Tag! I'm It.

I was tagged by Michelle. This is so exciting! I am a relatively new blogger so I haven't had a chance to do this yet. So, here is a peek into, well, ME!

7 Random Things About Myself

1. I have a Green Card. (this is not me!)
I am Canadian by birth. I love America! Time to get my citizenship, I know.

2. I have a habit of reading all billboards and signs that I see. It bothers me when I miss one, but I have not yet turned around to find out what it was... but I have thought about it!

3. I am deathly afraid of the ocean.
It could be that I learned to swim in deep open water the year that Jaws came out, and that I used to think that Lake Huron was the ocean, and that I have a dad who liked to bite my calf under the water... I'm not sure.

4. I am a bit of a Cary Grant fanatic.What else can I add?

5. I love to decorate cakes for my kids' birthdays.This one was a collaboration with my hubby. My first cake was Ernie and it was for Maddy's first birthday (1993). Ariel is my/our latest and it was for Lilly's 4th birthday (2007).

6. Hubby and I got engaged after 24 days of dating.
It was a whirlwind romance. We both just knew. He is my best friend.

7. I love Disney World!!!
I have been many times in my life. But going with my own kids is such a thrill. I love to "see the magic" in their eyes.

Now to tag 7 others-- Okay, so because I am new at this, this is EVERYONE that I know in the blogging world!! If you have done this recently... sorry! If not, humor me. ;-)

Tag! You're It.

Aubri
Casey
Chanda
Katrina
Laurie
Rebecca
Rochelle

Rules:
Link to the person who tagged you; Share 7 random facts about yourself; Tag 7 other blogg friends & leave a comment on their blogg with the rules.

What Color Are You?

Here is a fun little quiz a la Laurie. Hmmm... am I really this boring? I wanted to keep taking it until I was an exciting color, but I think that would defeat the purpose, don't you think?

you are cornflowerblue #6495ED

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is bright. You see good things in situations where others may not be able to, and it frustrates you to see them get down on everything.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

The Good Life

Do you ever just have one of those days, weeks, years? It seems like getting on my feet is next to impossible. I have so many irons in the fire... and so little time! Or something like that ;-)
That reminds me of when Maddy used to get expressions mixed up and say, "I have something fishy swimming up my sleeve..."!!

But I digress-

For months I have been treading water to stay afloat. I feel like I have short-term memory loss, ADD, and... some other acronym that gives explanation to my behavior! Things that don't matter seem paramount and yet the obvious things that need doing go undone.

Do you ever freak out over the little things? And then later feel like you want to crawl into bed with your kids and hug it all away?

Do you do the laundry and not fold it?

Have you had three great books started and not been able to have the brainpower to stick with the storyline?

And then something happens. Like tonight.

I went to Young Women's and introduced the Young Women in Excellence program to the girls. We practiced a new song, the girls participated in the program, paid attention, laughed, sang to a birthday girl, and felt the Spirit.

Tonight, I am still in this disaster that I call my home, but now I am realizing that it is temporary. I really can clean it up, fold it up, throw it out, stuff it in-- whatever it takes.

I am thankful for those moments that put life into perspective and for the people in my life that put me into perspective.

Life really IS good.

Happy Birthday Greg!

This post is dedicated to my 'baby' brother Greg. Yeah, he is several inches taller than me... what of it??? I still changed his diapers, taught him to whistle and put on the Saturday morning cartoons for him!

Greg is hilarious. He really should be in stand-up comedy. He does a rendition of Grover from Sesame Street doing "near and far." It gives my bladder a run for its money each and every time. A joke that he made up one time about 'Little Debbie' had me rolling. He said something like... I don't think that she is so little-- they only show her from the neck up!

I am so thankful for this fun person not only in my life, but in my family.

Happy Birthday, Little Man.


GQ

Greg and Rory

The Real Greg

Pumpkin Patch

Fun times at the patch with Miss Becki's preschool. We absolutely love to go to Double Oaks pumpkin patch in October. It is so picturesque and fun.






A fun time was had by all-- except of course if you count the time that Nicky freaked out in the big pumpkin bounce house because someone bumped into him... or the time that Nicky freaked out because I wouldn't climb up the bounce slide with him... or the time that Lilly became paralyzed with fear at the summit of the bounce slide-- unable to go either way and I had to coax her down while holding Nicky who was crying because she was crying....
It may sound like I am complaining, but I am just telling it like it is-- my kids and play equipment don't always mix. ;-)

A Little Salsa, please

Our Anniversary was amazingly great. We had a FANTASTIC time at Gloria's on friday night.
Okay, you just HAVE to go! (and if you want company, we would love to come!!!)
Here's the deal. Restaurant with outrageously delicioso food! At 10pm the live band arrives, followed by a quickie lesson on basic salsa steps/rhythm (yeah, it's not so easy... but very fun) And then they let you loose on the dance floor! It was fun, fun, fun. There are a lot of beginners--AT FIRST-- all of a sudden I noticed that it looked very much like we actually were in Central America and our little left-right-together steps stood out! Wow, can those people dance! We watched a lot at the end, but it was so totally fun.
We met in Miami and the food reminded me of cuban food and the music brought that whole feel to us, so it was definitely a great fit for our celebration.
FABULOSO!
::::: Gloria's Restaurants :::::Happy Hour Colleyville

Sweet Sixteen

John and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary today. Wow-- that's a long time hanging out and buttoning eachother's hard-to-reach places!

We met at a Young Single Adult dance in Miami. Our courtship was a whopping 24 days before our engagment! We were engaged for about 5 months and married in the Atlanta Georgia Temple.

Our life together has been great. We have four beautful children and we laugh a lot in our home.

Tonight we are going Salsa Dancing!

First Annual Father-Son Campout

John and Nicky enjoyed their very first Father-Son Campout this past May. I wish that I could have seen it. They had a great time! Nicky helped Daddy pound in the tent stakes and I understand that he was a very helpful and happy little camper.

The Rain in Spain...

Oh, Eliza, you do it so well...

So I am contemplating the change of seasons, and thus the change of wardrobes. For me it goes from shorts and a t-shirt to jeans and a t-shirt, but it wasn't always that way. I used to always be dressed up-- I mean, someone actually had to tell me to buy tennis shoes to take to college because it hadn't occured to me! I don't know where that girl went... it seems like I don't get dressed up during the week, unless I have a lunch date or doctor's appointment. Just when did that happen?

Consequently, Friday nights and Sundays are my days to dress up- but I don't enjoy it nearly as much as I used to. I am out of the habit.

As I contemplate the new season I think, wouldn't it be great if hats, glorious hats, tremendous hats, flamboyant hats were in style? And how about this gown? I mean, tell me you wouldn't get a kick out of wearing this one.

In reality, however, this hat might stand out a little at Target, don't you think?

La Dolce Vita

You Belong in Rome

You're a big city soul with a small town heart Which is why you're attracted to the romance of Rome Strolling down picture perfect streets, cappuccino in hand And gorgeous Italian people - could life get any better?

What City Do You Belong In?

A Time for Spooks

Here is one of our favorite family crafts. They are fun to make and they look great. And yes, this is an old picture... but I miss those days when the girls were smaller than me!

Cheesecloth Ghost

Materials

* Cheesecloth
* White sugar
* Warm water
* Bowl
* Wiggle eyes
* Scissors, balloon, large cup or jar

General Instructions

* Make a mixture of sugar and water. Put in sugar first—a whole bag to make multiple ghosts. Add water until it is a thick, watery paste. While sugar is dissolving, make a form for your ghost. I use a large plastic cup with a balloon in the top.
* Once sugar has completely dissolved soak pieces of cheesecloth in mixture. Remove and drape over "ghost form".
* Allow to dry a minimum of overnight. May take longer.
* Once dry remove form from underneath. Your ghost should be quite firm.
* Glue on wiggle eyes
* These make great Halloween decorations for dinner tables, at your doorway or on your desk.