Wes & Paige Part II

Before the reunion began, Jackson and I had some time to hang out at home and then we had some time hanging out after Andrew's Championship Basketball Game - very exciting stuff!

When you meet at school, you often need two wedding celebrations! Wes and Paige, along with Shay, Kioa, and Paige's parents, arrived Thursday night so that they could celebrate their wedding with all those living in California. It was great to see them all again so soon, and I have many photos to prove it was a wonderful time. So here are a few shots capturing the girls at karate, a game where you can't show your teeth, hanging around the house, grooming grandma Sue and my favorite - spending time at the beach!

Home away from home - MALIBU!

So Funny - For Mom's!

Why We Have Moms: Answers given by elementary school age children to the following questions:Why do we have mothers?1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.2. Mostly to clean the house.3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.What ingredients are mothers made of?1. Clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab ofmean.2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly usestring, I think.Why do you have your mother and not some other Mom?1. We're related.2. The doctor knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms likeme.What kind of little girl was your Mom?1. My Mom has always been my Mom and none of that other stuff.2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be prettybossy.3. They say she used to be nice.What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?1. His last name.2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunkon beer?3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES tochores?Why did your Mom marry your dad? 1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.2. She got too old to do anything else with him.3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.Who's the boss at your house?1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goofball.2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under thebed.3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.What's the difference between moms and dads?1. Moms work at work & work at home, & dads just go to work at work.2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.What does your Mom do in her spare time?1. Mothers don't do spare time.2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.What would it take to make your Mom perfect?1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.If you could change one thing about your Mom, what would it be?1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get ridof that.2. I'd make my Mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who didit and not me.3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on her back.==============================THE MOMMY TESTI was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up somethingoff the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item awayfrom her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked. "Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Wow! How do you know all this stuff?" "Uh," ...I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be aMommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy."
"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face and joy in my heart.When you're finished laughing, send this to a Mom.

Food Crisis!

Looking for advice I write regarding Jackson's lack of desire in baby food. Typically when he is sick, his appetite decreases - I am hoping this is the problem and it won't last. But, just in case, does anyone have a suggestion as to how I get this boy to eat enough "good" stuff during the day?

Underfed!

Would you believe there is an Anderson in this world that is too thin and underfed?? Jackson is in the 95% or so, for his height but in the 25% for his weight. Turns out the 20z. I feed him a day, on top of solids, is not enough. He should be getting 26 - so we have been trying and he's not liking it. Needless to say, we have wasted more formula this week than we can afford! I can't wait until he can drink milk!!! Overall he's healthy so we are happy!

Good Story

I heard this story many years ago but it still leaves a great impression.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them la nd in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. " They really should get lives. " He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"
\n \n There was a big smile on his face. \n \n It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. \n \n I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. \n \n As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him\n before. \n \n He said he had gone to private school before now. \n \n I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. \n \n We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. \n \n He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. \n \n I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends \n \n He said yes. \n \n We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked\n him, and myfriends thought the same of him. \n \n Monday morning came! , and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books\n again. \n \n I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious\n muscles with this pile of books everyday! \n \n " He just laughed and handed me half the books. \n \n Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. \n \n When we were seniors, we began to think \n about college. \n \n Kyle decided onGeorgetown , and I \n was going to Duke. \n \n I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a\n problem. \n \n He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football\n scholarship. \n \n Kyle was valedictorian of our class. \n \n I teased him all the time about being a nerd. \n \n He had to prepare a speech for graduation. \n \n I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak \n \n Graduation day, I saw Kyle. \n \n He looked great. \n \n He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. \n ",1]
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There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and myfriends thought the same of him. Monday morning came! , and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday! " He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided onGeorgetown , and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.
\n He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. \n \n He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. \n \n Boy, sometimes I was jealous. \n ! \n Today was one of those days. \n \n I could see that he was nervous about his speech. \n \n So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be\n great!" \n \n He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and\n smiled. \n \n " Thanks," he said. \n \n As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began \n \n "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through\n those tough years. \n \n Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your\n friends... \n \n I am here to tell all of you that being a \n friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. \n \n I am going to tell you a story." \n \n I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first\n day we met. \n \n He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. \n \n He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to\n do it later and was carrying his stuff home. \n \n He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. \n \n "Thankfully, I was saved. \n \n My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." \n \n I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us\n all about his weakest moment. \n \n I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. \n \n Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. \n \n Never underestimate the power of y our actions. \n \n With one small gesture you can change a person's life. \n \n For better or for worse. \n \n God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. ",1]
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He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous. ! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. " Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power of y our actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.
\n \n Look for God in others.

If I Die Before You Wake

http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

Time with friends, Abuelita and a tooth!

Friends - Considering they live all the way in Riverside, CA., I never get to see them - so when Abuelita's birthday brought us to Riverside, it brought my friends and I together. It's always great to be reminded that time and space don't change our friendship. J is the pimp!



ABUELITA - She's seventy-something young and we are so blessed to be celebrating with her. She was the life of the party as always, we won't go into her source!!! :) There's nothing like time with family. She swears she loves cards - but let me let you in on a little secret, the gift that belongs to the card she is reading - it was already opened!!



THE TOOTH - NINE MONTHS & ONE WEEK he finally gets a tooth. Sort of... You can see the very tip and you can feel how sharp that sucker is!! Here we go - I was beginning to think they were never going to show up. Considering I can't get a clear photo of it, here are some other shots to celebrate Jackson.

Tagged!

Six Things That Make Me Happy

1- Jena may say this belongs in the "strange things" category, but I would have to say sundays because I get to spend so much relaxed time with Andrew and Jackson!
2- Sushi - especially Spicy Tuna
3- The beach can put me in a good mood any time.
4- Walking - especially on the beach.
5- Watching some of my favorite shows.
6- Reading a GOOD book.

Six Strange Things About Me

1- I can't stand the touch of cotton balls - I have chills forming now as I think about it.
2- I like to have things even... if I am bored in the car (or maybe not bored) I look at things such as signs to make sure there is an even number of letters or numbers or even symbols. If there isn't, I find a way to make sure it is.
3- I love cracking my ankles.
4- I am never without a camera.
5- I have to have the sheets just right when I go to bed.
6- You tell me!!!!

Considering they have not yet done it, I tag Dayna and Ash as well as Lorena, Shay and Paige.

Andrew's Project

So this is what my mom keeps calling the house on Second St. in Acton, California. Yesterday we picked up the keys and we are now officially flippers. I guess we were just inspired by the Wise's experience :)

This has been a dream of Andrew's for years and so he's pretty excited. I am excited and nervous and in a few weeks I am sure I will have some new choice words to describe our emotions!! We will be added about 1,000 sq. ft. and re-structuring the existing house. There will be a lot of hours put into this so it will be interesting.

Backyard with the beginning of the addition

Front yard going to the backyard.

They may be taking this pool - I hope so.

Shed and crap.

This gate will be removed and I think Andrew is planning on a circular driveway. Also that porch will be destroyed.

The now livingroom soon to be bedroom I think.

This room will become a large family room and kitchen.

uhh.... I don't know!

Front yard again.

Wedding Extravaganza

Around 4:30p.m. Tuesday evening, we headed out the door to LAX. This was the beginning of our journey to Utah. All went well with our little Disneyland stroller and rolling suit cases until we were DENIED. Our flight was no longer scheduled to leave at 7:45p.m.! So we decided to get a bite to eat at CPK To Go and Andrew went to check out how long our delay would be. He came running back and told me to gather all our stuff. So off we were to catch a flight to Vegas leaving in 15 minutes.

A SUCCESS! No complaints. Jackson DOWNED more milk as we took off and landed, and he loved petting the guy sitting next to us, but it went well.

Off the plane in Vegas we ran to the other flight, only too see a VERY LONG LINE. We weren't the only ones trying to get to Utah in a hurry. Denied once again and off to another flight leaving approx. one half hour later. While we were figuring this all out, Andrew decided to walk Jackson around to try to put him to sleep. Nothing like a SCREAMING baby for an hour straight. We have NEVER experienced this with Jackson before but he was NOT happy. The flight was delayed and I think we were in Vegas for a total of two hours, I wasn't able to keep track real well considering I was sitting in and out of a bathroom trying to calm down my screaming child. He was so exhausted, his eyes were shut, but he was hysterical. After about an hour of different positions, I craddled him and took off his shoes - he was out. So the question remains, "What if I had taken off his shoes an hour ago?" About a hlaf hour after this, we boarded and were off to Salt Lake City.

1:30a.m. we finally arrive in SLC. Now we go to rent our car and we stand in line there for about a half hour. Jackson was SO good!!! Denny's and blowing up a T.V. - all that was canceled, instead we drove to my dad's hotel in SLC and slept.
For the FIRST TIME EVER, Jackson was sleeping in, but we had to get up because we were scheduled to meet the Anderson's for breakfast at 8a.m. in Provo. We woke up our little angel and headed out at about 7:45a.m.

Breakfast was good, Paige and I went somewhere else to get normal french toast and everyone else had BIG FAT CINNAMON french toast - YUCK! From here on out things went really well. Although our days were packed, we had a lot of fun with everyone.

The wedding was amazing. We were so happy for them because you just see how well they work together. It was a joyous occassion.

After the wedding, Wes and Paige took off and we got the chance to hang out with Andrew's siblings and their spouses last into the evening. It was nice to be able to do that considering we are all too busy these days.

Friday we were off to another adventure in Brianhead, UT. Andrew did well snowboarding and Ben did well popping out his knee :( Jackson was a trooper through it all because I think he knew in the end he would be able to spend time swimming. That boy LOVES to swim.

We got home yesterday around 9:30p.m. and I have to say, it was a wonderful week. The only downfall is we weren't able to see the Sorenson's!!!! :(

Chewing Habits

We have a question... When you chew your food, do you chew on both sides simultaneously? OR... do you chew on one side and rotate between bites? I am especially curious to hear what Lorena says! More on this later.

In other news, life is chaotic but good. My Abuelito had three stints put in this week and that was shocking. He is recovering and we can't wait to see him on the tennis court again. Well, I probabaly won't see him, but I can't wait to hear he's out there again.

Jackson has been hanging out, not much new there. We will know more the end of this month after his 9 month check-up. We are all heading out to UTAH this week for Wes and Paige's wedding. We are SO excited but a little nervous to have Jackson on the plane. ESPECIALLY with all I have heard regarding RSV. Ahhhh!

To Ash and the rest of you!

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.

"How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
"How old are you?" "I'm gonna be 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!! But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed? You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.. You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92." Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again.. "I'm 100 and a half!"
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!! HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them " 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. 3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's. 4.. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. 6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. 8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is. 10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
ALWAYS:
Take every opportunity to spend time with your family. Celebrations are the greatest moments to share with your family. Don't let funerals be the only occasion you feel the need to be close to your family. And don't let the obstacles of everyday life keep you from being with your family. Life is about living in the best moments you can embrace. Embrace them all.
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

He's closer to 30 than I!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aaron Wise!!! I hope you are enjoying your MEAL at BJ's. Yummmm!! A bazooki sounds so good right now. I hope you got the ginormous package I sent you - tons of mola in there!! It should have gotten there last week so if it didn't, I would assume it's lost. What a bummer :) Anyway, hope you had a wonderful day!!!

24Hr. Fitness Brilliance & Other Thoughts!

Have you seen the commercial.... the one where they say, "No one says, 'I wish I didn't got to the gym today.'" How TRUE it is. I was thinking about it today when I was walking... it's not something I do as often as I should. I was tired, and I had just started, but about an hour later, I felt SO good!!! I always make the resolution, "I am going to do this everyday!" Rarely do I follow through :(

My other thought, which leads to another, is that I REALLY don't think you should be allowed to have your license at the age of 16!!! I am so tired of teenage drivers I can't even express it. They frustrate me beyond belief. And then I was thinking, why do they have all this freedom and control, they don't even have the legal rights to drink. Why did I focus on this aspect of the legal matters? Because so many of my students argue that we should be allowed to drink at 18 because we are legally adults. And that got me annoyed too, because why are we "adults" at the age of 18?? Our brains are not yet developed all the way and yet an 18 year old is considered an "adult". Why can we get married in such a state?

Really these thoughts just kept going around and around in my head and I doubt they even make sense.