My 33rd Birthday

Last Friday I turned 33.  I am older than the age I still picture my Aunt Marianne being from when I was a child.  Why is it that when you get older, people you know that you don't see day-to-day stay the same age?  Aunt Marianne is now in her 50's but she will always be in her 30's to me. :)

Aunt Marianne's daughter, Sarah, one of my most favorite people on the planet, brought her family down here to Cedar to spend time with my family.  She made me this adorable cake:

Why yes, it is on Tupperware.  :)  I love me some Tupperware.  This is actually a relatively small cake.  Except the height.  It was 3 layers!  Last month when I was visiting family in SLC, Sarah and I talked about possibly making a smaller cake for me to eat like I was turning one but I couldn't use my hands to eat it.  Thus, the cake you see here.

She is finding enough spots for 33 candles.  Yup, she is awesome.

Flaming birthday cake!  Seriously, this thing was HOT!  Just check out my face in the next picture!!

I really should have put my hair back before this point, but luckily, no hairs were harmed in the extinguishing of this cake.

 That flame ball cake was so warm that it started to melt the frosting.  I am just testing it out first; no use in burning my taste buds!

 After my tongue gave me the all clear, I tackled that cake!

 Mmmmm, yummy carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and what appears to look like a snotsicle.  Rest assured, it is only frosting!

 I am having a hard time eating that cake.... I think I bit of more than I can chew! (pun intended!)

Working on the side.... I LOVE cream cheese frosting!!

 I wish I would have had a picture of the moment my head was SHOVED into the cake by Gabe and Nate, but Gabe was the photographer as well, and he knows how my camera is like my 5th child, so he opted to just shove my head and forgo the picture.  But who cares? Check out my face! AH!  If you really want to see the video of my head getting shoved:

 I could seriously not breath!  After all was said and done, I was cleaning out my EYES as well!!  Bet you didn't know that eyes can eat cake, too!

This is my only revenge: SEE FOOD!!

 

 This is the cake for everyone else.  Sarah did a GREAT job getting all those sprinkles on only the sides of the cake.  It was DELISH!  (so was my cake, considering my nose and eyes were eating it, too.)

We spent Saturday watching General Conference together. We had a huge breakfast of french toast (two different kinds, cuz I am awesome that way), chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, homemade hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, and orange juice.

 

During conference, we played conference bingo, doodled, ate, and pretty much had a blast.  Can I just say how much I LOVE having an HDTV??  It was like the Prophet and General Authorities were IN my house talking just to our family!!

While the boys men went to the Priesthood session, Sarah and I played the Wii together.  After every Priesthood session, the guys go out for ice cream after. Every family must have the same ritual because Bill says that all the ice cream joints in town are packed like a fat kid in a pair of stretchy pants three sizes too small.  Ok, Bill never described it that way, but that is how I imagine it.  So they went Cedar Nut and Candy because they have milkshakes there as well.  They also sell Anderson Dairy ice cream by the half-gallon.  It only cost $3.50 a half gallon!  They brought us some so us ladies (and little Christian) didn't feel left out.  They got us two kinds:  Pistachio Almond and Cookies & Cream.  Ohhhhh, it is sooooo creamy.  So creamy and tasty that right now as I type, I started to salivate.  Makailah (who is 5) wanted some green ice cream (the Pistachio kind) and so we gave her some.  A few moments after tasting it, she tells her mom, "I don't like this ice cream.  It tastes like, um..... butt."  It is a good thing I used the bathroom earlier or I surely would have had an accident!

That night, before we ate the ice cream, Gabe, with the help of Nate and Justin, made some hot wings! They were killer!  I don't have any pictures of it because no one wants to see ANY of us chowing down on chicken wings.  You may think you do, but trust me, you don't.  It was like a murder scene with a side of bleu cheese.

 

We watched X-Files whilst licking our Frank Red's Hot fingers.  Then us adults busted out our awesome Wii Bowling moves.  I am proud to say that I dominated and annihilated the whole bunch.  I feel it is God's way of making me feel better about the fact that it is always the opposite when we bowl at the bowling alley; it is a good day when I bowl in real life anything over 99 - even with bumpers!

Sunday morning, I made Cream of Wheat and banana muffins.  Conference was extremely good.  Both sessions were very filling to my soul.  Between the sessions, we played "Don't Eat Pete!" that Bill's mom made for Nate when he was a little boy.  

 

 "Hmmmm, which one should I choose?"

 The look on Makailah's face makes me giggle.  She just picked up Pete and we all loudly whispered (didn't want to make her cry by the yelling), "Don't eat Pete!!"  And she wasn't sure what to do, so in a panic, she ate Pete!!  Our hearts go out the the surviving members of Pete's family.

 Gabe deciding which one to eat, hoping it isn't Pete.

 After a few choices, he just picked up the whole sheet and dumped them in to his mouth.

 However, the Pete in this game was not going to give up, so it stuck behind.  (Look close at the pumpkin face - click on picture if you need to - you will see a yellow Pete.)

 While I was waiting in the other room for them to reset the board and choose a new Pete, I decided to go all out.  I am one sexy mama!

 Before I decided to take on the game, I thought Justin was just looking like he really needed a kiss from my REALLY DARK lipstick.  His eyes said yes, but his arms said no.

 

 I got his forehead, after much wrestling, then went in for the kill: his stomach!

 He wiped most of the kiss left over his right eyebrow, but this time, his eyes are not saying anything nice at all!!  Also, I would just like to apologize to all you who are checking out my messy house.  What do you expect when you have one room emptied into other rooms in the house (I am painting a room) and then you add two younger kids into the mix??  Not to mention the older kids that I truly think were messier than normal because they were hoping I wouldn't notice and blame it on the younger ones..... who knows. But, like I mentioned earlier, I love Tupperware, thus the cool Thatsa Bowl!!  Then you have a smattering of papers, a cup, a box to mail my cousin Summer a care package, play dishes, white board markers, and many other fun items.... I know, you are totally jealous, you wish your house was this messy right now.

 I am not sure if this is Pete or one of his many loved ones.  But it sure was tasty!!

 Christian wanted a turn.

 I think his face says it all.

 

 

 

Now time for some male bonding.....

 

 Dontcha just feel the love between Gabe and Justin??

 What do you get when you mix two supposedly grown up men and a fifteen year old pubescent boy??  An atomic wedgie!!!

 They really went in for the kill!!

You know the phrase, "there are no words"?  Well, that doesn't apply here, I get, "there are SO many words."  The first word that comes to mind is effeminate.  Not only does it look like Gabe is whispering sweet nothings into Bill's ear, Bill is wearing his oh-so-"manly" Strawberry Shortcake band-aid.  All the while, you can see poor Nate writhing in the background from that fallout after that atomic wedgie.

 

During this wartime of atomic wedgies and gender confusion, Makailah and Lily played dress up.  (I am so glad Gabe and Bill did not play dress up.)

 She wanted to wear the same thing I was earlier.  I think she looks a million times better than me.

 Here we have Lily in a costume from 2 or 3 Halloweens ago!  And we explained that just because she can still fit it, it doesn't mean she should wear it.  Now if only some people out there in the world would just learn that lesson, all of our eyes could be spared... but then again, there wouldn't be much on that website: People of Walmart. 

 There we go, this is what it is supposed to look like on a little girl.  Plus Makailah had to add the pom poms.  No matter how some people like it or not, some little girls are just going to be extra girly.

 And I shall call her, "Lilliana Jones!"

Lily wanted to show off her weird feet!

Aw, for cute!  Christian really likes Bill.

After we put the kids to bed on Sunday night, we did something that the kids would freak out if they knew what we did..... we played the Wii on Sunday!! We NEVER play video games on Sunday, but we did anyway.  We played Raving Rabbids TV Party.  I LOVE any Raving Rabbid's game and I was laughing so hard that I started coughing.  And as I mentioned before in this entry (and here) I have a problem when it comes to the dangerous mixture of laughing and bladder control.  When you throw coughing (or throwing up or sneezing) into the mix, you better run for cover or at least for some galoshes.  Thankfully, disaster was averted since I run fast.

The next day, we all went out to eat while the kids were in school.  Being an adult has many drawbacks, but there are some fun perks!

I had a fantastic birthday weekend.  Thank you Sarah and Gabe for coming to visit!!

HONEST SCRAP

(doesn't the title "Honest Scrap" look like (and sounds like) "Honest Crap" ??)

Ok, Jana, since you know that I love to talk, especially about myself, I will do this. Plus I love you, so here I go...
I have to list 10 honest things about myself then tag 9 other people.

1) I have purchased my own headstone. It was really weird buying it and having my name engraved on it. But seeing the death date blank makes it a little less weird.

2) I have never been stung by a bee or ever dyed my hair. I know those two things have nothing to do with each other, but they are just two things that most adults have had happen or done in their lives.

3) I can be quite shy. Yes, believe it or not, I CAN be shy (shut up, Jana LOL). I spent almost my entire Senior year of high school eating lunch in the library.

4) When I was 8 or 9 years old, I had a crush on Jim Lange. I remember we went to a taping of "Name that Tune" because my uncle was a camera man and he got me an autographed photo of Jim Lange. I still have it, somewhere in a box.

5) I have over 150 board/card games. Yes, I cannot help myself. I do have a couple different varieties of Monopolies, but I do have a good selection of games. I have a problem, I can't pass up a game. Another pathetic thing is that I actually have a few duplicates.

6) I absolutely LOVE to bake. I would much rather bake than cook any day of the week. My favorite things to bake are: cookies, pies, cakes, and pizza.

7) I would love to be a contestant on "Survivor" or "The Amazing Race." And even though I LOVE "The Biggest Loser" I just hope I never need to be a contestant on that show. Although, my mom and I say, "I'm training to be on The Biggest Loser" when we eat things we shouldn't. :-)

8) I LOVE to take pictures of anyone or anything. I love it so much that I have been known to lay down on the grass in a stranger's yard and take pictures of their flower bed. I also love to take pictures of my kids and my friends' kids. I just wish that my camera wasn't broken. I am having withdrawals.

9) I stole a car before. 'nuff said.

10) I paid someone a lot of money to break my jaw. Ok, so it isn't as bad as that sounds. I had cosmetic jaw surgery a couple of summers ago. I had my lower jaw broken, brought forwards, and had pins put in. Even though I love my profile very much, I am not sure I would go through that hell again if I could go back in time.

Bonus: I peed my pants in college.

So here are my 9 people that I'm going to tag (per the rules):

Steve http://fantasmini.blogspot.com/

Kristen http://nathanandkristenb.blogspot.com/
Kathy http://jimsclan.blogspot.com
Desiree http://menjiness.blogspot.com/
Alecia http://colonkids.blogspot.com/
Melissa http://jimmyandmel.blogspot.com/
Darcy http://busycollegemomma.blogspot.com/

Heather http://charlesheather4.blogspot.com/
Xina http://thecrawfordcrier.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules:
1.) Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award.
2.) Share "10 Honest Things" about yourself.
3.) Present this award to 9 others whose blogs you find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged you.
4.) Tell those 9 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.

Blood Drive

Monday, January 5th, was the first school day of the new year; not just for my kids but for me at SUU. I woke my kids and Lily was the only child who seemed excited to return to school; I was also very excited for a new semester. While I brushed the girls' hair, I formulated my daily schedule to fit in time to go to the SUU bookstore and buy myself the books and a new backpack. Plus I was looking forward to buying new pencils. They have the best mechanical pencils at SUU.

After we say our morning family prayers and I shuffled them out the door to catch the bus. A cold chill cut through the air as I opened the door. I looked at the temperature gauge, it was below freezing. The clouds hung in the sky, hiding the mountains in the background, and it appeared as if a painter stop painting halfway up the mountain.

I scowled and close the door, wondering where my tennis shoes were. It was not going to be a good day for my mesh shoes. I dug through the pile of shoes, finding my cowboy boots; those work as well as any other shoe for keeping moisture out.

I decided that this would be a great morning to start my WiiFit. I received it for Christmas and was waiting until the kids were back in school to use it. I found myself having too much fun and ended up having to rush through my shower and threw clothes on so I can make it to the kids' elementary school. Every Monday I help out in one of my good friend's Kindergarten class. I do the homework folders. The sky outside promised snow and I became very thankful that I took the time earlier to find my cowboy boots.

As I entered the Kindergarten classroom, the boisterous excitement assaulted my ears. The whole class was murmuring to each other of what they did during the Christmas break and what presents they received. Not only were they talking incessantly, they seem to forget the rules of the classroom. Their little minds were finding it difficult to switch back into learning mode. As I finished I knew I had to hurry to get to SUU so I could find the books I needed.

I drove through streets lightly coated with fresh snow. My shoes made a satisfying crunch as I walked toward the Sharwin Smith Building. I am not known for my gracefulness and that day was not any different. As I crossed the Rotunda, the snow in the packed crevices of my shoes began to melt from the warm temperature. I slipped in front of a whole bunch of people - looking like Bambi learning to walk. Fortunately I didn't fall; unfortunately the Rotunda was jam packed full of people.

Later that day, before my math class, I noticed that there was a blood drive in the Ballroom. I love giving blood. Not because it feels good - because it doesn't - but because I love the satisfaction of knowing I am helping others. I knew from experience, that giving blood is not a walk-in-walk-out activity. I saw that they were doing the blood drive the next day as well. But I knew I would not have time on Tuesday. I walked by the sign, saying they were closing soon, and went to my math class. The teacher let us out early so those of us who didn't have the right textbook could go get it. I took that time to make it to the blood drive.

Even though I only had an Atkins shake and some veggies for food that day, I figured I would be fine because they give out snacks afterward. I love the juice they offer and I always get a bag of Famous Amos cookies - my stomach looks forward to this every time I give blood.

Everything was going well, I was filling up the pouch in good time, I was laughing and joking with the workers, and then I started feeling funny. I got all woozy, and my stomach told me it was mad. I asked the lady if it was normal to feel nauseous and all at once, the Red Cross workers jumped to help me. One ran and got me water, one grabbed ice packs, and a guy grabbed a barf bag and held it for me. I seriously didn't think that I would throw up.... but my stomach had other ideas. I told them that the room was fuzzy. I was scared but thought I could control myself and I would be fine.

They already pulled the needle out of my arm but would not let me sit up. I laid there thinking I was going to be fine. Unfortunately, I was wrong. I began to heave. Up came the little food I had consumed that day. I tried to aim for the bag, but I was so out of it that I got most of it on myself.

As soon as I started hurling, someone grabbed me juice and a bag of cookies. I sipped the juice and closed my eyes. Apparently crossing your ankles is bad and I was out of it because they constantly had to remind me to uncross my ankles.

With my eyes closed, I started noticing that my arms were shaky and numb. I was scared.

After throwing up, I started recovering.  The juice was starting to work its magic.  After the barf-bag guy left, the lady who drew my blood handed me napkins to clean myself.  I was mortified that not only did I barf in front of a guy, it got all over my shirt!!!  When I was sufficiently ok to sit up, they helped me up and I made my way to the snacks.  I zipped up my jacket all the way up so no one would see the wet spot on my shirt.  After finishing my juice and cookies, I started to feel sufficiently better, I grabbed another juice and went to the bookstore.

After going to all the classes that day, I realized there were a few things I still needed to get. I made the mistake of thinking I was well enough to go down the stairs to the book area. I kept my jacket zipped up all the way up. That made my feel extra hot, so when I was coming back up the stairs took its toll. I sat on the floor in the bookstore in one of the aisles.

Some time passed, people glanced at my funny as if they had never seen a sweaty person before. When I thought I was better, I went to buy my things. At the register, I felt the wave of nausea hit harder and asked the lady to watch my things and ran to the bathroom. I barely made it to the toilet when WHOOSH, I threw up EVERYWHERE: All over the seat, my chest again, and the floor. Both cans of juice and cookies were splishing and sploshing all around that bathroom floor.

That is when the unthinkable happened. During one of the heaves, I felt some wetness spread in my nether regions. Flashbacks came flooding into my mind of being sick with the flu and things shooting out both ends.

When my body emptied itself of any trace of food or drink, I cleaned off the seat and sat down murmuring, "I don't want to die, I don't want to die." I knew I had to check to see what the damage was in my pants. To my relief: I only peed my pants.

Thankfully the jacket, that I ripped off just before I threw up, was long enough to zip up and cover my shirt AND pants. I bent down to clean up my mess off the floor and the dizziness and nauseous came suddenly back. I stood back up and realized that since my day was not shaping out to be a good one, I figured I wouldn't press my luck in trying to clean; I just knew I would pass out and fall into my vomit.

Today I am giving it another go. There is a blood drive at my Stake Center. I hope I ate and drank enough. I don't want a re"pee"t of that cold, wet January afternoon.