Memories

Okay - Here's what you do

Leave a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot...anything you remember!

I look foward to reading them!

Feeling Festive

Ashley was feeling the Christmas spirit and was begging me to set up our tree. So I found the tree and she and Candace went to town putting on all the ornaments. They were so excited to see all the different ones and did a GREAT job putting them up.

I was so grateful that I didn't have to fuss with the tree the girls did it all. I got more joy and entertainment watching their expressions as they put each ornament on. So we have the tree up ornaments on now for the Santa Letters- are my kids on the Naughty or Nice List??

Shopping Fun

Yes, I was one of those crazy 3 A.M. bargain shoppers. However, this year I got my son into it. He wanted a Ripstik G for his birthday. Fred Meyer had them 1/2 off so I told him if he wanted one he'd have to get up early and get it.

It was so fun seeing his excitement grow as we waited outside in the Idaho cold. Then he was AMAZED that people were running in the store - something he normally would have gotten in trouble for he could actually do.

Long story short he got his Ripstik and we were able to shop Walmart too and find more deals. He and I had a great time! He is already asking if he can come next year----He's hooked!

Give thanks

I came across this saying, "Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving"

It really made me stop and think- how often do I say I'm am thankful for all my blessings but never stop to think how I have used them in my life.

So here are some of my blessings that have helped me become a better me. I count my children they have taught me so much and have helped me try harder to be stronger to be more patient and live life a little more simply.

I count my family and friends as blessings. You all have helped me by lifting me up, encouraging me, being a shoulder to cry on and believing in me.

I also count my hard times as blessings even though they are yucky and hard to go through I come out of them a stronger more determined person. I have grown so much from them and have learned love and empathy for others. Really aren't we all are struggling with something - it's just what we do or take from it that matters.

So I give you all a big thanks for being a blessing in my life- Happy Thanksgiving!

Still in Idaho

For those who are wondering or just plain curious - I am STILL in Idaho. Rexburg has it's perks, like Fong's fried rice Ashley's favorite, old friends- Blaze has had fun at the middle school hooking up with his elementary buddies. Millhollow frozen yogurt Candace has to have the strawberry cheesecake it's pink and yummy. Overall it's been nice to have some time away to just think. I appreciate all the calls of love and concern. I'll keep you updated on just where we're going and when we'll be back. So for now a big hug from your lil' old pal in Idaho.

Drivers license, Shot and Hosptial OH MY

No, that's not my real drivers license. Whoever would want to display such a hideous picture. Anyway I went to Idaho to re-new my drivers license which, expired the next day. SO I figured I would leave Thursday because the kids had no school on Friday. Off we went. Drive was good. Got to my mom's house woke up on Halloween feeling YUCKY! So I went to the doctors office and found out I had a rip roaring infection Yippee! I knew I needed to take the kids around trick or treating so I asked them to give me a shot. Doesn't HE look sweet and innocent! Well let me tell you what having a male nurse is intimidating enough! Having him poke me in my fatty hip was humiliating. A few seconds after the shot of the antibiotic I felt a pain like no other all down my hip into my calf. I asked the doctor if this was normal---NO of course not! The cute little punk nurse gave my shot way too high and way too lateral which hit my nerve instead of my fat. Lucky me. The doctor gave me a motrin 1200 do they really make such stuff? I didn't care. I took it and hoped for the best. A few hours later no relief from the pain but promised the kids we would go trick-or-treating with the cousins in Idaho Falls we stood in line for an hour to go to a few decorated trailers and get tootsie rolls and bubble gum. I was a little disappointed but them reminded myself we were making memories- Smile and have fun. Next we went to Burton and the kids trunk or treated with my sisters ward. Man did they make a haul! Remember my shot is still killing me so I tell my sis to take me home. My mom shares one of her fine high power pain pills and off to sleep I go. Only the pain pill didn't work so I tossed and turned and tried to sleep. Next day Happy Birthday to drugged out pain filled me! I tried to have a good day even though I didn't feel well. My mom did a great job making my birthday great! Loved going to dinner with her and my sis. Blair's mom gave me a massage at a spa (that was the only thing that eased my hip pain) So later that night I get a call from Blair's mom, the doctor put his grandma in the hospital to run tests. She has a lot of fluid in her body and can't breath well, so as of right now we have been told it is congenital heart failure. They will run more tests. And we'll know more on Monday. So for now I'm still in Idaho. I have conceded that I am a BAD omen and am not suppose to stay in Idaho or disaster is sure to ensue!

Where do people with bad luck go? VEGAS BABY

If we didn't have BAD LUCK we'd have no luck at all

There goes our plane---ONLY problem we're not on it! Can you believe we missed our plane to paradise because some skycap person directed us to check in at the international terminal. We went there and no one was around. So then we went to check in at the Delta terminal we used the kiosk which after four attempts told us we needed to see a ticket agent. After waiting in line to speak to a ticket agent we learned that the machine stops printing baggage tags at 45 minutes prior to flight departure we missed it by THREE minutes. So the agents said he could get us on the flight with NO luggage. CRAZY!! So the next option was to start looking for flights the only problem was that the flight he could get us on next went to Atlanta then we may have up to a day layover to see if we could get a seat to Cancun. Not a very fun option. Next option Re-book the whole thing for a later time. One way plane tickets to Cancun only happen once a week out of SLC. So the soonest we could go would be Saturday the 11th. That doesn't work because our kids would miss another week of school and my babysitter would have to go back to work. SO LONG story short we chose to rebook in January - don't know if that's going to work but we can shoot for it. Also, now we purchase insurance on the trip in case anything crazy like bad luck happened we would not lose our money....WELL now the all inclusive resort may not refund our money - YIKES- so we are working with Delta who has a documented statement that is was the airlines fault we missed the flight and the resort has to decide if they will refund our money. What a mess!!!! So for those of you who know us - I guess it's not too surprising - But what a disappointment Blair and I wait 15 years to go on a REAL vacation and we still don't get to go!

How do you spell Paradise

M E X I C O only 2 days BABY!!!

Hair Cut

BEFORE AFTER I can SEE her eyes! Candace got her hair cut today - We were trying to go for the "no bang" thing but she never left her hair pretties in and her hair was always in her face! So today I finally got to see her beautiful blue eyes!!! She was so excited.

Ladybug

Today Ashley was out gathering flowers from our garden. She came and sat down by me with something in her hand. She looked at me and said, "Mom, now I know how Heavenly Father made ladybugs." She opened her hand to show me a live ladybug and continued with her observation. She said, "He got a potato bug and gave it wings painted them red with black polka dots! Want to see" It was a fun moment then she said see all those pretty flowers in my car- I'll sell you one for .25 cents! She's such an entrepreneur she's going to be rich one day.

Are these really MY kids?

Okay - they really are my kids. We enjoyed going to the local costume shop and buying wigs for their Halloween costumes. I know it's a bit early but I couldn't resist. If you are wondering what or who they are I'll fill you in. Blaze is Ozzy Osbourne (I know it's kind of crazy letting him be someone so "old school" but he likes the costume). Ashley is a punk rock girl. She fit the costume attitude and all. Candace is going to be Princess Aurora or Sleeping Beauty. She loved the long hair. Blair and I are planning on being Barney and Betty Rubble from the Flinstones. Crazy eh. I'm still working on making the costumes, I'm sure I'll post our pics. I can't wait for Halloween- the kids even get that day off from school. I'll have to think of something spooktacular to do with them!

Party like a rockstar

• >>Have you ever felt like someone else is living YOUR life? For those of you who know me - know that I use the phrase, "Party like a Rockstar" for everything. I would love to know just how rock stars party.

I know what I would do if >I could party like them......I would stay up all night sleep all day - remind you of a cheesy 90's song by Slaughter? Boy does that date me or what. Anyway I loved this pick up even the license plate was rockstr. I was jealous. I have had some fun and "partied like a rockstar" in a very Jennifer way.

This is us - yup an all around great suburban family. I mean suburban literally and figuratively. Our little family consists of my hard working ( I assume that's what he gets a paycheck for...)husband, my oldest son Blaze and two daughters Ashley and Candace. What I have learned to love about my life is there is never a dull moment. There is always some sort of craziness going on. This week we survived the first week of school. That is everyone but Candace who will be starting pre-school this week. Blaze is in 6th grade -I'm really not old enough to have a 6th grader- He is a great kid. He loves to ride bmx bikes and is proud of his Honda 80. Ashley started 3rd grade and seems to be doing okay. At least better than last year, she actually gets out of bed and dressed to go to school. Last year there were times I was literally dragging her into school. So this year I consider a success. She love anything artistic, bug like and outrageous. Candace just turned 4 and can't wait to start school. She loves princesses and calls herself Princess Aurora - that's her favorite. She can't wait to go to Disneyland to see where she lives. She also keeps us all laughing. I'll keep you updated on the latest phrase of the day.

Welcome to the Hill's CRAZY life

Welcome to our blog - this won't be the typical luelee la sight. This is real unscripted life at the Hill's home. So sit back and enjoy - feel free to leave advice and suggestions!