You Say It's Your Birthday!

It's his birthday today.  43 will be a great year!

We celebrated by going to the movies to see Ephriam's Rescue.  We had dinner at Burrito Grande.

We had cake a sang and gave him a pig tie.  That's a tie with pigs on it.

More gifts will be here this week, but he'll be at scout camp when they come.  So we'll just celebrate again next week!

 

Happy birthday my love.  We love you and are so glad you're the dad at our house!

Dad.. Dad.. Daddy O.

You remember that scene on Back To The Future when Marty is talking to his dad, but a young, his own age dad?  He says something to him and ends with dad... dad...Daddy O.   That's why I titled this post with that.  I always say that to Daniel. Dad, dad, daddy O.

Anyhoo, it's his day!  Dad's day.  We began with his gifts.  Some shirts.

His favorite drink.

A Creeper from Mine Craft

And the best one yet...  World's Coolest Dad!  Yep!

We had a fancy dinner after church.  Ooh, a table cloth.

Pinkies up

Roast, mashed potatoes, corn from last year's garden, gravy and rolls.  Daniel's request.

We love our dad and are so glad he's ours.  Life would be boring without him!

And a happy father's day to my dad and Daniel's dad.  Both men have been a huge influence in our lives growing up and are still a big part of our lives.  And we are grateful for the brilliant role models our kiddos have!

I Don't Smoke!

So this car has been sitting here in the garage for over a week.  If Daniel were to drive it we think it would explode.  The engine is gone.  Luckily he takes the train to work, so I have been dropping him off and picking him up from the train every day.  No biggie, it's just up the hill and I take him right after Isaac leaves for the bus.  But eventually we will need to get back to being a 2 car couple.  Daniel has been scouring for a little non gas guzzling car. 

He found another little Neon that was cheap and needed to be sold quickly to the gal could make her house payment.  But she wouldn't return any calls after the initial conversation.  I guess she found another way to make the house payment.  But why not answer when it's someone who wants to buy it?! 

Then Daniel found a really snazzy and cute Mercury Cougar hatchback.  He called the guy and left a message.  The guy, let's call him Nick, called back.  Daniel told him he's interested in the car.  The guy, Nick, says to my never taken a drink in his life hubby, "Are you drunk??"  to which Daniel replies to the now obviously drunk Nick, "No", are you??  I mean seriously.  He's drunk on the phone.  But he wants Daniel to come see the car.  It's late and I'm concerned.  So I went with him.  It was dark and rainy.  We found the place and Daniel went to the door.  The car was right outside.  CUTE!  Nick came out and let Daniel look around the car.  Then he asks him again if he's drunk.  No.  Nick says, "I am drunk and I have to use the breathalyzer in the car before I can drive.  If you were drunk, it wouldn't let you drive".  Oh Winner! 

So he has my dear hubby blow into the breathalyzer.  You blow then you hum/blow. So Daniel does it.  Then Nick is excited because it means they can go for a test drive.  Whew!  That was close.

So I get into the cute little snazzy sport car just as Nick's landlord comes for the rent.  Nick is short $75.  Bummer.  The landlord is not walking away.  He wants his money and doesn't want to chase Nick down.  Nick says he'll call him later in the week when he has the moolah. 

Okey Dokey.

So we get in and go.  Then the beeping begins and the car comes to a halt.  Daniel has to blow in the thing so the car will go.  Nick says he can't blow in it because he's drunk.  Thanks, we know.  So my clean as a slate hubby blows and we go.  This is a fun ride.  Except for the drunkard in the back seat.  His language is so unsuitable for the presence of a lady, too.  He asks if we're LDS.  Yes.  He apologizes for the behavior.  Then he asks if we are familiar with certain LDS figures from Joseph Smith's time.  And wouldn't you know it?  We are.  I ask if he's LDS and he says yes but is an alcoholic and has missionaries who come by all the time to talk to him and help him. 

Then our good friend Nick asks us if we're familiar with the Steed family from way back.  Daniel asks if they are from right here.  NO.  Joseph's time.  He continues with how good the family was and the influence they had.  Okay.  Apparently our friend Nick has read The Work And The Glory.  And he is diluted into thinking this fictional Steed family is indeed a real family.  So Daniel and I are ready for the ride to end. 

We get back to the apartment and Nick invites us in so we can discuss when Daniel will contact him after we think about the car.  We love it. But Nick is getting increasingly sloshed as time goes on.  He was on his drunken game when we first got there.  But the alcohol has since killed off another bazillion brain cells.  And I really do think that was a great part of what he's got left.  We are in his apartment for another 15 minutes talking about when Daniel will contact him.  Nick really needs to go to bed.  So I ask him if I can write it down for him.  He pulls out his "brain" and boy, am I relieved that it was a notepad.  More brain cells there than what the alcohol has killed. 

I write very specifically what time Daniel will call and tell him he needs to go to bed.  We also remind him, when he asks what he told his landlord, that he needs to call the guy when he has the, how much do I need to give him?, $75.  Thank goodness we were there!

Nick just loves us.  He thinks we are the nicest and most kindest people in the world.  We aren't judging him, but we are helping him.  He tells Daniel that he will keep his number in his phone for anytime he feels he needs to talk.  Umm.  He also tells Daniel that he can now teach a class about the breathalyzer!  Awesome!

So we finally leave.  The problem is.. I love love love this little car.  And I fully understand the car isn't for me.  Really.  I do.  But I would be willing to drive that little thing around anytime.  But the back has only 2 bucket seats and we have 3 kids.  And you know all the kids will want to ride in the snazzy little sports car with us.  Then we realize what has been wrong with the whole situation.  Other than the drunken car owner with the breathalyzer.  Cigarette smoke.  The car and his apartment was permeated with it and my lungs are burning.  It didn't take long before we knew we would not buy this little car.  I was bummed enough to want to look past the smell.  But as my lungs burned through the night, I knew we wouldn't buy it. 

So let's get to the next day.  Daniel called our friendly drunkard and told him that the cigarette smell was the clincher.  We would not be buying.  To which our good friend replies, "I DON'T SMOKE!".  I beg to differ dude.  He was upset.  I am pretty sure he removed Daniel's number from his phone.  He probably drank a little to get over us.  I hope not, but, you know. 

So we are still looking.  Daniel found another little Cougar hatchback.  I really want it, but we need to seat 3 kids in the back.  So, there  you are.  I'll get back to you when we make a purchase!

My Lovely Car.

My Durango.  Oh how I love my Durango.  See it all nice and resting peacefully in the garage?  Sunday, after making a deal about needing to leave a planning meeting early, I get out to my lovely Durango and it's dead.  Totally and completely dead.  So I called Daniel who came to the rescue, as usual.  My knight in a Sunday suit.  The battery was dead but also corroded so he did what he could in the church parking lot and after about 30 minutes, got it started.  I drove home and once I was in the drive way it died.  Again.  So early Monday morning Daniel ran out and got a new battery.  It works like a charm now.  Not that I got to drive it today.

Hey!  It's Boy Scout Isaac.  It's about 6:30 this morning.  He and Daniel took my lovely Durango to Scout Camp.  In the Uintahs. 

They hiked in a couple miles.  Anything they'd need up there they had to pack in themselves.  Except the food.  Isaac looks so excited!  I hope he is still excited. Way up there in the Uintahs. 

This is what I'm driving now.  Do you know that's it's like 1000 degrees outside??  Oops.  One too many zeros.  It's hot!  Dang hot!  Daniel's car had a bad radiator so he ordered a new one and put it in.  Then it began leaking like a sieve.  Gushing!  Can't hold its water.  So he decided on Monday he needed a new car.  Then he called the radiator company and they're sending a new one.  That works. 

Until it comes and Daniel comes home, I keep putting bottles of water into the radiator.  So far I've been able to drive with the A/C on.  Yay!  'Cause when it overheats I have to turn on the heater.  Yuck.  They are gone until Saturday.  Hopefully we make it through the blasted heat!

At least my eyebrows look good.

A Day In The Life-Special Ridonkulous Edition.

It's been a while. But I have really excellent excuses.  I've been super duper busy.  Like super busy.  And it's now the last week of school.  Busy.  And my computer has been on the fritz.  Daniel got my hard drive backed up just in case.  It's been fine since.  Then I broke my toe.  Not really. So what I thought I'd do is go through pics I've got in my camera and do A Day In The Life.  But not in any specific order.
Ruthie wanted make up on.  So I obliged.  We even did eye liner and mascara.  I don't think she ever wants to wear mascara again.  Plus dad needs to invest in a shot gun.  Isn't she beautiful?  She participated in her 2nd grade talent show and played the piano.  She was awesome.  When dad and the boys went on a father/son overnighter, Ruthie and I went to dinner and then to a movie.  We saw Mirror Mirror.  Will someone please explain the Indian stuff at the end???

Sam.  Oh Sam.  Sam went to This Is The Place monument on a field trip last week.  I got to go with him and we had lots of fun.  We got to square dance together.  Sam's teacher had called me earlier in the week and said that Sam was coming out of his shell.  He was really showing his colors.  So I waited for the snapper that would have me talking to the principal about letting Sam finish his elementary school career there despite his actions.  But all she said was that is was fun to see who Sam is.  He's been quiet all year.  Better late than never.

Isaac finished 6th grade and elementary school.  I can't believe he'll be in junior high next year.  Sometimes my skin crawls when I think of it.  Other times I just wonder what happened to my baby.  The 6th graders had a big BBQ and I went to help.  So fun.  They all went to a Bee's game for a field trip.  Isaac bought himself lunch, a snack and a bat.  A wise use of his mother's money.  I am going to try to set Isaac's teacher up with a nephew of ours.  At first Isaac was a little weirded out.  But now he thinks it would be cool.  Isaac gets his braces off next month!!

The week before Mother's Day I saw the commercial for this book on TV.  I immediately thought, Oh I would love to get that book for Mother's Day.  You see, I loved the talk.  Loved. The. Talk. And what do ya know? on Mother's Day Daniel gave me the book.  I told him he must be in tune with the Spirit of what Jennie wants for Mom's day.  He loves me.  He really loves me!  I had a terrific Mom's Day.  My kids are awesome and I love them so much.  And, of course, Daniel is my main squeeze.

Speaking of my main squeeze.  Daniel made a fire pit outside.  He also mowed much of the pasture so we can see the goats better.  We cooked dogs out over the fire and I sweated.  But that's not unusual.  Love ya babe!

What'd'ya know?  It's me.  I don't usually put me on here.  But Ruthie took a picture.  So lucky you.  We went to the demolition derby last Saturday.  Fun.  I am at the school almost every day these last 2 weeks for volunteer stuff, classroom stuff and PTA stuff.  I am going to be the PTA secretary next school year.  At least I don't have to head the Popcorn committee.  I'm so glad school ends tomorrow.  I'm tired.  Still have field day today.  I get to do popcorn one more time.

A demolition car. I just don't know what else to tell you.  Loud.  Crashes.  Exhaust.  Beer.  Bum cracks.  Tattoos.  Burgers and Dogs.  Lost my hearing....

We always

enjoy a great

demolition derby.

Tuesday Isaac graduated from the NOVA program that the 6th graders do.  Every 6th grader graduated.  I guess that doesn't always happen.  Isaac had won first place in the NOVA rocket building thing.  So he was recognized for that.  This is commencing from 6th grade.

He also commenced from elementary school to move on to junior high.  In 6 years it will be high school graduation!  Yikes!  This is receiving his NOVA rocket deal.

And then there's my toe.  Last Saturday I slammed my left baby and next to it toes into my dresser.  My dresser is hard.  HARD I TELL YA!  Right after I slammed it I thought, Oh.  I bet I broke it.  Sunday I wore heels to church.  By the time I got home I couldn't walk on it.  I've been taking high potency Ibuprofen ever since.  Daniel kept telling me to go get it checked.  No.  By Wednesday I was in so much pain that I canceled piano lessons, praised the calendar gods that I didn't have Cub Scouts and went to the Instacare.  They x-rayed.  It's not broken but sprained quite well.  So they put the ridonkulous boot on me.  She told me to wear it for at least a week.  Longer if needed.  So now my hips hurt because I'm off balance.  And yes, my foot is in there.  It's the smallest boot that had.  And when I put my foot on the thing for the x-ray, the tech said You have such small cute feet! I mentioned the sausage-like appendages thereon.  She said they were cute.  Whatever.  So my pained foot is ensconced in the boot.  I will probably tell you I broke my toe if you ask.  It just makes the ridonkulous boot seem more relevant.

So there we have it.  We leave tomorrow for a family reunion weekend of camping.  See ya next week.

All I Need...

Today we celebrate 13 years together.  Beautiful flowers from my sweetheart.

All I need is the air that I breathe and to love you.

I love you Daniel.  Let's keep it going...

And No One Would Know...

Yesterday Daniel was out in the pasture and our neighbor to the back of us says, "You could shoot your wife out here and no one would know."  Daniel wasn't quite sure how to respond.  When Daniel told me all I could think of was Doesn't Randy like me anymore?  I wave to him everyday!  Does he think Daniel should shoot me?  Really??

Don't freak out.  Randy was just using that as a starting point for what he was gonna tell Daniel.  The neighbors were shooting skunks last week and when Randy went out to see what the hullabaloo was about--skunks--he looked around at all the homes.  Black as night.  No one jumped out of bed.  No one turned on lights and looked out the windows.  No one called the cops. 

So if there was a need to shoot a wife and not get much in the way of a neighborly response, you could do it here in our backyard. 

On that note, Daniel and I celebrate our 13th anniversary tomorrow.  Neither of us feels the need to shoot the other.  Much.  We really just like each other too much I guess.

Birthdays.

We have 2 summer birthdays that we celebrate. The first belongs to our nation. 235. Now that's what I call a birthday. We celebrate with my family with a BBQ. Then the fun stuff. My parents' neighbor makes homemade ice cream to share and my dad and brother in law provide and set off the fire works. We all sit in our camp chairs and eat ice cream and plug our ears for the loud ones.
This year, because firework laws have changed, we had a more spectacular display. I don't have pictures. But there was lots to look up for. Aren't they cute?!
The second birthday is our dad! He turned 41 this year. Still a young buck. His mom hoped he would come on the 4th. But he waited until shortly after midnight on the 6th. But still, we just say the country celebrates with him. He is awesome afterall!

Happy Birthday dear! We love you!

A Moment.

I still have snot.

Isaac smacked the back of his head on the fire place mantel tonight. It left a rather deep dent. To be sure his skull was okay, I took him in to get it checked. The doctor felt it and looked him over and said he'd order a CT scan if I wanted. He was sure it wasn't cracked, but would go with what the mom wants to do. I decided, with all the info he gave, that we would just watch him through the night and keep him home tomorrow and keep an eye on him. If he pukes, gets dizzy, loses strength in his arms or legs or anything of that nature, my orders are to get him right to the ER for a CT scan.

When we got home Isaac asked his dad for a priesthood blessing. Daniel and I talked about whether he needed a healing blessing or a blessing of comfort-a father's blessing. We talked to Isaac and decided on a father's blessing. I love it when my kids get blessings. I am comforted.

We got Isaac medicated, teeth brushed, prayers said and covers on. I went to clean up the kitchen. As the water ran and dishes were being scraped, I began to hear a very sweet sound. I turned off the water and listened. Daniel, Sam and Ruthie were singing together. I Am A Child Of God. I went down the hall and saw Sam holding the Hymn book with Daniel standing next to him and Ruthie still in bed. All sweetly singing. I teared up a bit.

And I am comforted.

What Time Is It?

IT'S BIRTHDAY TIME!

Daniel is ......

40!

Oh yes, ladies and gents.

And a handsome 40 at that!

What can I say about the man I married?

I could list 400 things that I love. That I adore. That make me smile.

But I will shorten it to 40.

1. His sense of humor

2. His smile

3. His hands

4. His teeth

5. His laugh

6. His attitude

7. His legs

8. His testimony

9. His love for our kids

10. His willingness to Do

11. His care of our garden

12. His hugs

13. His kisses

14. His silliness

15. His gray hair

16. His winks

17. The way he sings to our kids every night

18. The way he looks at me wherever we are
19. The way he says goodnight

20. The way he takes me out on a date

21. The way he loves our family

22. The way he flips our kids around

23. The way he reads the scriptures

24. The way he shares stories with us

25. The way he smells

26. The way he loves me

28. His walk

29. His love of life

30. His pepsi one drinking ways

31. The way he holds my hand

32. The way he holds our kids

33. The way he makes me feel

34. The way he takes certain things very seriously

35. The way he takes over when I can't anymore

36. The way he cares for our home

37. The tenderness in him

38. The fight in him

39. The love in him

40. The life in him

I love you Daniel!

Happy Birthday!

Thoughtful Thursday.

This is what happened last night...

Daniel and I were in bed for the night. I had a sudden urge to kiss him. So I did. Well, I tried. But the blanket was over his face. So he moved it (quickly) and I really kissed him. Not just through the blanket. He said something about it being really late and he was half asleep and if he had known he wouldn't have taken melatonin. Whatever. I was just kissing him goodnight. So
he says, "talk dirty to me." Snort! Snicker! Oh my! So I did. This is my dirty talk...

"Hey baby...did you see how awfully scummfully filthy the laundry room floor was when you came in tonight?...(reach out and rub his elbow insides)...and if you think that's dirty, you should look at the toilets...I did wipe the outsides down with Clorox wipes, but the bowls!! Oh baby!...(snuggle up to his neck and breath on it)...and the walls in the family room...I may put off painting just a few more weeks so we can really enjoy the dirty...(kiss his ear)...I can't tell you how many times I've picked up used Q-tips from the bathroom floor...earwax...sexy!...(kiss his cheek and really get going)...now, let's talk about the garage..."

Yep. He fell asleep pretty fast.

And I need to put toilet bowl cleaner on my shopping list.

How Could A Grown Man Be So Mechanically Uninclined?

Last night as Daniel and I were heading to bed, he turned M*A*S*H on. As Hot Lips and Hawk Eye were walking up a hill, obviously put out that their jeep no longer worked, Hot Lips exclaims, "How could a grown man be so mechanically uninclined?!" I laughed. I laughed a lot.

You see, my man is very mechanically inclined. He has even taken to changing the oil in our cars because he is so inclined. He also fixes just about everything. There has only been one time we've had to call a repair man. Last summer when our A/C stopped working. It was way too hot to wait for him to figure it out.
He also has a great smile and is super entertaining. So I basically got myself a very well rounded guy.

And I love him.

By the way, Hawk Eye's answer was simple. "I take a lot of cabs."

It's July 6th!

Guess who's birthday it is? See that guy right there through the tent window?

It's his birthday!

He's 39 today. Which means this is his last year in his 30's.

He sure is so darn good looking!
And the kids love him and his silliness!
And he's so darn sexy!
We love you and we're excited to go out to dinner tonight to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Daniel baby!

The Invasion!

The invasion of my zen zone has officially begun. I knew it was coming. I just didn't expect it this soon. Daniel's office is being moved about 20 miles farther away than he is now. We decided not to move after some long thought and actually getting ready to move. So as a compromise, when his office moves in August, he wants to be able to work from home once a week to keep from the longer commute every day. Wednesday is the best day to do this. This presents some chaos to my normal routine.


First...I come down the hall and find this. A closed bedroom door. I don't close it unless I'm inside it. For privacy, you know. So to run into my own closed bedroom door presents an automatic invasion of my zen zone.
When I enter my usually zen-onious place, I find this. Wait!! Hold up...

That's better. I told him to sit up straight. He's on the phone and trying to look official. Or maybe he's trying not to laugh at my now invaded zen zone. See that can of Pepsi there?? When I first walked in, he muted his headset and asked me to get him a "soda from the fridge, please". So now I'm a servant in my zen zone. And you see how close his head is to my zen zone exercise machine? That's gonna present a problem. For his head!

This is a very important part of my zen zone. So I can take naps. Wait. I don't take naps. Not that I don't want to. Just that there isn't any time. Or any quiet. I use this thing to fold laundry. Which is a very pleasant thing to do and makes the zen zone even zenier. Until the un-zen-like kids have to come in to fold their laundry. But still!

Then there is this most zen like zen zone. I like to be able to come use it at any time. And stay as long as I want. But when I really needed this zen zone before running out the door, I found, well, I won't put a picture of him, but I found my zen zone invader on it. And he wouldn't get off! I had to use the kids'. It's not very zen friendly.

I also like to have that, wait, this is classy corner. Remember? Anyway, I like to have that new fancy TV ready at my leisure to turn on and watch an episode of The Office or the news or anything else that comes to mind. I'm actually a little impressed that my invader got dressed this morning. I think it was only because he had to run to the store for a new keyboard. And mouse. And some wires. And another surge protector. At least he's dressed.

And then we come back to the door thing. I don't like it closed because the zen zone becomes the stuffy zone. And it gets humid. Especially when it rains. And yes, that's my lunch. I wanted a quiet place to come and eat without children or anything else to bug. Have some lunch zen zone time. But no. I'm thinking of revolting.

But if I tell Daniel I'm revolting, he would only agree with me. With a smile on his face, of course. Maybe I wouldn't be so revolting if I could have my zen zone back. Wednesday is only once a week. I might survive. Or I might not. We'll just see.