Randomness...

Today there is a jumble of thoughts in my brain begging for an escape. That happens sometimes. Me having a thought. It's always a little frightening when it does. Oh my! Anyway, Saturday night our neighbor's adult son, who lives at her home with her, overdosed on drugs and passed away. And we had to explain that to our kids because they play with his little boy. That's a hard thing to have to tell kids. I don't remember ever hearing my parents even talk of people who used drugs when I was a child. Maybe it's because it was even more taboo then. Who knows? It's all very sad. The father (neighbors husband) died a little over a year ago from a long battle with cancer, and now her son is also gone. I just wonder sometimes at the reality that life is hard and trials are unique to everyone. For example, I am not sure how I would be dealing with things if I was in her situation and she handles it all so wonderfully. Don't get me wrong, I am sure that she is hurting and struggling, but she doesn't appear to be. She just goes on with life. And see, I am the one or the kind rather, that gets all hung up on stuff and can't let go.

On a brighter note, we took the kids to see "Enchanted" this morning at the movie theater. Such a cute show! All about happily ever after. It was great! Not entirely realistic of life in any way, but a fun escape. My girls are all about Princesses and Jonathan was thrilled that there was swords and a dragon in the movie. Me...I got to sit by Mike, so it was almost like a date...except that there were 5 children with us. You win some, you lost some!

Check back to my blog soon (like in the next day or two), because I will be posting my "100 things about me" post to celebrate my 100th post. What else would I be doing it for?

Breakfast,anyone?

This morning we went to breakfast. In the 10+ years that I have lived in Utah I have never eaten at "Doug & Emmy's Family Restaurant and Cafe" in Layton. This restaurant is pretty cool and it used to be the old train depot. It is redone into a restaurant now and serves tons of good home cooking.

Here are my thirteen favorite breakfast foods from Doug & Emmy's (and pretty much anywhere else):

1. Pancakes- the classic is the best.

2. Biscuits and Gravy- for the carb addict this rocks!

3. Scrambled eggs- Mike likes his eggs over-easy. I say, why eat them raw when you can have them cooked?

4. Sausage- in links or patties, this is my favorite!

5. Bacon- my kids could eat this all day long and still be skinnier than rails.

6. Hot chocolate- always a plus on cold days,with lots of whipped cream on top. MMMMM!

7. Orange Juice- yummmmm! (Just not right after I have brushed my teeth, okay?)

8. Syrup - My husband says this is a condiment, not a food. Whatever. On my list, it's whatever I say it is.

9. Hashbrowns- hello, potatoes. What's wrong with that?

10. S.O.S.- **** on a shingle. Mike had to explain that one to me. Seriously, I did not know. It was a yummy gravy on top of hashbrowns. Rachel was not a fan of this, but I sure liked it!

11. Scones WITH honey-butter - OH MY FREAKIN HECK! Their scones were sooooo good.

12. Krispy Kreme Donuts- yummy on-the-go, or not breakfast (and anytime) food. Not offered at Doug & Emmy's, but still had to be a part of my list.

13. Fruit- I have to make my list kind of health conscious ya know.

Check out my Slide Show!

No more mustache

IF it ever comes up at your house, here is a helpful hint for you.....

Black Sharpie marker comes off of skin when you scrub hard with a cotton ball soaked thoroughly in astringent.

The aforementioned method was thought up and used after repeated attempts at using soap alone did not do the trick. So, there you go. File that under "helpful hints".

*In case you were wondering...Jonathan was trying to give himself a mustache. It didn't work. Obviously. And no, I didn't take any pictures because he was being watched by his DAD and he was too mad to remember.

Thursday Thirteen...celebrating MEGHAN!!!

Wow! Thursday 13 again! Didn't I just do it? Maybe I should rethink this.
Anyway, this weeks edition is devoted to my sweet Meghan. She turns 9 years old today!

So without further ado...here we go.

#1 This is the first picture that we ever took of Meghan. I will always remember her this way, even as she grows older and gets a bigger attitude. She was 4 years old when we met her and she always smiled and her eyes truly seemed to sparkle.

#2 This is Meghan and I on the third day that we visited her at the orphanage. We got to take her for an outing and so we got her all bundled up and away we went.

#3 Meghan on her first day of Kindergarten! She was so excited. Don't ya love the pose?

#4 Meghan (on the left) and Rachel in their costumes for their dance recital.

#5 Meghan with Princess Atta in Bug's Land at California Adventure. This was from our first jaunt to Disneyland in 2003. Meghan had only seen this movie (A Bug's Life) one time, but she still wanted to take a picture with Atta.

#5 This is her and her birthday treat for her 6th birthday. We always let the kids pick if they want a cake or not and for this year she chose ice cream sundaes.

#6 She is always willing to let me snap funny pictures of her. This one also includes her sister Jenny (left) and Rachel (right).

#7 Meghan and her broken arm. Oh yeah! Monkey bars are death traps! She was "trying to fly" and fell off them the beginning of the school year of 2nd grade.

#8 Seriously, could she be any cuter?

#9 Meghan dressed as a DIVA for Halloween. Sometimes she acts like it is Halloween again, just with no costume.

#10 Meghan and her friends for her 8th birthday party. I gave manicures and that is what they are all showing off in the picture.
#11 She claims this is her first snowman. Lest you think that my kids have no opportunities for fun...this is not her first, but rather her 5th or 6th. I just didn't think I needed to document every single one of them just to prove it isn't the first. Sheesh!

#12 Meghan and her dad on her baptism day last January. She describes this day as "one of the best EVER".

#13 Trapped by Jafar when we went to Disneyland in October. She seriously giggled the whole time!

As you can see, we feel really blessed to have this special and sweet spirit in our home. Happy Birthday Meghan dear!!!!

UPDATE: Yes,I did just barely realize that I can't count and I have two number 5's. It's a crazy week, what can I say?!

On my tree are many different ornaments

You Are an Angel

A truly giving soul, you understand the spirit of Christmas.

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Birthday week

This is Meghan's birthday week! She turns 9 years old on Thursday and her teacher does some really fun stuff to help them shine during the week around their birthday.

First of all, last Friday, she was the "Scientist of the Week" and she and her dad did a science experiment at home and then had to go and show it to the class. They chose gravity. It pretty much went over my head, which is why I did not help her do the experiment! She had fun and did really well explaining things and speaking in front of her peers.

Then yesterday being Monday, it was the start of her birthday week and she had to "walk the plank". Her teacher's class is Pirate themed this year which is kind of fun. Anyway, at home we worked on a poster. We had to put pictures on it and she had to answer lots of questions, such as...favorite television show, favorite food, who her friends were, and something fun that she has done recently. It was a great activity that she and I did together. Then at school she had to stand up in front of her class again and tell them all the things on her poster and answer any questions that they had for her. Once again, she was a trooper and did a fabulous job public speaking! I am so proud of her. When I was her age, I would get so nervous that I would practically hyperventilate and then cry.

Thursday Thirteen - What is that supposed to mean?

Todays Thursday Thirteen is featuring 13 license plates I have seen around these parts in the last week and what I think they mean...
You know what I am talking about- those "personalized" ones. UGH, right? Actually, I have always thought they are pretty cool and even told my husband that I would like one for my car that says "PEZLADY". But, instead...we have the BYU plates and they can not be personalized. My problem with these license plates is that sometimes the message or whatever on them is only understandable to the person driving the car. How fair is that? Can't the rest of us be in on your little joke too? Here are my 13 examples:

1. RUCOMFY - this one I actually get. My neighbor does furnaces and air conditioning and this is on his work truck.
2. NDR2END - HUH??? I have tried everyway I can possibly think to figure this out and I must just be too stupid.
3. DR DNA - This car is always at the school to pick a kindergartener at the same time that I am. Is the person that drives it (or the spouse) a Doctor that studies DNA? You got me!
4. MUGLMOM - my only guess is that this person is a fan of Harry Potter and simply interested in stating that she is not a wizard.
5. REBAFAN - I pass this little truck every day on the way to school. My guess: Someone is a BIG fan of Reba McEntire. I am too, but I am not sure that I would put it on my license plate.
6. RU L8 2 - This is one of my faves...And I am!!!
7. BIG HAIR - this belongs to a person on my BFF's PTA committee. She has big hair, so there you go.
8. IZMINE - this was on a sassy little sports car. I guess they don't want you thinking you can borrow it.
9. MAUIGRL - I think she likes Hawaii. Probably wishes she were there right now since it is so stinkin' cold!
10. SECRET - Well, your license plate sure isn't! The secret's out just in case you didn't know.
11. OLEEE 1 - Once again, I have no idea what this is supposed to mean. I kinda wish I did.
12. FLYNAVY - Supporting your armed troops is my only guess for this one.
13. U II - I think this one is a play on words (aren't they all?). Trying to say that they are University of Utah or "U" fans and "II" for too. I think

Kinda fun, huh?

You know Dasher and Dancer.....(that's me!)

You Are Dancer

Carefree and fun, you always find reasons to do a happy dance. Why You're Naughty: That dark stint you had as Santa's private dancer. Why You're Nice: You're friendly. Very friendly.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

That's a lot Mom!

Some parents read books to their kids at bedtime. Not me. I don't do normal. Apparently.

Jonathan and I started this fun thing a year or more ago. I say,"what do you tell Mommy"?
He says,"I love you 24-5-67". And then I top it by saying a "bigger number" than his. So I say, " I love you 65-9-88", or something like that. Like I said, we have been doing this for a while and he has never really said anything when my number has been weird or anything. Like he is one to talk anyway.

Buuuuut, tonight was different. Here is how it went:

Me: I love you bubba.
Jonathan: I love you 50-80.
Me: Well, I love you 60-80.
BIG PAUSE......
Jonathan: That's a lot Mom!
Me: Yep. A lot.
Jonathan: Good.

These are the moments that make being a mom all rewarding and sweet and hallmark greeting card-like.

A new kind of Renaissance

Is it just me, or is there a similarity here?


(This is Sidney's latest thing and I have to admit that everytime she does this pose I think of an old Renaissance painting.)

What's its name?

Today's Thursday Thirteen is devoted to the stuffed animals in our house. Some of them have unique names, others...not so much! But, I give all the credit to my spazo kids for the naming.

1. "Pups"- this is Jonathan's little squishy stuffed puppy. One time he went to stay at Grandma's house and forgot Pups. Grandma had to mail him to us. That was the longest week ever being without the favorite toy.

2. "Uni"- this is Jenny's purple unicorn. Her primary teacher gave it to her for Valentines Day.

3. "Tiger"

4. "Moo cow"

5. "Monkeyshine"

6. "Ribbit"- Jenny's first toy was a small frog. She got it right after the adoption when we were teaching her English. Since we were teaching the sounds that animals make, it only made sense to name him Ribbit.

7. "Froggy"

8. "Tot"- Meghan's tator tot toy from Sonic.

9. "Spicy Tot"- Jonathan's tator tot toy from Sonic. It has flames on it. Hence, the "spicy".

10. "Horny-head"- Jonathan's stuffed Triceratops that Sidney gave him for his birthday.

11. "Gorilla"

12. "Lamby"

And last but not least...

13. "Taddy"- my Teddy bear from when I was a kid. And yes, I still HAVE it!

ELF

Your Elf Name Is...

Booty Stocking Stuffer

What's Your Elf Name?

Makes sense to me! I got the one and I am pretty good at the other. (If you understand that sentence then you get just how weird my brain is...)

P.S. I HAD to add this...My husband is Grumpy Eggnog Breath. Oh yeah!

Why "Pezlady"?

Lots of you have left me various comments over the last few months asking me about my name...Pezlady....

Today I thought I would go ahead and explain. You see...I LOVE Pez dispensers. Not the candy, just the dispensers! I collect them. I think they are fun and cute and a cheap, affordable item to collect. It's a hobby I guess you could say.

I started collecting them while on my mission to Brazil. Not that Brazil has fancy ones or anything. I actually don't even know if they are sold there. See, my older sister and her kids sent me a care package in the early months of my mission and some Pez were in the package. I gave one of the Pez to my companion and we joked that she would have to keep that forever to remember me by. So, I gave one to the next companion and so on. Then I was writing to me family requesting that they send me more Pez. A few missionaries that I served in different zones with went home and they sent me Pez. Before I knew it, I had a small start to a collection and I was the Sister that collected Pez.

Once I came home I would buy a few when I had extra money. Then after Mike and I got married, it became a present that he would buy for my Christmas stocking. One year he bought me the Simpsons Pez collection and it is still one of my favorite sets.

These days my friend Shannon gets in on the fun and buys them for me. She recently got me some of the Disney Princess Pez when her family went to Disneyland. And a few days ago she got some for me from Walmart. Last year, she bought me the Crystal Hello Kitty set and the Orange County Choppers set.

Here are some more pics of a few of my favorite Pez:

I also like this one: It's name is Naughty Neil. Apparently it is a Halloween Pez. I bought it on Ebay along with some other Pez that I didn't have.

I also bought this Marvin the Martian automated Pez dispenser from Ebay. I really like Marvin too. I think he is funny, so it seemed the perfect choice for me to buy this dispenser. It's fun because the candy comes out and lands on his little vacuum shovel thing.

Another automated one that I have was given to me by one of my mission companions after I got home. It is pretty cool because it spins around and on one of the sides there is an opening where the Pez comes out.

I recently acquired the Incredibles set. I was excited about that. I bought them at the Dollar store (which is a favorite spot to find Pez). I was bummed though when I went online and realized that I wasn't just missing Violet (the big sister) dispenser. They didn't even make her as part of the set! I thought that was a rip-off! Jonathan was so excited to "see" the Pez that he took two of them out of the wrappers before I could stop him. I like to keep them in the wrappers. If I was collecting Pez that were worth $$$, then I would totally want ones that were "Mint in Package", meaning Brand New and still in the packaging. That would make the difference between lots of $$ and only a little $$ for rare or hard to find Pez. (Just a little bit of info I have picked up along the journey).

To clarify, I did not think up the name "Pezlady". My husband thought it up and we used it as a username for an online account at one time (not any longer). I have since noticed that I am NOT the only Pezlady. There are a few more. Along with a couple of Pezgirls, Pezbaby, Pezchic and others. So when I decided to do a blog, I knew I needed a name that I would remember and that would be easy for others to remember as well. So there you have it!

Oh and in case you were wondering....I have 127 Pez in my collection. That is small fries compared to some collections that I have seen pictures of online. But, it's MY collection and that is what matters.

Because I'm BAD, I'm bad...

Today I did something that is viewed as "Bad manners". I talked on my cell phone in a public place very loudly. Oh yeah. I did. And you know what else? I liked it! I couldn't help it. Really. My BFF Shannon called me and I was at Walmart (my second home) and I HAD to answer. I probably did NOT have to laugh loudly or meander around the store bumping into things while talking loudly on my cell phone, but what the hay...I did it anyway.

Anyways, I just had to confess. I'm bad, I'm bad, really, really bad. (think Michael Jackson singing and that will make more sense to you...)