FHE

I just had to grab my camera during FHE the other night.

Now you know where Tyson gets his moves.

The only reason Dan let me film him was that I told him he would love to look back on this when Tyson is 16.

Easy To Please

Remember this post?

When Tyson saw these pictures on my blog he insisted I print them out for him.

He cut them out and spent the remainder of the afternoon playing with them.

Of course, he had to draw 'bad guys' to go with them.

Some of The Many Reasons Why I Love This Kid

Besides the fact that he is just so dang cute, Tyson is one of the sweetest kids I know.

He loves doing things for other people.

And he just has a knack for giving straight from his heart.

These pictures were all taken on Valentines Day. Tyson did his very best to show his love for the whole family despite his limited resources.

He made these valentines for each of us. This one was for Preston.

And these were for Dan and me.

He made sure to share his stickers with his little brother.

And the ultimate act of love:

He let Preston play with his beloved whale.

He prays for each of us in EVERY prayer, he often forgets to bless the food because he is too busy blessing everyone at the table by name.

He is constantly giving me kisses, and still loves to sit on my lap. Although he is getting so huge, he barely fits on my lap anymore. Preston is too busy to snuggle me, but Tyson's not.

And I love it!

Even though he thinks he's "too big" to hold my hand when we cross the street, he still will because it's a what a gentleman would do.

He is going to make a lucky young girl very happy someday, but I am proud to say that

He loved me first!

I Asked And You Delivered

Thanks to all of you who sent birthday wishes to my inbox this weekend. It's nice to know who my real friends are ;)

I hope you enjoy my birthday greetings as much as I did. At least the pictures are entertaining.

********************************************************

I just have to give your readers a feel for what you were like when we were younger. As much as I looked up to you, you still weren't always as nice as you should have been.

For some reason I can't remember now we had to share a room. Right after I moved in you had to prove to me that you were the oldest and the bossiest roommate. You put masking down on the floor and said that I couldn't cross it. The with this was I had to cross it if I ever wanted to leave the room. Being the rebellious sister I was, I immediately stepped over it and walked out of the room. I don't remember ever having any more problems with the tape.

Also, while we were still sharing a room. I did something that really made you mad at me. I think I told someone something that I wasn't supposed to. You seriously wouldn't talk to me for like a week. I remember trying every opportunity to get you to talk to me, but you were so adamant about proving your point, and holding a grudge that you would barely even look at me. Eventually it blew over and you talked to me again, but I just remember feeling like it took ages.

This probably doesn't sound like it was that bad, but at the time it was a huge deal. I hope I could give all you readers a glimpse at a different side of Nicole than you have seen.

Happy Birthday Nicole!! You really are a great sister and I am glad we are such good friends. Thank you so much for everything you do for me and my family!! I hope you have a great birthday and you get lots of wonderful wishes.

Cheryl

************************************************************

I thought I would give you a poem! I hope you have a great birthday!

Andrea

Hope all that you do

Turns out happy for you

And all that you wish

Comes your way,

So each hour will bring

Every wonderful thing

You could ask of a wonderful day

*************************************************************

Happy Birthday, Nicole!!!

Attached are just a few of the pics we have of you as a youngster. I wanted the one with the ashes from the fireplace, but couldn't find it.Hope you had a great weekend.

Dad

*********************************************************

Hi Nicole!

I just wanted to add to your birthday blog post by saying that you have always been a great friend. I really looked up to you in Young Womens and I loved that you were always nice to the younger girls. I thought it was awesome that you were willing to pick me up for school my sophomore year. Probably not a big deal to you, but I appreciated it!

I love reading your blog because of your great sense of humor and wonderful way of finding joy in the day-to-day activities. I am so happy that we can stay in touch that way. I wish you a wonderful birthday!!!

Michelle

****************************************************************

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! Feliz Cumpleaños!!
A few memories:

“You can be Dopey!
“I am SO not perky.”
Cold Warrior from Jamba
Midnight Clueless showing

Lots of love
Amanda

*************************************************************

Hello

I dont think I can post things on your blog because i dont have an account or whatever but Happy Birthday Nicole. What would you like from korea? Fake Loius Vuiton Stuff is cheap and easy to find =)

(From Elder Sheeby)

**********************************************************

Birthday Wishes

(The four-year-old version of me)

Monday is my birthday.

I am turning 29, for the first time.

I don't know if that makes me young or old.

It's all relative.

I am asking you, dear blog readers, for a birthday gift.

I want you all to write my birthday post for me.

Email me (nikalo@hotmail.com) something:

a memory you have of me
a birthday wish for me
a joke I will like
a story (maybe about me)
a picture (maybe of me)
ANYTHING.

On Monday I will post them all.

(unless they are crude or obscene, this is a G rated blog after all)

I realize there are many of you who read this blog regularly, who don't comment. I expect you ALL to participate in this. ALL OF YOU! Even if you don't think I know you read me. I get lots of people who click over from Emily's blog, and Deb's blog, and Megan's blog, and many others.

You know who you are. Not knowing me in real life is not a good excuse.

Google Me

I admit, I google people.

I've googled myself, my husband, long lost friends.

I am also a avid blog stalker. I'm not afraid to admit it.

Ya'll are stalking me RIGHT NOW!

I don't mind.

In all my googling, blog stalking etc. I have never seen this. And it's fun!

Type "{your first name} needs" into google.

It's entertaining!

Here are my results:

1. Nicole needs a boob job.

2. Nicole needs to live in the now

3. Nicole needs some good vibes

4. Nicole needs school

5. Nicole needs a girlfriend

6. Tiny Nicole needs a big meal

7. Nicole needs a taco

8. Skeleton Nicole needs to gain 40 pounds

9. Nicole needs an urban love nest.

10. Nicole needs to lay off the botox

11. Nicole needs a stylist

12. Nicole needs a husband

13. Nicole needs a new page

14. Nicole needs to get out!

15. Nicole needs a new computer.

Obviously, many of these are about Nicole Richie. I'd like to think I have my life a little more "put together" than she does. But I wouldn't mind gaining those 40 pounds ;)

Anyone got a taco?

Wordless Wednesday

Over Active Imagination?

Tyson is a superhero.

Really.

Ask him.

Just don't be offended when he won't tell you his secret identity.

He has a super brain, super speed, super ears, and super eyes.

He attends superhero school every afternoon, right after lunch. At night, when we think he is sleeping in his bed, he is really out saving the world.

One night he told us that he needed to save his friends. In order to save them he needed to go to the moon, twice, to get two air tanks, then to the dinosaur age to get a dinosaur egg.

(Don't ask, I don't get it either).

If he is ever hungry or tired, it's because he has been saving the world. When he sleeps he dreams about Krypto the Superdog.

Sometimes his dad gets to be a superhero too. Occasionally I get to be Wonder Woman.

Sunday Thoughts

I read something on a blog a couple weeks ago. The thoughts it provoked in me have been tumbling around in my head ever since. Please allow me to share them with you.

Our country is in trouble. Everywhere people are losing their jobs. Businesses are closing their doors.

The question is "What can we do about it?"

We have been told countless times that the Book of Mormon was written for our day. In this book the people experience numerous cycles of prosperity and destitution. It is lovingly called "The Pride Cycle." For those of you who have been sleeping in Sunday School, let me break it down for you.

There were these people called the Nephites. They were blessed and favored of God. Because He blessed them, they flourished. They had great wealth. Life was good. They became so comfortable with their lives that they inevitable forgot where all their blessings came from. They were filled with pride because of their own success. They failed to thank God for the blessings he sent them. They systematically turned away from God. When the Nephites turned away from God, he stopped blessing them. He sent famines, wars, and all manner of unrest. It wasn't until the Nephites were at their lowest point that they finally turned their hearts to God. They pleaded with him for peace, protection, rain, food, etc. When they were sufficiently humbled God continued to bless them. That is, until the cycle repeated itself over and over and over again.

What does this have to do with us?

We have been very blessed by our Father in Heaven - blessed so much that many people have forgotten the source of these blessings. People have become very prideful as to their own strengths and abilities. Our country is turning away from God. And now, God, in His own way, is helping us remember Him.

We can not trust the leaders of our country to lead us in remembering God. Many of them don't believe in God at all. Many of them are trying to remove God from our lives even further. But there are a good number of us in this nation, of many different religions, who can stand up for what we know is right. One simple way we can make a difference is to let God know that we haven't forgotten Him. Whether it is in the privacy of our own homes or in a more public setting, we NEED TO express our gratitude to Him for our many blessings. We need to turn to Him for guidance and direction. We need to let Him know we are listening!

How deep do we need to fall before we remember to look up?

I, for one, don't need to hit "rock bottom" before I get a clue. So here is a list of things I am truly grateful for:

1. My Family. There was a time I wondered if I would ever be a mother. Now I have two absolutely wonderful boys. They are each a miracle!

2. Health. My family has been well all winter.

3. Employment. Dan has two jobs which allow him to provide for our family.

4. I get to stay home with my children! I am SO BLESSED on this one!

5. Food Storage. I don't have to worry if we will go hungry. My peace of mind is in the storage room. I feel so blessed to have been warned in advance of turbulent times. I am so thankful to our leaders who urged us to make food storage a priority.

6. A testimony of our church leaders. I can trust them! I know that if I listen to their council I will be OK. I don't need to get caught up in the insanity the world is throwing at us. They will never lead us astray.

I know I have only touched the tip of the iceburg here. We have so much to be grateful for. If you feel so inclined, take a moment and list your blessings as well.

Where a Kid Can Be a Kid

On occasion, Dan will suggest we take an impromptu trip "somewhere fun." Tyson loves it.

Dan is much more spontaneous than I am.

Sometimes it's the park.

Sometimes it's the movie theater.

Sometimes it's the farm or dinosaur museum.

Regardless of where we go, Tyson loves it.

Tuesday was a dream come true for Tyson when Dan suggested, out of the blue, that we go to Chuck E Cheese's.

(Thanks to a commercial on Cartoon Network, Tyson has been begging to go for weeks.)

He didn't mind that I had him do some quick chores before we left

(I've never seen a kid clean toilets so quickly and happily).

Despite the sensory overload, Preston had a good time too.

Learning Curve

I have a severe dislike for Valentines. Not Valentines Day, but actual Valentines. More specifically, I detest helping Tyson prepare Valentines for his preschool class. All he has to do is write his name on 15 pre-made Spiderman cards from the grocery store.

Easy, right?

Last year I sat him down the day before his Valentines Party. I gave him a pencil and instructed him to write his name, in his very best handwriting, on each of the cards. The result was me, red faced, doing my best not to scream and Tyson HATING to write his own name. That was the first time I realized that I make a HORRIBLE teacher.

Truly horrible.

I was shocked by this realization. I am a good student, I am a pretty good mom, and an above average primary teacher. I never would have guessed at how badly I would tank as an academic instructor for my own child.

Over the summer I attempted to teach Tyson how to read. I had a book,

"Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons."

We made it to lesson 44 when I realized the damage it was doing to our relationship. I just knew if we continued Tyson was going to HATE reading and he wasn't going to like me very much.

So we quit.

I may be a bad teacher, but I do learn from my own mistakes. This year I pulled out Tyson's valentines several days in advance. I had him practice writing his name a couple times before he started on the actual cards. Then I walked away. I let him do it by himself without me hanging over his shoulder. After four cards his attention span was gone for the day. I inspected his work (which was very good) and put the cards away until the next day. He has done a few cards each day by himself. They will be done in time, and no one was injured in the process.

Bribing him with candy didn't hurt either.

Wordless Wednesday

This Clears Everything Up . . .

From the day he was born we have been trying to answer the question, "Who does Preston look like?" Some people say he looks like me (or my dad), others say he is a mini Dan. Well, the results are in:

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Just in case you were wondering, when I pugged Tyson's picture into the Look-alike Meter it said he looks 0% like either of us. Good to know. :)

My Most Embarrassing Moment Contest

I want to have a little contest. I am going to post my most embarrassing moment. In return I want you all to post yours (on your own blog or in my comments, although if you post it on your own blog I will need you to leave me the link so I can read it). I will give you all one week to post them. At the end of the week I will choose a winner - the person whom I decide has the best/worst embarrassing moment.

The winner gets two movie tickets.

Sounds fun, right?!

Alright, here's my MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT:

The scene: It was 1993. I was in junior high. I was 5 feet tall and weighed a mere 70 lbs. I was innocent, shy and, as most seventh graders, very unsure of myself. I had to visit the restroom between classes one day. I had to wait in a long line in the bathroom and I knew I was going to be late if I didn't run to class. So run I did. I took off as fast as my little legs would carry me, rounding the corner toward my classroom. Unbeknownst to me, I was not the only kid trying to get to class on time. As I turned that corner a GREAT BIG FAT KID (he was easily three times my size) slammed right into me. I bounced (yes, I said bounced) off him and slammed into the lockers behind me, sliding to the floor. All I could think about was how I was going to be late for class, so I picked myself up and took off running again. I slid into my seat just as the bell was ringing. I let out a huge sigh of relief. I had made it. Just then the vice principal burst through the door. "Are you OK?" he yelled to me. (He apparently had witnessed the whole thing) I slid as far down into my seat as I could. Of course, the teacher and the entire class wanted to know what had happened. The vice principal replayed the whole story for the class, in all it's gory detail, as I turned every shade of red. I assured them all I was fine, wishing I could just disappear.


Alright, it's your turn. Post your most embarrassing moments and make 'em good! I will announce the winner next Monday.

Sunday Thoughts

I am rarely serious on this blog. However, I feel the need to share some thoughts I've been having lately.
Let me begin by sharing a quote by L. Tom Perry.

"As we take a long hard look at the world today, it is becoming increasingly evident that Satan is working overtime to enslave the souls of men. His main target is the fundamental unit of society- the family. During the past few decades, Satan has waged a vigorous campaign to belittle and demean this basic and most important of all organizations. "

I have been witnessing this war for many years. It seems to have kicked into overdrive recently. I have been astounded at the cunning way Satan makes good look evil and evil look good. Without a firm rock to tether ourselves to, we can be easily knocked off our foundation. The vicious verbal (and in some cases physical) attacks on supporters of Proposition 8 are just one example. The media has been in the forefront of this battle. Movies and TV shows make marriage out to be old fashioned and disposable. I read a review today for a new movie "He's Just Not That Into You." I was looking forward to seeing this movie, until I read this review. Apparently, in the movie a woman is encouraged to seduce a married man because he might be "the one." This along with other not so subtle attacks on love, marriage, and the self-respect of women make me certain I will not be wasting my time or money on this film.

I don't care how many gifts she gives her audiences, I will not support Oprah either. I have heard her attack and belittle marriage one too many times. That is not something I will stand for. I know I am in the minority on this one. I know many people LOVE her. But I do not. I used to be an avid fan. The last straw for me came when she tried to convince her audience (full of married women) that marriage is an out dated ideal and is on it's way out. She tried to tell us that marriage used to serve a purpose in society, but those needs are being met in other ways. We, as a society, should no longer be subjected to the outdated standards imposed by marriage.

No Thank you Oprah!

I will take my council from someone a little wiser than you.

We need to stand up for marriage. We need to believe in it when no one else does. We need to stand up for families. We need to protect them from the world that is trying to tear them down.

The Relief Society sisters in my ward have been issued a challenge for 2009. That challenge is to memorize the Family Proclamation. The hope is that by memorizing this sacred document we will be better able to guide our families through the storms of life. I don't know if I can do it, but I am going to try.

My family needs me.

I need to be ready to fight for them. For the remainder of the year I will be posting a small portion of the proclamation in my sidebar. I hope this will help keep it in my mind and well as in your minds throughout this coming year. Feel free to memorize it with me.

For Sheeby

At Christmas time we had the great privilege of talking to Elder Sheeby. This year, rather than use the phone, we called him from the computer.

It's much cheaper that way.

I was supposed to post these pictures for him several weeks ago, but I forgot.

Sorry Sheeby.

Better late than never!

Papa & Jocey

Cheryl & Deb
Nicole & Cheryl

Grandma , Mom, Grandma

Cheryl, Jocey, Deb, Chelsea & Vika

Dan, Dave, Brent, Bob, Tyson & Preston were there too.

Some people just don't like to have their picture taken.

Reality Check

Last year people told me that Tyson looked like

David Archuleta from American Idol.

This year I have people telling me Tyson looks like
Jason Mesnick from The Bachelor.




What do you think?

The ironic thing is that Jason has a 4 year old son named Ty.

Wordless Wednesday

Problem Solving

I've had a couple problems lately. I wasn't sure how to go about solving either one, until recently.

Problem #1 My baseboards are really dirty. I really dislike washing them.

Problem #2 Tyson seems to think it's OK to boss his mother around.

Solution: When Tyson sasses his mother he gets to wash baseboards.

Genius, I know.

(Tyson and Conner washing a little more than the baseboards)

I now have some very clean baseboards.

This ingenious solution created another problem however. Preston feels left out when Tyson "gets to" wash the base boards and he doesn't. This results in huge temper tantrums. I can't give him the Clorox wipes Tyson uses because he will put them in his mouth.

Can anyone think of a good solution to this problem?

I am embarrassed to admit how long it took me to figure it out.

It FINALLY occurred to me to give Preston a baby wipe.

It's safe enough for him to use, and he doesn't know the difference.

(Please ignore the fact that he isn't wearing any pants)

2 Happy Boys, A clean(er) House and a Happy Mom.

My work here is done.

(until tomorrow)