A New Me

I love the start of a new year. I love fresh beginnings, re-do's, and start overs. Isn't that what this life is about? Anyway, one of my New Year's resolutions is to be a more positive person. It's kind of sad that this is on my list because I actually used to be a very positive thinker.

So far this year, I'm not doing too well and it's only the 5th day.

See? Even that! Think positively, Amber!

Start over: So far, I can do better!! It's been a tad difficult with the stresses that come with life, the weather that is as dull as can be, and I'm doing this mean, nasty Biggest Loser thing. I could go on and on. But, I won't. I am now a positive person.

From now on, I will try my dangdest to see the good in every situation. I will try to do the happy dance instead of wallow or fume. If you'd like to know what the happy dance is, I'll show you sometime (it's no big deal). I learned it from this amazing woman who lives in my ward.

I will take the council of our dear prophets and find joy in the journey, happiness in service, gratitude for everything, and peace through my Savior, Jesus Christ and by snarfing chocolate.

I found this today and love it...it helps me to remember to be grateful for everything.



Wish me luck!

M.I.A.

It has been way too long since I've dropped by. I guess I was just in a funk or something just as depressing/boring. Plus, I was a little addicted to watching the TV show of Alias on DVD. All 5 seasons, in less than two weeks' time, but that's normal, right?

Today, I am going to share a little secret. OK, maybe not a secret at all to most, but...

I LOVE PINTEREST!!

I feel alive!!! I am looking forward to enjoying and living life again. It's been a long time coming.

Don't worry, I'm still me. I still think that Armageddon and the Apocalypse are coming and that we're all gonna die, but now I can wait for them with crafts, fun, and inspiration!


Another great thing about this website is how cheaply I can do it all! Now, I just need more space to put everything I want to make.


So, Zack...are you going out of town anytime soon? Ha, ha! No worries-ish!

P.S. Anyone can post stuff to this website...visitor be forewarned. Every once in a while, something not nice is posted.

I'm off in dreamland...again

This is my dream: Laketown

Someday, I would love to have a home in Laketown...or at least some place like unto it.

Gorgeous summers and hermit-like winters. It's super secluded which equals AWESOME!

It's just about as anti-social as one can get.     What is my problem??

Even if it meant a smaller home. As in only 3 bedrooms (as long as the boys' room was huge).

I'd like a few horses as I am now a professional horse rider.

See?



SEE?!



Really, I just want the land and the solitude.

So badly, it almost hurts.

But, until that elusive day comes, I'll just traumatize my dear husband with reconstruction of our backyard to fit in as much garden as possible. The poor guy. I know that his blood pressure stats just went through the roof while reading this post. Too bad he's not going out of town anytime soon so he can miss the whole mess. Ha! Ha!

Sorry, babe.

Fruitland Visit 2011

Zack's parents generously invite us to use their cabin and we like to generously accept said offer. So, this summer's vacation was spent there. We like to relax, go swimming, go hiking, ride the ATVs, drive 40 minutes just to drag Main Street in the thriving metropolis of Duchesne (not even one traffic light in town), and do a few other things here & there. We also celebrated Scotty's 7th birthday while we were there and enjoyed a thunderstorm or two. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show...


Zacky was the 1st off the high dive - ever the 1st child syndrome :)



Not to be out performed, Mikey tried the diving board for the 1st time ever and immediately went to the high dive. Mamma's so proud!



Tommy's 1st time without a life jacket - baby's all growd up, now!



Scotty's 1st time ever off a diving board - so brave!



Emily only likes the shallow end.



The family pic - can you tell who hates going swimming?



Rippling muscles!



Tommy & Scotty with the car Tommy gave to him for his birthday.



Zack and I on our ATV ride up to the reservoir. I love to just get away with my sweetheart!



Awesome sunsets!



Back at home catching Emily playing space aliens with Mikey & Tommy. Weirdo.

The new do & Cher

Emily got her hair cut today. She was so excited. She refers to it as, "I get to take a hair a cut!"

Anyway, we think she looks great. She lost about 4 1/2 inches! Her hair was getting so long that she was starting to remind me of Cher (a much more modest & cute one)! Sadly, our lighting is so dim that it makes her a tad unhealthy looking, but whatever.

The Before:






After:





Speaking of Cher - this totally cracks me up!!!

Crocodile Dundee Jr.

A few weeks ago, Mikey's grandfather bought him a small knife to use on his camp outs. He does, after all, have his Tote-N-Chip card. Which apparently means to Mikey, that he is fully entrusted with knives and all that goes with them, regardless of his less than stellar judgement and self-discipline.


Anyway, after he returned from his camp out, Mikey asked, "Can I get a machete?"

Zack, very tongue in cheek said, "Gee, I don't know Mikey, let's go ask your mom."

When he asked me, I hemmed and hahhed for a few seconds, and then said, "No way, Jose."

So then, Mikey asked, "Then can I get some throwing knives?"


Is this kid serious? Why is this the only thing I can picture at the moment?

Freedom Festival 2011

Balloon Fest!!!

We woke up this morning around 5:40 am to get to Provo by 6:30 am. Apparently, when they say they'll start the balloons at 6:30, they really mean 6:00. They were almost all full and ready to go by the time we got there. Bummer. I guess next year, we'll have to wake up at 5:00 am - UGH.

Anyway, the weather was still cool and the crowds were friendly. We ran into Zack's older brother Matt and his family as well as a few other fun people.

Emily is not a fan of loud noises or fire - Winning!

This was about as high as Darth was able to go. I guess he forgot to use the Force. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!

Family Reunion!!!

This past week was the Church Family Reunion. It would have been much better if the whole family could have been there and if I had not been sick the entire time, but what can you do? Here are a few fun pics.

Hiking: Emily 'fell' into a stream so grandma took her back to the cabin.

One of our many finds: deer carcass.
The boys later found two skinned coyotes. Yummy!

Target Practice!

The artillery? Water balloons!

The Targets:

Minute to Win It Games:

Ritz on the face

Knock the cups down

Amber getting schooled

Championship game!

Swimming:

The water was freezing - not that I would know, I was too chicken to get in.

Our only real swimmer so far.

Don't worry, Scotty didn't forget to throw up in the pool again - 2 for 2!!

The highlight of the reunion - Sorry Kali, I can't help myself!

New F.H.E. Tradition

Recently, we started a new tradition in our family. Every month or so, during our Family Home Evenings, we ask if anyone noticed someone outside of our family setting a good example in tough circumstances.

Our first time doing this, we made cookies for a family whose son is a friend of Tommy's. His friend had mentioned to him that their family went to see the new Gulliver's Travels movie with Jack Black in it. It was so rotten and crude that they stood up and left the theater. I think it would be very difficult to do that, knowing that you were probably going to disappoint your children and kind of cause a scene trying to leave a crowded movie theater (well, as crowded as a theater can get at a Jack Black movie - ha, ha, ha!!). Anyway, We made a card with the word 'Valiant' on it and made them a plate of our favorite chocolate chip cookies. We took it to them and expressed how their much their example meant to our family.

This week, we are going to honor a schoolmate of Zachary's. There is a kid that rides Zachary & Mikey's bus that is nasty, mean, perverted, rude, and just plain bad. Let's just call him "Lou Cypher". Also on their bus is a girl that stands up to him every time he gets really out of hand. Last Friday was such a day.

Zachary came in the house with a very troubled look about him. I knew immediately that something bad had happened. I talked to him about it and he told me that Lou Cypher had brought something on the bus that was terribly inappropriate. I asked him how it made him feel and he said that it grossed him out. As Lou Cypher's behavior was getting worse and worse, this remarkable young lady got up and chastised him about it. She did this knowing that it can bring rough treatment by Lou Cypher. He has cursed her out and has even threatened to hit her. So tonight, we are taking their family Caramel Brownies, another favorite, with a card that says, 'Courage' on it. We are going to thank her and her family for doing what was right in a very tough situation.

I am so grateful for the examples of strength, courage, and righteousness we have all around us. We are watching.

Hopefully, by continually recognizing others for their good examples it will inspire us to shed our fear in the face of evil and stand up for what is good and right.

What a dollar can get you...

A dollar can buy so many things. Most are only worth just that, a buck. However, every once in a while, a dollar can go pretty far.

Last week, we stopped at the BYU Creamery for ice cream as a send off to Spring Break. While we were enjoying our heavenly treats (waffle cones:mmmmm-mmmm) a group of BYU co-eds sat down at the table behind us. Tommy, ever the ladies man, made a wager with his mom. A dollar for a pick up line. And it had to be good. Not the rushed and run away type. It had to sound real. Why am I encouraging this type of thing? Because it was hilarious.

Tommy got up as we were leaving and went over to their table. He said, " Hey, ladies....come here often?"

They all giggled and Tommy about fainted. His face was so red and he was so nervous. As we were driving away, I asked him if he was OK and he said, "Yeah, but my legs are still shaking."

I have to admit, it was well worth the dollar. I think he thinks it was worth it as well because he now has bragging rights that not many other 10 year olds have. He has a way with women.