I've been tagged.....thanks OneHM!
the rules of tag...
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.
Hmmm....more weird and random things...
1. You know how most teenagers are clumsy and just don't have complete control over their limbs, but then grow out of it? I never did. And I'm even worse since I had kids! I am a serious klutz. Two years ago I even managed to step wrong on the edge of the DOORMAT....yes, all 1" of it...and broke my foot. Almost needed freaking SURGERY for it! But after 6 weeks in a big walking boot, they decided surgery wasn't needed...a doormat people! (Murphy's Law sidenote: The day that I got the boot, I came home from the doctor, sat down in the kitchen, and Nicole walked up to me and promptly vomited all over it. Good thing for Febreeze.)
2. I had braces when I was younger...didn't everyone? But my parents didn't send me to a real orthodontist. Just a dentist that thought he could dabble in orthodontia. He didn't do a good job. And I hated the retainer he gave me. It was like a medieval torture device that resembled a football mouthpiece. Then he expected me to wear it to Jr High? Yeah, right. So I didn't. Consequently, I look like I never had braces. Therefore, I am seriously considering getting them again. I figure no matter what, in 2 years, I'll be two years older, but I could have straight teeth as well...
3. I have a genetic disorder. My dad had it as well. It doesn't have a name, at least not one I've discovered, but it's when you get these big ideas about some project or hobby that you want to get started in, and go out and buy all the equipment and gak you may need to begin this project or hobby, and then never do it. Complete lack of follow-through! I guess it would be more of a genetic/mental disorder!
4. This morning, for breakfast, I had a can of Diet Dr. Pepper. Breakfast of champions!
5. My husbands 1st wife died of cancer. When she was diagnosed with the relapse, Ron's aunt had a grandson in the NICU at the hospital I worked at. She came in one time when I was assigned to him and met me. (I really don't remember it.) That day, after she met me, she called Ron's mom and told her that if his wife died, that she had met the girl he should marry...me. Ron's mom remembered it, because at the time, Ron's brother was married to an Andrea, and she said, "That would be too confusing to have 2 Andrea's in the family!" Fast-forward 4 years, and we are engaged....without any help from his aunt, but, WEIRD huh?! Oh, and as it turns out, Ron's brother and the other Andrea got divorced, so I'm the only one!
Now...who to tag...friends from way back...
Steph, oh, and Lance too!
Tami
Kellie
Nicole
Barbara
Friday, November 30, 2007
Fact Smorgasbord.....
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Whittling the list...
Remember the hideous list of life-stress that I posted about a month ago? Well, I'm happy to report that it is a few items shorter, and I have survived thus far....
Halloween...check
Nicole's Bday...check...although I still feel a little twinge of guilt about dogging out on a friend party for her. Mostly because I wasn't really clear to her that it wasn't a sure thing...she thought it was. I'll do better next year.
Thanksgiving...check...good food(I brined and roasted the turkey...YUM-O!), fun, and family...all in all, my idea of success!
Ron's business trips...survived the first, in the midst of #2...this one's a bit tougher since Nicole has been sick, so I'm a bit sleep-deprived...but the new Triaminic seems to be doing the trick tonite *knock on wood!* Maybe I should've just given her double the dose instead of triple.
**I'm totally KIDDING people!!! Put down the phone, you don't need to call CPS on me! ;o)**
School Geography Bee...went well this afternoon! I'd call it a success! I'm just glad it's done, and that I didn't have to emcee the thing! And because of a lack of child care (my mom is on a cruise, and Nicole's illness preventing me from begging kids off on a neighbor) I did the last thing I could come up with...I checked Riley out of school for the assembly and had her come home to babysit. What a responsible mother. Oh well....I figure she didn't miss out on academia....just the Geography Bee!
Next on my list....finish putting up the Christmas decor, start Ellie's stocking....yeah, I'm still hoping to get it done! It could happen...and you can't really tell from this picture...but it is cute! Funny coincidence is that it is the "Elisabeth" stocking....even spelled her way!
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Wilson's have some CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!
The kids are officially ready for Christmas....
They practiced for hours!
Click here.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Wishing you all the best....good food, fun family time, and time to reflect on all your blessings.
Love to all-
The Wilson Family
Monday, November 19, 2007
FUN F.H.E.!
Ron came home today and announced he wanted us to go do something "fun" for FHE tonight. So I suggested we try out Boondocks....a big family fun center we have here in Draper.
It was big.
It was fun.
It was also empty, so Ron and the kids did the go-karts for almost 20 minutes! The only reason they got off was because he was feeling guilty with Ellie and I out walking around to kill time....she was too short to go on them. Then we did the bumper boats. I couldn't figure out how to keep from going in circles, so I was getting seasick! Ron yelled over,"It's just like driving a boat!" HELLOOOO!!! When was the first or last time I have ever driven a BOAT?!?!
Then on to miniature golf. It was the little kids first time. They weren't too hip on waiting patiently while everyone took a turn on one hole. Thankfully there was no one in front of or behind us, so we bagged keeping score with Nicole 2 holes ahead of us, and Jared 1 hole ahead. I did get a hole in one though...hooray! Ellie just walked around holding her club and ball, refusing to hit it. But she'd hit everyone elses!
Then inside to the arcade where the tokens were plowed through, and tickets redeemed for candy and plastic junk, and then Ron and the kids went in and did laser tag. I was out with Ellie again...we shared some nachos.
Then we went to dinner at....sit down...Chuck-a-rama...'nuff said.
All in all, a fun night. The kids got to bed an hour and a half late, and asked all the way home when we were going back! I think next time, we'll not go on Monday night, and leave Ellie home with Grandmommy until she's a bit bigger! The stuff we didn't do included batting cages, and the rock wall.
Sorry...no pictures...I forgot to bring the camera...I know, I'm sad too!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Motherhood Tag
Steph Thomas emailed me this, and tagged me to complete it, so here you go!
1. How long have you been a MOTHER?
As long as I've been married, 8 years, and almost 3 months. I have been a biological mother for 6+ years.
2. How many kids call you mommy?
Four. But if you want to get technical, Riley has always just called me "mom."
3. When you were pregnant did you know what you were having?
Yes. I didn't believe it with Nicole, so they had to prove it to me a couple more times. Jared made it obvious (!), and Ellie was a bit more shy. She liked those little ankles crossed right over her goods, but we did get a couple peeks, so we were pretty confident she was a she! (Even after she was born she liked her legs up and ankles crossed "just so!")
4. How old were you when you became a mom?
Married at 28.5, gave birth at 30(almost 31)
5. How long were you in labor?
Nicole: Induced @ 9 days overdue, 28 hour labor
Jared: Induced 1 week early, 5 hours
Ellie: Induced 1 week early, 5 hours, and the absolute best epidural ever!
6. What's your favorite thing about being a mom?
Naptime and bedtime! No, really, I LOVE watching them learn new things, I love it when they play with each other nicely, and adore the cuddles and loves.
7. What's your least favorite thing?
Fighting with sibs, lying, tattle-tale-ing, and whining
8. Do you want more kids?
Nope, the kids I have need me to maintain the little emotional stability I have left! I'm also counting down the days(okay, months) until I'm done with diapers!
9. Have you ever taken your kid(s) on a trip?
Yes....umm...I prefer short road trips or flights for sure!
10. How many times have you been peed on?
Can't even count, by the girls too. Well, all of them except Riley! ;)
11. How many times have you been barfed on?
Other than baby spit-up, it's not to bad. They usually get themselves better! I am glad that I only have Ellie left to teach about the puke bucket. Knock on wood, she has yet to have a bad vomiting episode...although I may have just cursed myself!
12. Are your kids named after someone?
Riley Shane-she shares her maternal aunt's middle name. I like to give Ron grief about giving the poor girl 2 boy names.
Nicole Sara-1st name is a modification of my maiden name(Nicoll), and middle name is her gg-grandma's
Jared Scott-he and Ron share the same middle name
Elisabeth Noelle-My sister is an Elizabeth, and we have plenty of Elizabeth ancestors on both sides. For some reason I liked it with an "s" better though, so we modified the spelling.
13. When is the last time you had a sitter; What did you do?
My mom watched the youngest on Tuesday so I could go help in Nicole's class, before that, they stayed at grandmommy's last Friday for Ron's dad's bday dinner.
14. When your kids get in trouble, who is the bad guy?
Me, for sure. I'm the one they are around most. But Ron does his share too!
15. What is the longest you have been away from your kid(s)?Three-four days usually. Three maternity hospital stays, a few one-nighters away, a fun trip to San Francisco with Ron, a sad(funeral) trip to San Jose with Ron, and a trip to Texas for a wedding.
16. Are your toes painted?
Nope....they never are.
17. Last movie you saw in theater?
I think it was the last in the "Bourne" series....Ultimatum?
18. One thing you will not give up just because you're a mom:
My candy.
19. One thing you did give up now that you're a mom:
Only ONE? Being able to eat any meal in peace.
20. Favorite Cartoon:
Old Disney. Robin Hood, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger too.
21. Favorite Snack:
Dr. Pepper, Hot Tamales(cause my kids hate them so they don't ask!)
22. When the kid(s) are napping, you are:
Keeping track of the ones that aren't!
23. Where is/are your kid(s) now?
My favorite place...bed! (It is almost 10 pm!)
24. Favorite place to buy maternity clothes?
I've tried to block those memories! I liked Motherhood for dressier stuff, I got stuff at Target, Meier & Frank, and Old Navy finally got stuff in stores for Ellie.
25. If I could do it over, I'd do this differently:
Stop trying to do everything (because I just procrastinate and it doesn't get done, like scrapbooks), spend more one-on-one time with them, and I would've spaced Nicole and Jared out a bit more if I'd known what kind-of fights I'd be dealing with!
Now...who to tag...Heidi, Tami, Kellie, Steph, and whoever else thinks it looks fun!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Food Storage Chicken and Dumplings
Here's the yummy recipe for the chicken and Dumplings I made the other night. The recipe uses all things from food storage, but I used fresh veggies instead. So I increased the amounts of veggies (I doubled them, but added even more carrots, because I like carrots!), and decreased the water by a cup or so.
Soup
1/4 c dried carrots
1/4 c dried celery
1/8 c dried onion
1/2 t chicken bullion (I used 1 cube)
1 t dried sage
salt and pepper to taste
2 (12.5 oz)cans chicken breast, with juice...I used 8 cooked tenders
2 (14.5 oz)cans chicken broth...or 1 chicken and 1 vegetable
6-8 c water
Dumplings
2 c biscuit mix-homemade (recipe below)
2/3 c milk
Combine all ingredients and let simmer until veggies are reconstituted and flavors are blended(about 40 min.). When soup is ready, bring it to a boil. Add dumplings one spoon drop at a time and cover with lid. Cook until the dumplings fluff up and look done(about 15-20 mins), cut into one to check it. The dumplings will help to make the soup a lot more creamy and hearty.
**Options: Add 1 c noodles instead of dumplings, more veggies to make it go farther, or adding different veggies like corn or peas.
Basic Biscuit Mix
9 c sifted flour 3 T baking powder
1/4 c sugar 1 T salt
2 c shortening
Mix until flour and shortening are thoroughly mixed together. Use in recipes calling for Bisquick. Store in sealed container in refrigerator.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Nicole=Picasso
When I showed Ron the photo on the camera, after the kids were in bed asleep, we both enjoyed a good gut-wrenching, tear-streaming laugh!
And lest you think our 4 year old has a goatee, he doesn't...but this picture was drawn after lunch, and Jared hadn't washed the ketchup from around his mouth!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Happy Sixth Birthday Nicole!!!

My firstborn is SIX today! That went fast....I think I blinked a few too many times and missed that! I literally seems like maybe three years ago that I had her. What a LONG day that was...Nine days overdue; from start of induction to end, 28 hours; about 2 hours of sleep total during that time; an epidural that only worked on one side (niiiice), and 2 hours of pushing her VERY LARGE head. But worth it. Oh, so worth it!
Nicole is so excited to be six. She must think she's all grown up now! She woke up wonderfully early this morning...too early for me! So she ended up in bed with me, and after I finally came to, I did wish her a happy birthday!
She went to school and was greeted with a balloon and crown at her seat that she wore all day, even in PE! The class all made her cards, and she was very excited to show them all to me. I was actually quite surprised at how well some of these kindergartners write!
Nicole is such a special kid. She has a huge spirit in her six year old body that is just so excited to be on this earth and wants to learn and experience everything NOW! She is described, by me, as "high-spirited". Others may see her as difficult, as do I many times! But that strong desire and stubbornness that she possesses will someday be one of her best qualities. It will keep her strong in a world that will not be easy to deal with, and will hopefully help her cultivate a strong testimony. It will help her be a leader.
I'm so happy I'm her mommy. She fulfilled my fondest desire to create, carry, and give birth to a child. I still remember the exhilaration of my first look at her. And although there are days that her choices of behavior make me want to throw in the towel, I never will. Thank goodness there are those few hours of her precious sleep that help me firm my resolve to help this daughter of God feel loved, learn who she is, and what she is capable of.
Happy Birthday Nicole, and may this next year be a fabulous one!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I Tackled Tuesday!
Well, I might do this all week just to decompress and make me feel like I'm accomplishing something more than just running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
Today started bright and early at school helping the kindergartners play "listening bingo" for an hour. It was fun, but especially fun to see that Nicole is quiet and attentive in class. I'm so glad(?) she saves her not so attentive and disruptive behavior for home...
Then I had to copy off the question booklets for the Geography Bee. While at the school, one of the teachers asked me to come to their inservice that afternoon to give an overview of the bee....sure, I have nothing else to do! So I got all the packets ready and went back to the school, AGAIN, to hand out the packets and do the inservice. Holy schmoly, I'm sort-of getting sick of the school.
The best of the day was when I discovered last night that I needed to get the Spelling Bee registration done by Friday....nice! I almost seriously dropped the ball on that one. So just add more time to me at school taking care of that. Nothing like getting all my hours done!
Tonight, after getting the monkey's to bed, I headed out to get Nicole a bday outfit (found a cute ensemble at Old Navy), and a couple more small gifts for the siblings to give her.
When I got home I found the bishop here talking to Ron...the kitchen was nice and clean, so obviously the bishop did give Ron a little notice before coming over! Phew! It's great to have a hubby that cleans!
I'm thinking about wrapping Nicole's gifts tonight....but I think the desire for bed is about to win!
G'night all!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Monday Checklist....
Just so you all think I do stuff around here....
Laundry: 3 loads folded and put away...well, almost put away! 2 loads washed and dried
Dinner: I made the yummiest Chicken Soup with Dumplings. I should post the recipe, and perhaps I will, later. Even the little kids told me it was yummy and ate it....That's a freaking miracle!
Geography Bee: Info letters and answer sheets printed and ready to be xeroxed tomorrow when I hand out the question booklets.
Nicole's BDay: Cake ordered. Grandparents informed of Chuck E. Cheese plan.
"Star of the Week" stuff: Tuesday's questionnaire done, Wednesday's BDay treat will be a small candy treat for Nicole to take herself, and Friday's activity will be sharing two of Nicole's favorite books. Her choice! (Thank you Nicole!)
Extra junk piled on me today....Got a desperate phone call from a room mom for a volunteer to come help with "5 senses Centers" tomorrow. So after finagling my mom into coming and watching the other two, I agreed to go help. I have to go anyway to take care of Geo. Bee stuff...so oh well.
And a little fun from Nurse Heidi:
NameThatDisease.com - The disease test
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Holiday Craziness
So, how many of you love this time of year? All the family togetherness, celebrations, feelings of love and contentment?
Let's see a raise of hands....
Do you see me raising my hand?
NO! You do not!
Now, don't get me wrong. It is very fun for me to watch my kids celebrate the holidays, feelings of love abound for my family, life, health, and blessings.
But the absolute stress I start feeling the week before Halloween(because I don't have costumes done), does not end until, oh, the end of January.
Here we go:
- Halloween.
- Two weeks later, Nicole's birthday. (I, um, talked her out of a friend party this year because I have totally dropped the ball and didn't plan anything. Nice mom.) This year, add on to her birthday her "Star of the Week" status at school. I just finished her photo poster, but still need to come up with a bday treat for Wednesday and an 20 minute activity with the class on Friday. I need to order her cake and get her a new bday outfit. The day after her bday, Ron goes out of town. Thhppppttt.
- A mere 1 week and 1 day later, Thanksgiving. It's at my house. Again. This time of year is when I start feeling somewhat grumpy about my dad dying, and my mom getting old. I don't like being in charge of holiday celebrations. I don't want to cook the turkey, or make food assignments. I can be such a brat sometimes! ;) I miss my daddy. I'm always worried that the food won't turn out, the preparation is always so crazy, and the kids are dying to eat before it's time, so it is just a stressful day. I guess I'm getting a taste of what my mom went through for years, and now she can finally sit back and relax! Someday I'll get my chance again.
- The week after Thanksgiving, Ron goes out of town...again!
- Then begins the craziness of Christmas. Getting the decor up. Will we find a Wii? Finding all the presents for the kids. The desire to find something awesome for and surprising Ron with a great gift, and it still hasn't happened. Ellie is almost 2....will I finish her stocking this year?! (I do get 1 point for having all the supplies for the stocking....now to start cross-stitching it. Yes, I KNOW it is November.)
- FOUR DAYS after Christmas, Ellie's birthday. Poor thing. Why did I choose to be induced then? Oh yeah....I didn't want to wait for the tax deduction. I'd had heartburn for just about the entire year, so I wanted an added bonus of a quicker deduction. Have you ever tried to figure out what to get a little kid for her bday four days after she gets everything she could possibly need?! It's fun I tell ya!
- Two weeks after Christmas, trying to avoid my bday. I absolutely don't remember getting this old. Therefore I choose to celebrate my 29th bday over and over again. If you really want to get technical though, this year I will be turning twenty-seventeen. snif. snif. snif....WAHHHHH! HOW did that happen?!?! I know that I have some serious memory loss from working, what, 8 years(?!) of night shifts. I have lost years of my life's memories from that!
- End of January, Riley's bday. She will be 14 this time around. Going into Miamaids. She starts HIGH SCHOOL next year! I swear we just took her to her 1st day of Kindergarten 3 years ago. Freaky, freaky.
I'm kidding.....I've now vented. Now you are all bored, and I feel a bit better. Now if you see me anytime in the next 3 months, and I seem preoccupied, frazzled, and wild-eyed, you'll understand why! ;)
(I'll post pictures tomorrow of Nicole with her poster, so check back!)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Things that make you say, "Hmmm..."
I'll try my best not to sound like a horrible mother right now...
Why is it that as new parents, we can't wait for the day when our baby starts making those sweet cooing noises, laugh out loud, and the blessed first word?
I guess we don't realize that in a few very short years, there are days that all we want our children to do is shut their mouths and not utter another sound. The sounds that emanate from them become like fingernails on a chalkboard. And no matter how we beg, plead, and cajole them to just be quiet, for two minutes, they are literally physically unable to be quiet. It's like they will actually explode or spontaneously combust if they have to not make a sound. I'm serious.
I'm having one of those days....
If you were at Costco around noon, I was the freak show trying to keep the monkey's from climbing the displays, yelling at the tops of their lungs, and running around like maniacs. And then when I told the boy that because of his behavior choices we were going home for lunch instead of pizza, he was the hysterical mass writhing on the floor.
I just need a little quiet time....but I guess I'll take some Excedrin and wait a few more hours! ;)
PS- WOW! Three posts in one day?! I better stop or my husband will ask me what I didn't do all day.
Here's Trouble....
Yesterday, Ellie decided that she was ready for a snack. So she opened the pantry door and helped herself to an apple...BITE! Apparently Ellie is a little like Goldilocks, and decided there was something wrong with the 1st apple(too crisp?), so she bit into a 2nd apple....too juicy...so on to the third...JUST RIGHT! Then she put them all back in the box. I have to give her a little credit for two things though:
- She came and got me, led me into the pantry, and showed me her apple...s.
- She performed this little apple tasting fest while I was putting a load of clothes in the washer...in all of, oh, TWO minutes?!!
Election Day!
Everybody, do your civic duty, and go vote. Your voice needs to be heard. Honor our forefathers by taking advantage of the opportunity they created for us in this country. But most importantly, if you don't vote, don't whine about what our government does that you don't like! ;)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Yesterday's Hallo-fun!
I did it, I finished Nicole's costume. Next year, I VOW to find out what they are going to be in September and if any sewing is required, I'll do it then. I did better this year though, as I bought Jared's costume at the end of AUGUST! Mainly because I found the costume he wanted in the correct size at Costco in AZ....they hadn't had the right size in UT, and I was a little worried I might miss out.
The kids had fun at their respective school activities. Jared came home telling about how he went "caroling" for treats to some of his preschool teachers neighbors. He then sang his little song about a witch with a pointy chin, broom, and cat, and then yells BOO as loud as possible at the end.
Thankfully my sister-in-law had the BYU cheer outfit and it fit Ellie. Much easier to borrow it than have to drive to the BYU bookstore and hope they had the right size! By the end of the night, Ellie was pretty understandable in her wants. We kept trying to get her to say "Trick or treat", but she'd just shorten it to "TREAT!" She knew what she wanted and told them. None of this trick garbage for her!
She got "thank you!" down pretty well, although it sounds more like "dee-doo!" most of the time. She refused to go home after a few houses, and had to stick it out and go the whole time. Poor Jared and Nicole had to slow down for her. She wouldn't let us hold her either, SHE had to do it! So sad to see my baby demanding to be a big kid....
It was a fun night, and the kids are now alternating between sugar crash meltdowns and "I need a nap" fights! Hopefully things will even out tomorrow!
**Edited to add: I forgot to write that Riley, again, refused a picture...She just wore her Jack Skellington hoodie, and did her face up like a zombie. She didn't go trick or treating, because we got her a huge bag of candy! So she stayed home and handed out candy for a while, then watched a movie. Oh, the tragedies of growing older!**
at
4:12 PM
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validations to feed my comment addiction
Labels: Ellie, family fun, Jared, Nicole
Thursday, NOVEMBER 1st, and I've been tagged...for a while!
Well, I believe it was more than a week ago that Crazymama tagged me, and I'm finally getting around to it! It's been busy around here. I should be doing other things today as well, but I'm giving myself some down time! ;)
So, 7 random things about me....
- I love Dr. Pepper and drink way too much of it. Enough that I get headaches from lack of caffeine if I skip it for a day. At least I have switched to Diet recently, to try and avoid making myself diabetic from all the sugar. I hate most diet drinks, but diet DP seems to have less of an aftertaste, especially the cherry vanilla variety.
- I met my husband on the internet. LDS Singles online. Yeah, kinda nerdy, but if we hadn't met that way, we would have never met since I was in Utah and he in Texas!
- I went to Israel 12 years ago and LOVED it. I would adore to go back....when it's a bit safer...but that may not happen! It was an amazing place.
- I have never been to Hawaii but would love to go. Now. With no children in tow.
- I once said "no" to a church calling...scout den mother...I had a 5 week old baby, a 2 year old, a 4 year old, was teaching coop preschool in my home twice every 3rd week, and still had 25 hours of volunteer hours to put in at Riley's school. After I declined, the counselor said they questioned themselves if this was a good calling for me...my first thought, although I kept it to myself, was, "If you wondered that, why did you extend the calling at all?"
- I used to snow ski. I don't anymore. I decided I don't really like being cold, and find myself that way when I ski. I am also afraid of getting hurt and not being able to take care of my kids. It has also become way too expensive!
- Waaayyyy back when I was a kid, Donny Osmond moved in two houses down from us while his "big" house was being finished. His little boy, Donald, would come down and watch my dad mow our lawn. Apparently a dad that actually mowed their own lawn was fascinating to him! Later, Jimmy moved into the house, but was usually not around. He had a cool Back to The Future Delorean (sp?) in the garage though!



