What is the scariest word in the dictionary?

There are so many to choose from.

Silly words are easy. You don't have to think of those and they just roll off the tongue.

 (Pickle has always been one of my favorite.)

Adjectives are fun words to play with too.

 Adoreable, vivacious, creepy, illuminating.... so many!

But scary...

For me, the scariest is cancer.

so many thoughts, emotions, fears, heartache, joy, and trials come from that word

When I was young living in Sandy, Utah a little boy around the corner from my house  had Leukemia. I don't remember him ever having hair. I think he lived to be 7 or 8. Bobby was his name. What I remember most is so much sadness. But he was a remarkable little guy. He always had a smile. I will never forget him.

My Grandma had the nasty stuff. I don't think she ever fully recovered from it. It was devastating for me to watch my favorite person in the world survive through radiation and chemo. I think it made her old, not that she was ever truely old

(I would have loved to see her in that redheaded wig she talked about getting!)

My mom lost both breasts to breast cancer when I was 18. I won't go into that.

My young Women's president was diagnosed over a month ago, but she is now cancer free, but not before it left it's mark on her and those around her.

Now sweet Angie is back home with her Heavenly Father after loosing her battle with the unforgiving disease. She is my friend. We worked together a lot in church for the past four years. She made me laugh.. I love her. I miss her. I wish I could have said goodbye to her. I dont know what else to say.

 Cancer still remains to be the scariest word I know, a word, I dread I will have to deal with again.

Angie and her adorable boys!

(And yes, I lifted this picture from Facebook. Somehow, I don't think she'll mind at all)

1st grade woes

Joey comes home from school angry. He talks a mile a minute while usually stuttering his way through it. His teacher gave him a behavior calendar.  He brings home usually Ss or Ns.  He is always behind on his work. He is already 7 years old and they will not hold him back (which I don't want them to because, with any luck, he will be leaving for his mission right after he graduates)

What is a mom to do?

I pulled him out.

He was sad because this meant no more lunches, or recess, or PE.

But then we put him back with Miss Greta for first grade.

Oh my gosh! What a difference! He is so much happier.

He smiles all throughout school.

He does not stutter as much.

And he eats lunch with us!

And Mackenzie loves to have lunch with him, too!

This was a great decision!

Thank you, Miss Greta and Miss Sheri!!!

Wednesday night means mutual!

Whipped cream

pie plates

bubble gum

balloons

green speghetti noodles

pennies

rope

skateboards

blindfolds

red jello

raisins

rice

what does all of this add up to? Mutual Fear Factor. Cannot wait until tonight!

(And everything is Bishop approved! He even had a few other strange ideas!)

I just hope the girls participate.

Some will.

But I'm afraid most will cringe at the idea. Oh, well.

Gonna be a great night!  (I hope!)

Winter Formal

What a day! First of all, it was my baby brother's birthday and we had a party... just not for him.

 Zach had his first birthday party... ever. (I know, I know. I really need to work on the good parent thing.) The poor little guy's birthday is on December 28th and everyone is busy doing the family thing so we waited until the first weekend of the new year.  And that just happened to be the same day as the Winter Formal. But this is okay. Here is how both events went.

The Party:

It turned out better than I thought it would. Zach wanted to do a treasure hunt so we hid clues all over the place, inside and out. We even took advantage of our neighbors banana tree. How many people can say they have a banana tree just around the corner?  And we treated the paper the clues were on so they looked so authentic.  Britt and I had so much doing that.   Nine kids showed up and we were quite a sight running around in the front yard looking for clues.

I think it worked out pretty well.

reading a clue

The clue hidden in the banana tree. They did not find this one. We had to point it out!

Zach and his birthday cake.

 We played a few other games and they all enjoyed the WII Rock Band.  I think if we had done just that, they would have been content.  Wow! If I had known boys were this easy to entertain I would have done a party a long time ago.

The Dance:

 Cortney and Ashley went to dinner together at Red Robin and then came back to get ready. Ben decided to stick around himself, that way he wouldn't have to drive all the way home and then all the way back.  I don't think he knew exactly what he was getting himself into.

First, Brittany had to show off as only she can.  She chose to make earrings for Cortney and volunteered Ben to help. And Dani was over to see the events and she helped too. Brittany and Dani are quite a combination. (Giggles, silly comments. whispers, squealing, and then giggles all over again. Everything you would expect from tween girls!)

Meanwhile, Joey, who is almost Ben's biggest fan, did his own little showing off. He talked and talked and talked and talked and...... I really could go on.....

Then Mackenzie was not to be outdone by Joey. But the little lassie was torn between entertaining the boys or watching the girls get ready.

Josh came by a bit later and waited, as well, but he had been through the wringer a few weeks before so the kids gave him a break. I'm pretty sure he didn't mind, especially the earring-making part.

But all in all, the night was a great success. Both the girls looked great and they had a great time. Cortney came home first at 11:30 and Ashley made it home by 11:58, two minutes before her cerfew. Pretty good for her first date!

And I went to bed with an ache in my back and creaky bones!

Cortney and Josh heading off for the night.

Ashley and Ben heading off as well. Poor Ben. He spent an hour waiting for Ashley and being entertained by Joey, Mackenzie, Brittany (And Dani). Poor, poor Ben!

This picture is definitley going up on Joey's wall

And one with Ashley, so she won't feel bad, he says.

Brittany and Dani. Enough said.

strange and peculiar people

Looking through the eyes of a non-member coming to Church activities

Laura, my niece, has moved down from California. Cortney and Laura are very close and she has been dragging Laura to mutual. (Maybe dragging is too harse. She has invited her and Laura  said yes) I think it helps that I am there too, at least it makes spying a bit more easier... ooops I mean observing!:)

Laura must think we are wierd.  We start with opening exercises: opening song and prayer. Then we repeat the Young Women's theme and listen as the boys attempt to get through the Young Men's theme. Then we break into our activities.  Two days ago we did a service scavenger hunt.  I went with a different group so I did not see how she fared, but they said they had fun.  The idea must have sounded so strange to her but she went along with it anyway.

We have also been to the temple to see the lights. She enjoyed that as well. Then Ashley dragged her to the Multi Stake New Year's Dance (again I use the word drag loosely) and she went.  It was a bit hard trying to find clothes that were acceptable, us Mormons do dress very conservatively. She has a great time, even though she danced only once with a 15 year old boy (She is 19 so I think that was a bit too wierd for her.) 

We will continue to invite her and I hope she continues to say yes. Maybe someday she will be as strange and peculiar as us!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

 Oh, so many new year's resolutions.  For one, actually posting on my blog!

Christmas is over and I am hoping for a bit more time (not counting on it, though.) We went to Benson to see Debbie and her family after Christmas. Young Kolby was baptized and then we spent the day playing. We rode the quads, played in the dirt, froze our toes (yes it does get cold in Benson. Not Utah cold but very close), and had a great time visiting with each other (yes, that means we ate!)

The next morning at 2 a.m. my parents were in a car accident and totaled their truck. They are okay, though. The other car had injuries but we do not know how bad or any other information. It is enough to really put what is important into prospective. My family means a great deal to me. It is times like this that I wish we lived a little closer to each other.  This experience was much harder on Jeff and Steve, I'm afraid. They are so far away in Salt Lake. But I love the fact communication is what it is because they were informed and put at ease as much as possible (which I'm sure really isn't good enough).

Mesa High Football made it to state (which they lost but how cool they got that far!) so Winter Formal was postponed. It was the same day as the big game and was moved to next weekend, January 9th.

Ooops! Alyse too. I love you, Alyse!!!

I wonder if I was ever this bad!!!

 Cortney and Ashley are busy getting their dresses ready, talking about hair, makeup, and most importantly, shoes! I am so excited for both of them. They are both going with boys they really like. (I think this is where I REALLY will embarrass them. YES! I have waited so long!!!!)

Zachary turned 11 on Monday and is now an 11year old scout.  He has missed out on a few campouts and is looking forward to the next one. (Thank goodness girls camp in cabins and have hot running showers!)  We have made a goal to get our Ham Radio licences for scouts (and for my Dad)  in the next few months. It will be exciting to work on something together.

Cortney has been going out with her new boyfriend all Christmas break. Don't worry, she has been doubling with Austin and Jeanette. I am really happy for her. She is taking a break from volunteering at the Zoo because of Christmas and is enjoying spending time outside, which is nice because she really is a home body.  Besides, I guess I need to get used to it.

what I have been up to.....

Hi my name is Lisa. Remember me? I have been so bad at this and here is my attempt to try again!

Congradualtions to the Mesa High Marching Band who came in 1st place in the Division 3

State Marching Band Competition! They did a great job! Later that week Ashley was given two special awards: the Everyone's Best Friend Award, from the band council themselves, and the most Outstanding Sophomore from the band director. Very proud of the girl!

Congradulations to Cortney who been accepted to and was awarded in-state tuition to Utah State University! (Today is also her 18th birthday) The beginning of August, she will officially move to Salt Lake and will live with my brothers until school starts. I am so happy for her and am not thinking too much about what it will be like without her.  It's amazing how many people I know who went to USU or lived in Logan. Amazing considering I live in Arizona.

My mom was supposed to go in for surgery on Monday. She is having her hip replaced (the other one; not to be confused with the one replaced three years ago). But she has developed an infection and is waiting for it to be cleared up and rescheduled.  I quit my glamourous job of being a cafeteria lady and am planning on helping her out as much as I can.  But I have to admit, I will miss my job. 

For instance:

my nephew Josh - I can't threaten to tattle on him when he buys Doritos just to see him smile and blush.

I won't be able to tease Logan and Jaron and try to get them to smile while secretly throwing small pieces of ice in their direction (so could've gotten fired for that one)

I can't run out and give Rylee hugs at the end of lunch whenever I want (But I can during Sundays and Wednesday nights. LOVE YOUNG WOMENS)

I can't wave my arms like I am landing a plane at Shelly and Renee while they are waiting in line for her lunch hoping I will stop but secretly wishing I don't.

I cannot try to convince Brandon how playing in the marching band is so much better than sitting on the football bench hoping to be able to play. (Well, he is in my stake so I am sure I will still have plenty of time to be a pain in his side!)

I will miss periodically helping out at the elementary schools and seeing all of my neighborhood kids and my sweet boys and teasing them merclessly.

But mostly I will miss working side by side with Britt. I will miss talking about which boys are cute and which ones are diefinitely are not. I will miss dancing with her while waiting for the kids to come and the hugs when she is done working and off to eat with her 'specials!' That is what I will miss the most.

But wait!

I get to do all the stuff anyway!

Yess!!!

I love being a mom!