What Is Your Favorite Quote?

I'm having a little problem trying to decide on 2 quotes to put up in Ben's bedroom. His room has a sports theme and I've been looking everywhere for a few quotes that are inspiring, short and appropriate for a little boy's room. Here's my list:

1. Float like a butterfly; sting like a bee.

2. Just do it.

3. There is only one way to succeed in anything and that is to give it everything.

4. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

5. In the world where you can be anything, be yourself.

6. To win without risk is to win without glory.

7. Where you start is not as important as where you finish.

Please tell me your top 2 favorite votes or add if you have any additional quotes that would work, I'm up for suggestions! Thanks for the help!

A Shout Out

This is a quick shout out to my very impressive brother-in-law who scored himself a great job with the FBI and NOW...finds himself a major celebrity!! Check it out!! My awesome, quick-witted, quiet, but always entertaining brother-in-law is on the far right. Isn't he HOT?! It's all in the right pair of sunglasses! Sorry ladies, this one's taken. I'll spare you all the details about why the FBI is arresting this felon (not a happy story), but let's just say...there's one less criminal on the loose! I can't believe it, I'm related to a celebrity. TMZ here I come!

Keeping Track Of Your Kids

As I out number myself more and more, I've found that at times it can be difficult to keep track of all my little chicks. Here's a great little website that provides personalized "temporary tattoos" that you can put on your kids. You can add things like you cell number, your name, etc... I think this would be a great thing to apply to the kids when traveling to large amusement parks, busy zoos, or even a long day at the pool and park. Check it out, click here.

I'm A Good Boy!

Although Ben is a boy of few words (literally, he doesn't say much...pointing and babbling are his "go to" forms of communication). But holy cow is this kid smart. Everything I say to him, he understands. He knows where to throw his dirty diapers away, he brings things to me when I ask, he'll even throw a temper tantrum when I explain he has to sit in his booster and not at a regular chair with the girls.

Even with all of these my favorite thing that he does all on his own is when it comes to a dirty diaper. At 1 1/2 years old, he's already impressed me. Recently I came inside the house after talking to a neighbor outside. Right by the door was a diaper and wipes. Ben was banging on the front window. After putting 2 and 2 together, I asked him if he had poop. So he smiled, ran to me and laid down at my feet. I guess that's a YES!

Ben is such a good boy!

Announcement #1 B.A.A.

I'd like to make the first official announcement to the B.A.A.

Since I have recently moved away from all of my favorite bookstores and no longer live within the boundaries of a "highly" stocked library, I've resorted to other means of finding my next good read or bookclub assignments. Plus with gas prices on the rise I have justified shopping on the internet more and more. If you too are in my "BOAT". I recommend shopping for books on "half.com" (sponsored by ebay). I have found used books there for MUCH cheaper then amazon and other sources!! Now go out and BUY!

Meeting adjourned.

A Bad Case Of The Why Me's

Today I was caught in one of the infamous mid-west summer storms. I was enjoying a quick "catch-up" with my g-friends from D-town at the popular Chick-fil-A. When we all noticed the ugly black clouds moving in with some major wind gusts. We all stopped what we were doing, said "Oh, crap!" and started rounding up the kids. Because we all know that putting a truck load of kids in a car is 1,000 times worse when it's raining!!

We said our quick goodbyes with promises of another playdate and took off back home. Within 2 minutes it starts to rain. And when I say rain, I mean cats and dogs with sheets of rain pelting the car. Plus the wind is so strong I grip the wheel with all my strength while I watch the rain come at horizontal striations across the windshield.

"Mom, why am I getting wet?" Syd exclaims from behind me.

"Oh, you're fine!" I answer. Annoyed at the distraction.

But then I remember that my drivers-side window doesn't work and is sitting about 1/2 inch "unshut". Yep, she's right! She is getting wet and so am I. The rain pounds it's way through the crevice and drips profusely on me. Ugh! I search the car frantically during a red light for some saving grace. I spot an old stuffed dog. I guess that will do. I shove it against the window, but only slightly minimizing the drops. After about 5 minutes my arm begins to loose feeling and I frustratingly chuck the toy against the seat next to me.

"Bam, Bam, Bam".

What the heck is that??

For some odd reason the passenger side windshield wiper starts slamming against the side of the car instead of doing it's proper job. It's like it's having some type of temper tantrum. "No please don't make me wipe the water!"

The noise gets incessantly louder. It's all I can hear. It fills my ears. Like the pounding of my heart, the pounding of the rain and now the pounding of the weak, limp wiper.

Crud, why is there a red light flashing on my dashboard?? Yep, there goes that "low coolant" light that insistently mocks me for no reason. It's been teasing me for about 3 months. The level is fine, but who wants to see a red light on their dash?? It mocks me. Constantly reminding me that this car is way past it's prime. I slow to 20 miles an hour. Just to avoid being pulled left and right from the large puddles of water that are collecting along the sides of the road. Then I start to recall the "baldness" of the tire treads. SOOOO please help me, if those don't hold up now and we hydroplane or have a blowout I-will-loose-it!

This is when I kick myself for not taking Erin up on her offer to wait the storm out at her house. And now I find that we have hit the "not-so" good part of D-town as I make my way to the freeway. I can't even pull over. Who knows what kind of person will come along. I trudge forward. My mind flashes through all of the things making this moment one of the worst in my life. I decide to call Larry.

Hoping for some sympathy he does try toempathizes...only slightly, since he's distracted with the daily grind of his job. He admits that he can hear the wiper.

"It's pretty loud". He states. No kidding!?

I quickly ditch that conversation and call my sister. She at least adds some "I'm sorrys" and puts inflections of sadness in her tone of voice. I now admire that the left side of my body is almost fully soaked. I hang up with her to start improvising! I pull out the sunshade and lean it against me to catch the rain. That's a little better.

As I crawl through slum-land the passenger wipers final gives up and lays quietly still. Now I can think. But my mind is full of why now? why me? I'm a good person. My hubby is a smart guy. We have an OK job. We have kids. We go to church. We pay our tithing....

Then it hits me. I have to get on a freeway. And there's no way around it. I am going to have to press my luck and cruise along a 2 lane road, sharing it with truckers and their over-powering back spray. This isn't going to be fun. I need to refocus myself. This could be worse, right?

-My window could be stuck down instead of almost all the way up.

-The driver-side wiper could have pooped out instead of the passenger-side.

-I could have no car at all.

-I have avoided all types of accidents so far.

-Ben could be screaming instead of sleeping.

The list goes on. Bam, Bam, Bam!! The sleeping wiper has awoken again and tries to slam it's self to life. Thankfully this only goes on for a minute before it gives up and dies. To keep myself distracted from the passing cars that are newer and much faster then mine, I start to write this blog in my head. Thinking of funny ways to make light of the stressful situation. Good ol' Gurvine coping skills!

Emma starts to sing. It gets louder. I try to put my right arm into the back seat to snap my fingers at her. To remind her that Ben is sleeping. Instead I bump the horridly placed cup holders, in which and open bottle of A&W Rootbeer sits. It falls and starts to spill down my right side. Now I'm wet on the left and sticky on the right. Fabulous! I fall short of getting upset at Emma and just let out a huge puff of air. Keeping my explosion tamed, for now.

Clements Rd 3/4 of a mile. YES! Only a short way to go to our exit. I start to loosen my muscles that have been tensed for 45 mins. A 25 min trip has tacked on an extra 20 because of the unrelenting storm. Thoughts of home bring up flashes of previous instances where rain has been my nemesis. Oh yes, can't forget the leaky roof. I probably have a puddle on the kitchen floor by now. Sweet! Just what I need.

As I pull into my garage. Again, thankful I have some where dry to park. I release my death grip from the faded steering wheel and flex my fingers, leaving imprints. We made it! Now...I have to pee.

Rachel, out!

Happy Father's Day

This year Father's Day has taken on a whole new meaning. After contemplating many of the past 5 years of this holiday celebration for Larry I have realized that he has truly gotten the SHAFT. Being pregnant over the past "many" years I have put forth the minimal amount of effort just to get by. Thus resulting in presents such as "worlds greatest dad" t-shirts, home-made cards, dinners with the main dish a BBQ item that Larry has to grill, store bought chocolate cakes, etc...the list goes on. This year was no better either. On the other hand, even if I'm pregnant I still get special treatment all day long on Mother's Day. Poor Larry still has to do his part in entertaining the kids, changing diapers, and helping with the bedtime process.

Which is probably why this year Larry took control of his present and brought home a great deal on a big TV. Just in time to enjoy the NBA finals on a much LARGER screen. Smart man!

But just to save face, I would like to say...that if we had more $$ in the bank I wouldn't hesitate to purchase NBA finals tickets and an airline ticket to get there for the BEST Father's Day gift ever!! Well at least the bar has been set so low for Father's Day expectations that it can only go up from here, right?!

And for my own Father who is the endless pit of advice and knowledge. A special shout out to you for being a great Dad. Just please promise us that you'll take it easy on these HOT summer days and keep your memory a little more intact!! We need you around a lot longer!!

B.A.A.

Is anyone willing to admit that they need to belong to B.A.A.?

Well I am. As my family can fully admit that when I start reading a book. And if it's a good one. I don't put it down. Really! I started Stephenie Meyer's new book "The Host" on Monday evening. I finished it at noon today, Wednesday. Did I mention it's 616 pages? I think the TV was literally on the whole day on Tuesday...babysitting my kids. This is why I only read a book once every 2 weeks. I can't help myself. I become a zombie totally addicted to the plot-line. It's even hard for me to pop out of the story after putting the book down. Despicable, I know? Is there anyone else out there needing to join the "Book-Addiction-Anonymous" club? Meetings are TBA.

One Down Five To Go

With not much happening on the home front I seek to find entertainment through decorating and upgrading things around the house. Personally I wish I had me some "Mary Poppins Snapping Skills" that would do most chores for me...but with that blessing being with held from me (go figure) many of my projects take time, and major planning to accomplish. The recent project has been recovering the kitchen table chairs. Now I'm sure most of you are like "how much planning can that really require?" Here's the break down:

1. Get so annoyed with the nasty blue & purple 80's valore that you must recover them!

2. Watch your kids spill many drinks on the ugly seats that make you realize you really can't just wash it off.

3. Find a fabric and estimate how much you'll need.

4. Wait for a fabric coupon in the mail so that you can save $$.

5. Make a trip to fabric store without any kids so that you don't go NUTS. Find fabric that matches home decor, select clear plastic for covering fabric and pick out extra batting to make the seats more comfortable.

6. Wait at the "CUTTING" table for 30 mins in line because Saturdays are TOTALLY busy.

7. Find a "naptime" that you can unscrew a chair and cut out all of your fabric, plastic and batting.

8. Purchase a staple gun.

9. Complete one chair.

So here is my one completed chair. And yes it took me about a month to get to this point. I know that plastic looks really "old lady", but it's another fact that comes along with kids. And now with one chair done, all of the piece cut and ready to go and my back numb and sore from bending over...the other 5 chairs will wait for Larry to come home. (thanks honey) Some day we'll restain or paint the wood too. However, I think we'll leave that for...another month!! (because that takes planning)

Picture Quiz

Thanks to Kelly for this super fun quiz. Pictures are my favorite things! I love photography! And that just makes this quiz more FUN!

The rules:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.

b. Using only the first page, pick your favorite image.

c. Copy and paste the html into your blog, or download/upload the image.

1. What is your name?

Rachel

2. What is your favorite food?

Eegee's grinder, slushes and ranch fries!

3. What school did you go to?

University of Arizona

4. What is your favorite color?

teal

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

Michael Vartan

6. What is your favorite drink?

Lemonade

7. What is your dream vacation?

Paris, France

8. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Old, Happy & Married

9. What is your favorite dessert?

Peach Cobbler & Ice Cream

10. What do you love most in life?

Family

A Day In The Life

Completely inspired by my cute friend Jenn, I'm going to journal a day in the life of me...just so that I can remember what life is like for me at this point. Here it goes:

3:00am: Syd is standing by my bed. She says she's scared. Mentally I'm rolling my eyes. Note to self, no more Scooby Doo unless it's the "pup" version. I convince her to go the bathroom and help snug her in bed. I promise to leave the door open.

3:03am: Emma is standing by my bed. Ugh. I tell her to go the bathroom and then walk her back to her bed.

6:30am: Emma is standing by my bed. I remind her to check her clock and that it's not 7 yet. She leaves. I roll over.

6:45am: Emma is back. Gosh she's persistent. I ignore her. She bugs Larry instead. He graciously gets up, walks her downstairs and turns on the TV.

7:15am: I hear Larry turn on the shower. I guess I should get up too. Throw on some 5 year old ugly nightshirt that's not meant for a pregnant women and stumble downstairs. Emma wants breakfast. "I hungry!" Sydney is already up too. I decide that cereal is getting old especially since that's what they ate for dinner last night. (hey, it's what they wanted!)

7:20am: Eating Ego's by myself. Girls complained and complained they didn't want waffles. Surprised and seriously annoyed, I say too bad and eat alone. After 2 bites I hear Ben. Shovel the rest down and lug myself back upstairs.

7:25am: Change Ben's diaper. He's already pooped. Not the morning wake up call I was looking for. After released he runs to Larry. He won't leave him. Larry struggles to finish getting ready with Ben on his hip. I kind of don't feel sorry for him. I do it all the other hours of the day.

7:35am: Look in the mirror. I need a shower, but we might go to the pool after a quick trip to the grocery store. Put off the shower, get dressed, spray on deodorant, put hair in ponytail, brush teeth.

7:40am: Larry's in a rush, quick family prayer, Ben cries at front door for him. Sigh! I tempt him with Breakfast and he follows happily. The girls are now hungry enough to eat waffles. I won! I make waffles for the kids and tell them we are heading out to the grocery store right after breakfast.

7:55am: Wash off Ben, breakfast dishes. Put away clean dishes and load it again. The girls come down dressed. I ask Syd to go back up and get some clothes for Ben too. Dress Ben.

8:30am: Finally putting everyone in the car. After doing hair, teeth and one last potty break. Ben wants to sit in the front seat. Not again!

8:45am-9:30am: Zoom through grocery store, avoiding the warehouse atmosphere of Wal-mart. Happy with fresh produce prices...everything else...not so happy with. Milk $4.00, yuck it's cheaper at Wal-mart, by-pass it. See frame changer hooks. Sweet I need some for a project. Get kids suckers because they were pretty good. At least they are quiet the whole way home!

9:45am: Pull in garage. Say Hi to neighbor next door. He's sanding furniture. Reminding me of another project I need to finish. Unload grocery's. Hand out snack bags to kids. Leave out cans for dinner prep later.

10:00am: Call Natalie, agree it's too windy and overcast for the pool. Even though it's hot out. We'll hang out later after naps. Relived to talk to an Adult.

10:05am: Call Natalie again. She mentioned going to Wal-mart. I ask her to pick up milk for me. Sweet, saved myself another trip out.

10:15am: Vacuum downstairs and stairs. Now I'm sweating. Ew. Drop A/C temp. Girls ask to play dress up. I only agree to one dress at a time. Hopefully limiting the mess.

10:45am: Check email. See list of songs for Primary on Sunday. Practice a few. Cake. Blog some cute pic's of Ben. Syd and Emma want turns on computer too.

11:15am: Kids are hungry. Dig out meat and cheese. I reluctantly let each kid make their own, hoping it will inspire them to eat. I even treat Emma to pickles. She's the hardest to persuade to eat lately.

11:30am: Syd is done, except for the usual no crusts. Emma is taken one bit of sandwich and eaten all her chips. Sigh! Ben is eating everything in sight. What a boy.

11:45am: Ben is crabby. Emma is half way done. I heat up left over Mexican food from last night. Hopefully Larry wasn't planning on eating it. Prego trumps, doesn't it? Quickly swallow food. Heat up milk for Ben in sippy for nap time. Tell Emma to eat the insides of the sandwich if she wants to get down.

12:30pm: Ben is down. Emma finishes. I throw meatballs and sauce in crock pot. Happy. I love this meal! Get out crafts for Syd and Emma that are only around when Ben is out of the picture.

12:45pm: Start girls on plastic stained-glass painting. They take turns playing computer games and painting. Switching limits my work and their arguing. I get out my painted black mirrors and heat up the hot glue gun. Time to finally finish this project by gluing on the hooks found at store.

1:30pm: Admire the hanging mirrors in the "almost" finished 1/2 bath. The girls OOhh and AAhh too. Clean up everyones projects, check emails. Shock, is bookclub tonight?!? Totally spaced it. Should I go? Naw, the Laker Game is on and I'm lazy.

2:00-3:00pm: Put 2day old laundry away, chat/email Larry about getting paperwork together for "Air Check Texas". I remind him of dinner plans so he doesn't repeat for lunch. Girls want snack.

3:15pm: Call Natalie. Chat about random things...make plans to meet up when kids wake up. Call Gene, bummer machine. Leave message about music for Sunday Sacrament meeting. It's coming fast and practice is necessary.

3:45pm: Have I showered yet? Doorbell rings. Nat and Cameron got here first. Ben is still asleep, weird? Kid's play, Mom's chat.

3:50pm: Michelle calls, am I going to bookclub? Sigh...nah I still feel to lazy. But feel bad about ditching.

4:00pm: Send girls upstairs to play.

4:15pm: Ben squawks. Syd lets him out. Set him up for snack and drink. He follows the girls around.

5:00pm: Start peeling potatoes for dinner. Nat leaves. Kids want dinner. I tell them to wait for Dad. Erin tries to call on cell. T-mobile out hear STINKS. I can't hear, call drops.

5:15pm: Dinner is almost done. Mashed Potatoes, green beans, and Meatballs. I'm starved.

5:30pm: Larry walks in, we eat. Erin sends text. Am I going to bookclub? Ugh!

5:45pm: I mention bookclub to Larry, he sighs. I tell him I think it's at 8pm since it's just dessert. That softens the blow. At least I can help with the kids.

5:55pm: Dinner clean up. I call Michelle to tell her I'm going to bookclub. She laughs. She tells me to meet up at 6:30. WHAT? Crud, it's at 7pm. I tell Larry. I remind him of mutual nights. He takes it in stride and I offer to start the kids in the bath.

6:05pm: Syd and Ben are in my bath. I look in mirror. YUCK, I still didn't shower. Very unattractive. I know I don't have time, but I have too. I jump in talking to Syd to keep her entertained and remind Ben to sit down.

6:20pm: Emma runs up and says she and Dad have a surprise downstairs. I run around throwing myself together. Yep, I'm late. I hate that! I yell down to Larry if he's coming up with Emma. He says give them 1/2 a minute, they made Rice Crispy treats. I run down anyway telling Syd to watch Ben.

6:30pm: Cursing slow cars on freeway while I book-it (no pun intended) to Michelle's.

6:45pm: Jump in the car with Michelle. Thankfully no traffic to Dallas.

7:15pm: Arrive at Breadwinners. We're first. Shocker, we never start on time!! Enjoy great company, good food, and a great deep topics from " My Sister's Keeper". I think this one sparked more deep thoughts for me then most other books. Would I, could I make a genetic predetermined child to save another?

10:05pm: Finally home. Larry's pacing the floor. It's the 4th quarter and the Lakers are down. Bummer. He's in no mood to talk. I try to spark a few conversations. Ask a few questions. He's too into the game. I hear the dishwasher. What a hubby, he started it!! I hear the washer. I ask him why he started a load. Apparently Syd didn't have any underwear. I shrug and tell him that both girls can share, since they are the same size. But still grateful that he's thoughtful. Points for him. He mentions the mirrors. Another point. He's a keeper!

10:20pm: Larry remembers he hasn't take Emma the bathroom, 1 last time. I make some milk for my nightly pill ritual. Larry comes down and says Emma's wet. But it will have to wait until the game is over. I tell him no, because I don't want her to get her comforter wet too and that I'll do it.

10:25pm: Emma is cleaned, bed is cleaned. Start singing songs to get grumpy bear back to sleep. Larry shows up. It must be a time-out. He takes the dirty pile downstairs. Mr. Thoughtful!

10:30pm: The game is over. Lakers lose. We lock up and head upstairs. He reminds me he won't be home tomorrow after work. He's staying with a sick YM all night. Tomorrows going to be a long day.

10:45pm: I watch news, start to dose. Larry's taking a shower. Cover my head with a pillow. Rachel, out!

11:55pm: Syd is next to the bed. She's scared. Not again!

The Many Faces of Ben

While the girls enjoyed themselves immensely at their Primary Activity, Ben suffered being strapped in a stroller for 90% of the time. These are the few captured moments of Ben enduring...

Won't anyone let me out?

Hey you...over there...HELP!?

Now it's my turn to push.

There's a ball...and I must have it.

Peek-a-boo

Primary Activity

The girls were so excited about this up and coming Primary activity, "Splish Splash Scripture Bash". Everyday they would ask if it was "Scripture Day". Finally on the much anticipated day I couldn't get the girls away from the back door, just waiting for me to say it was time to go. The Primary Leaders did a great job at pumping the kids up for this special day. For the past few months they have been adding candy to a jar and promising if they were reverent enough to get it completely full they would be the proud winners of an Ice Cream Party. This alone was just pushing those kids over the edge!!

After dividing off the kids to Jr and Sr Primary they took them off to different stations to learn about stories in the scriptures. First was:

After a brief summary of the story the kids were told to help dig up the hidden swords just like the 2,000 young men did.

Hidden in the sand were 24 plastic swords the kids were told to find!

They also enjoyed being able to hide them for the Sr. Primary!

Activity #2:

Thanks to a gracious Hubby, we had our very own Goliath for the kids to fight.

Each kid got a pile of peas and a spoon to chuck at Goliath.

This was pretty hysterical!

Even shiny foil armor and sword decked-out this very scary Goliath.

Activity #3:

With colored head-bands secured it's time for war!

The blue team is armed and ready...with water balloons.

The red team is lookin' a little more experienced. I wonder who will win?

Activity #4:

With teams established (girls vs. boys) the kids set off to find 2 of each animal.

Emma shows off how many she found!

Activity #5:

The kids love this story, but were surprised to find that they were actually going to pretend to be in a whale! What great imaginations!

Swallowed up!

Time to be spit out.

Activity #6:

What a challenge! Come on kids lets part the sea!

I've never seen kids try so hard.

Thankfully they soon gave up and realized God must of had a hand in it!

Instead they raced to blow balls across the water.

Activity #7:

Lastly they fought another brave dad (I mean Lamanite).

He looks extremely confident that nothing will hit him, doesn't he?

If only these darn guns shot further!

Unfortunately, after much diligence, they didn't have much success.

But they did have a great time trying! Thanks for all the hard work to the Primary Presidency. We all had a great time!