Finally reaching the double digits...

I can hardly believe that my oldest is

10!!!

Her birthday is April 27, 1999 !!!

She's finally hit the double digits, and is growing into a beautiful young lady. Here are a few shots of her while we were just in California. We celebrated her birthday with her grandparents in California and with Aunts and Uncles there too!! She's quite excited for this birthday!! I'm not sure why, but maybe it's just because it's her birthday in general !!

And anymore she can be found listening to her Dad's Ipod.

She really wants one,
we're not willing to pay the money for it.

Plus she has an issue of responsibility that
she is still working on before we get something like that. But she does
listening to music.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLEE!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!

Not quite 100 questions that you probably didn't know about me...

1- What is your favorite 80's song and do you still listen to it?
My Favorite 80’s song would have to be….. Crush on You by the Jets… and yes I still listen to it… every now and then…

2 - If you could live anywhere in the world and money were NOT an object where would you want to live? I’d love to live in Eastern Idaho (call me a nerd, I know!!!) The reason we don’t is because of $$ -- maybe someday, though.

3- In your opinion what is the perfect design for a house? What works well for you. I’d like to have built in storage shelves, and book shelves, bedrooms for each of my kids, at least 1 more bathroom, and I’d love to have a family room and living room, a room for an office, and a place to do crafts, and sewing….. I could go on and on… but I’d also like to have a large laundry room with folding tables and cubbies and hooks for each of the kids and their stuff.

4- Did you participate in any choirs in high school? They didn’t have choir in high school, but they had a youth choir through church that I did participate in.

5- Tell me a little about the guy you dated before you started dating your husband? (Did you send the last guy you dated a wedding invite? Lets see… the guy I dated before I met my husband was a native of Idaho… and he liked being outdoors and was great with his family, and treated me well. He was a little shorter than I was, and that always kind of bothered me, but I did learn how to overlook that and I did think I started to fall for him, but alas…. We didn’t last. He was fun to be with, and funny, and was athletic… .football was often played with roomies and other guy friends, it was quite fun. And no I didn’t send him a wedding announcement, but I think I did send his mom one.

6- Would you ever consider raising chickens for eggs? I would like to raise chickens for eggs, but then my problem would be…. What to do when they stopped laying eggs??? I can’t stand to kill it….. I think we will check into that one maybe in a year or so.

7. Can you play any musical instrument? Well yes and no, you see I took piano lessons for about 1-2 years when I was little and then the teacher moved from the town. Then I wished when I was in high school that I was still taking lessons because my best friend at the time was SO GOOD -- I'm sure she still is. And I loved how she sounded and longed to be able to produce that same feeling while playing. So on Sundays while in between meetings and then after the meetings were all done I would "practice" somewhat on the piano in the cultural hall. I got so I could play the right hand on some songs okay. But that was only if there weren't any sharps or flats... So off to school I went and was called my second year to be the pianist even though I couldn't play worth a hill of beans. I often came home crying, because I messed up so many times, and didn't feel I was really that good at all, and WONDERED why I was called to such a posistion. And I must not have learned my lesson fully because then again when I moved to Provo with my husband I was called again to be a co-pianist. Meaning that I would switch every other week with another person. And she was A LOT better than I was !! She was grateful that she didn't have to play every week, as I was too!! And now that I've had a piano in my home for nearly a year, I am often playing the hymns, and learning all the time. I hope someday to be good when I grow up. I can mostly play church hymns and not much of anything else. But I do enjoy playing for fun, and trying to compose my own song....

8- What is your favorite food? My favorite food would probably be anything I can throw inside of a tortilla shell and have taste good. So the options are almost limitless. I tend to go for the burritos and tacos most of the time…. I love that stuff and think I could seriously live off from it. And there is even a Chocotaco that I haven’t had in a while but it’s Ice cream shaped like a taco --- it’s good stuff. Although I am a real big Lasagne fan too, but it has to taste good and not an overabundance of meat, otherwise I want to gag… And I’m a fan of Pizza too.

9- Do you like surprise birthday parties? I’ve never had one, but I’ve planned a few that I totally enjoyed. I wish my husband would do one for me sometime, or be in on one…. Hint hint,,,, but then again, I don’t know too many people that would actually come to one…

10- What about silly string? do you like it or not? Hate the stuff, it’s a pain to clean up.

11- How old are you? How old are you? How old are you Wendy, How old are you? Okay so you really want to know huh??? Well I'm celebrating the 10th anniversary of my 21st birthday. Do the math.

12- How often do you check for comments on your blog? AND/OR updates on your friend's blogs??? I check usually once a day… sometimes twice, and occasionally three or more times… but then I’d be admitting that I don’t have a life and nothing that I’d rather be doing and that I’m a slacker of a housewife that doesn’t keep it spotless… so I’m not admitting that I check it more than twice a day. (If that..)

13 - How often do you check your email??
My email checking is slightly more often than checking the blog… but I have to stay on top of checking it or I get a ton of unwanted emails piling up and then I have to fish out the real emails and then it just becomes a big headache so I just check it 3-5 times a day. Which is probably a lot… but who cares…

14 - If you could travel to any place in the world for free where would you go and why?
I’d love to go to the European countries and see all the architecture going on there, and I have family roots that originated in those European countries and from England. But I’d also love to go to Hawaii at least once so I can see how pretty and beautiful that place is.

15 - What is your idea of the perfect sandwich? The perfect sandwich is Turkey with American cheese on Focacia Bread with Mayo, pickle, sprouts and tomato. Yummy!! But the focacia bread has to be from my brother in laws bakery. Because it’s GOOD!!

16 - One make up item you HAVE to use? Does chapstick count?? I don’t put makeup on everyday, but I always like to put on eyeliner. I think it helps my eyes look better. But most of the time, I just look blah… because I can and don’t feel bad about it. The sad thing is, my kids notice when I’m putting on the make up and ask where I’m going even if I’m not going anywhere.

17 - Pen or pencil? Pen all the way.

18 - What color do you paint on your toes? Whatever I have in the cupboard that isn’t already run dry, usually a dark pink.

19 - Would you rather talk on the phone or email? Email all the way. Because as the song goes, “I’m so much cooler online”. I seem to be able to get the point across better when I write then when I try to say it over the phone. Plus not being able to see the person while talking on the phone but being able to hear their voice usually gets me going crazy because I read way too much into what they aren’t saying. At least with Email, I can say it and not feel like a complete dork like I do on the phone.

20 - What do you look forward to most in the next 3 months? School getting out for the summer, and being able to play in water… pretty lame I know.. but we aren’t going anywhere far away we’ll just be close to home. But at least when school is out I might get to sleep in…

21 - Do you have any pets? We have one dog named Amber who’s a German shepherd mix who we’ve had for almost 7 years now, and we have 1 cat named Phoebe (because of FRIENDS) that we’ve had for about 4-5 years.

22 - How many houses have you lived in? Lets see as a child living with my parents I think we lived in 7 different places (Some were short term) but then I had a summer job after high school and lived in a little cabin by a lake for a few months then I left for college and lived in the dorms my first year (Awesome roomies by the way) and a house the second. I then got married to my husband and together we’ve lived in four different apartments/houses. (Three apartments and in our house.) We’ve now lived in the house for a little over 8 years.

23 - Do you prefer shoes, socks, barefeet or sandals? BAREFOOT and hopefully not PREGO. *No offense to any who are Barefoot and Pregnant and possibly in the kitchen -- I often found myself there while I was pregnant over the years.

24 - What is your favorite color? B-L-U-E but I also like shades of red and purple and I love dark pinks.

25- What is your favorite TV show? My favorite would be Heroes and Law and Order SVU at the moment. But I really enjoyed ER but it just signed off, so I’m resorted to watching reruns now…. But they are still good…


26 - Do you shut off the water while you brush your teeth? I usually turn off the water.

27 - Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed? I sleep on the “FAR SIDE” meaning the farthest from the door. Which would be on Chris’s right.

28 - Do you know how to play poker? Heck no, don’t think I’ll ever want to learn either.

29 - Last picture you took?
Meaning last picture on my camera or the last one I was in? Well the last one I took was of my new kitchen faucet, but the last one I was in … In front of the St. George Temple.

My Faucet BEFORE:

My Faucet After :

30 - Have you ever been in an ambulance? No, and I hope that I’ll never have to be either.

31 - Do you prefer the ocean or pool? I like to swim in a pool, but getting in the ocean is always a great experience. But of course, I don’t live close to any ocean so it would have to be way planned.

32 - What is your favorite thing to spend money on? I love to spend money on my hobbies, or clothes for myself. But I also like to spend money on good food.

33 - Do you wear jewelry 24/7? Yes and no. I usually will wear my ring until I have to make bread or anything getting the rings dirty, but as soon as I’m done I try and put the rings right back on.

34 - What makes you the happiest? Seeing my family happy, and knowing that what I’m doing for them makes a difference. And I also am really happy when I can spend time with my friends… because they are such great and amazing people.

35 - Do you have any tattoos? if so, can we see pictures??? if not, what WOULD you get & where would you get it-- ya know.. if you were like that :P
Well no I don’t have any tattoos and if I were that kind of person, which I’m not I’d like to get something that says, I am a child of God, and I’d like to put it on my forehead in mirror writing so that every time I look at the mirror I wouldn’t be able to forget. Who cares if anyone else can read it. But I'd also put "AND SO ARE YOU" -- So that everyone could read it.

36 -. Have you ever been skinny-dippin? No -- -I’m not that WILD, or CAREFREE.

37 - What is your Favorite Kind of Candy? My favorite kind of candy that is store bought would be TWIX or ALMOND JOY’s, I also love Butterfingers. But if it’s a homemade kind that I can make, I’d go for the Haystacks. (Toasted coconut, with chocolote smothering it,) and Peanut Clusters YUMMM


That was all the questions that I was asked to answer.... so if anyone else has more I'll add to this till I get up to 100!! Thanks to those who submitted questions.

Where the Heck did my life go???

I really enjoy when a day goes exactly how I have it planned. Know why?? Neither do I!! But it has something to do with low expectations and let come what may. I don't like to stress over the little things, there isn't any point in it.



I used to stress over the small things, and occasionally I still do, but I try not to let it bother me often. Being a mom of 5 kids, I'm kept rather busy, and a lot of times feel like I'm just treading in water rather than swimming towards the other side.



I was talking with my friend tonight and realized that I'm not the only one that has these feelings. I sit back somedays and ask myself, "Is this really my life??" -- where has all the time gone and what am I working towards. I do the same things over and over almost everyday and ... well frankly it starts to get to me. I need to regroup and rethink what's going on.



I've discovered that life isn't what happens, it's what you make happen. I can't just sit back and just let things go on around me, while I'm stuck in neutral and just kind of sitting in "idle". I need to be more proactive in what goes on around me and what I want to do. I need "ME" time, and I really need to have focused daily goals everyday.


It's not just enough to let life happen, but to be actively involved in my life. I don't want to wake up in another 30 years (when I'm 61) and wonder WHERE THE HECK DID MY LIFE GO???
So I'm going to try and enjoy my kids more, but hopefully find a way that I can do that while enforcing good habits in the way of cleanliness, and hygiene, and being polite, and etc...

I sure wish there was a simple parenting handbook that was called something like " Parenting for the unmotivated, and lazy and plain just boring people" Because sometimes that how I feel I come across, but really, I'm not that lazy -- it's all just sleep deprivation, and that makes me tired and when I'm tired do I feel like I want to do anything. HECK NO!! I'd rather rest and relax than make myself exert any energy that's barely left in my resevoir. Maybe that's just how life is when there are so many young kids just out trying to "ENJOY" themselves at the expense of one person. ME!! Mom!!!

Here's to being more proactive in my life !!!

To Spring or not to Spring.....

I can't believe that it is the 15th of April, and feels like it's the

middle of January!!! Agh.

The view from inside my house looking out the window on the front door.

I've been going around today trying to get my van ready for the trip we're taking

to California this weekend. Imagine trying to do all this with the white flaky,

wet stuff falling down, attempting to make the road slick. I don't really like driving that much and even more so when it's snowing!!

I'm really wondering if someone isn't paying a pretty penny or more to

keep the weather the way it is. According to my calendar it's Spring.

But I guess this year -- Spring will really start a little later.

In my arms....

I really enjoy laying with a good book and reading. What's even better?? When my two year old wants to come snuggle up in my arms and there is no one else around and no noise and he lays down and falls asleep and starts snoring. His little body is so constantly busy that I forget how precious this little guy really is.

And with the reality eating at me that he might possibly be my last child.... my heart is trying to soak up all the love and joy he brings to me. His silly little grin, he's very beginnings of trying to talk. He's also (when he's not throwing a fit) trying to please his mom. Oh, that's me!! Lucky me . I enjoy getting to spend time with this little guy, and as I feel with all my children. I love to see them happy, and learn and grow. I can only pray that my efforts, with the help of a loving Heavenly Father will be enough to create their solid foundation .

What do you want?????

I seriously considered dropping of my now 2 year old at the nearest person to me, when all he did while I ran into the store to buy 2 dozen eggs for dying. It all started when I got him out of the car..... I unbuckled the little guy, and the first thing he did was WHINE OUT LOUD that he wanted something... but because of his lack of communicating verbally with any remote sound of a word... I had a hard time figuring out what he wanted. I realized that he wanted his Easter bucket with him in the store... apparently they are best friends now and I wasn't aware of this fact.

Then while we were in the store to prevent the 2 year old and the 4 year old from running all over the place I got a shopping cart and placed the 2 year old in the seat at the top and the 4 year old in the basket part. And the 2 year old placed his bucket in the basket part as well. All was fine for the rest of the 30 seconds before I got the eggs in the cart, and then he started WHINING out loud over and over!!! He wanted in the basket, then he wanted out, he wanted on the side than he wanted in the seat again, and this went on over and over. I'm finally at the checkout counter with just 2 dozen eggs and a calm 4 year old sitting nicely in the basket while I'm getting those "grinned" stares simultaneously with my 2 year old wailing and wailing and starting to throw himself backwards while I'm holding onto him in my arms ..... and I tell you I about lost it right there... I had to keep counting to 10 SILENTLY OUT LOUD IN MY HEAD in order to make it through that torturous little trip to the store.

But then I discovered why he was throwing a fit.... guess??? That's right he wanted to HOLD the EGGS. From the minute I put them into the cart until I drove all the way home ( a total of 5 minutes or less) he screamed, and then some after we came into the house. Poor little guy, he didn't understand those ones are "BREAKABLE" -- someday maybe, he'll catch on.

And I'm only writing this so that I have a record of it later... but also to have it be one of those FUNNY stories when he gets older. (Just remember, Ethan, I love you!)

Your 100 hundred questions ... to be answered by MOI!!!

Okay so my birthday is coming up in two weeks. And I've decided that I want to answer questions that you have about me?? So I will answer up to 100 questions... that you want to know about me. And I reserve the right to edit the question. So this is your chance to get to know me as well as you want .... and maybe even know me more than you wanted to.... either way the fun part is being able to be interviewed by those that care anything about me. I'm leaving for California on the 16th of April and will return on the 20th. So I'll give everyone till April 20 to submit questions worthy of being answered. So don't be shy. If you'd rather email me questions to be answered just put in the subject line --Your 100 questions ....

I'm excited about this and hope that I'll get lots of good questions to answer.

Working Hard, or Hardly Working..... ????

I'm so glad that today was in the 70's and finally really starting to feel like spring. After planting our little green house starter the other night, we had germination taking place just four days later and now we have a handful of plants coming up.

This was our activity for FHE last week. The kids loved it!!! And they've had fun checking on them and watching the one's that have grown pop up. I've enjoyed it to.

And as you can tell as we've had a few warm Saturday's we've used them to work in our back yard expanding our garden area. We have a little more grass to clear out in order to have our garden area ready to go. I can taste all the fresh food now....

Okay so this is a blog I wanted to start all about me, for me, and what makes my day, what drives me crazy, and the things that others do for me that make me feel glad to be ALIVE!!!
Thus the name " My Cliffs of Insanity" was chosen. Because it doesn't take much before I need a break, and if I don't get it...... I'm one step closer to jumping of that cliff. So in a way this is a place for me to "vent" and "rant" and "praise" and "Thank" when it's called for, so that I can keep my feet planted solidly where I'm at.

I'm not perfect by any means, I have a hard time doing all the things I'm supposed to. I'm nearing the ripe old age of (shhhhh 31) in just a few weeks and I'm thinking, what am I doing?? My house is constantly in shambles, I feel used and abused most days. I'm like a maid working for a not for profit organization experiencing the effects of a rough economy.

I'm not a fashion guru. I know, but it's sad too, when my favorite pair of jeans have a hole in the knee and just look completely stained ( with oil stains etc....) And the rest of my jeans ALL have holes in the knees as well. I don't spend a whole lot of time on my knees but apparently enough to wear them out.

I'm not a beauty queen. I wasn't one that you would have thought a HOT BABE in high school. ( At least I don't think I was) I do attempt to wear make up more frequently now, because I'm showing signs of wear and tear. And I feel "prettier" if I have the make up on, but all the time and effort to just forget to wash my face before I go to bed.... blah ---- most of the time I go without the make up though. That' s how I am most of the time and when my husband fell in love with me, I was a plain JANE!! So at least I don't have to try and impress anyone right now. Right??? He loves me and that's all that matters.

I was athletic at one point. Not so much anymore... . something I want to remedy in the near future. Good thing spring is upon us, and the warmer weather is here. I'm so out of shape now, especially having five kids and not taking anytime for myself to stay physically active. Shame on me.

I try to be a good friend. Heck that's one thing I try to EXCEL at . I think having friends are important. And I don't mean " My husband is my best friend and that 's all I need..." Because he's a man, he doesn't understand the same things that I feel. But you know who does??? Or who might??? My friends of the female kind. They don't judge you, (at least not in your face) they seem to be understanding, loving, and offer advice or suggestions of things to help correct a situation. Not everyone I meet comes across as a genuine person but once in a while I'll find someone like that. Those are the ones I stay connected with. So count yourself lucky if I still have found ways to connect with you. So that's just one thing I can't stand and that's fake people. Saying one thing in front of you.... but doing something completely different out of your sight. I get the vibes, then I wait, I watch, I listen, and then I make the final conclusion.... if all the above add up ... then chances are I don't want to really continue a friendship with you... it's more like an "acquaintanceship". I'll still say Hi, and have casual chit chat, but forget about the deep and satisfying kind of conversation.

I don't like to be mistreated, so I try not to mistreat others. If I do..... usually it's a lack of communication or understanding.

I know that I'm a daughter of God, and that all things I try to do, I hope allow me closer to reaching my end result. To return to live with him again. I know that things are hard, I know that trials are a part of life. But with Him all things are possible.

Phone Confusion????

Am I the only person living in Utah in the 801 area code with the new 3 somethin something overlay area code who is sick and tired, and frustrated trying to make a neighbor to neighbor call and have to dial

10

digits instead of just

7 ?

Really why couldn't they have just geographically split the 801 area code and just add a new one without totally confusing me??

And to think that when an out of towner comes to Utah and visits me, I'm going to have to tell them to dial 801 because we're SPECIAL. Well not really special but because the " designers" seem to be "RETARDS" ....... But then again, I don't know all that goes into programing phone lines and operating them. But heck, other places divide their area codes all the time, right???


Who else has to go through this ridiculous practice just to dial your next door neighbor????

Random Thoughts FRIDAY

Okay so call me a goof ball, but I just want to say how much the last episode of ER touched me. I've been watching this show pretty often over the last 15 years, and to see how the final episode went was emotional to say the least. (Remind you this is my opinion) As with all shows there can always be elements in the story that don't make sense or characters that you don't like, but if a good show doesn't have those elements it wouldn't be GOOD right??? I don't watch too much television at all, but I'll be sad to not have the ER program continuing with it's story anymore. But I guess that's why there are reruns, you agree???


Onto other things, living here in Utah the weather can't seem to decide what season it is. While there are good and bad things to having such cooler temperatures and snow storms hitting us, it's a bit depressing to know that it's officially SPRING and it still feels and looks mostly like WINTER outside. So please, WARM weather bring us the mild heat.


My bedroom, Kudos to me (and yes I'm bragging) I spent all of Monday in my room trying to "DEJUNK" and CLEAN it up. It became the home to all things homeless and I failed to prevent it from happening before it got this severe. But not anymore, I only have a few more things to do and the bedroom will be clean from here on out. No more lazy practices, and who cares if I'm tired, if I can't finish the job before bed, it waits till the next day. Next project hit the girls bedroom hard core!!!! I can't even see the floor anymore. It's as if they don't care anymore. I guess it's time to play the "MEAN" mom role just so that they'll start doing their part. It's not like they aren't old enough, because they are plenty old. We'll hopefully take care of this within the next week.

Living here in UTAH I just discovered a radio station that I really like, with the exception of a few songs that play that are so/so. 92.1 The Edge. LOVE IT. It's the stuff from the last few decades that I love to listen to. My kind of music for sure.

School -- ready for it to be over.

My baby boy is going to be 2 in one week!!! My how time has gone by so fast. So I'll be getting ready to do a party for him.

I'm excited to go visit and meet my new nephew and new niece that live in California. I think babies are just plain cute.

And we started plants in a little seed starter green house and after only four days some plants have sprouted. EXCITING STUFF. And all the while when the weather has been good we've been working on expanding our garden . Hopefully sometime in the next month we'll have it ready to finally plant into.