What Cyndi taught me was the BEST GIFT.....TIME!!

There's some "simple" moments that make a HUGE impact!! Here's my latest....A couple of days ago I got a call from my sister-in-law Cyndi. That doesn't sound like any big deal. But, this particular phone call was different. Cyndi just wanted to chat. I have to admit that I actually don't know how to chat, especially when it comes to members of my family. No one ever calls me to just "chat". I was so thrown by it. I'd chat for a while and then I'd say, so, what do you need? "Oh, nothing", she'd say, "I just wanted to talk to you." And then she'd ask me a question about what was happening. I was feeling so awkward. What is she calling for...advice, venting, correction??? Finally Cyndi got bored with me and my choppy chatting and we said goodbye. I sat with the phone in my hand, staring at it for a while....What?!?!....She actually really did call to just chat. Since that day, the phone call has never left my mind. I don't think Cyndi knows how much that simple little phone call meant to me....So, I'll blog about it. You see, I don't have a sister. And all my life I've seen my friends hanging out with their sisters, calling just to chat, going shopping together, on and on. I've always longed for that. What would it be like to have such a casual and comfortable relationship? But, it just wasn't in the grand ole eternal plan. And so, I found a peace with it put it aside. I could see that Heavenly Father was blessing me with tons of friends throughout my life and some became like sisters to me for a time. The day after the phone call, I found that I was kind of "weepy"...HA..seriously (and I know I'm pathetic)!! It was almost like this loss that I have felt resurfaced. I am grateful for the time that was spent just chatting. It truly was the best gift!! I would encourage everyone to take some time today to "chat" with a family member...even if they are odd and awkward like me. Let them know they are loved and that talking to them is important to you!! And, thank you Cyndi!!! You're beautiful!

Decking the Halls!!

I LOVE Christmas....and....I love Christmas decorations! I wish my house could be decorated with Christmas all year round!! I love all the lights!! I have decorations EVERYWHERE and I have my beloved Mo-Tab playing all day long. I just may be a little Christmas OCD...but...It's sooooo peaceful!! I can't help myself!!! Here's some of my favorite decorations (Ones I would just sit and look at for hours if I could).....

My Tree...can anything be more beautiful? I LOVE Christmas trees. We had to go artificial for the first time last year but we found one that looks so real...it's amazing!! When Bob and I went on our honeymoon, we didn't have much money for souveniers. So, we bought a couple of magnets and a Christmas tree ornament. That started our tradition....every significant place we visit, we try to find some sort of ornament or object we can hang on our tree. It's fun to remember all the places and laugh at the memories each year as we put up our ornaments.

Here's the ornament Bob and I added this year. It's from our 17th anniversary get-away to Long Beach, Washington in May. We thought this looked just like us -hee-hee :)

This is an older ornament, but it's one of my favorites because it's where our little family began 17 1/2 years ago.

Next to my tree I have my favorite nativity picture. I love laying on the couch that's right across from this and listening to the choir sing "Still, Still, Still" and "Silent Night". So Heavenly!!

I can also see this from my spot on the couch. Awww...sooo nice!

Another one of my favorite decorations is our Christmas village. We add a new piece each year. This year was a firehouse (far left). This is the decoration that the kids set up each year. It's fun to watch them and hear them chatter with each other. I'm so glad I started this village. It truly is one of my favorites!!

Another of my favorites are my snowmen. I don't know....I just think they're so dang cute :) I love the beautiful snow and it seems that building snowmen are always the first thing we do when there's the first snowfall of the season. These little fellas are just perfect. I have sooooo many fun memories of building a snowmen!!

My final decoration is my piano. Music is so important to me. I love watching my kids sit at the piano each year and pluck out Christmas songs. It's fun to gather around this beautiful area and sing songs together. There's just something about music that brings the Spirit in and brings families closer!

THE SNEEKY CHRISTMAS and FATHERLY ADVICE

My father (who just barely got high speed internet) kindly told me how dissapointed he was that I hadn't been updating my blog. Finally he can view it and I up and quit on him. So, I felt guilt!!
Wow...Christmas snuck up on me super fast!! I just barely got around to changing my blog background and music. It turned out a bit obnoxious...but...I'm leaving it!! We'll just have to deal with it because....well....just because.....I'm going for the too lazy to try another round award. HA! :)

For those wondering....Here's the key development/change since last we spoke.

I quit my job.

One would think that this allows me more time to blog....however...I quit my job so I could rediscover the joy of sleep and going to the bathroom again!! Now that these two things are back in place, I need to figure out how to squeeze in blogging again!!

Here's some samples of my fun and crazy life.

Nathan is the absolutely funniest and most creative guy I've met. He made these ties out of duct tape!! He and his friend wore them to their band concert. Oh, my goodness...it was so hard not to laugh during the concert. Too funny! (Oh, and his friend just happens to be 6'4"...still in middle school.)

Amanda just keeps planning more and more fun dates and parties. Here she is with her Sadies Hawkins date and group.

Uhhhh....weeelll...this is the group going off to a stake dance. I don't know what to say about this. Amanda is the big sister driver and is so nice to take her younger brother and his friend along. What a group!

Nathan NEVER ceases to amaze me. Here he is with his hover craft he made for a school science project. When he told me what he was going to do, I totally thought he was nuts. But....he DID IT!! I can't believe this kid! He worked raking leaves and earned money to buy a leaf blower and other supplies....and wa-la!

Everyone's getting OLDER!!

This is actually my "catch up" "jam everything in" post. It's pathetic, I know....but just wait until you see Derrick's b-day party. Then you'll really know the meaning of pathetic! I don't know, it's all about trying I guess. Why can't I be the "PERFECT" woman?

1. Derrick Turns the BIG 10.

Here's Derrick's BIG birthday party. I think Derrick's face says it all! His birthday got smooshed by that big fat flying pig that landed on me. Poor kid. But, he was still a good sport about it. I feel really bad though!! First year as a Tomlinson and this is what you get?

This is the last time he'll be able to show how old he is with his hands.

Bob made the cake and Amanda decorated it. I think everything looks GREAT! It's all about the blowing out the candles anyway, right?

2. Nathan turns the BIG 14.

So what's up with the scout picture you ask....well....Nathan had a goal to get his Eagle BEFORE he turned 14. The grueling 2 1/2 hour Board of Review was the LAST step. He scheduled it for the night before his birthday.....just barely squeezed it in. That's Nate! He says it's the best birthday present because now he doesn't have to listen to me nag him...hmmm :)

A picture of Nathan's favorite dinner....his choice. It's orange chicken, sticky rice and soy beans. Thank goodness he's graduated from Tuna Fish Sandwiches and Kentucky Fried Chicken! Oh, and do you notice the wrinkled shirt.... nice Nate.

Of course Nathan organized his own party this year again. I put my foot down though and said he had to say "NO gifts". Sure enough, the invites had "NO Gifts" on them...however...you needed a magnifying glass to see it!!! Talk about fine print! The age of his friends that he invited were from college age to 7th grade.

Here's the gang gathering for the candle blowing. Nate hates cake, so I have to make him an "ice cream" cake each year. This one was super easy....just ice cream sandwiches layered with Cool Whip and Hot Fudge topping....easy yet DELICIOUS!! Do you notice he still has on that wrinkled shirt? Just doesn't phase him one iota! And you know, I don't think anyone but his mom even noticed it.

One other bonus for turning 14....you get to go to the stake dances. Oh my, can I be a fly on the wall for that one. Amanda swears that she won't let him be a nerd. Ha! He's keeps asking us to teach him how to dance. I tried to show him some moves, but all he did was laugh...what??

#3. Amanda goes to the Homecoming dance

For some reason, it's really, really hard for me to let Amanda grow up!! I literally cry when I think that I only have 1 1/2 years with her....yep, I'm crying as I'm writing. She is so gorgeous on the inside and outside. This was her first time going to Homecoming with a DATE! The young man's name is Hayden. And, you know, I think he just might like soccer more than Amanda. He plays on the boys varsity soccer team as the goal keeper.

She looked so stunning in this dress. We bought it during spring break when we were in Utah. I remember being so sad when she outgrew her love of wearing "pretty" dresses. So, it is soooo much fun dressing her up in pretty dresses again.

I just love this picture of her!!

It didn't take long for them to get sick of the "formal" pictures. Amanda had a lot of fun with Hayden.

Just goofs.

One last "look" for her father. Hmmm....this "look" has a bit too much mischievous in it!

It's that time of year!

I LOVE this time of year!! It is super busy but totally fun. I'm getting out all my fall decorations today. I've already bought several bags of Halloween candy....and of course have to keep going back for more because somehow they're ALL gone...hmmm. I've been thumbing through my soup recipes...nummers!! And, the craving of potatoes (mashed or baked) are upon me as well. I love the crisp cooler air....but with the sun still out. I Love the fall sports too! It's fun to hear the TV blaring with football games and it's SUPER DUPER fun going to my kid's games. My trunk stays jammed with blankets, gloves, coats, hats, stadium chairs, umbrellas, and folding chairs. Never a dull moment and LOTS of driving around. Here's a bit of what's happening.

Derrick: First time playing football in his entire life. I think we may have found his sport!! They put him as lineman. Even though he's the shortest kid on the team, he's pretty solid. I wondered how whimpy he'd be (he is generally a whimp). But, he's turned out to be a fighter. He holds his own out there and the coach has nothing but compliments for him. This age is just so dang cute out there!! Those little guys squating with their little behinds sticking out and those big pads are just precious.

Nathan: Nathan is actually playing football this year also. I royally messed up his soccer registration and he ended up not being on his middle school team. So, he reluctantly went with his die-hard football player friend and joined the football team. Even though he did play in 3rd grade, he hasn't played since. So, he's a bit confused on things but is catching on quick and actually having a lot of fun. He hasn't been able to have much game time though.....his position is "side" line man....get it, sits on the sideline?...Ha!. He does get to go in on the kick off recieving team or if his team is ahead by 90. So, I either pray that the other team will score so they'll have to kick off and Nate will go in, or, I pray that our team will whomp the other team....definitely should focus on the whomping.

Nate's #15....can you see him on the sideline? (Hint: look on the left...bahhaaahaa....he cracks me up!)

This was a surprise entrance. It was the last 20 seconds of the game and we were ahead by 20. I was so surprised and excited....I didn't even get the camera focused right. But, I got him. He's the wide receiver.

Just had to show a little size difference. Look at the thighs. Oh my goodness!!

Amanda: This year was a tough competition for starting positions for Panda's soccer team. She would come home as grumpy as all can get at the beginning. But, she worked hard and secured her position of starting as center mid. She is loving it. A couple of weeks ago she got a concussion and so had to sit out for 3 games. It was hard but she's bounced back. I cringe though when she does those headers. I don't know...just something about me liking her brain. It's always fun watching her play. She is usually such a sweet girl but out on the field...watch out!!

Those darn "flying" swine!

The swine that "flu" just landed on ME!! Yep, I have been layed out flat on my bed since Wednesday night! I've had a fever of 104 degrees and a head that felt like it was being smooshed by the pig itself!!! Please piggy....go away!!
Finally the doctor advised me to go to urgent care and that was such a fun experience. Of course, right away, I had to put on a mask. Have you ever tried breathing in that thing when you have a fever? Forget the flu....I was going to drown from the condensation from my hot breath...what a way to die! The doctor came and looked at me....almost reached out to shake my hand but caught himself and just said "hello". He then turned to Bob (my ambulance driver) to shake his hand and say hello....my hand is off limits of course. As he examines me, my stomach starts to get queezy and I think, oh no....what if I vomit into this mask. Wouldn't that just be the most disgusting thing EVER!! For sure then just kill me and put me out of my misery!! Yet, in the end, I avoid the disaster and the doc sympathetically nods and says, well, I'm pretty sure you have the H1N1 flu and you should stay home for at least 7 days. WHAT...7 days! He wouldn't give me any prescription because I didn't meet the "at risk" category and I was already two days into it. So here I sit...barely able to hold my head up...but bored out of my wits. So, since I'm pretty sure the swine doesn't fly through the computer, I am sharing my sad, sad, sad story. And if no one really cares...well...then I'll hopefully read this in a couple of weeks and feel pretty dang good about my healthy state of just being over-worked and tired.....with the added title of

SWINE SURVIVOR!!!

One other side note of learning....my husband truly LOVES me. He's been taking off work and taking such good care of me. Right now he's in there chopping vegetables and making chicken noodle soup. My kids on the other hand want nothing to do with me. Amanda won't even hold Toby the dog because she says he was by me. If I enter the room, they clear out. We'll see who the smart ones are I guess. But, I'll go for the love right now. Then I'll help the "love" out when I'm better and he's sick. Thanks BOB!

Secondary addition....My dear, sweet sister-in-law, Kristin, read this post and reminded me that Bob took a picture of me in the doctor's office. Warning: there are some small side-effects from this type of flu. How did the doctor know what I had???

Nice one Kristin....thanks for the laugh. I needed it!!!

Shout out....Bragging RIGHTS!!

I got an email today that I just HAVE to post on my blog!!! It has made me soooo happy. I seriously let out a HUGE cheer....scared my poor dog Toby! It's from the Parks and Recreation Department that Nathan did his Eagle Project for. They were so impressed with his project....they are using it as an example and standard for all the other ones.....shout out to Nate!!

WAY TO GO BUGMAN!!!!

(okay...I'll give you a break for the 1st day "yo dude" pictures...you're lucky!)

Here's the email

(you can even click on the link to their website and see what he turned in):

I just wanted to let Nathan know that we are using his Eagle project to set the standard for all future project. The maps he created are posted on our website under the Eagle project section and under a Rood Bridge Park page. To see what is posted, visit: http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/ParksRec/Volunteer/SeniorEagleProjects.aspx. Thanks so much for completing such a great project!

Kristi Wilson
Volunteer Services Coordinator
City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation
503-615-3479
www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/ParksRec

A CAPRA Nationally Accredited Park and Recreation Agency