Ride 'em Cowboy!

"You've had a birthday shout hooray!"
"We want to sing to you today,"
"One year older and wiser too,"
"Happy Birthday (CLAP) to you!"

Guess who had a birthday? I got a delicious idea from Joanne Asburry in January to take my beloved to Texas Roadhouse for his birthday, after she told me about the big howdy do that they do for birthday boys and girls.

They have this saddle.........



...........and they yell in a very loud and cowboy (in this case, cowgirl) fashion, so that the whole restaurant can hear and participate, that Lee is having his 43rd birthday today and can we all give him a "YEEHAW!" So, everyone, myself included gives him the yeehaw. It took quite a bit of doing to get my man on the saddle in the first place. Can you believe he was going to act like an "Old Fart" and not do it? Thankfully, I had these guys here to help me convince him....



Thank you Andrew and Mark for your very persuasive tactics! I made Lee a "manly" necklace at Jewelry night the night before (he's wearing it in the picture), and purchased him some new smell from our friendly neighborhood Avon lady. All in all, I think he had a good day, but you wouldn't guess from this picture.......



Happy Birthday Cowboy!

Three, three wonderful children.....agh, agh, agh! (read: The Count from Sesame Street)

Did I mention I have three wonderful children? They have been busy being their wonderful selves, let me tell you. We'll start with this last Sunday evening.

I was tired as usual. (We have the 1-4:00pm shift for church) Primary can be exhausting like that when you have church at nap time. Anyway, I know that 5:00pm is a little late in the day to be laying down, when bedtime is not so far away. Needless to say, I snoozed anyway. I was awakened by my wonderful son, Mark. Mark had made dinner and it was ready. He made what we call "Tater tot stuff". I just was overwhelmed by my feelings of love and gratitude for him. I couldn't stop hugging him all night.

I told him I was going to gush on my blog about him, he said it was okay. Notice I have no picture, I need: A. a new camera and B. new batteries for my old one.

Enter yesterday. I had worked an all-nighter the night before and my neck and shoulders were wound up in such a knot that I had no hope of recovering from it on my own. (Picture here a woman shackled to her desk and staring intently at the pile of paperwork and computer screen in front of her.) I was having trouble turning my head either direction, but who should come to my rescue? Magic hands herself, Brittany.

Brittany started working on me and asks, "Mother, what have you been doing?!" She then gently scolds me to not work so hard, do stretching exercises, etc. What can I say? She's a miracle healer, I feel great today! She has been working at Massage Envy for a week now and has gotten nothing but compliments from her customers. I asked her if she believes me now when I say she has magic hands, to which she replied, "Yes".

Owee toe Andrew? He's still hobbling and providing me with his brand of comic relief. He's antsy for his full mobility to return. I just tell him that he has something wonderful to look forward to on March 29th, Riley's first birthday party. All of his dog friends are invited, it will be the soiree of the season!

Wii, wii, wii all the way home.

Okay. I've had what Oprah might call a light bulb moment. I never really even realized that I had a problem until last night. You see, I was invited to attend a Bachelor finale get together last night with a bunch of other gals in the ward. Now, mind you, I have not even watched one episode of the Bachelor, but I was wanting to hang out and have a good time.

I was born a grown up. Always had a lot of responsibility and no time for play or watching television, as most kids are accustomed in their formative years. I never have liked cartoons or what most would consider childish things. I never had Barbies or a bike or ever went to Disneyland. I still have never seen most movies that some would consider an elemental part of growing up. ie: Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, etc.

Dry your eyes. Last night as I arrived at the Twilley's home, Jared and Michelle were playing Tetris on the Wii. For me it was the sweetest sight, but at the same time realizing, "I never do this." I don't play enough. I don't play. Jared tried to show me how to play the game, but for all I was worth at it, I might as well have been born a dog without poseable thumbs.

So, the moral of this story is this. I have learned that there is more to life than all business. Sure, I laugh a lot and make jokes constantly, but that is just my cover to hide what is lacking in me. I have learned that I take the phrase in my patriarchal blessing "Life is not easy, nor was it ever meant to be" as an absolute in everything I do. I forget to see the joy.

I am going to challenge Mark to a game of bowling on the Wii when he gets home from school.

Has this little vandal met my Lee?

Sometime after Bunko on Wednesday night and before Mark left for school on Thursday morning, our little truck was assaulted.





Really?! Just whose canvas does this little punk think he painted on? As his wife, I can personally attest that he is so NOT gay! This was just so creative, so, so original. Note to punk: A little WD-40 and some elbow grease and your artwork has been eradicated. Take that you little hoodlum wannabe!

Making more money than me......

Brittany just celebrated 3 years of working for Domino's Pizza on Valentine's Day. She just gave her two weeks notice because.........she is now going to be working as a Massage Therapist at Massage Envy at Superstition Gateway! Straight out of the gate, my girl will be making nearly a dollar more an hour than I do! :) Of course, I am pleased beyond words. We always want our kids to do better than ourselves, and she has at the ripe young age of 19. Congratulations baby girl!

Owee Toe

My poor baby. He hurt his toe at work. He was chasing after a 'perp'. He tripped on a curb. He got up and continued chasing said 'perp'. He caught 'perp'. My poor baby's toe is fractured in a few places and will need surgery.

Got that right!

You Are a Visionary

You tend to be the rock in relationships - people depend on you. Thoughtful and caring, you often put others needs first. You aren't content to help those you know... you want to give to the world. An idealist, you strive for positive change and dream about how much better things could be. Your strength: Your intuition Your weakness: You put yourself last Your power color: Rose Your power symbol: Cloud Your power month: June

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

If this just isn't me to a T! Thanks Shellee. What about you?