Happy Funny Thaksgiving

How fun was my thanksgiving day!! My Sister And her cute family came up to spend the day with us and it was my first year cooking. We had the best time goofing off in the kitchen all day and eating together.

The Pictures!!

this is me half cooking half praying  my oven would not blow up, it tends to catch on fire at least once a week and it made it through the whole day without incident.... See prayer works!!

Bob and the little boys in the backyard so cute playing football!!

Abby's contribution to the cooking. 

The "men" in between the three trips to walmart for things we forgot or to replace the ruined rolls the boys watched the dog show.... I mean football! Shhhh we said we would not tell. 

Cristen brought up cute turkey foam magnets to make with the kids that turned out to be Thanksgiving beavers, No kidding Beavers with pilgrim hats and corn in there paws?? Oh well, next time we open the package before we buy, but the kids loved it!

My finished turkey YUMM!!

Jacob trying sparkling cider. 

Joe ready to eat!  Two plates later. 


The girls after dinner.

We had so much fun cooking this meal. I put the turkey in the oven and five minutes later my house was filled with smoke, I am still not sure why. I called my mother who was down at Grandmas in St. George and she told me to turn down the heat and cover my bird in foil. (first trip to walmat to get foil) A couple hours later I was on the phone with mom again to see if she sautee'd her vegi's for the stuffing (yes we do) I just happened to pull out the pies to check what they would need when I yelled, What and hour to cook and they are better if they sit a few hours after that. WHAT!!?? So I put in the pies. Then I told my mother she should have prepared me better and to stop laughing! The turkey was probably a half  hour from done so I started the sides, My mother (the not preparer) told me I should have put the stuffing in the crock pot that morning.  Something she could have told me TUESDAY!! Anyway, we continued the sides and amazingly we were done all at the same time. We had Turkey and stuffing, Yams with brown sugar and marshmallows, Cooked carrots, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy (which turned out great by the way), and pretzel jello! We had pumpkin and razzelberry pie a few hours later with the real stuff whipped cream! 

We had so much fun laughing at ourselves and making mistakes, peeling the top of the pumpkin pie, yes even being betrayed by grandma when she told my mom I had called yet again. It was a day to remember, for sure. My first ever Home made all by me thanksgiving meal! And thank you mom you are awesome and I am so glad we could share our day together!!

My Borthers

I was thinking today how grateful I am that I chose to come to this earth, I have been reading a new book that has kind of opened my eyes to how easy it would have been to follow satan. I can see why so many did. And I wonder how I got where I am. I hope I was strong and never doubted the plan. But I can't know for sure. I am so grateful for my Savior who gave so much for me and my life. Anyway me thinking always turns into rhyme.

My Brothers

How do I see him? I've opened my eyes

This brother of mine who is made up of lies

He sits high on a throne, his angels surround

But his glory is stolen in lives he has found

Stolen souls of people I love

People who gave up light from above.

Souls who never will know what they lost

A body given at such a high cost

Scared for the pain a body would bring

He told them salvation was a sure thing

They chose comfort and joy over sorrow and loss

The deceiver deceived them and became there boss

now never being able or free to choose

They wander this earth finding souls to loose

They do his bidding and honor his will

They know me and loved me and live with me still

My brother sends them to bring me down

He wants my soul to adorn his crown

How do I see him this brother of mine

Those beautiful eyes that for me shine

The man who loved when my soul was born

The man who for me his life was torn

The Son of the Father who lives for Him still

The brother who bends to The fathers will

He sits among men, he works with us all

He lifts every brother he prays us not to fall

His life and his power he never shows 

The Fathers light, is the one that glows

He wants so badly to bring me home

He's given so freely, he wandered alone

How much do I give to these brothers of mine

Which one do I glory who's light do I shine

Who do I pick when I pick every day

Who's love do I choose when I walk on my way

Do I take the glory for me and my stuff

Or do I let my Fathers light be enough

My two big brothers who fight for my soul

Who do I choose, Who is my goal.

Everyday I wake up every day I fight

Everyday I get up and I choose the right

Do I fall? Of course I am human, I chose

But the brother who loves me the most arose

He gave his life so I could give

He rose again so I could live

He suffered and toiled was spit on and beat

He gave up a life and I won't be weak

I will wake every day and start again

The gift of repentance I give back to him

I'll use his life to make mine more

I'll use his gift to be clean and pure

Choosing the brother who loved me the best

Giving my life letting him give the rest. 

Random pictures

I just thought I would put up a few pictures from our house over the last week or so...

Abby's foot after 5 days of heel pricks. the other one looks like one big huge bruise!

Sleeping with Grandma Pender's beautiful blanket! It is so soft and warm I had to pass it down from Ora to her little sister

My turn hanging the lights

Joe noticing the pattern will be off when he hangs the next string, will he fix it, bulb by bulb... Yes he just might!

Poor joe trying to fix the bathtub drain with too many kids in the tub. He does not have the heart to tell them the were in the way!!

Fondue sure is Fun-to-do!!

You all already know I'm a dork!!!

One of my favorite things in all of the world I owe to my friend Marianne! She and I met in Vegas right after I had Michael. We were living in the same condo development and we practically lived at each others house for a while! Then I moved to my house(UGH), Mark (her hubby) graduated from UNLV and she moved to Utah, and we followed a while later. But way back in Vegas We were invited to dinner at Marrianne's house. We entered and saw for the first time A big pile of raw meat sitting on the table! AACK!!! Right next to the meat was a bowl overflowing with pieces of bread. What were we going to do.... I will say Joe tightened up a little bit. Raw meat and bread??? but we stuck it out to see what it was and fell in love with our new favorite treat! Fondue done right. Before this experience the only thing I knew about fondue was chocolate! And now a few years later we are getting it down to a science. 

We start by deciding who will host the event. Who gets to clean and who pack up there laundry basket to head over to the others house. Then we divide the shopping list. I will bring meat, bread, bananas, apples, strawberries, sour cream french onion dip, ect... Then we get together and laugh and talk while we all get a little bit fatter. And by fatter I mean seriously drunk on happiness and carmel. 

Last night we got together to do it again.  Heres some memories from the night. 

Okay this one has nothing to do with fondue. But, I saw this moto bike trailer. It was so funny Joe said "The guy goes into the trailer shop and says give me a trailer for my bike nothing else, not a gas can not a rope, just my bike."

Prep for fondue means cutting the french bread into bite size peices!

Close up of the table, We had a blue cheese and a more traditional fondue cheese made with Emmentaler and Gruyere YUMMM!!!! Oil in the middle for perfect meat sour cream dip for the meat to the back, Chocolate and carmel on the sides with the fruit surrounding!  I almost forgot the best drink to go with fondue is grape cool aid!

Mark already cooking meat for the kids Joe's hands ready and rearing to go!!

Collin after he got done with his strawberries! So stinking cute, he kept rubbing his poor little eyes and making the strawberry juice pain worse. 

Ora Again

She is so funny! I hope you all don't think I'm sharing too much but this was hilarious. 

"She stopped crying, WoW... Them are magic boobs!!"

Our gratitude Tree

We have sprouted a tree on my living room wall. It's made out of left over brown fabric and paper. It is the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. It is filled with the things my little family is grateful for. Aunt Dixie put up a post a while ago about having a gratitude tree for thanksgiving. And I loved it. So for Family Home Evening the first week in Nov. we began. We cut out the tree and taped up our first few leaves. Now when people come over they can add to our tree the things that they are thankful for. My mom put up a few that are great. But, I really don't have anyone else coming so I thought I would throw it out to you all. Leave me a comment and I will add all of your thankful thoughts to my tree. And then you can be with me all through this season. I will post a picture of our tree at the end of the month and we will see how many leaves grow inside my house as the leaves outside fall.

Yeah Pictures

Mom found my camera yesterday so I have some pictures to post.... YIPEE!!!

She found her thumb last night

She's got Dad ear. See how its all folded over around the rim!
Moms lap

 She has super long feet. I wear a size 5 ring



She is doing so much better today! We have had to take her to the doctor everyday for a Billirubin test and she has barely kept out of the hospital. But, today she is down in the medium high risk group so I do not have to take her back until her two week check unless she stops doing well. My mom leaves today which stinks. She has been so great to have around with me. She has not only kept my house up so I could just sit and relax. But she has been playing with my kids nonstop. Abigail's "sunny side up" birth has been hard to recover from and I truly do not know what I would do if she had not been here. Love you mom!!!

Sorry No pictures.... Yet

Abigail La Nore Short was born Friday November 14th at 6:15 pm.

She weighs 7 lbs and is 19 inches long. She has the most beautiful black hair all over her head. Getting her here was so very hard and I was not sure why I felt so scared until things came to light at the delivery. I had that weird placenta abruption diagnosis that the doctor never really knew if it was a true abruption or not. And I just never felt "good" about her being safe. Not the whole time I was pregnant. I justified it by saying I was just nervous about the birth and not having my family here with me. But I know now it was the Holy Ghost driving me to a hospital to deliver. 

With every contraction I had Abby's heart rate would drop, not enough to worry us for a while but, enough that the Doctors and Nurses were watching for it when she arrived. She was born Sunny side up with the cord wrapped twice very tightly around her neck. She has a small heart murmur that she will have probably forever. The doctors were able to take her  to monitor her to make sure she was getting enough blood to her extremities. She is going to be just fine. But I for one am so grateful that I was able to follow the holy ghosts (along with my trained midwife who said I needed to make this decision by prayer) prompting to take her to a hospital where all of these things compounded together did not do her any damage. Mommy's doing well too. Having her born face up did one heck of a number on my backside, but things will heal and all will be back to normal soon. 

Sorry no pictures I lost my camera on the way to the hospital and so my mom has to get home and email me my pictures before I can share them with you, I will do it as soon as possible. 

Tomorrow

I'm no Annie but my tomorrow is worth a song too!

The Baby comes out tomorrow

Bet your bottom you'll be sore tomorrow

But tomorrow 

you'll be done! 

Just thnkin about tomorrow 

Clears away the water

and my cankles 

could be gone!

When I'm stuck with a pain 

That's long

And tugging

I just stick out my chin 

and grin

And say 

OH!

The baby comes out 

Tomorrow 

So I gotta hang on 

till tomorrow

Comes the drugs

Tomorrow! Tomorrow!

I'll see her tomorrow!

You're only 

A day

A way!

Short funny Ora

Or should I say Ora is a funny Short!!!

Tonight Joe came home from work right after Little house on the Prairie ended. It was the episode where Lora thinks she sees Mr. Olsen's chop off Mrs. Olson's head, if you are a praire freak you know the one. Anyway it was a little scary and Ora felt she needed to share it with her Dad, every detail. It took a while and when she was done. Joe said ...

"Man, that sounds intense"

She turned around stomped her feet, and gave him the sternest look I have ever seen in her and said (hands on hips) 

"they don't live in tents, they live in houses" 

I'm looking forward

I know, it feels like I have been doing a ton of complaining! But I am down to 4 days, 4 days people! I know I can get through it even more so because MOM COMES TOMORROW!! She lands at eleven and is getting her own car so she will drive straight here. I am getting so excited. More so to have mom here than even to have the baby. I think I am probably more excited about mom because she is coming first.

Let me just say, I have the very best mom. Whenever I need her she steps up to the plate Big Time! When I was down and out pregnant with Jordan she was at my house every day. She kept my house running while I was on the couch! Not just kept it running but, on her hands and knees cleaning so I would not go crazy running. Then I moved away and got pregnant again. I know it has killed her to not be here. It has been so hard, I have realized how dang hard she worked before. But, Now she is coming here. 

Not to say I am only happy because she is going to clean, I am planning on being able to get my house cleaned top to bottom to my standards before she gets here. Then I can't wait to watch my mom playing with my kids. Lately I can not even read them a book without throwing up so I am going to love just relaxing while my kids have someone to play with. They need some serious Grandma time. She will make me relax and keep things up while I do just that. 

Then on Thursday we bring in Brittany, My Sista from anotha mista, really my adorable cousin who I love having in my home. She is staying the night on Thursday and watching my kids while Joe and I go to the hospital. I think my mom will stay Friday morning here with Brittany and then be left alone when Labor gets more intense. I am so happy that it is Brittany who is coming, she does not watch any T.V. at all. So I know my kids are  going to be entertained and played with while I am away. She has always been super creative and I know she has been planning what she will do with them since she knew she was coming a month ago. I can't wait to see what she comes up with. I just know they will have a blast.  

Then on Saturday I will come home, I know that I will bring this baby to a clean house that is ready for us to be in. My mom, Joe, and Brittany will make sure that it will be a nice thing to come home to. 

Every time I give birth Joe brigs me a present, this time I have requested the new quacamole bacon sandwich from Carls Jr. I have been wanting it since I saw it a while ago. But I will not spend the money to just throw it up.  He also brings in a box of lemon and kiwi chocolates from See's I have gotten this box with every baby. I eat it all by myself over the course of a few days. And I do not feel guilty about keeping it all for myself. 

So now instead of being grumpy (all the time) I am more excited and ready to get this week going. YEAH!!!! I am so ready.

8 days!!

It is a done deal. The doctor has scheduled my induction for next Friday! I cannot wait. Although an induction is not what I planned I am glad to not be worried about this anymore! I can't help myself from looking up all of the horrible things that can go wrong when you have a placenta abruption. I keep thinking everything that hurts is going to start me bleeding to death! 

I love having babies, the transition that takes place between heaven and earth is such an amazing moment to participate in! For me it brings an even bigger moment. I never feel my Father as close to me as when I bring a baby into the world. I swear you can still feel his arms on my babies when they come. I can almost smell him on them. My mom gets to hold them first she drinks them in and I watch as her and my dad dance together at the end of my hospital bed. My mom leaves this earth for a few minutes and my dad joins her in whatever realm they enter. I watch as she embraces and smells them for a few minutes before handing my child over to 

me. I am looking forward to this more than anything else. The joy that enters the room as Dad comes in to visit for just as long as he can stay. 

 

He stays with me for the first few months after they are born. I am not a good mom at night, I have gotten better but still waking me up is not a good thing for anyone no not even my newborns, so since I had Michael 5 years ago my Dad has made sure I was already awake before my kids started crying. Every time. I wake up, even if just for a few seconds, before they cry. Then in the moments where I cannot take anymore in the night I kneel down say a prayer and ask my Father in Heaven to send my Earthy father to come and sing to his grandchild. I then get up lay down my baby and leave the room. (I do not abuse this because it has worked every time) I sit outside the door as in just a few seconds this baby who has been crying for hours calms and falls asleep, I hum the lullaby my dad wrote and listen closely to my baby falling asleep to what I know is there grandpa's  familiar and calming voice. I am so excited to get not only Abigail here but Dad as well. 

8 more days!!

Being Frugal IS oh So Fabulous!

A little while ago I told you all about Being frugal is fabulous (see side bar). This wonderful woman has helped me learn so much. I am loving it!! 

I made my coupon organizer during the week by taking two pieces of cardboard and covering them in some cute fabric I had in my stock, then I labeled Ziploc bags with all of the different kinds of coupons I thought I would want to seperate out. For example.. Dairy, boxed foods, canned goods, beauty, medicine, ect.... I ended up with a ton of different ziploc bags. I stitched them together in groups of three or four and then got out my hot glue gun and put a little book together. Added a piece of ribbon to tie it together and it was complete.

I had scoured the coupons for the week and compared the sales to what I had. I used the list over at frugal is fab to make my Walgreens list, but had to go through the ads in my area to get the best grocery store sales for me. Then I had to put it all together, plan meals with what I had and go shop. 

I had to decide how to go about keeping things in my head organized, in order to save the most money I have to shop at a few different stores, so I got out some envelopes and labeled them with the stores I thought I would be going to that week. Then I put my coupons inside and wrote my list in pencil on the outside. (I told you I was cheap, if I write in pencil I can reuse these next week)

Then I was off to see how good I did...  Here is what happened!

At Smiths I was able to purchase $220.00 worth of stuff for $145.00 I am sure I can do better with more practice. But I was super proud of what I did. I did learn a valuable lesson here though. While I was checking out a few of my coupons two of which the store had sent directly to me to get items for free would not ring up. I was frustrated by this and felt bad for the people behind me so I just said I would get them later and left. But I had worked hard to use these things for my family and by the time I got home was mad at myself for not stepping up and asking the cashier nicely if she needed to ask a manager. Which I had learned is what you should do from frugal is fab. But next time I will be better. I had worked hard to come up with and use these coupons and should stand up for what I have done. 

Then I was off to Walgreens And here is where I won the lottery. Joe came wit me because he did not believe what I said I was going to do. But look what I got for $2.50.... I was able to purchase two packs of three razors each, 4 packs of gum, two almay mascaras, two cans of almonds, What you can't see are the 5 bottles of water I got as well. Now that was fun. 

Halloween weekend... Our CrAzIeSt weekend!!

It begins with Michael's birthday. He was born Halloween morning during the Regis and Kelly costume parade. So that is how we have started his birthday every year. We watch the show. But this year we started even earlier because Dad did not have to be at work until eight so we all rode over to the doughnut factory at 6:45 and got some breakfast with dad. Then we headed over to walmart to pick up our "fix up the costume supplies." We got home just in time to have a doughnut picnic while watching the show. Then we got to work cleaning up the house so we could fix the costumes. 

Michael insisted on a costume he loved, but had one little problem, it was 2 sizes too small. He could get it on but, barely. It went up his "middle parts" so bad I was surprised he could walk. So I had to detach the attached hood, and cut out the crotch as good as I could without "his middle parts" being seen by the whole neighborhood. Then we had to turn Ora's backyardigans costume into a pink dinosaur. So I cut off the antenna and added foam spikes all down the back. I have to say thank you to Aunt Cristen who sent up Jordan's costume. It was great not having to fix one of them.  They ended up pretty darn cute.

 

Joe took the kids trick or treating, and I had to stay home. (boo hoo) I thought he would go to a few houses and then come home. But, he was gone for over an hour with them. It was so cute. He got home from work just as it was getting dark so he did not even get a shower or even a chance to change his clothes when off they went. When they did get home they had their candy inspected and broke into a few pieces. Then it was present time. He got a nerf basketball hoop (which I will say Jordan got to and today the ball is no longer a ball but a victim of a dinosaur attack), and a power ranger dart shooter, and of course he got his skateboard. I will admit I did not think he was ready to have. Moms are too scared.

 

I will post about Saturday later because it was our first real coupon mom day and boy oh boy did I have blast getting cheap and even free things all day. 

Sunday was our birthday party day We went to church where Michael got up in front of the primary to be sung to. For Michael this is huge. Last week he did the primary program and this week in front of the primary. I am feeling very hopeful for him going to school this year. We got home from church and we just hung out for a while and then I got really sick and went to lay down for what I could swear was like 20 minutes, but it was really 2 1/2 hours. By the time I woke, It was six and time to be doing the party. So we hurried and put the cake together and sang happy birthday and had cake and ice cream. I felt so bad we did not get to do more because I had fallen asleep but, Michael loved it and I guess that is all that matters.

My baby is 5 today

This picture was taken when he was 16 months old and I still love it today! I cannot believe he is five years old. When he was born the first thing I said when I saw him was "Man he is old" I know he has been waiting for a very long time to take his turn on earth. I knew it from the moment I first looked at him. I could feel his soul, so much older than mine staring straight through me. My mom and I both looked at each other and said man, he is going to be a challenge. He has been. He hated being a baby! I have never seen such and angry baby as he was. I think he just could not handle the lack of control he felt inside that new body he did not understand. He cried from the day he was born until the day he walked at 8 months old. And I am not kidding if he was not eating, and even then not always he was not happy. In fact one day I turned on the vacuum and just let it run so he would calm down. I must have just passed out completely Because I woke up (who know how much later) to my vacuum on fire in the middle of the living room. And once I got it out he woke up and screamed some more. The first time he slept for more than 45 minutes was when he was 6 months old. He fell asleep in my favorite chair while I was cleaning up his room. I left him there, again fell asleep on the couch and woke up 3 hours later sure he was dead. I ran as fast as I could to his room and there he was still asleep he slept another 3 hours and did not do it agin till he was 9 months old, when he finally slept all night. Again I thought he was dead for sure. 

Today he is five and still a challenge every day. He has taught himself how to read and now has to stop and read everything. He sucks up knowledge like you would not believe, in fact he came up to me yesterday and told me how he learned the vowels on Seaseme street. One episode and he knows them all and that "if two vowels go a walking the first one does the talking" I am sure I knew that rule but, he taught it to me. 

I know for a fact he will some day soon invent a "machine" (as he calls it) that will clean his room for him. He will get a microscope and a telescope and "his life will be perfect." What five year old wants to cut bug in half and put them under a microscope? He does not buy, the Santa Clause thing and I am sure he will tell his friends all about how we just pretend for fun. Because he learned no one can live in the north pole. (this is getting long)

I will end with, how much I love this kid! I tell him everyday how glad I am he was my first baby, And I really am. No other person could have prepared me for him. He is so special, he loves his sister and brother, and swears he will learn to love Abby, as soon as he gets to meet her. But "Jordan will be her best friend" He is absolutely fabulous! The best Biggest kid a family could ask for. 

Happy Birthday BUG!!! I love you!!!

Not only are the streets no longer safe

Look out for our craziest driver in the skies.......

Since I was little my younger brother would stop everything he was doing when an airplane flew over head. He would say to all of us, Oh it's a Delta, or Southwest, or Hawaiian.. We did not care but boy oh boy did he. He plastered his walls in pictures of air force planes. He took everything he could find apart so that he could learn how it worked. he built and unbuilt all of his cars. And he did all of this while in and out of twenty + brain and abdominal surgeries. He practically spent all his time at primary children's hospital or in bed with headaches you could never imagine. In fact, the time he spent in the hospital were good for him because he got to get away from the headaches for a little while.  He got discouraged as much as any other kids would but for the most part he held his head high and showed off his scares with pride. Even after he was sent home from his mission to endure yet another surgery, he stayed strong. But during that surgery he was given an anti Seizure medication "just in case" he never had a seizure. 

Last year he and his wife moved to Florida to pursue his dream, to be a pilot, the air force was out of the question but a commercial pilot was with in reach. So he packed up his brand new wife and moved across the country. When he went to apply he expected to be accepted right away just to be turned down. Not from having his hacked into twenty times but, from the anti seizure meds. He fought to prove he had never had a seizure, but the road was long and the pressure to just give up and do something else was great. I even said to him more than once. "Go to school while you are doing this, then if it doesn't work out you will be ready." He did finally decide he would do just that and started a few months ago to get ready to get his paramedic licence. Then yesterday I got a phone call... HE GOT APPROVAL!! 

To a boy who never gave up to a man who knew what he wanted and GOT it!! I love you so very much and could not be more proud of you. You will be great at this, you are awesome!! 

The invisible woman! AKA mom

PHEW!!!

Thank you to everyone who sweated this out with me today! I just heard from Joe and at least for now things look good for him. No one in our area was laid off. But 98 other people in Las Vegas, Pheonix, and California were not so lucky. My heart aches for them and for all of the other people all over the country who are afraid. We are not out of the woods, there is still a long way to go before the whole country comes out of this "dip" or whatever they are calling it. And the construction industry is really hurting. I don't feel 100% safe, and how sad is that. I have a husband who goes to work everyday and works hard for a company he has been with for 6 years and I still am worried that we could loose everything in the blink of an eye. 

How fast things can change! I really do feel so sad for all of the people in this country who are not as lucky as I was today. Here in Salt Lake the homeless shelters are filled and overflowing, I know the people in them are families who are just like mine. Good, hard working, regular folks who have had to suffer from this downward spiral WE are ALL on. Weather we feel it or not we are all sliding down. 

I hope we can all come together and make better decisions for our futures. Once again I am drawn to the gospel even more, how blessed I am to know that I have a family who I know would come through for me. I have a husband who would work ten jobs and go with no sleep to support this family, and if he really could fin nothing.. I could go and live with any of them and they would take me in and help us for as long as they could. How blessed I am to know that as I cling to the core of the gospel I will be taken care of always. We will be okay even if we have to go to a shelter or live in a box, we will still read our scriptures and say our prayers and teach our children that the Lord will take care of us. We would pay our tithing on the pennies we found in the gutter if we had to. I know this would never happen but, I do know it is what I would do. How grateful I am that I do know that!! I know as long as I know this anything can be overcome and be made for my good!

Once again thank you to everyone who said prayers for my family today I know this has opened my eyes to see that I need to be praying for all those out there who are not as lucky as I was today!

What Economy??

It came down today! Sunstate the, company Joe works for, will be joining the ranks of so many others. Today begins layoffs and then the canceling of all Christmas parties and retreats planned for the near future. 

I have no idea what this will mean for our family. We have been doing so much better with our money lately but are no where near ready for Joe to be out of work. It looks good for him, He has been with his job for 6 years, he does the best job of any of the driver here. He knows the rules, has never had a ticket, accident, or complaint against him.  Which for a guy who drives all day every day says a ton. I am hoping the company will overlook the fact that he is the highest paid and realize he is the best guy to keep around. I guess we shall see. I can honestly say I have never been so worried than I am right now. I know we will survive, we have and will continue to survive. 

What is so funny about this is that it still does not make me want to vote. I have (seriously for the first time in my life) no clear choice to make. I do not believe for a second that anyone who gets this job will be able to turn things around before it gets far worse for everyone.  

But, at least I have one more reason to hold strong to the core values of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe we are guided by a true and loving Father in Heaven, he has warned all of us that this was coming. And he has helped us know how to prepare to overcome when it does come our way. Please say a little prayer for me and my Joe, yes he does not  love his job, but we need him to keep it.

GRANDPARENTS>>>

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Ora was tagged by her Aunt!

Everything you ever wanted to know about Ora Dawn Short....

Name and meaning: My first daughter has been Ora Dawn since I was like 12 or something. My Grandparents on my moms side are Ora and Donald Latimer and they are my rock! The day I figured I could turn both there names into one it was set. Truly anyone who has every met these two know how extremely special they are. Grandpa worked harder than anyone I know to raise his family and Grandma did as well. Together they had 9 daughters and a son. They brought these kids up to be the best they could be. When they were done raising there own children and enjoying the joy of grand parenthood tragedy struck. My mom lost her husband and oldest son to a car accident. Needless to say... THEY STEPPED UP BIG TIME. While my mom had to go back to work Grandma was there. When we moved to Las Vegas they followed shortly behind and were never very far away. Days I was sick were spent on grandmas couch eating all kinds of get well food. And I will admit I had grandpa's hibobolobous a few times just to eat! For about a year and a half Grandpa and I used to walk and talk early in the morning. He would tell me stories all about him and his life. I got to know and love him even more. 

I will make what is already a long story a little less long and say I was worried this name would be taken long ago I have almost 100 cousins and was sure someone else had figured this out by now. But she was a girl and the name was pegged down. It was mine. I went to grandma's house and told her the news "Don't do that, I just do not like my name" I could have burst into tears. I did not want to go against Grandma but I really wanted the name. So Grandma and I agreed she could be Lora Dawn. She was born and named and beautiful. Then about a month later we went to bless her and my husband spent the whole morning in dread! He did not want to offend Grandma but he just could not bring himself to name her Lora, when she is clearly Ora. 

So there you have Ora Dawn Short. If translated to Latin Ora - to pray, Dawn- the morning So She is to say :: a short prayer in the morning!

Age: 3 years 9 months

Nicknames : Dad calls her Donald, I call her Ora, Jordan calls her Ra, She titles herself Queen!

Favorite activities: Singing time with the family, Ballet time with mom, Painting, Dress up, Nail polish (is this really my child) make up, Hair do's... Seeing a pattern. She has taught me how to be a girly girl on a whole new level.

Favorite Foods: Salad!! She had this for breakfast yesterday *GROSS*, soup, carrots, celery, candy. cold I mean COLD , or Hot I mean HOT water.

Least favorite foods: The only thing she has ever turned down is tomatoes.

Favorite music: Her song is "I always have to steal my kisses from you" Smee gave me this on a CD I have no idea who sings it. She loves anything she can groove to. And of course songs from the LDS Children's songbook.

Favorite toys: Pony's, Dress up's. 

Favorite Books: How the Grinch stole Christmas, I love Ballet.

Favorite item of clothing: Anything with princesses on it. Anything pink. 

What makes her happy: 1.When my brothers be nice I love it. Daddy when we wash the dishes. 3. When you(mom) make popcorn I  happy a long time.

What makes her sad: When Michael do a bad thing I am sad. When Jordan Bite me. 

I tag Smee (your oldest boy,) if you want, I know you treasure your privacy! Rachel, on Rachel!!

The 1st daughter's Jace

Funny Kids

About a year ago my husband and I decided that we would no longer have any T.V. (except for church movies) on Sunday as a way to be more reverent. So most Sunday's involve some sort of sing song. We pull out the children's songbook and sing. But, today Jordan was a little (okay allot) grumpy so I started by doing "wheels on he bus" and we progressed from there. We sang every wiggle song you ever learned in primary.  I taught him the Alligator song and he went nuts, we sang it like ten times before I decided we needed to get it on video. Then of course it went on again from there! Everyone had to have there own song on a video. And I have put them all up here.

I had to do it. Mostly for grandparents to be able to see. So for those of you who do not have the patience to see my kids singing for the next five minutes skip this post. It will not hurt my feelings at all.  But, if you do watch remember this was totally spur of the moment my kids are as they are. No dressing up for the camera. They are proof of this in the second video when you get a booger eat a diaper grab and a butt pick all in one video.

Getting DONE!!

I swear the last bit of being pregnant is the worst. I have been so done for a while lately and I am trying to stay positive and just enjoy the process this time. But then I thought I need you guys to keep me sane. I am such a bad mom when I am pregnant. Not because I am mean or anything to my kids but, because I cannot do anything with them. it seems like the minute I get pregnant I throw up and then do not stop for ten months. 

This time I have been able to stay off of some of the horrific medication that I have been on in the past. A few I.V.'s some meds, but suffering through is what I have chosen to do instead. And I have done it. I am proud that I have done it. With the help of my wonderful husband we have come through this and even have managed to gain a little weight! (which in itself is a huge blessing) I have been taken care of by my man in a way that has brought us so close. I thought I could not love him more but, with each day he shows me how much more love my heart is capable of. He really has brought me through this. 

I don't want anyone to think I am not grateful.. I am!! I truly am! 

BUT.... I am so DONE! I don't know if I can survive even one more day of my kids not having the mom they deserve. I can't play with them, I can not bathe them, we can't do all of the things they are used to doing with me. I miss them so much and I know they miss me. If I have to say "Mommy just can't today" and hear "because you sick with a baby in your belly" I swear I will not stop crying until I deliver. Even as I type this Ora is crying in the background because she wants Daddy and mommy can do nothing to make her feel better. 

So heres what I need from you all! If I ever say that I am baby hungry again, and am thinking of having another one, please help me remember why I Can't!! There is just no way I can do this to my family again. I have prayed and prayed and I know we are done, I know this now, in the throws of all of this but I am worried that in a year that I will think "hey it wasn't that bad."  But I am letting all of you know, Yes, it was that bad. My kids have suffered, my husband has suffered, and I am sure my body suffers. And there is just no way I can do this again, Michael will remember this one. In a year he starts school and how would I get him there if I can't drive. How could I help him with his homework. I couldn't! So please if you ever here me say "I think I could do it again" You say "Yes, Erin you could. Your kids could not! You have four babies to take care of now. They do not deserve to loose there mother even for just 10 months. "

Thanks for letting me share everyone. 

New blog!!!

FRUGAL IS FABULOUS!!!!

I happened upon a new blog yesterday and I have just got to share. This girl has shared her love of coupons and frugal shopping with all of us. She is inspiring and so very helpful. I strongly suggest you go and check it out.  The link is on the side of my page. 

Anyone who knows me knows how stinkin cheap I am. I never pay full price for anything. I would never buy a new car unless I can pay cash for it, I do not have even a single credit card. I owe no one and have nothing new! And I love it. I clip coupons and shop sales and plan, plan, plan. But this chick has inspired me to up my game. So I am launching a new way of spending and will keep you all updated on how it goes. I so strongly encourage everyone to try it. Why on earth would you spend money that you don't have to.

Leaves are falling

How fun was Saturday!! We not only found Abby's car seat (now she could really come any time) But we found some of those orange Jock-o-lantern trash bags. I got to take about a million pictures of the kids and Joe filling the bags with leaves. My kids played for about an hour and would have kept on going if the sun was not going down and bedtime was approaching rapidly. It was so much fun!!!

Abigail has a bed!!

She needed somewhere to sleep, and all I had was my old boys bedding so I decided to head out and get some fabric and just make something, seeing as I was not willing to spend the $40 plus dollars on a bumper and sheet set. I covered Jordan's old bumper and made a new sheet. I got the flannel for less than $15.00. My only set back is that I underestimated the amount of fabric I would need for the bumper and ended up putting in the red patch with her name on it made out of one of my old tee shirts and some embroidery floss. All in all don't look close but, I love it! And boy is it so stinkin soft! So one more thing down, her clothes from ebay, all her 0-3 stuff for $30.00,  are in the mail and her car seat, yet to get but mom wants to do it so we are waiting on that one. but I am about ready for her to show up!!  And let me just add while I am tooting my little spending horn,that I got that crib at a yard sale for $20.00 when Michael was born. Holly cow am I a cheapskate or what. 

For Robyn

Aunt Robyn over at Food Chronicles shared my Great Grandmothers Goulash recipe with us last week. I had to try it, I cannot remember ever eating it before. My mom said she made it for us but for some reason it is not in my memory. Oh well, I gave it a go tonight to break our fast Sunday with. ( I should say Joe's fast Sunday being pregnant means I do not fast for a while still) Let me say I am a HUGE fan of goulash! Who knew??? Thank you for sharing it with me. The thought of Dad eating this with my Aunts made it even more special!

Sorry so late

I was going to finish with conference and then I got so stinkin sick that I have no been blogging so I will just finish my conference posts by saying. I love the gospel. I love that twice a year the whole church gathers together to listen to direct guidance for our day. I believe that the Lord does truly speak to the leaders of our church and we are instructed fro our day! Man, I love the gospel!!!

Now on to other things less important but fun all the same..

I have been tagged for and 8 things meme,

8 T.V. shows I love to watch:

1. The office!!

2. Little house on the prairie

3. Bones

4. Law and order (all of them)

5. House

6. Survivor

7. Brady Bunch

8. Keeping up appearances

8 things that happened yesterday:

1. Found clothes for baby Abby online 

2. Talked to my mom who made me feel special!! (thanks mom)

3. watched my kids turn pillowcases into toys when they lost there toy room privileges

4. layed on the couch (I am getting really sick of this one)

5. Made dinner

6. cuddled with Joe for Comedy night done right!!

7. Got sad Kath and Kim was lame!

8. worked on my Sunday School lesson 

8 favorite places to eat

1. HOME

2. Olive Garden (soup, salad, and bread sticks anyone??)

3. Micky-dees (gross I know)

4. Wingers

5. Sonic (but really just to drink)

6. Costco ( 7 bucks to feed the fam, not to shabby)

I am such a dork, I have no idea, I guess I don't get out enough!!

8 things I am looking forward to:

1. Delivery of Abby!!! 1 month people!!!

2. Joe getting a truck, I would love to have my van back

3. Christmas

4. Blessing Abby in Vegas!!!

5. Some day Joe being home more

6. Seeing Michael actually build a robot to clean his room (I bet he will do it someday)

7. Going on a mission with Joe

8. Buying our dream R.V. and showing my kids the country!

8 things on my wish list:

1. Disneyland with the whole Pender clan

2. a new couch

3. A house that is mine

4. New scriptures

5.  post baby Shopping spree

6. My mom being closer (one of us would have to move, head or tails mom )

7. A maid

8. my old wedding ring back!

So this proves I am a seriously boring person. Holy cow how lame am I!!

I don't tag anyone but if you have not done it, do. It would be fun to read!!