Cheapness Strikes Again

I've written about my problem with cheapness. Well, something really stupid happened last night in part because of my stupidity but also because of my cheapness.

You know the warning on the back of the Q-tip box

-- "For use on the outer ear only. Do not insert into ear canal." --

well, I ignored the warning.

I had the most aggregating inch inside my ear so I stuck a Q-tip in to scratch it. But, of course, I didn't buy the Q-tip brand cotton swabs. I bought some random generic brand

(you know to save five cents).

Well, when I was done twirling the swab around inside my ear, I pulled it out and there was

no cotton on the end of the stick!

What the heck! How does the cotton come off the stick? I tested the other side of the swab and it just twisted off! How cheap!

Trying not to panic, I was trying to look in the mirror to see if I could see any cotton. When I couldn't tell if anything was in there I called for Lee to look but he couldn't see anything either. I couldn't even feel anything inside my ear so I was looking around to see if it feel out after I pulled it out. It was the weirdest thing! Lee was teasing me that we were going to have to go to the ER like when little kids stick things in their ears and up their noses. I almost started to panic. Then I started pulling on my ear and I felt something and was able to wiggle the cotton out with the end of the swab stick.
So lessons were learned...
1) Never put anything in your ear canal. The warnings are there for a reason.
2) Quit being so freakin' cheap. I mean really, are Q-tip brand cotton swabs that much more expensive!

***sigh***

How the Heck!?!

Okay, I'm sorry for posting two American Idol clips two days in a row (I DO have a life!), but this was so amazing!!! He totally looks like he's right there on stage! It's awesome!

My Pick to Win

I love this song and I don't think I've ever heard it sung better. It brought tears to my eyes.
This girl is AMAZING!

Blessed

Today, all I have to say is how grateful I am to my Heavenly Father for answered prayers.

I am so blessed.

I've met the real Santa...or did I?

I was talking with a friend yesterday. We were laughing about some of our embarrassing moments so I thought I'd share one of mine.

Right after I graduated from high school, I had a job at Kinko's Copies. One time, around Christmas time, a man with white hair and a white beard all dressed all in red came in to get flyers copied for visits with Santa. I took his order and told him it would be a few minutes and he said,

"Thank you, Cari."

I was shocked that he would know my name! Could he really be Santa! I said in a tone of wonderment and amazment,

"How did you know my name!?!"

Everyone around me was laughing. I couldn't figure out what was so funny. For a brief moment, I believed again! Then the man said smiling,

"Oh, Cari! You do have a nametag on!"

So embarrassing!

Scary!

Yesterday afternoon I received a call from my sister who lives in Salt Lake.
"Is Jake okay?" she said in a tone of panic.

I said, "What are you talking about?"

I had no idea since I was watching the Food Network at the time of course. (You know, Emma was awake!)

Then I heard the big news,

"Provo High is being evacuated."

I immediately got off the phone and turned on KSL. I only caught the tailend of the news brief that said that PHS was being evacuated because of a bomb threat. Students were on the football field and parents are not to come pick up their children.

What!?!

I immediately called Lee and then tried to call around to get some more information. I obviously couldn't get through to the school and I couldn't get through to the district either. I called our elementary school and talked to one of the secretaries whose daughter attends PHS. She said that the kids who didn't have cars were being loaded on buses and being taken to a field at BYU but that everyone was safe.

What? Which field?

Where is my son dangit!

I called the police also and they assured me that everyone was safe and that buses were bringing the kids home. I then got a call from Lee saying that a man in our ward, who is a BYU policeman, was bringing Jake home and all is well.

I can't tell you how scared I was not knowing what was going on. I am so thankful everyone is safe and sound. I just hope they catch this idiot who thought it would be funny to scare the crap out of everyone. I know some weren't scared too badly but It's just not funny! I also wish the news would have provided some updates as to what was going on that way I would have known.

It was pretty scary.

What a Silly Teenage Girl!

I took out some of my old journals over the weekend. It's so funny to see what a silly girl I was! I came across this entry from September 13, 1983 and as I was reading it, I was thinking how funny it was.

This was written on my first day of high school:

Wow! Today was so fun! It was the first day of Seminary and school. My seminary teacher is Bro. Crittle. He's so cool! My class is really fun too! School! AHHHH! I got so nervous that this morning I threw up cuz I was nervous! Mom had to pull over on the way to school! Deb spread that around real quick! Nice huh! The school messed up my scedual ! I didn't get Concert Choir and get this...I didn't even get dance!!! I'm so upset! I'm getting that worked out tomorrow. Oh! I also don't have lunch with any of my friends! That's always nice!

I met Todd Barkley today! BABY! Whatta fox! He's got the prettiest eyes! He's a football player YOWZA! He sits behind me in Intermediate Algebra. I'm so lucky!

Tonight at mutual we had our Luau! I had a BLAST! For the first time in a long, long, long time I had a talk with John. We actually talked and it was great! Charles and me were "Dude" and "Dudess" tonight. Oh royalty! J/K! Lani, Jaylinn, and December are upset AGAIN! I don't know what we are supposed to do!

I gotta sleep! Good Night! I love you family and friends! SMILE! Have a BLAST!

I know...I was a silly teenager! What was really funny was that I was

married on September 12, 1987 just four years after this journal entry! So, you can assume that I was a silly newlywed also. (I'll write about that another time!)

Just goes to show you that you

never know what life will bring you!

(I use too many exclamation points. Wouldn't you say? I should really work on that! Doh!)

Beautious!

I found this in an article I received via email. I don't remember who wrote it, but I thought it was beautiful!

Flowers are very much like us,
none more so than the tulip.

Tulips smile at you ,

talk to you,

let you know when they need water,

have too much light;

and before they die, they are at their most

serenely beautiful,

stems flagging as if reaching out for a final embrace,
the folding petals expressing in their contortions

every imaginable emotion.

The "Great Kid"

Well, it's official...

Cole is a "Great Kid"!

Last night, he was awarded the "Great Kid" Award from the Provo/Orem Chamber of Commerce! He was one of 2 from his school and one of 50 sixth graders honored from Provo and Orem. Pretty exciting!

Rob Morris from the Indianapolis Colts (Superbowl Champs), Ryan Denney from the BYU football team, and Congressman Chris Cannon all spoke to the kids. Then he received his award and got his picture taken with all of them. He also received a gift bag filled with all sorts of goodies from companies throughout Provo and Orem--including a leather football signed by Rob Morris. He was so excited!

Here's what they wrote about him in the program:

Cole is a fine young man and can always be trusted. He is outgoing and
well-liked by everyone. He is always willing to do what he is asked, without
complaining. Cole loves video editing and directing.

That's our Cole!

I am so proud of Cole! He is our family commedian and is always making us laugh. But one of the great things about him is that he knows there is a time and a place for everything and he knows how to control himself at school. He could easily be the class clown, but chooses not to. He is respectful and well-behaved at school and I am so proud of him!

Way to go Son!!!

Abra Cadabra!

Quote of the Day...

Yesterday, my scientist son, Jake, took a field trip to the Weber State University Cadaver Lab with his Physiology class. He's been talking about this for weeks now. Why would you be excited about this? I'll never understand. Well, when I went to pick him up, he was telling me all about it. He said it was fascinating and he learned a lot. He was telling me how they divided into groups and they had hands on experience dissecting parts of the cadaver. I thought I was going to throw up! But he said it was very interesting.

Well, we got home and he was telling his brothers and Lee all about it. Max tore himself away from his cartoon for a second and said,

"Oh yeah. Today you went to your 'abra cadabra' thing. Awesome."

Then went back to watching his show. It was pretty darn funny!

The Birthday Boy

This post is dedicated to my third child, Scott. Today is Scott's birthday! He was supposed to be born on April 6th (the 100th anniversary of the building of the Salt Lake Temple). It thought this would be a cool day to be born but it wasn't meant to be. We would have to be patient. They say that good things come to those who wait--well, I have to say that it was true in this case! Scott came on April 10th and we were so happy! The doctor's told me that he would be big but everyone was suprised just how big he was. He weighed 10 pounds 7 1/2 ounces and was 23 inches long. Wow! The nurses were laughing because when they put a newborn sized diaper on him it looked like he was wearing a Speedo! He was cute from day one!

We knew Scott was a boy before he was born so we already had a name picked out for him. His first name Scott is after my maternal uncle Scott. My Uncle Scott is the last living male in his line and didn't have any sons so we named Scott so he could have a namesake. Scott's middle name is Albert after Lee's grandfather, Leo Albert. Lee's grandfather (Baba) was a remarkably intelligent, kind, compassionate man so we wanted to name our baby after him. As is turned out, Scott posesses many of the traits of both his namesakes. He is funny and hardworking just like my Uncle Scott and he is smart, kind, and compassionate like Baba. So, it's safe to say that Scott has honored the names of Scott Albert!

Scott is an amazing teenager. Like I said, he is very kind and compassionate--especially to his younger brothers and sister. It is not uncommon to see him playing or reading to Emma or Max. He is always willing to help and does it without any complaint. He is the first to step in and help whether it's at home, school, or church. He can see when there's a need and he's there to help.

Scott is a very hard worker. He has gotten straight A's every term so far in Middle School with the exception of this last term where he got all A's and one B+! To say I'm proud is an understatement! He is very dedicated. He goes to school every morning 45 minutes early to be a part of the Jazz Band at his school. He plays the trumpet just like my dad did. It's so fun to hear him play. He's a natural. He works hard at it. How many teenage boys would willingly wake up early to get to school early every day? In fact, he asked me if he could stay after today to work with his band leader on a song he'll be playing at the audition for the High School band Thursday. He's even willing to work hard on his birthday! What a kid!

He is very creative and is thinking that he would like to be a film producer when he gets older. He likes to make movies and mix music on the computer. He has talent in both these areas and I'm excited to see where he goes with this. He's a funny kid and makes us laugh often. I'm always finding funny pictures of him on my computer or camera. He's very quick-witted like his dad and older sister. He's a crack-up!

I guess you could say that as a mother of such a son, I am extemely proud. I feel so blessed to have Scott as my son! I know there are great things in store for this boy and I am so excited to see the wonderful things that he will accomplish in his life!

I love you Scott!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Easter Fun

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend. Our family had a great time. Elisabeth was able to come home so that made it even more fun!

(I can't wait till the semester's over and she'll be home all summer! Woowhoo!)

Here's what we did...

Saturday, we had our annual

Easter Egg Hunt at Grammy and Papa's

(my parents) house.

It started in the morning with getting his "special eggs" ready for the hunt.

Every year Lee fills his own eggs with random things for the kids to find. This year there were eggs filled with cheese, soy sauce packets, green tea packets, rocks, paper clips, dirt clods, bugs, screws, drill bits, $1,000,000 bills (he bought at Quilted Bear. Yes, Lee knows about Quilted Bear.) and he even froze an egg with water inside so it was an ice egg.

The kids get a big kick out of it.

But I think Lee enjoys it even more!

Then we went to Grammy and Papa's and ate ham, rolls, and yummy, yummy salads. After eating (way too much!) we decorated eggs with the cousins.

This year, we had a special hunt just for

the little cousins.

Their eggs were filled with candy and toys.

Emma really enjoyed herself!

The big cousin's hunt was where Lee hid his "special eggs" and Grammy and Papa's money-filled eggs. The kids really get into this.

There was the counting of the loot afterwards.

And plenty of lounging around...
Unless your name is Uncle Lee.
Here's the payback for the "special eggs"...

That's what happens when you mess with a child's Easter Egg Hunt! Owwee!

There was some hangin' with the cousins going on... Another successful hunt Grammy and Papa! Thanks!

On Easter Sunday, the kids went to church in matching outfits. I made Elisabeth and Emma matching skirts and the boys ties to match the girls' sashes. It amazes me that they go along with this. Even when most of my kids are teenagers. They must love me!

Thanks for going along with it kids!

I think you looked adorable!

We then were on our way to Easter Dinner at Nanny and Papa's (Lee's parents) house but only got half way when Max got sick so he ended up staying home with Lee (who was also sick). But even without the whole family there, it was still fun. We had more yummy ham, chessy potatoes, rolls, salad and for dessert...delicious fresh strawberry pie and lemon cream cheese pie. Yummy! And we can't forget the "kid friendly" cupcakes! (It's a long story!)

Fun was had by all!

Now, Easter is over and Elisabeth is leaving today. Max and Lee are feeling better.

And life continues.

I'm thankful for a fun weekend!

Finally!

Max FINALLY lost his front tooth!

It was loose FOREVER and hanging by a thread so Lee pulled it out with the "magic cloth" and presto! Max is so excited!

(This is kind of a weird picture though! Every picture I took, he made this expression. I kept telling him to open his eyes at least, but he couldn't! So funny!)

Here's another fun picture...at least his eyes are somewhat open this time. But he still has the goofy smile! Gotta love it!!!