This Is Us

Yesterday Brichette's school had a veggie art contest, so Tuesday night we put together an animal. We were going to do a whale, but this worked out so much better. She was also talking about taking a pumpkin, but she liked this better. Can you tell what it is? We used a cucumber for the body; Carrots for the legs, feet, and beak; Whole cloves for the eyes; and the leaves from the Carrots for the wings. Here are a couple more pictures: She was so happy about it and excited that she couldn't wait to get to school and show everyone. She kept asking us if we could keep her forever. We told her that she couldn't because it was made out of vegetables, and would only last a couple days, before it started to wilt and spoil. ************ Brichette, you did a wonderful job! No matter what happens... it's first place in our books. Love You!!!

Friday night my parent's had their annual Halloween party. It was a lot of fun. Nick, the kids, and I got there kinda late, but Maren was still getting ready, so it was okay. Right before we left the house, Brichette ripped a whole in the side of her costume. So we had to take it off and my mom fixed it for her. She was very upset about it, but after we told her that Grandma could fix it, she calmed down. Brichette was excited that Tiffany was Tinkerbell too, but she took it off before I could get a picture of her. I'll do a slide of the pictures.

Well Thursday I was pulled into the HR office with Mary, and was told that my position was being turned into a Part-Time position. They don't have the money or the work for a full-time person. But I could stay on until November 14 th as full-time and then if I wanted to, I could have the part-time position. They really didn't want to have to do this, and have been putting it off for a couple months, which I wish they could have waited until after the Holidays, but whatever. So I cried, a lot, and left right after, which was a little bit before I normally leave. Nick called as I was driving away, and I told him what happened. Then I called my Mommy and talked to her. Once I got home I was so tired and depressed, that I didn't want to do anything. The kids were so cute, they asked me what was wrong, so I told them, then they asked why my work didn't want me anymore. I told them it wasn't really that, but just they didn't have the money to pay me anymore. Then the...

Tuesday night we bought a gingerbread haunted house to decorate. So last night we decorated it. The kids had so much fun deciding where to put everything, and eating the candy and frosting. In the kit there was orange and black frosting. I got a little bit of black frosting on my finger and licked it off... as I was doing so Colleen asked me if it tasted good. I pulled an awful face and said "No! It's pretty gross!". It didn't taste like frosting at all. I don't know what it tasted like, but it was gross. Anyway... we watched Haunted Mansion, by Disney starting Eddie Murphy, while we were decorating it. It really put is all in the Halloween spirit. Brichette and Xander kept sneaking finger tastes of the frosting, and popping candy in their mouth. We look over at Xander... I asked him if he had been sneaking frosting. He, very slyish, said "Oh, no", which we laughed because he had black frosting all over his lips and fingers. Then he said "Just Ki...

On Saturday we had planned to go with Page and Chevonne to their ward's Halloween party, but then we found out that our Primary Program's practice was then. So we went to the practice hoping to leave early so we could make it over to the party. We did leave early but not early enough... we just missed the party. So Page and Chevonne decided that since Brichette and Xander missed the party, and were very upset about it, they would have one at their house with the girls that Page used to watch with Brichette and Xander. So Page got all the games set up and we had our own Halloween party at their house. The kids had so much fun... they played the games, then Page and Chevonne bought us lunch (THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LUNCH!!! IT WAS VERY YUMMY!). After lunch they played tackle all the adults, (all the kids and me tackled Nick on the couch and sat on him and tickled him, it was great) and then they played with balloons. It is so wonderful to have your life blessed with such wonderful ...

My father sent me this e-mail. I don't know much about abortions, because I am totally against them. I just learned what partial abortions are (in this e-mail), and I can't believe any human being would do that to a living child. It just makes me sick and it hurts my heart! My Dad: Here's an email sent out by Huntley Brown, a black Christian pianist: Huntley Brown: Why I Can't Vote For Obama By Huntley Brown Dear Friends, A few months ago I was asked for my perspective on Obama, I sent out an e-mail with a few points. With the election just around the corner I decided to complete my perspective. Those of you on my e-list have seen some of this before but it’s worth repeating. First I must say who ever wins the election will have my prayer support. Obama needs to be commended for his accomplishments but I need to explain why I will not be voting for him. Many of my friends process their identity through their blackness. I process my identity through Christ. Being a Chri...

My mother-in-law watches her grandson on her days off, while his mom and dad work. Our kids are always anxious to come home and play. This one time, Xander was sitting in the rocking chair and Alex (the grandson) wanted to sit by him. So I put him up there next to Xander and they watched T.V. for a little bit. But them Alex started teasing Xander. He would put his foot in front of Xander's face so he couldn't see the T.V., and would laugh this really cute but sneaky laugh. Xander would laugh with him, and then try to get his foot off of him. After a couple time they both were laughing so hard that they couldn't move. It was very cute, and made us laugh too. Here are some more pictures: I can already tell he will be one of those grandpa's that tease about everything. What a cute little boy!!!

We have been buying the Betty Crocker Warm Delights when they are on sale, and we have coupons. They are very yummy, but were a little to big for just one person to eat... well should eat (HeHe HaHa). They just came out with Mini ones. So this last time at Albertson's when they had their General Mills products on sale, we bought the Minis. I thought that way I could have a treat at work, but not feel like a pig. They are just the right size and very yummy. They give you just enough sugar to get rid of the craving, but not to much that you feel like you've eaten a whole birthday cake. The one pictured is the Chocolate Raspberry Decadence. It is now my favorite. If you haven't already tried them, you should. Enjoy!!!

On Sunday we went to my parent's house for dinner, and my sister Maren and her family were still there (they go to Eric's dad's house for dinner) because Joey and Zack decided they wanted to wear their Halloween costumes. Joey is a grim reaper and has a sickle (I think that's what it's called). He was chasing the other kids around trying to "get them". Well Carol decided that looked like so much fun, and the second that Joey put it down she grabbed it and started chasing the kids. She was growling and yelling at them, it was so cute. And if they weren't yelling and running away from her, she would push them and make them run and scream. Here are a couple pictures: Doesn't Brichette look really scared??? HeHeHe!!! In this one, Brichette looks like she is falling, because she is. Maren tripped her. LOL! Not on purpose... Brichette was running past her, Maren moved her foot, and down went Brichette. Maren helped her back up and told her sorry, but Bri...

Hey, Sorry I wasn't in the mood yesterday to blog. I was just having one of those days!!! I'll post something soon! Thanks!

I just LOVE my husband!!! Yesterday I was just quietly sitting at my desk working, when my co-worker walked back with a beautiful arrangement of flowers. I was completely shocked! I read the card and it said: "Hope these flowers bring warmth to your heart and help you have a wonderful day! Love, Nick" That sure brightened my day, and made me so happy! Then one of my other co-workers asked what they were for, and I told him just because my husband loves me. He than said that Nick was making him look bad, and that I couldn't say anything to his wife, because he was slacking. LOL! I LOVE YOU NICOLAS! YOU ARE THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE WHOLE WORLD! THANKS FOR SPOILING ME!!! Side Note: **I love the vase. It's actually a glass drink pitcher, and is beautifully swirled with Red, Orange, White, and Black. I'm really excited to use it after the flowers have died.

Saturday night is when I took the picture of Brichette's 4th missing tooth, and let me tell you the kids were in the silliest mood. They were laughing at everything and wanted me to take lots of pictures of them. I could only get a couple because they were moving so much that most of them came out blurry. We love it when they are in those moods... It makes us laugh and then we get into a silly mood too. I only got this one with Brichette being silly because it took lots to get her to hold still for the pictures of her teeth and then she was off running again. Xander stayed by me and showed off. Xander's Pirate Face. "ARRGGG Me Maties" (He says that so cute!!!) I don't know why, but he wanted me to take his picture doing this. I told you SILLY MOOD!!! We sure love these kids, and couldn't have asked for more wonderful children!!!

Saturday evening it started to snow, and snowed through the night. So Sunday when we woke up the ground, roofs, cars, and flowers were covered in snow. We also woke up to Xander screaming... Nick ran in there and he had blood everywhere. All over his PJ's, his face, his bed... He had gotten a bloody nose. I asked him if he had bump it or pick it, and he said no. Which he probably didn't. From looking at where the blood was on his bed and pillow, I don't see how he bumped it, or picked it. It was just gushing out of his nose, so I think he too woke up to his nose bleeding. Also Colleen said that would happen to Nick when the air would change and they would have to turn the heater on. It would dry out the air so much, that his nose would bleed. Nick got a cold rag, and I started to clean him up as I was also trying to get it to quit bleeding. Nick grabbed another rag, and we took him into our room and laid him down with the other rag under his neck. We finally got it to stop,...

On Saturday we went to my friend's Mother's funeral and then went to my cousin's son's baptism (WOW, that's a mouth full). We were getting ready and the kids looked at us and said "Is it church today?" We said "No", then they asked why they had to wear their church clothes. We explained that the funeral and baptism take place in a church and we want to show respect to them and to Heavenly Father. They still didn't want to wear their church clothes, but were a little better about putting them on. I pulled Brichette's hair up and I think it looked pretty cute. Here are a couple pictures: I did the zig-zag on the top and pulled into 2 pony tails. Then I parted the bottom into two and pulled the top pony tails into it. The last twist of the hair tie, I only pulled a some of the hair through and created a loop. She was very excited and told me how cute she looked. * While I was taking the pictures of her hair, Xander had to sneak in with an ad...

On Saturday night Brichette lost her other front tooth. She was eating pizza, and then said "Daddy look!" She walked over to him, and I thought there was something wrong, but then she showed him the tooth. She was so excited, and was running around. I can't believe she has already lost 4 teeth. AND... she has 3 others that are loose, plus her adult molars have already come in (we are getting those sealed on her next check up). I just can't believe how fast she is growing up! *Side note: Please excuse her messy face* She wanted me to take a picture of her this morning with her money from the tooth fairy. She forgot to put it under her pillow Saturday night, and I forgot to remind her. So we got it under there last night. :) She's so funny, she got excited that you could see her pink finger nail polish. Silly girl! Love You Brichette!!!

Sorry, there isn't much to report on today... I have my last Physical Therapy appointment, so I get to leave work early today. Then we can settle on my accident, and get that all taken care of. We found a house we really like, so we are starting the pre-approval process. We are going to my friend's mother's funeral. We have a baptism this weekend.

I was looking through my pictures of the kids, and the ones I had on my phone, and thought I would share some that I haven't before: I was on my way home from work, and Nick sent me this picture of Brichette wearing my robe. I don't know why she put it on, but she looks really cute. This is last year, in my parent's old house. She is wearing Joey's costume. There is just something about it that makes me smile every time I look at it. He is trying to open the bottle of water. I love the many different faces he makes. They sure make me smile. This is last year also. He is wearing Zack's costume. There is just something about this one too that makes me smile every time I look at it. Last year for Halloween... we didn't even plan it, but Brichette was a princess, Joey was a knight, and Xander was a dragon. It was so cute. Zack was Batman, and Carol was a flower. We will soon have pictures of them in their costumes this year. I love Kiddie Kandids!!!

A couple weeks ago, when the kids were over at my parent's house, I came home from work and they had new clothes on. I asked where they got them and they looked at me like, Duh... are you dumb... and they said "Grandma Vera". I said "oh, of course. Silly me for asking!". Then they laughed and wanted me to take a picture of them, they are so not camera shy. I guess it's because I have been taking pictures of them almost everyday for the last 5 (Brichette), 3 (Xander) years. *Note* Brichette does not wear glasses... she put my extra pair on. They are so cute!!!

GOODBYE MOTHER I’m sorry that you were sick, And went through so much pain. I wish there would have been a way, For us to have more time to gain. I’m going to miss your silly jokes, And your sweet smiling face. I’ll never forget your open arms, And your warm loving embrace. You were the last one to bed, And the first one up in the morning. You always had a story to tell, But none were ever boring. You were always there no matter what, Through all the good and bad. You are my mom, My best friend, my comrade. You got me through hard times, And never asked for things in return, You helped me become the woman I am, And taught me how to discern. You always said I love you, Even if I had made you upset. I could always count on you to sing, Our sweet calming duet. You always welcomed everyone, And had lots of love give. You never shut anyone out, So now your family is massive. I know it’s time for you to go, But can’t you just hold me one more time. I want to hear your sweet voice, And know t...

We just found out that one of my really good friend's mother died this morning very unexpectedly. Aimee, Please accept our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry for your loss. If there is anything we can do for you or your family, please let us know. Love you!

I saw this and thought it was interesting and sad. Poor little girl!!! Nepal appoints 3-year-old as new living goddess Matani Shakya, 3, newly appointed "kumari," or living goddess in Nepal. Read the whole story: http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20081007/AS.Nepal.Living.Goddess/

So for my lunch today I picked Xander up from school. He gets so excited when I get him, and it makes me so happy and it shows that he loves me (not that I don't know, it just reassures me that I'm doing something right). Anyway, we stopped at Little Caesar's Pizza and got lunch. They had their Halloween decorations up, and Xander was so happy. He said "Look Mom, they have their decorations up" (yes, he said decorations correctly I was surprised). I said yes, aren't they fun? They had paper pumpkins hanging in the windows. Then we got in side and there were spiders hanging from the ceiling, which he thought was really cool. He had to point out all of them to me. As we were leaving he said "Decorations are so cool. Can we put some up?" I told him that would be way fun. And he said "Okay". So I guess we will need to find our Halloween decorations so that we can get them up. I just love my kids. To me and Nicolas, they are the cutest and smart...

The other day I got home and called Nick so he could come move his car so I could pull into the garage. Xander came out with him, and then Brichette. He backed out of the drive way and when I looked over I saw this. Xander had "backed" the car out, with the help of Nick. He was so excited and so happy that Daddy let him "drive". Then he pulled it back in the driveway and I caught this big grin on his face. Brichette was a little upset because she didn't get to "drive" the car, but Nick told her that she could next time. We got this car from our doctor (he just gave it to us... he is so nice) at hit has the automatic seat belts... so when you close the door it "closes" against you and when you open the door it "opens" back up so you can get out. Well Brichette couldn't get the door open and so she was a little stuck. See the picture: You could hear her yell: "Help I'm stuck. The car won't let me out." I couldn...

Almost a week ago we drove up Big Cottonwood canyon and took Guardsman Pass over to Park City. All of the autumn colors were beautiful, and it was very peaceful. The kids enjoyed driving and seeing the changes that nature goes through. It was a little chilly, and it even sprinkled a little bit. The kids did fall asleep for a little bit, but not for very long. We got out of the car and looked over the cliff at the 2 old cars that had crashed down there. Nick said that him and his best friend Troy did a lot of 4-wheeling up Guardsman Pass when they were in High School. The kids asked if we could go there again and have a picnic. I told them that, that was a great idea and we for sure would have to plan on doing that. I love how excited they get about things that Nick and I enjoy doing. Here are some pictures: We loved the contrast of the two hills... Dark green on one side and all shades of green, yellow and orange on the other side. The sun is trying to shine through the thick clouds. T...