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I put up the tree today. I am thankful that we have an extra day off, otherwise I don't know when I would have had the time to put it up! I am disappointed that I don't have time to decorate the outside of my house, but at least the tree is up! I am not pleased with it yet...hopefully rearranging a few things will help. I like to find a new ornament each year to base my whole tree on. This year I found these cute little metal glittery polka dot stockings! I have two different stockings, one is red with white dots, and the other is white with red dots. Both have a furry top, I love them!
Adam, Jaden, Gary, Jed, Larry, and Kolby went out to play a round of golf at Kokopelli Golf Course. They only have eleven holes done so far, but the boys said there were some really pretty holes so far!
It has been a while since I have loaded pictures from Jaden's camera (wow 289 photos!) and I thought the picture of me with my camera was a PERFECT picture of me. This is how my kids see me on a daily basis. Camera in hand-always! They get sick of it (especially my A) but years down the road they will be grateful, right?! I am excited that Jaden is following in my footsteps and LOVES photography! 
We are thankful for SO many things! If we always keep in mind that things could always be worse, we will always feel blessed. My house drives me crazy (not enough room, and the backyard is tiny) but I am so thankful that we have a home (especially in this economy) that keeps us warm, that we can pay for, and that we feel safe in our home. I am thankful for our health, even though I am always sick (something I have gotten used to) at least, most days, I can accomplish the things I need to do! I am thankful for my children (although they fight more often than not) their innocence is what keeps me afloat-just the other day Jaden asked me if Jesus and Santa were brothers since they both do things to make people happy! It brought tears to my eyes. If I could bottle their innocence up and keep it forever I would die a happy woman! 
My parents came down and we went to their condo for our Thanksgiving feast, Gary came along for the fun too! The dinner was delicious, and I am still STUFFED! The kids, once again, enjoyed writing what they are thankful for on their paper tablecloth. Some of my favorites from Jaden were inventions, wheat bread, and carpet. From Bailia- Harley, parents, and juice, and from Koda-Dad, and everything! Oh, not to be left out Kolby is thankful for golf!
This morning I took the kids to say goodbye to Deb. She works at Target and is retiring, Adam said you are friends with the workers, that is a SURE sign you shop way too much! If you are a Target shopper, then you know Deb. She is a VERY sweet lady, and we will miss seeing her smiling face!While there Koda wanted to look through the dollar section really fast-so we looked through it. There in a bin, was a shiny silver mini slinky! It didn't have a box or a sticker on it. How much is this Koda asked? I don't know, somebody must have taken it out of its package, put it back I told him. After saying our goodbyes to Deb, Koda wanted to make just one more trip around the dollar section. OK, but hurry I told him.We rushed to school and the big kids got out. Koda stayed, which is VERY unusual, he usually is the first one out! He gets a weird look on his face and pulls the slinky out!You've got to be kidding me! I informed him that he was lucky that they hadn't called the cops already, and that we would be returning it to Target right after school!After I picked him up, we went to Target. As we were walking in he said, I think I am going to throw up-I tried not to laugh! We walked into the return section and he handed it to Deb (she was still on shift) He said this didn't have a package so I took it, then realized it was still stealing! He started crying uncontrollably. You need to say your sorry, and that you will never do it again, I told him. He couldn't get it out. Deb said I can see you are very sorry, thank you for bringing this back and being honest. We walked around the store for a minute so that he could calm down (I didn't want him to puke again-remember the Electric Cafe?!?) he then said I am ready to say I am sorry! So he ran over and apologized to Deb! He learned a BIG lesson today. As we drove away he said Mom I was more than sorry, much more! Good I told him, that means you learned your lesson!
I had to do sharing time in primary today. I DREAD doing things like this. If you ever see me and I don't talk to you, please know I am not a snob, I just can't handle it. I am sure there is a name for it...I just looked it up and sure enough I have Glossophobia!
Symptoms include:
- intense anxiety prior to, or simply at the thought of having to verbally communicate with any group,
- avoidance of events which focus the group's attention on individuals in attendance,
- physical distress, nausea, or feelings of panic in such circumstances.
The good news is I made it through it. I also gave my two weeks to the primary president (you can do that, right?) because they didn't follow through on my contract from the previous presidency, that CLEARLY states that Sister Milne will only do ONE Sharing time per year, and I already fulfilled my end of the bargain MONTHS ago!
Anyway, the sharing time went well, and they all seemed to enjoy it. So just in case I ever need another story on how to "Prepare while young to become a Mother or a Father" or doing your best, I am going to write it down.
My class acted out the story while Jaden read it. At the end we handed out Rice Krispie treats that I had shaped and decorated into pumpkins, strawberries, and watermelon. I forgot to take pictures of the treats before primary, so these are the mashed leftovers, minus the pumpkins because we didn't have any leftover.
The Story of the Best Family.
There once was a little family that lived in a nice home surrounded by fields, trees, and streams.
There was Momma Best, Papa Best, and their three children
Tried-er Best,
Half-is Best, and
Not-er Best.
Momma and Papa Best wanted to teach their children all that they could about life. They taught them how to cook their meals, and fix things around the house. They taught them how to fold their clothes, and clean their rooms.
One day the children decided they should each start a garden. Tried-er Best went to the hardware store with Papa and bought all of the things she thought she would need to start her garden. Not-er Best didn't feel like going to the store that day, so she asked Tried-er to pick up a few packs of seeds for her. Half-is Best went with Papa and Tried-er, but he didn't think that buying all of that stuff was necessary so he just bought a few things.
Tried-er went home and started working on her garden, raking, pulling weeds, planting seeds, and watering the soil. Half-is started on his garden too but he got tired of raking, and the weeds were getting hard to pull, so he planted his seeds and watered the soil. Not-er Best watched Tried-er and Half-is and thought that it looked like too much work-she figured that all of that work didn't have to be done, so she sprinkled her seeds on the ground and poured water over them.
As the days went on,Tried-er went out every morning to weed, water, and tend to her garden. Her fruits and vegetables were sprouting up and looking great! Half-is got a little busy and forgot to water his garden some days, and the weeds were starting to get really big, but he had a few sprouts popping up, so he knew it wouldn't be long before he would be able to pick some delicious fruit and vegetables from his garden! Not-er wondered why Tried-er and Half-is already had a fruits and vegetables growing, and she didn't have anything! But she checked on her garden once in a while, and figured that since it had rained last week, and there was another storm coming in, that her garden was getting plenty of water and it wouldn't be long before she had something growing too!
Finally it was time to PICK! Momma and Papa Best decided to have a big feast to celebrate all of their hard work.-Momma told each of the kids to go pick some of the best things from their garden and they would eat it with their dinner! Tried-er gathered her fruits and vegetables and put them in her buckets, she had more than enough to chose from! Half-er went to pick and had a nice bucket of fruits and vegetables to gather, but wondered why he didn't have as much as Tried-er! Not-er went out to see what had grown in her garden and couldn't believe her eyes! There in her garden was the BIGGEST Weed patch she had ever seen!
I don't understand she cried to her parents! Why did Half-is and Tried-er's gardens produce fruits and vegetables and mine didn't?
As they ate their supper Momma and Papa explained to the children that in order to create a garden that will produce many wonderful fruits and vegetables, you need to prepare early, work hard, nurture, love, and take pride in your garden.
To prepare yourself to become a mother or a father is just like having a garden. You must learn, and do as much as you can while you are young, and as you grow. You must be reliable, honest, helpful, loving, and willing to learn.
Try to do everything that you can while you are young to help yourself grow into a respectable adult.
Help your mom and dad cook and clean, mow the yard and pull the weeds.
Help watch a neighbors children while they go out.
Help the elderly by getting their mail, or running errands for them.
Always serve others with a happy heart, you will be blessed, you will grow, you will learn, and you will be more prepared to become a mother or a father when the time comes. I hope that we can all have gardens as plentiful as Tried-er.
After primary the kids came home and immediately wanted to play with my sharing time stuff. Tried-er, Half-is, and Not-er live inside each of my children. Depending on the day they will either try their hardest, a little bit, or not at all! They went out back to "plant" the seeds and played GREAT together for 3 hours without ANY fighting!! I love it when they actually TRY to get along! 
I really need to be more careful about what I say! Last week during SEP's I said I don't think life could get any crazier! This week I had to open wide and insert my foot!If Adam wouldn't have taken me golfing (as I kicked and screamed the whole way that I didn't want to go-it is too cold and I'm too busy) I wouldn't have had a moment of relaxation this week! After golfing I took Koda to the Jubilee of Trees while the kids were in school-our last Jubilee alone together before he starts first grade! I used to take all of the kids every year. Then one by one they were in school all day. I don't like going when there are crowds, so during school is perfect. Knowing that this was my baby's last time going to the Jubilee made me tear up! He had a lot of fun, especially with the helicopter! But we can't wait for the Dickens Festival when the "real" Santa comes! The helper Santa at Jubilee just doesn't cut it! On top of the regular chaos we had the main water line break in front of our house Wednesday morning (4th time now) a funeral Thursday night, and Bailia's District Story telling on Friday! That I could have handled-but to put the icing on the cake Bailia and I were sick (food poisoning, I don't know?) all night last night!We got home from the funeral around 8:00 last night and I didn't feel well so I got the kids to bed and we were all asleep (except Adam) by 9:00. Around 9:30 Adam comes running into our room saying I can't do it, you have to help me, hurry Bailia threw up EVERYWHERE!! Everywhere was an understatement! I wish I would have been in the room to witness the event. As disgusting as it may sound, if you would have seen the room it would have left you scratching your head as to how this 60 pound little girl could cause such a disaster!It is about this time that you wonder what God was thinking at the time when he made woman (also known as SUPERwoman). So there I sat until 11:30 cleaning carpets-and washing bedspreads, sheets, and pillows! From there I got up every two hours with Bailia, all while feeling like my stomach should explode (if you know me I have a VERY strong will power NOT to throw up) and my head wanted to spin off of my shoulders!Morning came and Bailia said she felt good enough to go to school. She did NOT want to miss her story telling-after all she is the only 3rd grader from her school that moved onto district! We didn't want her to miss it either, but what can you do?! She had a bath and started crying that she didn't think she could make it! I told her we would see how she felt when it was time-if anything she could just go for story telling. We said a little prayer, and the faith of my little girl pulled through. She kept her medicine down. She ate half of a plain waffle and kept it down. The color started coming back to her face. She said I need to go to school just to take my spelling test-ok I said and headed for school. By the time we got there she told me she felt good enough to stay the hour and twenty minutes before it was time to pick her up for story telling.She made it to her competition and we waited, and waited, and WAITED, for her turn. A little over two hours of anxious waiting, and it was finally her turn! She retold a Mystery story called The Aminal (I would recommend this very cute story for kids of all ages-I think it was written in the 70's) She did an amazing job! We are so proud of her (Why am I crying? It must be that time of the month-or I am just exhausted!) for her to be as weak as she was and pull through and perform like she did, blew us away! We find out on Monday who the winners are-there are 24 schools (so around 48 kids per category) competing, so the chances might be slim, but we are keeping our fingers crossed for her!
So life has been hectic the past couple of weeks. Who am I kidding? When is life not hectic? But lately I have been OVERWHELMED! So today things started out crazy, but good. Tuesdays are always hectic with piano at 7:30 a.m. Koda kept himself entertained for most of the kids lessons playing in the dirt with a tractor. It was cold out side, but he didn't care. He could see his BREATH! It was the highlight of his day! I could do without the whole breath thing, that means it is cold outside, too cold! So, lessons got over and I took the kids to school.
I ran 178 errands (still didn't accomplish everything) but felt the day was going good. I washed my car, and then ran to the store to get a few things for sharing time this Sunday, before picking Koda up from school. I came out to find a big SPLAT of bird love on my car!! Come on! I just paid $8.00 to wash it! Oh well. I picked Coop up and ran home to get a few things done-laundry, sharing time, lesson, house cleaned, and prepare dinner. I finished one of those things, not bad, right?
Time to pick up the kids and take Jaden to his golf lesson. On the way home from golf is when the day veered off of the things not going as planned to total chaos! Just before turning onto our street there in the middle of the road sat a dog. It was staring right at us. It looked hurt. Crap.
The kids said MOM-stop he needs help.
My mind started fighting, it was germaphobe on my right shoulder, against soft heart on the left.The poor thing looks hurt. Said soft heart.Ugh, he looks so dirty. Germaphobe piped up!
Is that blood? You should stop.Is that blood? Keep going!You know you have a soft spot for animals!Yes it's blood, that the best reason to KEEP driving!Are you just going to let him DIE?!In the end soft heart won.We stopped put him in the car-oh how he smelled!Be glad we were right around the corner from our house-the kids took him in the back yard as I pulled out the antibacterial soap. Washed him up, he was still bleeding. We called Animal Control-they took FOREVER to get here! They took him away bleeding, with (we are assuming) broken bones, but he said that the dog would be fine.Lesson learned. When life gives you bird poop, don't complain, it could give you a dirty bloody dog too!
Holy cow it is crazy around here right now! SEP week about killed me! A typical day for me lately goes a little something like this-Tuesday-get up 6:00 a.m. Wake the kids up 6:30 run around like crazy getting hair done, breakfast and lunches made, backpacks packed and piano bag loaded. In the car headed to piano lessons- no later than 7:15. Sit and wait for piano to get over doing homework with what ever child isn't in lessons. Finish lessons-8:35. Drop the kids off at school 8:45. Went to Koda's SEP 9:40. Ran to the grocery store, went home started laundry, fed Koda lunch. Leave to pick the kids up 12:50. Pick kids up 1:15. Ran to Aunt Wendy's to get pop tabs off of 209 cans. Ran home fed the kids a snack. Left for Jaden's SEP 3:15. Finished SEP 4:00. Took Jaden to his Golf lesson 4:30. Took the little kids to the library to waste time before picking Jaden up at 5:30. Then there is still dinner, more homework, piano lessons, getting ready for bed and just before crashing I realize I get to do this all over again tomorrow! WHEW! So that is why I have an overloaded post! So to sum it all up- Happy Birthday Gary, Way to go on your story competition Sis, Holy cow Jdog-1108 pop tabs-awesome, and a successful school store!
Bailia had a story telling competition at school yesterday. It was a competition that I didn't think anything about, but turned out to be pretty serious! From what I understand they had a type of "audition" to be a storyteller-from there you could move on to competition. I saw two third graders (Bailia and her friend Ricky) and the rest were fourth and fifth graders!When I got to the school I saw a room FULL of judges! The kids had to rotate to each section of the room and stand in front of 3-5 judges at a time, tell their story that they had memorized, and then they were judged! Talk about NERVE wrenching! After watching how nervous Bailia was for the first round of judges I thought she didn't have a chance. Then on to round two, she did much better, but after all of the story telling I could still see the nerves and didn't think she would place. She ended up taking second in the mystery category! She was SO excited-way to go Sis! 
So since I have been overwhelmingly busy, I totally spaced the school store. It was in the back of my mind crumbled in between gymnastics, soccer, piano, school, church, golf, and life-I would have remembered eventually! But as I waited for Bailia and Cooper to finish gymnastics Thursday night Jaden said did you get my stuff made mom? What "stuff"? I asked. You know my stuff for the school store. CRAP! (I may have used a different four letter word here) Gym got over at 5:30-I headed straight for home and started baking! As you can tell from the picture I am EXHAUSTED! But, I quickly made four dozen Chocolate Chip cookies, 24 Cupcakes, and two batches of Rice Krispie treats-Adam came in with the camera laughing saying smile Betty! The kitchen looked like a bomb had gone off, but I finished my duty!
The school store was a big success! Jaden sold most of his goodies and made (after table rental, and business license) $259! He then had to pay a 10% tax on that money! This was such a fun way for all of the kids to learn about business, money, and work! All of the kids were so cute-they were all SO excited to see how much they could sell! There was everything from hot cocoa to snow cones, popcorn, and toy stores, bakeries, and nail shops! Koda had a blast visiting each classroom, and Jaden loved selling! 
I fell in love today! I have liked Jaden's teacher from day one, but today I found out that I love her! She is SO caring and loving with all of the kids! She bought something from EVERY one of her students, she even got her nails painted from Kate! Then she sat down with Kate and Dawn, and painted some of the boys nails with them!
But the topper had to be when I overheard Mrs. P talking to a group of 5th grade boys, who had popped in the classroom to see what was going on. She slipped them each a handful of money (fake of course) and told them to go buy from the kids who still had a lot of stuff left to sell! We are so lucky to have such great teachers, that honestly care about our children! Thank you Mrs. P-You are AWESOME!
