Un-Fortune-ately

I was beginning to think that I was the least lucky person in the world. I never win anything. So when Tyson and I ordered Chinese a couple of weeks ago, my fear was confirmed. I looked at the three fortune cookies, studied them, and picked the one that was calling to me. I quickly cracked it open, and there it was, nothing. Seriously. Who gets a fortune cookie that has no fortune? Only me, the one person who apparently has no fortune. It was a mere confirmation of what I had already suspected. I'm unlucky.

So, now imagine my surprise when I began winning. I should rephrase that. I'm used to winning when it's a sport or something that I have some control over. It's the random drawing and such that I've never in my entire life won. Never. Then, in the past week, I won two drawings. One had 219 entries, the other 85. I was luckier than 302 people. Now don't get all excited. I won a Spongebob DVD set in the first, and a set of Pokemon cards in the second, but still, I WON. Yea me! (I do watch too much Suite Life...) But anyway, I'm no longer the least lucky person in the world....so pass me a fortune cookie, please.

Thankschristgivingmas

[rant on]Am I the only one who feels that every year Thanksgiving is becoming more a part of Christmas and less it's own holiday. I suppose we wouldn't want to stop and be thankful for what we have when we have less than a month to complete our want list. Seriously! I'm not opposed to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, or even decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but the stores go straight from Halloween to Christmas, with only a Black Friday to remind them that there was another holiday somewhere in between. It's not that I don't shop for Christmas before Thanksgiving, because truthfully I try to have most of my shopping done before Halloween. But no one seems to take the time for gratitude anymore. It feels like the kids are learning to go from the "trick-or-treat, give me candy" holiday to the "I want, give me" holiday with no thanks in the middle. What's a mom to do? [rant off]

We did have a good Thanksgiving this year. I spent the morning making rolls, and then we headed over to Tyson's mom's house for dinner. Everything was delicious! Afterward, we went to my sister Lisa's house for pie and to see my family. It was a great day; even the bulimic toddler couldn't ruin it for us!

The next day was decorating day. My mom and I both got our wishes that day. She wished to have kids to help her decorate, and I wished that my kids were gone while I decorated. Poof! Granted! McKayla bossed Tanner around all day at Grandma's house, and Tanner did a fabulous job hanging ornaments on Grandma's tree.



I did save our tree for the kids to decorate, and we had a great time.

Seriously, Tanner, the Y?

Who can resist a rivalry like Utah/BYU? My parents did their parently duty and raised me to be a BYU fan. Then, when it came down to choosing a college to attend, and after deciding to stay in-state, my choice was easy. Utah was the only school to offer a physical therapy degree. They weren't offering as good a scholarship as some of the others, but it did pay for all my tuition, books, and fees. Sure, I could have done my undergrad at any school, but I figured that to transfer credits and prerequisites would be a hassle. If I had to finish at the U, I might as well start there, right? So I got my undergraduate degree and graduate degree all from the U. Somewhere in the midst of it all, I converted. Actually it was the first day of classes.

So, here I stand, a U fan among Y fans in my family. My dad told me when I was choosing colleges that he'd pay for my school anywhere but the U, and he's a U alumnus. So, I shouldn't be surprised that my oldest son is also defiantly choosing his own path, right? I did all I could, but in the end, Tanner's got to make his own choices - even if it means rooting for the Y. I guess he does look cuter in blue than red. Good call, buddy.

Gives a whole new meaning to sibling rivarly:


Here's the real culprit: Aunt Jamie. She provided the shirt to fuel the fire. At least McKayla's got it right.

Kids are Worse than High School...

.....on your self-esteem. Each of my children have taken a shot at me in the past week. Yes, even sweet little 2-year-old Tayler.

McKayla: She overheard me complaining to Tyson about needing to lose several pounds. She piped up with "No, Mom, you should just stay big. When you get old you'll lose your appetite and then you can be skinny." Whatever happened to the "No, Mom, you're great just the way you are?" At least she was talking about old as if it were in the future!

Tanner: First thing in the morning, while getting him ready for school, "Mom, did you sleep with Frodo [our dog] last night?" "No, why?" "Because your breath smells like him." Thanks bud! I'll never get you dressed without brushing first again.

Tayler: I had just done my hair and pulled my bangs back for the day. Tayler saw me and asked, "Mommy pretty?" Finally a kid that wants to build me! So I said, "Thanks Tay. You think Mommy's pretty?" "No." Then I realized he was asking if I had tried to get pretty. I guess I failed.

Aren't all kids, at least as young as mine, supposed to think that their mom is the best, most perfect, prettiest person alive? My kids missed that class. I hear it gets worse when they're teenagers. I can only imagine....better start my counseling fund now.

Busy Kids

Things have been pretty crazy around here the past month or so. The kids have kept us going non-stop with their projects and events. Here's some of the most notable activities of the past month:

• McKayla the Philanthropist. About a month ago she decided to collect money and buy toys to send with my mom on her recent trip to China. These children are generally very poor and don't have things to play with, so McKayla focused a lot of time and energy on her project. She (meaning her and me) made a flier and took it to each house in our neighborhood. She then went door to door a couple of days later to collect the money. In all she raised $204.30 and was able to send a lot of toys and make a lot of kids happy. Nice job, Kayla!

• Tanner the Artist. We spent one evening at the reflections award ceremony for Tanner's school. He received a trophy for his painting and the piece goes on to district for judging. Congrats Tanman!

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• McKayla the Rider. McKayla participated in a horse show last month at the barn she takes lessons at. She rode three rounds and received a ribbon in each round - 2nd, 3rd, and 5th. Yea, Kayla! The boys also had a chance for a pony ride.
  

• Tanner the Sickly. OK, not really. But he did have a horrible cough on and off for months, so when I finally decided to take him in, he was diagnosed with asthma. Looking back, it's been there for a long time, I just didn't want to connect the symptoms. Now that he's on a controlling inhaler and has an emergency one also, he's a different kid. I know, I know, why would I be happy that he has more energy? I'm not. But I am happy to see color in his little cheeks again!

• McKayla the Netter. Our first season of basketball. I cringe when she ducks and cowers as the ball is passed to her. I think Grandpa Joe does too, because thanks to him, the kids have a new basketball hoop to practice on. She's improving quickly. Her highlight was a trip to a Jazz game with her team. So far, no wins with a couple of games to go, but she's scoring points now and is very much improved.