34 years ago...

(Sorry that's a bad photo~but it's a pic of a pic from 1974)
She became "Aunt Franci"

Then a few years later, my sisters started calling her

Aunt FiFi

Then the other day I was talking to this precious little girl



and she called her

Aunt Panci

and then when we were talking again she called her

Aunt Pranci.

I was thinking about all these names the other day while i was in the shower (hum, that's where I do my best blog writing.) and I laughed~How unoriginal was I? Aunt Franci? In my defense I was the oldest niece at the time.

It's taken me days to write this because I get so emotional thinking about her & how much I love her. She helped my mom with me when I was a baby (I'm guessing until she had kids of her own, probably even then still.) We have always been close. Even when I was finishing up college, she opened her door to me and let me live with her. We always enjoy going to her house for any kind of get together.

She has a great testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've heard her share her testimony a million times. She's another compassionate person I know. (I've had such great examples~what's my problem?)

We don't talk near as often anymore, but when she emails me it makes me smile & she ALWAYS tells me she misses me. (and I really feel like she does). She always signs everything XO.

Aunt Franci, Aunt FiFi, Aunt Panci, Aunt Pranci, just wanted to let you know that we LOVE YOU!!! And you are in our thoughts & prayers! (And I hope you don't mind that I wrote this post about you!)

Autie

PS-That precious little Caroline also said after our last trip to OK, that Uncle Ron was her best friend! She has said this for weeks!

Day 1...

Heather took this picture of me after I finished with her new camera she got from grammy for Christmas.


I made it~Week 1 Day 1 Workout 1!!! I'm so proud of myself. I know everyones thinking "well crap she isn't NOT going to do the first workout." But it is a great accomplishment for me (I love to sit on my butt). It wasn't easy. It was chilly when I went out to run and I thought the cold air was going to kill me.

I need to find an at-home alternative to running outside when it's cold. But needless to say I made it.

I came home running my mouth that I did it and Tyson and the kids were going to be at the finish line cheering for me and Tyson started laughing at me. Heather said "mom why are you running?" My answer was this~"I'm tired of not doing for me."

Tyson started laughing. I said "what's so funny?" He said he was proud of me for doing for myself. HA we'll see how long that lasts.

Sorry ya'll have to hear about this~but see knowing I would have to come back and report made it a little easier to finish.

Isn't this the cutest idea???

This girl made like 75 ornaments for her grandma out of cd's I thought they were just plum cute.

Ornaments

be sure to look at all the pictures~and yes, she is LDS (I could tell by the stage and the walls in the christmas tree pictures~all the buildings look the same!)

24 Hours and Counting...

Until the New Year! That's how long you have to get your goals for 2008 together! I've decided that 2008 is going to be a GREAT year! I don't know what I've decided that but I have several things I want to accomplish in 2008.

Here's my list

*Train for a 5K
*Run a 5K
*Read the BOM all the way to the end. (You can get your reading plan here.)
*Get some stuff paid off.
*Finish decorating my house
*Spend more QUALITY time with the kids.

I am sure I'll have a few more but there's a list to get your wheels turning!

Remember just 24 hours!

PS~Anyone know anything about buying

running shoes? I need some so I can start running but have no clue what to look for.

I'm a Slacker!!!!

I do have blog worthy news but I've been too lazy to update! I will give you this for tonight.

Yesterday Jed & I ran to drop my RS manual off to be bound (I'll share that pic later) & of course we had to run to Sonic. When we were headed to Sonic we saw 2 police cars speeding into the KMart parking lot. Of course we were curious. We went on to Sonic & then we saw like 5 or 6 police cars speeding the other way. I called my friend Paula who has a police scanner to see what was going on~she didn't know but I figured it would be in the paper.

This is what I found but it says Wednesday. I think they have their days wrong or they changed it to throw the public off. Haha i'm too smart for them. haha

LDN
where do these people think of this stuff?

seriously?

I'm so Crack-a-lack-ish

I'm such a horrible daughter! My mom's birthday was this past Friday & while I DID call and wish her a happy birthday~I forgot to write about it on my blog!

Sorry Mom!

So in honor of my mom here's a few things about her~

*I'm her oldest daughter.
*I have given her the only grandkids!
*She was a hard working single mom when I was growing up.
*She makes sure her daughters (and grandkids) are taken care of.
*She really is compassionate.
*Her favorite hymn is I Believe in Christ.
*She was named Carolyn b/c she was born around Christmas time & my grandma heard the carolers. (I don't know if that's completely accurate, but it was something like that)
I can think of tons more but I'll let you add your thoughts in the comment section.

Sorry mom I'm such a crack-a-lack-ish daughter. I'll try to do better next year!

We love you!

PSA~UPS Drivers

We went out earlier to see a friend of Tyson's around 5:30pm. On our way, we passed several UPS trucks. I know the drivers are out trying to get everything delivered in time for the big day, so if you know a UPS driver personally (which I know several of us do) be sure to tell him Thanks for all his hard work to help make tomorrow special.

Ok here's the update! ALL ABOARD!!!!

Grammy bought us tickets to ride on the Polar Express. We went last night. The Christmas Elves brought new PJ's for the kids to wear (they usually deliver on Christmas Eve) & an Elf for each of the kids.

The kids were so excited! We had to drive to Palestine to get to the Train Depot. When we arrived, we picked up our Golden Tickets & waited for the train to come back. While we were waiting we saw one of Jed's friends, Shelby (the little girl below). They have been talking all week about going at the same time, but ended up we were in the same car.



Anyways, when we boarded the train, the kids were so excited. They served hot chocolate & rice krispie treats to everyone. They read the story & sang Christmas Carols. When we arrived at the North Pole (Rusk), Santa was outside waving to us. We stopped and Santa climbed aboard the train. He came through and gave all the kids bells & took pictures with each of them. On the way, back we sang more Christmas carols.




Tyson had the camera when Santa came around. That's the best picture he got! I'll know better next time!

It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed it.

Thanks Grammy!

All Aboard!!!!

Last night we took a ride on the Polar Express.

Jed's friend Shelby was on the same car as we were here is a picture of them. I have more of the girls I just need to get them off my camera.

Christmas Survey

Just because I'm finished with my shopping & don't have anything else to worry about right now! haha

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

I choose wrapping paper because everyone needs something to open.

2. Real tree or artificial?artificial~don't really get the point behind a real tree.

3. When do you put up the tree?The weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down?
hum really you want to know? usually before the end of the year depending on how busy we are or what kind of mood I'm in!

5. Hot chocolate or apple cider?Hot chocolate~can't stand apple cider. makes me want to puke!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Crap~I can't remember. Maybe my mom can help me out.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?Yes, just made it this year. it's made from wooden blocks and the kids have enjoyed playing with it.

8. Hardest person to buy for?My mom & step-dad

9. Easiest person to buy for?hum, tyson probably b/c he always picks his own out! haha

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?can't remember

11. Mail or email Christmas card?neither this year~it just didn't get done! I have a cute one but I'm the only one who has seen it! haha (just kidding)

12. Favorite Christmas movie?
How the Grinch Stole Christmas~

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I would like to be one of those people who are finished by Thanksgiving but I'm not. This year I started last week.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Not that I can remember

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
hum pretty much anything sweet


16. Clear lights or colored?Clear

17. Favorite Christmas song?Angels We Have Heard on High or Rudolph when Caroline is singing it.


18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?We stay home

19. Can you name Santa's reindeer?Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Vixen, Rudolph~can't remember the rest

20. Angel or star on top of the tree?We have a star

It's been a rough week...TGIF

I am so glad that it's the beginning of Christmas break. My house is a total wreck & at this point I really don't care. My mom came to visit last Saturday & stayed until Wednesday. It was great to have her here & the kids really enjoyed her visit. It seems like we didn't really get to visit though because we still had school. She left Wednesday morning after we left for school.

Wednesday night I started feeling bad, then yesterday evening one of the second teachers had the rest of us over to her house for a grade level christmas party. We had dinner and then played Cranium. We didn't leave until 10:30pm. I still had a ton of stuff to do to get ready for today, but I was feeling bad and just went to bed. I got up early this morning & cooked bacon for Jed's party & made peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for Caroline's party. I forgot to pick up the stuff for Heather's party so we opted for the Chick-fil-a nugget tray. Her teacher said it was a huge hit!

We had our Christmas party in my classroom & imagine my surprise when this came into my room







yep my Christmas present from my room mom~not only did she make this she made gingerbread cookies for every student with their names on them. They were so cute. I am amazed at this lady's talent. I told her if she would print up some business cards I would drum her up some business. So if you need a cake~I can hook you up!
Not only do they look amazing, but they taste yummy too. (This is the same lady who made me that birthday cake)

Another exciting thing that I got this week was my Pink Christmas package. My "girlfriend" Cassie spoiled me good. She sent me a box of Lucky Charms & a bag of caramels, some recipe cards (to try out on my new stove) & then this



it's a cute magnetic board I can't wait for Tyson to hang it up. Cassie I have to know~did you make this yourself. It matches my kitchen perfect.

Thanks so much girl!!!

I hope the rest of you are finished Christmas shopping~I am not! I know this probably doesn't surprise anyone that knows me. I'm almost finished but I have to finish up with Heather.

Have a great week & a very Merry Christmas!

You can walk or run, but don't miss the FUN!!!

So i've been thinking of doing something for myself this next year. It seems like I'm always running kids or doing something else that needs to be done around here.

I have mentioned to Tyson several times that I wanted to do a 5K~and of course he has to do it with me! My mom & I talked about this probably 6 months ago, but never did anything about it.

So here's the challenage~I'm going to start with this to get me started.

Couch to 5K

I'm checking out some website to find a 5K run that would be fun to participate in. So while I'm checking gather up these



and make a playlist for this




and prepare yourelf mentally to participate.

It will be tons of fun & we might even make the kids do it too!

Are you in?

Today I sent...

this package to my Pink Christmas Girlfriend

I sent her an altered clock that she can add a picture too (plus the battery), $5 gift card to starbucks ( she raved about their hot caramel apple cider), a nativity set I made from wooden blocks, & a tote bag with her name on it (from my friend Rachella @ LDStotes.com). I really hope she likes it all.

I don't know why I sign up for things like this b/c I'm horrible at buying for other people unless I know specifically what they want!


I hope she likes it.

Any ideas?

on what to buy my children for Christmas? b/c I have no clue I REALLY mean NO CLUE!!!

thanks!

Just Because...

I found these on another website www.sugardoodle.net

I'm thinking about...

taking up running after the first of the year~(if i decide to, i would probably start on christmas break depending on the weather) so what do you think? My mom and I talked about running a 5K together sometime next year~i wonder if I could do it or if I would wimp out? :) I think I need an mp3 player though so I can have some tunes to listen too right?

Because I am a SLACKER...

Have you tried the new doritos collison chips? We have been eating the taco and chipotle ranch ones and they are yummy!

I still can't remember to buy AA batteries so that I can post some pictures of things that are happening around here.

In depressing news, i think my washing machine is on the blink. I am going to have tyson look at it when he gets home.

In exciting news, the nutcracker ballet is over & heather really enjoyed it. She says she wants to do it again but we'll see when June gets here.

A Lesson I learned this morning...

A new family has moved into our ward~and like most families in our ward~it's just them, no family around to help. The wife just had a baby on Thanksgiving day. We took them a pot of taco soup on Friday evening & the husband mentioned that he would be working on his wife's car on Saturday. Tyson offered to help, but we never heard from them so we didn't think anything about it.

So on to my lesson.

This morning as I was laying in bed trying to muster up the energy to start the day, the phone rings~it's the husband from the new family. He asked for Tyson b/c he was needing to get the car fixed so they could go to church. Tyson was at work~he said "well, I'm going to need some help getting my family to church" He told me he could fit everyone but the new baby. (He has an s-10 truck with a camper on the back~he was going to put the 2 big kids in the back of the truck, then his wife & mil in the front, but there was no room for the baby)

So I tell him I had 3 extra seats in my car. He sounded so grateful. They live just around the corner from us, so it wasn't out of the way and I could tell they were all really appreciative for the ride.

I was so humbled by this experience~b/c most Sunday's I begrudgingly go to church, thinking of how much easier it would be to stay home & this brother is so dedicated he was trying to fix the car at 7:30 this morning so he could get his family to church.

After I hung up with him, I got in the shower & I thought about this experience~I guess I truly needed to be humbled b/c I have thought about this all day.

Tyson is over right now helping fix their car. I am also grateful for a husband who is handy, even if it's my stuff that usually goes unfixed! :)

I know Tyson is exhausted from getting up at 3:00 this morning to go to work, but when I called him on his way home from work to tell him they needed help, he said ok.

Anyways, another neat thing I learned at church today. A lady shared that her daughter had a book called the 24 days of christmas that she shares with her family each year. I need to call her and found out more about it.

There was a quote in the bulletin that I wanted to share from the prophet of our church~

Now, the next thing of which I am certain, and of which I bear witness, is the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without it life is meaningless. It is the keystone in the arch of our existence. It affirms that we lived before we were born in mortality. Mortality is but a stepping-stone to a more glorious existence in the future. The sorrow of death is softened with the promise of the Resurrection. There would be no Christmas if there were no Easter. ~President Gordon B. Hinckley

I'm such a SLACKER...

For some reason, this week has been crazy busy for us. I think b/c we are trying to catch up from our Thanksgiving trip. I have been exhausted all week. I have something to show but I need batteries for my camera~so you'll have to wait. haha

Caroline had to get 6 shots yesterday. She was pretty brave, but UGH I wished they would quit adding shots. She had to get so many because we missed her 4 year old checkup. I'm such a bad mom.

I just realized today is DECEMBER 1st~that means only 24 days left until Christmas. ACK!!!!

I saw this online and thought how cute is this?

Cupcake Cake

Let me know if you decide to make one! haha

Anyways, I'm off to clean today. Maybe I'll come across some batteries.