Happy Birthday Larissa!!!

So....somehow I finagled my way into letting Larissa allow me to post something for her on her birthday. Big mistake? Probably. But since she does it for everyone else, I wanted to do it for her. I will be as nice as I possibly can. Promise!

Things I love about Larissa:

she always gets things done no matter how busy she is

she always looks cute wherever she goes

she has the 3 cutest little stinkers in the world

people can always go to her house for dinner and she'll make something

I can talk her into doing most things-but she still wont budge on skydiving

she is very adventurous (esp. for how uncoordinated she is)

she is fun to hang out with

she is super active in the church (primary presidency)

she shares birthdays with me every year. We're like twins with 8 years difference.

she laughs at EVERYTHING

she takes notes whilst watching Dr. Phil

she loves to be around people and is very social

she is the BEST mom in the world

she braves living with Papa Bill and takes care of him because he's a big kid

she goes to Costco on saturdays (i don't necessarily like this about her, but I give her kudos for daring to do it)

some of the greatest people in the world born on the same day

Tiffany Amber Thiessen-best actress ever! (1974)

Tito Ortiz- UFC Fighter (1975)

Rutger Hauer- dutch actor. Plus he was awesome in "Blind Fury" (1944)

John Hancock- American Statesman (1737)

Ryan Reynolds (1976)

Al Yankovic (1959)

Amazing Jan. 23 history

In 2004, J-Lo breaks engagement to Ben Affleck :(

In 1978, Sweden became the first nation in the world to ban aerosol sprays, believed to be damaging to earths ozone layer. (thanks Sweden, and Jan. 23 for making it happen)

In 1993, Nancy Kerrigan won the US female figure skating championship (take that Tonya Harding)

In 2006, scientists win federal $ to map genomes of pigs in hope of producing better pork (that's a great investment if you ask me)

In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first female physician in the US.

and last, but most definitely NOT least

In 1984, Hulk Hogan defeats Iron Sheik to become the WWF champ!

Door-to-door homemade birthday cards! Woot-woot!

So, I'm at home minding my own business when there comes a knock at the door. I open it to find a handicapped man about my age or so. He proceeds to tell me in his jumbled words that he has a homemade birthday card for sale. He's holding it up and it's a piece of red card stock folded in half with Happy Birthday written on it. He tells me that it's for sale for two quarters. I said, "Oh, okay, so you're selling the card for fifty cents. Hold on a minute." He clarified, "two quarters and I have two." As he pulls out another card from his pocket. It was rather magical that it wasn't even bent. I don't know how he did it! So, I go to my purse and pull out two quarters to buy a card from him. He was so excited when I gave him the quarters. We said our thanks to each other and I see him go over to his bike. Which is also super impressive that the cards weren't bent from a bike ride. I have never seen this guy before and have no idea who he is or where he lives. Anyway, I decided I am SO giving it to Summer for her birthday! The best freakin' card she's ever had!

Because it was such an odd yet awesome experience, I couldn't contain my excitement so I told Suzanne and Summer about the card. I couldn't help it! They both pointed out to me that I was a jerk for only buying one card. If I had bought the other one, he could have headed home. I am such a jerk! But, I only had two quarters and I was afraid if I gave him a dollar for both cards he might get upset and freak out. Okay...I'm justifying. Remember when I said I was frugal? What do you bet he comes back now selling me cards for every occasion? Or, maybe some useless household items? And, how the heck did he know that it was my birthday and Summer's birthday in a week...Hmmmm?

Mormon mommy bloggers rock!!!

I'm trying to win me a birthday present. Ya, it's better than buying one for yourself. So, head on over here: http://mormonmommyblogs.blogspot.com/ for their January giveaways. There are some pretty cool items and all ya gotta do is comment on the post to enter. You can't win unless you enter so...do it!

My latest love letter...

Dalton brought this home to me. Notice how wrinkled it is? All his papers come home squished in his backpack like that. It's pretty fun to try to read it all and straighten it all out. This was a cute little letter he wrote to me. It says, "Dear mom, i am so! glad! i Hav! a! mother! i wooD be criyeeng to deth if i DiDnt Hav a mom. your son Dalton." All his D's are capitalized because of his name. Looks like we need to work on capitals and lower case letters and a little punctuation will help. He's exclamation point happy like his mother!!!

Dalton's on a letter writing kick!

I know this is hard to read but, it's so cute I had to post it. It says: "Dear Clint, you are my best frend. Everee tim i can go to your hous i wil or if you can cam to my hous i will let you cam over. Your friend, Dalton"

Is it time to start thinking about this...

Is it swimsuit season, yet? I see the stores are starting to sell them. I would like it to be. Not the swimsuit part but, the warm weather part. I love nice weather and this winter is killing me! Now, I realize that it started later and all that but it's sooooooo stinkin' cold! Even the water coming out of the faucet seems colder than normal. It freezes to the bone. I can't even seem to warm up...ever! Not only that, I keep hearing of everyone's plans to vacation here in the next few months. Hawaii, Florida, Mexico and so many cruises. I'm so craving the beach right now. Does anyone know of any good deals to Ixtapa?

I think we should get Snickers one of these super hot ensembles? Don't you? Or, maybe one for Snickers and Princess!!!

It's a small world after all...

Today I went to lunch with my high school friends Jen and Christie. We were celebrating mine and Jen's birthdays. Thanks Christie! She knows how to get things done! While eating at the yummy sandwich shop, we see another friend from high school, Celia. I see Celia all the time because our kids go to school together, but she hadn't seen Jen and Christie for so long. So, that was nice and then she tells us she is meeting two other girls from our high school class for lunch. It just so happens that she is also eating with a Jennifer and Kristy! Weird? Ya, I know! So, we are all sitting back to back when we see another friend, Angela, from high school walking out with her lunch to go. I make her come over and say hi to everyone. So funny. I love this small world...and I love seeing old friends!

I'm supposed to be the teacher, but yesterday I was the student!

I had to do the sharing time lesson for Primary yesterday. The theme for the week was "I lived with Heavenly Father before I came to earth." I started the lesson by reviewing the plan of salvation. Then, of course focused on our premortal life. It was a great reminder for me. I loved reviewing what we know about our premortal life and that we need to obey our Father in Heaven because of faith and not because of our memory or knowledge of Him. Preparing for this lesson really helped me focus on my mortal life. This part of our existence is a time to learn to prove ourselves, choose to come unto Christ, and prepare to be worthy of eternal life. It is also a time when we can help others find the truth and gain a testimony of the plan of salvation. It also reminded me to read my patriarchal blessing again. It was so refreshing and uplifting to read the blessings and guidance that has been set out for me in my life. I taught the children that we can't remember our premortal life because a veil covered our memories and we forgot our heavenly home. But, that we will know our Father in Heaven and will remember how well we knew Him. How exciting it will be to return to Him someday. I went over the words to the song we are learning this month called "I Lived in Heaven" and I really loved the last two verses of the song:

"Giving us hope of a wonderful life yet to be -

Home in that heaven where Father is waiting for me."

We also talked about the responsibilities we were given in the premortal life as well as the responsibilities that people in the scriptures were given to help accomplish Heavenly Father's work. After this lesson, I felt that I was actually prepared to deal with the trials that I have been asked to deal with. (Even though I constantly complain and cry about not being able to handle them!) I love this quote from Brigham Young:

"Every calamity that can come upon mortal beings will be suffered to come upon the few, to prepare them to enjoy the presence of the Lord. Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation."

I realize that everyone has trials and problems that they have to deal with. And, to each person, their individual trials also seem unbearable! I also remembered a quote I heard in college that I always try to remember, but forget to follow. I don't know where it came from, but I like it.

"If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.”

So, there you have it. I know what I need to do and now I just need to do it! Stop wallowing about my life and stop comparing myself to others. Deal with life as it is and rise above every experience that I am called to suffer!

Me thinkest that is easier said than done!

Happy Birthday...here's a new wrinkle!

So, a few days ago I got in my car and the sun was shining just enough that I could see the eyebrow hairs I missed whilst plucking last, as well as every wrinkle on my face! All of a sudden I realize I have a very long and very visible NEW wrinkle!!! It's huge and it's right under my left eye. I start to freak a little bit. I start to cry a teeny bit and I decide to talk myself through it. So, I say, "it's okay Larissa, you're going to be 38 soon. This kinda thing happens all the time. This is bound to happen sooner or later. Let's just accept it and move on." I don't know if it's the age thing or extreme recent stress or what. But, deep inside, I'm a little bugged. Well, a lot bugged actually.
Today I showed Tamra my new wrinkle. She admitted it wasn't there last weekend. I told her it was brand spankin' new. She tried to make me feel better by telling me that maybe it is from lack of sleep or eye puffiness. But, I don't think so. If it's still there by next week, I'm thinking it's mine forever. I've decided to call it my birthday wrinkle. I think I hate birthdays! I think I hate getting older! I think I hate that my life didn't turn out like I had dreamed! sniff...sniff I think I need pie!!!

What does hookers mean?

So, it's New Year's Eve and I originally wasn't supposed to have the kids so I had to plan something last minute. I decided to start it off with dinner out at Cafe Rio with friends. We hadn't done that in a long time. So, we're eating our usual yummy Rio dishes when in walks three hoochies in mini skirts up to their...well...you know. Skyscraper heels and make-up like there is no tomorrow! Hair that is sprayed and perfectly in place. So, I casually and quietly state, "we get to celebrate New Year's with hookers!" Well, Mikaela hears me and says, "what does hookers mean?" I'm trying to contain my laughter as well as think quickly how to respond in a quiet manner so as not to drag the nearing Rio diners into this conversation. Then, Mikaela says, "does hookers mean...you like to freeze your legs off?" YES Mikaela...that is exactly what it means. Now eat your burrito!!! Nah, I didn't tell her that, but I wanted to! Then, Mikaela wouldn't let it go and asked, "how do they keep themselves covered with their skirts when they are sitting down?" Hmmmm....that is a problem! Oh ya, and one of the hoochies...totally burped out loud! Nice. Classy.

As we continued eating, we had tons of guys and girls trickle into the Rio. The aforementioned hoochies were part of this group. They were young and dressed to kill. Well, mostly young. There were a few oldies trying to pass themselves off as young-ins. Apparently, the Rio was their meeting place. I have no idea where they were headed, but those girls were in for a very long, cold, painful and uncomfortable night. I just can't imagine hanging out in a tiny skirt with cold legs and high heels. Ouch! There must be easier ways to attract a man! Maybe I'm just gettin' old!

We celebrated the rest of the night at home. We dipped strawberries, fortune cookies and pretzels and had those at midnight along with some pots and pans bangin', texting and fireworks from the local city on our doorstep. Happy 2009!!! I hope it's better than last year! I could really use a "new" year!

I'm back...

I know I wasn't gone long, but I did have a few people miss me and by miss me I mean that they emailed me wanting to know where I had gone to just because I hadn't blogged for a bit. Ya, I'm feelin' the love. The fact is, I didn't go on some awesome vacation or have some awesome holiday plans. {sigh} I have simply been super busy, super stressed and super frustrated. It's always that way with my life. Always something (and by something...I mean someone) turning things upside down. It's crazy. Nothing ever seems to stay mellow for long. The holidays came and went and were completely chaotic. We did have some fun times mixed in with the madness...so that was good. I plan to post pictures from Christmas and our other escapades soon. I know you're all just a waitin! But...you'll have to wait a little longer because I went to Costco and waited for an hour for the pictures to transfer to a CD only to find out that the order didn't go through because of their computer problems. Nice! I love wasting my time and driving back and forth in a snow storm for no reason!

Happy {late} Birthday Billy!

Billy's birthday was December 18th and I didn't get around to posting his birthday post and pictures. So, I figure it's better late than never. So, here ya go.

Things I love about Billy:

He still lets us call him Billy

He is super funny

He is a good father

He is super smart
He is a talented builder

He is good with electronics

He is good at sports
He loves mayonaise (?)

He makes awesome potato salad

He will eat anything you make him (except peas)

He will make you laugh

He can talk for hours (must be the 4 sisters thing)

He is there when you need him

So, there are a few things I love about my brother Billy. I think he would prefer that we call him Bill but some things you just can't change. Sorry!