eye open, looked at me (Aunt Chrissy claimed she looked at her) then let out the cutest, loudest squeal I've ever heard. After that it was all kind of a blur for the next few days. I was soooo tired. I was scared to be a mom & I was freaked out about the thought of nursing. I grew up on a dairy farm and in my mind cows gave milk, not me. The nurses said they wouldn't let me leave the hospital until I watched all the new mother videos. I couldn't stay awake thru the previews of them and after countless attempts I finally reassured them I was staying at my parents house & they had 7 children. I don't know if that's why they finally let me leave the hospital or if it's just because 4 days is too long these days to stay in the hospital "just to have a baby".

Being a new single new mom was quite the journey. I would use a full tub of wipes to change poopy diapers, my mom would wake me up in the middle of the night because she could hear Nakia crying from the other end of the house and I was in the same bed as her. My sisters & sis-in-law were worried I was going to put Nakia on top of the car and forget I put her there & drive away. (Silly girls, I couldn't even reach the top of the car) One time I even forgot what I named her. Nakia is not a very common name.

It has been a quick, fun, happy, stressful, heart wrenching, rewarding, painful, beautiful 14 years. I love being a mother and I love being Nakia's mother. I pray that the next 14 years are filled with as much success, love and happiness for her as the past 14 years have been, only better!

I love you, Nakia. No matter where you are or what you do you will always be my little angel.

A Child's Prayer

Scripture study and prayer time has become a favorite amongst our children ever since Francine started saying the prayers.

November

What a crazy month! November has gone by so fast and I feel really wore out. I spent more time socializing this month than I have since probably high school. That, on top of the regular taking care of 5 kids, a husband, the house, book work for the office, increase in BPO's, and extra Dr. visits, I have been running like mad!

Here's some of the "extras" I managed to squeeze in this month....

880 pears takes 3 women, 1 hubby, and 17 kids running wild thru my house approximately 3 days to bottle, dry and make into jam. I'm confident had there not been 17 kids, which included 4 in diapers, 2 trying to sneak off to kiss & 4 who spent more time fighting than playing, it would have taken a significant less amount of time, but that wasn't the case.

We had some great midnight entertainment by Jill who was taking on every challenge she could come up with, including pealing pears, (which she lost to Tello) standing on her head (which she won) and doing push-ups (she lost that to Nakia). Now that was some good quality entertainment!

Ben had a Veterans day program which he was not about to let me forget to come to. He memorized his part and was thrilled that he was one of the very few who didn't have to read it.
Super Friday/Saturday was an event I was conned into taking an active role in. I was asked to come up with some ideas for easy Christmas cards to make as one of the projects, I had no idea when I agreed to that little task I would be a full time committee member which required 2 long days at the church and one even longer day shopping in Idaho Falls with Jill & 4 little girls. The most disturbing part of it all was some of the conversations I found myself in with Jill. She should go into syko-therapy, or maybe go to syko-therapy :-)

I had a card club I went to in Preston one night, the mutual girls came here to scrapbook another night. There was 2 separate days of parent teachers conferences, I had to give a lesson in Relief Society, which always stresses me out, I've been on a kick that I am determined to make sugar cookies that are worthy of sharing. After 5 different recipes and many days and hours of mixing, rolling, cutting, cooking, & decorating I can honestly say- they are getting better. I still wouldn't take a plate of them to a neighbor for a little neighborly friendship. I can't forget the day we pulled the kids out of school early to go watch Twilight! We went to the 4:00 show at Edwards Theatre in Idaho Falls and got there about 10 minutes before it started and the only available seat were in the front row...

And yesterday I hosted a desert dwellers hair cutting party that started about 11:30 am and went till about 6:30 pm. Once again there was 17 kids along with 7 adults. The sight was picture worthy as a dozen kids piled off the school bus all en route to the same destination, but we were all too busy inside cleaning & calming 5 screaming babies to rush out & snap a picture. I'm still surprised Tello stuck around the whole day. He must enjoy the chaos more than he's letting on. Sara came down from Rexburg to give a few haircuts. After 7 hours of standing on her feet she gave a total of 9 haircuts, 1 man, 3 ladies, 3 girls, 2 babies, & 1 highlights. What an eventful day.

As if that's not enough I have pink eye or a sty, not sure, I'm too cheap to go to the Dr. to find out & it's not going away. How long are these things supposed to last anyway?

MUST READ, VERY IMPORTANT

Just seconds ago I got off the phone with my sister, Marlo, who was calling me from the mall to inform me she had just purchased the game, "The Office Trivia". Anyone who knows me at all knows of my addiction to The Office, so what I'm getting at here is this,

Anyone who is well versed in "Office-eese" and would like to be an official member of the Finer Things Club Blackfoot Branch, is cordially invited to attend an evening at my farm with the other elite members to join in a competitive game of Office Trivia.

Date & Time: TBA

Please RSVP ASAP!

BOO

What's not to love about Halloween? When else do you get to dress up as ugly as possible and get compliments. One sad truth about this photo, I really feel like this a lot of the time (not necessarily towards my dear sweet grandma, just in general)

Ben was at his dad's and didn't want to join in the festivities, so we went to him.

Marlo really does make a cute pregnant nun. Way to go "Father Bruce" on getting your "sister" pregnant, ewe gross!

I like to coordinate our costumes. Last year Tello was Shrek, I was Fiona & Francine was Baby Shrek, that was alot of fun, so this year in an attempt to top last years costumes I made up the Frankenstein Family. What a sick competition I'm in with none other that myself. I think I will have to make a post on all my past Halloween costumes. And honestly, trying to one up myself from the years past is the only reason I get into Halloween so much. I don't enjoy going to carnivals with hundreds of screaming kids all cranked up on sugar, crammed into a gymnasium with no air conditioning. Nor do I enjoy walking the streets of big bad Blackfoot in below freezing weather repeating myself every 100 feet, "Trick-or-treat, oh-thanks, I think she's adorable too" No, it all boils down to the fact that I like to dress up in freaky costumes that I ponder on for 350 days a year but never actually work on until a couple days before Halloween. I love my insanity!

Andy however has dressed up as the same thing for the past 4 years now. I've even offered him my costume making skills in hopes he would go for something else, but he really enjoys being a vampire.
One of our favorite parental activities to do on Halloween is to visit the kids at their schools, especially when they don't want us to. They were kinda excited to see us this year so it wasn't quite as rewarding.

I didn't think Francine would wear her Frankenstein head, in fact she was pretty upset when I tried it on her, until she saw daddy with his on, then she was thrilled to keep it on all day!

Granny Frog

Granny Frog turned 86 on October 27, 2008. What a woman! We had a surprise birthday party for her at her favorite restaurant, Melina's. Jerry & Chris organized this great event, thanks guys your doing a wonderful job as "mom & dad" while Mom & Dad are in Russia : )

Let me just say, My Granny is amazing & I absolutely love her. She is the most talented, crafty person I know and I wish I had some of her creativity.

Terri & Linda drove up from Salt Lake for the party

Linda gets bombarded with loves from her nieces & nephews, Zahrah, Angelea & Zac

Amy & Nick drove all the way down from Idaho Falls!

Jerica & Morgan drove up from Logan. Marlo & Clancey had just about as long as drive from out on the desert : )
Uncle Richard, Granny, Rick & Annette

Angelea, Jerry & Jerica
The Birthday girl with her giant frog cake!

Exit Realty Convention

Me and Tello just got back from Nashville where we were for an Exit Realty Convention. Let me just say Steve Morris knows how to throw a party, & Exit Realty really is the best Real Estate company EVER!!! Check it out... Here we have Bill Nasby, author of "As A Man Thinketh", Tello with two of his mentors & Steve Morris, president/owner of Exit Realty

. http://www.exitrealty.com/

Just a quick run down of our week in Nashville.... We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center

It is the largest non-casino hotel in the world, over 2,000,000 square feet. The dress code was business attire all week, so I ended up with blisters all over my feet after the second day.

The first night there, all the brokers, regional owners and franchisees were bussed to the Wild Horse Saloon for dinner & entertainment by LoCash Cowboys.

It was some great entertainment, and the 2 lead singers were really hot! The second night, after a full day of meetings was the cocktail party, I was way under dressed for this, or should I say over dressed, most the women had on some sexy little item while I wore capris & a sweater, but the food was good & there was a golden cowboy on display! It was funny to watch people stand and stare at this amazing sculpture in awe then suddenly scream and jump back when he'd pull his gun on them.

One night we got to go to the Grand Ol' Oprey & see Leahy. They are a canadian family of 11 siblings that play the violin/fiddle, guitar, drums, banjo, mandolin, sing & tap dance. They were pretty amazing.

The last day was my favorite. For the final meeting we got to be entertained by Renown comedian John Pinette. He was HILARIOUS!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLdNTMa1xZA

That evening we got all dressed up for the black tie president's ball.....

We Are So Freakin' HOT!

Me & Tello are in Nashville this week for an Exit Realty Convention. I was worried we wouldn't fit in too well, because each night there is a night activity that requires dressing up in hot evening attire, which I don't own & drinking lots of alcoholic beverages, which I don't drink. But luckily we fit right in....
Actually stood out, who needs a cocktail dress & suit with hot bodies like these?

Tello's Buck

I have to add the head shot photo of Tello's buck so he can prove to his buddy, Weldon, that Tello's buck is bigger than Weldon's and it's not so obvious from the butt shot photo I added earlier. Soooooooo.....

And just so Marlo doesn't feel left out here's her mighty buck. I wonder why nobody got a picture of Bruce's buck, his was just as dead and gorey as the rest!

Killing Spree

Opening day for deer season was Friday, October 10th, as you all should know. Tello, Nakia, Andy, Marlo & Bruce all went to Grandma & Grandpas Ranch the night before so they could be up at the butt crack of dawn to get the BIG BUCKS! It worked, for Tello & Nakia. Marlo & Bruce had to spend the WHOLE day tracking deer before they finally got theirs. Here's a great clip of Nakia the mighty hunter shooting her 2nd buck. However, this one is much bigger than last years.

Please excuse the graphic nature of these pictures.

Marlo was proud of Nakia's kill!

Tello was also pleased with his butt, I mean buck!

FYI: 2 big bucks fit comfortably in the back of a suburban wrapped in plastic, and if you haul @$$ home, the smell really isn't that bad!

This is the whole group of em'. Yep everyone participated. Well except Andy he just went so that he could skip school and catch up on some missed sleep (cuz of video games)

Stephanie Meyers Books

My daughter, Angelea, read all 4 of Stephanie Meyers Vampire books and kept saying how wonderful they were. I thought they sounded kinda dumb, but sooooooo many people keep talking about them and their sick addictions to them, so thanks to Sherilyn Bair from Snake River Library we were able to get them all put onto an mp3 player and listen to in the car while we are driving. We started the first book on our way to Lake Powell last month. I admit they are good. All the kids including Ben & Andy ask to listen as soon as we get in the car.

Tello complains quite often when Bella is being a stupid obnixous teenage drama queen that this is the stupidest book ever and Bella is a retard. I have to tell him over and over that this is a teenage girl story and that is how teenage girls are, he thinks teenage girls are insane, but guess who has horded the mp3 player and is almost done with book 4, Breaking Dawn? TELLO

He reassured me I can listen to it when he's thru & other than at church, he hasn't had the mp3 out of his ears for a minute. I think he's just as sappy and pathetic as any hormone driven teenage girl! Does anybody else know of any male who has read these books? I don't. I think Tello is a first.