Mansions and Castles

A funny exchange between Treyson and Ty tonight:
Ty:  What would you do if you got a million dollars?
Trey:  I'd buy Mansions.  {pause} And then I'd buy castles.
Ty:  I think I'd just buy a nice house.

I don't know why this cracked me up, but it did.  Funny, funny boys.

God Bless America

I can remember, as a young adult, going to a parade and getting choked up when the men in uniform walked by carrying the US Flag.  It was the idea that these men and women, with ages ranging from 18-99+, sacrificed their health, families, and LIFE to protect and defend this country I live in.  That they would willingly (or by draft) serve their God, and their country.  That they would willingly give up their lives to protect something that our Founding Fathers held so dear. 

As I was watching a baseball game the other day, as usual, "God Bless America" was sung during the 7th inning stretch...only this time-and the only time I ever remember-the singer sang the WHOLE song.  I was home alone.  The kids were at school and Kev at work.  The tears streamed down my face as I realized how far away from the ideals of this song our country is.

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,

Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,

As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam

God bless America, My home sweet home

God bless America, My home sweet home

I found my self thinking about our current President--who REFUSES to put his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance.

I found myself thinking of all the people of our country who worked so tirelessly to REMOVE prayer from our schools.

I found myself thinking about all of the innocent people that died in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and instead of being proud of the efforts being made against terrorism, our former president is shunned and our troops are shunned for trying to do the right thing, and how our current President doesn't support the war--which to me says that he doesn't support all of those serving--risking their lives--to protect our country from another attack. 

It's not my intention to start a debate on the war, or our current president.  I have been included in a heated email chain between my aunt and her cousin on the evils of the two parties, and finally, just today, my cousin really stuck it to them.  He basically said this:  Open your eyes, do your research, use common sense, and VOTE!!!

For the past two weeks I have been pouring over any information I could find about the candidates and measures on my ballot.  I feel informed and confident in my decisions.  I can't wait to turn in my ballot.  I like feeling that I can have a small part in changing what needs changing. 

I encourage all of you (my very, very, small pool of readers) to study, ponder, and pray about your vote this November 2nd.  Heaven knows our country needs all the prayers it can get!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Open Letter To My Very Grumpy (and elderly) Neighbors

Dear Ms. Philippino Lady, and Mr. Jack Daniels,

Kids will be kids

and

sidewalk chalk

WASHES OFF!!!

Oh, and P.S...

If you don't want to live in a neighborhood with children in it...

M-O-V-E!

Leisure World is just down the street...no children there, guaranteed!!

P.P.S.  Complaining about my kids to the LDS missionaries won't get you anywhere.  They LOVE my kids...and besides, what could they do?

grrrrrrrrrr..........

Sincerely,

Tina

I've never, in my life, seen two people get so worked up over sidewalk chalk, with threats of calling the police!! 
I can just imagine the call now, "Yes, hi...my neighbor boys are drawing all over the road with sidewalk chalk."
Holy moly...I haven't been this irritated in a very, very long time!!!

New Pictures of Bubba

{CHASE REED LEWIS}
click on the link

Fall Break 2010

We decided, kind of last minute, to take a quick trip to San Diego.  I'm a sucker for a "deal", and Sea World was offering a free child's ticket with the purchase of an adults ticket, and the San Diego Zoo was offering free children's tickets through the month of October.  Sweet!

We didn't have one bit of sunshine the whole time we were there, but it didn't matter much...I just loved that we were all together having a good time.

We drove to San Diego Thursday morning, early, and went straight to Sea World. 

 Doing the "Camingo"...

...guess you had to be there...

   Sittin' in the SPLASH ZONE!!!

 Soaking wet after the Shipwreck Rapids ride!!

The greatest thing about this was that Kevin actually went on the water rides...it's usually me that's soaking wet with the kiddo's!!

Our plan was to go to the zoo on Friday, but when we woke up that morning it was pouring rain!!  We went and had breakfast at one of our very favorite SD breakfast spots, The Broken Yolk, and then headed up the coast to Carlsbad where we went to the fabulous outlets there.  After the outlets, we had lunch at Costco (since I'm a budget minded gal) and then headed to the beach to watch the surfers and the dolphins.

 

 Saturday morning we got up and headed to a new favorite spot, Perry's Cafe Breakfast House.  The chicken fried steak was TO-DIE-FOR...I ate it two mornings in a row.  Luckily, for my waist-line, chicken fried steak is a vacation only food, otherwise I'd be 600 pounds 'cause I love the dang stuff!!!  After breakfast we went to the zoo. 

I love the zoo.

My kids and hubby,  well...let's just say that they truly humored me with this one. 

After the zoo we went downtown and ate lunch at Anthony's Fish Grotto...another of my favorites, and then we walked down to show the boys the big boats that are docked there.

We drove home Sunday afternoon, worn out, but ready to head back to school and work.  I love my family and am thankful for the times, like these, that we can spend some quality time together!

Go Ahead And JUMP!

This is what I find on my camera when Tanner and Ty get ahold of it

Bubba

{INTRODUCING MY NEWEST NEPHEW}

Isn't he cute??!!!

He doesn't have a name yet, so I'm just going to call him "Bubba". 

This beautiful little (BIG) boy put his momma (and his daddy--but not in a physical way) through some major strain over the past couple of weeks.  Besides being 13 days overdue, and putting his momma through 24+ hours of labor without any pain meds, he was born last night at a WHOPPING 11 (YES, ELEVEN!!!) POUNDS and was 24 inches (that's TWO FEET) long, by C-Section!!

Knowing that Katherine was in labor for so long put me in a major state of worry. 

 I did. 

I worried.

And I didn't sleep much because I knew what she was going through.

The good thing is that I'm going to be able to catch up on my sleep in no time.

Katherine and Scott??  Not so much.

I am such a happy and proud Auntie and can't wait to meet little (BIG) Bubba in person!

Congratulations, Katherine and Scott!!!

Ya done good!

Jonas and Maggie

I received this link from my mom this morning about my second cousin, Whit, and his wife, Lindsay, and their two beautiful children.

To me, they are true examples of hope and faith, and I appreciate their willingness to bring these special children into the world and provide them with all the love and support they need while they're here on this earth.

There is a carnival this Saturday at Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, if anyone would like to support this sweet family. (See link below for information)

Carnival To Help Family With Two Terminally-ill Children - Connect2Utah.com

Fall

It kinda feels like fall around here.

Kinda.

The rain we've had the past two days has helped it feel that way.

And the fact that the temps have dropped under 100* helps.

Last night we went to Pack Meeting.  Kevin, Treyson, and Tanner had already eaten their treat and were in the car.  As I was waiting outside for Tate to get his cookie and come to the car, the sky decided to open up and DRENCH Tate and I.

I was laughing. 

Tate was crying about his wet clothes and soggy cookie. 

Tanner and Treyson were laughing about me being completely soaked and Tate crying over his soggy cookie. 

Fun times, folks...fun times.

When we got home the boys (including the biggest boy of them all--KEVIN) stripped off shoes and socks and headed out into the downpour.

We get a bit crazy around here when there's a change in the weather...well, crazier than usual, I should say!

 Ten minutes later they were soaked and COLD...but happy none the less.

The only thing missing was Ty who is at Science Camp.  I can't wait to see how muddy and disgusting he is when he gets home today!!