Finding the Good in Everyday

My "George" is 6!

2011-06-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

My little man turned 6 yesterday!

Born 06/14/05 at 6 pounds even! He came early and was by far the scariest baby I've had.

After hanging out with the NICU nurses awhile he came home.

This little man has always been quiet, a thinker, and mischievous!

Here's where he started with big brother Calvin

1 year old sporting the gigantic square head ;)

3 years old, pirate/superhero stage

Now he's 6!

Happy Birthday little man!

The good thing today: we had his party a week ago, then did it again last night.

AKA double the cake!!! Oh yeah!

Teresa

Fruit Pizza!

2011-05-23T08:06:00.000-07:00

I got experimental one night and made fruit Pizza for dinner.

Start with a batch of cookie dough, here is my coveted recipe (it's a secret k?)

1 cup sugar

1 cup softened butter

3 tbs milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Bake at 400 degrees. (7min for normal cookies but 12 mins for these)

This makes enough for 5 "dinner" plate sized pizza/cookie

Divide dough into 5 equal sized balls

Remember to "Pam" the plate and squish the dough out.

The kids LOVED doing this.

Now put the kids to work! I dug through my cupboards and fridge and came up with all kinds of stuff, the boys were excited I actually let them cut something up.

Grapes, bananas, strawberries, apples, marshmallows, almonds, get creative.

The frosting/sauce is 8oz softened cream cheese, bit of vanilla and 1/2 cup sugar.

Let the kids spread the frosting and their own pizza.

obviously we helped her ;)

The good thing today: not a single person whined about dinner . . . music to my ears!

Teresa

KimberleSu Designs

2011-05-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

KimberleSu Designs sells home decor online and ships all over the mainland USA.

She does custom vinyl and ready made stuff

"on and off the wall"

Here's some of my favs!

$12.50

$10.00

$25.50

$9.50

Head on over to her Etsy Shop because her prices are SWEET!

Don't see what you're looking for? Shoot her an email and she can do it!

The good thing today: she's my mom so I get an even sweeter deal ;)

Teresa

2011-05-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

Today my oldest is 8!

Born at 9:30 pm at 6lbs 11oz, 20 inches long.

This little man was all personality.

2 weeks old in his blessing tux

1 year old with Hobbes

2 years old

3 years old

skip ahead to 6!

My handsome 8 year old boy!

Just ask him and he'll tell you how big he is and how smart he is . . .

he's humble just like his mom ;)

The good thing today: left over birthday cake!!!

Yummmmm!

Teresa

Spring Break 2011

2011-04-25T16:27:00.001-07:00

WARNING: PHOTO OVERLOAD!

Spring Break Staycation!

Easter morning, aren't we adorable ;)

Happiest little girl EVER with tons of Easter candy

Dirt pile became dirt city

Mom melted an Easter basket

Played some B-ball

Easter egg hunt

(not sure why the face)

Who's that really big kid on the monkey bars?

Cutest pink boots EVER!

BBQ!!!

Classic Fun Center

We stayed up late, ate lots of junk food, played hard and partied hard!

Just looking back at the week's photos makes me tired.

The good thing today: The kids went back to school . . . and order was restored.

*sigh*

Teresa

Old Windows

2011-04-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

I LOVE old windows with their chipped paint (probably lead),

rusted hinges and wavy glass.

My son says it's embarrassing because they look too old

and I should paint them.

As if!

Creating a "window" in my bathroom

Matching pair in my breakfast nook

A glassless one to frame my NieNie calendar.

I would love to turn one into a picture frame

but that takes some enlarging/cropping skill ;)

I found these on Freecycle and garage sales,

but you can buy them at antique malls.

Just be prepared to pay real money for them.

The good thing today: I married a man with mad hunting skills

(bargain hunting that is)

Teresa

FHE sign and red damask!

2011-04-14T13:42:00.000-07:00

I've procrastinated making a FHE sign because I never knew how many kids we were going to end up with and I refuse to have the wrong number of spaces AND I wanted one that blended in with the surrounding decor. (I KNOW huge run-on sentence!)

Here's what I came up with!

I used vinyl from KimberleSue Designs here

Took an 8"x12" board, spray painted it red. Modge Podged a thick paper border.

Bought some magnetic tape from Hobby Lobby and stuck a bit under each "job"

I then bought some Toile scrapbook paper and cut out a cute little person for each of us and Modge Podged it to little wood circles also from Hobby Lobby.

Did a little "antiquing" with watered down brown paint and Modge Podged again!

May it last for MANY years!

Took an old clock and painted it red and used the same paper for an outside border.

It's a small pic but I also used the same paper for the "LOVE" letters. . .

and the Bon Appetit on the top of my cupboards!

Pretty sure if it is was legal to marry paper I would do it . . . and if I wasn't already married.

The good thing today: I still have about 200 feet of it left!

Just think of all the places I could stick it!

Teresa

The girl is 2!

2011-04-11T14:37:00.000-07:00

My little girl is officially 2 today! Whew!

Born 04/11/09 the day before Easter.

5 pounds even and 6 weeks early.

By far the fastest and easiest delivery for me and boy did she come out fighting ;)

Here she is in the hospital on her first day wearing clothes.

3 weeks old

5 months and cries a LOT

1 year and still crying ;)

2 years old and running the house!

The good thing today: she wants to potty train!!! We may actually be diaper free at our house this year!

Teresa

Today I played Princess

2011-02-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

As I was on my hands and knees scrubbing my stairs I started thinking about how glamorous my life is. Seriously! I'm practically a Disney Princess!

I get to cook like Tiana

Sweep like Snow White, even with the aide of dirty little creatures ;)

read like belle (when I can find a hiding place)

Scrub floors like Cinderella "sing sweet nightingale, aaaaahhhhhh"

and MAYBE take a little snooze like Aurora

I figure they all lived happily ever after so it can't all be that bad can it?

What Princess did you play today?

The good thing today: it's warm outside with a nice breeze . . . aka the kids are OUTSIDE! YAY!

Teresa

Suffer the little ones

2011-01-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Have you heard about the Tiger Mom Phenomenon?

You haven't? The ENTIRE Internet is a buzz about it. Take a few minutes and read the article here.

Ok? Read it?

While I certainly have my own opinions regarding parenting, as I'm sure you do I can't imagine calling this little man "garbage"

Can you?

Mark 9:42

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Mark 10:14
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

While it's important to encourage our children, teach them discipline, develop talents and educate them, it's more important to nurture and love them

“Bring up your children in the love and fear of the Lord; study their dispositions and their temperaments, and deal with them accordingly, never allowing yourself to correct them in the heat of passion; teach them to love you rather than to fear you.” (Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1941, p. 207.)

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost [and only then I think]; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

Gordon B. Hinkley

I personally think these great and inspired men are a better parenting gauge than "Tiger Mom"

The good thing today: my husband managed to get the boys to clean up that toy room! (I give it one day) ;)

Teresa

I'm a working mom and I like it!

2011-01-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

This may ruffle some feathers and I'm at complete peace with the whole bundle!

The feminists can keep being braless, childless, and the front runners of the corporate world.

The stay-at-home mom fanatics can stay home, drive the mini van, and bake the bread.

I'm a mom and when I'm home I rock the mom thing. I change the diapers, make the sack lunches, mop the floors, kiss the boo boos and all that great stuff!

But sometimes . . . mommy needs to do something else.

I love going to work, clocking in (knowing I get to clock out later). I get to really challenge my brain, run hard in a different way. I get paid to change diapers, I keep little ones away from the light, and I'm called everything BUT mom!

It's all about balance and what makes me happy. I'm convinced I wouldn't be happy with either extreme. I'm not sure if this makes me a more balanced woman or a 1/2 of each.

The good thing today: after 6 solid days at home I GET to go to work!

Teresa

"I guess it's your job"

2011-01-20T09:43:00.000-08:00

This week I went grocery shopping with my 3 kids, for explanation of how that usually goes down read here

I'm in the soup isle, trying to find just the right "Chicken Noodle" my daughter is laughing hysterically, my 5 y/o is making a cape out of his coat and my 7 y/o is making fart sounds with his mouth.

In my - I've said this a thousand times today, I'm tired and I'm trying to read this label - voice I said to my 7 y/o.

"Please stop making nasty sounds"

The man to my left, who is also reading soup labels, erupts in a belly laugh.

Because I'm sure NOTHING on that soup can could be that funny I assume he's laughing at me.

So I said:

"I know he's a boy, but SOMEONE has to teach him manners"

He keeps laughing and says:

"I guess that's your job"

Hmmmm, guess so.

You tell you're kids to chew with their mouths shut - even though it will only last 5 seconds

to keep their hands to themselves - again 5 seconds

use their inside voices - until something funny happens . . . in 5 seconds

wipe their muddy shoes before walking onto the clean floor - this never happens

put the dirty clothes INTO the basket - my kids average 50%

don't giggle when someone farts - will this EVER happen!?

Don't wipe their mouths on their sleeves - again with the 5 seconds

I say these things because I'm their mom and SOMEONE has to teach them manners!

Please tell me someday it will sink in and MAYBE they will finish a meal with a clean shirt.

The good thing today: quoted from my 7 y/o "did you know if you clean really fast you get done quicker?!"

I literally head smacked myself

Teresa

Scale Whoas

2011-01-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

I'm working on being healthy . . . aka getting in shape . . . aka losing weight . . .

aka I weigh myself.

Yuck!

Today, the scale went the wrong way

I love how she looks worried!

The sad fact is when we diet the scale rules our day. It can determine whether she start the day happy or disappointed, whether we keep to the diet or toss it, and whether we wear a cute outfit or sweats again.

By we I mean "I"

Now if I was this cute little ball of chubbs

A 2 pound gain would be worth cheering about!!! Show off those rolls baby!

I'm not really going anywhere with this, just being observant and trying really hard to put on that cute outfit anyway!

The good thing today: I got actual sleep last night. Deep, comfy, uninterrupted sleep.

Teresa

Sweeping

2011-01-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't swept in 4 days because I've been working.

This means the kids have had free run of the house . . .

the house is a mess!

My upstairs is all hardwood floors, and it took me a solid hour today just to sweep. As my agitation was building I started inventorying the dust pan contents.

For your pleasure:

4 marbles

5 torn book pages (from different books)

17 legos

3 forks

4 dixie cups

1 princess crown

4 lost bills

3 GI Joes

LOTS of rock salt

2 bobby pins

1 pink bow

1 missing glove

2 dirty socks

1 battery

1 bolt

2 nails

1 rotten tangerine

2 broken crayons

4 sippy cups

and LOTS of dirt

4 days people. 4 days.

The good thing today: Caffeine. Let's be honest here, it's not good for me but days like this it is a life saver!

Teresa

Winter Break Recap

2011-01-03T12:15:00.000-08:00

The kids get to be home for 10 days and those 10 days MUST count!

We saw a lot of lights at the zoo, Temple Square and Thanksgiving Point

Christmas was a hit as always. We lived in our PJ's for 2 solid days and played

We lit the wrapping paper on fire, not because I was trying to be "green" but because I love watching the fire turn colors

Lot's of snow shoveling, sledding, treat eating, and cocoa drinking.

Of course this is what you did as a kid too right?

The bedroom fort when it was too cold to play outside, yes I let them sleep in it!

The good thing today: There is something nice about being back on a schedule, and following my diet will be easier without neighbors bringing plates of goodies by.

Teresa

God's Love is Perfect

2011-01-02T22:20:00.000-08:00

I needed to hear this and maybe you need to hear this too:

The good thing today: I had a peaceful Sunday, and the kids go back to school tomorrow.

Teresa

Bye Bye Christmas!

2010-12-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

I get tired of Christmas pretty quickly, usually before the blessed day actually arrives. Christmas songs are nice for a few days, then my blood starts boiling everything I hear the Carpenters or that STUPID Christmas shoes song!

You know the one I mean!

The Christmas I was pregnant that song came on and started a 60 minute bawling session that was both irrational and pathetic . . . aka hormonal ;)

Anywho, THIS year I moderated the Christmas music, stayed organized and focused on family time. I can honestly say I'm a little sad to see it all go. I even let the decor stay up a few days longer than usual, but not into the New Year because that would be a SIN!

Happy New Year!

The good thing today: Work called: "Would you mind if we call you off tonight?"

"Oh yeah!"

Teresa

Dissatisfied

2010-12-29T18:17:00.000-08:00

I've taken stock of my life and found it lacking in some important areas.

I could get all personal but I'm sure you have some idea of where I'm going with this.

I'm turning 30 in 2 years and I have this vision of a 30 year old Teresa that is unstoppable, confident, EXTREMELY good looking and satisfied. I figure by the time a woman is 30 she knows what she wants, she's been there and done that and still young enough to enjoy it all.

I want to be:

I could be delusional but I've never been known for simple goals ;)

I swore off New Year's resolutions a few years ago, but I'm bringing them back this year!

What's your New Years resolution?

The good thing today: this picture makes me smile, don't tell me boys. ;)

Teresa

No domestic goddess here

2010-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

You can laugh, in fact I laughed at my self a little today too.

I LOVE putting on my cute little apron and baking in my kitchen. I like to pretend I'm her:

Perhaps it's left over from when I used to play dress up as a little girl and play princess. Well I like to play: Domestic Goddess! Then I get baking and clean.

Only by the time I was done working in the kitchen today I had ugly cookies, a broken plate, not enough cheese log, a sink full of dishes and VERY sore feet. Because my kids were unsupervised you can only imagine what the rest of my house looked like! Ugh!

Please tell me I'm not the only one with reality issues here. Now I'm going to attempt to save the cookies and scratch the rest!

The good thing today: my Santa cookies may be green, but they are yummy!

Teresa

Lights in Utah!

2010-12-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

We love looking at Christmas lights and Utah has some AWESOME displays for the whole family!

Here are my all time favorites, we make sure to visit them every year.

Lights at Thanksgiving Point

Cost: $8 per car

It's a drive through light show, takes about 15 minutes and they have their own dedicated radio station with Christmas music.

Visit the Emporium to meet Prancer and Santa.

Zoolights at Hogle Zoo

Cost: Adults $6

Kids $4

Walk the zoo, enjoy the lights and the animals.

We also make time for the train.

Also a great place to visit Santa and his Reindeer!

My favorite:

Temple Square!

The lights are stunning and truly elegant.

They have a nativity on the pond, and another one near the visitor center.

It's free and makes for a nice walk.

We make a night out of it by riding the TRAX downtown and topping it off with hot cocoa.

It's always an adventure, but well worth it!

The good thing today: I don't have to pay the electricity bill for THESE lights!

Teresa

Cutest tights ever!

2010-12-01T15:12:00.000-08:00

It could be because I'm cheap or creative but I have a hard time tossing skirts and shorts in winter just because it's cold!

Kids cost a fortune to keep clothed so if it fits, wear it ;)

Walmart sells knit tights in the winter.

Only $2.99 a pair.

That makes me happy and my wallet happy.

Don't you wish you had some!?

I do!

The good thing today: her hair is long enough to hold a REAL ponytail!

Teresa

Decked Halls Part 2

2010-12-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

For years I was anti-fake tree, but then I had a fake tree.

Umm, they are AWESOME!

They are easy to put up, they don't have to be thrown away, they are prelit and perfect!

I usually swirl a ribbon around the tree but skipped it this year.

I love vintage santas. A little more "Father Christmas" than "Santa Clause"

I bought these at Hobby Lobby last year,

in fact I bought EVERY vintage santa ornament I could find!

Many people neglect the under side of the tree, but it doesn't make sense to me!

Would you wear a skirt without underwear?! Okay maybe YOU would, but I wouldn't!

Until the presents pile up you MUST make it presentable. We have a train, a little family of penguins and a "trunk cover" (My own personal invention)

Buy one of those popcorn metal containers (a pretty one). Eat all the poporn. Cut the bottom out of the tin and slip it over the trunk befor you place it into the tree stand.

Voila! No more unsightly tree trunk!

The good thing today: I got my new tree skirt 50% off at Hobby Lobby! (can you tell I LOVE that place!)

Teresa

Decked Halls Part 1

2010-12-01T15:05:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you know I love old things and all things Victorian!

My goal is to have a "Victorian Christmas" living room with lots of gold and deep reds.

Each year I get to add a little more to my Christmas decorations and this year I bought REAL stocking hangers . . .

Candlesticks . . . (note the hint of glitter!)

and SANTA!!! (also note the glitter on his beard!)

Hobby Lobby inspired me to put hay in my Nativity this year,

what do you think?

It was messy to put out, but so far my kids haven't made me regret it.

Yet.

I also collect S&P Shakers, mostly couples.

My collections wouldn't be complete without Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

The Nativity I literally drooled over as a kid,

and now my kids drool over it too

Each year I paint a couple little houses to add to my village . . .

I have to keep up with the broken ones!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the tree!

The good thing today: baby gates and spray bottles! Gate for the toddler and spray bottle for the cat. Bring it on!

Teresa

Be a happy mother!

2010-11-28T16:51:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite movies of all time is "The Trouble With Angels."

One part in particular struck me the last time I watched . . .

it's about being a mother.

While I DO want to die wealthy I don't want to die young ;)

My favorite line is when Mother Superior is hugging the crying elderly woman and she says:

"Be happy. That's the greatest gift a mother can give her children"

I think it's easy to be hard on ourselves, and heaven knows many of us are plagued with body image issues and low self esteem.

You must remember children are sponges and you are the role model they will emulate.

Be happy for them.

Be confident.

Love yourself.

Smile.

No mother wants to pass along her insecurities to her children, but you will.

When you have a minute read "A Mother Heart" by Julie Beck

The good thing today: my son said he likes my soft tummy.

(In my head I said "well that makes one of us!" but I thanked him anyway)

Teresa

Being Fat Finally Pays Off!

2010-11-17T09:44:00.000-08:00

I took a good tumble down some cement stairs. It was one of those long falls that allows for thinking along the way. My self dialogue included:

I don't have time for this

Did I just break my leg?

Please don't let me break my wrist, my job would be impossible

I can't take my 3 kids with me to the ER for x-rays

I finally landed on the ground and the nurse in me noted:

I didn't lose consciousness

I can feel my body

I don't think I broke anything

The girl in me dusted myself off as fast as I could to make it look like nothing happened!

Just like Miss USA!

After assessing the damage and the big purple leg I concluded the only reason I didn't snap my leg in half is because it is SO well padded (fat) it absorbed the shock and preserved my bone.

The good thing today: enjoyed a slice of pumpkin pie with whipped cream and didn't feel a BIT guilty!

Teresa

Farewell Friend

2010-11-12T11:09:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure the world would stop without cell phones, okay may be that's a bit dramatic but could you go a week without yours?!

I couldn't!

My cell phone is an EnV3

This week she passed away, I think it was one too many drops onto the concrete,

or was it the glasses of water poured on her,

the drop into the toilet,

the baby slobber,

the teeth marks,

the rollerblade tires,

the little sword stuck in here holes,

or was she simply loved to death.

A mom's phone puts up with extra abuse and EnV finally had enough,

goodbye dear friend, you will be missed!

The good thing today: An extra flip phone in my nightstand. Not as good as EnV but free!

Teresa

Stairwell Makeover!

2010-11-12T10:55:00.000-08:00

My stairwell is dark, plain and the walls are usually

covered in little brown hand prints.

I needed a cheap way to decorate without darkening, so here's what I came up with:

BEFORE stairwell. I added the vinyl bird family on a branch and the leaf is just here to fill space during the fall. Don't mind the stuff at the bottom of the stairs ;) But DO notice the electrical panel on the wall.

I gathered old frames from all over my house. I'm sure you have them, the ones you bought because they were cheap, the wrong color, dented, ect.

Spray panted them with ivory gloss paint. I left the varnish on because I life the distressed look and that did it for me . . . aka no sanding

Filled them with pictures and hung in an asymetrical pattern. Notice they are just high enough so little fingers can reach them

I used double sided craft tape to cover the electrical panel with a picture. I'm planning on replacing it with a hinge.

I loved this idea because it keeps the stairwell light and adds uniformity to the pictures while keeping the price WAY down!

The center wall will still need to be fixed. I was going to leave the birds, put that white cornice above them and top it off with a gorgeous mirror! what do you think?

The good thing today: Double sided tape! REALLY, because what else would i do with that nasty panel in my stairwell?!

Teresa

Big Macs are on Sale!

2010-11-09T11:29:00.000-08:00

I'm working out HARD twice a day and eating healthy and recording everything on

Spark People.

I feel stronger and for the most part have more energy, but Big Macs are 2 for $3 right now!

Oh baby! My mom can sing the whole song that accompanies this burger, yes it has it's own song!

I had to give in and indulge, but I also had to write it down and take it out of my calories for the day . . . there wasn't much left ;)

In case you were wondering here is the nutrition info for a big mac!

Calories 540

Fat 29

Sat Fat 10

Carbs 45

Protein 25

Sodium 1040

The good thing today: would it be bad to say I thought it was worth every bite?

Teresa

Nasty!

2010-11-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

WARNING this is mostly a rant blog!

Why do toddlers eat out of the garbage can?!?!?!?!

The second they are tall enough to reach they start pulling stuff out . . . and of course they MUST put it in their mouths!

I bought a lidded garbage can, she opens it and plays with it.

I put in on my kitchen counter, but now I have nasty germs on my counter.

After 3 kids, those nasty pieces of garbage in their mouths doesn't even phase me.

I figure she has lived this long despite the garbage can, this piece of rotten strawberry probably won't kill her either.

I course she will make me chase her down and pry it out of her tight fingers first ;)

If you don't have kids . . . just wait! I swear it's coming!

The good thing today: Eating out of the garbage can exposes these kids to germs and strengthens their immune systems, so they won't die later. Smile/grimace

Teresa

I actually had to crawl up my stairs!

2010-11-05T08:05:00.000-07:00

I have a weight problem, a big one. Despite that I thought I was pretty strong. I lift grown men and run for 12 hours straight at work, that's not easy BTW.

Part of my weight loss plan is working out with a big focus on cardio, and in my travels I came across this:

You won't find any new age stuff, no yoga or Tai Kwan Do. Just good old fashioned workouts and Jillian's constant pushing.

I worked every major body muscle while doing cardio at the same time.

Yes, I wanted to puke but she certainly knows how to maximize her 20 minutes.

When all was said and done, I was gasping for air, sweaty and had to crawl up the stairs.

Granted I'm fatter than most of you, but good heavens that was a good workout!

I'm doing it for 30 days with a low calorie diet based on this pyramid

I'll let you know how it goes!

The good thing today: ibuprofen, LOTS of ibuprofen! Thank you Costco for selling it in bulk ;)

Teresa

2010-11-04T08:38:00.000-07:00

While making my way through Washington I visited Cat Tales outside of Spokane. It's a refuge for big cats and believe me there are a LOT of BIG CATS!

This is Zamba the Lion, in case you can't tell . . . he's huge!

What I love best about this guy is: he was a MGM lion (the one who roars at the beginning) then one day he decided he was all grown up and wouldn't roar on command anymore = retired!

For a measly $10 I got to feed Zamba a bag of meat, he was really excited and so was I!

See how big he is!?

Next time you pass Spokane stop by and feed the kitty!

The good thing today: Plexi Glass. So when Zamba gets made he won't pee all over me ;)

Teresa

Brothers

2010-11-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm the only girl in my family and the oldest so these guys took a LOT of crap from me and still do!

Here's to little brothers:

the sword fights

wrestling in the backyard

water fights

long car trips

silent eye rolling

and all the other things horrible things we did to each other ;)

Thanks for showing my boys how to be good brothers.

The good thing today: we didn't fight, scream or cry while taking this picture. We've grown up a bit you know!

Teresa

Halloween Traditions

2010-10-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Halloween is a big deal at our house.

We have 3 small children which means EXTRA fun during the month of October.

If your kids are like mine they talk about Halloween costumes all year and their decision changes by the minute. Here we have a Ninja, Fairy and Grimm Reaper!

The parties started 2 weeks early this year. YIKES!

I LOVE kid Halloween parties and all the little games: Cake walk, pin the nose on the Jack-lantern, hide-n-seek in the dark and my favorite . . . bobbing for apples!

The other tradition? Pappa Murphy's Jack-O-Lantern Pizza!

We eat this before heading out to trick or treat.

Serve with green or orange kool aide and win extra cool mommy points!

What are your traditions?

The good thing today: We've done enough Halloweens now that we can piece together old costumes to create new ones!

Teresa

Kids on the farm

2010-10-19T11:10:00.001-07:00

FYI: This is mostly going to be a picture post.

We drove up to Logan and took the kids to the old family farm where I remember running around with my little brother and usually coming home muddy and covered in hay!

Yes, her hand is all the way inside the calf's mouth, YUCK!

The loved my husband, but apparently the girl looked a bit dangerous ;)

Smart horses!

The good thing today: Soap and water! Between cow saliva, pig poop and bird feathers this nurse was grateful for good old soap!

Teresa

The boys' room!

2010-10-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

My boys are 5 and 7 and LOVE pirates! Argh!

They wanted pirates everywhere and water . . . so this is what I came up with.

We bought them captains beds, which I love because of the under drawers.

The large pirate ship was bought here and attached to the wall.

Pirate Decals bought here

Bucket for shoes because I'm SO tired of tripping over them.

Blue curtains with a view of their tree house

"Pirates life for me" and vinyl sea creatures by Kimerlesu at Ransom Made

The good thing today: because I cleaned this room and locked the door it actually STAYED clean for a few hours! YAY!

Teresa

The girl's room

2010-10-13T15:44:00.000-07:00

I was very anti pink and swore if I had a girl her room wouldn't be too girly.

Well . . .

I think something happened the day I found out I was having a girl. I went kinda nuts on pink!

The cherry tree branch was bought on Amazon here

Her blessing dress and a picture of her in it hang next to her bed.

Tutu is draped over her lamp. The fairy sitting on her dresser is from TaiPan

and the paper fairies strung across her curtains is from Anastasia's attic!

Vinyl letters placed on plates. Done by Kimberlesu at Ransom Made!

Rug bought at Walmart because I couldn't help myself ;)

The good thing today: She lets me girl her up for now, although I'm not sure for how much longer.

Teresa

The case of the missing check card!

2010-10-12T07:35:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to hurry and pick up some jeans for my sprouting 5 year old I loaded the kids into the car and headed to Walmart, sans purse. That means stuffing my check card into my pocket.

We headed to the clothes section which looks like this:

A sea of racks, clothes and shelves!

After about 30 minutes of bargain hunting I noticed my card was gone.

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!! seriously?!

I retraced my steps through the maze of clothes and no sign of the card.

Until . . .

Jinkies! (if you have children you know that's what Velma says when she finds a clue)

I found my old receipt on the ground near a rack just like this one. The receipt was with the card. My oldest boy (who's 7) starting whining . . . can't we just go look at costumes?

I try to not freak out and tell him I'm looking for my gold money card. At this point I'm ready to call security. I turn around and there he is pulling my card out of his pocket. My jaw hit the ground.

WHERE DID YOU FIND THAT?!

no where . . .

DID YOU PICK IT UP OFF THE GROUND AND STICK IT IN YOUR POCKET?!

no . . . I just found it

WHAT MADE YOU THINK YOU COULD TAKE IT?!

I just wanted it

We had a nice long (mostly one way) discussion about stealing and lying and skipped the costumes. My son . . . the thief.

The good thing today: I didn't go to security and make a stink . . . that would have been humiliating!

Teresa

Sleeping kids

2010-10-10T00:47:00.000-07:00

If you are a parent you know this is true:

"Parents everywhere realize that the most powerful combination of emotions in the world is not called out by any grand cosmic event, nor is it found in novels or history books, but merely by a parent gazing down upon a sleeping child."

Thomas S. Monson

No matter how frusterated I am with my kids at the end of the day, all I have to do is look in on them at night and it's all okay.

Disheveled hair, clutching their crumpled blanket with a stuffed snake poking out of their arms and drool dripping onto the pillow . . . LOVE it!!!

The good thing today: I can't help but giggle when they twitch!

Teresa

Sacrifice

2010-10-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

In October LDS General Conference 2010 Elder Holland gave a beautiful talk titled

"Because of your faith"

Here is an excerpt that I found to speak directly to me.

"When I was called to serve a mission back before the dawn of time, there was no equalization of missionary costs. Each had to bear the full expense of the mission to which he or she was sent. Some missions were very expensive, and as it turned out, mine was one of those.

As we encourage missionaries to do, I had saved money and sold personal belongings to pay my own way as best I could. I thought I had enough money, but I wasn’t sure how it would be in the final months of my mission. With that question on my mind, I nevertheless blissfully left my family for the greatest experience anyone could hope to have. I loved my mission as I am sure no young man has ever loved one before or since.

Then I returned home just as my parents were called to serve a mission of their own. What would I do now? How in the world could I pay for a college education? How could I possibly pay for board and room? And how could I realize the great dream of my heart, to marry the breathtakingly perfect Patricia Terry? I don’t mind admitting that I was discouraged and frightened.

Hesitantly I went to the local bank and asked the manager, a family friend, how much was in my account. He looked surprised and said, “Why, Jeff, it’s all in your account. Didn’t they tell you? Your parents wanted to do what little they could to help you get started when you got home. They didn’t withdraw a cent during your mission. I supposed that you knew.”

Well, I didn’t know. What I do know is that my dad, a self-educated accountant, a “bookkeeper” as they were called in our little town, with very few clients, probably never wore a new suit or a new shirt or a new pair of shoes for two years so his son could have all of those for his mission. Furthermore, what I did not know but then came to know was that my mother, who had never worked out of the home in her married life, took a job at a local department store so that my mission expenses could be met. And not one word of that was ever conveyed to me on my mission. Not a single word was said regarding any of it. How many fathers in this Church have done exactly what my father did? And how many mothers, in these difficult economic times, are still doing what my mother did?

To you, Mom and Dad, and to all the moms and dads and families and faithful people everywhere, I thank you for sacrificing for your children (and for other people’s children!), for wanting so much to give them advantages you never had, for wanting so much to give them the happiest life you could provide."

I am a working mother, I love my job and am grateful for the opportunity I had to get an education. I have 3 beautiful children who are the center of my world and because they need a roof over their heads and clothes on their backs I work.

Some mothers can stay at home full time, but that is a luxury I don't yet have. I want my children to know how to work, that sacrifices MUST be made and that I will do anything for their happiness and wellbeing.

The good thing today: I had less guilt clocking in for work this week.

Teresa

Float Pool

2010-10-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

I am a float pool nurse. That means I work:

Med/Surg

Cardiac

ICU

Nursery

NICU

Rehab

and I have the privilege of maintaining the huge amount of certifications and eduction hours to work these floors. Needless to say: I don't get bored!

My Sunday night as a Float Pool Nurse:

1900 arrive at work and assigned to rehab.

Because I'm the float nurse I get the patient's the other nurses don't want or are just tired of.

My glasses fall off my face into a bunch of urine . . . gross!

(Guess I won't be using those the rest of the night!)

2300 transfered to ER because they are getting slammed and REALLY need me

(at least that's what I'm told)

I run for 45 minutes before getting transfered to ICU

2345 Clock in at ICU

Deal with a drug overdose

Called a Mother F$%#@r exactly 36 times

Spit at and nearly bit.

I actually had to use the line "you can pull on those restraints all you want, but in the end I WILL win!"

0730 clock out and head for home, VERY grateful my replacement was on time ;)

While it was a bit more exhausting than usual it still was a typical night! Yikes right?!

The good thing today: the only red liquid I got on my scrubs was Crystal Lite!

Teresa

Kindergarten

2010-10-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

My children will tell you how smart they are, and I will agree with them!

I love that my boys get to go to school together this year, partly because I have only 1 kid for a few hours but also so:

they can go to bed on time together

get ready together

do homework together

run to the bus stop together

and all that other stuff that is menial but important!

Kindergarteners are the best. So innocent and everything is so new!

This is my youngest boy on his first day.

As a mom it's hard to send my boys some days because kids are ruthless and a lot of parents don't care. They get their feelings hurt, learn naughty words and see the world unfiltered.

However, I also don't want the kid who greats the world for the first time at 18. Yikes!

The good thing today: My son called me sexy . . . that was before I explained to him what it meant ;) He was a bit embarressed!

Teresa

Midnight Hugs in the ICU

2010-09-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

The ICU isn't a fun place to spend the night. In fact, if you belong there chances are you wouldn't be having fun anywhere else anyway.

I spent the weekend working the ICU, not my favorite place to be either.

A woman"s lungs were full of fluid like this:

On an xray air is black. You will notice a LOT of white in the lung area . . . that is fluid around the lung, compressing it.

When this happens and the patient is struggling to breathe we put these in:

Chest Tubes! Insert a tube through the intercostal space into the pleural space to drain the fluid.

EXTREMELY painful, it literally hurts to breathe.

Because gravity plays an important role in draining the lung we life our patients to be upright, but this hurts too.

This small woman was too weak and exhausted from breathing to sit upright, we tried every position and propping technique we could think of.

It was so hard to see her struggle, helpless for the both of us.

There was only one other thing I could think of. I stood in front of her and asked her to lean on me. She put her hands on my shoulders and laid her head on my chest. Her muscles relaxed for the first time. We sat there for a good hour just "hugging" each other.

Because we did she drained 900 ml out of her chest!

I think we were both breathing better after that ;)

The good thing today: I wore deodorant ;)

Teresa

Somebody's grave

2010-09-22T11:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's not just SOMEBODY'S grave it's Mr Lassen . . . the one Mount Lassen is named after. This is his grave marker!

Yeah, I want one just like it when I die! Okay dearest?

Next to the grave marker is the remains of a VERY old and VERY big tree. As you can see this is what the kids found interesting ;)

I stuck the girl in an overgrown area of flowering weeds, she wasn't too sure but it made a nice picture

Then I stuck them in the tree stump . . . she LOVED it! NOT!

Now you can say you've seen Mr Lassen's grave and surrounding area, yep that's it!

The good thing today: took a nice long drive through the mountains and ranches to get there.

Teresa

4 Generations

2010-09-22T10:23:00.001-07:00

Because I have very little family, I've learned to appreciate the ones I have.

While in CA we got to visit grandma Stoy ("the really old grandma" according to my boys)

Here's a pic of grandma Stoy, my husband, his mom and my kiddos!

There is something that happens to a grandma when small children come running . . . I swear it's a twinkle ;)

The good thing today: my children made her eyes "twinkle" that day

Teresa

Old Chapel

2010-09-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have this thing with old little white chapels, old barns, cemeteries and old house . . . I find them ADORABLE!

While in northern CA near a grandpa's grave we found this adorable little white chapel!

It's been renovated and it still used. I loved the stained glass.

Here's my husband pulling the rope for the tiny bell tower!

Complete with it's own old cemetery with dates going back to the 1800s.

The good thing today: I'm not six feet under, but if I was I want it to be in an old ADORABLE cemetery next to an old ADORABLE little white chapel! ;)

Teresa

(yes, I'm a bit off)

Clown Car

2010-09-01T23:59:00.002-07:00

Right after we got the Transmission in the Trailblazer fixed we were T-boned.

Fortunately the other driver was held liable so the repairs were free!

I drop off my Trailblazer at Abra Autobody and Glass (fabulous place and great service BTW) then walk next door to Enterprise for my free rental.

I'm happy at this point and grateful my car is getting fixed.

I sign my life away and take the keys for the rental walk outside and see this:

I say: "Are you kidding me!? I drive a Trailblazer, I have 2 booster seats and a carseat I have to fit in there! No way!"

In case you forgot what a Trailblazer looks like

Bit of a size difference, huh?

The Enterprise man says: "Well, there's 3 buckles in the back so they should fit. Besides this is the only size car the insurance pays for."

I actually heard crickets at this point . . .

Grabbed the keys and headed home.

Guess what?!?! This car does NOT fit 2 booster seats and a car seat in the back!

FYI

The good thing today: After 8 days of driving the clown car I got to turn it in and drive my Trailblazer home! With ALL my kids in the back seat thank you very much!

Teresa

Pillowcase Keepsake

2010-09-01T23:59:00.001-07:00

Our grandmas live far away, one we only get to see once a year.

Because we see her so rarely, I try to think of something to give her that will be a reminder of us and how much we love her.

THIS time we made a hand print pillow

I found soft flannel and traced the kids' hand prints onto the fabric with a pen, then had them write their names below it.

I think embroidered the traced hand prints and their names just the way they had written them.

I sewed it into a pillow case and put a soft new pillow inside.

Grandmas LOVE pillows and they LOVE their grandkids' hands.

I promise!

The good thing today: I stink at sewing, but my mom did teach me how to thread a machine and a needle.

Teresa

Tutus

2010-08-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

For as long as I can remember I have loved tutus! Like every other little girl I wanted to be a ballerina and twirl around in a big poofy tutu.

Unfortunately my big thighs are not tight/tutu friendly ;)

Now I have a little girl who looks adorable in her chunky/naked/tutuness! (sorry English majors)

Just just said "awwww" didn't you!?

Someday her thighs may not be tight/tutu friendly and she won't be able to run around topless, but right now she is the CUTEST tutu wearing baby girl ever!

You can order these adorable tutus here! At Ransom Made Designs!

The good thing today: all the above! ;)

Teresa

The Last Baby

2010-08-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Every mom has the opportunity to have her "last baby"

Not that I love her more, but I do cherish those milestones a little differently than with the boys.

There's also those things I wanted to buy for the others or do with the others and I didn't get the chance.

I know I'm not the only one, think about it!

I wanted a cradle, a changing table, a nice breast pump, and one of these:

She hates it, and pretty much cries the entire time she's in it.

But I love that she has it (okay that I have it) and that at least my last baby got her own outside swing!

The good thing today: I don't have to give birth ever again!

Teresa

Dinosaur Museum Part 2

2010-08-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

At the Dinosaur Museum they also have an underwater section . . . something that looks like a Loch Ness monster, a turtle the size of VW beetle and SHARKS!

AHHHH! This thing is CRAZY huge! Here's my kiddos, brother and dad trying to look scared

I love that the girl's head could fit into the mouth of this monster, she wasn't impressed!

The good thing today: She probably won't remember I tried to stuff her inside a shark's mouth ;)

Teresa

Dinosaur Museum Part 1

2010-08-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Because Grandma and Grampa were in town we got to do extra fun stuff. We went to the Museum of Ancient Life (aka The Dinosaur Museum)

Lots of AMAZING fossils and hands on exhibits for kids!

The kids playing on a "baby dinosaur"

Playing in the water/sand exhibit.

The kids can make dams, land slides, river beds and other ways to drown plastic dinosaurs.

Plus it's a good excuse to get wet!

The girl loved running her fingers through the sand

The girl next to a Brachiosaurus foot.

The good thing today: They have a scale that can tell me what kind of dinosaur weighs the same as me . . . yeah because THAT's what I want to know!

Teresa

Wheeler Farm

2010-08-21T14:43:00.000-07:00

Took my kids to Wheeler Farm in SLC, it's a farm from the 1800's and free to roam. A wagon ride is only $2 and a tour of the victorian style farm house was also only $2

Great place for kids to roam free

And a great place for pictures!!!

The boys in front of a tractor tire. I love that they have tractors all over and the kids can climb on them.

Trying to pose the kids on a pile of hay . . . the girl was NOT interested!

She has also discovered "ignoring", she will look at anywhere and anyone who isn't calling her name!

The good thing today: Cheap entertainment and sunshine all around!

Hope for Isaac Sintz

2010-08-15T01:57:00.000-07:00

The last time I saw this sweet face Isaac was 1.

Alot has happened since then and how he is in need of your help.

Isaac Sintz was recently diagnosed with Dravets Syndrome, a severe and rare form of epilepsy. We are trying to help in the early onset of the disease to prevent further damage that is already happening. This specific type causes numerous, uncontrollable seizures, stunts mental capabilities, and causes other life debilitating side effects. As the number of seizures grow, his once normal life is threatened. He will be four in August. Isaac needs many expensive treatments to stabilize these seizures to prolong his life; hence, the charitable event on August 28th.

Join us for the 5K Race
August 28th 8:00 a.m.
Riverfront Parkway
900 West 10950 South

I am planning on donating the proceeds from a wedding cake to help Isaac and his family.
If you are unable to come to the walk, please feel free to donate here.

The good thing today: Faith, hope and charity.

1 Cor 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Teresa

No good, very bad day!

2010-08-13T13:23:00.000-07:00

When saying my bedtime prayer last night, I did NOT thank God for the day . . . I was a bit upset and wished the entire day hadn't happened.

However I did thank him for minimizing the damage of the day.

The BAD list!

* Took 3 kids shopping, I had to put their new toys in "time-out" and had to put their noses in the corner. Needless to say, they were awful.

* Got home and found out my husband was turned down for his dream job. This would have meant me being able to cut back hours

* Went to a furniture store when he got home and was embarrassed by my unruly children. The boys knocked over the baby's stroller and gave her rug burn. We left the store with 3 crying children.

* Decided to go find some dinner and relax . . . got in a wreck in the parking lot. Bashed in one of the doors that now has to be replaced. This is the same car we just spent $2400 for a new transmission.

* It took the officer 1 hr and 15 minutes to arrive on scene. My children are crying because they are hungry and tired. We left without eating dinner.

* When we got home I fed the kids ice cream for dinner and put them to bed. We watched "The Simpsons" and enjoyed a couple laughs.

* Couldn't sleep because we were stressed and wired.

Bedtime prayer time . . . I was NOT grateful for the day. But I was grateful we were ok, our car still drives, I don't have to pay to fix it, my husband has a job and my children, though unruly, are good kids. Then I prayed tomorrow would be better!

Guess what day it is . . . Friday the 13th. Sheesh!

The good thing today: 13 has always been my lucky number!

Teresa

"Plan Q"

2010-08-12T14:46:00.000-07:00

I am a plan and list person, it's how I function.

I can do anything just so long as I know the plan.

My husband and I have been married 8 1/2 years and we still REALLY like (ok . . . LOVE) each other.

When we married we had a plan.

We'll call it "Plan A"

Get married, get degrees, make babies, buy a house, make money, travel.

Grow old together and enjoy every minute of it!

Over the years, we've had to move to "Plan B (not the drug" . . . . "Plan C" . . . ."Plan D" . . . ect!

We made the babies, got the degrees, bought a house and we're working on the rest.

I've lost count what plan we are on, but I would guess it's currently "Plan P".

Today my husband was turned down for a dream job, it would have been the job that would allow us to move on to "Plan Q", which is SO much better than our current "Plan P".

In the end we have to realize that our initial "Plan A" didn't pan out and "Plan Q" isn't happening, but "Plan P" really isn't that bad.

In fact I remember when "Plan P" looked pretty darn good!

(days when we lived on mac and cheese and ONLY shopped at Good Will)

Dear Husband,

I love you and even when times suck it's still better with you!

"Plan Q" WILL happen, just not this week!

The good thing today: rejection dinner . . . aka anywhere he wants!

Teresa

Forgiveness

2010-08-09T09:58:00.000-07:00

Because we all fall burden to another at some point we must all learn to forgive.

This isn't an easy or a fast thing, but it is necessary.

I believe to find peace we must forgive.

The good thing today: the atonement allows me to forgive and repent so I can stand blameless.

Teresa

GIANT Marshmallows!

2010-08-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

While hunting for S'mores ingredients at Winco I came upon these . . .

They are giant marshmallows, so of course I bought them!

These are Campfire brand, new to me, but they were delicious!

The bag is 28 oz and each marshmallow it 2" x 2" of sugary softness ;)

I did a scientific experiment and tried to figure out how many times I could roast and peel one of these suckers. A typical large marshmallow can be done twice. I was guessing 3 times for these giant ones . . .

I was able to roast and peel 4 layers off one of these giant marshmallows . . . I could've done a 5th but I roasted it a bit too long.

The good thing today: Climbing in to bed smelling like campfire ;)

Teresa

Fruity Pebble Launch

2010-08-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

My adorable boys were eating Fruity Pebbles . . . yum!

I heard a LOT of laughing coming from the kitchen.

When I went into the kitchen I found fruity pebbles splattered all over my fridge, and on the wall. Apparently they were flipping Fruity Pebbles at each other with their spoons!

After a stunned silence I asked "WHY?!"

They answered with silence

Breakfast time was officially over . . . but seriously funny!

The good thing today: The dog REALLY likes Fruity Pebbles ;)

Teresa

How much is that doggie in the window?

2010-08-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was cleaning the kitchen and heard the little girl in her room screaming.

Like any good mom I ignored it for a few minutes . . . then went to investigate.

Here's what I found

She pulled her toys and blankets out of her changing table and climbed up in there, of course she couldn't figure out how to get back down.

Again, like a good mother I laughed and went for the camera

I immediately thought . . .

"how much is that doggie in the window, ruff, ruff!"

After about 10 seconds she didn't think I was funny and screamed MUCH louder!

The good thing today: I found a place to stick her while I'm cleaning . . . JOKING!

Teresa

Lunch With Jesus

2010-08-05T07:01:00.000-07:00

Working with preemies can be stressful.

Sometimes they don't like to breathe,

sometimes their heart wants to take a little break,

and sometimes they need some convincing to stay here on earth.

One night in perticular I spent my night trying to keep a little one alive and was stressed and tired.

My friend Ashley with her southern drawl says: "he's just tryin' to have lunch with Jesus!"

I couldn't help but smile and chuckle a little.

I take it seriously . . . but sometimes I need a little humor to break it down. It's amazing how much a little chuckle can do to alleviate intense stress.

I find myself sometimes saying:

"You can have lunch with Jesus tomorrow, just not TODAY!"

"Jesus is busy at the moment, please come back until he's ready to see you"

"Stay away from the light"

"BREATHE"

"%&#$*!"

I'm sure you get it ;)

I can't be too hard on them though, I would rather be there too sometimes ;)

The good thing today: Those little babies who repeatedly walk away from the light when I beg and plead!

Teresa

Dirt Volcano

2010-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

My boys LOVE dirt, in fact they play in it everyday.

We have always had a dirt pile in our yard because if I don't they WILL make one!

We were visiting their aunt's house and she doesn't have a dirt pile per say . . . nonetheless there was enough collectively to make a dirt volcano!

I think it was originally a gopher hole.

The good thing today: There is ALWAYS enough dirt if you are willing to look for it! (sounds highly metaphorical doesn't it?)

Teresa

BooBoos and Koolaid!

2010-08-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

This is the cutest mug ever!

I love dirty little kids, cover them in mud, Kool aid, stickiness and that's the way I love them.

The little girl decided she could walk down stairs, even though they are as tall as her legs are long . . .

What followed was a goose-egg and tears. The fail safe treatment . . . Kool aid!

Somehow I think she'll recover.

The good thing today: kids believe in the healing power of sugar ;)

Teresa

One little monkey . . .

2010-08-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

One little monkey . . .

Swinging from the basketball pole . . .

It took him a few tries to figure how to shimmy up the pole, but once he did . . .

It went on and on the rest of the evening ;)

The good thing today: Active and healthy little boys!

Teresa

The Boy Who Loved Spiderman - Tom Stewart

2010-08-02T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is the coolest uncle in the ENTIRE world . . . seriously!

He writes stories, plays, acts, and does lots of other cool artistic stuff and this is one of my favorite short stories!

Bio

Tom Stewart is a writer, actor, playwright and comics journalist covering the comic book world for over ten years. He has written for the Eisner award winning Comic Book Artist Magazine, TwoMorrows Publications, M.A.I.N. Magazine, Changes Newspaper, has contributed to the Jack Kirby Collector and Alter-Ego Magazine, and is a regular writer for Back Issue Magazine. Tom won an award for fiction writing from the Washington Press Association, and has had several of his plays produced in the Seattle area. His current project is a one-man show on Robert Kennedy. In his spare time he likes to write short bios in the third person. He lives in Sunny Seattle

Find him HERE at Open Salon Blog

The Boy Who Loved Spiderman

The Power of Pop Culture Amazes Me. Truely, at times it can mean more to us than family, friends or even our lives.

You ever had an experience that made you stop and think? No, I don't mean once a year, or even once every month or so, but one that becomes a yardstick for how you measure your life? This is one I had, one I still think about often, even though it’s been almost 15 years gone. I think about my friend Justin, a bright, energetic ten year old, who had to be the biggest Spider-Man fan I have ever seen. Spider-Man is credited by me and by his parents, with keeping Justin alive.

I first met Justin’s parents when they came into the video store where I was working. The store was just a couple blocks from Children's Hospital in Seattle, so we would get a lot of parents and kids coming in, looking for movies to pass the time. Pat and Diane, Justin’s parents, asked me if we had any Spider-Man movies. We didn't, (this was way before the Tobey Maguire blockbusters) but I knew there collections of the old TV series, both animated and live, so I said I'd check around. They then asked me if I knew of any comic stores in the area. They had a sick son, and wanted to get him something special, like the first appearance of Spider-Man. I recommended a shop I knew, told them that the first Spider-man might cost several thousand dollars, but they might get a reprint. They thanked me and said they would take a look at the comics store.

I didn't see them again for several months. I’d left the video store and was now working at the comic shop I'd recommended when Justin and his parents came in. That was when I finally met Justin, or Jus' as he liked me to call him.

Funny Books

Justin had cancer. He was thin and pale, his bald head hidden under a baseball cap. His legs were encased in metal braces, the scars of past operations visible under the straps. He’d spent several months at Children’s Hospital, under going treatments, his parents watching him shrink and get sicker. The doctors thought Jus' might have it licked. and everyone was holding on to hope. He was due to go home soon, but he would still have to make a five-hour weekly drive each way for his chemo treatments.

The highlight of his week, after the treatments, was coming into the store and getting his Spidey comics. He loved comics. Loved them. Loved everything about them, Spider-Man most of all. He could quote the corniest dialog, tell you which ads were in which issues, and who wrote the most letters to Marvel Comics that month. He read every page, then read them all over again. He'd look at the racks, ask me what was best this week, and then grab the stack from his hold box. He immediately started the sorting. He put each comic into little piles. His dad Pat told me the three stacks Jus' made were: 1) comics to start reading now, right now! 2) Comics that he would get to on the ride home, 3) Comics he'd let his little brother read while Jus read, "the good ones." His parents were letting him use what would have been his college money to buy back issues, and as many new ones as he could read. It keep him distracted, kept his mind away from the cancer and the chemo, the interminable trips, the poking and prodding, not seeing his friends, and facing at best, an uncertain future. Like I said, he loved comics, it was his better world.

He reminded me of when I was ten. The fun of summer, the feel of cheap newsprint, the taste of the grape Slurpee I’d buy to wash down Batman’s adventures. I got on some of the comics boards, requesting old Spider-Man comics for Justin from other people who remembered how fun comics were. The response I got was fantastic. Several boxes came in from people all over America, from as few as a couple comics, to large boxes of a couple hundred. All people who knew what it was like to have a four-color friend. Justin wrote a thank you note for each stack he got in. He couldn't believe that that many people would care and take the time. For awhile there, he had a box waiting for him at the store every time he came in. He'd excitedly tear through each one, and set aside any that he already had. These he'd take back to the hospital to give to the other kids, (This is something the store owner would suggest to people who brought in comics we didn't want to buy, to donate them to the kids, it was a tax write off, and could make you feel goods as well) a lot of my old comics ended up there.

The Clone Wars

Each week he'd ask for more news of the current storyline in Spidey, forcing me to read each one, so I could discuss it with him. I never read Spidey, not even as a kid, so I had a lot of catching up to do. I even started collecting old issues and reprints. We would discuss the merits of each Spidey comic as it came out. At this time in Spider-Man’s history, Peter Parker was replaced by a clone (or was he a clone?) who called himself Ben Reilly). It was a big stink among the Spidey fans, but Justin was hooked. He couldn't wait until the next week, the next issue, the next adventure.

When Justin finally got the braces off, he just wanted to run again. Well, that wasn’t happening, but he was thrilled to walk with a cane and he looked better than I'd ever seen him. He made sure I noticed the stubble of hair that had started to grow back, and gave me instructions to keep his usual comics (and anything else that 'looked cool') while he went on a weeklong trip to Disneyland. He asked me what he could bring me, I told him that Snow White would be fine, but no, that would having to touch a girl, and he just couldn't do that. Battling cancer? No problem. Girls? Yuck.

I didn't see Justin for about a month after that. I was worried; it just wasn't like Justin not to be here in the store, every week, arguing with me about the merits of 'real' Spidey vs. 'clone' Spidey. The Spider-clone story was still going along, still causing turbulence in fan world, and Jus’ and I had several good debates over the merits of the Spidey/Spidey-Clone series. Me, the traditionalist was in the ‘abomination’ camp, Justin, the newbie 10yr old, just wanted a good story. I saved his comics, and kept up on the new Spider-Man for him, and kept looking up, waiting for him to walk in the door. When he finally came in, he had his hated braces on again. He looked tired. He smiled, and grabbed his comics, but his little brother had to help him carry the stack to the table. While Jus went through his comics, putting them in order for the trip home, Pat told me the doctors had found several more tumors... they had given Justin six weeks.

Cliffhangers...

Justin and I went through the books, talking about the storyline, and what would happen to Ben Reilly, the clone. I still saw Jus’ each week, looking smaller, paler each time. He kept it up for a lot longer than the doctors thought possible. They would shake their collective heads over the kid’s staying power. It was no mystery to me. Justin wanted to know what would happen to Peter Parker and Ben Reilly.

He made it through Thanksgiving, weak, able to eat but a little, but still picking up his comics each week. Until the first week of December. Pat picked up Justin’s' books and said that Justin wouldn't be in anymore. He was too weak to make the trip, but Pat would make the drive to pick them up alone. He shook his head, cradling the comics gently, "I love him, he's my son, I hold him, tell him that it's ok, he doesn't have to fight, not for me or his Mom. But he wants to, he wants to live every second that's coming to him."

When the last issues came out, Justin could no longer read because he could hardly see. His liver had shut down and he was bed ridden, not able to move for himself. We would mail Justin’s' comics to him, to save Pat the time away from his son. Pat would read each story to him. The doctor's said it would be a miracle if he lived till Christmas. His dad told me it was no miracle, it was Spider-man.

Justin continued to hang in there, just like the clone Ben. He wanted to know what would happen.

Justin out lived Ben Reilly, Spider-Man's clone by two weeks. He was eleven when he died. We got the news by letter, Pat thanking us for helping out his son. I took the last box of comics that arrived from a generous donor to the children’s hospital, telling the nurses if was a gift from Justin.

Is this The End..?

I love comics, I'm 45 now and have been reading comics, with a couple falling off periods, since about 1972-73. But I will never love comics as much as my friend Justin. Not nearly as much.

Not enough to keep me alive.

The good thing today: Spiderman . . . yep just him. My boys worship him and he can climb walls. I just like the upside down kiss thing ;)

Teresa

What are YOU looking at?!

2010-08-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am a mom of three small children, I don't have a nanny, I run my own errands and do my own grocery shopping. It takes a special kind of mom to be able to shop with three small kids without losing or killing one!

While I dread going I take pride in the fact that I have yet to kill one or lose one for more than a minute. (You know you have to!)

Of course the entire time I am counting heads, telling the baby to sit, calling out the boys' names, reminding them to PLEASE stop touching everything, NO you don't NEED that, YES you WILL eat that, and for heavens sake keep you hands to yourselves!!!

I try to ignore looks from strangers . . . while I don't beat my children I WILL dicipline them in public, even if I have 20 spectators ;)

Many times I have hunted down a corner for a little nose in Walmart.

If we all survive we get a treat . . .

The Burger King by our house has ice cream cones for 89 cents!

The good thing today: I don't have to grocery shop for 2 more weeks!

Teresa

Free Book of Mormon

2010-07-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm LDS (Mormon) and along with the Bible we read the Book of Mormon. I can honestly say this book has brought me peace and understanding. I have reaped great amounts of personal inspiration from its pages and I know it was written for us.

I would love to send you a Book of Mormon with a letter from me for free . . . ANYWHERE. Period.

If you are interested email me at cakesbyteresa@hotmail.com

I need:

First and last name

Email address to confirm

Complete mailing address

Language you want the book in

Do you want a visit from missionaries?

I know our Heavenly Father is mindful of us and sent his son Jesus Christ to earth to show us how to live so we could return to him again. I know the Book of Mormon to be a true book written by prophets of God for our time. Joseph Smith restored the gospel and truly spoke with God and his son. Thomas S Monson is a true prophet and is God's word in the world today. I know my family is forever and Heavenly Father hears me and knows me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The good thing today: I know who I am, where I came from and where I'm going.

Teresa

Teresa vs Nasty Grout

2010-07-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

We bought a house this spring and we are slowly working our way through it replacing old stuff. This is my AWESOME bathroom floor! (yuck!) We can't afford to tear it up yet, but something seriously needs to be done with it. 45 years of grime in that grout!

I came across grout paint at Walmart, looks like a shoe polish tube with a sponge tip, seems simple enough and cheap. BEFORE . . .

I applied the cream and let it sit for 4 hours . . . DURING

After 4 hours I used my sponge mop and mopped the extra up. I had to get on my knees with a rag for the corners and behind the toilet, but it came off the tile really easily. AFTER . . .

I realize it's not perfect but it is SO much better! I think I can live with that until next spring when I tear it all up!

The good today: A "Do it yourself" what actually worked!

Teresa

Exhaustion

2010-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am exhausted, I don't care about anything. Sleep deprivation does this to me and turns me into an apathetic slug. I want to crawl into bed and sleep until I can't sleep anymore just like . . .

Sleeping Beauty~ I want to sleep for 100 years and wake up with a Prince's kiss. *sigh*

I wish I looked this glamorous when I'm this exhausted but this is how I feel . . .

Of course to make myself feel better about not being able to sleep I look up beautiful pictures of sleeping women and imagine me in it instead. I realize the Lady of Shallot is committing suicide here but holy cow does she comfy or what!?

Although I would probably be too scared of tipping to be able to sleep this peacefully ;)

I'll get some real sleep Friday night! Woohoo! Meanwhile Dr Pepper is my best friend!

The good thing today: Work has a vending machine stocked with Dr Pepper ;)

Teresa

Who We Are

2010-07-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

We are constantly bombarded in this world by TV, music, magazines and the internet telling us who we SHOULD be, and what's accepted. I'm not thin enough, pretty enough, popular enough, talented enough, and I could go on and on!

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf shares this message by retelling the Ugly Duckling and encourages us to look at our true selves and love who we are not who the world says we need to be.

The good today: God sent someone who is wiser than me to lead the way!

Teresa

Playing in a Cemetery

2010-07-16T12:35:00.000-07:00

The kids and I were waiting for my husband to get out of work and had 45 minutes to kill, no playground in site, and I was tired of spending money.

But . . . I found a cemetery. I saw grass, trees, water, hills and pathways. Just like a park, minus the headstones. We got out and I talked to the boys about not stepping on headstones and let them run and enjoy the sunshine!

Once the ducks were adequately chased they became interested in the headstones and ran from one to another reading names and dates and got REALLY excited when one had flowers. Of course they wanted to know HOW they were buried and if they were skeletons yet. (remember they are BOYS)

Then we found the tiny headstones. Babies loved and lost.

We talked about how sometimes babies die, they were fine with that. As a mother I can't imagine the heartbreak that comes with losing a child, but in their innocence and their understanding of Heaven they were okay with it all.

My mom called while we were there and I told her we were playing there, of course her suggestion was: "You should bring them back at night and let them play hide and seek! A cemetery is a great place for that!"

Yes, she was serious and that's why I love her ;)

No, I won't be taking them back for hide and seek in the dark . . . at least until they are older!

The good today: my kids promised to put flowers on my grave when I die ;)

Teresa

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

2010-07-14T15:13:00.001-07:00

I'm not a great cook and I won't pretend I know what I'm doing in the kitchen, but I have to share this recipe.

It's summer and my house is 78 degree which means I won't turn on my oven for fear of a heat stroke ;) I pulled out my old crockpot recipe book and did some tweaking. This one is by far my family's favorite.

Pulled Pork

2-3 lbs pork roast

16 oz bottle BBQ sauce

2 Tbsp Hot mustard

Pepper

1 medium onion

2 Tbsp vinegar

Cut pork roast into strips 1 inch wide. Combine 2/3 of the BBQ sauce, mustard, vinegar, onion and some pepper. Place pork into crockpot and stir in the BBQ sauce mixture.

Cook on low for 6 hours. Strain the meat and onion, and “pull apart”. I smash it with a fork and it all falls apart. Mix in the rest of the BBQ sauce and serve on a bun or bread

So, next time it's too hot to cook try the crockpot.

The good today: I OWN a crockpot!

Teresa

Willow Tree Massacre

2010-07-13T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have little children, I also have some nice things. I keep my nice things out and teach my children to not touch!

For the most part I've had great success with a few casualties along the way.

Today that was my Willow Tree dolls. The girl beheaded one and de-legged another.

To her credit show knows she's not supposed to play with them and immediately hands them to me when she's caught.

The good today: I own a glue gun!

Teresa

A Better Sunday

2010-07-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of re-prioritizing lately, mostly about my weekends and my time at home.

It's hard to go to church because:

I work every Saturday night

I'm so exhausted I couldn't walk a straight line if I had to

I have a 1 year old who HATES church

I spend all my time in the foyer or mother's room anyway

the list goes on and on.

This is me by morning, actually they look better than I do ;)

I found myself more willing to skip church, then once I skipped it was no big deal to do it the next week. Granted I had worthy excuses but this is my life and my family we're talking about here. I need it and so do they.

I rearranged my work schedule so I can be conscious and ready to fight the baby head on every Sunday . . . at least I'll get the Sacrament, right?

Teresa

Disneyland at Halloween Time!

2010-07-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

We are going to Disneyland this fall the week before halloween . . . and while we're there we get to experience Halloween Disney style! It starts September 17th thru Oct 31st.

Disneyland also offers Trick or Treating a few nights a week with Mickey ;)

Because I love Halloween more than most other holidays I am super psyched! The fireworks will be ghosted out!

The entire park will be decked out! The Haunted Mansion turns into "Nightmare before Christmas" and the Tower of Terror gets even MORE creepy!

Check out the link below for specific Disney/Halloween info:

Maybe I'll even see you there ;)

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/events/halloween-time/

The good today: planning a trip to the happiest place on earth

Teresa

2010-07-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is a hilarious video! I think we can all see a bit of our husbands and dads in this.

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Of course I justify our coolness by saying we drive an SUV NOT a minivan and we have a push lawnmower NOT a riding one.

Otherwise, yes this is my husband! ;)

Good thing today: a husband who is also a really good dad!

Teresa

Baby Faces!

2010-07-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

It amazes me every day how similar my kids look.

Granted they are different but as I was once told "from the same recipe"

After I had my 2nd son and told my husband "it's looks like I had the same baby twice!"

My daughter was whisked away rather quickly after birth and then I was able to walk into the NICU I knew exactly which one was mine because she looked just like her brothers.

I love that my babies are cookie cutters!

The good today: 3 babies with blue eyes and blonde hair!

Teresa

Sand and Little Toes

2010-07-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

I love watching my kids experience new things and seeing the world through their eyes. This week the baby is experiencing sand!

Husband and boys built and AMAZING sand castle complete with drawbridge and moat!

We came to Bear Lake last year but she was 5 pounds, but this years she's 21 pounds of sheer curiousity!

Babies on a beach equals:

Swim diapers

Eating sand

Pooping sand

Water up the nose

Sand boogers

LOTS of Sunscreen

Swimsuits with diaper butts

Toes in the sand

These are things I wouldn't miss for all the inconvenience in the world!

My boys are pros, they do the life jacket thing, build their own sand castles, and swim on their own! Someday the girl will be a pro too, but for now she is a first timer ;)

The good today: She finally puts her toes in the water without screaming

Teresa

Bath in the Sink

2010-07-02T04:56:00.000-07:00

I love that my one year old can still bathe in the bathroom sink!

I love bathing my babies in sinks, it's a smaller space, less echoing and I don't have to bend over and kill my back. The girl is the caboose of our family and while she is petite she's also growing up quickly. She's big enough that she ends up soaking my floor now, but the fact is she STILL FITS! This will probably her last bath in the sink . . . kinda sad :(

The good today: tiny girls who can still fit in the bathroom sink ;)

Teresa

FREE Gigantic "rock"

2010-07-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

We bought a house this last spring and the landscaping it decent for the most part except . . . for . . . THIS!

There is this HUGE "rock" made out of gravel and cement sitting in the corner of our front yard as a . . . (cough, cough) decoration (cough, cough).

One sunny afternoon while I was pulling some of the millions of weeds in my front yard an older nieghbor lady wandered by. We exchanged some nice words and introductions.

Then she asked "don't you just love that rock?"

Me: silence (is she joking?, do I laugh?)

Her: The Johnsons who used to live here told me I could have it if I could figure out a way to get it into my yard. (yes, she was serious)

Me: (laughing) You STILL have dibs on it as far as I'm concerned and believe me I will gladly help you if you find a way to get it out of here!

Her: (BIG smile) I want to cover it in chicks and hens.

(I thought she meant ceramic chicks and hens, gratefully my friend informed me they are a ground cover) Whew!

Now that it's summer it's hidden a bit better and I've planted a Wisteria vine in hopes it will smother it!

So, if anyone has a crane and feels like using it, PLEASE message me!

Good in today: found an adoptive mom for my nasty "rock"

Teresa

Happy Birthday America

2010-06-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

Dear America,

Happy Birthday! We celebrated your birthday by:

Camping at Bear Lake

BBQ

S'mores

Fireworks on the beach

Telling my kids the "kid version" of how our country came to be . . . they were impressed ;)

Thanks for being one year older, and here's to another great year!

The good today: celebrating our country and the freedoms we enjoy!

Teresa

Inside on a Hot Day

2010-06-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's 93 degrees outside and 78 degrees inside . . . yuck! Our "evaporative cooler" isn't cooling too well and I don't have a car to leave the house. I know, poor me.

The girl and I were up most of the night and that makes the two of us quite the pair today. She's been walking around the house crying today and I was about done. I baby-gated her in her room while I showered and came out to find this:

She climbed into the basket I use for her dirty clothes and was playing in there. Even better, it has wheels so she got pushed around her room. Mostly is was just good to see her smile.

Babies are lucky they get to wear just a diaper on hot days and it's okay.

Good thing today: A laundry basket with wheels!

Teresa

What sick looks like at our house!

2010-06-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

Having sick kids is rough. Having 3 sick kids after working a night shift . . . is REALLY rough!

My kids know when they are really sick they get to lay on a mattress in front of the TV, have Popsicles and Sprite and watch cartoons all day.

My thought is:

* If they rest they will heal faster

* Pop and Popsicles are an easy way to keep them hydrated

* Junk food makes them complain about "spicy" medicine less

* Keeping them in 1 room makes humidifying the air easier

* Cartoons make everything better!

I get home on Monday morning and my 5 year old asks (while hacking up his lungs)

"am I sick enough to lay on the mattress?"

Considering the chorus of hacking and crying I said:

"YES!"

His smile helped and I promptly ran to the store to pick up "sick day" necessities.

Just thought you might like a little glimpse into our "sick day"

Good thing today: Broke 3 fevers! Yay!

Teresa

Ode to Cary Grant

2010-06-27T02:55:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself a hopeless romantic . . . but there is something about Cary Grant that gets to me every time. I'm pretty sure if he was alive I would be a stalker!

When I'm sick, or finally get a day off work after a long stretch my most favorite thing to do is spend time with my old movies . . . aka Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, just to

name a few ;)

My all time favorite is "An Affair to Remember"

Plus I LOVE Kerr

Nickie Ferrante ( Cary Grant ):
"You've been crying."
Terry McKay ( Deborah Kerr ):
"Beauty does that to me."

(picture me sobbing here)

How can you not LOVE this face!?

One of the funniest scenes!

Check out the synopsis:
Handsome playboy Nicky Ferrante and beautiful night club singer Terry McKay have a romance while on a cruise from Europe to New York. Despite being engaged to other people, both agree to reunite at the top of the Empire State Building in six months.

However, an unfortunate accident keeps Terry from the reunion, and Nicky fears that she has married or does not love him anymore. Will he discover the truth behind her absence and reunite with his one true love, or has fate and destiny passed them by?

Here is the ending scene of the movie (WARNING SPOILER):

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/?q=an+Affair+to+Remember%2c+end+scene&vid=4801BDCB19155B9D45364801BDCB19155B9D4536&FORM=VIRE2

The good today: I got off a long stretch of shifts . . . so I will spending some time with Mr Grant today ;)

Teresa

Sundays are hard

2010-06-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

I work on Saturday nights so by Sunday morning I have been awake for 24 hours . . . needless to say I'm REALLY tired!

I come home, get everyone up, dressed and fed. While the husband showers I attempt to shave my legs, put my eyeliner on straight and put on a skirt. The whole while resisting the urge to crawl back into bed. We have to be there by 9am so Sunday mornings are a bit of a rush as it probably is in most houses.

My boys are 7 and 5, they are gotten used to church and are typically well behaved. My one year old on the other hand HATES church! Honestly I spend more time pacing the halls with her than in any classroom. My goal each Sunday is to make it through the Sacrament.

I figure that's the real purpose of Sacrament meeting is . . . the sacrament! Right? I have 10 minutes of spirituality and then devote the rest of the time to being mommy ;)

The little voices in my head say "go to bed" and "it's not worth 10 minutes of Sacarement meeting". My spirit needs the Sacrament each week and that 10 minutes of spirituality, it feeds my soul and gets me through another week of craziness. Besides, don't we all need a chance to start over once a week?

Good thing on Sunday: I get to start over, and I get a LONG Sunday afternoon nap!

Teresa

Craig's List!

2010-06-26T15:51:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Crag's List! When I find junk, old toys, bricks, doors, carpet, ANYTHING I put it on Craig's List. Not only can I sell my junk but I don't have to haul it away. You would be amazed what people will buy, or you can put in on for free.

Old Tiles we found in the garage of our new house

Old brick stepping stones that used to cover a huge chunk of my front yard, now I have FLOWERS!

We got rid of 1100 sq feet of nasty carpet that way. We hauled it to the curb and put

it as a freebie and said "first come, first serve"

It was gone in 2 hours! WOW!

Check out craigslist.com, clean out your garage and use the money to take

the fam to dinner and a movie!

The good today: Husband cleaned out the garage and made money doing it,

plus I don't have to haul it all to the dump ;)

Teresa

NICU

2010-06-26T03:24:00.000-07:00

My Husband and Daughter, not my patient;)

I'm a float nurse, which means I float around to different units in the hospital when they are short on staff or have too many patients. I mostly spend my time in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), PCU (progressive care unit - cardiac), ER (emergency room).

Tonight I'm in the NICU wiping little bums instead of big ones, focusing on suck/breathe/swallow, and doing a lot of rocking and whispering. I think I could live and die here.

My Junior year in High School we had to do a job shadow for home ec. I procrastinated. The day before my decision was due I called up a family friend much to my mother's encouragement and asked if I could go to work with her for a day. She was a NICU nurse and her name was Marion. I had NO intention of becomming a nurse because it was "gross"!

That day my eyes were opened to a whole new world of technology, faith, science and the beauty of the human body. I had never seen babies so small only 1 pound at birth. I still remember the baby we cared for, her name, size and how her hand barely covered the tip of my finger. I took home the smallest diaper imaginable and I was hooked!

My daughter when she was in the NICU, not my patient ;)

I swore I would never work in the NICU, but 5 years into nursing and here I am and still loving it!

The good today: playing NICU nurse and wiping tiny bums!

Teresa

P.S. HIPAA! I cannot violate the patient privacy act, check it out here: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

Good Things to Come

2010-06-26T02:54:00.000-07:00

This is an amazing video from mormon messages on youtube.com

Good Things to Come

Teresa