San Diego 2011 (First 2 days)

May 1st was our BIG DAY! We as a family have never been on a vacation together, besides the normal camping, that I don't consider a vacation. We left at 8:30 am which was a half hour ahead of schedule because we were so EXCITED. The first day we drove to Primm Valley (by Vegas) to stay at Buffalo Bills. It was ok but I hate the smell of cigarette smoke already and to be there was a torcher for me. I get the biggest headaches with strong smells and cigarette smoke in the entire casino was a killer.  It made me feel really sick so I just went to the room and laid down and watched all the kids while Chad, Brett, and Stephanie went downstairs for a while.

The next morning we headed to San Diego.  Again we left earlier than normal because we were so anxious to see the Ocean.  Our drive wasn't as long as the previous day but it was too long to wait HAHA.  I kept getting my camera out ready to take the first shot of our view of the Ocean but every turn we made thinking this was going to be it, it wasn't.  Did you know that San Diego is full of Hills?  I didn't. About 10 minutes away we ran into major traffic.... Of Course!   Grrrr

It ended up being a really bad wreck so they had all lanes of traffic closed except for the left shoulder and it was SLOW going.  So we decided to get off the freeway and right back on.  That worked because the accident was in between the off ramp and on ramp.  So we were moving again!

 We finally got to San Diego but we were all hungry so we decided to go to Olive Garden for a nice sit down meal.  I don't know why but everywhere we ate it seemed like there was NO flavor to the food.  Utah is lots better I do have to say.  We then went and got our hotel.  It was so nice!  Way better than Buffalo Bills and an extra bonus NO smoke!  We were really exhausted but I still hadn't seen the Ocean so we started to head in that direction.  Then FINALLY.............

This is Mission Bay

SO BEAUTIFUL!!

Way out there is our FIRST glance of the Ocean

YAY  We made it!
Belmont Park

The kids were so excited

The Ocean was Everything I thought it would be!  We took off our sandals and walked through the sand.  The kids couldn't help themselves and went right into the Ocean, after being told not to get wet.  And they got SOAKED!  I figured it will be a long time until we are able to do this again (hope not though) so I let them at it.  We also walked along the beach and collected some sea shells.  That was something I didn't expect.  There were so many!

All in All we had TONS of fun that first day!

I don't know what I was doing....

I have had troubles sleeping for a long time now and my Dr says I have extreme insomnia, No kidding!  LOL  Anyways he has perscribed me some Ambien to help me sleep.  I just went in for a checkup on some other stuff and at this time I hadn't been taking it for a while cause I didn't want to be addicted to it.  So in the course of the questions he asks me how is my sleeping.  "what sleeping".  I told him that I had stopped taking it and why and asked him if it was bad if I take it a lot and he said it depends on who you are.  That people with "extreme insomnia" it won't hurt unless they do something scary (go look up ambien and what people have done while on it and you will understand).  I have done a few crazy things that are funny but nothing to serious. 

Well, last night I was extremely tired because I hadn't slept or taken it for a few days so I went to bed early.  When I went to bed I plugged in my phone (what is what I normally do) and climbed into bed.  This morning when I got up and looked at my phone I had noticed that I sent my Brother in Law Alan a picture message (thankfully it was just of his girls) and then a message that said "H"??????  I also had sent a message to my sister Andrea (Alans wife) on Facebook that didn't make sense at all.  It was just some letters with symbols and things that I don't even know how I got them on there.  I am glad it wasn't anything bad I would have been so embarrassed.  I also saw that on my text messages that I was about to send another message to my sister Andrea, but hadn't pushed "send" yet that read.  "Hi my name is stacy harward i want to be friends will you be my friend 2  Mmmm mmmmm"   I didn't even spell my name right!  

CRAZY!

I hope this is the extent of what I do and I don't do anything worse!  Hopefully my husband will keep a better eye on me and take things away if I shouldn't have them.

SO....  If I ever send you a picture or a message Late at night and it don't make sense.  Just know that I have no idea of what I am doing so don't take offense if its anything cruel.  I only pray I don't!!!

Enjoy Laughing at me though :)

Fundraiser for Jason

On Monday, January 31st Jason had an accident that has changed the path of his life for at least the next 18 months. For reasons unknown, he blacked out while on his way to work that afternoon. He drifted off the side of the road, down an embankment, over a stump and into a tree. While at Mt. View Hospital in Payson they did routine blood tests and discovered that he had an extremely low white blood cell count. They had him taken by ambulance to UVRMC in Provo. They did more blood tests and discovered that not only were his white blood cells extremely low, but also his platelets. They kept him overnight and the next morning gave him the news that he had Leukemia. They took a bone marrow sample and sent him to the LDS Hospital in SLC to the 8th floor East wing Leukemia unit. We now know that he has Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, which is a rare and aggressive type of Leukemia, but also the most treatable. The Dr’s have told him that his chance of survival can be as high as 80%….which is good news. But this also means that he will be missing a minimum of 3 months of work. At the time that this was discovered Jason only had 1 day of vacation left. Jade, his wife, has not left his side during this time and her vacation time will also soon be exhausted. As you can imagine at a time like this the last thing Jason needs to worry about is paying his house payment, and putting food on the table for the kids. The only thing he should be worrying about is staying strong and fighting this battle. Even though he will qualify for short term disability, he has to be out of work for 5 months to get it. As of right now they also have a $5000.00 out of pocket expense they must meet for their health insurance. Not only is a cancer diagnosis devastating, but the financial strain is also very difficult. Every dollar donated makes a difference. The first night he was at LDS Hospital he was very frightened as you can imagine, and with tears rolling down his cheeks he told the nurse “He ain’t takin’ me yet! I’m not ready to go, I have 5 little kids to raise and I plan on seeing my little girl get married” The nurse leaned over close and said “You are dang lucky to be here, we don’t fight this battle with guns, we use cannons!” Jason is in a fight for his life right now, but it is a battle he can win. With the love and support of family, friends, and even complete strangers he can beat this!! Jason and Jade are the proud parents of 4 boys and 1 girl: Braeden 13, Gage 9, Brock 7, Porter 6 and Afton 3. For those of you that don’t know, Jason is the oldest son of Brenda(Mike)Norman and the late Richard Walker. He has 2 brothers Jeremy and Jordan along with Sister in Law’s Rachel and Jaesha, and Nephews and Niece, Colton, Keston, Gaige, and Jentry As well as many Step-Brothers and Sisters and their families. “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway” ~ John Wayne



This is my cousin Jason Walker.  I along with my Tupperware business is doing a Fundraiser for him and his family.  If you would like to help out, please go to my link.  Not only will you help someone but you will get someting that will last a lifetime.  40% of the sales will go to Jason from Tupperware.  My profit will also go to him.  Remember "nothing is more gratifying than knowing you did some good for someone".  I love the feeling I get when I do what I know is the right thing to do.  There is nothing that can change that. 

Thanks to everyones support!

Fundraiser for Jason

Quote

I CAN FORGET WHAT YOU SAID,

I CAN FORGET WHAT YOU DID,

BUT.......

I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE ME FEEL!

How Embarrasing

Yesterday I had to go to the Dollar store to get some index cards.  It was windy so I was hurrying out.  I ran (fast walked) back to my car and climbed in.  I looked to the passenger side seat and thought "that stuff wasn't there before" then I looked at the dashboard and saw how much more clean it was.  What the heck?  Then realized that it wasn't my Van!!!! Oh my gosh.  My husband laughed at me so hard.  But he also almost got in the passenger seat when I realized it was the wrong car.  I was so glad the owners weren't out there wondering what the heck.  It was so Funny!  Well after the fact.  My car was the one over.  Those dang popular silver mini vans.

Sea World

We haven't ever been on a "real" family vacation and after everything that has gone on with our family this past year we decided that no matter what we are going on one!  So we put a little money aside from our tax return so we can go.  Sunday we booked our rooms and got our tickets!  I have always wanted to go to Sea World and see the Ocean but never have.  In fact the farthest I have ever traveled was to Las Vegas.  Sad I know.  I however am NOT looking forward to the LONG drive.  We are going to stay in Vegas on the way down the first night.  I just pray that my kids behave.  The next 2 1/2 months are going to go so slow I just know it.  But when the time comes it will all be worth it!  I am excited to get in some fun family vacation memories with my kids!  Should be a Blast.  Oh and know that YES as soon as we get back we will be posting!

Watch Out Sea World.... HERE WE COME!

Introducing Peyton!

My sister, Andrea had her baby early this morning.  She called me around 11:30 and said that her water had broke.  So I hurried and dressed and got to the hospital.  Andrea decided that she wanted the epidural but had just found out on Monday that she has a blood clotting disorder and if she was to get the epidural it could paralyze her.  The Anesthesiologist said she was very Lucky with her last 2 babies.  So she went Natural. The Epidural probably wouldn't have worked though if she could have got it because Peyton came so fast.  I took her girls out in the hall and we could hear blood curling screaming from her room.  I kinda had to laugh (I know, mean) but it was pretty funny.  It's a good thing I decided to take Sleeping Sage out of the room because Andrea's screams would have scared her to death.  I talked to Kaylyn about it and she said she was ok.  I think she was but she was nervous.  This was a weird situation for a 9 yr old.

At 1:36 am Peyton was born at 7 lbs. 3 oz and 19 inches.  She is absolutely Beautiful and I feel very lucky that I got to be there even if it was out in the hall.  It is always an amazing experience when one minute your looking at someone big and pregnant and the next you are looking at this Beautiful Angel in your arms.  Peyton was having a little bit of breathing problems so they had to take her to the nursery, I think to get suctioned.  She wasn't in there for too long and then we finally got to meet her.  This is niece/nephew number 22 and another one (boy) due in just a few months.  Babies are so amazing and special!  Love them.

Welcome to the Family Peyton.  We sure do LOVE you so much already!

Here she is......

Goals for next week

I have a list of things that needs to be DONE.  But I am so forgettful it's not funny.  So I am going to type out my list so I hopefully remember.  I remember more when I write it down but I always loose that paper that I wrote it down on.  I can't lose my blog.  So here we go.

1. Call a few Orthodontists to see about a consult to get Shelby braces:  She needs them so bad and I just can't put it off any more.  I will figure out a way to pay for it.  Her smile looking good will be totally worth it.  Unfortunately ALL 5 of my kids are going to need braces, eventually, according to the dentist.

2. Finish my Recipe Book:  I have just started doing a recipe book that I am excited for.  I really hate the index cards, they are just too small.  I found this site that showed their recipe book that I love.  Its just a binder with full page recipes.  Plus I will put a little flare on it.  I am also going to print extra of my recipes so I can give them to my family (sisters).  They always like what I make so I am going to pass the recipes off to them.  Now maybe they will stop asking me to make them food.  HAHA

Here is the site I found my Recipe Book idea from: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/01/recipe-binder.html#more

3. Get this house Cleaned.  This is a normal thing of course.  My house NEVER stays clean.  Oh how I wish!

4. Get caught up on the Laundry:  I haven't been caugnt up in a while.  Whenever I think I am my kids bring down their hampers and so the pile looks like I never did anything.  I wish they would bring it down when I ask them to the first time.

I am sure I will add more to this list.  That is if I remember to add it.  I'll let you know how it works out at the end of the week.  Please pray for me.  I totally can use it HAHA!

POOR SAMMY... Or Sammy the clutz... Or Just Bad Luck

Sammy had quite the day on Friday.  In the morning she was running into my bedroom without watching where she was going and.... WHAM, right into the edge of the door.  She got a bloody fat lip.

Later in the evening she tripped over a cord from the PS2 that I had just told my kids to put up, but oviously didn't listen and.... SLAM, right into the edge of the entertainment center right across the bridge of her nose.  Luckily it didn't break. (her nose of course)

Today her bad luck continued.... She fell on the stairs and gave her chin a carpet burn (how? I do not know), so add that to the picture.

I hope her bad luck is done!  We don't want that Beautiful face of hers to get any more damage.
Love that girl! 

Whoo Hoo Me!

I am SO proud of myself!  My boys have needed haircuts for a while now, but the cost etc, etc has kept me from taking them .  I usually just do some type of a buzz cut but I can not stand it.  It just doesn't look good on them.  Their hair likes to stick up in places that I don't want it to, and they always want it spiky but I can't ever get it to.  So today I got fed up and decided I would try doing what "proffesionals" do to them.  I have watched what they do and we had a Relief Society activity day that a few of the cometologist in the ward showed different ways to do hair and one girl showed how to cut boys hair. 

I figured if I messed it up then I could just shave it off and it wouldn't matter too much, since it's not like they have gorgeous long flowing hair.  So I took out my hair scissors (yes I have some) and the comb and started.  I am simply amazed that it turned out so well.  I was for sure that I was going to have to just buzz it all off.  Nope I didn't... I just can't get over how well I think I did.  I think I deserve a pat on the back =) 

(Patting myself on the back now)

HERE ARE THE FINISHED RESULTS!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

 My little buddy Dallas

He was trying not to smile, but he couldn't help it cause I said the name of a girl
  in his class that he says he likes. 

The other day he told me that 2 girls told him that they "LOVE HIM" and he came home so proud. (haha)

How can you NOT love this cute little face?

Dakota told me he wasn't going to smile cause he DID NOT want

his picture taken.  Well I am the mom so of course I got my way.

They both were kinda embarrased cause I kept telling them how cute they were.

But they ARE!  I think I will save that extra money and do it myself

for now on. 

YAY ME!!!

Sammy the Musician

Sammy Loves to sing and play the guitar.  Maybe one day Grandpa Steele will teach her how to really play 

it!

My Experiment was a....

BUST!

I really really tried to do it, but lets face it.  I am not very good at remembering.  I also have 5 kids.  I am thankful for the time I do get to have to myself -with the ongoing "mom, mom, mom", at least I know that they need me.  HAHA

Sorry if anyone was looking forward to reading them.... I just couldn't remember to do it!

We Forgot Halloween... Well Almost

Here are the pictures of the kids for Halloween....  I can't believe I forgot to post them! (ok, I can)

 My little Dorothy aka Savanah

Wish we had some red glittered shoes

Oh well

Then we can't forget Glenda the Good Witch

aka Samantha

My sister Andrea makes her kids' costumes every year!  So luckily my kids are just a little younger than hers so I get to borrow them every year!  She is pretty awesome.

 Every year I try and try to convince my kids to be something scary, But NO!  Until this year.  I finally convinced Dakota that it would be fun to dress Scary.  I think he had fun. 

Thats what Halloween is all about, isn't it?

No convincing Dallas though.  He just had to be a

"Wolverine"

 Shelby did somewhat scary.

Dead Skateboarder?

The most cutest kids in the WORLD!

Even More winter Fun... (pictures)

 She wanted to help so bad.  The shovel was bigger than her though.

She just kept trying and trying which is all I can ask for of my kids

 I was looking at this picture wondering where all the weeds came from only to realize it's not our backyard but our neighbors.

 We were trying to build a fort, but it was taking way to long and it was funner just to play in the snow

Dallas had a PJ day at school... He LOVES these feet pajamas.  He also had to wear the boots because there was so much snow ; )

Winter Fun.. Mommy and Dallas

With all the snow we got this Holiday, me and Dallas decided to take advantage of it the first day.  Everyone else was being babies just kidding.

So we ventured out in the snow and decided to build us the coolest snowman...

Can you see Gunner sitting right there by him?  He is such a good Dog
I really don't care for animals because I think they stink, but he sure is part
of the Family!

(I don't know who that horrible looking person is next to that handsome little boy)

We sure had a lot of Fun... I love that he loves to build things! 

He definately is my little buddy

I had so much fun with you Dallas.  I LOVE YOU!

2010 Snowstorm

December 21, 2010
 was supposed to be the last day of school before the Christmas Holiday.
Well when we woke up that morning, this is what we found outside.....
(There was NOTHING the day before)

So we turned on the news to just see if it was going to be a snow day....

and the snow just kept on coming and coming

That is a LOT of snow for one little table.

Chad looks little out there, THANK GOODNESS for a

Snow Plow!  (thanks to Chads work)

 

Shelby stuck in the mop handle to show how deep it was!

coming and coming

They said that ALL buses in Nebo school district was shut down, all parents be careful when taking your children to school... What?  If the buses aren't safe to drive then I am not safe to drive ; )  So I decided to declare it a Snow Day for our Family!

They eventually shut down the schools as well because the snow just kept coming and coming and coming.  We had over 18" of Snow.  It was so Fun!

Poor Gunners Dog house collapsed with all that snow...  It was good protection for him while it lasted.  I think we put it up in October, so it only lasted a few months.  Even his Kennel (chain link) was under there, so not only did we lose the "shelter" but we also lost his kennel.

Sammy sure had a lot of fun

You could hardly see my candycanes by 9 am...

and you almost couldn't see Sammy it was so Deep!

Sure was a FUN Day though...

Ok... Now I am ready for the

SUN!

Day 21: (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Go to the hospital and be by her side.  You are best friends for a reason.  People fight... even best friends, but it just makes you a better person. 

My sister was in an accident on the 28th of August and I almost lost her (3 times).  On Aug. 27th I had said some things about her that was bothering me to my other sister, and the next day I almost lost her.

Things bother others because everyone is different.  Everyone has their own ways of doing things and have different qualities.  Their own opinions.  That is why people fight.  If we didn't fight there would be no point being here cause that is how we are learning.

Blah blah blah... I'm done

New Years 2011

New Years 2011

Good Bye 2010!  I am not going to miss you at all. 

Hello 2011 I am so excited to start the new year off right.  There are a lot of changes that are going to be made in my life this year, for the better.  I am so excited to start them.

Here are some of my Resolutions:

1.  Become more financially stable

2.  Get my kids homework done EVERYDAY!  (I hate homework)

3.  Get a reliable job (hence the financially stable part)

4.  Work Out to help me feel better

5.  Be the Best I can Be!!!

6.  Do something FUN with the family 1x a month

There are other things that I have in mind but I they are things I want to keep to myself for now.  IF the time comes I am sure I will let you know.  But for now......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!