So long President Hinckley...

Wow, it's hard to believe President Hinckley is gone. He was one of those that just felt like he would be here forever. How wonderful though for him to be reunited with his wonderful wife. I remember when I received my mission call it was signed by President Benson. Then he passed away while I was in the MTC and President Hunter was the new Prophet. I was blessed to be there at the MTC when Pres. Hunter came and spoke to us. He was only Prophet for a short couple of months and then died. Then President Gordon B. Hinckley became our next wonderful Prophet. He has done so much for the Church. What an amazing man.

Flashback Friday

My Marlee's Kindergarten Graduation. This was already 2 1/2 years ago. Gotta love Marlee's "Fiesta-like" dress ~ she picked it out herself. My Marlee is such a special little girl. I love you my angel girl!!!

Fight or Flight ~ I chose to...

FIGHT!!!

I can not believe what happened to Marlee, Ian and I last night. We have the kids take their swimming lesson through our local gym, "The Courthouse." It's a really nice place and they have 2 pools and have been remodeling for the last year. They are almost done with the renovations thanks goodness and the change is amazing.

Posted on the doors to the Men's and Woman's Locker Rooms it states no kids over 4 of the opposite sex allowed. Now, mind you these signs have been taken down due to the remodeling as there are no "Family" locker rooms until the remodel is completed. With this being said, of course I had Ian in the locker room with me last night. Marlee and him finished swimming lessons at 8:30pm and since they are in the later class due to smaller class sizes I like to get them showered and into jammie's before we walk out the door. Especially since it's been so bitter cold here.

Well, to make a very long story short, here is what happened. Ian is showered and dressed, we are in the far corner away from all other stalls. Ian is sitting basically in the corner staring at the wall-not looking at anyone. An older woman probably in her late 60's comes up behinds me and the following attack takes place:

Lady: "How old is your son? No one over 4 is allowed in here-you are breaking the rules and I want him out of here now".

Me: I whip my head around, totally dumbfounded by what I have just heard. I say, "Excuse me??? Who in the HEDouble hockey sticks do you think you are?" Ok, I know I shouldn't allow the potty mouth to come out but give me a break. Who do you think you are??? THE LOCKER POLICE???

Lady: "I will call the authorities," then she moves forward to grab Ians arm to escort him out of the locker room. Oh boy-wrong choice lady!!! My Mama Bear Claws came out and sunk down in deep to her verbally.

ME: Seriously-how irresponsible would I be to allow a little 5 yr old boy go into the men's locker room all by himself? There could be child molesters who knows in there and I would never take a chance like that. I lost it and went off on the woman.

Lady: "Mam-get control of yourself mam!"

ME: I got right in her face and I visibly scared her-my nose was only a couple of inches from hers. I said, "Touch my child and you will regret it." Wow, did I really say that-I meant it too!!! I have never had so much adrenalin rushing through me all at one. It was insane. So to end the story the lady was just not shutting up. Finally a worker came in after hearing all the commotion and took Ian out for me. I had told the old lady and the employee that I would be out in less than 2 minutes. But that wasn't good enough for the lady. So the employee went out with Ian-I went to the bathroom and took Marlee out to be with Ian and the Employee. The Employee apologized over and over again-saying what a crazy lady and took all my info and was going to have the manager call me. Well, if any of you truly know me you know I kinda like to have the last word. So after the employee told me the rule doesn't apply during construction I ran back in the locker room by myself. I couldn't find her at first-she was in the back totally buck naked. I stared right at her and said, "by the way-if this is how you are with your own children or grandchildren I would report you for neglect. I am a mandatory reporter and leaving a 5 year old child to himself in a mens locker room is totally irresponsible. Also, you are incorrect-the rule does not apply during the remodeling as there are no family changing facilities available." Of course I should probably have hung my head low because I told her to stick it where the sun doesn't shine many times. In the future I should probably just say nothing. Because, wow baby, my blood was boiling. It took me an hour for my body to physically chill out after we got home. I have never felt that way before. Don't mess with me and my family boy-you'll get it!!! :)

Maybe I'll see her next week...Stay tuned for the next crazeee lady experience. LOL

Flashback Friday

Ok Niki-I stole this idea from you. :) I thought it would be fun to do this on my blog. I have so many old photos so I will post old photos every Friday.

So my first flashback Friday is pics from the arrival of Ian. In grabbing photos off the old computer to put onto a disk last night for this post Ian and Marlee were looking at the photos with me. It was so touching because Ian was starting to get choked up looking at himself when he was so little. Then once I showed him the picture of Marlee and I making him a onesie shirt he started balling. My sweet little boy-my kids are always making me melt. I asked why he was crying and he couldn't even talk-so I just held him and said to him, "did you know how much we loved you before you were even born?" He just shook his head yes and hugged me harder and then got up and hugged Marlee Kaye. I am so blessed to have such wonderful children that aren't afraid or embarrassed to show their emotions.
~Marlee & Mommy making a onesie for Ian and a hat for Big Sister Marlee~



~The Big Day arrived~

~Ready to have my boy~

~Our New Baby~

~Marlee looking at her new little brother - "Ohhh...so ute!"~


~Marlee wanting to stay with Mommy-being a good girl and relaxing with her blankie~

~Our Lil' Man Ian~

My Marlee Girl is 8

10-18-08 Can you believe Marlee is 8? I can't believe it. Where does time go? I mean really it seems like just yesterday when she was born. I wanted a little girl so bad and I wanted her to have red hair and blue eyes. I got exactly what I wanted and more. Marlee made me a Mother and being a Mom is one of my most precious blessings. Sure, I won't kid anyone-some days I want to pull my hair out, but the good definitely out ways the bad. Of course turning 8 for Marlee was incredibly special because it meant she could make the choice to be Baptized and become a member of The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Which she did. I will do a post this weekend of her Baptism as those pictures are on the other camera. But I will post some pictures from her birthday. She chose to have a High School Musical Birthday and had 5 of her girlfriends stay the night. Since H.S.M. II had just come out 2 weeks earlier they watched Number I & II that night. We had pizza and lots of popcorn, snacks & Pop. They played some games and had a good time. We had a small get together as a family and here are the pics from that.
~High School Musical...What more can you say~

~Ahh...I Love it~

~Marlee loves anything to do with Animals~

~Dancing, Dancing, Dancing - to the tune of Sleeping Beauty-you get this right Auntie Anne? (Marlee has always been in love with Princess Aurora/Briar Rose~


~Hannah Montana Musical Card with Concert Tickets inside~

~"NO WAY - MY OWN IPOD SHUFFLE - AWESOME!"~

Ian's First Bee Sting...

This happened on the 4th day of Kindergarten while playing on Recess. My Lil' Man was so brave and wasn't crying until the office put me on the phone with him. Then he burst into tears. It melted my heart~he said,"Mama will you please come get me?" How could I say no!?! It was already 11:05 and Kinder is out at 11:30 so he was only missing snack. Poor little guy-the Bee stung him right on his ear. You are a brave boy Ian Beean (one of his nicknames).

Uncle Rich & Aunt Lisa's Visit to Oregon

Back in September Doug's Brother Rich and our sister in-law Lisa came to visit. They were traveling out here from California for Lisa's Birthday week. They just stayed one night but we enjoyed having them here and so did the kids. Rich and Lisa were married exactly one year after us. We all lived in Provo so we saw each other frequently and have great memories from those times. So here are some pictures from their visit.
~Rich and Lisa~

~Marlee & Ian with Uncle Rich & Aunt Lisa~

~Playing Around~

~Rough Housing~

~Hugs~

~Saying Goodbye~

~We hope you guys come back to visit soon!~

Ian's First Day of Kindergarten

It's still hard to believe that my baby is in Kindergarten. Here he is posing in front of our new house. It's fun to think that there will be many more photo's taken here.



Ian's AWESOME big sister holding his hand while they walk to school.



In front of their school ~ West Salem Language Academy at Harritt Elementary.




In his classroom with his teacher Senora Kathy Stewart (my good friend & daycare parent & Marlees kinder teacher too).






Final pics from that day.

New Posts and New Goals ~ HAPPY NEW YEAR

Well, this is the year. I love Ali Edwards~she is a Celebrity Scrapbooker. Anyway on her blog this year she has chosen a word to remind her all year of her goals etc. So can anyone guess what mine is??? I am so predictable aren't I ~ you guessed it ~ SIMPLICITY. That's my word for the year. That's what I am focusing on all year. So in my attempts to catch up on my blog I am starting back at the beginning and am going to post Marlee and Ian's First day of school photos. I will also include current posts as well.
So here we go~