It's the most wonderful time of the year!

I love Christmas time. I love the lights, the trees, the decorations. I love the treats, the music, Santa and his elves. I love the nativities, the Christ child, the miracles of the season. I know that not everyone loves this time of year. I know that for some it is one of the hardest times of the year. I know there is stress and craziness. I have experienced it all - the sadness, the worry, the stress, the craziness, the loss of a loved one. But, I love this time of year.

Maybe it is the spirit of that Christ child who is touching so many all at the same time. Maye it is the beauty that can make people want to be kinder and help others. Whatever it is, there are incredible miracles and tender mercies for all who seek.

We have an Arnold Friburg print in our living room titled "Following the Star". It stays up all year long. It serves as a simple reminder that if I follow the Star, I might feel of the love and tender mercies of the Lord. It reminds me that this life is a journey. People come and go, lives change, circumstances change. But as we each follow the Star, we will feel of a love a Christ who lived and died for me. For that, I am grateful.

Merry Christmas!

This would be a good birthing song

This is the kid who told us he was born to be funny! No question about that.

I know I took off the music, but you really need to hear it at least for this post.

Not sure who my son is hanging out with, but...
After a rocking ride jamming out to Salt n Peppa in the car, this was his comment -

"Mom, this would be a good birthing song. Ah, push it!"
The laughing commenced, again.

Apparently our car is the best place for us to have any sort of important/hysterical discussion. Keep that in mind before you let your children ride with us!

Year of the crystal

It's mushy...beware!

Happy crystal anniversary, baby!! It is hard to believe that it has been 15 years ago today that we were married forever. Look how young and skinny we were then! I'm sure you were just glad to actually get me to the alter, huh?

You are my best friend. You have made this journey we call life so much better than I thought it could be. You have given me love, laughter, 3 beautiful babies (well, they are beautiful because of me. Come on, you can admit it...). You have been my strength when things are hard and yucky. You take care of me when I can't do it myself. You have made me laugh with you and at you and at myself. You have been a great sparring partner and a better lover. You are my best friend. I love you with all of me! I love you, Kent. Thanks for making my life a wonderful one.

I'm a Utah Man, Sir

Down with TCU - unlike poor old BYU - we took care of business!

Utah 13

TCU 10

Now, Bring on the cougars!

Costumes, candy, & candidates. Oh My!

I have notices that I am a little behind in the halloween postings. We had a long, busy all hallow's eve. But, boy, were our bags full of loot.

I can't believe it is November.

As I was voting today, no lines, just in and out, I was thinking that this was one of the very first times I did not take my kids with me to the polling location. They have come with me to vote in every election until recently. They have a strong grasp on the importance of voting. This year, they had the opportunity to vote in a mock election in school. It was interesting to hear the reasons why they chose to vote for their particular candidate. "He will be the first black president!" "He will raise our taxes" (like they pay taxes yet, but sweet to think of the rest of us). "I can't remember". It made me stop and think. What an amazing country we live in. Even though our systems are a little screwy sometimes, it is an incredible place to live. And how sad it is that it was such a hard decision to vote this year because I didn't love either candidate - it was a lesser of the two evils for me. I also realized how little research I had done on the judges to vote on. I know, most people don't. But there were so many to vote on and I was only familiar with one - Judge Lyons. He will always have my vote for what he has done for our family. But the others, I didn't even know there names. I was an uneducated voter, I guess.

I always leave the polling place and wonder, did I make the right decision. Sort of like buyer's remorse, I think. Then I just take a deep breath and know it's too late to change my mind now, so, I go home and pray that whoever wins will remember how they got there, who they are serving and working for, and that by the end of their term, they will make my family better off than when we started.

Birds do it, Bees do it.

I know I am really behind. I know everyone is anxiously awaiting my post of Robyn & Spencer's 12th birthday party - which was a total blast if I do say so myself. But I will do that later.
The other night we were in the car coming home from my mom's and Jacob says he knows where babies come from. This was kind of out of the blue so I said Where?
J: The mom hatches an egg and the baby comes out.
me: ok, sort of. What does the daddy have to do with it.
J: The mom and dad get together and have (loudly)S(whispering)e-x. That's how they hatch the egg.
me: How do you know this?
J: Robyn and Spencer (I didn't tell him, no-uh, no way, as they slink lower and lower in their seats)
me: It's no big deal - this is natural. Why don't we talk about it a little? Where does the baby come out (this was really more for Kent and my curiosity - I mean, come on. you can only imagine, can't you)
J: The baby comes out of the mom's penis or where it would be if she had a penis (more groaning of embarrassment from the peanut gallery in the back).
By this time Kent and I are laughing hysterically. Never fully surprised at what comes out of Jacob's mouth. His mind just tends to go places the other two never talk about.
We finished up the confab after giving correct names to all the body parts and answering a few more questions, and even more embarrassing groans from the 12 year olds.
So much fun!

Tagged???but not Betsy!

So I was tagged by my brother-in-law, Ben. Well you've heard Betsy's answers so here are mine, although most of them may be duplicates since our 15 year anniversary is quickly approaching.

5 -Things I was doing 10 years ago - trying to get through school with twins, a beautiful wife and a small apartment. Working at RC Willey for pennies on the dollar, driving my Gumby Green Geo that we got from Brandy.

5 Things on my to-do-list - Provide the neighborhood shuttle for Cub Scouts! Gotta love Scouts! Seriously I love it!! Clean the house, clean the bathroom, help get ready for birthday party, and start to get ready for Pack meeting, (Scouts gotta love it, it is my life!!) Lastly, finish Mom's house soon!

5 Foods that I love - Just about anything Cajun, thanks Betsy for introducing me to the wonderful world of southern living! Cheesecake, any kind any time! Pretzels and Cheezwiz, gotta love it! Pretzels period and cheese period.

5 Things I would do if I won the lottery or if I was a billionaire - I don't count the 'textbook' answers everybody else gives (pay-off debt, pay-off house, invest, go on a vacation, etc) I would buy a forest in Montana and Alaska, build a sizable cabin in both places and live there during the summer months. In the winter months I would live on the private island I purchased off the coast of the Florida keys, with a private golf course and several cabanas overlooking the ocean. I would also build a large salt water aquarium in each home to have a shark tank everywhere I lived.

5 Bad habits - reading everyone's blog, spending too much time with scouts, sleeping in, clutter, yelling at the kids.

5 Places I have lived - Virginia, London, Salt Lake City, Layton, Provo, (yuk)

Well, there it is for the world to see and so in following the tradition of my loving, beautiful wife...I will save all of you and tag no-one unless you want to share your personal business.

This one is for all my twilight lovin' friends

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

I am Iron Man! Driving around in my mini van!

I did forget to tell you the funniest part of the weekend. We finally got to watch Iron Man, the movie. My sis, Cindy, was over, and we popped popcorn and curled up with our blankets and such. After a fairly embarrassing scene for the children (having to close their eyes and mute the sound), it was a pretty good movie. At the end, the kids were going up to put on their pjs and we could hear Jacob singing the song.
"I am Iron Man. Crashing into things with my own van!" Not really the lyrics of the song. But from there began the giggling and making fun and even better lyrics - which are really funny since Kent drives the van! And so, the theme song, "I am Iron Man. Driving around in my mini van!" We decided to get it on a vinyl sticker so he can put it on his back window along with his KISS stickers. He can pimp out the van! And if you happen to see him driving around, you may want to avoid him at all cost. His theme song tells it all,
"I AM IRON MAN! CRASHING INTO THINGS IN MY MINI VAN!"

The Chronicles of Dixon

Wow what a week we have had! I was filling in for our office administrator who was taking some well deserved time off - the advantages of your mother being the boss.

Anyway... Apparently, auctions are all the rage in the kids' classrooms this year.

Spencer got to bring home the betta fish he won in his class auction on Wednesday. I must have missed the memo that said live animals are welcome. I'll admit, I was tempted to grab the neighbor's cat who likes to leave his dna in my backyard, and send him packing to the auction, but I calmed down. His fish is named Brick. Don't ask me, I have no idea. The really bad thing is that his fish can't go in the big aquarium with other fish so Spence is all on his own.
So, on Friday, Jacob calls my phone to tell me that he won an Easy Bake Oven in his class auction. Again, the frustration was hitting. I had to sign a paper giving my permission for Jacob to bring anything to auction, but nothing giving permission for what he can win???

So he calls to tell me he won and that all he needs is a light bulb and the ingredients. I say STOP!!! DON'T TOUCH IT. I promise to help you when I get home. Leave it and DON'T TOUCH IT!
A few minutes later, I get another phone call. He found a 60 watt light bulb and he just wanted to try it out. Again I said, STOP!!! DON'T TOUCH IT. I promise to help you when I get home. Leave it on the table and DON'T TOUCH IT!
A few minutes later, I get another phone call. Are you sensing the pattern here? Mom, he says, I just put the light bulb in, I didn't turn it on, but guess what it fits! (This is where the pot boils over.) I said, I TOLD YOU TO LEAVE IT ON THE TABLE. IT IS DANGEROUS. I GUESS IT GOES IN THE GARBAGE SINCE YOU DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED ME. LEAVE IT ALONE. DON'T TOUCH IT AGAIN. I WILL DEAL WITH YOU WHEN I GET THERE.
A few minutes later, I get another phone call. This time it is Jacob requesting to go to his friends house, we'll call him Freddie (names have been changed to protect the presumably innocent). I replied to him that I was not home yet and couldn't take him to Freddie's house. Freddie lives a few miles away. I told him that we had plans for later that evening, and there wouldn't be time to play today. Maybe he and Freddie could play another day.
A few minutes later, Kent gets the phone call. Couldn't you just leave work long enough to take me to Freddie's house and then just go back to work. (The downside of Dad now working less than 2 miles away). Kent reminds him that we had plans for later that evening, and there wouldn't be time to play today. Maybe he and Freddie could play another day.
A few minutes later, Freddie gets a call. My mom and dad can't bring me to your house. Maybe you can come to get me. And having a really special mom, Freddie does. So, hopefully, Jacob and Freddie had a really great time, since it is the last time for a very long time that will happen. Kent arrives home just in time to see Freddie's mom dropping off Jacob and the real sparks begin. Jacob is grounded from All friends for 1 week. He lost his computer priviledge for 3 days and he has to rebuild our trust in him. He destroyed that and he has to rebuild it. And on Saturday, he had no TV except conference (probably not the greatest punishment, but let's be honest, when you're 9, it's pretty good), and he had to work.

So we went to my mom's to work and Jacob and Kent were repairing the stairs. He did ask Meemaw to play on her laptop, but I got to her first. About an hour later, he asked me how much trust had I regained in him. I quickly said, NOT ENOUGH. GET BACK TO WORK!

And work he did.

Let me just vent for a minute.

I have decided that while I originally started this blog for our family that is so far away to be able to keep up with us, it is turning out to be more of a funnies and thoughts and memories for me.
And today I have just had it with some people. I have very rarely met someone who is so hateful and manipulative of other people. But, unfortunately, I have come across a couple of them as of late. Now, I realize that maybe I am not the easiest person to get along with. My friend once told me that I intimidate people. I really don't believe that, but I suppose it is possible. I just really have such high expectations of myself and therefore of those around me. I hope that it doesn't hurt people's feelings. I have, however, really had it with those who deliberately hurt people and manipulate them to be able to get what they want out of a situation. They are mean and hateful all to make themselves look better, when in reality, they are miserable with themselves. I also know that it shouldn't bother me as much as it does. I should just shake it off and let them be miserable by themselves or with those few people who find them acceptable. It just is very difficult when they lie about me or those I love - blatently lie - especially to people who know better.
So, I am sure that I will one day have to face God and be judged for not forgiving them or not loving them. I accept that. I hope that one day, I get to be the fly on the wall when they get to be judged. I wish that people could just be good people - or at least try to be good people. It would make this world a much better place.
Anyone out there know what I mean? or have any great ways to deal with these hateful people? Cause right now, the only way I am dealing with it, is to get really angry and vent on my blog. Hmmmm. (Or slap my husband with a catalog - see Buffy's blog http://buffy-mac.blogspot.com/2008/09/why-women-need-catalogs.html)

I've been tagged by Heather, damnit!

10 years ago I was...
1. Chasing twin toddlers (whew! glad that is over)
2. Living in a teeny, tiny apartment (whew! glad that is over)
3. Taking classes to become a tax consultant (whew! glad that is over)
4. Trying to find Betsy, not the mother of the twins (whew!.. wait, somedays I'm still doing that)
5. Helping Kent get through college (whew! glad that is over)

5 things on today's to do list...
1. Work! Sales meetings, clients, etc
2. Grab something for dinner
3. Meet with Red ribbon week chairperson and principle
4. Family home evening - if we're lucky!
5. Get to bed at a reasonable hour (who am I kidding, that'll never happen)

5 snacks I enjoy...
1. Diet Dr Pepper - I love the bubbles
2. Ritz crackers and peanut butter or cheese
3. Chocolate
4. Chocolate
5. Chocolate

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire...
1. Pay off my house
2. Pay off student loans (see above)
3. Buy a car that is way more reliable than my Taurus piece
4. Hire a housekeeper to come in once a week to handle the mess of the Dixon household (won't show you how much of a mess)
5. Save, save, save

5 places I have lived...
1. Right here where we live
2. Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Baton Rouge, Louisiana
4. Princeton, West Virginia
5. Elkins, West Virginia

5 jobs I have had...
1. Realtor
2. Office Manager
3. Tax Consultant
4. Teacher
5. Engraver and key duplicator

Rules: Each player answers the question themselves. At the end of the post the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leaves them a comment letting them know that they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person that tagged you know when you've answered the questions on your blog.

I tag...
I am pretty sure that everyone I know has been tagged. If you haven't, I'm sure you're day is coming. But, no offense, I will spare you the agony! Just kidding. It is actually kinda fun, thanks Heather. Love ya!

I'll be honest with ya, I love Jesus, but I drink a little

So my sweet sister, Buffy, sent me this link to a clip from the Ellen Degeneres Show - and I have not laughed so hard in a very long time. I was rolling on the floor, laughing out loud! I hope you get at least a smile out of it. Otherwise, maybe you should drink a little - heeheehee

http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/ellen-gladys-hardy-p1.php

Fantasy Football

Ah it is that time again - when the weather is cooling off and the football begins. Spencer is playing tackle football this year with the Colts - he plays either defensive end or wide receiver. It is his first year at tackle, but has played flag for several years.
And it is time to start up the fantasy football leagues. So, this year we decided to play a league with our family - the kids get totally into it and we have a friendly rivalry between us. Kent's brother, Russell and his gang, are joining us this year - should be fun to run over the Las Vegas side of the family - heeheehee.
My team is Team WonderMom - and just for fun, here is my logo - oh and just in case you were wondering, it is a self portrait. :)

First Week of School

So, we finally made it back to school this week! YEAH! The kids were ready and I was more than ready for them to get back to class. However, it does mean that my reign as PTA pres begins officially. But, I can get back to my career and such if the kids are in school.
We had to go back to school shopping, which is my least favorite thing to do. I guess I am not a shopper - I would rather go in and get out - I really hate window shopping.
So, take my 3 kids shopping to find their traditional first day of school outfit and new backpacks, shoes, etc, and it was one exciting day. The boys want to wear nothing but slicky shorts and pants - no jeans - especially for Spencer. They however are not really hard to find, except small enough to fit around Spencer's waist. Robyn is a little harder. I remember shopping with my mom for things and having the exact same conversation with her - do you like this, hm...I don't know. I guess it is coming full circle.
So in order to keep the peace, we decided to finish a scooter skirt that we had begun making - actually we needed Aunt Cindy to come and finish it. The pattern says easy to sew, but let me tell ya - not so easy. But it did turn out cute.

And so after many weeks of anticipation, the kids had their first day. And were so excited to see all their friends and meet new teachers. It was really fun to listen to them.
Then we had Back to school night on Thursday night - where you join the PTA, meet the teachers, volunteer for things in the school. This was my first big thing - and it stressed me out a lot. Actually, I didn't realize how much until today - the day after. I have been completely exhausted all day - trying to work and such. Just feel like I need to decompress. I feel pretty good about how it went - I hope everyone else also felt that it went pretty good.
But the most fun part of the evening for me was seeing all my friends and meeting new friends and teachers. So in a way, it was like my first day of school too.

Utah Jones

We finally went camping this summer (only once)! And we had a really great time. We went up to Midway to the Wasatch State Park. It was really cool. It is really close to the town - in fact, we had to drive through the neighborhood to get to the campground. We went with our good friends, the Despains, and got to do some fun things. We went on a hike with the camp naturalist & others, by the light of the full moon on Friday night. It was really amazing! The moon was really so bright and it was so peaceful. The kids were pretty nervous about coming across bears or mountain lions or even mountain gorillas (thanks to Uncle Jeff). But no avail. We did see a dog, but he was with his owner also on the hike.
Then on Saturday, the kids went to a Junior Ranger program and learned about birds of prey. They got to see wings and birds' feet and go bird watching with binoculars. We did see a falcon being chased by one brave swallow. Not sure how successful it was, but we can hope. Then they were awarded a certificate and badge certifing them as Jr Rangers.
And on Saturday night we had a discussion group about birds of prey with the naturalists from the Wasatch and Jordenelle State Parks. We got to see a perigren falcon up close. It was really beautiful. We learned some things about Altair (I guess that is how to spell his name) like his eyes are fixed in place so no shady looks, and he dives down on his prey going about 200 miles an hour and punches it with his feet to knock it dead. It was really interesting.
We made mexican smores - tortilla with peanut butter, chocolate chips, marshmallows rolled up and cooked long enough to melt. They were really good. Then on Sunday we went geocaching and actually found it! And as always, we made ice cream in a ziploc bag which was fun and yummy.
One of the funniest things was Jacob, of course, since he "was born to be funny". Everywhere he went he had a hat, a walkie talkie, a walking stick, and a pocket knife. He was always prepared. Someone called him Indiana Jones and he said we don't live in Indiana. So the name Utah Jones came to be...Check out his pix.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I wish I had that disease

I really struggle with people who seem to live in a sheltered little bubble of a world. You know the ones I mean, they have everything they need, nothing traumatic has ever happened in their little world, there is no disease or death, they don't even know what the real world is like. Maybe I'm jealous or really just annoyed! I have never even been able to be in that bubble.
I have three auto-immune diseases. That means that my body is attacking itself thinking it is doing its job but really, not so much. The first one I was diagnosed with was Graves' Disease - which is basically hyperthyroidism. After a radioactive iodine treatment, the month before I got married, I have been on replacement thyroid hormones ever since. Not so bad - take a pill 6 days a week.
I was then diagnosed with Type I diabetes - while pregnant with Robyn and Spencer. I take 2 types of insulin daily and have to prick my finger/fore arm about 4 times a day to check my blood sugar. This one is a bigger deal, but you wouldn't be able to look at me and know I am a Diabetic.
I was diagnosed with Addison's Disease about 5 1/2 years ago. This is a rare condition where my adrenal glands do not produce enough of two hormones - cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol affects almost every organ in the body and is important for normal body function. The adrenal glands release cortisol to help the body cope with stress from illness, injury, surgery, childbirth, or other reasons. Aldosterone helps the body retain salt and maintain blood pressure (thanks webmd). Without either of these, let's just say, it can be very, very bad. So, I take a steroid, cortisone, every day, and I take a replacement for aldosterone, called flourinef that helps maintain my blood pressure.
One of the symptoms of Addison's Disease is hyperpigmentation - or a great tan. So, I now have a really great tan. I never used to tan - ever. I would burn, freckle and peel. But now I am brown as a cocoa bean - thanks Dr Wahlen.

And at last, the reason for my venting - please, please, please think before you speak. Last night at an Enrichment meeting (which is rare since I don't go, but had to bring Robyn, long story), a woman came up to say hello and mentioned that I am always so tan. My usual response is, "just diseased". And inevitably the response to follow is, "I wish I had that disease." And the only thing I could think to myself, cause it was church, after all, was, "I wish you did too." Cause let me vent here...the tan is not the advantage. I would rather still burn, freckle, and peel than have to take steriods everyday and juggle the diseases and their side effects.

So before you open your mouth, just THINK!

July 4th celebrations

We had a pretty low key 4th of July - Grandma & Grandpa Dixon were here with us. We watched National Treasure 2, went shopping, hung out. Then went to my brother, Charlie & fam's, for a bbq - kids did a few smoke bombs, burned and buried a Lego guy, got in a fist fight, did a service project of collecting the neighborhood flags... you know the usual.

Then we came home to have our own fireworks display. Hooked up with our neighbors and the boys all had great fun lighting things up while the girls hung out until the sparklers.



We could then see the last bit of Clearfield city's fireworks display from our deck. It was pretty cool. Although, I have decided part of the fun of the fireworks displays is the noise. Without the boom of the canon, it is just not as cool. But it is nice to not have ashes land on top of us - remember those days...

As sands through the hourglass...

These are the days of the Dixon lives...
I got to take my Activity Day girls to Day Camp at Camp Kiesel - which was so much fun!!! We got to do all the things that the cub scouts get to do - only with a lot more fun (heeheehee - don't tell Kent - he got to go with the cubs). So, thanks for the opportunity to take our girls -

Robbie and her long legs crossing the monkey bridge.


We got to shoot guns, arrows, make a beaver tail boondoggle (I have no idea how to spell that), take a nature walk and learn about lambs ear, getting soaked (thanks Taren) in the rowboats. What a day!!

What a ride!

Most of you probably know = but our ride was great!!! It was so hot! The hottest day we had ridden so far. But it was fun. We started from Box Elder High School football stadium in Brigham City, UT. For those of you who don't know, it is in the sticks - cows and manure and farms everywhere. It is pretty - just not so pretty smelling.
We started at 8:30am and crossed the finish line at about 11:30am. What a feeling. Kent and I decided that they really good use some more crowds cheering you on the main street through town. It is the last couple of miles. But once you get to the top of the hill at the school, the crowd cheers and rings the bells and whistles. It is really cool. You ride into the stadium and do a victory lap around the track. You stop and they take your number to make sure you have finished and then you go to the other side of the stadium to sign your banner.
I got to wear a red rider jersey - the plus for having diabetes - and all the riders passing me on the roads would cheer me on. That was cool. We did meet a 10 year old boy, Adam, who also got to wear the red jersey. It was neat to meet him.
I will post some pix when I get them from Buffy - I didn't bring my camera. I know, disgraceful. But we had to leave at 6am - and if you know me at all, not my most favorite time of the day. Buffy got some great pix though.
See you same time next year - when you will take the ride of your life!!!

This must be some cosmic joke.

My Tour de Cure ride is on Saturday - today is Thursday. I have been training and riding and feel like I am totally ready to go. Then on Monday afternoon, I began with a full blown allergy attack - congestion, scratchy throat, itchy eyes. I am sure the baseball every night of the week in the great out of doors didn't help.
But by Tueday night, it was getting a little worse. I took a Zyrtec and now, it has developed into a cold.
A COLD??? IN JUNE???? I mean really. I am pretty anal about the whole sickness bit. It is really hard on me - with the Addison's and Diabetes, illness just isn't an option. So, all winter, I have not been sick once. No colds, no flu, no strep throat, unlike most of the neighborhood. I guess the cosmos decided that I just can't be lucky enough to miss out all together. And here I am with a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever (although it broke in the night).
So to the universe I say - screw you!!! I am still riding on Saturday. It may take me longer since I can't really breathe, but I didn't work this hard to raise money (Thanks to those of you who contributed) or to be ready to ride, only to give in to a stupid cold.
So, I am home today - no car (Kent's is in the shop) - recooperating which again - I don't do all that well. I keep looking around the pig sty we call home thinking how much there is to do around here. Trying to lay low and not wear myself down.
But with any luck, or cosmic shifting, maybe I will be feeling fine come Saturday morning.

Baseball

Well, thanks to all my friends' blogs that have music attached (most recently - Merrilee, thanks) I just couldn't help myself.
I have chosen a few songs that I just really love to belt it out! Islands in the stream, copocabana (ask me about American Idol karaoke where I totally rocked as a back up singer).
But one of my all time favs is the song about baseball by my favorite - Kenny Rogers...And since my life is all about baseball it seems, maybe you can love it too.

We Saved the World Before Lunch!

This was the Cub Scout Arbor Day Service Project that Kent organized and the troop 725 participated in. There were some people from Tree Utah who came and talked to the kids about the importance of trees and how to plant and take care of them.
I came after Robyn's soccer game (and when it was almost finished). Jacob walked up with his buddy, Adam, and said, "We saved the world before lunch!"
I said, "what do you mean?"
They said, "we planted 6 trees and we were done before lunch! Duh!"

Maybe it is that easy.
(Oh and yes, this is the same service project where he broke his thumb - saving the planet only goes so far!)

Tagged??? Seriously

Where I was 10 years ago...Ten years ago, I was probably chasing my twin toddlers. Cleaning out the bathroom cabinets, digging in the fridge, trying on shoes, you name it, they did it.

Things on my to do list...
How much time do you have???

Things I would do if I was a billionaire...
1. Get out of debt
2. Invest it wisely
3. Give some away
4. Buy a great new car - maybe a hybrid SUV or something really granola
5. Spend it like crazy
6. Oh, and don't forget Uncle Sam

3 of my bad habits...
1. Staying up too late and going to bed with my make up on
2. Not being nice to others
3. Procrastination

5 Places I've lived...
Elkins, WV; Baton Rouge, LA; Roy, UT; Salt Lake City, UT; Layton, UT

5 jobs I've had...
Burger flipper, taco maker, key cutter, tax advisor, Realtor

Something people don't know about me...
Nice try, but there is a reason people don't know it!

4 People I tag...
I'll take the risk and keep it to myself. You're welcome!

It must be baseball season

Ah, the caps are on, the sound of bats hitting balls fills the air, the crowds of kids on the baseball diamonds, and a cast/splint on a Dixon kids arm.
Last year, Spencer broke his arm in the middle of baseball season. He had to have a pin inserted and was in a cast for 5 weeks. He had to give up his starting pitcher spot on the Cubs team.
This year, it's Jacob's turn. Practice has begun on his team ready for games to start next week. And Jacob is in a splint. He sprained each joint and fractured the bone in his thumb.
The doctor said to keep it splinted for 3 weeks and it should be good after that.
So, either this is the last of the broken limbs or maybe we should give up on baseball all together.

This is me, I guess

Next time they should get my good side...

So today there was another little girl hit by a car on her way to school. This is the second child in a matter of 3 weeks that has been hit by a car. Now, my kids rarely walk to school in the morning without me. We will ride our bikes together sometimes or they ride with my neighbor friend. But I have realized that not all kids are this lucky. After the first little boy was hit, there was an uproar of concerned parents and a news reporter came out and talked with a couple of moms.

And I thought, well, my kids don't walk and so it's not my fight. Then I was reminded that more often than not, kids voices are not heard. I feel that it is my responsibility as a citizen of the world (or at least my little world) to make sure that our children's voices can be heard.

Today, I got the pleasure of being interviewed by the news. We as parents are fighting the city to get a crossing guard. We are not naive to think that this will solve our problems. We are just hoping to add another weapon in our arsenal of care for these children - who will one day have to take care of me when I am old and decrepit.

Back to the interview. Really the camera totally adds 10 pounds - no kidding. Stop laughing - it is not a joke. And it was freaking cold outside. I had to cross my arms and huddle because the wind was blowing - which isn't the most attractive - either way - And it really didn't help that the camera guy wanted to see up my nostrils. And he was totally on the wrong side. At least I will tell myself I would've looked way better from the other side.

Or just not let there be a next time!!!
But if you're just dying to check it out,
Click here

what did I get myself into?????

I went to my first PTA training meeting today. If I haven't shared the news, I am the president elect of the Ellison Park Elementary school. I will be the president during the 2008-09 school year. I think I got tricked into it...just kidding. But it will be Robyn & Spencer's last year in elementary school and I certainly don't want to do it in jr high or high school.
The one thing I learned today was that I have no idea what I am doing. I am an owner's manual kind of girl - I read it for my car, I read it for my tv, my phone, even my new bathroom faucet. It gives me a sense of power when I know that it is time for maintenance or why it makes that pinging noise. Having said that, I don't have an owners manual for PTA yet. I am sure there is one - I just don't have it. So, I have a feeling of wonder, of panic, of being lost. I'm sure it will be better once I read the manual (I hope).
And the craziest thing is everyone keeps telling me how excited they are for me to be president. I think they are just glad they aren't doing it. I know my friend Jen Ericksen is - chicken.

the last of the snow days, we hope

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

What color am I?

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

Tour de Cure

Kent and I will be cycling in the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure fund-raising event. As many of you know, I am a type I diabetic and have been for about 12 years. So this disease is very close to our heart and home. Our efforts will help set the pace in the fight against diabetes. We want to see a cure in my lifetime! So let's get in gear and bike to beat diabetes!
We are going to bike 25 miles this June and we need your help - either monetarilly or emotionally. So, when you see us out riding our bikes, give us a cheer of support and even better, come join the ride. You know we make our little ducklings ride with us.
For more info or to contribute to the cause, go to
http://main.diabetes.org/goto/betsydixon

I felt the earth move under my feet...

This morning, I felt the earth move. No, Kent really had nothing to do with it (heeheehee). I felt my first earthquake this morning. I was in bed, trying to get up this morning about 7:15am and my bed started rocking. Again, Kent had nothing to do with it:) I thought the kids were bumping up against it (typical thing at our house) but when I turned on the news, there was an earthquake in Wells, Nevada that could be felt at least in Layton.
It was a little spooky. But as Kent pointed out, combine the earthquake with the lunar eclipse last night, and the meteor that fell to the earth, and maybe the world is coming to an end!
Better start repenting for my evil ways or at least, try to be a better person. Or not.

Robyn's cheerleading debut

Super Tuesday?

It is super tuesday - which is funny since it isn't really super. I guess I don't really like any of the candidates enough to be excited. Although this morning as the kids and I were watching the weather before school, Spencer told me he was voting for Mitt Romney, cause he's a Mormon. I said well just cause he's a Mormon, doesn't mean he will be a good president. And Spencer was quick to reply that of course it does. Ah, if it really were that easy. And how grateful I am for his innocence!
It is an incredible day, however, in that it is the first time a female and an african american has been this successful in a run for president. I don't really like Hillary, so she won't get my vote, but it is pretty cool. But Obama is pretty inspirational. I don't really care that much for him either, but he is a great speaker.
And as far as the republicans go, it is like a bunch of little boys on the playground. Fighting, making alliances, ganging up on each other. They need a woman to smooth it out. But honestly, republicans will never elect a woman - dang chauvinists!
Maybe it is just too dang cold and snowy for me to make a decision!

Hello

This is just a general post, in other words - nothing specific, Betsy has been doing all of the posts and I (Kent) thought that I would add something to the quaility work that she has been doing. I have been reading all of the posted blog links that are listed and have enjoyed prying into everybody's life! Even if it is only just a little bit. Things are good in the Dixon household, we had more snow this weekend and are expected to have more tomorrow, during the Superbowl. We will be watching the game but since the Cowboys are not in it, we will be watching it for the commercials! Otherwise life is just the same here, busy with kids, chores, homework, work and selling homes as much as possible. So keep up the good work letting us into your lives and we will let you peek into ours!

Let it snow??? AGAIN??

So, here we are again. Freezing our booties off! It is snowing again. It is turning a gross grey with all the mud and dirt. There is snow in my garage, in my shoes, or worse, in the kids' shoes, all over the house, ice on the road and in front of my mailbox - which I should try to get rid of but since the mail-lady is an idiot and I end up passing mail to all my neighbors down the street, I figure, screw it. She can just drive over it. I mean, she is on her cell phone more often than not anyway, she prawly won't even notice it.

I don't like the snow. I don't ski, snowboard, barely sled. My life is not enriched or "elevated" as Utah claims because of the snow. In fact, as you may be able to tell today, it makes me grouchy. I need one of those SAD lights like chief Sylvia (A Tree Goes in Elmo - episode) on "Men in Trees". She makes me laugh. But since everything is on reruns or frankly, I just can't get into (Lost), I'm really grouchy. -- SNOW and RERUNS AGAIN!!!

http://dynamic.abc.go.com/streaming/landing

Life in Layton

Well, I know I haven't kept up with the blogging like I should. I find that I get busy and think I will and then never really do.

But here in Layton, Utah, it stinks. Not literally - but man, oh, man, are we freezing here. There is still a ton of snow and the highs are in the twenties, on a good day. In fact, right now as I post, it is about 15 degrees. I can't get my Christmas lights down from the roof, since there is so much snow and the icicle lights have icicles hanging from them. It's pathetic!

And, we have just finished our first stint of science fair-a-palooza! Robyn and Spencer procrastinated their projects until the very minute (I know what you're thinking, it must be genetic). Spencer's was on electromagnetics. Obviously, Kent helped with that one. Robyn's was Whose feet are bigger? 5th grade boys or girls. She actually did all the measuring of the 2 5th grade classes, they each did their own hypotheses, conclusions and results. There is just an obvious difference in the aesthics. Robyn used the cricut machine and made her own titles, different colors, typed her results and had my sister put them in a graph. Spencer did his experiments, used a marker and double sided tape. I worried a lot about it. I'm one of those moms who is always wondering if others will think I am not as involved as I should be, and how can he leave the house with his project looking like that. But after walking the fair and seeing what else was available, I felt much better about our parenting skills. Some kid typed up his reports and things, stapled them together and taped that on to the science fair board. Very well done. Robyn did get 3rd place for her project. And both hypotheses were wrong. Just a little FYI.
But the most exciting thing so far - Kent is taking the kids on a Boy Scout field trip = ICE FISHING! Needless to say, I will stay home in my warm bed and if I'm lucky will be dressed by the time they get home! So, good luck to them. Hope nobody falls in!