You can dress us up but you can't take us anywhere...(Edited)

Now if only I could slide tackle like Juan Toja.

FCD 0 Chivas USA 0
We'll take it. :)

Rock the Mullett!!!



PS Just for reference.. here is the real deal... (for those non soccer loving freaks!)

Lesson from Nola

I have heard a story about Spencer W. Kimball many times and how he comforted a woman in an airport when no one else would. I always want to be the kind of person who picks up on those situations and lends a helping hand.

There is a woman who I used to attend church with. She is one of those people you aspire to be like... she has 6 daughters, is active with all forms of service, is always kind and is obviously living her life to the fullest. I ran into her at the store tonight and talked to her very briefly. I saw her again at the check out.

There was a woman who had a screaming child. I've been that woman. We've all seen that woman. The little boy was obviously tired. Everyone was staring at her and making comments under their breath. I was racking my brain trying to think of a way to at least let her know that I understood and wasn't judging her when I see Nola out of the corner of my eye, handing the little boy a small compact mirror to play with. He suddenly got quiet and his mother was able to get her groceries and leave the store. Nola patted her shoulder understandingly and told her that he was tired and she understood. The woman's look of relief was amazing. The next time that happens, I plan to follow Nola's example.

And just so you don't think I've lost my addiction...

FC Dallas 3, Columbus Crew 1
We're through to the playoffs. Oh yeah baby.

Finally! Morgan's Baptism

My sister graciously emailed me photos of Morgan's baptism since our camera was suffering from dirty-lens disease and took horrible photos.

On September 29th at 6pm my oldest daughter was baptized. It was unlike any experience I have ever had. My youngest beast had been acting up and I missed quite a lot of the service due to her needy-ness. I was, however, able to witness Morgan's actual baptism and was honored to help her get ready afterwards. She looked at me in the eye and said, "Mom, am I really baptized?" I told her that she was and she started to cry. She told me that she was just so happy and that she felt like she had made the right choice. I hugged her tight, cried with her and told her how proud I was to be her mother, especially at a time like this.

I know that being a mother is along journey that never ends but there is a feeling of peace that comes from having a child baptized. It's like it's a stepping stone along the journey that you've come to and that you feel like you are at least headed in the right direction, if that makes any sense. I'm so proud of all of my girls. I just can't believe how well they've turned out in spite of such an imperfect mother. I'm truly blessed.

Here are a few more pics..




Morgan with both grandmothers


Morgan with both grandfathers

I'm alive... promise....

Things are busy but I'll be back to full blogging form very soon!!

The Bionic Woman

I'm not much of a TV watcher. I watched ER for a long time until I got bored with it. Same with American Idol. I am really into Heroes right now. However, when I heard that Bionic Woman was being remade (and redone) I just had to watch.

Here's a little background. I was born with a congenital disorder called Arthrogryposis.
I watched the original Bionic Woman as a kid and often imagined that they had replaced my joints for bionic joints. I know it sounds silly but one can dream, right?

I still think the original bionic woman was way cool, cheezy 70s sound effects and all.



The new one seems ok but totally different so we'll see how it goes.

Soccer Break!!!

Yes, there is more to my life than the Women's World cup right now. (especially since I'm on an FC Dallas downswing)

It's actually going to be a busy few weeks. I'm thinking of renaming this month, "The Month of Morgan" but Melody got to make an appearance too so I won't do that.

This is a picture from 3 years ago... Nathan's mom and dad with him and the kids..


Nathan's parents will be coming today from Scotland for the first time in almost 3 years and the kids are so excited. (ok, Mel has no idea, but she'll be happy) My mom comes on Thursday, followed by my sisters Sarah and Rachel and my dad on Friday.

On Friday my oldest daughter will be baptised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm bringing tissues. I cried seeing her put on the dress I was baptised in. I'm sure I will be a mess.

On Saturday, Morgan's gym is hosting a meet in which she will be competing. I will be working the morning session and she will compete in the afternoon with a complete audience of relatives. It's a good thing my oldest likes to be the center of attention.

Needless to say... today is a busy day of cleaning, shopping and ... cleaning! :)

***Oh and Germany beat Norway today 3-0.***

Sam the Shoplifting Seagull

This is in Aberdeen, Scotland... Nathan's hometown. Hilarious!!!

Read all about Sam the Shoplifing Seagull.

I can't stand this guy

He drives me insane. It drives me nuts that we keep losing to his team.

That's it.

No more FC Dallas games for me until they can manage beating the worst team in the league. Call me a sore loser. Grrr.

And now for something completely different, but the same...

USA 3, England 0
Enough Said.



Abby Wambach, goal scorer extraordinaire.


Not only does she have mad skills, but who said Goal Keepers can't be hot? Hope Solo rocks.


For all of you soccer loving readers, (ha ha) the next game is a semi final against the winner of Australia vs. Brazil. Catch it on September 27th.

Birthday Wishes Round 2!!! My little miracle surprise!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my big girl Melody!!!!!

I wanted to share some pictures...

My sweet little newborn. I loved you instantly.



And so did your sisters..



Oh... and then there's daddy..



Who could resist this smile?







You are such a mommy's girl but secretly I love it. (although sometimes Daddy would like a turn too!)


You're getting bigger!



Now you're a big girl but you still love your mommy!



Melody is a miracle in so many ways. I can't believe that we were blessed with such a wonderful little spirit. She is a sweet girl with lots of energy. She loves her sisters so much and follows them around like a shadow. She's so compassionate and intelligent. She's easy going! (I never believed you could put a baby down to nap while they were fully awake until I had Melody!!)

Today my heart is so full. I am blessed and so grateful for my little girly family.

Please join me in wishing my first born a Happy Birthday!!

Wasn't this just yesterday?



One Year


Two Years


Three Years


Four Years


Five Years


Six Years


Seven Years


How can my first miracle already be 8 years old? We celebrated this morning by opening gifts and having cinnamon rolls and bacon. I'm so thrilled with the wonderful child she has become. She is a compassionate, motivated, intelligent, talented girl (this is definitely a biased opinion!). Every day I thank my Heavenly Father for sending her to me. I don't know what I would do without her. I love you so much Morgan.

I never would have believed it. Not in a million years.

My new hero, the sneaky chef, strikes again. My picky-never-eats-a-piece-of-produce daughter tonight ate cauliflower, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, tofu and whole wheat pasta!!!!!!! Behold the Sneaky Baked Ziti!! Don't be fooled by its appearance.. it's actually quite tasty. My kids ate it. A bunch of it. I am so amazed at this woman. My husband the skeptic is finally convinced.

From my friend Sharron...

who is now considered "blogworthy".

Randomness...
1. If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?

2. "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?

3. I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks so I wondered what do Chinese mothers use? Toothpicks?

4. Why do they put pictures of criminals up in the Post Office? What are we supposed to do, write to them? Why don't they just put their pictures on the postage stamps so the mailmen can look for them while they deliver the mail?

5. When you put 'THE' and 'IRS' together, it forms 'THEIRS'.

6. What happens to an 18 hour bra after 18 hours?

7. When sign makers go on strike, is anything written on their signs?

8. Why do croutons come in airtight packages? Aren't they just stale bread to begin with?

Have I mentioned that my kids like to play with the webcam?

and so does their mom...

Things I learn when hubby's out of town...

1. My kids like pork.
Nathan's a picky eater and doesn't like pork. Between my three girls and I we ate half of a pork tenderloin. The biggest fan? Melody. She was the last one at the table and had two helpings. (have I mentioned that we also had mashed potatoes with cauliflower and zucchini puree and no one noticed????)

2. When no one is here and I don't expect help (the adult kind) I just get on with business and actually accomplish more.

3. I'm a social person and miss adult company.

4. My kids love their daddy and can't wait for him to be home. :)

I love the guy. I don't mind that he travels a little but only a little.

Maya's First Day

Maya was very excited to go to class with her new teacher, Ms. Ellen!

My New Hero

Her recipes are genius. Today I added her White Puree to prepackaged white cheddar shells and cheese. All of my children ate it. Maybe it's not a full serving of veggies, but it's more than Maya's body has seen in years.