Tuesday's Top Ten

My Top 10 Favorite Christmas Party Photos
(2 different parties, Jared's family's and my family's Christmas Parties)

#10 My Sister Susan and I (she's 10 years older than me, doesn't she look great?)


#9 Jared and Uncle Rick acting like....well like Jared and Uncle Rick


#8 Cousin Zach holding Natalie "Hostage" during the Charades game.


#7 Aunt Robbi showing us a Yoga move during the game, Charades


#6 Aunt Lorina sitting on Santa's Lap


#5 Uncle Tom getting a Barbie Doll in the game, "Santa Spilled his Bag"


#4 Kelsey getting Great Grandma's False Teeth as a Gag Gift


#3 Cousin Hayden giving Porter a Hug


#2 Porter with Keven and Lucy. Porter wearing Mr. Potato Head Santa's Beard and mustache


#1 Jared and I enjoying a party together

The Mom Song

Wednesday's Words For MOMS!

Christmas Has come at last. I saw this video over a year ago and my good friend Becky e-mailed it along with a Mom's letter to Santa. This mom is my Hero and pretty much sums up my life as a mom especially this month.

Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my own doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bar s to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out -- over several Christmases.
Since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now - -

*** Here are my Christmas wishes ***

* I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (-in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

* I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

* If you're hauling big-ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

* On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, 'Yes, Mommy' to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

* I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, 'Don't eat in the living room' and 'Take your hands off your brother,' because my voice seems to be just out of my childrens hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

* If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

*If you don't mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely.

*It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come in and dry off, so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table, but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours always with love and appreciation,
A Mom

P.S. One more thing . . You can cancel all my requests, if you can keep my children 'young' enough to believe in Santa.

To All You Moms out there...
I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!!!

Tuesday's Top Ten

Top Ten Christmas Memories
#10 Watching mom and dad make homemade fudge (the only time I ever saw them frustrated with each other)
#9 Grandmas Christmas Train. Still a favorite with my kids
#8 The only Christmas where Santa came early and we had to wait down stairs while he unloaded his gifts. Then we opened as soon as he left around midnight. We never did that again.
#7 Caroling with the young men and women on a tractor pulling trailer through the streets.
#6 Caroling with the family with home made chimes
#5 Riding on the sled behind Grandpa's Tractor, up into the canyon to find Christmas Trees.
#4 Having my very own Christmas Tree in my room
#3 Performing as singing Christmas Elves with my siblings
#2 Pizza for Christmas Eve dinner.
#1 listening to my dad's favorite Christmas album all month of December..
"Mitch Miller and the Band"

First and Last

My First Child.......

Kailey and Chris

Christmas Ball, 2008

And My Last Child.....

Porter lost his 1st tooth.

(I hate the tooth fairy! Right up there with the Easter Bunny! Another Blog for another time!)

Wednesday's Wall Words

A Frequent Conversation With Kelsey.

setting: Any given Day!

Kelsey: "Please Mom?"

Janalynn: "No."

Kelsey: "Why?"

Janalynn: "I already told you why."

Kelsey; (a little louder, and an added whine) "Please?"

Janalynn : (a little louder, and a touch of annoyance) " I said No!"

Kelsey: (Whine) "Please?"

Janalynn: (a DUH type tone in her answer) "A... No!"

Kelsey: (A lot more Whinnier) "PLEASE?"

Janalynn: (Ignores this question and rolls her eyes)

Kelsey: (Draws out the question) "PA-LEEEEEEZE?"

Janalynn: (A lot Louder and draws out her answer) "NNNNN-OOOO!"

Kelsey: (Asks with a voice like she is in pain) "Please?"

Janalynn: (snippy) Ask me please again, and You won't be doing ANYTHING!!"

(Quite for about 10 seconds)

Kelsey: (more controlled) " So can I?"

Janalynn: (drops whatever she's doing and walks into her bedroom and locks the door to keep from screaming)

(knock on Janalynn's Bedroom Door)

Kelsey: (quite, and sweetly) "So was that a Yes?"

Janalynn (yells through the door) "GO ASK YOUR DAD!!"

Tues. Top Ten #3

Top Ten Favorite
Christmas Songs

#10 O Holy Night

#9 Little Drummer Boy

#8 I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

#7 Must Be Santa

#6 Silver Bells

#5 Let It Snow

#4 Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer

#3 Sleigh Ride

#2 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

#1 Do You Hear What I Hear

Thursday's Thoughts and Theories

Thought: Is It Worth Shopping on BLACK FRIDAY?
My Theory: If you don't mind BLACK MOODS.
Ok so I got all excited to go out and SAVE BIG!! I have only done this one other time, and like giving birth, must of forgotten the pain and misery you are in, and repeated the same act. My sister goes every year and is so organized and swears by this her method of shopping on this day. Unfortunately I tried her techniques and failed miserably. Yes I got what I wanted, Yes I ran to the check out and was even out of the store just 15 min after it had opened, only to realize when reaching my car, the checker had not scanned the main item I went for. This meant I had to go back in to pay for it. By this time the lines were at least 45 min.LONG! After an all day Shopping event, I spent the evening and into the night wrapping all the presents, numbering them and putting them away until Christmas eve, (My sister's tactic). Long story short, I have spent this week returning 10 items because, I either found something better, wrong size, it was broken, or I just plain didn't need it. Three of the items were already wrapped (good thing I numbered the gift!) While returning, I found that a lot of the "savings" wasn't all that much of a savings, and even found a few of the same items I "rushed" to get were still the same price a week later. I also wonder if some of the stores jack up the price, so it looks as if you're saving big. I'm not sure. I am sure however, some people love this day, and somehow can pull it off. Me? either I have to find an easier way, keep practicing, or just avoid "Black Friday" all together!

On a cheerful note....Thanksgiving was enjoyable. Held at the church, and Hosted by my family this year. The gym was open for basket ball and games, the kids ran free, and the kitchen large enough to "not get in the way".

Wednesday's Wall Words

A Conversation with Porter

This is what a fly on the wall would hear.

(setting: Janalynn bringing in groceries. Porter going through the bags to see if Janalynn bought any treats to eat.)

Porter: "Yea! you bought Dr. Dew!!"

Janalynn: It's not Dr. Dew, It's Dr. Pepper.

Porter: "Oh, I get it....Dr. Dew is Dr. Pepper in French.

(Janalynn just smiles, and thinks, too cute to correct.)

Tues. Top Ten #2

Top Ten Reasons I drive a Minivan
#10 Sliding Doors (a must when you have to share the garage with the husbands car).
#9 Built in Car Seats. (Do you think 16 is too old to still be in them?)
#8 Easy to separate fighting kids. (they get their own bench.)
#7 I love to see if I can out speed a SUV at a red light. (Sometimes I actually win. You Go MOM!!)
#6 I love the sound of soup cans, soda cans, balls, and even milk jugs roll up and down the floor of the van when returning home from the store.
#5 The bench seats make nice lawn couches when they are removed for yearly cleaning.
#4 Nothing says "Car Pool Mom" better than a Minivan. (There is always room for one more.)
#3 To embarrass my kids. (I lived through the station wagon era, and I survived, and so will they.)
#2 A dent in a minivan looks natural, no one asks, horrified,"What Happened?!"
And the #1 reason I drive a minivan...
1. My teenager doesn't ask to drive it!!!

Wednesday's Wall Words

A conversation with Natalie

If you were a fly on the wall at my house, you might hear this conversation.
(setting: Natalie sitting at the table coloring a picture of the Mayflower, reciting to herself a poem. I'm fixing dinner Jared in the other room doing who knows what.)
Natalie: "In 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Mom? How old were you in 1492?"
(Loud laughing from the other room)
Jared: "Ya, Mom, how old were you in 1492?"
(more laughing from the other room)
Janalynn: "I wasn't born in 1492"
Natalie: "you mean you weren't alive when Columbus came to America?"
(louder laughing from the other room)
Janalynn: silent gives no answer.

Tuesday's Top Ten

Being the week of Thanksgiving, I thought it would be appropriate to list the top ten things I am THANKFUL for.
10. Automatic Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher (all major appliances)
9. Indoor plumbing, heating, air conditioning (My Home)
8. Modern Medicine
7. Employment
6. Health
5. Friends
4. My Parents, and siblings
3. My Children
2. Jared (He's just happy to be in the top ten)
And the #1 Thing I am Thankful for is...
1. My Testimony of the Gospel.

The Day After....

Thank You Laura! I knew Laura would come through for me. She made this video. She knows how to have a good time. (I talked to her this morning on the phone. I won't blog our conversation, lets just say...There was A LOT of active, not so good, hormones at the movies). I'm still standing my ground on "Twilight"

I'm In The "Twilight" Zone!!

WARNING: If you are a "Die-Hard Twilight Fan" over the age of 19, Please do not read this post. (I still love you Laura, and Becky!)

I'll admit it. I've read all the Twilight books, one right after the other. I'll even admit, that they were a VERY fun read. I will continue to admit that I really enjoy Stephanie Meyers writings, and her creativity. But I'm going to stop there!!

Really? Really? Come on now. Can you really lust after a Vampire? I had to laugh at "Edwards" description. All on the same page mind you. End of page 18 to the top of 19, I'll type straight out of the book,

"And yet, they were all exactly alike. Every one of them was CHALKY PALE, the pales of all the students living in this sunless Town. Paler than me, the albino. They all had very dark eyes despite the range in hair tones. They also had DARK SHADOWS UNDER THOSE EYES-PURPLISH, BRUISED-LIKE SHADOWS. As if they were all suffering from a sleepless night, or almost done recovering from a BROKEN NOSE. But all this is not why I couldn't look away. I stared because their faces, so different, so similar,were all devastatingly, inhumanly beautiful."

I don't think I was Ever turned on by this description. Maybe I'm weird, but pale, cold, sparkling skin, just doesn't do it for me. Enough of the description. I can forgive my girls falling for a Rich Kid who can give them the world. However my girls ARE in high school, and sure they can imagine BOYS are like this. But if your not in high school....Are you in la-la Land? Why in the world would want someone that controlling? (High schoolers can only see the money, they don't see how controlling he is). Sure we would all loved to be saved from harm time and time again, but can you say "STALKER"! Book Two I was warned was the "Boring" Book, because Edward was hardly in it. Now I have to disagree. I thought Jacob's story was much more realistic other than he was a Werewolf. However, his not-so-sure-of-himself was more endearing. Always trying and getting turned down was more like boys in my high school days. Which brings me to my last and final "Beef" of the Books. HELLO!! This book is about teenagers!! They think and act like teenagers. I am NOT a teenager. I have no problems with my TEENAGERS going nuts over the books, but if you are NOT a teenager....What am I missing? Do you secretly wish your high school days were like Bella's? I don't understand the attraction. Help me out here, give me your comments. Really I want to know why older women in their late 20's and 30's are so obsessed with these books!!

My girls are both going to go to the opening movie tonight. I was asked if I was going, I wasn't sure if the person asking was serious. LOL!! I wouldn't go to any opening movie. I could maybe understand if the movie was only going to play one time, but I believe most movies are in theatres for a least 3 months. Do I really feel it necessary to stay up in the cold, loose sleep and be with a bunch of teenagers, just to see a movie that I can see some other time, with less people? Ok really I'm done!! BTW Kailey informs me since I haven't gone to any movie opening night, I don't know what I'm missing. (Exactly). She LOVES going opening nights to movies, but then again, she's a teenager.

Utah Weddings

Bride and Groom - Daneila and Jack
Mother of the Groom (my sister Susan)

I paid big bucks to dance with my nephew!

Natalie and Jack

Porter and Daniela

Yesterday, my nephew Jack, was married. he married a beautiful, sweet girl, Daniela, who is Mexican descent. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple. This was the morning after the 2,000 people protest at the temple. I was a little afraid, that there would be some protesters still there, however, there were none. It was beautiful day. Afterwards the wedding breakfast was held at the church. Cafe Rio style tacos and salads was served. The reception was what was the high light. The reception started out quite typical of "UTAH" style receptions go. Ward members of my nephew's and sister's came, formed a line, congratulated the couple, sat at a table, ate their mint/peanut cup and cake with slush, and left. Daneila's friends, and family, came half way through, and the fun started. Now I am so sheltered here in Utah, and for the most part have not participated in too many weddings or receptions, other than "Utah Style" When the mariachi band came in and the Latino dancers, I was excited. They sang and danced and entertained. Mexican pastries, and flan was brought out, and the party began. Starting was the Wedding dance. The couple danced, then we started to pin money on either the bride or groom to have the chance to dance with them. Everyone got involved. It was a lot of fun. My kids had a blast. The most humorous however, was when the DJ played "Boot scootin' Boogie" Ironic to see a bunch of Mexicans doing a country dance. I laughed the whole song. (I have no idea how this got recorded sideways. too much laughing I guess).

Shopping Done Right

I Love to Shop! I think most reading, could probably agree with me that it's enjoyable to shop. I don't mean you have to buy everything you see, just looking sometimes and find the newest and latest things out there. I don't particularly like to shop for a certain item, cause I get too frustrated, because I feel like I'm racing against time, to get to all the stores to find that one item, and then to get it at the best price. I just like to more or less BROWSE. I love to search the clearance racks and find the best deal. I love to shop at stores that have unique things, that you usually can't find elsewhere,(however, I tend to buy more at these stores, therefore don't shop there often). Today I am making a shopping list. Whenever a list is involved, it immediately takes the fun out, and a list usually involves food. This is one type of shopping I DO NOT like. In the past I've had Jared go for me......although I don't like to go, sometimes it's better for us all if Dad doesn't go.
These are the top 10 reasons that Grocery Shopping is not a favorite of mine.
1. 50% of the time I leave my list at home.
2. 50% of the time I forget an item or two on my list and don't realize it until I'm checking out.
3. 99% of the time, I'm buying just STUFF, without a clue when I'm going to use it, or cook it.
4. For some reason, I keep buying peanut butter, and tomato soup. I always think we're out, but, my pantry is over stocked with these items.
5. For some reason, I keep forgetting to buy bread and eggs.
6. 50% of the time the clerk doesn't put the rest of my groceries in while I'm paying, and then I end up walking out with out a bag or two.
7. 10% of the time, I'll buy all the stuff for a great recipe but never make it. A year later, while cleaning out my pantry, wonder why the heck I bought molasses.
8. The Ice cream isle.
9. I know I need to buy fresh vegetables..come on I just can't get myself excited to buy fresh, and hurry home to use it before it goes bad,
10. Where is the canned pumpkin? does it belong in the canned veggies? Or the baking isle? (the stores, won't make up their minds.) And on that note, lemon juice. Come on now, is it really a juice? Right next to the Kool-aid?
Help me out here. How do you make Grocery shopping more enjoyable. Oh and if I have to take a child with me, I just WILL NOT GO!! So all you mom's out there, who has to have a take-a-long, Well I guess I do have it better than you! I'm so sorry!!
Question for all you Grocery Shoppers
1. Do you shop at different grocery stores?
2. Do you stick to a list?
3. Do you add match?
4. What is the most unbearable thing to you about grocery shopping?
5. About what price range do you spend on a weeks worth of groceries?
6. What are some items you always run out of, or keep buying?

If you can't tell, I'm stalling. I don't wanna GO!!

Yea! Yea! Time To Put Halloween AWAY!!

Don't ge t me wrong, I LOVE Halloween! It kicks off the Holliday season, I love to decorate the yard, the fun costumes and parties, it's just a lot of work! I have 15 years of costumes now in 2 large totes. These costumes get out on October 1st and are strung all over my home until November 1st. I have so many mix and matches, that my kids love to go though them and pick and choose all month long. I think I add an extra load of laundry each week trying to keep the costumes clean. I try not to make a big deal about getting into them, because this is a fun time for them, to pretend and get excited, besides this way they can be more than one character, for each activity they go to. However, I am glad to gather them all up and put them away until next year!
This year for preschool, I was a witch. I had a LONG gray wig, that kept getting in my way. After the day was done, I was reminded why I liked my hair short. Our ward carnival and trunk-or-treating, Jared went as white trash, and I went as...I'm not sure what I was, I used the same LONG gray wig, dumped the witch dress. I guess I was a cross between a hippie and a biker chick- or maybe white trash too. Anyways Kelsey was a black cat, Kailey "Judy Sparks" the girl with long red hair on Guitar Hero, and Natalie a witch. Porter claimed he was a "Dead Skeleton" He wore a pirate's hat with his skeleton costume. (I think he was thinking about Pirate's of the Caribbean). Natalie was Rapunzel for her school party and a fairy for trick-or-treating. When it was time to dress for trick-or-treating, Porter didn't want to get into his costume. He told me that he just wanted to be "Letter Man" when I asked who letter man was he said."someone who wears letters on his shirt like me." I laughed and suggested he be spiderman. His response was "I'll just be Peter Parker." Needless to say he just put on his jacket and grabbed his basket and went as is. (He is totally Jared's son!)

Carnival, Natalie as a Witch

Mr. and Mrs. White Trash? Skeleton PorterSchool Party Rapunzel Peter Parker Porter
Fairy and Porter Parker

Annual Pumpkin Carving

Halloween isn't Halloween if you don't spend a ooey, gooey, night of carving pumpkins. We had our good friends, the Barkers, over. This is our 2nd year carving pumpkins with them. We had taco soup, apple cider and lots of pumpkin seeds. A fun night for us all.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun!!

This Year, I wanted to do a "Mother and Daughter" trip. I had previously asked my own mother, sister-in-law, my sister and her daughter, to come along with myself and my daughters, however, with collage, work, and an up coming nephew getting married, it just didn't happen that way. I was going with my girls no matter what. My dear friend Becky, decided to come along, and brought her daughter, Mekelsie.

We had such a blast!!

We went down to St. George, on Friday, October 24th, and came home Sunday evening. Friday night we went to the Tuacahn to see "Thriller". It was performed by the Odyssey Dance Company. I thought it was pretty good, and quite funny. They danced and acted out skits and spoofs on popular scary movies, or people. My favorite was the Chucky Doll Dance. But The "Jason" Rap was also great. And Clowns are VERY scary. They had a "Bozzo The Clown" who was hilarious, and who also was the gun man during the "Irish Blood Dance". Another funny spoof of "Loraina Bobbet" who sang the song "Cuts like a Knife". Kailey and Kelsey didn't know why that was so funny, until I explained who she was and what she did!! After the performance, the characters where out in the front, so you could get pictures with them. Of course we had to get a few.

(I actually shopped until I dropped!!)

Saturday, we spent shopping at the outlets, and the mall. We hit an afternoon movie and ate out. We stayed at a hotel with a pool. It was such nice weather, we swam until 10:30 p.m. Saturday night. This was a fun vacation. No golf, fishing, or even preparing meals! Just shows,movies, shopping, and eating out! I think I'll do this more often!!

Kelsey is done having fun!

Although she was voted
"Biggest Flirt" in 9th grade, Kelsey is done with the "Blondes Have More Fun" stigma. However, the "Dumb Blonde" title will be harder to get rid of. (that just goes with being such a BIG flirt). Actually Kelsey is pretty bright, she just hasn't figured out how to used that to her advantage with me as her parent. Hopefully one day (so I'm told) her teenage brain will develop into a mature adult brain, and then she'll be a smart, friendly, daughter, that I'll enjoy being with.(o:

Back Seat Movie Watcher?

Is there such a thing? I believe so!! Last night I watched "HULK" with Porter. Jared had previously taken Porter to the movies to see Hulk when it first came out. So needless to say, Porter knew all the scenes. All I can say is that it was a good thing, that I thought the movies wasn't all that, or I think I would of been upset from Porter, telling me what was going to happen. In fact he was more entertaining than the movie. Some of his comments were.."Don't worry mom, she's not really dead". and "Hulk chokes the bad guy with a chain." and "The dog gets shot, but he's only asleep". But the best was at the very end when you see the major sitting at the bar and the door opens and you just see a silhouette, "Look mom, it's Tony Stark, Iron Man!" No hidden surprises with watching a movie with Porter, that's for sure!! It's so fun having a little boy!! He amazes me most times. He LOVES super heroes!! He can name every super hero there is from Marvel, what their powers, and weaknesses are. He even knows all the villains, and who they want revenge on the most. All I can say is I never was interested in super heroes, until now. Because of Porter, I too know quite a bit about them, who's on who's team, how they were formed and so on. I'm sure I'm a lot better off now, because of my knowledge.

Week In Review

October 4th started this week for Us. It started with a "Beatles" piano recital. Kaiely and Natalie did very well. I am amazed how far Natalie has come in one year of piano lessons. Last October's recital she played, "My dog, Mac" and this year it was "All My Lovin" by The Beatles.
Kailey also played a Beatles song,"Hey Jude". I love their piano teacher. She will find the songs they WANT to play, on their level, this way they enjoy playing and practicing. They like going to piano each week. Not only that but they will occasionally sit at the piano to play for fun on top of their practicing. She is so organized and does a great job and goes all out on parties and recitals for them.

OMGosh, If Feel Old!!

Saturday night was an eye opener for me. Kailey went to Hunter High's Homecoming with her friend Carlin, from Hunter. We spent all day in West Valley after the piano recital. Kailey's Homecoming date started at noon and ended at midnight. She went with a group of kids to play Lazar tag, then to lunch. Afternoon was spent with girlfriends doing each others hair and getting all "DOLLED UP"! Then at 4:30 they all transformed from everyday teenagers to nice looking young adults. And as if it would never happen again, they went off to countless of homes for endless pictures. After the photo shoots, the group of 10 drove off for dinner, dancing and finally for movies at a one of kid's home. What ever happened to the simple Dinner and Dancing? I almost feel sorry for the one who's paying for it all. I guess that is part of the reason I feel so old. In my days it wasn't an all day date, just a nice dinner, then to the dance, usually held at the high school. Now the dates last almost from sun up to sun up. CRAZY!!! (thought: what happens if you go as a kind gesture with someone you don't particularly care for? Do you spend the whole freaking day with them?)

Anyways, my little girl has grown up from cute to beautiful. It's quite funny and nostalgic to take a picture of her and her date at my mom's house. All my dance pictures where taken in front of the fire place. This was fun to be on the other end of the camera. WOW! I am getting old. I actually got out that lovely 80's dress, that I'm wearing in that lovely picture, to show Kailey. Of course there was no way she was going to wear it. LOL!!!

To sum up this week it went,
from Sun's Glow, to Falling Snow!
So now it's Sunday October 12th one week later. Nice warm weather for General Conference and then within a week, cold, colder, SNOW!!
For all you fall lovers...Here you go!