Two Turtle Loves

Wanna hear the cutest story ever? ... Mkay, I'm gonna tell you anyway.

I was coming home from my friend Nicole's house and I nearly ran over a turtle.

That's not the cute part, duh.

Let me first say that about a block from our house is a giant pond. I knew this turtle had strayed a little too far from home. While this is the second time I've almost hit a turtle, we thought we better bring him home. We tried to give him a bath in our backyard with the hose and our ghetto/yellow/plastic swimming pool with every intention of taking it back the next day. This thing had so much moss on its shell, we named it Hairry Potter (from here on out, it's now a boy for convenience's sake). Also, now that it was named, it was destined to stay with us forever, ... or at least the weekend.

Anyhoo, he liked to hide amidst our overgrown trim. Occasionally, it was hard to find him. A few days later Steven was out back grilling when Emmy complained that she couldn't find Hairry. Steven jokingly said, "maybe if you whistle, he'll come to you."

Some lady, just on the other side of our fence heard Steven's comment. She yelled through the fence, "are you guys looking for a turtle?"

This surprised us. We didn't think there was any way through the fence and we didn't think he'd be able to dig his way out because he was an aquatic turtle. Even so, Steven went out the gate and grabbed the turtle that this lady and her barely-restrained dog had found.

Funny thing, it wasn't Hairry.

This turtle was bigger.

Steven went back to where this new turtle had been found (just outside our backyard) and looked directly on the other side of our fence (in our backyard) to make sure he had, in fact, not crawled underneath the fence. Low and behold, there was Hairry hiding in our overgrown grass.

Our little turtle lovers had found each other and just didn't know how to reach each other through the fence.

[a collective "aaawww" from the crowd is now appropriate]

Meet Marge (L) and Hairry (R)


Emmy wanted in this next picture,
though she's only holding a lowly frog.
L to R: Emmy (w/ prince charming), Jason B* (holding Marge), Bradly (w/ Hairry), Zed B* ('cause he couldn't get enough of the turtles).

They were so far (relatively) away from their home. Had to be miles (or something) in human steps.

Olivia with her new playmates.

School Photog Day

My school photo from 1st grade

My kids took there school pictures last week.

As I was doing their respective hair(s), I mentioned to them how lucky they were that their mom did their hair in the privacy of their own home.

"Whaaaat?"

I explained to them that my mother found out what time our class' pictures were to be taken, showed up at the school with brushes & hairspray (just short of extensions, glitter & self tanner) so she could primp us up just before the flashes began.

And, yes, she stood behind the camera man smiling and pointing to her exhausted cheeks simultaneously.

School photo from 3rd grade

Now that I'm written out of her will, I might as well tell you that until Junior High, I was required to wear a dress every time we had school pictures. Another piece of information my kids responded to with, "WHAT?!"

While I was never in a beauty pageant, she would have made an excellent stage mom.

Olivia's Two

...and that's not a birthday announcement. It's more like a behavior announcement (but, we'll still accept gifts).

Her entourage:

(Tyson V*, Logan O*)

Her unwillingness to wear clothing (and her magnetism to dirt):

"Soooo Preeeetty, Liv!"

Even grubby, she's still kissable!

Her uncanny ability to let you know you need to go change an unflattering outfit with just a simple expression.

Love you, Liv.

"For the First Time...

.... I feel ... WICKED."

Sleeping Sisters

Indoor Soccer

Last night was my last game of the season.
[enter frowny-faced emoticon]

Yes, those socks are from high school. It was a pleasure, ladies.

L to R: Kari, Heather, Becca, Jill (#1), Sheryl, Jill (#2), Me, Kristy
(not photographed: Lezlie)

Super Glue

While trying to fix her glasses, Domie got herself into a sticky situation.

But seriously, who travels with super glue? Only SUPERMOM, Janese!

Move Over

Our house is on the market (to rent).

If you do some 1st grade math, that means we're moving. Don't worry, not far.

In fact, if you have really good aim, you can spit and hit it from our front porch.

I'm giddy about the whole thing. In fact, I catch myself giggling out loud while I'm walking around doing mundane tasks in my home. And while it will be furnished with our hand-me-downs in most rooms, and completely unfurnished in others, I can't help but think how much fun we'll have when you come stay with me (even if there's nothing for you to sleep on, yet).

ECD: October 29th.

Brrr

It was 72 degrees this morning when I asked my children if they wanted a jacket.

We've acclimated to Texas weather, I think.

Grace-less

There are WAY too many dancing shows out there for me.

Dancing w/ the Stars

So You Think You Can Dance

ummm, Ellen

It gets a girl to thinkin' she's got moves. And then she tries them out in front of her bathroom mirror. And yes, even though I was all by myself, I was abhorrently embarrassed.

Stop. I know you've done it, too (danced in front of the mirror). And if you haven't -- well, everyone should.

I had no idea I was that awkward looking. For a moment I felt obligated to call my mother and have her demand her money back for the 10(!) years of dance lessons.

Except, it all begins to make sense. As I recall those years, I bounced year after year to different studios. Hmmm. Maybe my mom failed to tell me something....

A Thirst Quenched

It's raining outside.

It has been since Tuesday.

If you live in the area, you know this is a really great thing.

If you live in my stake, you know it's a miracle.

God is good.

Rock Camp

I'm catching up on some summer blogging since I don't have any fiery conversations to start up. Feel free to throw something at me.
The monkeys took a rock climbing course at our local gym. They loved climbing. Well, mostly they loved falling.

Emmy at her most graceful.She could hold her own (literally).

Bradley on his way up.

He's such a show off.

Twinners

I found my long lost twin.

Shhh, don't tell her she's going gray.
I think it's all the stress of being reunited with her sis.

Cha-Ching

It'll only take one more person to join to get the pot at $2000.

Any takers?

Come on! Someone out there has a muffin top, love handles, a wedged wedding ring or back rolls that they are trying to get rid of. You know, if you lose feeling when you're wearing spanx and the red lines don't go a way for hours, you need to join us.

RM

My sister, Holly, just returned from her mission in Connecticut. That was one major reason we went when we did (thanks to the Micks for accommodating my side of the family).

It was great to see her. She's amazing.

Now, if I could just get her to take us ladies on a trip back East.

BTW: why are the phrases always "back east" and "out west"?
Any of you a linguist?

First Day a School

Sorry, we just got back from our Utah/Idaho trip (more later) which explains why I haven't posted in a while and why my grammar is struggling. It seems in Texas, you combine words or make them up all together; ie: ya'll or ain't. In Utah, you change letters or leave them out of the words; like mow-en (for mountain) or pellow.


Love, love, love the first day of school. I love feeling anxious and excited and a little like you want to throw up. It's so great!

Also love how Olivia wanted to be apart of EVERYTHING!

It's also funny when the bus picks you up in the morning, but doesn't have your stop listed on the route when they're on the way home and your kids get home at 3:45 when the left for school at 7:15.

That's funny.

Ha.

Saturday Fun

I took pictures...

... for proof. It's been 4 years since we've been out.
I had to get it on film, or at least memory card.

Emmy workin' it out on the knee-board,
though, not necessarily ever on her knees.

Bradley enjoying his 2nd ride.


Livvers.
If you're in the sun and water long enough, this happens.


Moi.


Steven catchin' air.
One handed?
Fancy.

Thanks to the B* Family for indulging us.
I was sore until yesterday.

A Toast

Here's to:

No longer being the person people lay next to on the beach to feel good about themselves.

Cheers.

-The contest begins today.

Homebound

Emmy's been puking for the past two days.
Olivia has some minor form of conjunctivitis.
Thus, Bradley and I are stuck at home.

Until he abandoned me to go to his friends' house.

I'm bored.

Even though I have a book to read for book club, a bedroom to organize and a house to disinfect with Clorox Wipes and Lysol. Plus, I'm sure there's a pile of laundry somewhere that needs to be put away.

Please tell me at least you're out having fun, you know, grocery shopping or going to the cleaners. What's it like to have such a glamorous life?

You Look Like You Could Use It

- not the contest! The money, duh!

You have until Friday, the 31st to send me your money. So do it!

Email me (look over there ------> for my email address) if you need my home address.

I'm getting money every day from everywhere. It's gonna be another good one!

What's wrong with the rest of you. Is it 'cause you can't think of a good alias?

What about these:
Fatty McGee
I [heart] Cankles
Large Marge
Cellulucious
Sausage Fingers
Heart Condition in the Works
5 Feet Across
Kilograms R Better

...come on

Bring it!

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