Just when I thought I was ready, ... BLAM!

So I thought I had gone through everything I needed to get situated for our upcoming school semester scheduled to start on January 6th. Yeah, that's a week away! Little did I realize a process that still had to be gone through before any of our financial aid money will come through. I figured I would get a letter, an email, or SOMETHING that would tell me if I was on Financial Aid Probation or something like that because I didn't do well in two of my four classes.
Oh, no.
I found out because a friend of mine told to double check my Financial Aid status to make sure I was good to go for next week. (I guess that would have been an obvious thing to do, but I didn't think about it!)
Turns out, I'm not so much, ready. I have to go through an Appeals process with the Financial Aid office at the School before I will POSSIBLY qualify for financial aid...



Wait... What?! STOP, Rewind and Repeat...

"Before I Possibly qualify..."? You mean I may not qualify?!...

I know last semester sucked, but I thought I could still make up for it and do better next semester. Oh dear, oh dear!

Well, here I am after Midnight still putting together the information I need for the appeals process. I must show what circumstances that led me to do poorly this semester (with 3rd Party Documentation) and why I will be able to successfully complete all future semesters. I think I have put together a pretty good letter outlining all of the fun we had this fall. Plus, it was my FIRST semester back to college after a long break and with 5 little children at home. I feel that I have learned many lessons (see those in a previous post...) and am ready to continue with my school successfully. Especially because I DO NOT want to have to repeat classes again! And, yes, I want to earn my RN ... before I die!
Here's to hoping I can get it all taken care of and have our Financial Aid disbursements come sooner rather than later!

Have a good night y'all!!

My Gav Man is Three Years Old Today!

Today is is Gavin's third Birthday. We got a cake and invited a couple friends over for dinner and cake and ice cream. Gavin loves Spaghetti, so we had our version of Chicken Parmesian. Then we sang Happy Birthday and let all the kids have at the cupcake cake.
We forgot about the ice cream until Uncle Aaron stopped by with his kids and then we all enjoyed another sugar rush. We took some great, messy pictures, but the camera has died, so I'll post pictures later.

Just wanted to say Happy 3rd Birthday Gavin David Tilton!!

...And the results are!...

I got all A's! Yeah!!!

Well, I guess not all A's. I got an A in my Nutrition 1020 class and an A in my Psychology 1100 class. Next semester, I am redoing the Math 1010 class and Biology 1010 class. I had already chalked up my other courses as a learning experience.
The lesson's learned:
1- Do not EVER take a Math class strictly online. Especially if it is your first Math class since High School. Not a good idea!
2- When a class says "Self-Paced" truly make sure you pace yourself. In other words; do the work throughout the entire semester instead of letting it get further and further behind so you get stuck doing an entire semester's work in a few weeks... or less. (They tell you that at the beginning of the course, but with 5 kids and a bunch of life happening, it's easy to continually put it off.)
3- I can really do this! Regardless of what's going on, so long as I suck it up, do the work, and don't let anyone or anything make me think I can't finish. I KNOW I CAN!!!
Good lessons in my book!

So, school for the kids starts on January 4th and school at UVU starts on January 6th. I do have quite a load of classes next semester, but I am confident that I can do it. I am retaking my Math (not online) and Biology (not procrastinated) along with First Aid, Swimming, and English 1010...
Yes, I said English 1010. When I was an English major at college originally, I took upper division classes. I never had to take what used to be English 101. Well, those upper-division courses do not count towards the English 1010 prerequisite for the Nursing program at UVU. So here I am, a published writer and I am taking a Beginning Writing Class. Oh, well! I still think it's going to be fun, and probably not too hard for me! We'll see.

Drumroll Please........Christmas!! It's Finally here!

The children all woke up sooner than Mom and Dad did. ... Well, kind of. We heard them awake and told them to steer clear of the gifts until we got out of bed. You parents out there know that Mom and Dad get to stay up and help out Santa sometimes. So we were seriously tired! We finally decided to drag ourselves out of bed at the late hour of 8am, but we had to keep the kids at bay while we waited for Grandma and Grandpa to join us from next door. It was so hard for them to wait! But they did. They're good little people! They had; however, managed to have gone through some of their stockings. We figured that was OK, and they did try to put everything back in order before we came downstairs from our room.



We started out our Christmas Morning Merriment in an organized fashion...



But as things progressed...



We slowly disintegrated into total and absolute madness!...



The end result being that you can barely recognize our furniture, let alone our entire front room.
Is this a garbage heap, or the Tilton's house on Christmas Morning? I'm not entirely sure. You tell me...



Either way, Christmas this year was absolutely Spectacular! Thank you to those of you who helped us make this day amazing for our little ones. We love you all and hope you had a great Christmas day as well.
And now, it is with mixed emotions that I get to say, It's all over. Merry Christmas!
Next up, Gavin's Birthday in three days. Yeah!!

Christmas Eve 2009

This year, we did a big dinner for Christmas Eve with our "little" family and my Mom and Dad. We had a turkey and most of the fixin'. It was yummy and the lot of us scarfed it down like we usually do!
Following the filling of our tummies, it was time for the kids to open one of their presents. This is an annual tradition, and one that I intend to keep living on forever. Just because it's fun. The kids always hope they get to pick out which present they get to open, but, hmmmmm, not so much. Mom or Dad, or even one of the Grandparents gives them out. The older kiddoes are starting to figure out that it's ALWAYS new PJ's. Even though we've got pictures of the whole night, we'll skip each one of them unwrapping and go straight to the "after" photos! ...And here they are! The Tilton Children adorned in their Holiday Evening Attire...



Now, off to bed they go! Awaiting Santa Claus's visit to our humble household. One by one they drift off and undoubtedly dream of the wonderful things they hope to get upon awakening tomorrow. Gavin took the longest to get to bed...as usual, but we finally made it. Now, here's our blessed little tree on Christmas Eve night, before we all "settled our brains for a long winter's nap!"



Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!

Almost Christmas...

So we're on the downward slide towards Christmas Morning. Yeah!!! We have a few presents under the Christmas tree from my brother and sister-in-law for the kiddoes, but even those aren't safe right now. Peyton and Gavin will probably have them unwrapped sooner rather than later. Ahh, there goes one of them down the stairs. PeyPey is a pretty good throw. I hope there isn't anything breakable or fragile inside that package for Mikayla. If so, it's probably not still intact.
My other grand adventure for today is to continue with the various baking Mom and I have been doing. Yesterday, we did Caramel Krispy Treats and Haystacks. Then Mom did some oatmeal cookies with a variety of chips. (Variety because of some little helpers at her house who emptied all her bags of different types of baking chips into one container...at least those chips they hadn't already eaten!) Today, I baked a bunch of Snickerdoodles, and made my Grandma Stillman's Smitty's Christmas cookies. I had also made our Yummy meat rub in advance and have some of it jarred up to go out with treat plates too. I am going to include the recipe so everyone can enjoy this FANTASTIC Meat rub.
Mom and I still have Pretzels and Peppermint Sticks to dip into three different types of Chocolate and Caramel. We are also planning on Pumpkin Bread, and some Spritz cookies. And then, I think that's all we're doing for our treat plates. I think that's enough. Oh, but Matt just suggested I get some square caramels and dip them in chocolate too. I asked him if he had a specific treat he wanted and, well, that's what I get for asking.
Here's to a late night of baking and wrapping... Yes I get to help Santa wrap some gifts tonight, so we'll probably be up quite late. Fun Fun!! Merry Merry!! See ya soon!

Family Pictures, check. Dive bomb off the stairs...Wait, is that part of Christmas?

The day I decided to take Family Pics was quite an eventful one. Not only did the day start out hectic and stressful, but it ended the same way. I got us all Red shirts to wear and made each of us an off white scarf. Ya know, to be cute and matching and all that stuff. I even made scarves for both of the Doggies! In our haste to get ready, my darling, clumsy husband tried putting his jeans on while approaching the top of the stairs and fell face first all the way into the kitchen. OWWW! He not only knotted up his head, he really got his shoulder good. He was in Tons of pain, but we had to do pictures. We had all the kids ready and everything! Matt was really working to gain his composure...



So, we got it together and ended up taking some pretty good pictures. I have been trying to decide which one to use for our Christmas Card...if I ever get them out! I have two favorites. One that you can see our dogs in and one that you cannot. I think the family looks much better in the one without, but it's our family to a T in the one with the dogs. What do you think?...

With the Dogs!



Or Without the Dogs!



Either way, at least we got some Photos taken this year that were a little more formal than last year's. If you remember, Matt wore pajama pants, so yeah. Not formal at all!
After the fun that was our family photo shoot, Matt went to the Hospital and was diagnosed with a severe contusion. Though they said there may be a break but all the swelling makes it hard to tell. He has a sling for his arm and is supposed to be VERY careful because the injury could get worse. This is what his shoulder looked like after some ice at the hospital...



So ends our adventurous Family Picture Extravaganza. Did any of you have as much fun with Family Photos as we did?
Only one more Week until Christmas. Boy, we're Sooo not ready!

Christmas Tree up, Check...

We finally got our Christmas tree up and we think it looks Great! The only problem we are having is that Peyton keeps taking the ornaments off of it. He pulls them off and takes the top off of them as well so I have to find each piece of the ornament before putting them back up on the tree. I think I have finally decided to leave the lower ornaments off of the tree until Christmas Eve night, at least the one's PeyPey has taken off. Then I'll put them back on for Christmas Morning since the kids will be too busy with the festivities of the day to pay attention to the Christmas tree ornaments. Only 14 days left...Are you ready?!?

Who Let the Dogs In?...Oh, yeah. We did!

Well, after checking everywhere, posting lost signs online and around the neighborhood, and checking the shelter everyday, we have come to terms with the fact that Neiko found herself a new home. We are sad to have lost her. She was a sweet dog!
But us being a fast movin' crazy household, we have already found another Doggy to be Butch's best friend, ANGEL...



We found Angel on KSL. Someone was having to get rid of her and she was within days of going to the pound. We are so glad to add her to our Insane family and keep her out of the Animal Shelter. Butch and Angel are getting along GREAT! In fact, they keep kissing each other. I think it's super sweet and the beginning of a Beautiful Friendship.



Angel is 8 months old so she still has some growing to do. She is already nearly as big as Butch, and they are very similar in coloring. She is a bit more Grey and some of her spots are bigger, but they look quite similar. She is 1/2 Great Dane, 1/4 Pit Bull and 1/4 Rottweiler. We can definitely tell she's a Great Dane and you can see the Pit in her, but we haven't been able to see the Rotty in her yet. We'll see as she gets older.
Well, now that our household is once again feeling really full and complete, it's time to take our Family Christmas Pictures. We should be doing that within the next couple of days. We'll see if we can get all of us to hold still to get a picture, including the Dogs!

Gotta love that toddler Independence!

Well, as any of you parents out there know, young ones quickly move into a stage wherein they CAN and WILL do everything on their own. My little Gavin and Peyton are there. Well, more like Gavin is there and Peyton has recently begun to follow him around and do everything his big Brother is doing...


Here's my Little Men exerting there independence!

They each got dressed themselves and of course, Gavin put on Peyton's clothes and Peyton put on Mikayla's PJ's top and his cousin Matthew's slippers. So then Matthew was really excited to get in on the fun as well.




Then, in a picture taken later, you can see that Peyton likes to choose where and when he lays his precious head. In this instance, Butch appears to have been chosen as the designated pillow...


Even though these times can get a bit frustrating, it does make me melancholy to think that these wonderful little people are going to grow up Sooo fast. Then they'll become even more independent, and a bit crazy too, I am thinking. We haven't made it to puberty with any of our kids yet, but I know we're close. Mariah wants to be so grown up already. I miss everyone being tiny babies. Don't get me wrong, I love them at the ages and stages they are right now. I just do love that little baby smell right after a bath, and how they just will lay with you and snuggle forever. My kids are all still really physically affectionate so we do get snuggles a ton. I love it!
OK...
Now that I've had my moment, it's time to get my last little person off to bed. Good night!

The Polar Express

This year, after a few struggles to get there, we made it to the Heber Valley RailRoad's Polar Express Ride. The kids were so excited. I believe this was all of the kids' first train ride. They had a ball the whole time. Me, not so much. I mean, I guess I may have been expecting too much from this activity. Polar express makes me think there'll be people singing as they serve Hot Cocoa, and professional type actors or something. I don't know what the other cars were like, but ours seemed quite a bit unprofessional. Like, I said. I had expectations that were way too high for this trip. It's all good though. What the kids thought of it was what matters most.



We were served Hot Chocolate and Homemade Cookies. They were like chocolate chip cookies but with a bit of a Gingersnap taste to them. They even gave us the recipe for the cookies, so I'm going to try them soon. We did have a couple of elves that were telling jokes and trying to sing. ;) There was also someone dressed as a chef who actually had a great voice. The elves were close to tone deaf, but oh well. We had a short visit from Mrs. Claus. She's the one who gave us the cookie recipe.



Then later, we stopped when a visitor flagged down the train. Guess Who?!?...




Overall, I probably wouldn't pay that much money to do the same activity again, but it was a great experience for the family. My goal has been to do things that would create lasting memories. Whether or not I thought it was a "perfect" Polar Express, it was a Memory we will have forever.

Neiko is Lost!

While we were gone visiting family on Thanksgiving Day, someone let our dogs out of the Back Yard. Butch came back, like he always does, but we have still seen no sign of Neiko. I have posted a listing for our lost dog on KSL and I know that as of this morning, the Animal Shelter does not have her. My guess is that someone found her and took her in. We had not gotten her licensed yet, so that's our bad. I feel awful!
My kids are working on posters to put up around the neighborhood and they have been out looking every day for her. I told them she was probably in someone's house and that she was probably warm and safe. Alex said that's all he is concerned about, though he does want her back. If anyone happens to see her anywhere, please let me know ASAP!
If and when we do find her, we will make sure to get her licensed and taken care of first thing. We miss her so much even though she is a pretty new addition to our household. She's such a cutie and would probably be very cold is she were still outside.
Here's to doing everything we can to find her and bring her back to our family!

The Countdown begins!

Well, actually, I have two countdowns...
The first one is the Countdown to Christmas. Now that it is the day after Thanksgiving, we have entered the official countdown to Christmas. I LOVE Christmas! The sounds, the smells, the lights, and the good spirit that people possess. If only the world could enjoy the Christmas Spirit throughout the entire year! I get to decorate my house, make Christmas gifts and treats, and remember those who are less fortunate than we are at this tough time. We have struggled, but I know there are MANY many people who are in much worse circumstances than we are. We have a home. We have food. We have family. And we have a few gifts to give to the children. For these things and Many others, I am absolutely Grateful!
We are going to the Food and Care Coalition to serve others and we are donating items of food and toys like we usually do. We have already sub-for-santa'd a family a couple of weeks ago with items we were lucky enough to have, and fortunate enough to be able to offer to someone who could truly use them. I still feel as though there is more for us to do this Holiday season, so we will keep our eyes and Hearts open to those who could benefit from our family in any way. I have been assisted much through times of trial and I do everything I can to pay it forward. I pray that everyone can do the same!
The Second countdown that is soon coming to an end is this First Semester back to college. I only have a couple more weeks of school and only that amount of time to work on finishing up all the papers, studying, and testing I must complete for class. Then we'll see how my Grades turn out and go from there into next semester. I already know that I am going to take Math 1010 over again because the Math took me by surprise in regards to what I couldn't remember. Almost Everything! That's OK though. I'll be more prepared for next time.
So off I go to write my Nutrition 1020 Research Paper and study for the test I am taking on Monday. Wish me luck...or at least Happy studying. :)
Happy Black Friday to you all!

Let's get creeps off our streets!

So I know most of you who actually read my blog already know what happened to my Uncle Lynn and are with us in doing what we can to get his murderer off of the streets. But just in case there's even one person who comes to my blog who doesn't know, and is willing to join our cause, I'll post information again. Here's the contents of an email I sent to some friends and family members. Let me know if you have any questions or are willing to join the fight!...


Hi Everybody!

I am writing with a plea for help. As many of you know, my Uncle Lynn Patterson recently passed away after sustaining injuries in a hit-and-run accident with a drunk driver last month. As of right now, the man who is responsible has only served 5 hours in jail and is working on a plea deal that could give him a mere 9 month sentence in jail after he not only rear ended my Uncles car, but then ran him over before fleeing the scene, causing his death. Many friends and family are writing letters to the Mayor, the attorney general, and anyone else that might be able to make this repeat offender serve his full sentence.

If any of you (and anyone else you know) wouldn't mind joining me in writing the officials, I will give you contact info and even a copy of the letter I am sending to them. You can just copy this letter, or write your own. I think that what has happened is absolutely ridiculous, and any assistance our family can get to accomplish justice would be hugely appreciated!


Here's a link to the one and ONLY news report about the accident:

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=8432975&nid=148

Here's my version of the letter I am sending to officials:

"Dear ,

I am writing to you as a very concerned citizen who is deeply disappointed in how justice is not being served in regards to the hit-and-run death of Milton Lynn Patterson.

Lynn Patterson, was tragically murdered by a repeat offender (DUI), Ron Torres, in West Valley City late on the night of October 23, 2009. After having part of his skull removed and remaining unconscious in the ICU, he passed away on October 30. He was only 58 years old. He is the father and step-father to 12 children. His youngest child is barely 14. She keeps hoping she'll wake up and these events will have all been a bad dream.

I say "murdered" because after rear-ending Lynn at a red light on Bangerter Highway, Torres ran him down with his car when Lynn got out to assess the vehicle’s damage. There were witnesses to the accident, including a Deputy. Torres’ defense is that he was scared because he was driving on a denied license with prior offenses. How does he think Lynn's family has felt?!

I heard that Torres' attorney is working on a plea deal. This should not be allowed to happen. As of May 12, 2009, the new hit-and-run law on the Utah books (H.B. 237), sponsored by Rep. Chris Herrod, states that motorists involved in a hit-and-run collision in which there is death or serious bodily injury can be charged with a felony if they previously were convicted of DUI. Torres has been previously convicted of 2 DUIs, and on October 23; fled the scene, falsely called in his vehicle as stolen, and even disabled the court mandated breathalyzer interlock system in his car. Letting him plea and get off with a slap on the wrist would be an enormous perversion of justice, and the biggest disrespect to his Wife--who now must make ends meet on her own. She has severe type 1 diabetes and is a kidney transplant survivor. Lynn took amazing care of his wife and his family, along with every person he ever met. This injustice would also extend to the children who have been robbed of their father, to the grandchildren who have been robbed of their grandfather, to the extended family who have been robbed of their Patriarch, and to the community who has been robbed of a true Angel among men.

Lynn Patterson was a hard-working, honest man. He was a man who delighted in serving others and did so at every opportunity. He was a man who proudly served his country in the U.S Navy protecting our freedoms. He was a man who did not deserve to be run down like a dog and left to die on the side of the road just because another man made completely irresponsible, and might I add criminal, choices.

Please do all that you can to see that Ron Torres is made to take full responsibility for the hundreds and hundreds of people he has affected with his careless and reprehensible behavior (Lynn Patterson had an extremely large heart, and an even larger circle of family and friends).

In light of the seemingly ever increasing number of hit-and-run crimes, I sincerely hope that you, and all of our elected officials, will do whatever you can to see that laws are put in place and upheld to protect the citizens of this state and not the offenders. Hit-and-run crimes need to be a felony, period! We need to join the rest of the country (except Montana and Kentucky) in ALWAYS classifying these serious crimes as felonious--not just when a previous DUI is involved.

Thank you very much for your time."


Here is contact information for the people I am sending this letter to:

West Valley City Mayor and City Manager

Mayor Dennis J. Nordfelt
Wayne Pyle,City Manager
3600 S. Constitution Blvd.
West Valley City, UT 84119
Ph: (801) 963-3220
Fax: (801) 966-8455

http://www.wvc-ut.gov/index.aspx?nid=98
You can also go to this webpage and fill out an online statement to the mayor


West Jordan Mayor

Mayor David B. Newton
City of West Jordan
8000 S. Redwood Rd.
West Jordan, UT 84088

City phone: (801) 569-5105
Cell phone: (801) 381-8111
Home phone: (801) 255-5415
e-mail: daven@wjordan.com

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff

Questions, Complaints, Requests, or Suggestions
General Office Numbers: (801) 366-0260, (801) 538-9600, (801) 366-0300
Toll Free within the State of Utah: (800) AG4 INFO (244-4636)
E-Mail: uag@utah.gov
Please leave your name, phone number or address so you can be contacted.


Utah State Capitol Office
Office of the Attorney General
Utah State Capitol Complex
350 North State Street Suite 230
SLC UT 84114-2320
FAX: (801) 538-1121

Utah State Capitol Office Mailing Address
Office of the Attorney General
PO Box 142320
SLC UT 84114-2320


Heber M. Wells Building Offices
P.O. Box 140811
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
FAX: (801) 366-0221


I am also seeking out who the judge is in this case so that I may write to him or her as well.

You can check out more pictures and information on Facebook in the group "In Memory of Lynn Patterson we should have stricter laws for DUI "


Thanks to anyone who wants to help with this cause. Bless you all and I will let you know (if you want) what happens as this process comes along.

Bad Blogger, Bad Blogger!

As if I really have any time to be blogging, I still feel bad that I haven't updated for a while. Lots has happened, though, so let me share...

The first major thing that happened over the last few months was that my Grandmother passed away. She's the one that we have lived with in the past. And of course, turmoil ensued over STUFF. But I'll not go into that, because it's not really that important. Grandma Watters passed away on October 8, 2009 and we had her funeral on October 12. I, along with one of my cousins from each of the Sisters' families spoke at the funeral. It was great, but sorta long. Lots to remember. All I know is Grandma is back with Grandpa and they are both happy and out of pain and their imperfect mortal bodies.
Shortly after Grandma passed away, Matt got the devastating news that because of his history, he is currently unable to become enlisted in any Military service. They did leave a thread of hope and tell him that things change and it's possible that at some point in the future, the rules may change, but I'm not holding my breath. I sorta feel like the ROTC program keep stringing him along in order for him to stay enrolled, but I could be wrong. In regards to the rest on Matt's classes this semester, it's gonna be a wash. We've already got him signed up for the same classes next semester, but at night.
The next major event was my Uncle Lynn Patterson being rear-ended by a drunk driver, and then when he got out of the car to assess the damage, the guy ran him over and took off. That night, Uncle Lynn had to have part of his skull removed to relieve swelling and he lay unconscious in the hospital for a week. At that point, the Doctors determined that he wasn't going to get any better and so the family decided to take him off of life support. He passed away around 7pm on October 30, 2009. We attended an amazing funeral the following Tuesday, November 3rd. My Aunt Donetta was doing extremely well in my opinion. I'd be a basket case, I know it. I can't imaging losing my Mom and a couple of weeks later, losing my husband. All I can say is Families can be Together Forever!..and they will be!
We have had other smaller events, like extended family member contracting H1N1, and us luckily, not getting it. Though, I am not sure that we don't have it in our house right now. We'll see.
Matt just started a job with a masonry company, so we have a paycheck coming in , Finally! The position is for the next 4-6 weeks, but could become permanent. He is earning prevailing wages, so it's good pay. We just have to get him to and from Pleasant Grove everyday to meet his boss for a ride to the job site.
Our other stroke of good luck is that our car has broken down. SO that means, we're having to find rides for Matt to get to work, me to get to school, and anywhere else we have to go. Fun, fun for Mama.
That's pretty much a breakdown of the major happenings over the last few months. I have to go chase down my little boys and clean up whatever mess I am sure they are making. Talk to everyone very soon!...I hope!

Already a month in and still Alive!

Well! We have made it through our first month of the new school, the new house, and all the new schedules to coordinate. We are all still alive! What an accomplishment, at least in my eyes. I am enjoying school, though I am nervous about tests, especially my Math test.
The kids changed from Mapleton Elementary and are now attending Spanish Oaks here in Spanish Fork. They were sad initially to be leaving one school and going to another. Mariah was especially upset that she was going to have a "Boy Teacher". But now she loves her teacher and all the kids have adjusted really well. They love the neighborhood and we have moved into a really great ward as well so that's been fun too!
Matt ended up changing his online Health class to a face to face one, because online is WAY to easy to put off til it's too late. He's doing pretty well otherwise. He is actually gone right now on his ROTC "Tip of the Spear" 16 Mile Ruck March...or something like that. He'll be back tomorrow night, undoubtedly sore, and tired, and all pumped up from whatever they accomplished while out there. Wish me luck on dealing with all that tomorrow! The kids initially though he was going to war and got really upset. They were crying and didn't want him to go until I told them he was going on a training thing. Mariah told me, "That's good, cause I wouldn't let him go to war." I can't imagine what it'll be like when he's actually in the Army and actually being deployed...Isn't that going to be a special time!?!
So, ya. What am I still doing up on a Friday night with not too much homework to work on and children all asleep?.. Well, I guess that says it. I'm goin' to bed. See y'all later!

School...Wow!

We all officially started school this week. Mikayla had her first day of kindergarten with her new teacher Mrs Gillies on Wednesday. She is in morning kindergarten, so she rides the bus with Mariah and Alex and then gets brought home before lunch. Matt and I also had our First day at UVU on Wednesday. My first class was nutrition and Matt's was Math. It was fun. My Nutrition class, I think I'm the oldest one there besides the teacher, but my Psychology class I take on Thursday nights has lots more adult and family people in it. I like both of my teachers so far so that's great. Matt loves all of his military classes, of course, and he thinks his Math teacher is awesome. I think he likes his English teacher, but he hasn't talked much about it. Doing the internet thing for some of our classes has proved to be interesting, but I think once we get the hang of things, it'll be no Problem.
I have also decided to start doing Usborne Book sales. I love the books and figured why not possibly make some money and get free books for my kids. I am having my first big "Break Out" book party on September 8th, probably about 7pm that Tuesday night. I'm inviting everyone I know, so even if you don't get sent one, please come. Call me for info if you need it! (801) 734-0482, for anyone who may not remember it. Also, I have a Usborne Books website and those of you who can't make it or live farther away can come to my party online. I'll give you details for that as well in an upcoming blog. I look forward to this school year and the great things I see coming! Luvs!!!

We are Independent Again!!!

We have the keys and are preparing to move all of our stuff in a bit today, and the majority of everything will go over tomorrow. i think we're gonna get a day rental Uhaul since we're moving only a few miles away. Our new address is 2644 East 1600 South in Spanish Fork, UT 84660. We will still have our PO box in Spanish for mail and our cell phone will also stay the same. We probably won't get a land line, who knows... Anyway! The kids are going to keep going to Mapleton Elementary for the time being and Matt and I start at UVU Wednesday. Craziness, here we come! But at least we're able to do it from our own house! I am so excited! Happy day for our family!

Saturday's Warriors

This picture is one that I took at Mikayla's Headstart graduation this past summer. Her and her dear friend Adelaide were so cute and I loved them together. These are some of our greatest "Saturday's Warriors" They are here at the perfect time, in the perfect place, in these latter days. I think how strong their spirits must be to be coming here now. My children are pure Greatness and I must remember that always!

I was just visiting a loved one's blog and they were very concerned with the world we are living in. I am as well and I get afraid for my children from time-to-time. I worry for them about what they will have to withstand in their lives. I want so much for them not to have to bare deep sadness or go through intense trials. but I cannot stop that. I must remember what I told my cousin..."We are truly the "Saturday's Warriors"...The Strongest and Bravest Spirits in Heaven. We have volunteered, and been chosen worthy to be here at this time; to prepare ourselves and our families for the Amazing and tumultuous events to come in the new millenium. "...And even though at times it freaks me out; just imagine how great it will be! Prepare and be saved! I love everyone!

Bad Blogger, Bad...

So, yah! I have really seemed to be neglecting my blog lately. I guess that's what happens when you are so busy getting the whole family ready for school, still job hunting, still house hunting, but having to wait until our financial aid comes to us. Oh, and the fact that we are still in the basement of Grandma's house with my parents and a few extras on a daily basis.
We got home a little while ago from Nana and Heather & Aaron's house having a going away party for Matt's brother Sam and his family. Sam is flying our tonight to Florida, and his family will be shortly behind him once he finds them a house. We're sad they're leaving, but glad they have gotten such a good opportunity.
Nana even rented a Bouncy Jousting thing for everyone to play on. The kids had ball! We missed Wade and Rachael and their family, but pretty much everyone else was there. It was loads of fun, lots of good food, and great conversation. Good luck and many blessings to Sam and his family in their new advernture! We love you guys!

Great News!!!

I have had two spectacular things come into play this evening that are making me so excited to be where I am in my life right now.
First; My husband just put his application in to UVU. We decided to quit waiting for vocational rehabilitation to get things going. We started the process and they will hopefully just carry things on as it is necessary. Either way, I am excited that he is progressing in his life as I am right now. I truly think that only by us both progressing within ourselves, can we make our relationship together a successful one.
Second; I just found out my "Big" Little Brother Michael and his wife Laura are going to be stationed at Hill Air Force Base very soon. Utah has the medical care available that she requires. I am so happy for them to be close and I hope they feel the same way! Hooray! One more sister-in-law to get to know better... And I really am excited about that!
Other than those things, life keeps progressing on it's own. I look forward for what the future has for my family! However that looks!

Last Day of vacation!

Well, tomorrow afternoon I go and pick my kids up from my sister's house. I know they have been having a blast, but I am excited for them to get back home. With us not having a vehicle yet, our little "vacation" without any children for the week has been more like just hermiting up in the house but, not worrying about my kiddoes. We have still had Matthew and Madison here, so it's not like it's been silent. But it has been good. I am working on the laundry and am planning on having somethings cleaned and caught up before I leave tomorrow to pick them up.
I am also excited because Matt and I are going to go and look at a house for rent in Spanish Fork. It has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, fenced in yard with doghouse and it is even in a ward where I know people already. I am very excited, but they are looking to rent ASAP, and we're going to have to wait until our financial aid comes through. That's the end of next month, so we don't know if they would hold it for us that long or not. We are going to discuss that with them as we go through the house tonight. I know I shouldn't get worked up when things are so up in the air, but I do anyway. We will just have to see!

Happy 4th of July!

Today is the day we celebrate 233 years of our country's Independence. Today is a day that I am truly Thankful for. I am thankful to have been born in this Great Country. I am thankful for the numerous men and women who have Sacrificed in order for me to attain and keep the Freedom I enjoy. I am thankful for every soldier who has ever served and every family who has Faithfully stood behind them. I am thankful for the choice I have to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am thankful for the Freedom of Speech I enjoy every day. I love this country, I love my Family, and I love Fireworks! Hurray for the USA!

We have a full house!

Well, now that we've got Alex back home, our family is whole again. But now, we have some extras! Chris and Michelle had to get everything moved out of their house as of last night, so they and their kids and Chris's brother Matt, along with a whole bunch of stuff, are all camping out here for at least a few days. How exciting! Wish me luck. I hope I don't lose my mind!

UVU Orientation!

Well, yesterday I had my UVU Jumpstart Orientation. It was what you would expect from a normal school orientation. I got a few T-Shirts, lots of pens and random items from various organization on campus. The thing that surprised me was that it seemed lots of the people attending didn't know what they were studying, what classes they were going to take and I don't think any of the other students in my tour group had even started registering for classes. And I thought I was behind on things! I am really excited because I believe that I have everything ready for schol to start in August. I am registered, I have my student ID, my grants and loans are alredy set up and I have direct deposit situated for my money to go into for me to get books and everything else. The only thing I have left is to be able to move into our own space, but I don't think we can do that until after I get the money left over frommy financial aid, so that's the end of August. I hope this summer goes by pretty quickly so we can move on to the next step in our lives! Yay!

I'm a Blogging loser!

So, ya! I haven't posted for quite a while. So here's a brief update to those who follow this. Along with Matt still being out of work and all of our fun personal issues, I got in a wreck and totalled my car, got notice that we had to move if we couldn't catch up our rent, moved into my Grandmother's basement along with all of our stuff, still don't have a running car, have registered for school for the fall, helping Matt do the same, and we have Mariah back from her Dad's house. Oh, ya, and there's so much more that I can't even talk about. We are making it and I will work on blogging more often from now on! Love Y'all!

Easter...Little late, I know!

This Easter was the first ever holiday that I did not have all of my children with me. Mariah stayed with her Dad for his first Holiday visit in I don't know how long. I figured it was only fair. We'll see how things keep going once she is back at home with us again for good. So her basket is waiting for her in her room, untouched. I am excited to be picking her up this weekend for a visit. We took plenty of pictures on Easter morning, though we didn't have our traditional Easter outfits in their baskets as we usually do. The Easter Bunny was a bit dead broke this year. Good thing we had Grandma to help!!! Here are a few of the most fun ones! Enjoy! We sure did!...

Swine Flu?!?

Anyone else worried about this Swine Flu breakout? I recall hgetting an email a while back about people predicting a pandemic coming soon, but they thought it would be the Bird Flu. They said it was only one or two mutations away from being very dangerous to lots of humans. Now we are hearing about this Swine flu and that it has mutated to infect humans and that people are getting masks and preparedness things together...Oh, my goodness! Everyone have their food storage and working on their 72-hour kits if they're not already ready? I know I am feeling more anxious to have them completely ready ASAP. Well, things will happen how they happen and those who are ready, will be ready. We will see what is to come! Good luck to everyone! Prayers go out that Swine flu goes away soon!

Salem Pond

Here are some really cute pictures of the family on one of our many trecks to Salem Pond. There's also our favorite picture of Gavy from when Daddy took the boys with Uncle Clay to Yuba. The kids have a blast every time we go to the Pond. I can't upload very many pictures, so that kinda sucks, since I took tons. And, I just wish Mariah had been with us. I miss her tons and I hate having her gone! I just hope she gets what she needs for her heart during this stay with her Dad. Anyway, enjoy some pics!...

On the withdrawl train again!

Well, since I can no longer afford my medication, I am getting to go through the really fun process of withdrawl until I get something else figured out. Stupid insurance, and stupid pharmaceutical companies for making their medications cost so much. One month of my Effexor is $160. Can you believe it? Crazy, is all I can say. I have been taking the meds every other day once I found out I couldn't afford them, for the past week or so. I hope that makes the effects not near as bad. We will see. I just get to remember all of the very many other blessings I have and concentrate on those, rather than what is going on to stress me out. Calm thoughts. I just get to think calm thoughts. Anyone have a Zanex??!!...

Well, with Matt being home for an unexpectedly long time, we have been doing many fishing trips and outdoor outings. It has been really fun. Matt took the boys with his cousin Clay down to Yuba. They had loads of fun. We have been to Salem ponds several times, and Matt has gon ejust about everywhere with all of the guys he knows at various times the past several weeks. I like having Matt home, but I also like having him at work. He does drive me crazy, but I know the feeling is mutual. I am trying to get myself off of my Effexor XR, because with our insurance changing, we can't afford it anymore. Which is great, since it helps alot and I'll have sme great withdrawls once I run out in a few days. Should prove to be fun! Here's some pics of the kiddoes having fun!...

Thank Goodness for Ibuprofen!

I am finally feeling somewhat better. Finally! But Matt has still not gone back to work. This Sucks!!! He still has a job, but they are waiting to start the next site. So he's technically been temporarily laid off. Guess it's to be expected in our economy. That is why I am looking into going back to school. Matt's 2 weeks off has turned into 6, and we still don't know when... Yay!

I have a Computer again!!!

Finally! I got the cord that had broken to power the computer up. I have been in serious computer withdrawl! Isn't that sad? Not too many years ago we didn't even have computers in our house. Now, I feel lost without it. I use it way too much! I even use it to find recipes and phone numbers or answer questions I have. But beside that, we've had a roller coaster of a month. Seriously too much to cover. But on the other end, we a re still waiting for Matt to get back to work. He still has a job, but they are waiting for Provo city to tell them to start. Also, Mariah is still at her Dad's, and I am recovering from surgery to remove a mass I had. I am excited to get back to normal and be able to start working out again. Right now I am working on staying horizontal to control the pain. Oh, life it beautiful!

Gone Again

So Mariah is gone once again to her Dad's house. I loved having her home with us, though much of her visit she was with friends that wanted to see her. I love my daughter with all of my heart and I truly believe that whatever the outcome, she really needs this experience. It's just really hard. Plus, he will have her for Easter. The first holiday EVER that one of my children hasn't been with me. It's OK, though. If Eddy'a really stepping up and going to be a consistent part of Mariah's life, I better get used to splitting up the holidays. I am concerned with the fact that I think they smoke inside their home. I stood at the door last night and the smell of cigarettes just permeated out. I am going to have to talk to him about that, because I am not OK with that. We'll just get to see how it keeps going!

And there it goes!...

So this morning we got our long awaited tax refund. Yay, right?! Well, we knew long before we even filed that it would be gone before it ever arrived. For a moment, just a moment, I held $6,504 in cash in my hand before slipping it into my wallet. Sadly, within an hour, I had a mere $300 and some change left. I am happy to have paid off a major bill and a couple of smaller bills we had been waiting on, but it is still sad to say that I had all that money in my hands and now I am already back to feeling broke! The money leaves more quickly than it comes. Matt only has one more week without a paycheck, and then we'll be good to go. It's just getting from here to there. We'll make it! We somehow do, regardless of how bad the circumstances may seem. And our circumstances aren't bad right now, either! We are just being responsible. Too bad being responsible can't be a little more fun some of the time!!!

Monkey Man, Turtle Boy, and Daddy!

Matt, and the babies, Gavin and Peyton were all playing in our room together the other morning, and Matt along with Gavvy, decided that his new name was Monkey Man, and that PeyPey was now Turtle Boy. gav kept runing around and calling himself his new name and climbing all over Pey and calling him Turtle Boy. They were all tumbling around and wrestling with each other. They all growl...even Peyton! It was a pretty interesting site to see, that's for sure!