Happy Birthday Jason.............

As most of you know, Doug's only sibling Jason passed away in February. I just wanted to tell Doug's family I love them and i'm thinking about them all. Jason would have been 37 today.

Here are a few memories of Jason that hopefully will make Leah, Carl and Doug smile today....

He always wanted to eat at Taco Bell. He had a contagious laugh. A particular memory of boating in St George (you know which one Leah!). His unconditional love for scroungy dogs. Paint, paint, paint and more paint (mixed with a little grease). Clothes he would never throw away. Scrubbing the driveway with tampons and paint thinner to get rid of the paperboys bicycle tracks. Doug shaving his mustache. Leah, Mouria, Jill, a Sharpie and a master plan. Big trucks with big tires. Of course there's the motorcycles or basically anything motorized. His love for his son. ..........Oh yeah, and then there was paint!

He was so full of life and I know he is missed so much by so many.

We promise to help take care of your sweet Ruger. We love you Jason

My hunky little (big) nephew (AKA Weasel)!

Our big boy Brendan is graduating this year. We are all so proud of him! He manages to get awesome grades...be a Varsity Wrestler...maintain a job, and I still have yet to meet a nicer, sweeter, more well behaved teen in my life. He's going to hate it that I said that but it's true!! It's okay though Brendan...your totally a badass!!! Chase your dreams buddy!!!!! As you can see, he makes me want to use punctuation excessively!!!! We love you Weasel!

Sadie Hawkins!!!

Ohhhhhhhh I'm so old.....My baby is going to dances. Crap!

Sweet Little Izzy

Mike's sweet little Daschound Izzy was run over by a car this morning. This post is for Mike and Amy. We will all miss this fun, adorable, sweet little dog so much. I'm really, really sorry guys.
http://http://mamyandmike.blogspot.com/

End of summer...

I hear it's going to snow this weekend...and i'm not sad at all. I love Winter and I know you all think i'm crazy, but....I won't have to mow my lawn. I won't have to look at my neighbors UNmown lawn. I won't have to look at the neighbors dog turds on my lawn. I can throw snowballs at my kids. I can wear stupid clothes because my coat will cover me up (well...I actually do that regardless!) I can throw snowballs at YOUR kids! Ha! I LOVE WINTER!!!!!!

Corn Maze......Hichaw!!!

We took the kids to the corn maze / pumpkin patch the other night and wow!! It was so beautiful! Aspen was home sick so I didn't take pics of my kids because we are going back, but I couldn't resist taking some pics of the silly cowboys. Mere just happened to notice that they had these straw hats in the car (yes, they are the same hats that humiliated Jessa at her preschool graduation) Those two wore those hats the whole night and they were both so gloriously happy you would have thought chocolate raindrops and bubblegum was falling out of the sky...they had a BLAST!! So i'll post some pics of my own offspring soon but for now here are the cowpoke munchkins in their element!

oh...and P.S. leave it up to Mere's porch monkeys to eat a peice of gross, old, snaggle corn!

"When you thought I wasn't looking"

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

Recently (Sept 6th) Mom and Dad had an anniversary..I can't remember how long it's been..... somewhere around 97 years? Anyway, this poem reminded me of them and all of the priceless lessons they have taught me and my siblings that we are fortunate enough to be able to pass down to our children. Anyone that knows my Mom and Dad know that they are the most giving, caring, loving, non-judging, thoughful people. To know them is to love them both, and I do very much.

Still to this day, they teach me things when they thought I wasn't looking.

Happy Late Anniversary!!