The Couch

It's a common notion that the kitchen of the home is considered the "gathering place". In our home, the gathering place happens to be our big, green, Puffy Couch. You'll notice that I capitalized Puffy and Couch. Why? Well, because that's its name:
Puffy Couch
...it's what the tag said when we bought it.

We love Puffy Couch.
We love watching Diamondback games together on Puffy Couch. We love to fight over who gets the coveted corner seat of Puffy Couch. It's the place where many wrestling matches occur, or where new daring flips and tricks are practiced. It's the place where books are read, and t.v. is watched. It's the place where friends laugh and catch up. It's the place where everyone gathers at the end of the day to chill out and spend time together.

So, being the crafty (as in clever, not crafty-crafty) woman that I am, I used Puffy Couch as a lure to bring my boys together on Monday evening, promising a fun Family Night. Once they were comfortably seated I was forthcoming in my intentions of sitting on Puffy Couch that evening. We were all going to watch...


Wait for it...


Wait for it...


The Hannah Montana movie!!!

Being the mother of boys has it's advantages. It also has many disadvantages. One of them being that my boys do not enjoy "girl movies".

At. All.

After many moans and groans, and eight rolling eyes, they relented and humored me.
It was just me and my boys on Puffy Couch.
What could be better?
Here's just hoping that they aren't sitting on a therapist's couch someday telling them how their mom ruined their lives by using Puffy Couch as bait, while forcing them to watch "girl movies".

Math Logic

I could never understand the need for algebra. Who cares what "x" equals, or how to graph it. I liked algebra, but never thought I'd use it--at least not in the way it was intended, and let it be noted that I wasn't particularly good at it, either. I could usually come up with the right answer, but not in the "correct" method, which I got docked TONS of points for. I didn't like Mr. Dodge for that very reason.

Today I realized why we have to learn algebra...

Because eventually we'll have a 7th grader who needs help with their

ALGEBRA!!!

Keepin' Busy

On Monday I was worried about what I was going to do with all of my free time, now that all of the boys are in school...but it turns out that, aside from Monday, I have kept myself happily busy all week. I shopped, ran errands, cleaned the house, went to lunch with some friends, shopped some more, made dinner for my family every night, helped a friend pack for a move, worked on the pool, read, started back at the gym, went to Yogurtland (YUM), did some laundry, and went to lunch with Kev.

It was a great week but at this pace I may have to schedule more gym time!!!

Can Do--And the Pursuit of Happiness

This little tidbit in the NYTimes made me smile this morning...Enjoy!!

http://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/can-do/

First Day Of School 2009

{First Day of School 2009}[Tanner]

5 Feet 1 inch

113 lbs.

7th Grade

[Ty]

4 Feet 11 3/4 inches

110 lbs.

Ms. McCormack--5th Grade

[Treyson]

4 Feet 4 Inches

55 1/2 lbs.

Mrs. King--2nd Grade

[Tate]

3 Feet 10 1/2 Inches

46 lbs.

Miss Bruce--All Day Kindergarten

The boys could hardly wait to get to school this morning. They were so excited. Tanner's friend, Zeke, showed up around 7:15 and instead of the usual hug as he left for school, all I got was, "See ya mom!!" from Tanner as he was jumping on his bike and taking off for Jr. High. He's growing up too fast. I held back the tears as I sent Ty and Treyson, on their own, to the "big kid" playground to find their teachers and line up, and then again as Tate's class started walking into the school. I just can't believe that my 1st baby is in Jr. High, and my baby-baby is in all day kindergarten. Where does the time go?

Back To School Night

Last night we made our annual trek to the school to meet the teachers. Of course I only have pictures of Treyson and Tate, because Kevin took Ty to meet his teacher and didn't have the camera!!! Ty got Ms. McCormack, Treyson got Mrs. King, and Tate got Miss Bruce. Treyson and Tate can't wait for school to start on Monday. Ty?...well, I'm not so sure...

Life's Little Reminders

A few things have happened this week that has reminded me how precious life is, and reminds me that I should never take one minute of it for granted. It reminds me that I need to live big and especially, love big, by telling the people around me how much I love them, and how thankful I am to have them in my life.

I am saddened that my cousin, Carey, passed away this week. He will be missed.My sister in law, Rebecca, had a horrible biking accident this week, and had to spend a few days in the hospital. Thankfully she is going to be o.k. You can read about it here.Also, my heart grieved as my dear friend Leslie miscarried her sweet baby at 19 1/2 weeks. You can read a beautiful tribute to Crew Nikolaus here.

Tell the people in your life how much they mean to you--and do it today. I'm going to!

New Recipe

We had the most delicious pasta tonight! It's a fun variation using roasted red peppers instead of the traditional tomato sauce. You can find the recipe on The Pioneer Woman's website...Yum!!

Just a side note: I didn't roast my own peppers. I bought them all roasted, cleaned, and bottled at the grocery store. I drained the liquid off of them, then pureed them in the blender. Also, I didn't add pine nuts because I can't stand them--at all. And, I added a handful of grated Parmesan directly to the sauce as it warmed. De-lish! For Tanner I used soy creamer in place of the heavy cream the recipe called for, and omitted the cheese. He loved it!

Gone Too Soon

Carey Clyde Hawkins

{November 21, 1983--August 2, 2009}

My cousin, Carey, passed away Sunday, August 2nd. At 25, he was definitely too young to go, but my hope is that now he will finally be at peace. He will be missed.

{Obituary}

Carey Clyde Hawkins

November 21, 1983 ~ August 2, 2009

Carey Clyde Hawkins passed away August 2, 2009 at the home of his parents, Clyde and Lorraine Hawkins, of Mapleton, Utah. He is a beloved son, uncle, brother, and friend. He is survived by his parents, Clyde W. Hawkins and Lorraine Hasler Hawkins, his four older brothers, Claine (Julie), Casey (MyKel), Cameron (Rachel), and Corey, and his two sisters, Crystal (Jared) and Cherish (Herb). He loved life and was a joy to be around. He especially loved being around and spending time with his nieces and nephews, Kamryn, Taylor, Hayli, Sam, Trey, Kate, Hayden (Deceased), Jake, Ella, Kole, and Gentry.

Carey graduated from Timpanogos High School in Orem. He enjoyed playing baseball, softball, basketball, snowboarding, wakeboarding, hunting, and just spending time outdoors with his family and friends. Carey is an Eagle Scout and even received the Scouting Life Saving Award for saving a child from a burning building. The despair and discouragement following years of his valiant battle against drug dependency took our beloved Carey back into his Heavenly Father's merciful and tender care.

Carey had a way with people, his charisma and genuine love and friendship for everyone was contagious. He had a huge heart and was often referred to as "Care Bear" by his family and friends and will always be remembered for his open arms attitude. He was always one to give some of the best and biggest hugs. He will be missed and was most certainly loved.His family will be holding a Viewing and Funeral in remembrance of his life here on earth.There will be a viewing on Thursday evening, August 7, 2009, from 6-8 p.m. at the Mapleton 11th Ward, 1580 N. Main Street, Mapleton, Utah. Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 8, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Windsor 4th Ward Chapel, 1875 North 280 West, Orem, Utah. Family and friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Midway City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the LDS Humanitarian Fund.