A Change of Heart

Baby Mia finally got her Heart!

http://www.mcdonaldfam.blogspot.com/

DEAR SANTA,

So we were on our way to Provo the other day and Dan and I had this little conversation with Hannah:

Hannah--"Mom?"

Me--"Yes, Hannah?"

Hannah--"I need to make my wish list"

Me--"A wish list for what?"

Hannah--"You know, all the stuff I want from Santa!"

Me--"Oh, that list."

Hannah--"I want 4 things...a new bike like Drew's (the 10 year old neighbor girl who owns a sweet cruiser,) a 2 pack of LPS VIP'S, a horse webkin and a ladybug webkin and a DS."

>

Some how the 2 webkins count as 1 gift---augh...6 year olds

Daniel--stating a mere fact "We're in a recession Hannah."

Hannah--"What's a recession?"

Me--"That means Santa's broke."

Me--"What's a DS?" (of course I know what it is, I wanted to see if Hannah knows what it is.)

Hannah--"I'm not really sure what it is, but it has a LPS game, kind of like my LPS virtual thing, but not really, you can buy games for it like the Wii but it's just different mom, Tanner has one and I want one."

At $129.99 for a DS and $29.99 for each game....Don't tell Hannah, but I think Santa's bringing her an Easy Bake Oven!

Ps. Thanks Camee

Happy Halloween...

2007

2006

2005

2005

2004

Just a few highlilghts of past years... it's sad how time flies!

YoU can LoSe bAttLes and still WiN the WaR

This morning, while getting ready for school, Hannah informed me that she wanted to wear orange and pink.

"Hannah, orange and pink don't match,"

"Yes they do!" she said as she pulled out her 'Ring Pop' t-shirt that is a sherbet orange with pink ring pop suckers on it.

"Okay, go get your pink pants and HURRY you're going to be late for shcool!"

Very quickly she emerged from her room...dressed...however, not in the pink pants I suggested. She came out in a pair of RED VELVET pants.

"Hannah!" I yelled, "What are you doing? Where are the pink pants? You're going to be LATE!!"

Her very dramatic yet somber response was, "Mom, I want to look like the morning sunrise."

"Whatever, I don't have time for this...go brush you teeth."

Battles and Wars...you pick 'em

tag, you're it

Hanah was tagged by Tanner.

1. What is something mom always says to you? I love you sunshine
2. What makes mom happy? Me
3. What makes mom sad? When I'm gone
4. How does your mom make you laugh? by scaring Jake
5. What was your mom like as a child? just like me
6. How old is your mom?34
7. How tall is your mom?I don't know.
8. What is her favorite thing to do? sleeping or shopping
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? go shopping
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? brushing my teeth
11. What is your mom really good at? counting stickers (for our chore charts)
12. What is your mom not very good at? Oh that's hard, dusting
13. What does your mom do for her job? Keep me safe
14. What is your mom's favorite food? ice cream
15. What makes you proud of your mom? I'm proud of you when you clean my room
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Ms. Frizzle from Magic School Bus
17. What do you and your mom do together? go for slushes
18. How are you and your mom the same?we both have blue eyes, we both have brown hair and we have the same lips
19. How are you and your mom different? she is an adult and I am a child
20. How do you know your mom loves you?she always says "I love you sunshine"
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? I don't know
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? to get slushes for me

Hannah tags Jake, Savannah and Hunter


Jake was tagged by Hannah
1. What is something mom always says to you? clean the whole house
2. What makes mom happy? when the house is sparkley and shiney
3. What makes mom sad? when is house is not all sparkley and shiney
4. How does your mom make you laugh? do funny things
5. What was your mom like as a child? I don't know, you tell me
6. How old is your mom?44 actually 80
7. How tall is your mom? really tall, she's a giant
8. What is her favorite thing to do? clean the whole house
9. What does your mom do when you're not around? I just don't know, clean the whole house until I get home
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for? clean the whole house
11. What is your mom really good at? cleaning the house and brushing my teeth
12. What is your mom not very good at? cleaning the house all by herself
13. What does your mom do for her job? to keep us safe
14. What is your mom's favorite food? all the food
15. What makes you proud of your mom? when she cleans my room and makes it fun
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? sponge bob
17. What do you and your mom do together? go to the midway gas station
18. How are you and your mom the same? we do the same jobs
19. How are you and your mom different? because we wear different clothes
20. How do you know your mom loves you? because I do the jobs she asks me to do
21. What does your mom like most about your dad? he gives us a whole bunch of dollars
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go? midway gas station

Jake tags Hunter and Brighton

my love for cookies....part duex

So I've had several people ask about the cookie lady and what's the problem...well she's my sister Sara and she makes the BEST cookies! She said she has given her "secret" recipie out to a few friends and whenever someone makes them, they never turn out as good as hers!

I'm actually totally embarrassed, the last time I made these was for Dan when he went Home Teaching! I quickly made them and before I had the chance to taste them Dan was out the door and on his way to give them to his 2 families he teaches! I was totally mortified when I took a bite! They were super yucky! Not Yummy like when my sis makes them! So go ahead and give it a try, I dare ya! :)

Sara's "SECRET" Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup oil

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

2 1/2 cups flour

1 pkg milk chocolate chips

Mix together oil, brown sugar, sugar, eggs and vanilla.

Add salt, baking soda and flour. Mix on low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake @ 350 degrees for 10 to 11 minutes.

Let me know how they turn out....I'll be waiting!

mY LoVe fOr CoOkies

Hey Cookie Lady....YOU SUCK!!!

I know you purposely are giving out the wrong recipie to all your friends and family just so we can't hold the title of "Cookie Lady!" Then you try to give tips on how to tweek them...add a little more flour, maybe your baking soda is old go buy some new, use oil, use shortening, milk chocolate chips, well NONE of your "tips" worked! I guess I'll have to buy them at the gas station!


I'm sticking to my old recipie.

The Mother, The Secretary

Dear Tooth Fairy,
I lost a tooth and I took it to the Kamas Pool. When we came home we stopped at the lookout. I was showing everyone at Porters party my tooth when I was walking backwards, then I tripped on a rock. I lost the tooth that I got out all by myself. Can you please go to the lookout and look behind every big rock and look with your magnifying glass and please return it or keep it and give me 10 of your quarters.
Love, Hannah!

These are Hannah's exact words that she dictated to me tonight of her tragic experience after the swim party for her friend Porter. I guess she is too lazy to write her own letters these days.

I'm expecting a card and flowers for Secretary's Day this year.

Peas & Carrots

I have to say how thankful I am for FRIENDS! I truely believe that everyone needs a handful of really good friends to survive this life and at least one really close one that they will have their entire life. I am blessed to have neighbors that my kids can play with. Our little neck of the woods is full of kids and I love it.

I love to hear the sound of kids playing and giggling. I love to see popscicle stained faces smiling at me. I love to hear the sound of the outside waterhose being turned on and then hearing little voices squealing. I love to see the little secrets being wispered into one anothers ears. I love to see that "big plans" being made and mapped out in crayon. I love to hear the musical instruments being played that are made from recycled junk. I love to see the imaginations running wild. I love knowing that my children have good friends and together they are making memories that will last a lifetime.

Good friends go together like Peas and Carrots.

Bethany and Jake

Hannah and Carter

P.S. We are having a double wedding! :)

THINGS I LOVE TO EAT

Banana popscicles...

Potato, stolen from the pantry when mom wasn't looking...

Napkins, again mom wasn't looking...

Gumballs, surprise, Mom wasn't watching...I think there is a pattern to this...

Chocolate Cupcakes, OK mom gave me this one YUMMY!

What do you like to eat?

I tag...Brinley Harrison, Brinlee Bingham and Kailee Wilson!

Finally a NEW post....

Well sort of! I've just been swamped...with what I don't know, but everyday is filled with adventure and excitement at our home. I feel like I don't have a minute to myself...have I even brushed my teeth today? So soon I will entertain you with some of our silly summer fun....until then, have fun and stay cool...that means you Sara!

Cousin Brighton turns 5

Happy 5th BIRTHDAY Brighton!

Our friend Gus Gus.

A couple of weeks ago Dan and I took the kids to the Children's Museum. We were playing the the Sesame Street portion of the museum when I realized I hadn't seen Hannah for a while. Off I went looking for her and this is where I found her. Sitting in a wheel chair. I suddenly realized what she was doing. It was a fun little racing game. There were 3 different routes and modes of transportation your could travel with. I'm not sure why, but for some reason Hannah has always been fascinated with wheel chairs.

Gus Gus was a dear friend to Hannah. They would play for hours together. He was a good little friend to her, he never got mad at her, he always did just as she wanted, he went every where she did and he always took the blame for all the mischief that happened without any complaints.

One day we were in Lindon having lunch at the Arctic Circle, where the kids could play, when it was time to go, we packed everyone in the van and headed across busy state street to the Wal-Mart when suddenly I heard screams of bloody murder coming from the back seat, "Gus Gus, we left him at the rest-a-rant." This of course was a bad habit Gus Gus had, not getting in the van quick enough (although, once he barely made it and got his hand smashed in the door.)

"He will just have to run over to the store and meet us there!"

" Heeeee caaaaan't," she yells with tears streaming down her face.

"Hannah, clam down he will be fine."

"No, he won't. He can't walk. His legs are broken, " (probably from the death defying leaps he takes getting into the car.)

"Hannah, he can use crutches to walk."

"No mom, (spoken with weeping and waling and gnashing of teeth) we have to go back and get him."

This is the point in your life as a mom when you have to be very careful in what you say, if you say the wrong thing your child will be "scared for life," however, if you happen to say the right thing you may be hailed as the best mom ever and be the hero for your child's eyes for eternity! The one accomplishment that moms all around the world strive for.

Me, of course, I said the wrong thing. "Hannah I am not going back. Gus Gus can meet us at Wal-Mart!" With lots of crying and frustration coming from the back of the van she says,

"No he can't! He rides in a chair that goes like this," making motions with her hands as if this tiny little friend is in a wheel chair!

Just for 1 day I would love to look inside this child's head and see what is actually going on. Where do they come up with this stuff?

....the verdict is in.....

It WAS Hailey!

{mY wHaT a LiTtLe SnEaKy GiRl}

So sometimes I feel like I'm living in a 3 stooges episode. Yesterday I discovered all the cushions off the couches...well who did I think could have done it? Hailey, lets see, hmmm, she can wedge herself under the couches, but I haven't seen her throw the cushions off, now maybe I'm wrong, she is pretty strong for a 9 month old. It could have been her. Now Jake, well lets analyze this. He is capable of commiting the crime, but once the interrogation began, he was smart enough to ask for his lawyer, Scout, the dog. With the process of elimination at hand, it must have been sweet, innocent (looking) little Hannah. Hmmm...my dear Watson, I think I've got it!

I began questioning the guilty party(s) and they all (including the baby,) pled the
5th. So, instead of singling out a criminal, I told both Hannah and Jake to get the mess cleaned up quickly or their afternoon sheninagans were going to be canceled (they are always making BIG plans.)

After many groans and moans I overheard their conversation,

"Jake, I have an idea. You pick up 3 of the cushions and I'll pick up 2!."
"No!" protested Jake, "you pick up 3 and I'll pick up 2."

After the great debate had been going on for a few minutes longer than needed, I quickly interrupted, before I had to get a box of Band-Aids from all the fighting, "Why don't you each pick up 2 and then you can pick up the last one together?" Ohh...what a smart mommy! I thought for a tiny second that I heard angels from heaven singing in my kitchen. AAAAWWWWHHHHHH! Brilliant!

They agreed and both seemed pleasently satisfied....Then the sneaky little devil chimes in with her angelic voice, "Hey Jake, why don't you pick up 4 cushions, because you're 4 years old?" Without hesitation, he agreed!

Who's on first? No. What's on first, who's on second? Who are we talking about!

Check out my Slide Show!

Hailey doesn't have a tumor!

Just in case you were wondering....There are no tumors! What's that all about? The Family (except our little 20/20 Jake) all had eye appointments this week. Dan new pair of glasses that he never wears, myself, stronger contact perscription to try and correct my crazy eye, Hannah, stronger lenses to help her eyes (shel definately Not "Legally Blonde," she's legally blind, and then there is sweet little Hailey. I wanted to have her eyes checked just to make sure her eyes were developing normally. I snuck an appointment in with Dr. Ackerson (Dan's old dorm roomie from College) just to be safe. I didn't want her to go for the first 5 years fo her life like poor Hannah Bug did....Blind as a Bat and we had no clue! Anyway, long story short she's just fine and she doesn't have a tumor! I guess the Dr. could tell by looking "into" her eyes. It's really quite amazing! One thing I learned today...dilating a baby's eyes and trying to look at them don't mix. Needless to say she does NOT like Dr. Ackerson!!!!

Movie Day!

Today is a movie day for me! Hurray! Daniel took the day off and just left for Provo with Jake in tow. Hannah is at school and Hailey is down for a nap. I waited up until 12 midnight last night waiting for "I am Legend" to come out, I never had the chance to see it in the theater (who does with 3 kids) then I realized how stupid it sounded to be waiting outside McDonalds at the Red Box, in the cold, waiting for a movie to be released. Can we say "GET A LIFE!"
Anywho....Daniel stopped and got it for me! What a great guy! I'm an action packed kind of gal, I don't care for comedy, and I'm not super crazy about the happily-ever-after, cheezy movies. I want to see real life stories, ya know like Michael Keaton in Mr. Mom....I can relate to that! Love that show! I'm just a mom trying my hardest to stay afloat while drowning in a bowl of soggy half eaten cheerios! But on the other hand, who isn't?

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. -- Dickens

It's just not right looking at snow through a window with Easter Bunnies plastered on them!

Welcome to a March afternoon in Heber City! 2 days ago Hannah and I were out riding bikes, the sun was shinning and I was beginning to make the "outside" spring cleaning list. Our yard is a mess. We had one too many newspapers shot through the snowblower, and I was getting excited to be outside. It's been a long cold winter. Yesterday I awoke to this! Will the snow ever end?

It's just not fair!

My little chunker Hailey is such a good baby. She is happy, healthy and a delight to care for. Recently she has begun babbling, of course she is loudest during the most inconvient times...at the movies, during meetings and she is especially loudest during Sunday School.
"Oh what a cute baby," everyone says. It's true, she is an adorable baby, what mother doesn't say that? However, it's not fair. When you see these huge chunky thighs on this little girl of mine I hear comments like, "Ohhhhh I just want to squeeze those chunky legs." Well this baby totally takes after her momma, thunder tighs and cankles. No one ever says to me, "Look at your chunky thighs Melissa, they are so cute. I just want to pinch them!" Why doesn't anyone think my thighs and my cankles are cute. They are just as chunky as Haileys....it just not fair!

Jake and His Prophet

Jake and His Prophet

Jake and I went on a date a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday Night. We were shopping at a bunch of different stores in Provo, things I wanted to do but can't with the whole family, Jake and I ended up at the Distribution Center in Orem. While we were looking around, Jake found a picture of President Gordon B Hinckley, our beloved Prophet. Our conversation went like this,

"Mom, can I have a picture of President Henkwey?"
"Why do you want a picture of President Hinckley?"
"Because he died and I want to remember him."

What a precious little guy Jake is. The next day we took his new picture and hung it up where he wanted it to be, by his bed so he could remember him every night. For the past 2 weeks every time Jake prays he says, "Bwess President Henkwey because he died and went to heaven to be with Jesus and Heavenwy Father." He can be such a sweet boy!

Bad Hair Days

Hannah

Hailey

She's Gettin' Crafty

I made this cute bag for Hannah yesterday for her church stuff. I'm so proud of myself. I gave it to her and she showed me that she decorated it.




She is so creative and descrutive.

It's a miracle!

Hannah said to me tonight, "Mom, we can't go to bed yet, we havent read the scriptures!" I'm not sure if this was an evil plot to stay up late or if she sincerely wanted to read the Book Of Mormon Stories. I didn't mind staying up with her to read.

When Hannah went to nursery at church there was no looking back on her part. She saw the toys and all the friends to play with and went in without a hitch. Then it was time to move into the Sunbeam class. With her December 26th birthday she was literaly the "littlest sunbeam." This didn't go over very smooth, she was supposed to sit and listen to a lesson, sing primary songs and pay attention to talks that were being given. Well, to put it nicely, she's been a devil child for the past 3 years. When we are in the car I'll slip in the primary songs, once she figures out what is playing she yells, "NO CHURCH SONGS!" Our home teacher, who is so awesome at trying to keep the kids' attention, always asks Hannah questions and she responds, "NO CHURCH QUESTIONS!" If you think that is bad try saying family prayers with us. It is always a struggle with Hannah.

A few weeks ago Hannah said to me (on Friday night,) "Mom I don't feel good, I can't go to church tomorrow. I proceeded to tell her, "That's OK you don't have to go to church tomorrow." Her eyes were as big as silver dollars. She was so excited! Daniel and I started laughing so hard. I can't believe that at such a young age these little ones can try to decieve and manipulate as well as they know how.

I'm not sure why she has had a change of heart but I like it. Hannah has decided that she can say the prayers on Sundays and Wednesdays (short days at school,) and we have recently added Fridays into the mix. Our lesson for Family Home Evening was a breeze this week a quick thinking mom hurried and put together a FHE lesson on none other than PRAYER. My prayers have been answered, my sweet baby girl finally is enjoying church and the gospel.

Forget a Day for Doctors, Try a day for MEETINGS!!!

Today was a day for meetings for mom! Oh my what is a gal to do? I started my day off with a 7:30am Ward Council meeting, Scarament at 9:00am and of course the rest of the 3 hour block, 12:45 YW Pres. Meeting and finished off the day with a fireside of the descendants of Joseph Smith at 7:00pm. Which might I add was wonderful, (see journal entry)

What happened to Sunday being a day of rest? :) Yesterday I went to our Stake Enrichment Day at the Stake Center with the keynote speaker being Pamela Hansen, the author of Running With Angels, a great book about her triumph over obesity and the physical stress of raising children with major health challenges. Anyway, after her talk about how to deal with the stress, the Lords way, President Case talked about dealing and coping with the stress that comes with church callings. He said the it's OK once in a while to take a break and forget about a meeting you have scheduled. Don't beat yourself up if you missed it, there will be another one along soon to take it's place:) Cute words by our adorable Stake President, and on that note, Bishop Allen, whose wife just added a baby girl to their all boy family last Wednesday, said, "After this meeting (Ward Council at 7:30 this morning) I'm going home to fix breakfast for my lovely wife and kids and enjoy the day with them." I thought that was such a neat idea...so many times in our lives we find ourselves needing to fulfill everyone elses needs before our own and our families. In the next 50 years it won't matter who was the Bishop or Young Women's President, what matters most is what we are doing with our own families now that will affect them in the future. I need to remind myself that my little ones are only little once...and now I've got to go listen to my Hannah (6) and Hailey(6mo.) singing together! Ah..the life of motherhood!

A Day for Doctors

What a day! Our little family has been in the various Doctor offices around town. First, at 9am Dan went in for his 3 month AC1 blood test, then at 10am Jake was scheduled to have his stitches removed. After that Dan and Hannah went off to the eye doctors to fix her glasses.....AGAIN! A fun lunch for mom with Jessica at Don Pedros then to finish the afternoon up with the whole family to the dentist. Whew...thank goodness for insurance!

Dan has a chipped filling and the rest of us are great. No cavities. Which is truly amazing. I have a mouth full of fillings, crowns and a few root canals. Ever since I can remember, I've never gotten out of the dentists chair without another appointment to be scheduled to fill a cavity. I'm not sure why but it's been years since I have had a cavity. Between braces (twice) crowns, root canals, retainers, bleaching trays and the countless cavities, I would have to say I have at least a $10,000 smile...and to tell you the truth, it's really not that great! But for now I'll live with it!

More Pictures of Jake

Mr. Dancing Pants

Well it happenend....I said 10 little words that I wish I could take back. "Stop dancing in the shower! You'll crack your head open!"

Saturday night Jake was dancicng in the shower and then, of course, only because I said it, in the Emergency Room.

I called Dr. Doug to get the family special, surgery at the kitchen table, unfortunately he was out with Search & Rescue looking for a snowmobiler. One quick call to tho BEST babysitter in the world, Elisa, and we were off for a fun evening in the ER getting stitches on Jakes right eye.

Having had stitches last March on his toe,with 3 adults holding him down, I knew trying to get him to hold still while the doctor stitched his eye was not and option. Jake would need to be put out, and so the fun begins!

They gave him Ketamine, an anaesthetic used for concious sedation. It knocked him out right away and Dr. Haderlie went to work. 1 big stith inside and 3 on the outside and 5 minutes later he was finished. Ketamine or Special K as the drug addicts call it, causes hallucinations and no wonder why they like it. Jake came to quickly and handeled it well (they tell parents to expcet the worst, spitting, eyes rolling back into the head, shaking etc.)

After about 30 minutes of him being totally concious, Jake looked straight into my eyes with his big blue eyes and said in the sweetest little voice, "You have 4 eyes!" So, so funny!!!!

An hour and a half later we were ready to go home. I tried to pick Jake up and he pulled a Brighton..."the limp noodle." Augghhhh...I almost dropped his little 40 pound body on the hospital room floor, needless to say, Dan carried him to the car.

We had to stop at the store for some Tylenol. While I ran in to the store, Dan and Jake stayed in the car. Dan said that Jake had told him, "Daddy, there are 3 of you." My poor little 4 year old boy, all drugged up and no where to go.

The whole experience was quite entertaining, however, it's not something I would want to do again.

The Dr. gave instructions to wake Jake every hour through the night to check on him, mostly to sure he is breathing normal. Under normal circumstances this is one of the requirements as outlined in the "so you want to be a Mom handbook" and any other night waking every hour wouldn't be a problem, however this particular night it was.

You see, I was just called to be the Young Womens President of our ward and Sunday morning, with 9:00 church and well, with any other Sunday morning, having spent the previous night at the Er and being pretty much awake all night, I would have just skipped church and stayed home with Jake. Nope! I could't do it! I sure wished I could have but I could't! I had too many resposibiliteis on my plate. So sleepy eyed and stressed out off to church we went.

Speaking of Young Womens, my second counselor, Mardee, who I totally love, said last week, "Watch out! There is a curse that comes with big callings." Dang her!

Hailey

Ok here we go......well maybe!

Yahoo....blog time

Wow! What a fun idea! Can't wait to getting the blog on!