My life lately

We have been attacked by the nasty BUG!!! It started last week when I went to wake Claire up and she was covered in throw up. She said, "Mommy, I sick." Then I was supposed to go to Austin for a girl weekend with Stephanie and I got sick Friday night. So needless to say no trip and Jimmy was at school all day. Whew hew for me. Hannah did help quite a bit.
Then Sunday I thought the monsters were attacking our house when my husband was hurling. He for some reason can't do it quietly. Then last night Porter (prior to us warning them and telling them what do expect and do) came into our room and said,"Mom, I feel ssssssss ." Then he threw up all over the floor and all the way to the bathroom. So I, because my husband is gagging, clean up all the vomit and then go lay on the floor and help Porter the rest of the night. The most funny thing was everytime Porter would get done he would lay on his pillow and tell me a story from school about Lars the polar bear. How in the world can you sit and tell a story when your sicker than a dog. Only Porter. We are either hoping Hannah gets it tonight or tomorrow or not at all. She got invited to go to the Hannah Montana show of the concert with her friend Kaylie. She is so excited. This nasty BUG better not ruin it. It already ruined my fun weekend. So yes our house is bugged and I'm trying real hard to get rid of them. So no visitors for a few more days.

President Hinkley

I was so sad to hear of our prophet President Gordon B. Hinkley passing on Sunday January 27,2008. He had such a great sense of humor. I loved to hear him speak. I watched his life story on the BYU channel and learned so much about him. He will be missed but will always be remembered by what a great leader and person he was. He was truly a follower of Christ.

"I've got a problem" says Porter

The other day I was driving down the road and Porter said, "Mom I've got a problem." I ask him what was that? He then told me that, "All the girls are chasing me. Ashley calls me boyfriend and she knows my name is Porter." "Mikayla told me that she told her mom she's in love with me!" "During recess they all chase me and I have to hide. "They make paper rings for him so that they can get married." I just laughed when he finished. I would have to agree he is pretty cute and sweet, I'd probably chase him too. This school year he has been ivited to 3 parties and these are the girls. The last party the mom told the teacher to tell me that Mikayla insisted on inviting Porter even though it was a make-up party. Porter said NO WAY!! So we won't be attending that one!

How Sweet

Hannah came home from school the other day and had drawn and colored this picture in art for Porter. As most of you know this is completely of out character for her towards her brother. So I made a big deal about it to Hannah so that she would know that I noticed and appreciated her for being so kind. Later that night I was reading to Porter before bed and (we hung the picture up in the game room or his room until we move) and Porter said to me, "Mom, I think I will save that picture even after Hannah moves out so that I will always remember her." How sweet is that.

Happy New Year 2008

We had so much fun for New Years. We stepped out of the box and took Hannah and Porter to Six Flags. Since we had season passes why not? It was so cold so we left Claire with Nana and Papa. We rode rides, bought the best food (they have the special booths set up with mmmmmm good food). Porter wanted to ride the train and drink hot chocolate like Polar Express so we did. I informed everyone that mom was riding Superman. Hannah said, "I'm not so go ahead." Porter said, "I will ride it with you mom." I've always wanted to ride it and the line is so stinkin long and that night it was short. Porter kept going back and forth on whether he was going to ride it or not. I told him he didn't have to. So when it was our turn he got on and we rode it. I screamed so loud that Jimmy said the whole park and Arlington could have heard me. Porter never once screamed and said while we were at the top that it was fun!! I wrapped my leg around his leg and held on to his hand. I have this fear of falling off of tall buildings and when I was at the top I felt like I was sitting on a chair at the edge of a building and was about to be pushed off. Sounds like fun! Huh! We went to one of the shows. We rode the snow hill. Doesn't compair to the hills in Montana but you take what you can get in Texas. To top off the night we watched a great fireworks show out in the parking lot and ate a funnel cake. How much fun can you get. My camera ran out of batteries so I only got 3 pictures.

More Christmas Pics 2007

Christmas update for 2007

We had a great Christmas. I think I could say everyone was happy. I love just being together with family. I love watching the excitement in my kids eyes. Hannah was too sweet this Christmas. She earned her own money and then Jimmy added to it so she could go buy gifts for who she wanted. The highlight of her Thanksgiving trip was going shopping with her cousin Cami. She is a senior and took Hannah to the mall. If Hannah didn't buy a gift she made it. I was really touched to see that side of her. It makes a mom proud!! Christmas morning she also did not count gifts (which she has done for the last 4 years) and she took her time to help Claire open her gifts and then open her own. Porter dug in like it was Christmas or something. He was and still is a believer. He enjoys every moment of life. Jimmy scored this Christmas and got his new TV and Blue Ray dvd player. At first I wasn't sold but now I have to admit there is a huge difference. He got a bonus this year and I told him to go for it. I got a really nice present too. I got a Sony digital camera with a lens. Now I need to read about and try it out on my kids. All who know me know I will put it to good use. Last but not least Santa left us a Wii. We have had so much fun with it.

A lot going on

I have wanted to sit and blog but you know it means get the card out of the camera, put it in the printer, load the pictures, pick out which ones, then tell about Christmas,New Years. Ok, I am complaining and I am planning on getting it done because the end of this year means I get to order my books of my blogs. Keepsake for my children given to me by my husband for our anniversary. Great idea coming from a man. I have decided to go back to school. So I have been trying to get transcripts and decide which school. Big move for me. I also have a dental class all day at the dental convention and I have to pass the test after the class. No pressure there. I have also been in and out of the doctors offices with my hands to see what is wrong with them. Not to mention Jimmy is about to start another sememster of school!! UGH. Thanks for listening to me go on and on. On a more positive note I have had this incredible burst of energy the past 3 days and have gotten so much done, that is around the house and with the kids. No, I don't know what caused it or I would share it with you. Many have asked. Hope this finds you having a great day.

Merry Christmas 2007

We went over to some long time friends, sort of family and enjoyed Christmas Eve. Great food and great people. We played white elephant and visited. Now we are home Jimmy and Porter insisted on watching Its A Wonderful Life. Hannah and I are hanging out and spending some girly time together. I am excited for tomorrow and a little sad. I just love that the world gathers together and celebrates the birth of our Savior (well some of the world) I've have tried to slow down and enjoy the lights and hot chocolate a little bit more. We are going to bring the spirit of Christmas closer by reading the Christmas story in Luke before we go to bed tonight. I just don't want to loose sight of things tomorrow and you know how easily that can be done. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
The picture is of our front yard. Hannah said I think this is the most lights we've ever had!! Sad to say it's true.

Claire's new outfits from Grandma Ila and Papa Bill

Christmas Sunday Pictures 2007

Oh My Gosh! It is almost impossible to get Claire to smile and sit still at the same time. So we lucked out on this one. FINALLY!!! We were at the mall last night and the line for Santa was about 20 minutes long. We got in and we it was out turn Claire literally climbed up my side and said, "Tanta cary." I think Santa was toast. He just looked at me like please don't put another screaming kid on my lap. So I tried to show Claire he was nice by touching his beard and calling him Papa, but she way in now way buying it. So I told Santa Merry Christmas and we left. I just couldn't do it to the poor old man. I did think it would have been funny. Anyway, maybe next year.

Continue Christmas tradition

For the last 10 plus years through pregnancy sickness, loss of a loved one, teenager attitudes and little fingers in everything we have manage to continue the tradtion of candy making. Sometimes we get lots of help too. Of course it all started with Nancy bringing me up some candy at The Parlour and I had to learn how to make it. We have our ones we make every year, which are peanut brittle, toffee,peppermint bark, chocolate dipped pretzels, peanutbutter balls and fudge. We have added chex mix and a few others. We laugh,get chocolate all over,watch movies and listen to Christmas music while makiing goodies all day long. Porter even said right in the middle of it, "Guys I am having a hay day!" I look forward to it every year. Thanks Hassan girls for a fun day.

Our Christmas Tradition

My teacher gifts this year

9 dollars in containers, 2 bags of pretzels, 2 kinds of chocolate for dipping and a bag of cookie cutters from the dollar store. I think I went inexpensive and they turned out pretty cute.

Our anniversary date

You know when we were setting a date to get married I don't think we were thinking down the road when we had children because........ We go out on what we call a date for our anniversary and go to Toys R Us and get Christmas for the kids and we did manage to squeeze in dinner at Pei Wei. I so badly wanted to do other things but time would not allow. So thats our date which happens a few times a year. Yea!!!!!! Thanks mom for babysitting.

3rd place Pink Panthers

Hannah's team finished 3rd place this season. They were so intimidated by this team they played called the "Volley Chicks", need I say more?
Anyway, the first game they whomped (is that a word?) on them. At that point they gained their confidence back. Then they lost the next two, which put them in another bracket. Which put us playing the "Diggers" and we lost. I did the most unthinkable thing ever. Hannah is very good at volleyball. About 90% of her hits go over and count. She is still lacking some confidence though. So as the ball comes towards her if it doesn't fall in her lap its not hers and she will watch it drop. Ok, to my unthinkable thing, I told Hannah I would pay her a $1.00 for every ball she hits. Yikes. I should have been more specific. According to Hannah all her serves counted too. She did soooooo good and I had to pay up $12.00. She wanted to go to the half price book store, so I thought it was well spent money and her best game EVER!!!!!
Her coach is getting her masters right now and used to play volleyball at Martin High School. She taught the girls so much and wants to coach these same girls again this spring. Oh, no it might interfere with softball. I wonder which one she will choose or maybe they will overlap just a little. I guess we will wait and see.

The picture of my beautiful 14 roses

14 years ago

14 years ago a prince named Jimmy and a princess named Nicole were married.
Yes, its been that long. It doesn't seem that long. In fact it has flown by. I had to work today and my sweet husband sent me 14 roses. I will post a picture later. They are beautiful. I work tomorrow also so I left them at work to be able to enjoy. He out did himself. I personally was shocked because we've talked about sending flowers and how expensive they are and all the other things you can buy with the $. I guess he felt I was worth the $ this year. Thanks babe. I got that I love you in my heart all over again. Its been great. I can't wait for another 14.

Christmas is in the air

I don't know about you but, I am so excited Christmas is this month. I love everything about it.

- NATIVITY
-MUSIC
-SMELLS (FOOD, CANDLES,CHRISTMAS TREES, SCENTED PINE CONES)
-LIGHTS
-ALMOST EVERYONES ATTITUDE (GIVING& KIND)
-EXCITEMENT IN MY KIDS
-PLACES DECORATED (IT JUST GIVES EVERTHING A NEW LOOK)
-CARDS (GREETINGS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY and CONNECTING WITH THOSE FAR AWAY)
-CHRISTMAS STORIES
-CHRISTMAS MOVIES
-FOOD (HOMEMADE CANDY ECT.)
-MAYBE CRISP AIR (IF YOU LIVE IN TEXAS)
-SURPRISES
-GETTING TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
-SNOW (ONLY IN PICTURES OR ON TV)
-CHRISTMAS PLAYS

These are a few of my favorite things. I have really enjoyed each day and evening with my family. I made an advent calendar and placed things in on the dates where I knew of things that are planned and then added fun things on the other dates. So far we've only flubbed up twice. We've gone to see A Christmas Carol in Dallas with my mom, made smores last night, watched a Christmas movie,read in the scriptures in Luke, read Christmas stories and this Friday we are going to Six Flags. Could it get any better than this!!! I wish I was a kid. Share some of your favorites with me. I'd love to hear. To those of you who read and don't comment this is the time to start.

Proud Moment

Porter had a sub at school and this is what she wrote. I was so proud of him. Way to go Porter.