ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS...

My kids are always asking me...."what do you want for Christmas, Mom." I always tell them..."You already know." They will say...."we know...we know....PEACE, LOVE and HAPPINESS!" And then they will say..."But what do you REALLY want?" And I always tell them..."that IS what I want." I can honestly say that I am very happy with my life. I have everything that I could ever possibly need and want. I have a great husband that works extremely hard to give us the things we want and need. And...he loves me and puts up with me...that should say it all!!! I have 3 healthy, WILD kids. A nice house...nice cars..and so much more. Am I saying that my life is perfect??? haha...FAR FROM IT! My house is a mess, my kids fight with each other all the time. My oldest DRIVES ME NUTS with his mouth! My kids don't do anything to help with out me totally nagging at them...then it turns into a fight. And I am exhausted a lot of the time because my husband lives away from home during the week. And that means I have to help with the HOMEWORK...WHICH I TOTALLY HATE!!! With that being said...I am so fortunate to have a husband that works hard to provide for us...even though he has to live away from home during the week. Even though my house is a mess most of the time...I am fortunate to be able to afford a nice house! And even though my kids make me want to scream and pull my hair out....I do have 3 great healthy kids.

You may be thinking...why I am talking about this. Well...this weekend a little boy who was 14 years old was hit by a car and killed not far from our house. My son who is 13 did not know him...but knows a lot of his friends and the teachers he had. He was out walking with some of his friends and it was dark...the car didn't see him trying to cross the road. Today was his funeral. I can't stop thinking about his parents. My heart aches for them. I know they are wishing that their son could drive them crazy just one more time....or forget to pick up his clothes off the floor.....or to hear his whine just one more time when they ask him to do a job. :(

Also...with the economy lately....I know of some people that have lost their jobs. Lance has been laid off before. We had 3 kids...a house payment...cars....etc. I can't even describe how frightening it is to wonder how you are going to make it. Therefore...even though Lance is gone during the week...I am so fortunate to have a husband that has a job.

So...when asked..what I want/need for Christmas my answer is....I don't NEED anything....but unfortunately what I WANT for everyone money can't buy....PEACE, LOVE, and HAPPINESS!

Daily Quote:

"True friends are the people who brighten your smile everytime your with them"

SLACKER!!!!

My name is Jen and I am a SLACKER!!!!! LOL I can't believe that its been almost a month since I posted!!! You know its bad when people start to call you to see why you haven't posted in a while. Even my husband called today and said...."I keep checking your blog to see what you have been up to....and there is never anything new on there. " So I thought...I better get on it. This last month just flew by. I have NO idea where it went or what I have been up to. So...I thought I would look at my calendar to see what on earth I did this last month. :)

First of all...Cole got sick...AGAIN. Cole has gotten what the doctors call "croup" every year since he has been born. It is always the same. He starts to lose his voice first...then he has difficulty breathing...gets a seal like cough....we usually end up in the ER getting a breathing treatment and steroids. For a couple years now the doctors have been saying..."he is to old to get croup...the next time this happens we need to do further testing." Each time it would happen they would just give him a treatment and steroids and say the same thing. It didn't help that we have moved and changed doctors quite a few times during this process. So finally I decided we need to get to the bottom of this. So...we went to an ENT who said that is it possible that his esophagus is to small and that he could also have vocal cord issues....but we wouldn't know unless we did exploratory surgery. OK...not an option. So...I decided to take him back to the allergy and asthma center when the school calls me and tells me he is having a hard time breathing and I need to come in to get him. I took him in and they ran a few test and started him on treatment. Well...by the next morning he is worse....so back we go. They start him on steroids....same ol thing that he gets every time this happens. Seems to be the only thing that works. And...they send him for a cat scan of his sinuses. That comes back clear and they are baffled. Loooong story short.....they decide to get him well with all the meds. and do a Methacholine challenge test. This will determine if he has asthma. Sure enough....he does! And this "croup" is the way his body reacts to it. FINALLY we know what this is!!!! Sooooo....now he is on a preventive dose of meds every night. We go back to the allergist Thursday for a check-up. So far all is good. Hopefully this will control his attacks and we can stay out of the ER this winter. So that is part of where I have been. :)

TODAY'S QUOTE

YES WE CAN!!!! :)

WOOO HOOOOO!!!

I VOTED!!!!! I was a little worried I might be there all day....but thankfully I was only there about 15 mins. :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

I hope you all have a great time trick or treating tonight!!!

We went to boo in the zoo at the Cheyenne Zoo in Colorado Springs the other night. The kids had a blast. They LOVED the Star Wars guys. Their costumes were like the real thing! I was really excited about seeing the animals at night...little did I know...they sleep. LOL I was able to get a few pics of the gorillas. They were to sweet!

Cole said this one looked as though he was having a nice dream.

Here is one of a mom snuggling with her baby....soooooo sweet!!!

Here is a slide show of the rest of the Boo In the Zoo Pics.

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Family Visit

My parents and brother Steve came to see us a couple weeks ago. It was great to see them...but one thing I know for sure now....I DO NOT need to go to another Museum for AT LEAST....hmmmm...the REST OF MY LIFE!!!! :) My parents and Steve (who is a teacher) LOVE musuems....me...NOT SO MUCH!!! It was fun just being with them though....we had some pretty good laughs along the way. LOL

Monday...we went to the Science and Nature Museum in Denver. It's a nice museum. :)

Here are a few pics from there.

On Tuesday we to Golden. We toured the Mt. Climbing MUSEUM....the Quilt MUSEUM...and BEST OF ALL....the HISTORY MUSEUM....UUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Actually the Mt. Climbing Museum was pretty cool. It just opened not to long ago and that did have some really interesting things in it.

On Wednesday we went site seeing...WOOO HOOOOO!!!! LOL

We stopped to look at the water wheel...I don't remember where it is...some town headed up to the mountains. :)

Mom, Dad and Steve also found a statue of some dude that they had to read about. I was off taking pics of the scenery. LOL I can't tell you who the dude is because....I don't know...and I DON'T CARE. :)

Awwww...aren't they sweeeeet!!!!!! Now this a moment to remember....not that dead dude they made a statue out of!

Let me tell you about Engine #60.....JUST KIDDING!!! I just took the pic...mom and dad read about it. LOL

Then we drove thru the mts. and looked at some scenery on the way up to Buffalo Bills grave. I don't have any pics of that because I get car sick and was thinking more about hurling than taken pics. :) But here is one of mom, dad and Steve at the top at Big Bills grave. LOL

Along the way we also stopped at an old Mine. That was cool. I will need to take the kids back there. You can actually tour the mine.

THEN...after all that...we stop at a place called Silver Plume. I think the population is 3 plus 1 dog. LOL It was this tiny little town... a one dirt road town with some houses...an old school, a church....and a dog in the middle of the road that did NOT move. We had to drive around him as he just stared at us. He was probably thinking...HAHA...those IDIOTS are SOOO LOST!!!


My mom got out of the car to take pics...she LOVED this little place. She took this one of the dog. Dad, Steve and I stayed in the car...hoping the dog would come after her like Cujo...and scared her to death....NOW THAT WOULD BE FUN!!! But no such luck...he just looked at her like...haven't you ever seen a dog before lady????

Here are some more pics of the town.

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Thursday we went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and rode the Cog Railrode up to Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. I let Ely and Cole skip school because they LOVE that zoo. Mom and Ely got a little altitude sickness at the top of Pikes Peak. It also was pretty cold up there. I think with the windchill it was like 10 degrees. Here are some pics from that day.

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Friday...was a day of rest. :) They left first thing Saturday morning. :( I was sad they had to go....but not that I now don't have to go to any museums until the next time they visit!!!!! :)

Good intentions!

Ok...I know its been forever since I posted. I just can't seem to find enough hours in the day to get everything done. I was thinking to myself....how can I be more productive during the day and get more things done????? I thought and thought....and totally got it figured out! I NEED A WIFE or 2...or 3. LOL I was thinking...ya know...maybe polygamy is not such a bad thing. I could have a wife that cleans, one that cooks, one that takes care of the kids, another that takes care of all the stuff...mail, bills, etc. And I could be the director!!!! :) Just none of them could have ANY KIDS!!!! 3 is the max in my house! ROFL Ok...before my parents have a heart attack from reading this post....I AM KIDDING!!! (a little) I am kidding about the multiple wives.....but it sure would be nice to have help sometimes. I know most mom's feel this way! If there is a mom out there that does get it all done in a day...I want to hear from you....I want to know how its done! :)

I have a ton of new things to post! Now that the kids will be back in school from fall break...and my company has gone back to TN....I will have some time to get this updated. So be sure to check back daily this week.

TODAYS DAILY QUOTE:

"A Friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway!!!"

MY PLAYLIST

I called my friend Mary the other day and she said..."What have you been doing? I've tried to call you." I said..."I went to Vail for the weekend." She said..."I know...I had to read your blog to find out where you were." LOL Sorry Mary :) "Anyway" she says...I have to tell you...you really need to change the songs on your playlist. I like them...they are just to mellow for you...you need something more that fits your personality....songs that kind of go with who you are. It was funny that she had said that because the other day Cole told me that no one will read my blog with stupid music like that playing. LOL I am pretty well rounded when it comes to music...I like all kinds. So...Mary got me thinking....songs that fit me...hmmmmmm....is there a song called WILD, CRAZY, SEXY! Just kidding. I found a few that would fit....there was a song called "Cocky" haha...for those that know me...you all know THAT would fit. I didn't like the song...so its not on there.

As I was going threw the songs to put on my playlist I instant messaged my friend Haley. I said...is there a song that reminds you of me? I was waiting for some really smart comment...but she immediately without even having to think about it wrote. Carol King....So Far Away. For those that don't know the song it goes:

Your So far Away

Doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore

It would be so fine to see your face at my door

Doesn't help to know that you're just time away

Honestly...that is one of the nicest things someone has said to me. It really touched me. I know Haley will laugh when she reads this, but really...it did. And I feel the same about Haley...I miss her terribly. I used to just pop in over at her house and tell her that when my kids came looking for me to tell them I wasn't there. LOL Oh how I wish I could still do that. :( I really miss hanging with you Haley!

There are a few on there that I found that will bring back memories for certain people. ROFL So, from my playlist I dedicate:

Honey, I'm home...to my husband Lance. :)

That Smell....to my brother Craig. hahahahahahhahahaha....he will understand...some of you might too.

Brand New Girlfriend

Rocky Mt. High...to my friend Tonya.....LOL

So Far Away

Leaving on a Jet Plane.....to Haley :)

My Little Girl...my Dad

I hope you all like this playlist better. Thanks helping me improve my blog Mary! :) Even my kids are happier with some of the songs. LOL

THE DEBATE!

No time to blog tonight...I am heading to watch the debate. Here is my quote...which you have all heard. "If you don't vote...you have no right to complain!"

I will try and get this thing updated tomorrow.

TODAYS DAILY QUOTE:

Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.

Plato :)

More Post coming....

Sorry...life got busy again. I went to Vail this weekend and am now catching up. I will be updating the blog soon.

TODAYS DAILY QUOTE:

Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore?

Randy Pausch

The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture is a book written by Randy Pausch. If you have not read this book it is a MUST read. It will truly change the way you think about life. If you have not heard of Randy or this book...have you been under a rock???? Here is some info on the book:

Synopsis:

A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave—"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"—wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have…and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

You also can watch the Lecture here on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Unfortunately, Randy lost his battle on July 25, 2008. He leaves behind his wife Jia and their 3 small children. You may be wondering why I am writing about this. Well, first of all...like I said above I think it is a must read for everyone. Second of all....I LOVE QUOTES!!! Randy has a ton of quotes that I LOVE!! I thought I would start doing a daily quote on my blog and my first quote will be from Randy.

TODAYS DAILY QUOTE:

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the game."
Randy Pausch

Ernie...the CATDOG

Ernie is our miniature schnauzer that we got about a year ago. I hadn't planned on getting a miniature schnauzer but....one day we were at the mall...went into the pet store....took Ernie out to pet him....he was mine!!!! I fell in love that moment! Ernie has brought us more laughs than I can tell you about. He is the FUNNIEST dog! First of all...that face and those big brown eyes....will steal your heart every time! Here are a couple pics of when we first got him.

As soon as we got him home he started chasing the cat. The cat was scared to death of him. He stayed in the basement for six month until we were finally decided that it was ridiculous for the cat to hid the rest of his life!!!!! So...we made it so the cat couldn't hide from him. They ended up being good buds....but NOW...Ernie thinks he is a CAT!!!! He plays with Keekee (the cat) just like another cat would! He swats...tries to jump from the furniture like Keekee does...its not pretty to see when he tries it. He has taken over the cats bed. If Keekee is in his bed, Ernie goes over and bites him and makes him get out. And best of all...he gets on the back of the furniture like the cat!!!! We swear one day...he is going to MEOW!!!

He is definitely one WEIRD dog...but we love him!!!!

THE TRUMPET!

Cole is has decided to play the trumpet. Do I really need to say anymore...LOL. He brought the trumpet home from school yesterday...and decided to play us a few....um....blows? As he attempted to play...poor Ely looks at me with this look on his face like ARE YOU SERIOUS??? I leaned over to him and said...I feel your pain Ely....I feel your pain! Unfortunately, the blows of the horn has brought back some very haunting memories I have as a kid. My little brother Michael decide when he was in middle school that he was going to play the saxophone. Michael absolutely enjoyed annoying the tar out of me. :) He would bring the saxophone home to practice. He would start practicing about the time I started my homework. To drown out the noise I would sit at my desk in my room with my radio blaring. Michael then would sneak in my room (my back was to my door...not a good idea) get right behind me and blow that thing as loud and hard as he could...and watch me STICK to the ceiling!!! I can not even begin to tell you how MAD that would make me. He would run as fast as he could as soon as I came down from the ceiling because he KNEW if I caught him...he was going to get the beating of his life that he so well deserved!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apparently the beatings were worth taking...because they did not stop him. Thank God I was in my senior year and left the house after graduating. My poor mother probably had to endure the pain he use to inflict on me.

So...last night after we listen to the horn blowing and getting homework done...I was exhausted. I put everyone to bed and went a plopped down in my bed laying on my back with my arm draped across my eyes....trying to find the ambition to roll over to set the alarm and turn out the light. Before I can, I hear the loud blow of the trumpet right at the side of my bed. I think to myself...YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I look up and there stands Cole in his UNDERWEAR with the trumpet!!!! UUGGGHHH!!! I said..."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He said..."I just wanted to blow it one more time." Seriously...I could of given him one of those beatings Michael used to get!!!!!!!!! But I said..."Cole...its bedtime...get in bed and you can play it tomorrow."



Cole is a very hard child to get up in the morning. He would NOT get up this morning. The great mother that I am.....lol....I thought...Oh...how funny would it be if I blew that horn in his face!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA!!!! Then I thought better of it. I didn't want to give him any ideas for tomorrow morning when I finally get to sleep in!

WHEW WEEEEE!!!!

Well...so most of you know that I had my first mammogram done about a week ago. If you haven't read about it...see a couple post below. :) Anyway...I got a call back saying that they saw something suspicious and that I needed to come back in. Long story short....I am fine....it was a lymph node. I really wasn't worried. I have no idea why...I just wasn't. My friend Mary got a call too and had to go back in...thank goodness...she was fine too. I guess I just don't worry about things that I really don't have any control over. I figured it is what it is...and when we figure that out we will deal with it. Cole had lots of questions. He wanted to know what I would do if they had to cut my boobies off. I told them I would just have them move my fat roll up and I would be good as new. :) Bless him....he believed me. Its really not a bad idea ya know!

Ely had told me that if it took a long time to get my results back that it was because the doctor was staring at my pictures thinking...NICE RACK! I told him...I didn't think so...and they are just x-rays...they aren't pictures. And even if they were...he sure wouldn't be checking out MINE!!!! Sometime...I really wonder about that kid!

On a serious note though...I am really glad my friend Mary had called and told me about Margarita and Mammogram night. I was suppose to get a mammogram done a year ago because I am adopted and have no medical history. The doctor wanted to get a baseline on me because of that. Of course I blew it off. One of those things...oh I will get to it later...and never did. Well....though I wasn't really worried...I did think to myself....if it is cancer....and it has gotten bigger because I blew it off a year ago when we could of found it....I would have been so mad at myself for being SO STUPID! I know that early detection is key! But...it wasn't I am fine...and have learned my lesson. :)

I told them to make sure they put me on the mailing list for next year!!! It is definitely worth the squash and the peace of mind....for that nice massage and refreshments they give you afterwords! :) I have told a lot of my friends about it and they all say....I WANT A MAMMOGRAM LIKE THAT!!!! To bad a lot of them live in a different state...otherwise I would have drag them there with me this time! For those of you that do live here...it was at the Centennial Women's Medical Center. The staff was a bunch of wonderful ladies....they even heat your robes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I sure wish they did all medical stuff there! :)

REMEMBER:

GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM!!!!!

Dessert!!!!

I planned on posting something everyday when I started this blog. Well, we see how that is going. LOL I am going to try and post more often...life has just gotten busy with all the boys back in school.

I wanted to tell you all about this dessert I made for a BBQ we went to last weekend. I have a couple pics to download from then too...I just haven't done it. I know...I am a slacker!

Anyway....we went to a reservoir to have a BBQ with some of Lance's friends that he works with. They all wanted me to make one of my YUMMY desserts. (Yes...I am a good wife every now and then and send stuff in with Lance for him and his co-workers) I haven't had any complaints yet.

I didn't want to make something that I have sent in before. I thought they would like something new. So I went on the hunt through some cookbooks to see what I could find. First I wanted it to be good....and second...fast....I don't like dishes that take forever to prepare. And this is what I found. I thought I had died and went straight to heaven when I tasted them. As one of the guys at the BBQ said...." NOW THAT IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!" LOL So I thought I would share. :)

Gooey Turtle Bars

2 c. graham cracker crumbs or vanilla wafers (I used graham crackers)

1/2 c. butter melted

2 c. (12 oz) semisweet chocolate morsels

1 c. pecan pieces

1 (12 oz) jar caramel topping

Combine crumbs and butter. Press firmly into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2 inch pan. Sprinkle with morsels and pecans.

Remove lid from caramel topping ; microwave at HIGH 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until hot, stirring after 30 seconds. Drizzle over pecans. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until morsels melt; let cool in pan on a wire rack. Chill at least 30 minutes; cut into bars.

I got it from a cookbook that I bought from Southern Living at Home. Its called Easy Weeknight Favorites. This is an AWESOME cookbook. I love GOOD recipes that are easy and fast. Which makes this the perfect recipe book. I think my friend Lillian still sells Southern Living at Home and if anyone is interested in this cookbook let me know and I will send you her information. :)

ENJOY!!!!!

BOOBIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHA....got your attention didn't I?????? Ok...so....I am getting up there in age now :) and it was time....for......YES...THE DREADED M word.....MAMMOGRAM!!!! Mary...a good friend of mine called to let me know about a Women's Medical Center that was doing MARGARITAS AND MAMMOGRAM NIGHT. She said..how fun would it be for a bunch of us to get together and go??? I totally agreed. So we emailed all our friends...and just 3 of us ended up going. The rest are just BIG OL' CHICKENS!!!! So it was just Mary, Carol and Myself. As we were sitting there in our gowns I said...Oh...I should of brought my camera...so I could take a pic of the three of us in our lovely gowns to put on my blog. Then I thought..ummmm...maybe NOT...haha...I wouldn't do that to you all....you might not come back to read my post anymore. LOL

I ran across this poem...and I couldn't of said it better myself. So I thought I would just post it.

The Mammogram

By Julia Napier©

For years and years they told me,

Be careful of your breasts.

Don't ever squeeze or bruise them.

And give them monthly tests.

So I heeded all their warnings,

And protected them by law.

Guarded them very carefully,

And I always wore my bra.

After 30 years of astute care,

My gyno, Dr. Pruitt,

Said I should get a Mammogram."

O.K." I said, let's do it."

"Stand up here real close" she said,

(She got my boob in line),

"And tell me when it hurts," she said,

"Ah yes! Right there, that's fine.

"She stepped upon a pedal,

I could not believe my eyes!

A plastic plate came slamming down,

My hooter's in a vise!

My skin was stretched and mangled,

From underneath my chin.

My poor boob was being squashed,

To Swedish Pancake thin.

Excruciating pain I felt,

Within it's vise-like grip.

A prisoner in this vicious thing,

My poor defenseless tit!"

Take a deep breath" she said to me,

Who does she think she's kidding?!?

My chest is mashed in her machine,

And woozy I am getting.

"There, that's good," I heard her say,

(The room was slowly swaying.)

"Now, let's have a go at the other one.

"Have mercy, I was praying.

It squeezed me from both up and down,

It squeezed me from both sides.

I'll bet SHE'S never had this done,

To HER tender little hide.

Next time that they make me do this,

I will request a blindfold.

I have no wish to see again,

My knockers getting steam rolled.

If I had no problem when I came in,

I surely have one now.

If there had been a cyst in there,

It would have gone "ker-pow!"

This machine was created by a man,

Of this, I have no doubt.

I'd like to stick his balls in there,

And see how THEY come out!

HAHA! Honestly...it was not bad at all. I don't know what all the fuss is about with women not wanting to get them. But I really do think that they should test for testicular cancer this way!!!! :)

All my girlfriends have no idea what they missed. Yeah...we got the mammograms...which took a whole ten minutes...but guess what else we got.....MASSAGES...ON OUR BACKS...AFTER we got our shirts back on...ROFL. They had a person there doing chair massages after you were done. Then we got refreshments and drinks....Carmel cheesecake...YUM And...we got to sign up for a drawing for a basket full of goodies and a spa treatment...I HOPE I WIN...LOL And going with friends was great!

NOW...that is MY KIND OF MAMMOGRAM. I would go back again today if they let me :)

They will be doing it again next year! YIPPPPEEEEE!!!! Ok...Ok..I know I don't get out much...but in my opinion...for something that all of us should be doing....this is the way to do it!!!!

Here are some statistics I thought I would post on Breast Cancer.

Cancer Burden†
•
In 2004,* 186,772 women were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 40,954 women died from the disease.
•
Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women.

NOW...if you are due....Quit be a CHICKEN...and go do it!!!!

ON TO THE MAN PAD!!!!

What the heck is a MAN PAD you ask???? It is Lance's condo in Vail where he lives during the week. :) We love going up there. Its a 4 bedroom 4 1/2 bath. I call it my vacation home. LOL Here are a few pics.

Ely and Cole REALLY enjoy the MAN COUCH!!!! Why is it called the MAN COUCH???? See the wooden ends on the arms. They pull out for your drink and remote!!! Definitely a MAN COUCH!!!! And of course...it reclines.

We decided to take Ely and Cole 4-wheeling for the holiday weekend. Unfortunately Lucas had to work so he didn't get to go. We had a ball!

We found some elk bones in a little stream. The boys thought that was WAY COOL!!!!

After we went 4-wheeling we decided to do a little Real Estate Shopping. Here are a few things we looked at:


These go for about 12 MILLION each!!!!! I am not kidding!!!! They are right in down town Vail. Lance and I decided that we will put a down payment on one as soon as we...........

WIN THE POWERBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEHEHEHEHE!!!!

Here are a few more pics of Vail.

More Million Dollar Real Estate!

This is a pic of the ski hills...without the snow. They don't look as intimidating without the snow on them...lol


These flags are put on the fire hydrants so they can find them when you are up to your forehead in SNOW!!! LOL



It was a great weekend....other than...getting pulled over by the POLICE!!!! I decided to take a dirt road on the back side of town to the main road. No more do I turn on that road there is a cop!!! Of course he flips on his lights and pulls me over. I thought to myself...."YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!!!! PULLING ME OVER ON A DIRT ROAD!!!! ARE THERE EVEN SPEED LIMITS ON DIRT ROADS????????? LOL Well...apparently there are. He says..."do you know what the speed limit is on this road". I wanted to say...ARE YOU SERIOUS??? But I said..no. He said 30. I said...oh. LOL He said..."do you know how fast you were going?" I wanted to say...."HAHAHA...obviously faster than that!!!!" But I didn't...I said no. "37" he said. Well.... dang ROSCO, you almost had yourself a chase....hahahaha. :) I am thinking he is going to just tell me to slow it down and let me go....but NO...he has to see my license and registration! I think...I AM SOOOO BUSTED!!!!!!!!!!! My registration was 2 months past due....oops! LOL
I just acted TOTALLY STUPID like I had no idea that it was expired. :) He was a very nice cop and he did end up letting me go. No ticket. :)

So...FYI...there are speed limits on dirt roads. ROFL :)

That night after we got home Ely and I were chillin on the couch watching George Lopez. Ely says "So what are you doing tomorrow?" I thought he was just making small talk. I said "I don't know." He says "Noooooo....remember..you are going to get your car thing you need!" (my registration) I laughed and said.."oh yeah...your right...I am." Then he says..."I got your back mom...I got your back!" LOL He is so sweet. I am glad someone is looking after me. We all know I need it. :)

McCain or Obama...McCain or Obama.....

That is the question! My brother Michael has been WAITING ANXIOUSLY for me to put something controversial on my blog. Sooo...Michael...here it is!

I have never been a fan of politics. Personally I usually find politicians to be BIG LIARS and rather boring. BUT...I did decide to watch Obama's speech last night....and I was rather pleasantly surprised!!! A few times I even happen to holler out..."AMEN BROTHER! and a clap every now and then :) As I am standing there in grossed in the TV watching the speech (we all know it had to be good to hold my attention.) Cole comes down the stairs stomping with his hands on his hips and says "YOU BETTER NOT BE CLAPPING FOR OBAMA...IT IS McCAIN ALL THE WAY" I really wanted to say to him...WHAT DO YOU KNOW...YOU ARE 10!!!! But he was dead serious! So I said " Well...that is the great thing about America, we all get to chose and vote for who we will think will do the best job." Nobody can tell us who we can vote for...we get to decide that ourselves." He looks at me and says..."Well...if you are SMART you vote for McCain." I couldn't help busting out laughing. Cole did NOT like that. So...if you are curious..if my 10 year old could vote...McCain...you have it!

As for myself...well...I am undecided. I can't wait to hear what McCain has to say and I am REALLY looking forward to the debate. Even though I am undecided there are a few things that are REALLY bothering me with McCain. They are as follows:

1. WHO CAN'T REMEMBER HOW MANY HOUSES THEY HAVE??? HELLO??? You honestly expect us to believe that????????????

2. DANG...you are OLD!!!!!! Have you not seen how the previous Presidents look coming out of office. YOU WILL NOT MAKE IT THE 4 YEARS!!!!

3. See number 2....which in that case leave us with Sarah Palin?????????????? WHO IS SARAH PALIN???????

4. McCain says that OBAMA doesn't have enough experience and then he picks someone like SARAH PALIN???? Who is Sarah Palin again???

5. I was reading some articles on CNN and came across this one below. It is written by Paul Begala, a Democratic strategist and CNN political contributor. At the bottom it says "The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer." It needs to add...and Jen W. too! :) I couldn't of said it better myself. :) Here it is:

John McCain needs what Kinky Friedman calls "a checkup from the neck up."
In choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate, he is not thinking "outside the box," as some have said. More like out of his mind.

Palin a first-term governor of a state with more reindeer than people, will have to put on a few pounds just to be a lightweight. Her personal story is impressive: former fisherman, mother of five. But that hardly qualifies her to be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

For a man who is 72 years old and has had four bouts with cancer to have chosen someone so completely unqualified to become president is shockingly irresponsible. Suddenly, McCain's age and health become central issues in the campaign, as does his judgment.

In choosing this featherweight, McCain passed over Tom Ridge, a decorated combat hero, a Cabinet secretary and the former two-term governor of the large, complex state of Pennsylvania.

He passed over Mitt Romney, who ran a big state, Massachusetts; a big company, Bain Capital; and a big event, the Olympics.

He passed over Kay Bailey Hutchison, the Texas senator who is knowledgeable about the military, good on television and -- obviously -- a woman.

He passed over Joe Lieberman, his best friend in the Senate and fellow Iraq Kool-Aid drinker.

He passed over former congressman, trade negotiator and budget director Rob Portman.
And he also passed over Mike Huckabee, the governor of Arkansas.

For months, the McCainiacs have said they will run on his judgment and experience. In his first presidential decision, John McCain has shown that he is willing to endanger his country, potentially leaving it in the hands of someone who simply has no business being a heartbeat away from the most powerful, complicated, difficult job in human history.

I feel some clapping and another AMEN BROTHER coming on!!!!! :)

So...what do you all think...let's hear it...I can take it! Plus Michael said if I get some major debating and arguments on my blog...more people will read it. Let's see if he know what he is talking about.

Random Acts of Kindness

My son Ely is taking a class in Middle School called Consumer and Family Studies. So far it has been a pretty neat class. One of their assignments was to do 2 random acts of kindness and give 2 compliments and write about what they were. Here is what Ely wrote:

Acts of Kindness

My 1st act of random kindness was I put my shoes on the rug in the garage without my mom telling me to. When I told my mom I put my shoes on the rug in the garage she said “You are such a good boy.”

My 2nd act of random kindness was my dad, my brother Cole and I were going out of King Soopers and when we got to the car, Cole got in the car and I helped my dad put the groceries in the back of the car. He said “Thanks Buddy” and I smiled.

My 1st compliment was while I was looking for something on the ground, I saw my mom’s feet. I noticed she had her toes done so I said “Your toes look nice” she smiled and said, “Thanks Peewee”

My 2nd compliment was Cole mowed the lawn and I said “Good job on the lawn, it looks nice.” He said “Thanks Ely.”

Sometimes I think we forget how easy it is to do a random act of kindness or give someone a compliment and how much it can really make someones day! I challange you all do to at least 1 random act of kindness today. Also...It would be great to hear what random act of kindness that someone has done for you that just really made your day.

As for me...Janice (a friend of mine) really made my day today by calling me up to see if my youngest could go to her house to play with her son. Cole has been dying to play with someone and I have needed a break. It was so nice to have a little piece and quite before my other 2 get home and the evening craziness starts. THANKS JANICE!!!!

THE TORNADO!

Well...we had a little excitement Sunday night!!! The doorbell rang like 10 times in a row.....Ernie of course starts going nuts and Ely heads to the door. I was cooking dinner. I said..."TELL COLE TO QUIT SCREWING AROUND!" Ely said..."It's not Cole, its some lady." So I thought that was really strange with the way the doorbell rang....so I went to the door and this lady..that I do not know says "TAKE COVER...THERE IS A TORNADO COMING!!!" I was like..."ok...um..thanks." I tell Lance and we head to the back deck...and this is what we see.

So...we tell the kids to get in the basement. We turn on the news...I was watching YARD CRASHERS on DIY Network. If you haven't ever watched it...check it out. LOVE THAT SHOW! We tevo it! Ahmed...if you happen to read this PLEASE...PLEASE...Crash my Yard!!!!(http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pac_ctnt_988_leader/text/0,2829,DIY_26336_66348,00.html)
Anyway....we go to the basement...turn on the tv down there and tell the kids to get under the stairs. Cole has gone a gotten his hamster and guinea pig...along with our 2 dogs and cat. Ely starts to freak out!!!! "WHAT ABOUT MY FROGS!!!!!" I said.."they will be fine"...but he can't stop crying. Bless his little heart! The cat starts attacking the hamster cage and Ernie is trying to eat the guinea pig!!!! Cole starts freaking...running around with the guinea pig...."I YELL..."GET UNDER THE STAIRS!" He says.."Well...if you don't do something Ernie is going to kill my guinea pig...not the TORNADO!!!" I think to myself that might not be such bad thing...(just kidding) Thank goodness the Tornado was slow moving and dissipated before it got to us. Needless to say I realized that we were so not ready for something like this. So I went to the Red Cross website and looked to see how to be better prepared. If you would like to check it out here is the site. http://www.redcross.org/

Here are a few more pictures that I took of the tornado.

Check out this video.
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/video/index.html

It is AMAZING that it didn't wipe out those houses! Thankfully, there has been no reports of damage or injuries anywhere!!!

THE PICNIC

WHY....WHY....WHY....I ask myself that every time I try and do something fun, that it doesn't quite go as planned???? Cole..my 10 year old and youngest boy wanted to go on a picnic today. So we decided to go to the park. Me and my BRIGHT IDEAS said..."Lets take the dogs!" It was about a 2 minute ride to the park. The dogs were so excited they could hardly contain themselves. We get out....I have my hands full of stuff and am trying to hang on to the dogs and no more do we get to the sidewalk and Lucky decides to take a big ol' dump right there...ON THE SIDEWALK!!!! How NICE!!! WHY...WHY....WHY...LOL. So I tell Cole...give me the poop bags. He said...I didn't bring them". GRRRR.....GO BACK TO THE CAR AND GET THEM!!!! So I proceed to stand there guarding poop so no one will walk in it. I felt like a MAJOR DORK!!! :) I get that cleaned up and Cole and I go sit down a picnic table. Of course, the last person there had to leave half their lunch on the ground. So here I am trying to clean it up before the dogs devour it! I left the french fries...figured they couldn't hurt them and they were quite happy cleaning them up. As you can tell from Ernie licking his chops! :)

So....here we are having a nice little picnic. Dogs are happy cleaning up the fries under the table, and Cole screams...."ERNIE JUST PEED ON MY SHOE!!!!!!!! I said.."ARE YOU SERIOUS?????" Honestly...I thought he was kidding. Ernie has never peed on anyone. Sure enough...I look under the table and there is his shoe with pee in it!!!! What on earth is WRONG with these dogs today????

By the time we get that cleaned up there are bees in Cole's applesauce. Cole starts running away with everything else in hand. I said..."get back over here...they will not hurt you" Forget it...he was done! LOL He asked if we could go to Baskin Robbins across the street. We went and got him some ice cream and took the dogs for a little walk and went home. We both had had enough for the day. As we are heading out Cole says " that was a lovely picnic" I said..."REALLY...or are you being sarcastic?" He said..."um...sarcastic mom!" Then says...."Note to self....next time...LEAVE THE DOGS AT HOME!!!" I couldn't agree more. LOL

Below are some more pics from the day. Enjoy!

I know these don't look like naughty dogs....but looks can be very deceiving!!!!




Cole eating his ice cream.

I have started to blog!!!

Ok...so I have started to blog. Why...you may ask? Well...because I have a lot to say...LOL For those of you that know me....you know that is not a lie....I LOVE TO TALK. :) Actually... some of the reasons I decided to start blogging is:

1. My family and friends are scattered all over the US. We don't get to see them as much as we like and I thought this would be a good way to keep them updated with our crazy life.

2. My husband lives in Vail during the week and misses a lot. This will be a good way to keep him posted on what really goes on around here. Sometimes I forget to tell him things. :)

3. Because...I have a lot to say and I love to talk. This blog will be just what the title says...Jen's Random Babbling. I will be talking about everything from My kids....being green....saving money...thoughts of the day.....rubberstamping/scrapbooking...maybe even a little politics...ewww...since the DNC...coming to Denver...YIPPEEE....NOT! Be sure to check back often and see what I have been babbling about...it just might interest you. LOL