This is who I am. This is where I came from.

I feel that I have aged enough, experienced enough, and learned enough to know by now what I want in my life. As a young girl being ripped (it was a very traumatic experience for me) from my Utah home to the small town, cowboy infested, nothing-to-do-but-watch-the-wheat-grow, Idaho. I seriously felt that I was no longer allowed to have a life after we reached the Idaho border, roughly +/-15 years ago.

I was in the middle of 7th grade and terrified to make new friends. You just can't replace something like that. Luckily, as it's been with all the many moves before hand, we had our church to do that for us. That's just how it worked. Church comes with friends. And I was able to make friends with people that weren't all "hillbilly like". AND was still able to keep the ones in Utah!

When I had accepted my new surroundings in little I.F. My parents thought that it would be great to uproot us once again and move into the great farm fields of Idaho (literally! we lived on the corner of a potato/grain field)! THAT was completely unacceptable in my book and I did everything my 15 year old body could to prevent/sabotage/rebel against. Nothing.

Yes, I made friends because I continued to go to church. Luckily, this time we moved in the summer and had that time to "make friends" before school started. At least I had a shield to hide behind when the cruel judgements of high school students came spearing into me, 'the new girl'.

I built friendships that lasted even to today, but still felt like my purpose in life awaited me in a big city. How much bigger can you get than New York City!? You can't, really. So after I tossed that cap into the air, ripped that gown off (I was clothed underneath! Get those prom dress jokes outta yer head!), I hitched a plane to good ol' NYC and continued east to the center of my heart. Connecticut.

It was now my turn to be displeased, with myself, after smashing MYSELF into the wall of REALITY. I was a small town girl in a big city and eyes to match, I'm sure. People, cultures, enviroments, I only heard about in books and shows. I didn't have anyone to hide behind and no way of knowing how to make friends. Ok, yes I did. I went to church.

I can't tell you how hard it was for me to pop my comfortable bubble of security and hyperventilate in the world I now lived. How exhilerating that was! And I continued to be exhilerated for 3+ years. Those people, experiences, and emotions I gained now stay locked up, deep deep in my heart! But every spring and fall I am forced into that deep deep memory and proceed to long for that time in life which is no longer, those were my two favorite seasons of the year for that area and always will be.

Fast forward to today and I find myself ready to "settle down". And by that, I mean that the excitement of big city life and fast paced living no longer appeals to me. I will always treasure that amazing experience in the big city, but I now yearn for a small town, small house, high up in the mountains close to the stars, to live the rest of my life. (is it too early to want retirement at 29?) I want the luxury of opening my front door and being met by a gust of fresh mountain air with tall grass blowing in the open fields before me, and a clear blue glinting lake in the background. My children would run around and explore things that God has placed here for us to explore.

These thoughts bring me back to that first horrible experience of actually having to move to Idaho in the first place. It's not so horrible anymore. And I think there are a number of you, grateful for that wretched relocation as I am! It has formed relationships that have shaped who I am and made me realize what is important to me and what I want in this life.

That Idaho blood runs deeper than what some of us may want to believe at this time.

I just can't leave these two alone...

.....Maybe because they can't leave each other alone. They do this on a daily basis. I was just able to FINIALLY capture it on 'digital' film.

He really is quite tolerant of her. He even gives her a warning. "Don't taunt me!"


So she does a little song, a little dance,


a little pigeon impersonation.....


and flies away


to come and annoy me!


She gets bored and returns to the more "exciting" side of life? Monet.



But he refuses to fall into her trap. He knows the consequences.


But since I'm sitting right here and haven't stopped him from doing anything to her yet...he gives her another warning. (He's good like that.) Or maybe he's getting a really good whiff of that sweet sweet meat under all those beautful feathers.


He'll even tease her a bit. But that doesn't stop her.


She's like a carrot on a string. SO close, but not close enough.


She is REALLY good at testing her bounds.


And with his cat like reflexes, he's REALLY REALLY good at smacking her right back to where she belongs!

Believe it or not, she came back for more. He just wasn't in the mood. He had a nap to take.

*No animals were harmed in the making of this blog posting.

Who said they couldn't live together?

Since getting Kortana, I (among others) have worried about Monet feeling 'displaced' even more than he already is. With Korah (dog), all the kids that invade my bed in the night...one would think he would be feeling neglected.

So when the birds came along, it was a cruel joke to him.....or so we thought. In the 2+ months since they've been here, I would say that Monet has adjusted quite nicely. At first he would pounce 'towards' them but never in a serious way as to catch them. (I think he's a dairytarian) At one point Kortana actually landed on his head while he slept.

Then, just last night, she hopped onto his back and sat there for awhile. And he even stayed put. He knew she was on there, but didn't move until I got up to get the camera. (of course!) But I promise, it happened! I WILL get that picture.

And then this morning, Monet was in an extra playful mood and so was Kortana. I had the camera with me then and was video taping them. She now "purrrs" like he does. I did it to him and she mimicked perfectly! I'm not satisfied with the footage I've got of her "purring", but I will get a good one. Just give me time. I look forward to the time when she hops on his back and goes for a 'walk' around the house with him.

I have to say that it has been SO fun having her here. And just as annoying. She can be pretty persistant when she wants something. (like your breakfast!)

Today, I live in a.....

*Restaurant's Kitchen. Or at least the 3 loads in the dish washer (TODAY ALONE) hint as much. I've tried to master the skill of puzzles because that's exctly what loading the dishwasher requires. The maximum amount of dishes to pack in and still be in the position for optimum cleaning. Unless you're a ten year old boy and think ONE large bowl is the only thing that fits in the bottom. And leaving the rest for his sister to load during her turn.

*Laundry Mat. Or at least the 4 (and counting) loads piling (and by that I mean a giant mountain sprouting from my comforter) atop my bed hints as much. The thought crossed my mind today as I was walking in my room to the bathroom, "I've got this under control!". Because the path paved in dirty mismatched socks, crumpled up t-shirts, inside out unders, halfturned in and out jeans was now magically resembling that of actual carpet fibers in taupe. But then....I made the mistake of venturing down to (previously mentioned) 10 year old boys' room and discovered a mountain that puts my mole hill (yes it was that big), to miserable embarrassing shame. Luckily the next 7 loads (yes 7!!!) Will not increase my mound but dissapear back into the far corner of this house it appeared from. (After the laundry mat does its thing, of course.)

*A Zoo. Or at least the 3+ cages that were cleaned today hint as much. I give zoo keepers a higher respect for what they do everyday to keep all those critters content. Window washing, poop scoopin', and fresh water and food. You rock Mr/Ms. Zoo Keeper. And thanks. From the animals. I'm sure they appreciate it. As do I.

*An Insane Asylum. Or at least all these screaming, crying, fighting, confrontational pre-adolescents hint as much. Or maybe the growling, saliva drooling, chomping hints that it back to the Restaurant we go.

Any exoctic Realty in your neck of the woods?

Catching up...

....cause that's what I do, and I'm on a roll with the catching up on bloggin thing.

Here we have Dylan's b-day cake. (sorry Adrienne it took so long.) Nothing too impressive, the creative juices emptied a bit by the time his big day came around. It's cute though, I think. And if you couldn't tell....the skittles in the middle spell his name.

For the next pic....I know I gave you Bakerella's site to check these out, but I just wanted to show you how mine turned out. Super yummy!!! (who doesn't LOVE pumpkin pie?)

AND....I've been trying to master a technique with the cam, where you blur one object and focus on another. Sometimes focusing on a non-traditional object. (Dang it....I thought I downloaded the one particular picture that I was so pleased with. I guess this will have to do.)

*She hates those cute little spots all over her cherub face, but I LOVE THEM!

I don't think I'm ready for the teenage years. (-/+ 2 yrs away!!!!! AAAHHH)

These were just for the fun of it....not trying to be "professional" in any way.

I keep starting these posts, not finishing them and then never getting back to it. They seem pointless after going and reading them again.

I'm still in facebook mode and thoughts only come in one sentence increments. So yet again, I will attempt to "stretch" the mind and see how far I go before I lag off and end up right back where I am, right now.

Sounds VERY similar to my "running".

Today was interesting in church because apparently (later confirmed by news reports) our local High School Band won a competition up at ISU. Not surprised, they're nationally ranked. (Yes I have the right to be cocky...I live here don't I?) But unfortunately on the ride home, 1 of the 4 buses rolled on I-15, killing a teacher who tried to prevent it from happening. A few kids (luckily were NOT on the rolling bus) are in my ward, which made for a very emotional fast Sunday.

(For more info...google "american fork high crash)

I'm grateful for the fact that my little ones are still....well, little! But also that the injuries among these students were minimal due to this teachers quick thinking and heroic actions. My prayers go out to this teacher's family and friends.

On a lighter note......ok, I really don't have anything lighter. But I will say this,

Count your blessings today.

Speaking of Tasting Blood....

Ok, no was talking about blood except Eric a week ago....it just sounded good and I'll bet it caught your eyes for those of you who have that gadget that tells you when someone has blogged and the title for the latest post.

(Thanks Eric, that makes a great title to a blog)

Just this past Monday, a new gas station opened up. There's another one (which I go to) just kiddycorner from the "new" one. No big deal, right? Well, it has now become a big deal because when your "new" you want customers. And if you're a gas station you sell cheaper gas to get those said customers.

Everyday since Monday they have lowered it, causing the competitor to lower as well. At first it was a few cents. Then the middle of the week came along and dropped about 10 more cents and sometimes it dropped twice in one day. Of course the other had to lower as well. It was quite amusing to watch.

On Friday, Jaden asked if he could walk to the new place (don't have to cross ANY busy street) and because I'm a mother (and wanted a drink for myself headed down the street.) Picked up Jade, like a creepy stalker, and headed to the "new place". The lines waiting for gas was insane! At the spot I was parked, I couldn't see the price so I could only guess what it could be now. Only after getting my drink and driving away....did I notice this!

And then this!

I went and told jared about it and decided to fill up. (Who wouldn't!?) We wanted to fill up all the vehicles but only got to the one.

The next day we were kicking ourselves for having not filled up the rest because it was right back up to where the rest of the nation is, I think. Around $2.40gal

Bakerella style

i made mini pumpkin pies tonight. soooo fun and cute. i got the idea from bakerella. totally awesome blogger. when you can check her out. www.bakerella.com. you're gonna have to copy and paste that link. and when i get this gliche figured out...i'll post pictures.