Hannah's Socks

Madison has been collecting socks for Hannah's Socks for a few weeks now. I am so proud of her. She got up in front of all the adults and church to announce that she was doing this as a service project for Faith in God! and then again to all the Primary kids. So far she has collected 220 pairs of socks and 21 pair of underware (we didn't even tell anyone to bring them, they just did) Anyhow her goal is 250 pair and we are collecting for at least one more week. So if you want to donate just let me know! Thanks to all those who have helped already!

Christmas

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Conversations from the Van #3 (inside edition, because it is really way to cold)

I was in the kitchen cleaning and I heard Mike talking to the kids. Madi was on the computer pounding away at the keyboard.

Mike: Hey, you can't do that.

Madison: Why not?

Mike: You need to have a red wand to do that!


Does this happen in other households, talking about red wands (Harry Potter), What light saber to use, how to throw the perfect whip, What spells work the best?

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

So on Monday Mike got his third cast put on. We choose to go with Red for Christmas because they did not have any green. Today was his work party and he wanted to be fun so this morning we decorated his cast!


Then after school the kids and I mailed some packages. They were great helpers at the post office. When we got home they helped by putting stickers in the cards or putting labels on the envelopes.




Stay tuned for more christmas cheer. Hopefully they won't have school tomorrow so we can do more crafts and cookies!

International Answer the Phone Like Buddy the Elf Day

I'm ready, just waiting for the phone to ring!

My Lesson on Sunday

This Sunday I taught the lesson in Relief Society. It turned out pretty good. When talking about finding Eternal Truths in things outside of the church or religion I showed part of a Movie Madi and I watched a few weeks ago. I thought I would Post it here. A Little Princess, is an awesome movie for young girls to see. The part I showed in the lesson starts around 5 minutes in.



One of the sisters was sad that I did not go any further with the movie. Her favorite part is in this clip when the girls wake up. Watch to see the surprise that is waiting for them!

Chizmo Christmas Addition

These are the 14 of my favorite Christmas songs:

1)

2)

3)

4)

5)


6)

7)

8)

9)


10)

11)

12)

13)

14)

Some Sunday Night Fun!

Last night as I was trying to get dinner ready I hear a loud crash from the front of the house. I heard a call out "Everyone is all right!" Will was standing in the middle of the room laughing. I started to go about my business when Will calls out"Mom come here and look at this." Of course my mind goes to what have you broken of mine now. I wall over the the desk where Will is standing looking at his father lying on the floor, pointing and laughing. I told Mike to hold on while I got the canera. And then I got this awesome shot!

Conversations from the Van #2

Today was a weird day. Mike got picked up for work. The kids walked to school and I was able to stay home and get some cleaning done. And I rearranged the living room to make room for the Christmas tree. So I did not shower or change into clean clothes. So when we had to drive to Findlay to pick up Mike from work he ask if we could come in the front to pick up some things. So ranting with the children in the car I said; "Great, one day I don't shower or change my clothes we have to go into the office!"

Will from the back of the van says: "You kind of look pretty!"

Madi then replys: "Kind of?" All snotty like.

Will: "No, she is really pretty. I want to marry her. But I can't because I am not old enough to be married. And you are already married, urg, to my father."

Isn't that just the best. Sometimes he calles me Love, its so funny. He really is a great kid!

My Turn on Earth

I emailed Carol Lynn Pearson back on Novembe 9th this is what I wrote:
Our family recently bought the DVD My Turn on Earth. I thought it would be a good video for my daughter, who loves music and acting and who was planning on being baptized soon. We watched it together as a family one night. The next morning my 6 year old son was up early and was watching the video again. When he returned home from school he played it again. This evening I was taking my mother to the airport (she came into town for my daughters baptism.) My husband called to let me know how things were at home and informed me that he was watching the dvd again. He is just thrilled to watch it again and again.

We have also read some of your parables and enjoy them as well. Thank you!

Today she wrote back to me:

Thanks much for this, Tiffany. So glad your family is enjoying the DVD. And please tell them all I hope they all have a Terrific Turn on Earth!

Love,

Carol Lynn

I just think this is so awesome!

For those of you who don't know who Carol Lynn Pearson is, she is a poet, author, play write, and Philosopher. She is Mormon and was married to a gay Mormon man. She writes about that experience and others facing that challenge as well. She has written many books, poem and fables. This is a song from My Turn on Earth:

Madisons Baptism

Although I have been planning this baptism for about a year in a half now, since Mike and I missed our friend Luke's Baptism due to scheduling conflicts (we had something planed for several weeks and it was sprung on us about the baptism) and since I missed our friend Kyle's baptism (due to me being extremely and untimely sick) I told our friend Maria that the baptism would be on 11/8/08 back in May of 07. Everything was planned. Perfect dress bought. Most amazing photos were taken. Email invitations sent (although some say they did not get it). Perfect invitations made and sent. Songs were picked, people were asked to play music, speak, lead music. Special thanks to Nathan Richardson, Maria Simons, Peggy McClanahan, and a very special thank you to Denise Lake (she did the awesome talk, I gave the other one and not as good!) So as most of you know, I have done some pretty amazing baptism videos. I really like them, I take pride in such work. I struggled with Madison's, I had no vision. It was easy to ask someone what songs they wanted, get me there favorite photos and the creative juices just started flowing. But with Madison's I could not even pick one song I really loved. And I had spent weeks and hours and money getting every photo onto CD to be prepared for this spectacular video event. So for weeks I worked on it here and there. The day of the baptism I still was not satisfied. I was late to my own daughters baptism because I was still burning the CD of a very imperfect video. I was not there to take photos before hand of her with her Uncle Jeff in there baptism clothing. Or to properly dress her. When I got there her outfit was on backwards had to have her change that. Oh yea, and I forgot an extra pair of underwear! Good Mom moment! So the actual baptism was great everything went smoothly. Madi was so giddy it was very funny and touching to see her so excited. When Jeff was telling her how to go down in the water before the doors were open she was so excited, her face was like yea, right, whatever, OK let me in! It was cool.

After the baptism was wonderful. My mom had come and helped. We made hot chicken for sandwiches, had apple trays, cheese trays, crackers and yummy desserts. Again special thanks to My friends, Denise, Kim H. and Melissa D. for your help and yummy desserts! Oh and an awesome punch. It was really great and so, so easy. Take White Grape Peach juice and a 2 litter of Sprite Mix and that is it! It tastes oh so good! So everything was great and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Then it was over and what do I notice in the kitchen, my camera (I know what some of you are thinking! and no) I did not get one photo of people who came to the event! Can you believe it. I missed the decorations, the food spread, Oh and the cake, which I did not make Sharon bought at Kroger but it still looked awesome! So i hurried and found a few people still lingering around. And got these shots:

Madi and her Grandma Richter


Madison and her second cousin Katie. They had a lot of fun together.
This is my cousin Neil and his family. Wife Leesa, sons Logan and Trevor and daughter Katie. They were leaving to go back to my house when I caught them to get this shot!


Madi with Brother Richardson. He played the piano for us.

Madi and Grandma Richter and Her dad. He is trying to hide his crutches.

This was taken the next day. Madi with Grandma Swift. This was the goofy picture (love it)

So these are some of the fake photos we got a week later of the people who attended the baptism. And if you are not hear we need to get together and get the shot:
Madi with the McClanahan's. He is the Bishop and she is a really great friend! They are moving to Utah and we will miss them dearly.

Deanna and two of her girls. She is a great friend and Emily the one in the middle is one of Madi's dearest friends.

Kayla and Kristen. Two of the youth in our ward.

Laura and Brittan. Brit was Baptised a week before Madi. They are only 6 days apart!

Madi and Sister Mathis. She is the Primary Pres. in our ward.

This is the Sayer family. They are awesome. Great Neighbors and due to Kirsty's blog, I'm a little famous!
This is Rachel and her newest baby. She was young women when I served and was Pregnant with Madi. Now she just had her fourth! Rach is a great friend and an awesome mom.

This is Mary Shurts and her Daughter Renee. Mary and I worked together in Primary a few years back. Renee is one of my good friends!

This is the Cady Family. Their daughter Linda next to Madi is great she always is saying hi in the hall and asking wheres Madi! They also have another daughter Laura who was pictured earlier. They are a great Family.

Chizmo Happy Birthday Dad

Since I missed my Dad's Birthday and I missed November Chizmo so I am combining them. I was going to do the 61 things I love about my dad but I thought 14 things would be better!

1. He married my mom.
2. He left the hospital before I was born to change his shoes.
3. He puts up with me.
4. He tolerates my husband.
5. He loves Madi.
6. I am pretty sure he loves Will.
7. He used to be a clown
8. He used to eat fire. Really fire!
9. He let me use his car. and He didn't get to mad at me for leaving the car in drive when I got out of the car before swim practice one morning.
10. He tolerates my friends, namely Jenn.
11. He gives me Christmas Eve gifts every year. They are very special to me.
12. He gives the Christmas Eve gifts to the kids now too.
13. He used to read Twas the Night Before Christmas to me.
14. He told me I could not pierce my ears before I was 16 and when my mom took me to have it done at 11 he did not get mad. And later when I was 19 when he told me in front of my boyfriend at the time if I came home with another hole in my ear he was going to kick me out of the house. So after piercing my ears two more times while living across county he did not get mad. (See he puts up with me!)

Really Dad, I love you. I know no matter what I do you will be there for me. You always have great words of advice and you always know when I need to hear them! Thanks for being my dad!

Four Generations

This is a four generation photo taken the day of Madison's blessing.

This is a Four generation photo taken the day after Madison's Baptism about 8 years later!

More of Madisons Birthday

First we had Sunday dinner with the Lakes and Simons families. This was her Birthday cake.
These were posters her friends Sammy and Carly made for her. We had soups that night. Madison's favorite soup is Cheesy Potato and her Aunt Denise made that and Aunt Maria made French Onion. They were both very good. I forgot candles for the cake and all that Denise had were these cool candles from the 60's that changed colors as they melted. Can't wait to see them again to find out how many colors they have in them. Then on Monday we went to RED ROBIN for birthday dinner with Grandma Richter.Things she got for her birthday: Samantha American Girl doll, book set and brush;

i-dog and i-dog carrier purse in pink;

Two littlest pet shop pets from her very loving brother;

a guitar, because she really does want to be a rock star!


Then we headed home for the night because Mommy for got one bag at home. A how to play guitar box and dvd, girly guitar pics, an all about me book and I think that is about it!

Happy Birthday Madison

We tried for a long time to have a child. I had two miscarriages and a surgery to correct problems before conceiving Madison. We were so excited to learn we were pregnant again. Shortly after finding out we were pregnant we got news that I was miscarrying again. I was devastated. We opted not to undergo surgery do to the recent procedure I had. This was such a blessing. Within a week I was feeling horrible. Sick all the time and soooo tired. I called the doctor to let them know how I was feeling and let them know that I had not started to miscarry yet. They sent me to the lab again and to their surprise my numbers were up and healthy. Apparently someone at the lab had miscalculated the numbers and that is why they thought I was going to miscarry. So happy news all was well.

During my pregnancy everything was fine. Although my mother in law tried to poison me with her meatloaf. (I got a mysterious rash after eating at her house one night). I had my worst day ever. (Mikes car broke down, hamster stitches, friend tell me he was gay, visit friend in psych ward, find out I had a girl cousin older than me, all in one day) Although the girl cousin thing was cool! Shout out to Christy, she is awesome!

At the end things were still good. The baby was very big so they decided to induce. I wanted her on November 1 because that was my grandmothers birthday but they could do it on the 3rd. So early that Friday morning we headed up to St. V's hospital and got all settled. I was given pitosen around 8 things were looking good around 12:30. The Dr. came in and broke my water. I started to really contract around 3. But at this time the Dr. had three emergencies so I missed my window for an epidural. So she was born at 5:33 Weighed 9 lbs. and 21 inches. We had a great couple of days in the hospital. We headed home and I just remember how scared I was. The whole way home I was worried that she would stop breathing in the car. I thought we were going to get into an accident. By the time we got home I was so exhausted from the worrying.

I nursed her for two weeks but she was always hungry. I started supplementing with Soy formula. At first she did not spit that up. But then she did. She spit up any time she ate. I found out later that due to my PCOS I can not nurse. I just don't have the milk production. I tried with her for four months. Feeding for hours sometimes but then having to supplement on top of that.

She was a fussy baby but not to bad. She smiled and giggled a lot. She was afraid of our house. Any time I would leave the living room she would crawl to the arch way and cry. She could see me through the whole house but she would not pass the living room. It was funny, but once she was about two that stopped.

I love Madison very much. She is such a sweet spirit. She gets along with anybody she meets. She is kind and caring. Sometimes her feelings are a bit tender but that just makes her who she is. She is bright and willing to learn. She loves school and her teachers. She has many, many friends. I can't wait to see what the future has for her.

Madison Smilebox

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I am saddened

So for the past two years or so, our family has been planning Madi's baptism. Not every day, I am not that psycho about it, but it has been in the works for a long time. Last month we went and got these really great shots for the invitations. I made Madi a necklace and bracelet to reminder her of this special day. Scriptures engraved, people asked to give talks everything is in place. Well, last night Mike was injured playing basketball. He tore his Achilles tendon. He came home limping and kind of checking things out to see if it was swelling. Well, he called me from work this morning asking me what Dr. he should go see. So I got him an appointment for later in the day. He came home with a imoblising splint on and crutchs. Not what I was expecting. I have to take him to the hospital in the morning for an MRI. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday. So, unless he does not get a cast, but I think that he will, he will not be able to preform the Baptism. But luckly we have a back up plan. It just breaks my heart a little knowing that Mike won't be able to do this for Madison. I know he was looking forward to it. At least he can give her the blessing! Hopefully he does well through the surgery and I can make it through a week with him home!!!

Baked Potato Wednesdays

So Wednesdays are really busy in our family. Sometimes there is PTO meetings after school, on those days the kids go to bowling. Then Madi has Dance class. My husband has church meetings and then basketball. And starting soon Madi will have Wednesday night activities twice a month. So dinner gets to be hard since There really is not much time to prepare or sit and eat. So therefore Baked potato Wednesdays!

I don't know if any of you have ever heard of One Potato Two. When I worked at Hagen Dazs at a mall in Las Vegas, thy had a One Potato Two and I would always get my lunch from there. I loved the pizza potato. They had much more but I did not venture to the seafood potato or the tuna potato. So I made some pizza potatoes for my kids one day and they loved it too. Once we were out of pizza sauce so I made some with chili on top and they ate that as well. So now we will have potato night.

I can bake some potatos earlier in the day leave them in the oven to stay warm and when we are home we can put the toppings on and have a quick hearty meal in a matter of minutes! Also, the best thing to put on the potatoes for some extra flavor is this French Fry seasoning. I get it at Big Lots! Awesome! I always eat the skins this way.

Some Topping ideas

Pizza- Pizza sauce, Mozzerella cheese, and Pepperonies (about 4) I use turkey pepperonies, they are a little healthier and have a great strong taste.

Mexican- Cheese and Salsa

Chili- Chilie and cheese, we add a little dollup of sour cream

Ground Beef- Brown beef in oil, crumblign beef with a fork. Add onion soup. Remove from heat and stir in paprika and sour cream.

Veggie- Broccoli and cheese

And any thing you can think of these are just some of the ones my family enjoys.

Update on Life Missing

I found them! Well Mike found them. What a good husband. 25 rolls of film hidden away in the garage. And now another two rolls have been located. So all in all I have 44 Rolls of film from 1999 to about 2005. That's when we got the really good digital camera. But now my big dilemma is the video. I have created three baptism videos for others plus a few others on my own. It was easier to see other peoples lives and make the videos and be excepting of the work that was done. In fact I really liked them. But now with this one, I don't know if its because I'm too emotionally involved that the inspiration is just not coming. I can't even pick out a decent song! aAAHHHH and its less than two weeks away.

Madison's Invitation

Conversations from the Van

I have found the best place for my kids to talk to me is in the Van. The funniest stories and comments are made when we are having conversations in the Van.

Madi: Why can't the school have lip synch anymore.
Me: They do, it's at the end of the year.
Madi: Oh it's not that talent is it?
Me: No, the talent show is different.
Madi: When can you do the lip synch?
Me: I think you have to be in 4, 5, or 6th grade to be in lip synch.
Madi: Can't you change that? You know you are the PTO president!

I had to laugh, mostly from the way she said it. I guess it's never to earlier to learn it's all about who you know!

Warning there is something lost in this photo!

We are certain it should be there but for some reason it is gone. Not sure what we are going to do with this unfortunate loss. It only took over 6 years to finally happen. The kids not excited at all! Can't ya tell.