He turns my heart into a puddle

For Valentine's Day Scott and I went downtown to our beautiful main street and found a restaurant to eat yummy food and enjoy conversation.  It was a good meal and good company.   We returned home to find this.

Chance needed a little snack.   Seeing things like this warm my heart.  One, because he washed the grapes.  Two, because he choose a healthy snack.   It is like a little return in my bucket of Motherhood.

February Pranksters

So Jordan and his buddy Nathan have been terrorizing  Sister C., one of the Young Women Leaders.    All because she fell asleep and never fulfilled her promise to TP the house for Jordan's 16 birthday slumber party.    During the Chili Cook-Off these nice boy scouts left the dining hall, took toilet paper from the closet and TP'd Sister Cannon's van.   The inside too, because it was unlocked!

Jordan and Nate-- where it all began

Sister C. started making plans to get back- the boys discovered the plans and conspired some innocents into driving them to the church while the RS was having an activity. 

In Sister C's words... 

"On Tuesday after a RS meeting I came out only to find that my car had been SARAN WRAPPED...no problem I recycle :-) The youth in our stake had a dance...I had arranged to attack the rooms of the two GUILTY young men. Britt was a very willing helper. I had arranged to do it as soon as the boys left for the dance so that I wouldn't be too late to the dance and arouse suspicion..."

"While at the dance and being teased constantly that I "suck" and that my "coolness" level had dropped I pulled out my camera and said "you guys want to see what I did tonight..." the boys went ash in the face and were totally shocked. It was a priceless moment and my "coolness" level was elevated once again(at least I like to think so)"

About an hour after Jordan's room had been vandalized in the name of love,  I looked in and innocently laying on the ribbons of TP was a yellow paper.  This was the message.   

Apparently Chance wanted to get in on the action and thought he could disguise his note as being from Sister C.   Can I just say I still can't stop laughing when I read it!

Weekend Hiatus

Where I was this weekend.  Without the family.

Left on early Friday and came back Sunday afternoon.   I went for some National Cub Scouting Training.  It was pretty rigorous,  all work from sunrise to bedtime.  I loved being surrounded by such great people.     

Where I learned and dined.   

Upon arrival

-- the scene-- 

We covered everything in those 4 inch binders.  The binder has followed me home--

My partners in crime... attendees from our council

About 6:55 am Saturday morning

The view outside the pavillion

Proof I was there,  I would go out during our breaks to get fresh air and soak in the scenery.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

It was raining on Sunday.   We stopped on the way out to get pictures!

Trudi and Mike-- These two say Hi.

Jack and Pat-- not construction workers, but dressed in Cubstruction Theme.  They were some of our instructors.   Did a fabulous job!  I really like Jack's John Travolta mosquito cheer.

We came to see the man in the brown suit.

Tuesday evening I skipped my Cub Committee Meeting (may I add that it went excellent without me!  :)  and we all went to see Uncle Dick (Scott's uncle, his Mom's brother) in San Jose.

Uncle Dick  (man in the brown suit)

He coaches the guys in the green.

Jordan did alot of this and Nathan did alot of texting.  Scott had a hotdog and Chance had some cracker jacks.

It was a good game-- with a close finish that had us cheering!

Picture taken right after the opposing team scored 2 points-- urrggg.  

And the final score-- urrgggg.

We then take the man in the brown jacket to his requested place of venue.  It is has been awhile since we have been also.   We all enjoyed it.  Uncle Dick paid--- Thank You!

We had good conversation and after sitting by Chance he decided that Chance may need to wait another year before he goes to Uncle Dick's B-Ball camp.  

Scott and his Uncle

It was a fun evening- one that brings memories back not only for Scott, but for us all.  When we lived in Ohio-  Dick was 2 1/2 hours away in Muncie Indiana.  We would attend as many games as we could.   We have kept that up by attending when his team plays in the bay area.  We just miss sitting by Diane and the kids.

We all adore Uncle Dick!  

Morning Negotiations with a 9 year old

He finally arrives down stairs dressed for school.   He eats the egg, starts on the Malt o Meal hot cereal... and this is where the boardroom negotiations begin.

 #1 "This has no flavor"

I try to fix it up with a little more flavor-- he doesn't like and heads to his room.

Get him back downstairs but says he will not be eating the 

"toxic slime".   I feed him Honey Bunches of Oats instead. 

 (you need to know when to fold)   

#2  Does not want to go to school and proceeds into a tirade about how it is a waste of his six hours!  The recesses are short...blah, blah, blah.   

"Oh, then you would miss your field trip today", I say.

-- blabber about waste of time ceases.

# 3 --Decides not to wear his new shoes because they make him look stupid.  

Frankly, I can't find his old shoes that are so, so worn out. 

 I vaguely remember taking them to the trash but rethinking that they may come in handy for a muddy adventure.  

I don't know where they ended up.   

He searches the house, 

I search the house. 

 I go into negotiations- 

how cool the new shoes are.

 (they are really cool- some hiking, running, cross training shoes that Jordan and Scott like).  He is convinced and gets one foot in, however smashes the back top down so it pokes into his ankle... takes them off saying they are uncomfortable and make him look stupid.  I can not convince him otherwise.  

We are back to looking for his old shoes.      

I say-- just wear my flip-flops.  

"You can't wear them to school!"  

Then wear your church shoes.  

"Then I would look MEGA stupid!"  

Wear my shoes (we are the same size).  Tries them on.  

 "These look stupid"  

You are right they do and look at your new shoes, they look different then these, they are so cool.   

(Are you following my negotiation tactics?)   

He soon comes to the realization that the new shoes are a good alternative to his other options.  Shoes on without further incident.

# 4  Not going to wear the rain jacket.  He hates the texture-- . 

 "But it is raining and you have a field trip today" 

 This one takes less time to work out.  He is convinced that it will be cool to wear it in the rain.

# 5  But as he walks outside he chastises me that it is barely raining and not enough to soak him.  I continue walking to the car with a "you never know, there could be a cloud burst and you would get drenched!"  He thinks about that and gets in the car.     As I we drive to school he reminds me never to feed him 

toxic slime again!  

 I agree. 

 

We pull in the school drive-- 10 minutes late-- all I am thinking is

 Hallelujah, he is here!  

Freedom for 6 hours!  

Hope his teacher has a good day.

On my way to being perfect!

For Christmas the Boys got me a waffle iron... not just any waffle iron though.  It is a Belgian Waffle maker.   I have been wanting to make Restaurant quality waffles since my JB's days.   Finally!  I found the perfect recipe and whip these big puppies up and the family gobbles them down.   Recipe found here...  but if you do not have a "belgian waffle" maker- they will not be the same.

To Party like a Rockstar!

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

Chance had a birthday party on January 24, his birthday.  We had gone back and forth on what to do for his day.  But he really wanted to have some friends over.  I was so grateful that his friends we able to come over with such little notice.   It went about the way I suspected.   Chance ruling over all and when we interrupted his fun- he spent about a 1/2 hour in his room pouting, his own choice.  We love this not-so-little-guy... and he needs lots of loving- lots of patience.

Picture above is playing guitar hero/band-- whatever it is called, his friends loved playing it... Chance not so much!

We partied with pizza, soda, and birthday cake with ice cream.   Just like Rockstars... right.   Ha, ha, Ha.  

And I must note... all the kids are in 3rd grade, in case you were confused by sizes discrepancies.  

Celebrating 20 Heart Days Together!

There are a few questionnaires going around facebook- this one crossed my path and I saved it for today. A little about my big hunk of a man and me. The questions were pre-selected, I just answered.  

Scott- picking me up for church-- Fall 1988

♥ What are your middle names? His-- Gordon Me-- was never given one, with the anticipation that when I married my maiden name would become my middle... which it did. But what if I was an old maid, I would be that mean bitty with no middle name.... so sad! Instead I am the mean bitty with a middle name-- completeness! I can sign my name as Karalene B. (last name)-- (however my hubby, before he was my hubby and was my fiance, gave me a beautiful set of scriptures with my name engraved on them... he left out the B. -- he did not score any

points with my Dad that day.)

♥ How long have you been together? Married 20 years on March 17-- met about 8 months before that. (Yes, my colors were green!)  

The beginning! Circa- July 1988

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? I had stayed in Price, UT between my two years of college. I got a job and moved out of the dorms into an apartment. I had a roomie who would lure the eligible men over with cookies. She was a social butterfly... I was much too shy. My shyness was mistaken for stuck-up... but it did not keep Scott away he just kept coming back and hanging out with all of us. We did all these group dates with just Scott and us girls. Eventually he wanted to go play basketball... only I played, sneaky guy he was. He lured me away from my roomies with his craftiness ...  

♥ Who asked who out? All him! Remember... I was too shy.  

♥ How old are each of you? He- 21, Me- 18

♥ Whose siblings do/ did you see the most? Hello, is that meant to hurt some one's feelings. I would see all my siblings and his sister every day if I could!  

♥ Do you have any children together? Oh we are truly blessed--- 2 boys! 7 years apart.  

♥ What about pets? Him and the boys- 3 cats, Me-- 0, at least that is what I like to think. But alas, my home has been overtaken by animals.  

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? Oh that is a loaded question...answering that will only get me into trouble. Lets just say that after almost 20 years of marriage we just ignore them all and say we are perfect! Works for me!  

♥ Did you go to the same school? Nope--- poor guy had to graduate from Carbon High School in Price. Lucky for him he found a catch who grew up in Blanding and went to SJHS. He married up alright!

 

♥ Are you from the same home town? Thank goodness NO--- all those people in our business.  

♥ Who is the smartest? Oh, we compliment each other to a T. We have our unique qualities-- I am computer illiterate and never wrong. He is a computer genius and is most often wrong. (smile honey, laughs are good for the soul)  

♥ Who is the most sensitive? What? At getting their feelings hurt. That depends on the subject, but know that I am always right.

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? We do not eat out much... for many a reason. I also have a severe adversion to restaurants during the dinner hour. I just can't seem to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. I feel anxious, like I need to go fill someones water or refill their drink. It has something to do with being a professional waitress for many, many years. Too many years. I still have waitress nightmares!  

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Ha, Ha, Ha.... Oh, it a serious question. Okay, when Scott graduated from college his family sent us to Disneyland to fulfill a long ago promise they made to him. They watched Jordan for us.... we really missed our Jordan! We have traveled to San Francisco... ALONE --- but it is only an hour BART ride away! Does distance get bonus points if you stayed overnight? However, we do many, many trips with the kiddos!  

♥ Who has the craziest exes? Must be him... remember, I was too shy.

♥ Who has the worst temper? Oh, that is one of those loaded questions again. We are way too mature to raise our tempers! 

♥ Who does the cooking? If it is the weekend-- the master of the grill may work his miracles... other then that I am the beloved chef in this house. The maker of all things yummy! 

♥ Who is more social? Did I mention that I am shy?  

♥Who is the neat Freak? Ha, Ha, Ha.... Did you not look up Scott in the dictionary. However, I am trying to cure him or least help him function in the world of us regular people. Neat Freaks! You said it not me!  

♥Who is the more stubborn? I am always right! And he inherited the stubborn gene! And contrary to popular belief we proved the critics wrong and are still married! You think I was going to let them tell me it was not going to last! Heck no. Stubbornness has it attributes!

♥ Who wakes up earlier? Like actually is alert and showered and dressed-- that would be him. But if you mean physically removes body from the bed FIRST although not coherent and will remain in Jamies as long as possible... on any school day, that is me.  

♥ Where was your first date? I guess I would have to say the Basketball court because that is where he finally was able to get me ALONE without the roomies. Too bad I whooped him in the game... or did I feign helplessness. I do not remember, but we know who rules in hoops--being stronger and taller does not count! But he did get me back when he hit the racquetball right into my eye as hard as he could when were playing racquetball... geez, how was I suppose to know that I was not suppose to look at the ball!  

♥ Who has the bigger family? Me hands down all the way around, and slap me a high five. Oldest of eight and it is great!  

♥ Do you get flowers often? Oh, my husband is a romantic-- lots of flowers--- But I am cheap! It creates anxiety for me because they just die... I want something living, something lasting and not too expensive please.  

♥ Who is more jealous? Jealous of what? The cats! And all the attention and princess talk he gives them. Not me!  

♥ How long did it take to get serious? A few months or so... I was all jokes and pranks and he played right along with it. I had all these future plans and they did not include marriage, at least for awhile. But he wooed me with his long eyelashes and his teddy bears and flowers. He sang me Depeche Mode's "Somebody" and I melted... and the rest is history.  

♥ Who eats more? Dang... who comes up with these? I will just say him! Unless there is Chocolate in the house then all bets are off!  

♥ Who does/ did the laundry? Ha, Ha, Ha.... Do you mean there are men out there who do this? Besides, I get paid big money to do all that laundry-- not in monetary funds however, but the best things in life are free. Think about it... they are!  

♥ Who’s better with the computer? I'm married to computer geek, I gave birth to computer geeks... I am set for life in Tech Support!  

♥ Who drives when you are together? Scott--it is the truck driver gene he has. I negotiate with the kids... which is actually the harder job, I eventually give up and just let them draw blood. You would think that 7 years between would be a recipe for brotherly love. But alas, it is where all wars begin.  

Happy Birthday Kyler!

Kyler means Bowman, Archer.  The name has Danish origins.

Kyler is my nephew, son of Marlo, my sister,  and Jared.  He is turning 5 today!   For some reason I am having a really hard believing that.   I just can't gather my mind around that Kyler is that old?   Time is such a blur....     

This is Kyler in October-- he has partnered up with his brother Easton in playing the game "nab the hot chocolate packet from Chance's pocket"    

September of 2007-- Kyler is the letter V-- it is for a tile that spelled love.

Today, if I was doing the same tile it would have to say "Loved".   And Kyler would be the V in the middle!  He is a outgoing child and a good boy.  I do not think he gives his Mom much troubles.    Which works very well for a Mother of 5 and child in the middle.   Kyler loves to dress-up in super hero costumes and he LOVES hanging out with his dad.  He is his Dad's shadow-- doing yardwork, putting up the Christmas lights, or whatever, he is there.  He must have his Daddy to go to sleep...but when he is out of town, Easton will do.  Kyler even cleans his Dad's toes!   

Happy Birthday Kyler!  I can not believe you are 5 and will going to Kindergarten in the Fall.   I bet your Mom is going to miss that time with you.   You have a special day and make a good wish before you blow out your candles-- big guy!  Love you, Aunt Karalene

36? 37? 40! Going once, going twice, Sold!

Our annual Chili Cook-off Fundraiser for summer camp was tonight.     Chance took his birthday money and spent it at the live auction.  He found it very exhilerating to raise his hand in the bidding process!   Here he is with his win... as you can see he has already tried the frosting!

I did not get the picture of the blue chin-- but it was stained blue I assure you after his little treat.

Jordan hanging out... away from me.  After taking these pictures I made arrangements to get the boys' haircuts...  Jordan has such a head of hair.   He really can not go more then 3 weeks without a hair cut. It has been about 5-6 weeks since the last cut!  Chance has not had a cut since the November.. he can last longer, but it is now time.

See that beautiful smile?  Bought and paid for!

Scott at the payment table.

Just missing a picture of me :(  I did intend to get a picture of all of us.  It is not often that we are in uniform at the same time.

Look... he is not adopted after all!

Conversation with Chance...

 "Is Jordan adopted?"   

What makes you think he is adopted? 

"Because he has dark skin".

The 1st is Jordan-- my 16 year old.
The 2nd is my Grandpa--around 20 years old
The 3rd is my Husband-- around 20 years old.

The other day I showed the picture of my Grandpa to Scott and asked him who it looked like... he said "Jordan!" I thought the same... then Scott pulled the 20 year old picture of himself and we saw a resemblance there also.  All three of the them look like they are related... but I assure you Scott is only related to my Grandpa through me... my Grandpa and his ancestors lived no where near Scott's family and ancestors.  Just want to make that clear.  

I will need to revisit this in a few more years and compare their mission pictures together; Scott, Jordan, and my Grandpa.  Then we will see if there is still a likeness.

This post is not only about uncanny resemblance to my son... but in honor and celebration of my Grandpa's 94th birthday!  

A few memories of my Grandpa...  I loved coming to LA to visit him and Grandma.  LA had this special smell that I loved.  (car pollution, orange blossoms, and the ocean breeze, Yum!)  When he visited us in Utah he was so handy.   One time he brought some used bicycles for Kirk and I.   He fixed them and we rode them for days... so fun.  We would go around and around the Dairy oval driveway.   If something did not work right, he fixed it.  The day Grandma and him went back to California those bikes broke down... they never worked the same again.  

After Grandma passed away, visiting California was not quite the same.  I distinctly remember having breakfast and the milk had gone sour.   Two things... Grandpa drank buttermilk and he was not wasteful.    

Grandpa has a fantastic memory.  As time has gone on his hearing has diminished to the point he is deaf.  The internet has been a fantastic tool in bringing the world to him and giving him the ability to communicate with others and loved ones.

My Grandpa is a Chemical Engineer.  In his retirement he funded a program at BYU to convert newspaper to car fuel.

  

This is an email that he sent out in regards to the cost of gasoline- dated Nov. 2005

I see gas down in Carson is $2.579 ! Here it is $2.729 !

A lot of stations are posting over $3.00 It makes me frustrated to think of all the waste paper that is fuel: 10 lbs.= BTU of 1 gallon of gasoline. It is worth at best 10-15 cents! The technology is there to do it but no $$$ behind it!  I spent almost $100,000 toward it but OPEC didn't want to fund any further research. The Navy spent millions on a project that converted de-inked newspaper into cellulose, then hydrolyzed it into glucose, fermented that to ethanol, then pyrolyzed that to a fuel about like gasoline. What a waste of energy! Direct combustion of the paper would avoid all that processing ! The petroleum industry won that one BIG!

Francis

His Brilliance-- it shines through to my sons! Do you know that?  Well it does!   

Because I like Bags!

This site is having a giveaway and this is my shout out!  (I get more chances to win by sharing it with my readers!)   Isn't that tote absolutely beautiful?!  It is called "Raspberry Truffle"  She makes them herself-- even better.