Been A Little Busy

Just in case some of you are wondering where I've been lately and how come I haven't been blogging quite as avidly as I normally do I thought you all should know you can blame it on Aunt Kris. Everyday she comes over to my house and sits faithfully by my side in the green chair and watches me edit her beautiful daughter's pictures. I pull the picture up in vivid color display on my 'Mac' (of course) and I show her my magic, and then she chooses all the little effects she likes, and a "WALAH" a finished picture is born.
I have to tell you though, she's a real slave driver with a whip and a chain! Sheeeeeeeesh. Ok, so I'm just trying to give her a hard time. She's really not a slave driver. No, she's really just a mother whose little baby girl is getting married in a week and although she doesn't know why she's been driven to work on a barrage of wedding details, sweat and stew over them forever, and exhaust herself to near melt down proportions (ask her to tell you about Chad running down the road chasing her car in the middle of the night giving her secret sign language - Awe hahahahah - I'm still laughing) she's really just trying to avoid internal knowledge. That's right!
See when you're a mother and your baby girl is getting married, somewhere down in the depths of the tenderest parts of your heart you know your baby is leaving and nothing, absolutely nothing, will ever be the same.
 I'm actually sitting here balling right now. The water works are pouring out my eyes something fierce, because I can see it coming way to fast with my own baby girl, and I don't know what I'll ever do when Glade is the only person sitting across from me at our very empty table.
Don't get me wrong - I love Glade, but there is something about being a mother and having your little ones all around you. It is a precious time of life. Children fill an indescribable void (thank heaven for grandchildren.)
So many people think that mother's care for their children and they do, but it's so much deeper than that. In reality it's our children that awaken our very souls and give us the greatest meaning there is in this life. And while Kris doesn't really get up every morning and acknowledge it inside, I can tell you right here and now, that mind and heart of hers knows it's coming, and if she rushes around enough, keeps herself exhausted enough, stews, frets, and worries over it all enough, then you see it keeps her mind and heart from having to think about it all. It keeps her heart and mind from having to focus on just how painful it is to have the one thing in her life that brought so much meaning, grow up and walk out the front door forever.
It's true, if she keeps herself at maximum peak stress levels then she doesn't have to think about the pain of it all! Some of us do crazy things when our kids move out. When Kris's oldest daughter moved out she cried so hard that Chad went out and did the unthinkable - he bought Kris a dog. Yup, that's how Bear avoided the gas chamber at the animal shelter - he can thank Justi's growing up and moving out for his cushy life at the Crowther castle!
Who knows what Chad will have to come up with when McKall moves out - there is something about the first child and the last child packing up and moving out of your life that tweaks a mother's heart to the max.
A few weeks ago Chad and Kris came over to my house to see the bridal pictures I took of McKall. I was so excited to show them and catch their reaction. The oo's and awe's were steady, but I turned around and glanced at Kris because she was being so quiet (not like her at all.) Then I saw it - the tears and the emotion dripping from her heart, leaking out her eyes, trickling down her cheeks, and I knew immediately that she had stopped all of her doings just long enough for knowledge to strike.
Damn that knowledge!  More like the damn broke!
Well, I just know Friday when she staggers home from the end of the most beautiful day, when all the flowers and the decorations have been packed away; right in that moment when she turns the lights out to go to bed, makes her way down the darkened hall to her room, she'll stop and pause at McKalls door. And there she will stand frozen for just a moment, looking in on a room where one little girl grew up, and in that instance, that single solitary moment when the house is deathly quiet, and all she you can hear is the ticking of the clock, McKalls room will seem ghostly empty.
Now I'm here to tell you, Chad had better have a giant elephant tucked away in the closet somewhere because, baby, the tears are gunna fall and there just might be a flood running down the city streets! It's Ok, that's how it should be. I know McKall's been away alot and Kris is use to her room being empty - but then there is just the finality of it all in that single moment, on that sublime day, when your life changes drastically, and forever. One stage of life completely gone in the blink of an eye.
Us mother's - we just have to have our little melt downs and then in a week I know Kris will rip McKall's room apart and make it her own private den and after she turns the light out and shuts the door, she'll wonder what in the world she ever cried for! It's true, first we cry a river and then we have a jubilee! Aren't mothers NUTS? Don't you just love being a mother? What a ride! Where else can you run the gamete of such widespread emotion, breath taking exhilaration, sheer exhaustion, and meaning beyond measure! Is there anything more awesome than being a mother? NOPE!
Well, I thank Kris for bequeathing me the role in this momentousness event as "The Wedding Photographer." One thing about photographing McKall in a wedding dress, she is so pretty it's the funnest thing ever and I have yet to enjoy being behind the camera more.
Happy Day! I can't wait to snap the pictures on Friday. I hope the Lord will guide my eye to capture all the emotion on this beautiful day!
Thanks Kris :) - you're the best friend and sister-out-law EVER! I'll miss you sitting beside me, in the green chair! Be strong woman!

In The News

I guess part of keeping a good journal involves including amazing things that take place in the news. I can't resist including this photo in my journal for 2009. This picture of a ready to explode Nadya Suleman was taken eight days before giving birth to the last eight of her fourteen kids. I don't know if anyone has been following this in the news but given the fact I have eight children I have found it rather interesting. Today I was listening to some very strong opinions about her decision to implant all six embryo's, two of which resulted in twins. I am not going to share with you my opinions on this woman's decision to give birth and care for 14 children without a father. I will note one interesting conclusion I came to as I listened to her tell the news reporter that although she has no job she is going back to school in the fall to get her masters degree in counseling. (Shut my mouth and pick it up off the floor!) No doubt she is just the kind of individual I want to seek out for counseling any mental problems I might have??? The ironic part is she defended her ability to provide for all of her childrens needs financially right after she defended her ability to give each one of these children the one on one time they need to grow into healthy adults. I'm laughing now because I only had eight children and I didn't work and gave up my schooling because in order to give one on one time to your children there is one tiny little requirement ( Heeeellllllllllooooooo) YOU HAVE TO BE PRESENT for a good percentage of the time! So I'm trying to think of working to pay the bills, going to school to get a better job, and spending serious one on one time with fourteen human beings who have a myriad of needs, and maybe it's true I'm no good at doing the math but last time I checked I only had 24 hours in my day? I only have two words, the first is "NO", and the second is "WAY"! Now I'm not judging her, I just think she's nuts! So as you can see I do have some strong opinions and mostly they center around strong evidence that I think this woman needs to see a counselor not be a counselor! Today though I just feel better about my life and after listening to all of this I think my stress level just went way down, but mostly I only have to look at the picture of this woman's stomach and I'm not hungry anymore. This photo is very motivational for my biggest loser contest and now anyone who is pregnant is going to have to feel really good about how they look!

Biggest Loser Journal Entry #1

It suddenly dawned on me this morning why people use the euphemism "Fat chance." I'm starting to think "Fat chance" goes well with the euphemism "It'll be a cold day in Hell." And together I think these two descriptive phrases must have been created by someone on a diet. I've only been trying to loose weight now for five days and already I'm thinking it will be a cold day in hell before I ever drop a pound. And "Fat chance" that I'll be walking home with any money from this stupid contest. I know now why I don't diet. It's the most miserable experience one could ever have. Like the lady to the left states there are a bazillion reasons for not going on a diet. I think the number one reason has got to be the fact that food is EVERYTHING! I mean think about it; food is fun, food is relaxing, food is comforting, food is satisfying, food is liberating, food is mood altering, food is energizing. One has to agree food is quite frankly the greatest thing that's ever been invented. So today I thought I would share some of my journal thoughts about our little contest and why I think dieting is the hardest thing ever to do. Here's two words that best describe the whole ordeal of trying to lose weight and win a stupid contest . . . IT SUCKS! The first day after paying my hard earned bucks and joining the contest, I tried starvation. I thought I'd just plain shrink my stomach the hard way. By five o'clock I wanted to rip someone's face off. I've decided my body and brain run on pure unadulterated carbohydrates and deprivation causes severe violent episodes in me along with a burning desire to kill anything that moves and breathes. It is at this point safe to say that sugar filled carbohydrates make me a much nicer person! It was so hard but I made it through the first night without my addictive substances. This was a major success for me because trying to stay clear of my peanuts and nibs and my plethora of candy stashed in my night stand drawer next to my bed is like trying not to breathe. Serious dieting and going without yummy food in every shape and form is like trying not to suck in any air when your lungs are about to collapse. Day two I decided starvation really wasn't helping so I spent time on the internet researching ideas for helping me succeed at losing weight. I'm not going to share all of my secrets - hahahaha - I'm at least smart enough not to give away my weapons in the war against whittling off fat. I will say that I decided if I were going to have a ghost of a chance to win I'd better get my butt moving, so the second day I started walking again. For those of you who don't know I've been an avid speed walker now for 21 years. But the last 9 months I've been a total slacker so I decided I'd better fire it up again. I made Deserey join me and after the first half block I realized how out of shape I was and listening to Des chide me for being so slow while panting and wheezing wounded my very pride. Day two wasn't too bad until six o'clock hit and after my second salad of the day I wanted to puke! That night I got roped into going to the store for my mom. She wanted me to bring her some treats, so needless to say I nearly bought out the entire candy isle just so I could hold the bag of sugar in my quivering hands and imagine I was swallowing sublime ecstasy. I took the goods to her house frothing at the mouth. She ask me to put some of the candy in a dish for her and that's when I nearly lost all control. I was really proud of myself though in the end I only ate two peanut clusters, three jelly beans, two licorice squares, a Lorna Dune, and one bite size milky way! That was a major break through for me, but I went home feeling really guilty. Day three I walked with Kaedell huffing and puffing all the way. By the end of my walk with her I could hardly move, my left hamstring was in such a knot and I limped half the way home. I think that's when depression started to seep into my mind and being filled with negative thoughts about how my chances of winning this contest were about as good as Ed McMann showing up at my door I decided I had to come up with some unique tactics to improve my odds. That's when I got a really great idea, so on Saturday night I decided to sabotage the other contestants. It was brilliant plan. I invited them over to watch the Jazz game and I made low fat Chile, but then for desert I stocked my candy drawer and bought all sorts of fat fueled treats. I even bought Fat Boys for everyone. It worked, I saw people sneaking into the candy drawer all night and when I brought out the fat boys nobody could resist. (Hahahahha - findish laugh) Just a side note I bought weight watchers Skinny Cow's for me to eat that night eh eh eh (you fools)! Take that you "Would be winners!" I think anyone reading this gets the picture though by now. Losing weight is no fun and absolutely the hardest thing ever to do. So if anyone has any good ideas they want to share please comment. And to anyone who has lost any amount of weight "KUDOS" to you! Ok, it's nearly noon and I'm so excited to eat my celery stick along with my bowl of lettuce for lunch! I have a headache! PS Any contestants needing to use my exercise equipment in the basement will now be required to pay a 2 dollar usage fee each time! (Maybe I can earn my twenty bucks back!)

The New Draper Utah Temple

Public open house underway; scheduled to be dedicated Friday-Sunday, March 20-22, 2009

Check out this 'link' for the pertinent information about the new temple. I've heard it's absolutely beautiful inside and that it's truly a magnificent building, I've heard the craftsmanship with which it was built will leave you speechless and that the choices in materials, the stone work, the fabrics, the wallpaper, the hand-painted wall murals, every last detail is truly striking. I've also heard the baptismal font is like no other, beautiful and stunning. If you're going to be in the Salt Lake City area any time in the next month I've heard it's worth taking some time to hit one of the tours. I forget this would be a great thing for Deserey to see. Anyone who wants to join dad, Des, and I for the tour, see us ASAP so we can plan a date! It would be fun to make it a family outing.

Soup Anyone?

Black Bean Soup - does this look like I'm desperate for a post?

Soup Anyone? I'm a total soup lover and since I'm now looking for ways to eat less as well as healthier I stumbled onto this recipe from "Half Assed Kitchen" (Ya, I know what you're thinkin) When I saw this little recipe, I thought to myself "Perfect, who is going to want to eat this #@*^?" It totally looks like a recipe that will help you loose weight doesn't it? "Straight out of the depression soup," is what Seth calls any and all soups made with beans, but don't sell it short there's ham in it. Well, I'm sure he is going to stamp this magnificent entree five thumbs down, right along with my lentil soup. (So stay home and don't come over for dinner - see if I care!) But it looked good (really) and I thought I'd try it. PS I'm not seeing a lot of recipe's girls???
Here are the how to's for the soup -

1 medium onion, minced

1 celery stalk, chopped (optional)

Olive or canola oil

2 cans black beans (with liquid)

32 ounces chicken or veggie broth

1 14-ounce can diced or crushed tomatoes

1-2 cups ham, cubed (optional)

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 Tablespoon thyme

1-2 Tablespoons balsalmic vinegar (adds a lot of flavor, don't skip)

Salt and pepper to taste

Sour cream

Sauté onion (and celery if you use it) in olive oil over medium heat. Add black beans, broth, tomatoes, ham, cumin, thyme, balsalmic vinegar, salt and pepper.

Let simmer, covered but vented, for at least an hour. Preferably two.

Spoon into bowls and top with sour cream.

Biggest Loser - Join the contest?

Seth and Kyle should be posting this, after all it was their bird brained idea. I must admit however, it might be a good thing for a few of us overweight individuals here in the Crow's Nest to lose a pound or two. I certainly don't want to be packing a "Wide Load" sign on my butt any time soon and I'm starting to worry! While I know there are not a lot of us putting our money in the kitty, (I think my kids are doing this so their parents will live longer,) there are a few who have signed up for Seth and Kyle's novel idea. So I decided we may as well tell the world, that way there will be sufficient pressure and shame to maybe keep us in the contest. So I'll ask Seth and Kyle to get on here and explain the terms, we need details Men! I know it's going to cost me twenty bucks. I also know someone is going to have to put me in a detox unit, I am a full fleged sugar adict! And if I'm going to have a serious chance to win then I'll need a surgeon to sew my mouth shut. How much will that cost? And how long do I have to torture myself by starvation or worse yet limiting myself to zero sugar, pastries, doughnuts, potato chips smothered with sour cream (I'm a dipper) and anything else that sustains life as well as my nerves? I don't think I can survive with out my nightly cocktail of Pepsi (fully caloried up,) peanuts and black nibs! And what about my heart clogging Twinkies? Do they have to go? I go to bed every night with sugar in my mouth, how am I going to fall asleep now with out my cherry sour balls! I guess I won't be cooking any baked potatoes, what's the sense in that when I can't put a square of real butter on top! I hear the weigh in is today, someone tell us the rules! I'm depressed already! I think I feel ohnery too, just the thought of going without sugar is making me grumpy and I haven't even started yet. Does anyone want to be my mentor? Good-bye twenty bucks! Glade, can I borrow twenty bucks? H-E-L-P!

It's No Secret

A week or so ago I was driving home from Bear Lake. It was about seven in the morning and the sun was just headed into the sky. After I climbed out of the inversion layer, I couldn't resist stopping at the top of "Look at Point" for a picture. I decided just for the thrill of it, I'd throw my camera into raw. Some people say once you shoot in raw mode you'll never shoot any other way. When I pulled my photo onto my computer I was definitely diggin it! That blanket of white you see just in front of those dark mountains covered with pines is the inversion that sometimes hangs over the lake. If that blanket were gone you'd see Bear Lake dressed in all her blues. I don't know how many times I've crested this hill and been awestruck. One of these upcoming summer nights I'm going to get my tripod out when the moon is full and poise myself at the top of Sun Rise Peak, get my Nikon ready to fire and capture a still shot that will make any spitless man drool . . . . . when that big round white ball hangs just above the lake, it's a shimmering sight to behold! Well, it doesn't matter what time of day you catch a glimpse of this panoramic vista, it is a scene that has a serious drug like effect on me. I think Bear Lake is quite simply my drug of choice, because I literally get high every time I look at her. I love Bear Lake and that's no secret!

It's Definitely Auburn

This is one little girl I rarely get pictures of. (She's either sleeping or eating.) But the other day I grabbed my camera and snapped this cute little picture. Look at that smile! Look at that hair! I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd get a red headed grandchild. Isn't she adorable! Well, Anna I love your hair, but most of all I love your bright little soul. Hope you like the camera, because I love taking your picture!

I know I'm jumping the gun a little bit when it comes to the subject of 'Spring Cleaning' and here it's only the middle of February. (So sue me for sitting at my study window dreaming of days filled with more sun and a little warmth.) Is it just me or has winter gotten longer? Maybe I'm thinking of 'Spring Cleaning' because I still have Christmas crap sitting in my best living room waiting to be put into boxes and hauled to the basement. I'm a procrastinator of the worst kind. It' s nearly Valentine's Day and I haven't even dusted off my Valentine's wreath that should be hanging on the front door right now or taken the sled off my front porch (my symbolic winter decoration) and here I'm stuck on thoughts of spring and cleaning my house. Well, here are three products one should never be without!!! I go through "Windex with Vinegar" like I go through sugar! Favorite quote from the movie "Michael" "Just remember Sparky, you can never have too much sugar!" And so I'm telling you right now "Woman, you can never have to much Windex with Vinegar!" It's the greatest product ever made. I use it for everything from my walls to shinning up my tile in the bathroom. It's the best finger print remover I've ever come across and it doesn't streak your walls. I think I'd brush my teeth with it if it didn't taste so nasty! Just don't use it on glass and mirror's, it streaks. But "DO" use it on everything else! I could buy this product in gallons if they would just accommodate me and make it in gallons. I did find two quart bottles to refill my sprayer once at "Lowe's." This is a two year stockable item in my food storage and I keep one in every bathroom, the kitchen, as well as my laundry room. Next on the list of "Have to have's" . . . . . "Top Crest" window cleaner. This product does not streak and when it comes to windows, I simply hate "Windex!" Notice the cleaner is clear. After I noticed my white grout turning blue in Deserey's bathroom I stopped using blue cleaners! Blue Windex is really the worst window cleaner I've ever used, and since I'm seriously the 'White Tornadoes' blood daughter (a chip off the old block I might add) I simply won't buy 'Windex' glass window cleaner anymore! Last but not least, if you use anything on your precious wood besides "Guardsman" you are a buffoon! MaryAnn Jenkins taught me this valuable principle and I've been a fan ever since. Well, now you are prepared for when winter finally melts its way out of your life and you get the urge to 'Spring Clean!'

Photo Tag

You're it Caroline! I love my wife so much and I lucked out to find a chica that loves her sports...at times she can be more passionate than me. Some of you who have had the privilege of hearing her cheer can really understand what I'm talking about. She is a spitfire and the love of my life. This was the Yankees game in New York in the stadium that Babe Ruth played in it was awesome to go to, I will post some more pictures of the New York trip soon much delayed I know we had camera dificulties.

All Because Two Prople Fell In Love!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! What a special day. I am so glad that you two fell in love and have created such a legacy! I am so proud to be your daughter. Thank you for providing me with all the opportunities to grow and develop my talents. Thank you for loving each other and teaching your children what is truly important in life. Thank you for working so hard to provide a good life and for teaching and trying to live the gospel each day. Thank you for your support and love and especially for your friendship. I LOVE you both and wish you many more happy years together!
Love, Kadie

Happy Anniversary Squint

Feb 11th, 1977 - 32 years ago, I awoke at the butt crack of dawn, it was my wedding day and I was pumped about two things, first off ..... marrying the greatest guy ever, and second (the greatest double bonus of the day)...... moving out of the 'Blanch Estate'! Hahaha!

That morning I tried to comb my newly permed hair that was so frizzy and kinky I'm shocked I could even get a comb through it; seriously it was borderline Afro American hair and when I slept at night I didn't even need a pillow! Back then tight perms were in or possibly I was just a nerd and thought they were in. Anyway, when I look at my wedding photos the same reoccurring thought always goes booming through my head, and it goes something like this, "Good hell, my hair was ugly!" I know I shouldn't feel to bad, I wasn't the only girl with permed hair and rolled bangs that day; Some of the other girls in my line looked just as dorky. But then I look at Glade's hair and those glasses and I think maybe I wasn't the only person who needed a new stylist. I can't get over how we look like two dumb little kids. Awe yes, but no matter how we looked, we were soul mates of the utmost kind and madly in love! I knew I loved Glade from the first hour I spent with him in Victor, Idaho on a mountain skiing. We were inseparable from the minute we sank ourselves into the powder that day. Even though we dated for a solid year after that, I knew I was going to marry him at the end of the first run! So the morning I found myself seated next to my 'hunk-a-hunk-a' man in "Vinny Ventura" headed to the Ogden Temple I was the happiest girl in the whole wide world!

That day I took out my endowments, knelt across the alter and said the most important words of my life, strolled out of the temple for pictures, drove over to the mansion house for our wedding luncheon, sped to our apartment on 23rd and Monroe (I'm surprised I'm still alive - I can't believe we lived there) and just as we were about to check out our very old hand-me-down bed springs - serious - they were just that "springs," Chad came by and ruined all the fun. I've been cussing him ever since! With agonizing disappointment in our eyes, we then drove to our church in P. C., (that is no longer there) shook a few hands at the reception, changed clothes, and fled to Park City for our first night of heavy breathing (be still my beating heart) and to make the best of an absolutely perfect day - we left Chad home! You have to know Chad and Glade - this separation was very difficult for them and I'm certain Glade would have let Chad come along if Chad had only begged a little harder! Well, it was one big event filled day, a beautiful day, still as fresh as ever in my mind and I'm left to ponder - where in world did 32 years go?

Giddy UP!

Seth's 4th & 4th

Ok here is my picture for picture tag. 4th folder 4th picture. I call it, "Ballin' Game Faces." Obviously Me and Gavin are on our way to play some ball in this picture. We have always played at the church with pretty much the same group of guys. Me, Gavin, and Winnis versus Smokey, Malan, and Skeener were the usual teams. It will go down in the books as a classic P.C. rivalry. I want to say that Team Blanch was always victorious but that might not be entirely truthful. We always looked good though as you can see. Hairstyles were chosen based purely on intimidation factor. Good times. Ok so according to the official rules of picture tag, Gavin has to post his 4th & 4th in like three days or he owes me a steak dinner right? That is how I understood it anyway.

Today's Declaration

Today I am officially declaring myself a "MacHEAD"!!! Although I cannot recall this same declaration actually spewing forth from Gavin's lips in any literal exact sense (my memory is not what it use to be) I know he is the king of MacHEADS and not meaning any disrespect to the spiritual Holy Land (Mecca), I want you to know, Gavin has been to Macca, the technological Holy Land right in the heart of New York City - yes folks Gavin has taken his very soul and walked right through those Glass doors in the Glass Apple and even shopped and made a purchase. Can I have your autograph Gavin? I'm so jealous! And today I added to my bucket list of things I want to do before I die 'Go to MACCA with Gavin, take my prayer on paper for everything Apple, and stick it in some little crack beneath the glowing Icon of the greatest company ever! Yes, I just want to put my hands on the glass wall and touch it, then walk in the doors and take cash out of my wallet and buy some cool new Apple wizardry. Thanks Gavin for converting me to the only true techno religion! I'm buying stock and I want a hat like the woman who begins the video below! And yes I can totally relate to the woman hugging her laptop. I love you Apple!

Chocolate Sheet Cake

Well, I'd just love to take credit for this mouth melting morsel of a recipe, but I have to give all the credit for added poundage to my ever growing hips to Pioneer Woman. Check out her "Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever." I made it and ate it and now I'm dieting again! The pecans are what sold me. I'm nutty you know? Kaedell, are you keeping track of the people in our family and whether or not they're getting their recipes on here? Get your whip out - I'm crowning you "Chief In Charge." Also I love the "Lazy Cooking category" and I suppose Seth will dominate this area. Here's the how to for the cake:
Combine in a mixing bowl:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan, melt:
2 sticks butter
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa. Stir together.
Add 1 cup boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In measuring cup, pour 1/2 cup buttermilk.
Add:
2 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make icing:
Chop 1/2 cup pecans finely.
Melt 1 3/4 sticks butter in a saucepan.
Add 4 heaping tablespoons cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat.
Add:
6 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 lb minus 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Stir together.
Add pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

If you are looking for a 'change your life' experience, read T. Harv Eker’s book, “Secrets of the Millionaire Mind”. Eker is the guy who was on the Today Show saying
“Give me five minutes and I can predict your financial future for the rest of your life!”

* We each have a ‘money blueprint’ that determines our level of financial success
* Rich people think differently than poor people
* Your thinking pattern leads to the results that you are getting
* Learn how to think – learn the right strategies, use them, and you can change your money blueprint.

Check out the link on the side.

4th Picture-4th folder

Here is my 4th picture in my fourth folder. Like you mom, I am rarely in any pictures because I am always the one taking the pictures. I was so excited when I pulled up my folders and this was the picture. Corbin was snuggling with me on the couch and of course Eden can't stand it when I pay any attention to Corbin. If I'm holding him or he is sitting on my lap, she is quick to notice and fight for the position. She climbed right up on the couch and didn't want to be left out. These are my favorite moments. They brief ones that only last a few minutes or even seconds. Nothing's better than cuddling with your little ones.

{ Cutest Picture Ever! }

The last hour of work, sometimes get a little boring, and I was just sitting here starring at my computer and our wedding pictures are my screen saver and this picture came up and it made me smile. Look how stinking cute this picture is, and since this is the month of Love I just wanted to say how much Gage and I love this little tykes, they are always making us laugh and keeping us on our toes! Thanks for sharing your kids with us we absolutely adore them! I mean look at how precious their faces are, and I can't believe how much they have grown up even since this picture!

Picture Tag

Well, I was checking out my cute niece's cute blog today when I saw the invitation for a game of picture tag. I thought it looked like fun but I'd like to play this game with not only my friends but my family too. First of all I'm going to tag four people like the rules say, but then I'd also like all of my kids to play this game here on our blog. Just post your 4th picture in your 4th album and explain the picture. I'm just curious what pictures will pop up.

Here are the rules:
1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer
2) Select the 4th picture in the folder
3) Post the picture and explain it in depth
4) Tag 4 people to do the same (if you have a blog)
The fourth folder in the place I store my millions of pictures is ironically the 4th of July - my birthday. This is one of the funnest days of the entire year for me. I love my birthday - it's always a big party with my family. Last year I went all out and surprised everyone with a swimming pool - you know - one that I can fit in! After enjoying the day at the town square we came back to our house for our pool party and barbecue. The fourth picture in my 4th of July folder is of Kyle, my son-in-law. I remember taking the picture and how Kyle tried to escape my camera. I was snapping some photos when Kyle walked by. Knowing Kyle is really not a big fan of having his picture taken, I just snapped this little candid shot of him (I had to be quick) It is one of my favorite pictures of him because it captures a little bit of what I love about Kyle. Kyle is a great guy and one who is not big on being center stage as you can see by his expression (oh shucks you caught me), but I love his smile in this picture, I love how it reflects his heart! Even though he hasn't posted on the "family blog" forever, maybe I can get a comment out of him regarding his cute mug shot here! Ok, Tag you're it! My children and spouses, Val & Brian, Rachel & Kieth, The Milne Crew, Jamie & Kirk and anyone else who wants to play!

O.K. One post a month :)

This is Ali asleep on time out. I guess her tantrum was a sign for a nap.
I thought Mom and Dad would appreciate these two pictures-my how the tables have turned :)

Spencer did not get his bed cleaned off that night so he slept with extra padding on top. In the morning he said " It's ok there's stuff on my bed, I slept nice and cozy."

Meet the newest additions to the family. Kudos to Gav and Caroline for the new Fish tank, we love it!

Since I didn't make my goal last month of 2 posts, I'm changing it to at least one post a month. I know, I'm pathetic :) So more than one post a month will just be a bonus. Hope you enjoyed the pics!