What Do You Feed That Animal?

tuckerwrestling

::Click on video above::


This weekend we took Tucker to his 1st local wrestling tournament. To say he kicked butt would be an understatement. He pinned all 3 of his opponents taking 1st place. At the end of his championship round captured here the Dad of the kid turned to me and yelled, "What do you feed that animal." All I could do was laugh. I think we have a future wrestling champion on our hands here.

Happy Birthday

Micah turned 9 years old today. He asked me last night if I was going to do a post about him so here's for you Micah.

9 Things I LOVE About

Micah Sherod Butler

1. He has the best one liners of any of my kids. "She might have a daggah."

2.He is always HAPPY!

3. He's very easy going and my easiest kid to please. Thank goodness he got the December B-Day.

4. He's very smart. A straight A student.

5. He's a good friend.

6. He loves his brothers and sister.

7. He's a little on the mischievous side and

because of that he flies under the radar.

8. He has a very tender heart and never

wants to hurt any ones feelings.

9. He's the best middle child I could have

ever asked for.

Happy Birthday Micah I love you. Mom

HELP!

I got this back in the mail today. What the ... After all I know I was on her Christmas list (you know that special delivery I got in the mail this week ::wink, wink::)

Can anyone help me? If so email me at albutler2@hotmail.com K, thanks.

Naughty or Nice?

I told Tucker on the way home from Wrestling tonight that he could call Santa Clause when we got home and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Here's our conversation.

Me: Tucker what are you going to tell Santa you want for Christmas?

Tucker: Oh, I'm not going to get anything for Christmas 'cause I've been bad.

Me: Well you could start being good now.

Tucker: Ya well, I cry too much.

Me: Ya, you do cry a lot, but you could try and be better.

Tucker: Ya well, I spank girls on the butts and that's bad too.

Me: Well, ya that's not good either. (trying not to laugh hysterically)

Tucker: Do you think Santa will put me on the good list if I'm better.

Me: Ya, Santa's nice like that.

If you have Vonage for your phone service you can call this real nifty phone number and your kid hears a recorded message from Santa and then they can leave him a message. Then Vonage emails you the recording of what your kid said they wanted from Santa. How fun is that. 1-700-CALL-SANTA (Vonage customers only)

If I Were a Free Fallin' Boy (Beyonce vs. Tom Petty) - A DJ Earworm Mashup

If you haven't heard of DJ Earworm you need to check him out. I'm lovin' this stuff. If you have any other suggestions for me I'm all ears. I am ALWAYS looking for some new stuff.

Kids Say the Darndest Things Edition

So this kid of mine who thinks he is so picked on and claims we should just give him up for adoption had this conversation with me this morning:

Me/aka"The meanest Mom": Before you leave for the bus stop at a ridiculously early time, I want you to go down to the basement and pick up all YOUR dirty clothes that are strung ALL over the place and bring them up to the laundry room.

Him: (Stomping off mad & throwing his pencil on the floor says) Why don't you just have me sweep the gutters in Africa while your at it.

WHA...?

Is he serious. Can I actually send him to Africa to sweep gutters. Please anyone with any kind of information about this foreign exchange program please contact me ASAP!

November Happenings

I can't believe how fast November came and went. It doesn't even really seem like winter yet. Ya know the snow stuff and all? Anyway, I thought I would just briefly list all that came and went in November.

aStarted my new Choir Director position over at the kids Elementary School. Woo Hoo!
aBrigg finished up his football season and his team took 2nd. I pulled off a football party to boot.
aTucker started his 1st year of wrestling and dominated in his first tournament. If only I had my video camera going.
aBrigg started his 9th season of wrestling & Hayden his 7th season. Micah....another blog post.
aBlythe passed off level 1 in Gymnastics and moved on to level 2!
aTrent perfected his Chili recipe at the Ward Chili Cook Off. He got robbed of 1st place.
aTrent's sister Lindy & her family came for a visit from Oklahoma.
aTrent's Mom & Dad came down from California for a 2 week visit.
aWe had family pictures taken.
aI did my civic duty and voted.
aHayden earned his first 3 merit badges at the BYU POW WOW.
aKids had there Primary Program...CUTE
aBlythe & Tucker got a clean bill of health from the Dr. Tucker also got his Kindergarten shots and his warts frozen off. He loved that part a lot.
aSaw my nephew Josh play a fork in Beauty and the Beast. He was the best fork ever.
aMy baby boy turned 5. It's been five years since I have been pregnant. Weird.
aCelebrated my 15th Wedding anniversary. I'm feeling way old.
aAttended my Brother-in-law Scott's convert baptism which was AMAZING and my Grandma Bailey's 80th Birthday party in California.
aHad a great Thanksgiving with 23 of my closest in-laws at my house.
aSaw an early showing of Twilight (Thanks Dana) with some really fun girls. Can't say I loved it but can't say I hated it either. Another post...
aStarted taking classes at the Gym...loving it.
aALL the kids got straight A's
aHad my very first cap put on a tooth. HATED IT!
aOrdered Christmas Cards
aSet up Christmas decor. Has never happened in Nov.

Looking forward to DECEMBER.

Family Pictures

Last weekend we had our family pictures done by one of my good buddies. If you want to see some of the cutest pics EVER you have to go to this site *click on "enter site", *click on "clients" in the bottom right hand corner, enter the secret password "butler" and then start OOOOing & AHAHAHAHing. It's going to be so hard to pick which one to use for our Christmas Pictures. If your looking for a really great photographer in the area Dana's your gal. She took a lot of time with us, was very patient with my rowdy bunch and came out with some fabulous results. Thanks for making this every 4 year event so worth it Dana.

15 Years & Counting...

I love this man! I can't believe it has been 15 years. I can honestly say it's gotten better every year.

15 Things I LOVE about Trent

1. He is one of the hardest workers I know. He has always done whatever it takes to provide for our family. Even if it means scrubbing carpets.

2. He loves his children and enjoys watching them be successful and is always there to cheer them on.

3. He puts his wife's and children's wants and needs above his own, ALWAYS! He would never have seconds of anything without making sure everyone had enough.

4. He has the best "Trentisms" for example "It is what it is", "Do the math", "I'll give you a reason to cry", "On a scale of 1 to 10"

5. He puts up with a lot of my crap. Especially my clutter disorder & disorganization disability.

6. He has a great sense of humor. Previous post evidence, he didn't kill me.

7. He enjoys working with the kids and has taught them self sufficiency well.

8. He's a "Chatty Cathy" and can out talk any girl I know.

9. He's very smart and most of the time his deep discussions go right over my head.

10. He's fiscally conservative and though I have not always been very supportive I know he knows what's best for us and we will be taken care of.

11. He wants me to be happy and makes a concerted effort to ask me if I'm happy on almost a daily basis.

12. He loves his God, his Country, and his Family.

13. He tells me if he had to choose between saving me or Sunny(our dog) from a steep cliff he would pick me.

14. He has always told me how beautiful I am and has NEVER made me feel ugly.

15. He's a Hottie!

I love you Trent. Happy Anniversary!!!!

Happy 5th B-Day Tucker

I asked Tucker what kinda treat he wanted to take to PreSchool for his Birthday. He told me he wanted "Red applesauce and Gatorade." I took cookies and Capri Suns. He also informed me that he wanted a "Weapons" birthday party??? His #1 Birthday wish was a "two-wheeled scootah" (scooter). I love this kid. He keeps me laughing and on my toes ALL THE TIME.

Five Things I Love About Tucker

1. He has a great sense of humor and loves to make people happy.

2. He is so outgoing and energetic.

3. He loves me, and tells me everyday.

4. He loves playing outside and being a boy.

5. He's the last of 5 but doesn't play the "baby card".

Tucker is my only kid who has had a BEST friend at this age. Deklin and Tucker would be together 24/7 if we let them. They hardly ever fight and aren't too cool to give each other hugs. I'm so glad he has such a good buddy to hang out with.

I love you Tucker and am so glad that someone smarter than me knew we needed you to bring up the rear of this fast moving train. Happy 5th Birthday.

And the Winner Is...

This was us last night at Brigg's Championship Football Game. It was so friggen' cold. Yes, it snowed. They played a great game against Lindon, but unfortunately it wasn't enough 41-22 was the final score. Brigg had a great season (thanks to a kid breaking his arm in the 2nd game.) There final winning record was 7-3. This was Brigg's 4th tackle football year going to the Championships and not winning :..( Maybe next year, right?

Hayden's team this year not so good. Winning record 1-7. At least they won 1. (And it was a great win!)

A few things I learned this Football Season:

1. Don't EVER talk to your kid on the side lines. He will ALWAYS think you are the most annoying Mom ever.

2. Carpools are awesome! 3 boys playing football 6 days a week at 3 different fields and 3 games a week at 3 different places...Yay that was MY life.

3. 5 smelly teenage boys+in a car on the way home from football= WINDOWS DOWN!

4. Being Team Mom Rocks!

5. Football equipment needs it's own closet.

6. There is life after Football... it's called Wrestling & Basketball.

Can't wait for next year!

Happy Halloween!

Tucker "Ninja" Man & His "Ninja" Pose

He already lost his hat at pre-school today...why?
Micah "Vampire/Dracula"
Yes, he wore those much too small/tight pants to school today in his high-top tennis shoes. So funny and so embarrassing for him...if he only knew.

Blythe "Little Red Riding hood"

Adorable costume her most amazing mother made for her...she was thrilled.

Hayden "Cheerleader/Claire Bennet"

He was trying different poses...was going for the naughty cheerleader look.

NOT

PICTURED

Brigg "Too Cool Teenager"

Refuses to do anything that would draw any sort of attention to himself...especially dressing up for Halloween. "Geez Mom"

School Pictures

I'm a sucker for school pictures. They don't always turn out and I feel they are overpriced, but I can't resist. I feel like it's an opportunity to have a recorded moment in time. So for sentimental and recording purposes here are 2008 School Pictures.

Hayden 6th Grade

(He did his own hair.)

Blythe 1st Grade Micah 3rd Grade

Happy 7th Birthday Blythe!

7 things I love about Blythe

1. She's my only girl, therefore she gets to be my FAVORITE girl.

2. She LOVES pink!

3. She loves to play dress-up and pretend.

4. She loves babies and can't wait to be a mommy.

5. She is very loving and affectionate. Hopefully that will wear off before she's 16.

6. She loves her family very much, even her mean stinky brothers who tease
her to no end.

7. She loves to sing, and boy can that
girl belt it out.

Happy Birthday Blythe! I hope you had a wonderful day. I am so glad you are mine. Don't be mad at me for putting that adorable picture of you with your shower cap on. I love you.

























Build-a-Bear Birthday Date
Birthday Outfit

Spartan Cheer-Squad

7 Days Later

So, I know this is just a little late but you know all the catching up you have to do after you have left you 5 kids and self sufficient husband alone for 5 days... So anyway I had a blast at Emily's. Have I mentioned how much I love my sistas'? They are all so different and fun to be around. We had so much fun Massages, Eating, Visiting, Eating, Watching T.V., Eating, Walking, Eating, Shopping, and did I mention Eating? We also had a fabulous talent show were I was chosen to be my nephews partner in a race on the trampoline...FUN!!! We took turns getting up with Baby Tait and giving Emily a brake for the week. That was basically just a reminder to me I'm NOT EVERY HAVING ANOTHER BABY!
I don't know how Emily is going to handle 6 kiddos. WOW that sounds like a lot. Luckily she has a couple of the most amazing helpers. ::Shout out to KenKen(9) & Caleb(13) my totally awesome niece and nephew.:: Anyway, I had a great time and when I got home things seemed to be just fine. Thanks to Trent for supporting me and letting me go GUILT free. He's great!

I Love This Kid

Last night after Family Prayer I reminded

the kids I was leaving on Wed. and wouldn't be back till Monday. I told Brigg he was going to have to be in charge while Dad is gone and take good care of the kids. ::Flash forward to this morning::

Brigg asked me if we had enough Milk in the fridge to last them till I got back, or was he going to have to get Milk. I wasn't sure what he was asking but I assured him we had plenty of Milk in the fridge, 4 Gallons to be exact. ::Flash forward to Brigg missing the bus to school (2nd time this year):: So I drove him to school. As we were driving he asked me "How should I get us to church on Sunday?" I said "Wha?"

Apparently since last night he has thought this entire time that Trent & I were both going out of town and leaving him in charge for 5 days with ALL the kids. After trying to contain myself I explained to him that "No , honey...I'M leaving town. DAD will still be around, just at work during the day." I asked him why he didn't ask me why I was leaving him with ALL the kids ALONE! I asked him if he was a little scared thinking about being in charge like that. In his pubescent way he said "Ya, a little." I should have also asked him if he really thought I was that kind of Mom???? (I probably don't want the answer to that.)

I'm so proud of him that he was actually going to step up to the challenge and do what he thought he had to do and actually try and take all the kids to church on Sunday, REALLY? Man he can be such an awesome kid!

I'm off to Arizona to have some time with ALL of my AMAZING sista's. And don't worry...Trent WILL be home with the kids.

My 101st Post!

I took this idea from a friends blog (Thanks Jen). In celebration of my 101st Blog Post, here’s a look at our family, by numbers, from 1 to 101:

ONE day a long time ago I met this boy. He went to my High School and I had seen him around at Stake Activities. If anyone had told me at the time I would end up married to him I would have NEVER believed them. TWO months after that boy got home from his mission we were engaged. THREE days after we were married Trent went right to working graveyards. That takes us to were we are now. Our baby boy TuckMan is FOUR years old for another month. I can’t believe how time has just flown by. FIVE years ago we were living in Bakersfield, CA and I was pregnant with out LAST child. I knew after having Tucker there would be no number SIX.
SEVEN years ago this month I was pregnant with our only daughter Blythe. I can still remember how ecstatically happy I was when I found out I would FINALLY have a girl.

I love it when my kids turn EIGHT years old. It is such an exciting and important birthday. Micah will be NINE in December. He is such a joy and I love to be around him. He makes me smile.

Growing up we had TEN people in our family. Being the oldest had its ups and downs.There were ELEVEN in Trent‘s family. I think he would say there were defiantly more downs then ups.

I was so proud of Brigg when he turned TWELVE. I have always really admired how he has honored his priesthood. THIRTEEN has been a definite transition for him. I can see that the teen years are going to be a roller coaster ride for sure.

I was FOURTEEN when I had my first REAL boyfriend. He was too old for me and I don’t think it lasted for more than a month or so.

Trent and I will have been married for FIFTEEN years in November.

When I turned SIXTEEN I got my drivers license the day after my birthday. One of the first cars I ever drove was my Mom’s Camero. I LOVED that car. I think I also went on my first “So Called” date with Trent then. Long story short him and his friend ditched us.

I graduated from High School when I was SEVENTEEN. I don’t remember much about being EIGHTEEN except I had a serious boyfriend I was trying to convince he needed to go on a mission. When I turned NINETEEN he had finally decided he would go and we actually went to Trent’s mission farewell together. When I turned TWENTY I moved out of my parents house for the first time and moved to Provo to go to school.

Hayden was born on the 21st of May, 1997. He was my smallest baby weighing in at 5 lbs. something oz. He is still to this day a little on the small side and he likes it that way.I was TWENTY-TWO when Brigg was born. I still had braces on and I was told I didn’t look much older than 16. Boy do I wish I still got those kinds of compliments.
Trent started working for the Kern County Probation Dept. when he was TWENTY-THREE years old. He worked there for a decade. Working his way up the ranks.

I have TWENTY-FOUR cousins on my Dad’s side of the family. Trent has no cousins on his Mom’s side and he’s not sure how many on his Dad’s side. Sad huh?

If I had TWENTY-FIVE cents for every time I asked my kids not to talk to me while I'm on the phone or in the bathroom I'd be a rich woman.

TWENTY-SIX was a good age.

On the 27th on January Brigg will be 14. Weird!

When I was TWENTY-EIGHT I was teaching High School at my Alma Mater. I always told myself in High School that I would go back and teach at my High School and I did it. It was truly a dream come true.When I turned TWENTY-NINE I became a stay at home Mom with 3 very wild boys. Wondering if Heavenly Father would ever send me a girl.

When Trent and I were THIRTY my Mom and Dad took us on an Alaskan Cruise. It was the best vacation I have ever had with Trent. I hope we can do it again someday.

I only had one last baby in diapers when I was THIRTY-TWO. I had also started my very own Children’s Performing group and was having so much fun with that.

We moved to Utah when Trent and I were THIRTY-THREE. We have lived here for birthdays THIRTY-FOUR, THIRTY-FIVE, & THIRTY-SIX.

My parents have been married THIRTY-SEVEN years. It will be THIRTY-EIGHT in January.

Trent & I used to mange apartments at 3900 El Portreo. Also referred to as the Hood.

When I turn FOURTY I want to do something AMAZING.

Tucker weighs FOURTY-ONE pounds.

FORTY-TWO sounds like the number of shoes we have in this house. It’s a little out of control.

When I’m FOURTY-THREE years old Brigg should be returning home from his mission. That’s only 7 years away.

When I get a soda from the gas station I prefer to get a FOURTY-FOUR ounce Diet Coke.

FORTY-FIVE minutes seems to be the longest amount of time I have been able to run without passing out.

The kids have already gone to almost FORTY-SIX days of school already.

When I’m FOURTY-SEVEN I will be teaching my youngest child how to drive. Which will make me feel more like FOURTY-EIGHT or FOURTY-NINE. But then by the time I’m FIFTY I should be enjoying some grandchildren. I can’t wait to be a Grandma.
By the time Trent and I are FIFTY-ONE we should be empty nesters…right?

FIFTY-TWO is about how many loads of laundry I do a month.
53% of the time the kids DO NOT flush the toilet.
FIFTY-FOUR times a day Hayden asks me a question. NOT KIDDING!

I remember when my Grandma Waite turned FIFTY-FIVE. She called it “Double Nickels”

I believe my Mom is FIFTY-SIX. And she looks good.

I hope by the time Trent and I are FIFTY-SEVEN years old we have our house paid off.

FIFTY-EIGHT is the number of Blogs I check a day. I know it’s a little compulsive. I’ve actually given up a lot of T.V. for this new hobbie.

I think my Dad is FIFTY-NINE which means he will be SIXTY next year. I think we need to through him a party. What do you think?

SIXTY-ONE is the number of minutes I have spent on this blog post so far.

Someday I’m going to try and drink SIXTY-TWO ounces of Diet Coke.
Someday I hope we have cars that get SIXTY-THREE miles to the gallon. Wouldn’t that be cool.

SIXTY-FOUR is probably the number of stuffed animals Blythe has on her bed right now. She wouldn’t dare move a single one before climbing into bed.

I believe Micah weighs SIXTY-FIVE pounds. He’s not very interested in wrestling this year. He would much prefer Basketball. I better get him signed up soon. Let’s wait for football to be over first.

We have approximately SIXTY-SIX DVD’s and I would say the 67% of them are scratched and not able to watch. So why do I hang on to them you ask. Well I keep thinking I will be able to afford one of those DVD scratch fixers someday and fix them all.

I believe in ‘68 my Dad was serving a mission in Central America. My Mom graduated from High School in ‘69. I love the 70’s.

In ‘71 my in-laws were living in Utah. Where Trent was born. In ‘72 Trent was born in Murray, UT & I in Bakersfield, CA.
In ‘73 my brother Tim was born. We were only 15 months apart.

In ‘74 Trent’s family moved to Bakersfield, CA where they still live in the same exact house.

$.75 used to buy you more than just a candy bar or a pack of gum.

‘76 was the year my first sister Emily/BFF was born. I love her so much and wish I would have treated her better as a kid.

My family lived in Wasco, CA AKA the Ghetto in ‘77. In ‘78 we lived in Visalia and then in ‘79 we lived in Mesa, AZ where I was baptized.

My Grandma Bailey will be EIGHTY in November. We are going to have a big surprise birthday party for her in California.

In ‘81 we had moved back to Bakersfield, CA were I was born and lived there up until Trent and I moved to Utah. My Grandpa Bailey also died that year of cancer.

In ‘82 I was in the 4th Grade at Eisleer Elementary. My teachers name was Mrs. Stoddard. She was very nice.

‘83 was the last year the Broadway production of ANNIE was performed. I was obsessed with this play/movie and wanted so bad to be Annie. I had the entire movie memorized. I still love to watch it.

‘84 was the best and worst year of my growing up years. I had the best of friends in 7th grade and I loved school then my parents picked up and moved to the other side of town. Very traumatic for a 12/13 year old.

‘85 the year I started High School. This is also the year Trent & I were at Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico at the same time and didn’t even know it.

‘86 My parents took us on a Bahamas Disney Cruise. That was such a fond childhood memory.

‘87 I had my first serious boyfriend who my parents HATED but I saw him anyway behind there backs and boy did I get in some trouble.‘88 I was the legal dating age and I don’t think I ever stopped dating from that point.
‘89 my brother and I met Mark & Brenda Sanchez. We dated each others sibs and Tim & Brenda eventually ended up getting married.
‘90 Trent & I graduated from Bakersfield High School.
‘91 Trent left for his mission in Independence, Missouri.
‘92 I attempted leaving home and going to school in Utah. To say the least it didn’t work for me and I ended up back home.
‘93 I go to see Trent come off the plane after he has served his mission and I am immediately interested. Late that year we are sealed in the Los Angles Temple.

'94 I graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelors in Music and my minor in Political Science.‘95 Trent was still trying to get through Bakersfield College but making great progress and working full time.
‘96 I got my first teaching job for the Norris School District as there Music Specialist. This was the same district my Grandpa Waite had been superintendent of for many years.
‘97 was the year we bought our first house and the year Hayden was born.
‘98 Trent received his bachelors degree form California State University, Bakersfield in Business Administration. We had already owned about 5 dogs and counting by now too. But that’s an entire post of it’s own.

‘99 we all thought the world was going to come to an end. Remember Y2K?

I’m 100% positive I married the right person in the right place.

Now if I could only come up with something for 101. One thing I know for sure…I don’t want to live that long.

Guess Whose Legs?

Can you guess whose legs these are?



















Awhile back my BFF (that's Best Frousin Forever) posted this really sweet post about how AMAZING I am. So this is just my way of paying her back. Love ya Amy!



I love the pic of her and our hot friend in our fort that we made.
I also love the picture of her and her sister Erin. They were like twins you know.

Amy was the best roommate EVER! We had many adventures that summer of 1992. Like the time went fishing and caught ALL those fish. That's my Toyota pick-up in the corner of that picture. Good times in that truck, good times.

Football, Football, Football

Football has been our life for the past 2 months and counting. Brigg & Hayden have been going 4-5 days a week and Micah 2 days a week. Do the math...that's 6 days a week of football in the Butler house. I have 3 carpools going and 3 boys going 3 different places. It has been CRAZY! But anyone who knows me, knows I wouldn't have it any other way. I feed off of 2 things, well maybe 3 anyway it's 1. being over scheduled and 2. my kids sporting activities.

Now to the reason for this particular post. Hayden has always got the raw end of the deal when it comes to coaches. He always gets the really nice guy who doesn't know what their doing. Get the picture? Last years football team won 1 game out of 8. Well guess what this years team record was up until Thursday nights game. Hayden's team hadn't won a single game and I think they had only scored 2 touchdowns in 5 games. Thursday nights game was awesome. They played the rival Lehi team and they WON!! Hayden had the game of his career scoring 2 touchdowns, catching an interception, sacking the quarterback and a couple of awesome tackles. He started both offense and defense and was lighting the field up. They even got to play on the big H.S. turf field all lit up. What a game! I am so happy that they can now walk away saying they at least won a game. (2 more to go.)

Brigg's team is doing great 4-2 and will probably make it to the championships. (Post to follow)

Micah's enjoying flag football and had a great game on Saturday in the RAIN!! What a trooper. He makes a good little Center.

Next month Wrestling!!!!!

Fave Foto Friday

Okay, so first of all I had to find

this picture to prove that #1 Emily and I did wear the same formal (and hair-do.) For her it was a Jr. prom for me I think it was the BYU Preference or something like that. (Amy do you recognize the enormous Glenwood thermostat on the wall behind me?) #2 Emily ALWAYS looked better in my clothes.

The next picture is a fave of mine. How many of our frousins can you spot? I know this was in our Sunset Ave. house (the one with the ghosts) and I know by all the BANGS it was in the late 80's, probably 1988'ish and it was probably some holiday of sorts. Anyone else have any info regarding this photo?

And The Veeners Are...

First of all I would like to thank all those who helped me choose a profile pic and new username. It was a very close call but the winners are...

"Annie"

Now for the winners of my "Happy Birthday to my Blog" PIF drawing. Tucker helped draw the names, it was totally legit.

The Utah Winner is... Christina aka "Utah Mom of 5"

The Out of Town winner is... Landee aka "Tiffany"

Happy Birthday To My Blog

It's my Blogs 1st Year Birthday and I would like to do something to celebrate. My sis Emily is the one who got me into this compulsive obsession. It all started with my own selfish desire to win a PIF (that's Pay It Forward). So in honor of her and my Blog I would like to have another PIF contest. Now here are MY rules.

1. You must leave a comment about your favorite or memorable post of mine over the past year. Yes, I know that's asking a lot especially if you have just been pretending to read my blog.

2. I will draw 2 names on Wednesday, sometime. 1 blogger from Utah & 1 blogger from elsewhere.

3. What will you win you ask. Well my original PIF was a package of some of "My Favorite Things" so I will probably repeat that theme.

4. If you play & win I would love for you to do your own PIF.

Thank You & Good Luck!

Smart Remarks: The Host

I'll make this short and sweet. For those of you who have not been introduced to this blogger you will have to check her out. Not only is she an amazing writer she is also my cousin. She's had this Smart Remarks book club going on for awhile and I am finally getting around to participating for the first time. (Due to the fact that I made her fell bad about leaving me out of her last one.)Anyhow here is my insignificant review of Stephanie Meyers THE HOST.

Not being much of an accomplished reader this very long book presented quiet the daunting task for me, 619 pgs to be exact. If any of you loyal readers remember me complaining about how frustrated I was trying to get through this book, then you know what an accomplishment this was for me to finish.

The first 150 pgs were pure torture for me. I have never read any type of sci-fi lit. and this was completely losing me and becoming a complete snoozer. Thanks to the encouragement of a few friends I persisted on and even started to like/tolerate the book as time went on.

I will say I wouldn't have recommend this book to anyone and feel that Steph could have totally made this into a shorter more concise novel. I was happy with the way it ended and enjoyed most the dialogue between Wanda & Mel. I even had a little prediction of my own come true at the end. Unlike the Twilight books I would have much rather seen the movie first.

So there is my pitiful attempt at the Smart Remarks Book Club. Now go read the for mentioned blog for a real book review.

VOTE!

Since the Presidential election is coming up and since I have never had a picture to go with the name ABUTLER and since I would like to be included with fellow blogger framily (that's Family + Friends) I would like your help in voting me a new blogger username and profile pic. Your choices are:

Profile Pics #1 Baby with tongue

#2 Annie & Raggie

#3 Wearing Brothers 70's Outfit

(The later the pictures went not so cute.)



Username Nominations

#1 Annie (Going back to my roots)
#2 Hot Mama (That's what my kids call me)
#3 Anna B ( A play on Abutler)


Of course all suggestions will be taken into consideration. Your participation is much appreciated.

I am...

I had a friend tag me this really fun tag over a month ago. I finally got around to taking the time to work on it. For me this was very thought provoking and I thought a good journal entry for that. I'm tagging my Fristers (that's friend + sisters) Emily, Amanda & Molly. Don't take as long as I did.


I am a wife and mother and even though I’m not the best at either I try to be, because I love my husband and kids the most.
I miss my family. Having Amanda here in Utah has been the greatest but I still REALLY miss my family.
I think about being organized EVERY single day.
I know I’m a Child of God.
I want to go on an exotic vacation with Trent.
I have a hard time saying NO to anybody. HELP!
I search the Internet almost everyday. I couldn’t function without it.
I wish I was a morning person. (So does Trent) I have never been, but have always tried.
I hate slow drivers. They drive me crazy.
I am scared of walking into a room alone and not knowing anyone. I’ve been a loner most of my life and it has always scared me to even think about going somewhere I don’t know anyone.
I fear the dentist, losing a child or my husband, scary movies, someone knocking on my door when my house is messy, and driving in the snow.
I always have stacks of papers on my kitchen counter. Another reason I think about being organized ALL the time.
I love my family.
I feel sad when I hear about a kid getting picked on at school. Bullies suck!
I hear Viva La Vida for the bazillionth time on the kids computer.
I smell my dog. Yuck!
I don't always wash my face before I go to bed. I’m usually to tired to do anything but fall into bed. Gross huh?
I wonder all the time how my life would have been different if I had been born at different time. Crazy, but I have this fascination with the past.
I care about what people think of me. I know it shouldn’t matter but it does, to me.
I regret not keeping better record of my children’s accomplishments. I have never been a good record keeper. In fact Tucker never got a baby book. How bad is that?
I am not good at keeping my mouth shut. I have gotten a little better, especially with Trent. I just can’t keep ALL my thoughts bottled up in my head, can I?
I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church. I have never doubted it and I am thankful for that testimony. In the name of…..
I dance in my mind all the time. I used to dance when I was younger but since then not so much. I would love to dance with my husband but he doesn’t like to so much.
I sing all the time. It has been my life for so long I can’t think of a day I haven’t sung. I’ve done it for a living, I’ve done it for fun. I LOVE TO SING!
I write on the computer and that’s about it. I have always HATED my handwriting and therefore avoid ever having to write anything. I would rather type it out and print it.
I win nothing. I just don’t have that kind of luck.
I dream of singing on Broadway one day. I’m a total Musical nerd and love to listen and watch all musicals. If I could choose what kind of music to sing it would have to be Broadway.
I lose my mind when my kids fight with each other. It drives me nuts.
I never make my bed when I get up in the morning. If it does get made it’s later in the day or just before I go to bed. Stupid huh? No just lazy.
I listen to ALL kinds of music. I love it when I hear a new song or when one of my siblings makes me a CD of new songs. I can’t live without my music.
I can usually be found on the computer these days. I need to start limiting my computer time.
I read very little. It’s not that I don’t like to read it’s just that I don’t make the time for reading. But when I do I always enjoy it, especially if it has to do with Vampires & Werewolves. I also really like self help books. I need a lot of help.
I am happy when my husband and children are Happy.

A No Go

First off, I would like to apologize to any of you who were misled and thought I was saying I was actually going to be on Judge Judy..I wish. All I was saying is that's what I was told it was going to be like. I was actually just going down to the Salt Lake County court house, sorry didn't mean to burst your bubble. At least now you can go and cancel your DVR record setting.

So now for what happened...NOTHING! They never told me that there was a chance that they would not be able to serve the court papers to the defendant. So it wasn't till I got all the way down there and didn't see my name on the docket that I was told this news. Apparently the jig is up and they know they are trying to track them down. It could take awhile to get these jerks served. For the meantime I have another court date of Nov. 13th. At least I have a little more time to track down my star witness and give more thought to that perfect outfit. Thanks for suggestions.

Judge Judy

"I'm not a lawyer but I play one on T.V." That's what I want to say tonight when I go to small claims court. Yup, for real I'm going to small claims court. Most of you have heard my cry and complain about "FiltaFry" (aka the 'F' word). Well, we had a pretty big account not pay up and so now I have to take them to court. When I went and filed my papers I asked the clerk "What can I expect?" He said "Have you ever watched Judge Judy?" and I said "Have I!" Little did he know that I was raised on the old school Peoples Court, the one with Judge Wapner, and have pretty much watched court T.V. forever. Anyway, he said if I had watched Judge Judy I should know what to expect because it's pretty much just like that. So I have been preparing my case by watching all 263 episodes of Judge Judy and I think I'm ready. I want to make sure I don't look like a total idiot. You know like the ones you see on those shows who don't even bring any evidence with them. I am a little worried that my most important witness is out of the country and I will be winging this on my own. I'm actually hoping the Defendant doesn't show up. That makes me the Plaintiff, right? Wish me luck.

I GET SO EMOTIONAL 2!

If you want to know what the heck this is all about refer to this, or this, and maybe even this. If not enjoy the awesome pictures my 11 year old took with my really crappy camera.

So here's my story line. My best frousin (that's friend+cousin) planned this really cool "girls trip" to Seattle with an incredible detour to Forks. Yes THE Forks. Anyhow, I unfortunately am not able to go due to a previous engagement (aka going to see my Sis in Tuscan, AZ, also an amazing "girls trip".) BTW didn't something from those Twilight books happen in AZ, hum! After my rather vocal protest and jealous outburst I expressed my feelings of being "left out." Boy did that open a whole can of worms. To make a rather boring story, short... My SIL, the one who ignored my email and is going on the previously mentioned "girls trip" sent me THIS:



















Wha ? For ME?




















Carefully...




















Is it possible?

It is, it is, it really is!!!!!!

You can see why it is affectionately named the "Pooh Loaf".

I Let the kids each have a turn at holding it and playing with it and then it too took its rightful place next to the fine china.

I too would like to thank Jenny, who made this all possible, my spell check who makes me look so smart and never fails to interpret that unrecognizable word, Landee (even though I've never been formally introduced or acknowledged), and most of all my dear SIL who made the sweetest gesture of all. Thank you!

WARNING: YOU MAY BE THE NEXT ONE TO RECEIVE THIS IN THE MAIL!

Kids Say The Darndest Things

Micah has always been our local comedian. He always has very funny and witty things to say and usually at such random times. Most of the time he doesn't even know how funny he is or that he was eve trying to be funny.
Yesterday I was driving the kids and there friends to Brigg's football game and this is the conversation I heard in the backseat between Micah and his friend.

Friend: "Did you know that someone dies like every single minute of everyday?'

Micah: "Really?"

Friend: "Ya, but that's okay because there's a baby born like every minute of every day too."

Micah: "Oh, that's why there's always that new baby smell in the air."


Love you Micah!