True Love?

So, I heard that there was drama on The Bachelor last night. Serious drama. Riveting drama. I heard this news through the grapevine--or from Todd. Yup, from Todd. He watches the drama, I use my intellect and read a book. I used to watch, but gave it up a few seasons back. I lost my testimony of Bachelor love. True love just never lasted for the final rose couple, so I am no longer a true believer. Besides, everyone knows that you can only find your soulmate on Survivor or Who Wants To Marry My Dad. Why even waste your time with all the girl bickering and tanning on The Bachelor?

I had a vague recollection that the show was on last night. Again, I was using my intellect to read...as I walked through the family room I stopped to notice that Todd and all 3 girls were huddled around the TV and riveted with the Bachelor action. I stared at Todd and asked, "Are you seriously letting them watch this?" His reply (without removing his eyes from the TV), "Oh ya, they love it!" Uh-huh.

This morning Todd called me so that he could unfold all the drama that happened in After The Rose. Crazy upset I guess. I had to calm him down and remind him that The Bachelor isn't true love, it's just pretend, like Tinkerbell.

In case you missed the show, I've got it recorded. But, you'll have to ask Todd to hold your hand and watch it with you. I'll be using my intellect while I watch America's Next Top Model.

More Cousins!

This weekend my brother Kirk and his family flew in from Denver. My kids literally almost exploded from excitement. I, on the other hand, spent all my energy trying to persuade my brother that we were NOT going canoeing in the neighborhood lake. He even tried to get all the adults to play Twister, but I stood my ground. I don't bend my standards for anyone. Ever.

Here are a few highlights....

Kennedy and Kellie riding the coaster
This is Campbell. She is a mini tornado.
She doesn't walk-she runs.
She doesn't talk-she yells.
So. Dang. Adorable!

Addie learned that if you hold your head under the hand dryer, it can tie your hair in knots.

Have I ever mentioned that genius runs in my family? My brother quickly figured out how to station the kids at each hole to whack each mole and gain the maximum amount of tickets. I don't know who enjoyed it more, him or the kids.

Cousins that swing together, stay together.

Chain Of Command

The tooth fairy system at our house has gone haywire. Somehow the chain of command has been switched. In the olden days, the child left the tooth and was sweetly excited to receive a teeny weeny quarter the next morning. Here at the circus, where all things run crazy, the children have started commanding the tooth fairy to leave her money in the kitchen. Oh yes, in the kitchen, because they are too dang lazy to walk their tooth upstairs to their room. Oh, like maybe as they are walking up to go to bed. Crazy thought. That tooth is so heavy its just too hard to carry. So, my kids now let the fairy know to leave the money at the table and go.

The first note was left a couple of weeks ago by Addie. Remember, she's afraid of the fairy and doesn't want him (yes, she thinks the fairy is male) anywhere near her room...so she left him a note:

I'm not positive of the exact wording, but I know that she mentions she really likes the tooth fairy, she wants to keep her tooth and "please leave me some money". Well, at least she kindly asked for her cash....

Makell yanked her tooth out during class the other day. She decided that she too would rather receive her allotment in the kitchen as well:

Again, witness the kind manners when commanding that the money be left downstairs. How has the tooth fairy turned into an ATM? Curious. I think I might try leaving notes for Todd, "so please give me the money! thank you a lot." I'll let you know how it goes. If I'm successful, I'm moving on to Nana. She loves notes. Especially those taped with a tooth at the top.

Self Portrait

She looks so much like Todd. Just amazing.

25

I've heard that the '25 Random Things' is all the craze on Facebook. I myself have yet to ever log onto Facebook for fear of becoming addicted to finding new friends. Todd scours Facebook every day. He says he just takes a 5 minute look, but after he sent me a muffin recipe he found in his Facebook travels, I'm thinkin' he spends a few minutes more than that.

A writer for the Houston newspaper even wrote 25 random things about our city. Each item talked about how darn random Houston is. And the fact that EVERY time you decide to drive on the freeway, all 5 million Houston residents decide to do the same thing.

I've wondered if I even know 25 random things about myself. Or more importantly, that I haven't already told everyone. So, I thought I would give it a shot:

1. My eyes are getting wrinkly. It bugs me.
2. I think a law should be created to ban the use of fake flowers outside in the yard. Do. Not. Do. It. Ever....Even at Christmas.
3. Camping makes me cry.
4. I've been to Singapore, China, Korea and Thailand. I went when I was 13. This was the first and only time in my life that I saw a chicken plucked by an elderly woman with no teeth.
5. I think that anyone who can not remove the Christmas lights from their house by February is mentally challenged.
6. I have a fear that my kids will get kicked out of school.
7. I have no patience. For anything. Shocking I know, but true nonetheless.
8. I lay in bed at night and search my brain for a way to have a limosine window installed in my van.
9. I think that children with learning disABILITIES are often misunderstood and underestimated. Even by their parents.
10. There is a small little nook in my heart that can only be filled by really, really cute shoes. Sometimes cupcakes work too.
11. I think that Todd was sent from heaven just for me. Poor guy.
12. I live by my self-proclaimed motto: "If they don't kill me today, they will try again tomorrow."
13. Eating the same dessert two nights in a row is a sin.
14. When I was a Cougarette at BYU, my padded bra was so huge that my parents didn't recognize me.
15. If you are a person who doesn't complain about your kids, we simply can't be friends.
16. I miss my Utah friends and the mountains.
17. When I was in high school, I think I lied once to my parents. Ok, maybe twice.
18. I don't have enough faith. I have prayed for Heavenly Father to give me more money and it hasn't worked.
19. Sometimes when Todd is singing, I want to choke him. Gently of course, so it won't leave a mark.
20. I would like to speak portuguese.
21. My biggest secret--I adore my children. Lots.
22. I don't think there is anything wrong with yelling. Its a talent to be perfected. Like playing the piano.
23. I stop the microwave on an even number.
24. I'm not as uptight as I appear. For reals.
25. I wish I owned a taser.

Your turn.

Girl Scouts or Heavenly Messengers?

They show up at your door and present you with cookies. The only thing they ask for in exchange is money. And ya know, you just can't put a monetary value on a Thin Mint. You just can't.

Other than the first day of school, this is my next favorite day. But don't worry, these boxes should last me a couple of days....I hope.

Thank Me Later

I stole--ahem, I mean, copied--this recipe from Paula Deen. It's a frozen banana split. Oh. my. nirvana. I think if you bit into Brad Pitt, this is what he would taste like. Just a guess.


Line a 9x13 pan with tin foil.
Cover surface with ice cream sandwiches:



Cut up 5 or 6 bananas and layer on top:



Drizzle 1 jar of caramel ice cream topping over bananas.
Then drizzle 1 jar of hot fudge ice cream topping. (I microwaved my jar just a bit so that it would pour easily.)
Spread half a bag of toffee bits (found next to the chocolate chips) on top:



Top with another layer of ice cream sandwiches:



Frost with a small tub of cool whip.
Sprinkle on remaining toffee bits:

Freeze.
Remove from freezer about 20 min. before serving, just to soften.
Hold onto tin foil and remove from pan. Cut.