tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60924782414544482172024-03-05T23:06:01.703-08:00Keeping Up With the J'sA place for family and friends to keep up with us.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.comBlogger180125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-21351132203500261782011-11-11T14:25:00.000-08:002011-11-11T14:29:40.656-08:00Just for that activationI realized that when I do go check out a few blogs, it still signs me in tied to this blog, so I guess I should use this every once and awhile still. <br /><br />The 2 younger kids have been doing good in school. The Boy made the Principal's Honor roll and middle child almost made the honor roll, so her teacher told her--or she tells us. I'll buy it. She had a harder time with academics while homeschooling, I can't imagine it being easier when thrown into a public school system. But both of them are doing well overall. No behavior problems, which is wonderful. <br /><br />I was tempted to take them out and start homeschooling at Christmas, but I think they will finish the entire year in school. This will give me two more solid trimesters finished at my school. Then I will decide whether they go back to public school or not.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-73461019862578087672011-06-22T22:20:00.000-07:002011-06-22T22:23:59.104-07:00Wow!This place is still around, even though I'm really not anymore. Must update to keep slightly active. So here is the update--the kids are not so stupid after all. (not that I ever thought that at all.) <br /><br />Oldest tested post high school on her 6th grade test.<br />Middle tested 6th grade on her 4th grade test. (First real test she's taken.)<br />Youngest was in kindergarten. I'm not testing kindergarten.<br /><br />Thank goodness the kids got some brains from somewhere. Maybe it's in the hormones of all the dairy and meat products I keep stuffing in their faces.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-76918411441448816392011-05-29T22:55:00.000-07:002011-05-29T22:56:35.004-07:00must postI keep forgetting that if I don't post anything over here, this link kind of goes bad.<br /><br />School is still insane. <br /><br />Thinking of putting the two younger kids into public school this year, maybe next year again for the youngest. Hate these big decisions.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-71580158511629338172011-03-02T21:50:00.000-08:002011-03-02T23:00:35.798-08:00Musical InsomniaWide awake again, with the inability to sleep...as my music is shuffling around, I realized that a ton of Prince kept coming up--and mostly from Purple Rain. First thought was of all my Prince fanatic friends. Then I remembered I got the Purple Rain soundtrack from my parents with my Walkman for my 10th birthday back in 1984. Yes, Purple Rain, the album that had songs that a 10 year old really shouldn't be listening to, such as "Darling Nikki" (if you don't know--YouTube it). I think parental advisory stickers came out soon after that. <br /><br />I loved that cassette and my walkman and probably still know every word to that album. (I didn't have the ability to copy the radio songs to cassette to increase my variety of music for at least a few more months.) This all brought me to think of my daughter, who just turned 10 yesterday, who also enjoys music that is inappropriate for a 10 year old. I do my best to censor what she listens to, but then remember that even with a song as explicit as "Darling Nikki", I still didn't really have much of a clue of what I was singing along to. It's a fine line I know, because I'm sure she is probably less oblivious than I was at at that age. And on that note, I found out tonight that the 10 year old is who told her older sister about the "F" word. I think it's pretty good they got to this age without really knowing it, and also kind of cracks me up that my middle child had to inform the older child. Doesn't it usually happen the other way?<br /><br />I'll continue to do what I feel is best, hopefully I get close enough to doing a good enough job. <br /><br />And the first cassette I bought with my own money was The Eurythmics---Be Yourself Tonight! Loved that one too!!! Which was just a beginning of a journey of music, many, many mixed tapes. I received a record player a few years later. Then I started to search the local record stores finding great albums. Well, maybe the music wasn't all great, but I loved it then!J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-16297047359235671222011-02-27T12:51:00.001-08:002011-02-27T12:54:05.155-08:00Pre-ReqsPre-reqs are almost all finished. Over half way through this session of school, then in August I get to start health assessments. I can't wait to be finished with this part and move on the the real guts of nursing school. Actually ready to just move on to a real job--but I'll take this next step---I'm ready to be done.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-10260490241632972112010-12-13T21:49:00.000-08:002010-12-13T21:51:50.477-08:00Blowing Off SteamInteresting when you get a bit of the stuff off your chest---sometimes things pop up that you thought you had hidden quite well, even from yourself.<br /><br />Hoping I pay attention to my wake-up call!J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-82436951736792474712010-10-16T19:52:00.000-07:002010-10-16T20:08:07.502-07:00Stating the ObviousApparently, if you don't update--your blog goes stale and stagnant. Your link kind of dies. There is most likely another blog that I posted earlier about this, seeing it's not the first time I've taken a LONG break with my blog.<br /><br />I've been thinking a lot lately on how I started this blog to keep family and friends up to date on the family. But now the older kids can both call and text people whenever and have their own Facebook---so they are old enough to keep in contact now. And most people are also on Facebook---so my status updates keep you up-to-date.<br /><br />What I am feeling I am needing from blogging is a place to go shout and scream and blow off some steam.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-52740552963787936512010-10-14T07:42:00.000-07:002010-10-14T07:52:49.603-07:003 Years!I did make it three years some place. In my entire life, I had never lived a place up to three years before. When I hit the three years here, I expected to have the moving itch everyone talks about, but I felt no itch. I even told Cullen NOT to apply for a job opening he had in Italy. Two more months pass and I started having the itch, I was even mad at myself for telling Cullen not to apply to the job in Italy. I was thinking about all the awesome opportunities I had living overseas and being able to offer something similar to my kids. I am okay staying here. I really want to make it through nursing school, so I am here for at least another 2-3 years regardless.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-70529664435380344752010-09-10T22:19:00.000-07:002010-09-10T22:27:45.180-07:00Extreme Home Makeover for Wilson FamilyI am just trying to give another shout out to the Wilson Family. They recently lost their husband/Dad in a tragic car accident. They also have had many other trials in life with all 5 children popping up on the autistic spectrum. Lynette (mother/wife)has always been such an example to me on how to handle one's self in different trials in life. She is still a shining example. I know we have had distance because we continued on moving after Army service and they continued too, but as an active duty Army family, but I still love her and her family so much. <br /><br />I just wanted to let you know they have a page going trying to help them get on Extreme Family Makeover. All you have to do is go to Facebook and search Extreme Wilson Makeover and like it. You can leave a comment too, if you want. <br /><br />Thank you so much for doing this!J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-57739776000111049152010-08-23T11:21:00.000-07:002010-08-23T11:24:25.912-07:00Learning<span style="font-weight:bold;">It Is My Responsibility to Learn</span><br /><br />My parents are responsible for teaching me how to learn.<br />It is my responsibility to learn.<br />My parents can provide me with opportunities to learn.<br />It is my responsibility to learn.<br />My parent's instruction will guide me towards learning.<br />It is my responsibility to learn.<br />Knowledge is power and learning is freedom.<br />It is my responsibility to learn.<br />An excellent education is at my grasp.<br />It is my responsibility to learn.<br />I will embrace and take hold of my future for...<br />It is my responsibility to learn.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-84879388236256885902010-06-10T07:25:00.000-07:002010-06-10T07:35:36.451-07:00MoviesGabriel has been "making movies" while he has been playing for the last year, if not longer. He used to get very frustrated, because he would be playing with his action figures and I'd call him downstairs and he said he couldn't, he was in the middle of his movie. Or if you walked in the room while he was making his movie you would be disturbing his movie. Then I told him he could pause his movies---that made a big difference on everything. <br /><br />The last couple of days he has been telling me about one of his movies. He wants to make a movie with people and toys. He told me that he needs a camera man and some actors and they need some lines. He said their lines need to be in their brain. He has told me about the costumes. He needs a movie factory so that he can make his DVD for everyone to buy, in all the stores. There will be a game on the movie too. He recently told me I would need to paint the house for the movie too. He's actually told me about some of the characters and scenes he has planned. It's pretty amazing.<br /><br />I just love his young imagination. Thought I'd share so you could enjoy too!<br /><br />I guess all the TV watching and video gaming is paying off:)J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-68219092169879113192010-05-26T22:04:00.001-07:002010-05-26T22:39:59.527-07:002nd PlaceVictoria won 2nd place in a local talent show a few weeks ago. I had planned on learning how to make the video a little nicer (get rid of the dead silence at the beginning and add some things--title and all to it). Since I really don't have time for all of that I'm going to share what I have. I'll learn the video software later.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx19Mfwu6-IDOgzykZAFBiiNXlZTTIG1F7ANNizH6rnrQLNxYNUUffKd4Vm7Vq5XZl4UdSPIPG7S62egP9sWg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-7883929514548797792010-05-26T00:13:00.000-07:002010-05-26T00:13:30.843-07:00My Firstborn<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It's amazing to realize that 11 years have passed since I gave birth to my first child. We went through quite a few years thinking we might never have children, then were pleasantly blessed with a baby girl. She has been such a blessing in our lives in so many ways.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Here are some random pictures of her past years.</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4snCQhFkvw11gqm9wnqNowytzKE9I7Pg3bcxE6c0A0vwIK3XbwfoyCeKlZ3W63cuef9C8-_hJixLxEc7G9H8_oOGTpLQGKMdPEWHF9tk0jaduZZAbmLQZ-RAU0smg0vyoOUEq3aQ-0mQ/s1600/tori20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4snCQhFkvw11gqm9wnqNowytzKE9I7Pg3bcxE6c0A0vwIK3XbwfoyCeKlZ3W63cuef9C8-_hJixLxEc7G9H8_oOGTpLQGKMdPEWHF9tk0jaduZZAbmLQZ-RAU0smg0vyoOUEq3aQ-0mQ/s320/tori20.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhySM7yTIJUVm-oETOt1jZ11Vl6sLWcrYLMNmbgjmreIm-3PtrLrlbc1gJjB03JM6UIMRDHSXeVI3o1CHinX6WISmOCsV7WIQidUegW1sxqsGMiheIUttynE3zT6r3yNhR0LWd9pGNAw/s1600/tori2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUhySM7yTIJUVm-oETOt1jZ11Vl6sLWcrYLMNmbgjmreIm-3PtrLrlbc1gJjB03JM6UIMRDHSXeVI3o1CHinX6WISmOCsV7WIQidUegW1sxqsGMiheIUttynE3zT6r3yNhR0LWd9pGNAw/s320/tori2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7xOiUCq61gPq5Bc3AzcVEOFc_QvT4WeDKyFE_uhHeIs59FEJjbC-w3EaHl9Ig67FR2bAT3z0p_xa5O2nYjxhtb85HWN21rSsxE-PMkfWlTpSz0MBstdnxhSaBhwSmAvVBsbB5BHjTZk/s1600/tori4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7xOiUCq61gPq5Bc3AzcVEOFc_QvT4WeDKyFE_uhHeIs59FEJjbC-w3EaHl9Ig67FR2bAT3z0p_xa5O2nYjxhtb85HWN21rSsxE-PMkfWlTpSz0MBstdnxhSaBhwSmAvVBsbB5BHjTZk/s320/tori4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyMf_uLsn8pUPWsFSDe5WLe2iq8WlDHBpEV48SGfvTLsFYLra_m7TXJD3jp7gywA8OXXosHi7NzcpAXNrZ-lDDZQLvutdfxHrkkTfFyu5kJIsziNc8fdZuFvvmPS_pnCYyaIS9wuHPzw/s1600/tori5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyMf_uLsn8pUPWsFSDe5WLe2iq8WlDHBpEV48SGfvTLsFYLra_m7TXJD3jp7gywA8OXXosHi7NzcpAXNrZ-lDDZQLvutdfxHrkkTfFyu5kJIsziNc8fdZuFvvmPS_pnCYyaIS9wuHPzw/s320/tori5.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfWoG2DflGapKlmzPjp34aUztzWgsX1mBYe9iVZIEldAZ3jQSPfUQgrnWoMZvPL8m87SJ4dyuTHvVXgb892oxp5btTuVJkXyABowusgd-L8RCjpSwba2DLrYKR57RT5EtuYbBfhKyx3M/s1600/tori6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfWoG2DflGapKlmzPjp34aUztzWgsX1mBYe9iVZIEldAZ3jQSPfUQgrnWoMZvPL8m87SJ4dyuTHvVXgb892oxp5btTuVJkXyABowusgd-L8RCjpSwba2DLrYKR57RT5EtuYbBfhKyx3M/s320/tori6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkh_W2b03f6aT4Jzh0NnPQ2O59KuRv-VjgWcIH_VCJijHUWIXcXqr_OwniZ-FmwI60IzmysMDOPtpspAh3MG1CTL3c6H1Pbx0oSLombJ7kHL1KDlO_ZeJHBI367z4RUq6Y57TJGBQ4oU/s1600/tori8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkh_W2b03f6aT4Jzh0NnPQ2O59KuRv-VjgWcIH_VCJijHUWIXcXqr_OwniZ-FmwI60IzmysMDOPtpspAh3MG1CTL3c6H1Pbx0oSLombJ7kHL1KDlO_ZeJHBI367z4RUq6Y57TJGBQ4oU/s320/tori8.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN7EwO8Ctqo3uSU8JXUbt-DKqY2wVJeL_ElPOF-j_7Poy8PikH_RiCfVpHujRApaux52lK2rkZGFcK8s0hhCgB9kPntIfl4W23iOL2ML5fGlhivGDgBihnU9_PShU3c0uzbAraedNpn0/s1600/tori9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEN7EwO8Ctqo3uSU8JXUbt-DKqY2wVJeL_ElPOF-j_7Poy8PikH_RiCfVpHujRApaux52lK2rkZGFcK8s0hhCgB9kPntIfl4W23iOL2ML5fGlhivGDgBihnU9_PShU3c0uzbAraedNpn0/s320/tori9.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JoMFW4NO6Ip5xLhLPwFcuCjCmQvuiM9PWx2j9X-QZQzZWG6NJkFGZVVpj3TO0-gWoU84R7zJbxBIkT7b7-jWfOneN9qPuAWVnsuo-8U_4o46HeEqhgV9-Q88fVug6mABcsuyjuSZEn0/s1600/tori10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JoMFW4NO6Ip5xLhLPwFcuCjCmQvuiM9PWx2j9X-QZQzZWG6NJkFGZVVpj3TO0-gWoU84R7zJbxBIkT7b7-jWfOneN9qPuAWVnsuo-8U_4o46HeEqhgV9-Q88fVug6mABcsuyjuSZEn0/s320/tori10.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR1Lp79UFozvLhiWKAGCCIiIRujyzPMm2xvBSR9loj0bK2XdjZGOg__pLjE-9Nn8MD5hR0b9QFnPHdprVQcehOsplDOvdlyKJDN2TebqtrYh15PhweO18uLWi0txVnZVNZCpML1crF40/s1600/tori11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFR1Lp79UFozvLhiWKAGCCIiIRujyzPMm2xvBSR9loj0bK2XdjZGOg__pLjE-9Nn8MD5hR0b9QFnPHdprVQcehOsplDOvdlyKJDN2TebqtrYh15PhweO18uLWi0txVnZVNZCpML1crF40/s320/tori11.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaLFNKnmsXJ3A9jLQiMTliyzTG-V2QhuXnvpBuO5rD35gWTbRwm-UefMv3OcRRnZb2QsLikpGvE3iMsxSQIBIhQ0Vbfy5qworRrshCfTsgpy-c0bc95EqfI2pbBTb_a02ntFZv3hbY4I/s1600/tori12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaLFNKnmsXJ3A9jLQiMTliyzTG-V2QhuXnvpBuO5rD35gWTbRwm-UefMv3OcRRnZb2QsLikpGvE3iMsxSQIBIhQ0Vbfy5qworRrshCfTsgpy-c0bc95EqfI2pbBTb_a02ntFZv3hbY4I/s320/tori12.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7z4Ga_-72nzEOm9hFgNM3u5x9OsI48NpXDp6v_6Rn8mU0BsFVlcUaBdaQMwRi-bNsYtvpyInNHsbjRvwK19MmZYkNOaydhHrZ1-AfWShGQKiPPzqB8mtWXLql10aV5izN2ch12r9GyQ/s1600/tori14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7z4Ga_-72nzEOm9hFgNM3u5x9OsI48NpXDp6v_6Rn8mU0BsFVlcUaBdaQMwRi-bNsYtvpyInNHsbjRvwK19MmZYkNOaydhHrZ1-AfWShGQKiPPzqB8mtWXLql10aV5izN2ch12r9GyQ/s320/tori14.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oHJxZs1v_9-u8OSQXOvlt46sOeuBPSVO_31oks7YLjBjeR-qRtEcP4asHmfWmCNNoRSzYLj_KZwkQtPmgJHQb4j_AT-2ENFvcTs1RCHPF3tDpxV9PaowrNSyuE049py7RgDj8wULFtQ/s1600/tori15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oHJxZs1v_9-u8OSQXOvlt46sOeuBPSVO_31oks7YLjBjeR-qRtEcP4asHmfWmCNNoRSzYLj_KZwkQtPmgJHQb4j_AT-2ENFvcTs1RCHPF3tDpxV9PaowrNSyuE049py7RgDj8wULFtQ/s320/tori15.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg384l3hzNA88ppD6v8E3trlVmMwXqVjPnuNQGO6msRrxaSHY3r9ovl6n-uxvNoRgIhE8LZAtHwZdpc0dsBe1BRvqqNRXaGIO0SjNzvbv-bzuCTvvAQoqrqWIjoS957OlpxuJbmRlDamgE/s1600/tori16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg384l3hzNA88ppD6v8E3trlVmMwXqVjPnuNQGO6msRrxaSHY3r9ovl6n-uxvNoRgIhE8LZAtHwZdpc0dsBe1BRvqqNRXaGIO0SjNzvbv-bzuCTvvAQoqrqWIjoS957OlpxuJbmRlDamgE/s320/tori16.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRylQQlWaovhIgT2C49B9uP_O6RgXGzVYoM7qpm5q-0vHIB55fqkmR19RXP13L_wJoNSeyt6U6Ixv-B4IR-0-DMoCw5kV6VFRyZbZitVoMvOEkA2slXnhC4eNKsuIJhUly9WqhIFweXc/s1600/tori17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRylQQlWaovhIgT2C49B9uP_O6RgXGzVYoM7qpm5q-0vHIB55fqkmR19RXP13L_wJoNSeyt6U6Ixv-B4IR-0-DMoCw5kV6VFRyZbZitVoMvOEkA2slXnhC4eNKsuIJhUly9WqhIFweXc/s320/tori17.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ZaEUrVnYbKMVU8VcMskfkotVqc_brEgoAhTjQBosmuCrBgW55r3p75Z44xZQo9bsPzgeba8nLs-Z7kYFuTFx0pbBlezQZBwYsTnGrPgVhRUlB51ROb9vFF127GIK96JhDnw-exuyx0/s1600/tori18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2ZaEUrVnYbKMVU8VcMskfkotVqc_brEgoAhTjQBosmuCrBgW55r3p75Z44xZQo9bsPzgeba8nLs-Z7kYFuTFx0pbBlezQZBwYsTnGrPgVhRUlB51ROb9vFF127GIK96JhDnw-exuyx0/s320/tori18.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uC6TQG0EO5XazZRIVm1Saiy6dS2KgTkkrmzJ07F9AB_SVxqbj802D-dDzTz3lXsc4EZr7FRnwudvDLGrVDwPtyi4Su3uu1H45Kkj_CKnoxUpk9sjNLspbnqD0N9kYshMTonU3YNyMHo/s1600/tori19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uC6TQG0EO5XazZRIVm1Saiy6dS2KgTkkrmzJ07F9AB_SVxqbj802D-dDzTz3lXsc4EZr7FRnwudvDLGrVDwPtyi4Su3uu1H45Kkj_CKnoxUpk9sjNLspbnqD0N9kYshMTonU3YNyMHo/s320/tori19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDhDTBN7uH2b5_sW_l7PS9_O66SIWYzZZiAWgEbemZGPk-0iWq3J68uWi2Wjp9AVzHx_uoWsqCSovCHIUYJWkuNyBz5eOjHo_TqfGHRWZhho5kvVvWHt1tzqXkUO-nEC6BTxKIh0Wimk/s1600/tori3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDhDTBN7uH2b5_sW_l7PS9_O66SIWYzZZiAWgEbemZGPk-0iWq3J68uWi2Wjp9AVzHx_uoWsqCSovCHIUYJWkuNyBz5eOjHo_TqfGHRWZhho5kvVvWHt1tzqXkUO-nEC6BTxKIh0Wimk/s320/tori3.jpg" /></a></div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-90358077187007313542010-05-18T20:25:00.000-07:002010-05-18T20:25:37.802-07:00Finally Got Rid of the JunkIt took me awhile, but I finally got rid of all the crazy spam that started popping up on my post. In the process I lost all the family and friend comments too. <br />
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I did say a lot of I there, when the only action I did was get Cullen to do it. He cleaned it up and I'm ready to start this up again! <br />
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No promises for regularity, but here again.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-42087460046412833532010-04-04T13:51:00.001-07:002010-04-22T22:00:36.414-07:00Spam & Spamburger SandwichesLooks like I have got some more spam coming to my blog now. I guess that's what happens while I've been away. Things have been quite busy and I have not taken the time to come around here for awhile. Now I come here and realize that there has been a ton of activity--mostly spamming activity. Fun! Fun! Fun!<div><br /></div><div>All this talk of spam makes me remember a sandwich from my childhood--The Spamburger. No, it's probably not what you are thinking--not just a friend up piece of Spam. My parents would grate the spam, yep grated spam. Then grated cheddar cheese. Cut up a couple of boiled eggs. Then mix it all up to make a spam salad kind of mixture with mayo (most likely Miracle Whip), mustard, and relish. Then slab some of that mixture on one side of a bun. More cheddar cheese on the other side of the bun--then broil and let it get nice and bubbly.</div><div><br /></div><div>These actually were quite good. I've made them a couple of times as an adult. I don't think I have introduced my kids to them yet. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know I've got to clean up my Spam. </div><div><br /></div><div>This trimester is almost over! Woohoo!</div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-9320468173431804542010-03-01T21:54:00.000-08:002010-03-01T21:56:36.873-08:00Paper ObsessionWhy do I feel I need more paper? I have no clue, but I love it. I love the feel of it. I love shiny, shimmery, great patterned paper. So what would be better than getting great paper---free great paper. <div><br /></div><div>A give-away going on at the following blog.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/">http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Go check it out!</div><div><br /></div><div>Great ideas too!</div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-12402966237474154442010-01-21T12:51:00.000-08:002010-01-21T13:03:59.711-08:00SchoolI was accepted into nursing school in Nov 2009. I'm in a nights and weekends program. So our household just got a little busier. I have been loving school. I have always loved school, I am really happy to be back again. It feels like something that was missing out of my life. I have to get back into the swing of studying and juggling home school along with nursing school, but it's coming along. Oh, everything about school, but writing papers. I still hate that!<div><br /></div><div>This does mean that Cullen is almost finished with his Master's degree! He finishes this summer! </div><div>Did I mention our household was quite busy? I'm seriously thinking about hiring someone to clean my house.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cullen has taken over taking the girls to all of their evening activities. The girls are in cheer leading. 2nd child just made team in gymnastics. Oldest is still doing horseback riding, but not as much in the winter and that's usually during the day. The girls also are taking an art class, in American Girl club and Bobo just signed up for a music class. I got tired just writing all of that. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-57971108928359019282009-11-16T20:26:00.000-08:002009-11-16T20:32:47.885-08:00HolidaysI'm excited for the upcoming holidays. We are going to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving at my house with family coming here. This would be the first time ever this has happened. I have spent a couple of Thanksgivings home before and I have also done the whole spread before, which I love cooking for Thanksgiving, but family has never come to my house for the holidays. One of my in-laws last visits, we had a mini-Thanksgiving meal, because I love cooking it so much--it was no where close to autumn. <div><br /></div><div>I'm excited about Thanksgiving!</div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-945395557822863662009-11-11T18:54:00.000-08:002009-11-11T19:00:03.972-08:00Funny BoboMy children have recently all been kind of bad about not using soap when they bathe lately. It's like if they get wet--they have magically been clean. So as Bobo got into his bath tonight, I holler back at him, "Make sure to rub soap all over your body!" Then seconds later I hear him singing--I'm rubbing my peanut, I'm rubbing my peanut. (You probably can guess what he calls his peanut.) It was hard not to burst out laughing.J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-50931246704534727762009-11-08T15:43:00.000-08:002009-11-08T15:57:49.116-08:00Beginning to ReadBobo started reading this past week. He read his first book, containing 8 pages with few words. We are so proud of him. He read his second little 8 page book the next day. This was just enough to spark my love for home schooling all over again. <div><br /></div><div>I started recently trying to decide what was best for my kids in the upcoming year. I'm guessing I'm in nursing school and I know I'll be extremely busy. I never wanted to be the parent that was so blind sided by one opinion, that I wouldn't be open to other options. I know many parents that would never even debate the idea of public school or home schooling for their kids. </div><div><br /></div><div>I know soon after I started home schooling I got a big head about it and about how I was doing so much better than the public school system. I almost jumped on that "I'd Never Send My Kid to Public School" band wagon. I have also seen the opposite spectrum, which is, I hope I'm not ruining them. I realized I needed to figure out what was best for my kids and at one point it might be public school or private school, but right now we'll continue to home school.</div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-82624939802523583112009-11-03T09:42:00.000-08:002009-11-03T09:48:06.110-08:00Not organizedI know I'm not organized. Everyone who has gotten to know me, knows this is a huge challenge for me. I'm trying to get the house in better working order before I start school. (I'm still waiting to find out if I'm in, but I'm thinking as if I am in.) Trying to get the garage together. Get the kids rooms more situated along with the school room and all my scrap book stuff. I wish I could just hire someone to come put it all together for me. I'm pretty good once everything has a place. I just stink at finding a place for things to belong.<div><br /></div><div>The kids helped me make a bookshelf today for the room we are changing into the school room. Bobo had such a natural hand at the cordless drill and the hammer. I think he might work the hammer better than I do. </div><div><br /></div><div>The missionaries helped by bringing my ginormous desk downstairs. Now I need to get it all rearranged again. </div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-68520737487551501542009-10-28T14:09:00.001-07:002009-10-28T14:26:09.505-07:00Good Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMwjrI6n2gAo7aJ9_v02tDiMmgvL2npdWgQFaDsK_HtkbEMMhrdhy-IrdNK-zCUULtQKmYD08JpeBDqY29QrtrBHR4xTt5xlxhMgDye_Gen68geu3jNWwcPEiMo8OqkApfz3zt2wYy-4/s1600-h/100_2033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMwjrI6n2gAo7aJ9_v02tDiMmgvL2npdWgQFaDsK_HtkbEMMhrdhy-IrdNK-zCUULtQKmYD08JpeBDqY29QrtrBHR4xTt5xlxhMgDye_Gen68geu3jNWwcPEiMo8OqkApfz3zt2wYy-4/s200/100_2033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397764090091375426" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Today has been quite productive.<div>I had been having some challenges getting into the swing of things with school. A <a href="http://eisforerwin.blogspot.com/">friend</a> of mine showed me the 1st Language Lessons she was using. I tried it with my kids and they have fallen in love with it. They are always asking to do more, they want to start school with it everyday, they want to do extra school on Saturday, just to do this curriculum. They asked if we had any other subjects in this and I happened to have the history by the same person hanging out on my bookshelf. So we started it also, they are loving that too.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>They are studying ancient history now. They made cave paintings to go along with what they learned about archeology this week. They made game bags. They were supposed to be made out of animal print, since they used to be made out of animal skin, but we used the material we had hanging around the house. The girls sewed their own bags, a great projects for beginning seamstresses. The kids have had a blast talking about the things people used to eat and only one of my three kids thought they might try lizard stew. </div><div><br /></div><div>We also learned about Halloween and decorated some things Halloween. We didn't get as many chores in today, but we got our whole spectrum of school and more. It was a fun day. </div><div><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qTSCTtF4Op5J1155suw-rEypyWizSU8L1F6YqMhoN8slR1qud_cP_iU9pwNPNVpyQTNEfXb3-KPFukfHsrMvqG0jfhuzTDbLEi1jIK1xHYjv9OY640U3NBotW3SBMywmaRVFQVSdKsc/s200/100_2030.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397762712935591218" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-mHZvgi5uEUInI3utTPAkw-OgMgxgTkOjn7a3k4oQL3Q8pDFd2tPbtWt2rxzZRv4DLXWcUwBF0GZphLIvO4WfC6Ib05ppWf5QKWH9r9H7bbDJdudfTuG6rM4M2Q0oKRAXm5ffsJcb9c/s200/100_2029.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397762139556336322" /></div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-60414252198147581512009-10-27T22:19:00.000-07:002009-10-27T22:23:23.511-07:00Pretty SadIt is sad when you go to log into your blog and you aren't quite sure what the password is, let alone your own blog's address. <div><br /></div><div>Maybe this is a hint that I should be hanging around here a little more and actually blogging.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully I'll get the hint and be back here---I found the blog and my password---so all is not lost here------yet!</div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-61340725967458469062009-08-20T08:15:00.000-07:002009-08-20T09:14:38.174-07:00Recent EventsThis past Friday I was at my friend's house. It was the first Beauty Control party that I've ever attended. My friend had got Sushi and some Thai food, some of the best food! I had set aside this "me" time and was looking forward to spending time with some friends all week. <div><br /></div><div>While I plated up my food. I heard my text notification noise go off a few times. My first thoughts were just to ignore them and check them later. Then a couple more went off. I decided to go ahead and check them. One of the messages was from Cullen. He said my sister, Randi had called earlier and that he thought she might need a phone call. Normally I would have waited until my drive home to call her back, but I just felt like I should call. I went ahead and gave her a call. She wondered why I was calling while I was having my "girl" time, I told her that Cullen thought she didn't sound great. She said that she had been trying hard to hide it from Cullen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I could really hear the hurt in her voice. She said she would go ahead and talk one last time, to say goodbye and for me not to be mad at her. I stood there in shock for a second, Randi is bipolar and has been in and out of suicide watch over the last four months. She has been working with a doctor, but none of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">meds</span> have been working that she has tried.</div><div><br /></div><div>I begged her not to do anything, I tried to talk to her, but she was determined on her actions and didn't want to talk about it. I could tell she was serious. The tears were just flowing and I was shaking. On the other line I could hear Randi <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hyperventilating</span> and barely able to breathe. Then I remembered my friend that was hosting the show was a social worker. I went and pulled her aside of her party. She came back and helped me so much. She coached me on what to say. She asked me to ask Randi, if she could promise on not taking any actions tonight, to just wait at least until <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tomorrow</span>. Randi refused this, she was done. One of the questions was did she have a plan already. Randi's response was, no, I'm not going to let you know my plan. Finally I was coached to ask if she could promise to wait just one hour. She agreed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really think she thought there wasn't much I could do. I live at least 1500 miles away from her. She had just moved about 45 minutes away from everyone. Her husband was at work and doesn't usually check his own phone while at work and I didn't know where he worked. Only about 2 or 3 people even knew where she lived. I started calling everyone I could think of. I was still shaking and crying from the conversation with my sister. First was her husband's answering machine, then I sent a text to him. Then I called my Aunt, i didn't know she was at work where she couldn't have her phone, so another message to her, then a call to my Uncle, no answer from his machine, so another message left. I called my Mom, she couldn't do anything. While I was making all the phone calls, Randi was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">texting</span> me and calling me wondering what I was doing and I could tell she was mad. I finally got in touch with my Uncle on his house phone. I told him what was going on, he didn't know where she lived, but was going to try and find out. I called my sister to try and find out and her husband answered. Randi hadn't done anything yet, thank goodness. </div><div><br /></div><div>He had just happened to check his phone just in time to get the text I sent him. Come to find out, he works right around the corner from where they live. he got there. My Uncle followed and I'm guessing her husband called another friend of the family. Through the evening they decided to get her to a hospital and asked if I could come out to help. </div><div><br /></div><div>Arizona has a very weird policy of how you get admitted into a mental/behavioral facility. You have to go into an ER and wait until a bed is opened in some facility. Well, she stayed in the ER for almost 3 days, under suicide watch. No smoke breaks for her (which is a big deal for a smoker), nothing for her to do and they told her it might be another 3-4 days waiting in the ER. She opted to go home and go to her Dr. He told her to get back to the hospital. So she is back in the ER waiting for a room. This time in a better hospital, letting her have smoke breaks, they even brought in a second bed for her husband to sleep up there with her. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since I was asked to come out, and I was able to, I did. I jumped in the truck the next morning, kind of packed with the kids. I don't know how much help I am, but I'm here. </div><div><br /></div><div>A lot of my family is out here and it's been over 6 years since I was last here. Middle child turned two last time we were here. I had been wanting to make a trip out here, but this was not how I really wanted to do it. Maybe next year, I can take a real trip out here.</div><div><br /></div><div>I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">asked</span> my sister after I got here how close she was to acting on her plan when I called her. She said she was within minutes of acting. She was extremely mad at me, when I asked her to promise to wait that hour. She said she really hated me for that. Now she doesn't, but during that time she was really mad at me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I really thank the Lord for everything working out. It is amazing to me how I felt prompted to go ahead and call her, or that her husband felt prompted to check his phone, that I was right there with a social worker, who was able to help me. I couldn't have thought of the things she coached me with on my own. I am so thankful. I pray now that my sister can get the help she needs, so she can enjoy her life again!</div><div><br /></div>J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6092478241454448217.post-90466182535811195242009-07-25T13:51:00.000-07:002009-07-25T13:53:39.382-07:00Blog Candy!!Nothing like some yummy blog candy to get me blogging. Yep, a drawing for free scrap book yumminess. Go check it out <a href="http://scrapandcrap.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-candy.html">here!</a> There is some awesome stuff that is being given away!J-Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981179692516318393noreply@blogger.com0