We need your prayers! : )

I just wanted to post that Alan lost his job yesterday...4 days short of ten years working for this company. I'm a big believer when it comes to "strength in numbers" for prayers. We would appreciate it so much if you kept our family in your prayers. Thank you so much.

Ya, we love taking pictures of Logan!

Cutest little puppy...just a little late!

I forgot about some pictures that I had in my other camera from Halloween...so here is Logan...a little late, but just as cute! Check out those green eyes. My only child with green eyes.

Our little pumpkin boy

Our little Logan in the pumpkin patch. Logan's nickname has been 'pumpkin boy', so I couldn't wait to get him into a pumpkin patch for some pictures. When Nathan saw this picture he said, "Whenever you feel bad about anything, all you have to do is look at that picture and everything is good again.". So true.

Hannah turns 10!!! (October 28th)

Happy 10th birthday, Hannah! I can't believe you are already 10. Hannah decided to have her birthday dinner at Red Robin. We all had a lot of fun.
You are such a sweet girl with such a sensitive and caring heart...esp. for animals. We love you, Hannah Monet!
Shanyn and Tracy. Xander is off to the side...very busy.
Hannah opening up her gifts. She got some webkinz and some great clothes from Shanyn and Tracy and a computer Nancy Drew game from Grandma and Grandpa.
All the waiters are singing to Hannah in this pic. Look at that awesome ice cream sundae they brought her!
Daddy and Logan


Here is the family at Red Robin. We feel so bad that Bethany had to miss out on Hannah's celebration. She was on her third day of being flat in bed, sick with the flu. : (

Ward Halloween Party

Everybody hanging out at the car for "Trunk or Treat". It was a lot of fun this year. Bethany and Caleb (her construction worker friend) went on to the youth dance after handing out the candy.
Xander loved pushing Logan around in his stroller.
Here is my adorable nephew, Xander. His costume was hilarious...as you can see, he was dressed as Michael Phelps. The words "Phelps" is on the back of his suit and swim cap. I LOVE the rolls.
This is what Logan thought of it all. He just zonked out for most of the night. He was supposed to be a little puppy, but we only made it to painting the nose on. His costume remained in the diaper bag. : (
Meow! Hannah our little kitty-cat

Nathan, our hippie-boy

Oh ya, McCain and Palin have our Vote!!

We had our ward Halloween party on Saturday night, and Alan went as McCain and Bethany went as Sarah Palin. I think they really pulled it off!

Happy 17th Birthday Bethany!

Happy Birthday Bethany! 17 never looked so good!!!
Shanyn and Tracy had to go out of town the next day, so we were able to watch Callie. Isn't she cute??? Okay, cute and HUGE.
We went back to the house for Bethany's favorite...apple pie and cookie dough ice cream. I'm so glad that Shanyn and Tracy and Xander could come.
Hannah, Bethany and Nathan at the restaurant. We couldn't get Logan in there...he was pretty cranky and just wanted to be held and walked around.
It's tradition to go out to eat at a restaurant chosen by the birthday girl (or boy). Bethany loves Macaroni Grill. Shanyn and Tracy and Xander were able to join us...they always make it so much fun. Bethany asked if I would PLEASE not ask the waiter to sing for her birthday. Tracy picked up on it and asked himself. The lady singing did a beautiful job. It was a lot of fun!
Bethany turned 17 on October 21st! It is so hard to believe that our little girl is really growing up...so fast. Here she is with some beautiful flowers that her friend gave her.

I got tagged!

I was tagged! Six weird and random things about me!

The rules are:

* Link to the person who tagged you (MB)
* Post the rules on your blog
* Write six random things/unspectacular quirks about yourself
* Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them
* Let each person you have tagged know by leaving a comment on their blog
* Let the tagger know when your entry is posted

So, here they are...

1. I always have to sleep with one foot out from under the covers.
2. I don't like uneven numbers...esp. 3, 9 and 13. Seven doesn't count.
3. I air play piano music, or air type out words when people are speaking in church.
4. I can never fall asleep in a movie.
5. I ALWAYS read a magazine from back to front. I have no idea why I do this, but I always have.
6. I won't wear fingernail polish because it will never stick to my nails.


I tag


Shanyn
Jennifer
Pat
Collette
Megan
Harmony

Logan is sitting up!

Logan has been sitting up now for about 3 or 4 weeks. We still try to keep a pillow around him in case he decides to flip back. It is so hard to believe he is six months now! He had his six month check up on Sep. 25th. He weighed 20 lbs. and was 28 inches long! Yup, he's a big boy. He is also sitting up in his new high chair and eating solids now. He loves sweet potatoes! Okay, so he has only had sweet potatoes so far. Hopefully he will like the rest of it.

Time is just going by too fast.

Bethany's last day at work at the Wet Zone

Well, I actually had photo's of her on her FIRST day of work, but "someone" deleted them from my camera, sooooo...here she is on her last day. Notice how thrilled she is to be finally done with flipping burgers, making snow cones and Nacho's and filling water balloons in the Texas heat. It was a great first job for her and she may even go back next year since the pay is a couple of bucks more than most summer jobs.

Hannah's Harp

I can't begin to explain how excited Hannah was to have the opportunity to play the harp. This has been her dream for a long time. We didn't think she got into the program, but several weeks into school, we got a call explaining that one of the harpist dropped out. She was elated and told us this was the only thing she wanted for her birthday (well, she wants a webkinz, too). It is taking a real leap of faith for us financially. We think it will be worth it in the long run because she really loves it, and according to her harp teacher, she was able to catch up with the other two girls within a week!

Brother bonding time

Nathan and Logan

Bethany's letterman jacket

Awwww. The long awaited letterman jacket has finally arrived. She was so excited to get this jacket for golf. The school "pays" for the jacket, while the student forks over the money for the patches. $170 later, she has the jacket of her dreams. Now if only Texas would cool down enough for her to be able to wear it!

Faux action golf shot

Notice where the ball is.

Bethany beating the boys off with her clubs.

I just picked up Bethany from a golf tournament yesterday and just wanted to take some pics of her before she put all of her stuff away. She really enjoys being on the golf team. This is her third year.

Look at that baby face!!

Those are some kissable cheeks. Just love this baby!!!

The Five

10 years ago I:
1. I was pregnant with Hannah
2. Teaching piano lessons
3. Living in Garland
4. SAHM to Bethany and Nathan
5. Teaching art lessons

5 things on today's "to do" list:
1. Take a shower in 5 min. or less
2. Laundry
3. Return phone calls
4. Watch the status of hurricane Ike
5. Take care of Logan

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Chocolate in any form
2. Cookies
3. Candy
4. Fresh fruit...yes I do have a good side
5. triscuts and cheese

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off house
2. Make home improvements
3. Save money for college and retirement
4. Go on an awesome family vacation
5. Buy a harp and violin for Hannah and Bethany

5 places I have lived:
1. Palo Alto, Calif.
2. Orem, Utah
3. Cambridge, Mass.
4. Houston, Texas
5. Dallas, Texas


Five jobs I have had:
1. JC Penney Portrait Studio
2. Rick Nye Photography
3. Art Teacher Assist. at BYU/illustrator
4. Secretary
5. Nanny

I tag...
1. Shanyn
2. Gayleen
3. Laura
4. Bobbi
5. Ginny

Rules:Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog. Posted by Melinda

100 things

I have seen this "exercise" on a couple of my friends blogs, with the challenge to try it. I had big doubts that I could think of 100 things, but I did. It has been a long time since I really thought about things like this. It's kinda fun! You should try it, too!

1. I love sunflowers and gerbera daisies.
2. When I was seven, I would draw the inside of the chapel during sacrament meeting.
3. I always knew I wanted to be an artist.
4. I have a fear of edges/ledges.
5. I have dreams about falling off ledges.
6. I fear my kids falling off of ledges.
7. I even fear driving on high over-passes.
8. When I was in 5th grade, I wanted to be a photo-journalist.
9. In high school, I wanted to be a dolphin trainer at Sea World.
10. I was a nanny for three different families.
11. My favorite place to live is in Cambridge, MA.
12. I'm a certified scuba diver.
13. I think I was emotionally scarred for life after attending my 10 yr. H.S. reunion.
14. I played the clarinet in high school.
15. I was embarrassed to play in the band, so I would hide from my teacher during games.
16. I hated the marching band so much that I became a flag twirler. My only way out. I sucked.
17. I won the Z.C.M.I. table setting contest in high school.
18. I have a pet peeve for drivers that don't signal and that go super slow because of the cell phone
19. I LOVE the sound of babies belly laughing.
20. I have enough scrapbooking supplies to open up my own store.
21. I never seem to have enough time to scrapbook.
22. When I do, it takes me two hours to finish a page because I'm such a dang perfectionist.
23. I have two HUGE rubber-maid bins of beanie babies. All new with tags.
24. Someday, I'm going to be rich from selling my rare beanie babies! : ) lol.
25. I love to spend hours in Barnes and Noble. With hot chocolate.
26. I've been to Europe, Jamaica and Montreal. Loved it all.
27. I had a dream that I was going to Texas on my mission.
28. I went to Houston on my mission.
29. I would hide in my closet when it was time for piano lessons.
30. I loved cats when I was growing up. I even had cat bedding & curtains. I don't like cats now.
31. I love Josh Groban. I subscribed to his fan club. I have been to a concert. Die-hard Grobanite.
32. I have been to a Boy George concert.
33. Alan and I went to a MC Hammer concert when we were first married. Too Legit, man.
34. I sprained my ankle jumping from a two story balcony onto a trampoline.
35. I did this to show Alan how he should do it.
36. It's my dream to learn how to play the harp.
37. I can't remember a time in my life that I haven't wanted to lose weight.
38. My favorite calling in church was Primary President.
39. Everyone knows the hardest calling I've ever had.
40. I love being a mom.
41. I love my family.
42. I think I'm going to drive a convertable PT cruiser when all the kids are on their own.
43. I wish I wasn't so sensitive.
44. If I were to ever have anything "done" to my body, it would be to laser my veiny legs.
45. I love to teach art to kids.
46. I always had a dream of running a marathon.
47. I love chocolate in any form. It's a problem.
48. I met Alan in the library at BYU.
49. I asked him to marry me.
50. He made it official on my birthday.
51. We were married exactly 5 months after we met.
52. Logan was born on the day we met...March 24th.
53. I don't like most odd numbers. Especially any number with nine and three in it.
54. I like the numbers 5, 8 and now 7 because of Sarah.
55. I really love photography and I wish I knew/understood more of it.
56. I want to learn how to use Adobe photoshop...I first need to figure out a way to buy it!
57. I went to Harvard. I think people have a hard time believing that. I didn't graduate from there.
58. I took a bus into NYC by myself when I was 19 so I could see the Thanksgiving day parade.
59. I took a bus across the country when I was 12 to spend the summer with my friend in DC.
60. I 'm pretty sure I have spilled food on myself nearly every single meal of my life.
61. I have been engaged three times.
62. I don't think I will ever get over the pain of losing Sarah.
63. I wish I could have a reading from John Edwards.
64. I got my first kiss from Doug Murdock.
65. He's a Dr. now.
66. I know that because I had to take my ds into the emergency room, and he was his Dr.
67. He didn't recognize me. I had no make-up on. 50 lbs. heavier. I was wearing sweats.
68. I stupidly pointed out to him who I was. Brilliant move. His reaction was...well, depressing.
69. I have a recurring dream that my teeth are falling out. It's awful.
70. I think the worse chore is cleaning the fridge. Second would be matching socks.
71. My money never matches my taste.
72. I would pick getting sleep over food every time.
73. I want to go to Tuscany someday, eat good food and paint in the fields.
74. I want to go to Hawaii with our family.
75. I want to own property in the mountains/beach and have rockin' family reunions there.
76. My favorite cartoon strip is "Baby Blues"
77. On my mission, I used to pretend my wallet was a cell phone and drive around like that. Dork.
78. An ideal day would be 72 outside, eat out at an outdoor cafe and go gallery hopping in Carmel.
79. I'm not a morning person...I'm not a night person either. I think I peak at noon.
80. Sometimes, I wish I didn't care so much.
81. I get overwhelmed easily with all the changing and improving that I need to do.
82. I want to make a difference in this world, but I don't know what or how that will happen.
83. I over-analyze things to death.
84. I think marrying Alan was the best thing I have ever done. Period.
85. If I could have dinner with anyone that was living now, it would be Barack Obama.
86. Just kidding. It would be President Monson and Mitt Romney.
87. I want to be on Oprah someday and talk about the issues surrounding stillbirth.
88. I am happiest when all my kids are home safe, sound and happy.
89. My favorite hymn is "I Believe in Christ".
90. I can easily hyper-venilate in scrapbooking stores.
91. I love the style of Pottery Barn and Ethan Allen.
92. I feel very grateful in my life.
93. I always feared we would not have enough food storage when I was growing up.
94. So, I would sneak food down to our basement to make up our families food storage.
95. My ears ring 24/7. I have about 3-4 different sounds going on at the same time.
96. My first real job was at JC Penney's, taking pictures of kids.
97. My shortest-lived job was as a waitress. I lasted one night. Never again.
98. I used to work as a janitor before school started in high school.
99. One of my funnest jobs was as an art TA at BYU.
100. I love to bake, cook and sew... esp. when there is no pressure on my time and I'm by myself

There you go! If you made it through, I'm amazed! Please try it! I would love to read more about you!!

So sweet

Logan looking at Hannah. I love this photo. Out of all the kids, I think that Logan most resembles Hannah. Hannah is such a great helper with Logan. She is always right there to help with his baths, retrieve diapers and pick out outfits. She will even make up his bottles. Hannah loves holding Logan and kissing his head. I think she will be a great mommy someday.

Ya, we're tired

I'm glad I got this shot. It pretty much describes our lives these past 5 months. We have fallen asleep in this recliner more times than I can possibly count. Of course, it's all worth it.

First day of school...August 25th, 2008

Here the kids are...in the traditional porch photo for the first day of school. It's hard to believe we are starting another school year! Bethany is a Junior in H.S., Nathan started 8th grade and Hannah started 4th. They are growing up so fast.

"Want to come and join me in my ducky jacuzzi?"

Don't you just want to blow raspberries on that tummy and love on his cheeks and neck??? We all can't get enough of this kid. Our little Chunka Munka Baby.

New Braces for Nate!

Before....

After!
We just got home from getting Nate's braces put on. He was so excited about this and doesn't seem to feel self-concious about it all. In fact, when he was asked what color of bands he wanted, he said pink and black. Huh? He told me he wanted to be different. Okay Dude! I think he looks great in them. He was given a big list of foods that he wouldn't be able to eat...I was pretty surprised at things like pickles and chips. Two years of lots of ortho appts. coming our way!

Actually, the thing he is most embarrassed about is the fact that I'm blogging about this. : )

Our Sunshine

Right before we left for church yesterday, Bethany came in and picked up Logan and said, "Are you our little sunshine?" That just made me smile, because that is exactly what Logan has been for our family...a bright, beautiful ray of sunshine. Bethany then reminded me of when she used to watch Teletubbies when she was little. She said that my favorite part of the show was when the "Baby sun" would rise and fall. I had totally forgotten about that, but it's true...I did love that part, and when I see Logan now I can't help but think of our little "Baby sun".

It's all about Logan...and we are all okay with that!!

Shanyn brought over the jumperoo for Logan the other day and Logan sure loves it! Every time we put him in it, he gets so excited and starts jumping and giggling. He lasts only 15 minutes or so...just enough time to make it to the bathroom and eat a sandwich.

My first and my last...

I have one baby that will be going off to college in less than two years, and another baby that probably won't be potty-trained in two years. We never planned it this way, but I'm so glad that it worked out like this. We feel blessed beyond measure.

Just because...

I went back to look at some of the pictures of Logan and wanted to add these...they show him in all of his chunkiness...bubbles and all.

Logan turns 4 months old

Logan had his 4 month old check up yesterday. Poor little guy had four shots and an oral vaccination. He weighed in at 18.0 lbs and 26.5 inches long. 97% for both! His head measured in the 75%. Logan has now been given the go ahead to start cereal. We also discussed the fact that this kid does not sleep! Logan is still sleeping only 2-3 hours at night.
Today I set up a little "photo studio" in the living room. Cute little baby. I had him totally nekkid, and he wet all over the backdrop. Ya, I know. What do I expect? : )

Church Art Contest

So, it's that time again. Time to be thinking of what I'm going to paint for the next church art contest. I can't believe it has been three years already. This painting was my last entry. It didn't make the cut, but I really had a gut feeling that it wouldn't. Mixed media collage is a little too edgy for the church's taste. I knew that, but I wanted to do it anyway. I love looking at a painting and seeing symbolism in layers. I had this idea for a long time, and I just needed to get it out of my system. Admittedly, I felt the sting when I saw who made it in. Many of my friends that I went to BYU with made it in, and rightly so. Their work was excellent. I have felt very guilty about my negligence over the past several years with my art. I have been so busy with raising a family, that I have not made it a priority to paint. If Minerva Teichert can do it, so can I! I just need to start painting again...every day. I find such peace and joy and fulfillment when I do. Just typing about it makes me smile. I think that is one of the reasons I feel so resentful for having to learn the organ. My heart feels like I should be putting any extra time that I have with my art. But, I recognize that this is what the Lord wants me to do now, so I'll do it. I just need to make sure I find the time to paint, too.

I got an invitation the other day from the church, basically reminding me that the deadline is coming up. I just need to pray for the inspiration to know where I want to go with it.