Thrift Stores

Ok, so I just have to say how much I LOVE thrift stores!! I mean, especailly in an economy like this, you can't do without them.

I went to get dressed today and I realized that when I "cleaned out" my closet after that organizational class a while back, I didn't leave much winter clothing. I guess I must have been hoping to get a new wardrobe this winter?!? I don't know! All I know is that I didn't have much to choose from. So, being the thrifty person I am, I decided to go to a thrift store first, then if I couldn't find anything I would go elsewhere.

Let me just say, yes...it's obnoxious to look through all the 1960-1980's clothing to find a diamond in the rough. And yes...I have to take allergy medicine before I go or the dust KILLS me. BUT, let me also say, I got 9 long-sleeved shirts & 3 sweaters (a lot name brand) for a grand total of...........drum roll..........................................$52!! You heard me right, 52 smackeroos!! Let's do the math together...that comes out to be $4.33 per item!!!! To me that makes the musty smell & interesting scenery of a thrift store (I'm a people watcher) totally worth it!!!

So, I'm sure you'll see me sportin' my new thrift finds soon! I LOVE IT when I get a good deal!!!

Catey's Give-away!

So for those of you who know Catey, you know that she's amazing! Well, it turns out that she's got some sort of "blog give-away" going on right now. It's amazing to me to because the last time I read her blog it was just her normal blog (of course, as most of you know, I've been out of the blog-world for quite a while) but today when I went on it, I was like..."What? When did Catey's blog receive the 2009 Utah's Best Baby Blog Contest award?!?" Not that it surprised me cuz that lady can do ANYTHING!!!

So, here's her blog address. Go to it and check out the give-away item & make sure to enter to win it! I think it's very cleaver and I'm planning on getting me a couple! :) Let me know what you think!

www.randomthoughtsfromthezoo.blogspot.com

You Have GOT to be KIDDING Me!!!!

It's a very, very , very, very, very sad day when President Obama receives the Nobel Peace Prize!! What is going on in the world today?!? And the funny thing about it is, the nominations had to be submitted by February 1st, 2009, which means that President Obama had only been in office for 12 days....count them with me 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and don't forget 12!!! That's right...12 days!! And tell me, what exactly did he manage to do within those "12 days" to be nominated for this award? You know, instead of answering that, why don't you answer this instead....Tell me what he's done in his "9 months" of being in office that deserves a Nobel Peace Prize???? If you can't think of anything, let me help you out...how about...

• Ignoring the Dalai-Lama because the President has to wait until he meets with "communist" China before he can meet with the peaceful Dalai-Lama...or
• It must be because the Empire State Building was lit up in Red & Yellow to celebrate, what was it again.....Oh yeah...we, as a nation, were celebrating the 60yr anniversary of Communist China...or
• The fact that he canceled The National Day of Prayer, which would do what....promote peace, would it not?!?
• The fact that he pretty much slapped Israel in the face while stretching his arm out in friendship to....everyone say it with me....IRAN!!!! Oh yeah, now those are the guys we need to be friends with...or
• Even the mere fact that he has, within these past 9 months, been able to spend our country into a debt we will probably NEVER see paid off & that he CONTINUES to spend, and spend, oh and again, spend, which inturn has caused EVERYTHING BUT PEACE within his own country, the United States of America.
• And how about the fact that he has surrounded himself in the White House with SELF-PROCLAIMED Communists, Marxists, and Socialists...(you heard me right, these are the people writing our bills and giving advice to our Commander & Chief). Does that help promote peace in a CAPITALISTIC nation?!?! I don't think so!!!
• Oh, and then there's the little matter of our young American soldiers over in Afghanistan who are dying EACH & EVERY DAY, while he "thinks about" what to do with the suggestions that his very own General has given to him. I mean, he only got the memo from the General ALMOST TWO MONTHS AGO!!! COME ON NOW....GIVE THE MAN A LITTLE TIME TO MAKE A "LIFE OR DEATH" DECISION, well, of course...it's not his life we're talking about!!! PATHEDIC!!! Yeah, that's how you promote peace. Leave our citizens in harms way while they are losing a war so you can "think" about things. Meanwhile, the enemy is getting stronger and will more than likely defeat us and then come attack us on our home soil once again!!! WHAT A PEACEMAKER!!!!

Ok, so we all know I could go on & on & on with my list of why he "deserves" (or doesn't) the Nobel Peace Prize.

What a major slap-in-the-face to true peace & to those who are truly trying to obtain it! It just gets me sick to my stomach! I'm not sure if I should laugh (because it's so outrageous) or cry (because it's so outrageous)!

But with words that I've been saying a lot lately...."It doesn't surprise me".

Our Beautiful Temple

We had our Ward Conference Temple trip on Sept 17th. Since it was on a Thursday night @ 7:30 (abt an 8:15pm session) finding a babysitter on a school night was tough. So, Greg decided to let me go alone and he'd stay home and watch the kids.

On my way out, Hannah came up to me and asked me to take a picture of the temple for her. I told her I wasn't bringing my camera with me so we'd go take temple pictures some other time. But as I drove up to the temple, I couldn't believe how beautiful it was! At that moment, I was so bummed that I didn't follow the suggestion of my 8yr old and come prepared to take a picture of the temple. I had to use my camera phone, which lacks in the picture taking area. But even with my pitiful camera phone, the true beauty of the temple shines through...blurry and all!!

I was so grateful to attend and get the chance to listen to the Temple President. It was a wonderful opportunity! And I'm also grateful that my amazing little girl taught me a lesson...I can learn a lot from the mouths of babes! :)

Going To The State Fair!

One of the traditions in our family, while growing up, was going to the State Fair. I used to look forward to it every year! Several times I submitted my "art" and won a few ribbons. The thought of the fair brings a smile to my heart. It also reminds me of my grandpa who holds a special place in my heart.

So, on Saturday, we went with my mom and sister to the fair. It turned out to be a really fun time! It was great to spend time with my sister and nephew because we don't get to see them a lot. Hannah and Gabe had a blast on the rides and I loved looking at all of the art submissions....Oh, does anyone know when scrapbooking became an art catagory? Just wondering....anyway, I also enjoyed looking at the photography. If we're still here next year (and with our luck we will be) then I'm going to encourage Hannah to submit something to the fair. I think it helps kids gain confidence and pride in their talents.

Here are some pics...


We thought this bench was funny because it had the handicap parking sign right behind it. I was like..."look mom! They have a special seat just for you!!" She didn't find it as funny as I did :)
(Hannah took this picture...she's pretty good with the camera!)

All the "kids" on the big colorful slide!

Braydn and Hannah on the ride that slowly takes you way up and then drops you. I'm not a fan of this ride, nor any ride that is similar to it. Hannah said it was fun until she got to the very top. Then she said her body started shaking but she said she'd do it again!

Braydn and Hannah and the funky blue robot!

Hannah, Greg, and Braydn on the "flying ride". This one was a "must" on Hannah's list. Greg seemed to like it as well.

Gabers and Daddy on the "helicocker" ride. Gabe was just THRILLED that there was a "helicocker" ride! He had a blast on it!!

Here's little Gabers playing like he's an airplane while Braydn carries him around. The reason his legs are straight out is because they are his "wheels" and he says he can't land without his "wheels". I thought that was cute!!

Hannah and Gabe on the Huge Wheel!! Gabe was amazed by how big it was...but he's infactuated by wheels so, of course, he'd be in love with this one! Not so much the tractor but it's wheels.

That's it, until next year...

I Did It!!

So, this past Saturday I had my first ever "belt test" and I passed!! I wasn't sure what to expect but I assumed I just needed to do my Poomse and that would be it! I guess that's what I get for assuming, huh! They ended up testing us on our kicks, our blocks, the Student Pledge (froze on that one but stumbled my way through it), our poomse, and last but OH SO NOT least....breaking boards!! yeah, you heard me right...BREAKING TWO BOARDS AT THE SAME TIME!!! I almost broke into tears when I realized I was going to have to break some too. At first I thought it was just for the higher level students so I didn't think much of it. I mean, wouldn't they let us know if they were going to have us break a couple pieces of wood so we could practice!?! Uhhhhh.....NOPE!!! As soon as they called Nick to come forward I about passed out because he was testing for his yellow belt as well. I seriously looked like a deer in the headlights of an oncoming triple-decker diesel!! I had to keep reminding myself to breath OR to stop breathing so much. I was a MAJOR MESS!!! When they called my name, I squeeked a "yes sir!" and made my way to the middle of the mat. I look at my instructor like, "Are you seriously doing this to me?!? There's no way I'm going to do this!! I'm gonna make a fool of myself!!" But he just smiled back at me. I think he was slightly amused by my shock and fear. Well, needless to say, I managed to break both boards with one hit!!! YIPPEE FOR ME!! It's been a while since I've had such a huge grin on my face. I seriously couldn't believe it!!! I was like...."No Way!!! No Way!! I did it!!!"

Well, last night was the belt ceremony when I received my yellow belt and certificate. It was a proud moment for me. I'm really glad that I followed one of my interests because I'm seriously having the time of my life! I LOVE it!!!

Now onto my yellow belt with the black stripe!!!

This is me just before breaking the two boards. I'm looking at my instructer with my "don't make me do this" eyes. He had no mercy!

This is my instructer "Master Augustine" (I think that's his title...he's never really told me) and he's writing on my broken board. I still can't believe I broke those things!! They were abt and inch thick total!! Just crazy!!

Here I am with my written on, broken boards. Greg was like, "Remind me never to get you mad!!" but of course, he was just joking but I think he was pretty proud of his wife!! :)

Greg's 36th Birthday!!

Yes, Greg is getting old! I can't believe that he turned 36 yrs on the 16th of September! Too Crazy!!

He was out of town for most of the day which allowed Hannah plenty of time to "get ready". She decorated the cake, wrapped his present from her, and made a banner that said, "Happy Birthday Daddy" with a giraffe on it. She was so excited that it was her daddy's birthday!!

Here are a few pictures from the Big event...

The Birthday Boy, Gregory Lee!!! (Yes, I was scrounging for candles but I got creative and was able to come up with 36)

The kids and their creation. After Hannah was done decorating the cake with sprinkles, Gabe came along and dumped the rest of the sprinkles right in the middle of it. He was very proud!

Opening his gifts...looks like Gabe was helping his daddy out!

Hannah's Birthday Banner for her special Daddy!! She was so proud of it. I love seeing the amazing relationship that Hannah (and Gabe) has with her daddy!

HAPPY 36TH BIRTHDAY GREGORY LEE!! I LOVE YOU!!