Here are a few pictures that I have of Emily, they are old, back in July... 2008 I think? I dont know 3 years with Jeff it all kinda blends together. Love you! Happy Birthday!

:D so cute!

Happy Birthday my Little Emm

My little Emm's favorite color is pink. She will eat eggs and pancakes for every breakfast and crummy fish for every dinner. She will pick McDonalds as her destination every time. If mommy did laundry regularly she would wear her "soft" outfit everyday. She can carry up to 4 toy animals in her hands at all times. Her favorite movie is Happy Feet or Madagascar or Finding Nemo or Care Bears. (All animal movies). She will have a bath 3 times a day if allowed.
Her favorite people (or animals) to sing to are Chippettes and Micheal Jackson. She loves to ride her bike and scooter, color and draw, sing, and make believe with her animals. She is a wonderful friend to Avery and Sarah and is my sweet middle. Her favorite line "mom can I have a snack". Happy 5th my Little Emm. Thanks to Jenn for the sweet pictures.

Lesson in Biology

Following is a conversation that Brant and I had the other day. It is where you will all be soon, so I thought I would share it with you. IF you blush easily, please disregard this post. It is strictly biology and anatomy...but still.

Setting: Mini-van driving to Boy Scouts
Characters: Mom (M) and Brant (B)

M: What are you reading back there Brant?
B: A book about snakes. Mom, look- it looks like there is a hot dog in the snake.
M: (driving, not looking back at the book) It might look like a hot dog, but it's probably a mouse or a rodent that he ate.
B: No, it really looks like a hot dog.
M: I know, but a snake wouldn't find a hot dog in the wild, that is just what his stomach looks like when it's bulging.
B: (slightly exasperated) NO- mom, this is a picture and it looks like he has hot dogs.
M: (finally at a light and glancing back, realizes that he is looking at a drawing of the inside of a snake). OH- I see. What do the labels say they are?
B: Re..Resp...Resieratory organs...
M: Respiratory Organs?
b: Yeah, what are those?
M: Lungs, things that help you breathe.
B: OH! The next one is Re...Repro...mmm..repprodooc
M: (Totally seeing where this is going, and wishing that she had insisted that Blair drive Brant to scouts today) Reproductive organs?
B: Yeah! What are they?
M: Reproductive organs mean Boy parts and Girl parts.
B: REALLY! You mean there are boy snakes and girl snakes?
M: Yep. We've talked that it takes a mom and dad to have a baby, so whether you are a snake or a human or any animal, it takes a boy and a girl.
B: What happens if you don't have a daddy and you have a baby?
M: Can't happen. Sometimes people might not be married, and that is a wrong choice, but it always takes a boy and a girl.
B: What about Mary?
M: (knowing we've already had this conversation and that there is no good answer for a kid his age) That is a very special occasion, and won't ever happen again. For everyone else it's a boy and a girl.
B: Okay. SO_ How do snakes mate?
M: (now REALLY wishing it were Blair here) I don't know Brant.
B: I bet it says somewhere in my book. Let's look it up!
M: Okay Brant, great idea (now wondering why she ever taught her child to read, and why would we teach him to research and ask questions. Silently praying it's not in the book).
B: Here it is. I'll read it out loud to you- (thanks Brant :() "The male boa constrictor gently wraps himself around the female boa. He carefully places his sperm inside of her where it will fertilize her eggs which she will lay in her nest."
Silence blankets the car....several very long seconds pass....
M: Cool Brant, Thanks! So...um...do you have any questions?
B: Yeah, there were some words I don't know and I have lots of questions, but I don't think that I want to ask them right now.
M: Okay. So, what else is in that book....
End Scene

A British Engagment

I thought I would let everyone know via our blog asap seeing as how I can't call everyone till I get back. So, first off, I apologize to those you had to find out via facebook. (Greg, Brian) I wanted to call but it's kinda tough from here. So I will call everyone and fill everyone in on the details on Tuesday, when I get home. (Tomorrow!) So, in short, Liz and I are engaged. The date is June 3rd and we want everyone here! Of course. We are getting married in the Bountiful Temple. Sorry again for not being able to call everyone right away! We love you! Talk to you soon!

Health Care

A historic night for our country. Did anyone watch the speakers and the voting? And then the voting again after the Republicans tried to kill it with amendment wording? It was very enlightening. I was wondering how this new health care reform will affect your family personally. Will it help or hurt? For our family, the cost of living will rise and Idaho Power may choose to go ahead and pay the tax instead of health care for it's employees leaving us to go out and find our own package. Do you feel that it is just for the members of the parties to listen to the voice of the people on huge bills like this or listen to their own judgments? How do you feel about some Democrats and Republicans being offered certain incentives for their votes? Do you think that once the people of America feel and experience the affects of this reform will be happy, thankful, and more understanding? Did anyone feel that Pelosi was giving and acceptance speech to an award she just won? I am not trying to create a debate. Just want some honest answers and opinions. Sometimes I like politics.

If anyone is interested, these peanut butter bars are similar to the ones we made as kids. They are extra yummy and delicious. I have already had four squares and I made them 4 hours ago.
The recipe makes a whole cookie sheet full and that should be enough for a few days.

Peanut butter bars

1c. brown sugar
1c. butter
1c. peanut butter
2 eggs
1c. sugar
4Tbs. milk
2tsp. vanilla
1tsp. salt
2 tsp. soda
3 1/2 c. flour
chocolate chips

Mix everything but the salt, soda, flour, and chips. After mixed, add the salt, soda, and flour. Dough should be slightly sticky but easy enough to press into a greased cookie sheet if your hands are greased. Bake @ 350 for 12-15 min. (I find it takes a little longer). Insert a toothpick and if it comes out clean it's done. Pour chocolate chips on top while its hot and let it sit until they can easily be spread over. Cool.

Hundreds Protest

Last week hundreds gathered to protest global warming.....

VAMPIRE WEEKEND

An Important Teaching Moment

I taught a very important lesson on Sunday. I just pray I got the message across. I need to share it with you all. We have a stewardship in rearing our children. A stewardship we will stand before Jesus and give a personal accounting of. We need to constantly teach our children the gospel, how to be faithful and very importantly, how to feel the spirit, when they are touched.

"Our aim must be for them to become truly converted to the restored gospel of Jesus Christ while they are with us." Some may want their children to make their own choices, but when you consider the hours of day they are vigorously exposed to Satan's multimedia advocates of sin and selfishness we cannot take a chance. "They should not have to learn by sad experience that "wickedness never was happiness" "Each must be persuaded that service and sacrifice for the well-being of others are far superior to making one's own comfort and possessions the highest priority."

I'm so very proud of you all because your doing a great job. Just keep it up and stay vigilant. Have fun with your children. Just spending time with them will provide all sorts of teaching moments. But if your not there, there won't be those moments. I'm so sorry for the times I wasn't what I should of been, the times I let you down. Please forgive me. I did a lot wrong, but I could never, never love you, each of you, more.

Please use this blog and tell us how you teach your children. Turn this tool into something good. I love you and I love your kids. I promise you will get your life back someday. (But really, it's not that great!) Mom