High School Musical goes to jail

With the new episode coming out, the old songs once again can be heard being bellered throughout the house from any one of my 4 girls. Some of the old rumors that were flying around about the stars have started circulating among the youngest of my girls once again. I have heard them on and off, here and there. 'Did you know that Gabriella sent nekkid pictures of herself to Troy and she had to go to jail!' With a little chiding from me, that kind of talk was usually quieted with "I don't think she would go to jail for something like that, but it is definitely not something she should have done!"

Not thinking of it again, I would go on with what I was doing. Who would have thunk that queries such as this could come from my 5-year-old: "Mom, if I just pretend to send a nekkid picture of me to Troy, would I have to go to jail?...

I am not sure what kind of reaction other moms would have with a question like that from their sweet little innocent, never-thought-of-such-a-thing-before, cute, kissable, little baby girl, but every mommy instinct I ever had stood on high alert! My blood began to boil and I did what any other mommy should do...

"Yes dear if you even pretend to send a nekkid picture to Troy, not only might you go to jail where there are all kinds of monsters and bears, where the fire alarms go off everyday and all you get to eat is spinach for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but your sisters would get to have all your toys and your brother will get to finish off all the food on your plate everyday."

I can now file this under, I-know-you-may-need-counseling-someday-for-this-
and-when-you-are-all-done-with-it-make-sure-you- look-up-Gabriella-and-see-how-her-counseling-is-going.

My question for you is this, and believe me I am among the most conservative of mothers when it comes to the content allowed into my home, where is the line? Without taking everything that is socially acceptable away, how much is too much. When Joe down the road and Jane up the street are going to see "it", and are wearing "it", and these "examples" are becoming idols talked about among the youngest of them all, I want to know, how do you live in this world but not of it? I know I have blogged about this kind of thing before and I might have joked a bit in this post about it, but when my 5-year-old asked me that question, it. scared. me. to. DEATH!

Out of the mouth and into the archives #4

Overhearing me telling Megan that I better not EVER catch her playing with her playdough ANYWHERE but up to the island, a few days later, Brooklyn very puzzled, inquired the following...

Brooklyn: Mom how come we can only play with play dough in China?

Mom: China? What are you talking about?

Brooklyn: Nooooo, I mean... you know... the river?

Mom: OHHHH. You mean how come we can only play with play dough up to the island?

Brooklyn: Yeah! That. How come?

Mom: Cause we don't have a table.

Out of the mouth and into the archives #2

Megan: Jordan I know a good reason you and _____ would be prefect for each other.

Jordan: What would that be?

Megan: Cause he doesn't have a perfect face either.

If this wasn't so innocent she might have had to apologize. Not sure where the filter is between her brain and her mouth sometimes but we are all just glad Jordan has a sense of humor.

Now what is not perfect about this face?

AND...she turns a decade old.

Our sweet little Megan has turned a year older. She brings so much joy and laughter. Here are a few things about Megan that you may not know.

~~~ She is the very middle child who is very low maintenance. This can often be to her disadvantage as life gets so busy and she does not get the attention she wants but doesn't know it. ~~~

~~~She never has to be asked twice to get a job done. She learned early the value of getting a task done quickly.~~~

~~~She often times has no filter between her brain and her mouth. This can make for some great entertainment or some awkward situations...~~~

~~~She is quick to tell anyone she meets that she is half tomboy. This is to her only brother's advantage. They get along so well.~~~

~~~She LOVES animals. Her favorite is horses. I hope she will forgive us someday for not being a horse family. One of my favorite memories is of her when she was about 3 years old. She was crouched down on the top of a fence waiting for the neighbors horse to come close enough as it was galloping around and around the corral. She just knew that eventually it was going to get close enough for her to jump on its back. Had I not been there to stop her, she would have done it, I am positive. She has no fear.~~~

On this special day, her siblings had something they wanted to say to her...

Jordan says: Thanx Megan for being one of the cutest, and bestest sisters in the world! You are so beautiful and growing up so FAST!! lol, well just know I am always here for ya and you can talk to me about anything!!

Brandon says: I think you are one of my favorite sisters. We have a lot of fun on the trampoline. I really love you. I hope you have a happy birthday!

Alexis says: I LOVE to play games with you especially when we both agree on the same one. We always like to play "what if."

Brooklyn says: I love it when you give me a ride home from school on your bike. You even SIT on the bar when I am high up on your seat. Thanks!

hApPy bIrThDaY mEgAn!

Who is to say that 2 wrongs don't make a right?

After moving to a new ward it is not long before you are asked the infamous question, "what were your previous callings in your old ward?" When asked this question one Sunday evening by the visiting bishopric, I babbled off a list of callings and then with all the Nephiness I had, I let them know I was taught by a valiant mother that all callings were from God and that I should never turn one down. That being said, I let them know I was willing to serve where ever except for primary, nursery, anything that would require public speaking and/or especially scouts I was needed. I am sure they left my home thinking I was the best thing that came to their ward in a long time as they thought of all the callings nobody else wanted to do.

When it comes to scouts, I am LOST. Somehow my only son made it through each den, passed off all his requirements and made it out of cub scouts and into boy scouts while I rode an oblivious ride right along side of him. He always had amazing leaders who knew exactly what he needed. I thanked my lucky stars for them as I. was. clueless. When the call came, I almost panicked. I came this close to declining my first calling. Didn't they know that I can't tell bears from wolves and bobcats from tigers? "Sister Smith would you be willing to work as an assistant to the (I think he said Weblos, I am still not even sure) den leader for the scouts?"

Ok, to the point of the story. I, of course (did you doubt me?), accepted this calling and went to my first meeting with the boys. Off to the fire station we went to learn about first aid. Awe this is right down my alley, a field trip with 8-10 rowdy boys learning about blood and gore. I think I can handle this. As the boys piled into the cars, I wondered if they were going to like me (cause that is important to me you know). The ride started out quiet, nobody really knowing what to say. I finally asked them each their names and I heard some snickering from the back. The ring leader older boy in the front seat made some gestures to the boys in the back to follow his lead and he gave me what I knew was the wrong name. Following him, each of the other boys gave me a wrong name too. They thought they were pretty funny, BUT! I am way funnier! "Nice to meet each of you! I am Bertha Lou Magilicuty. We are going to have so much fun!" Even though I was driving I could not have missed the whites of their eyes for anything. They tried to suppress their smiles, but the giggles were not to be held onto. I tried to feign hurt feelings and when their giggles quickly cut off and they tried to be serious, I started giggling too.

Leader of the pack: "Um, those weren't really our names."

Me: "Mine either!" (We won't tell them that I wonder if it is sometimes.)

The laughter ensued until we reached the fire station. I made some great little buddies that day and had a lot of fun. As to whether I am going to like it or not? I don't really know. But I am where I am supposed to be. I am in this calling for a purpose that I may not know for years to come, but I am here... or as Nephi put it so eloquently, ... I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Hanna Montana Moments...brought to you by her greatest fans

Alexis: Dad you want to hear this song I know?

Dad: Sure.

7-year-old Alexis (in her Hanna Montana way): If we were a movie, you would be the right guy and I would be the best friend that you would fall in love with. In the end we would be laughing, watching the sunset, fade to black, show the names, play the happy song...

Dad (a little dumbstruck): Um yeah. I know a song too. Wanna hear?

Alexis: Yeah!

Dad: Head shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes, knees and toes... Oh and here is another one! John Jacob Jingleheimer Smith! His name is my name tooooo!

Mom (upstairs): Giggle, chortle, snort!

Alexis: That one IS funny dad! Much better than Hannah Montana huh?

Dad: Yep!

**********************************************************************************

Brooklyn: Willow thinks Hannah Montana stinks. She doesn't stink huh mom? She probably smells REALLY good!

Mom: No, I don't think she stinks either. She probably doesn't even need deodorant yet...


Side note: I find it interesting that though we don't own any Hannah Montana "stuff" her "stuff" never fails to find its way into my kids heads...

Thank goodness for bad batteries

Who's to say that nothing good can come from bad luck? Without that bad luck I might not have known...

Day one: Wal-Mart is too busy and will not help me if my battery goes dead and I am stuck in their parking lot. They will however suggest a price gouging, wallet sucking, toeing service that would be more than happy to help. By not falling for that, my dead battery also showed me that I do have a great father-in-law and sis-in-law who would pack up her kids and drive all the way to save me.

Day two: If that were all the bad battery could teach me I would be just fine, but no, it needed to teach me some more. I learned that when it is my turn to carpool and my car wont just turn on like it is supposed to, the other mom is more than happy to come and take the kids to school, and that is not all, no, no, no. My OTHER sister-in-law would come over with a battery charger and some cokes (not to drink) and we would clean the battery and try to hook up the battery charger, but no that would not be enough. Rob That battery wanted us to know that we DO indeed have to turn the battery charger on before it will cooperate.

Day three: I was done learning things but the battery was not done teaching me things. I learned that if I have just jumped off a battery, driving it a few blocks is not really enough time for it to charge and I should not turn the car off and expect it to start again. This will surely trap me in the school parking lot as I watch my oblivious already-saved-me-once-sis-in-law drive away. No amount of cheer leading, dancing or karate chops, jumping up and down and screaming was going to get her attention. I also learned that if this ever happens to you, you should hope that you didn't park in an impossible place to get to. You are not strong enough to move a dead car and wouldn't really want anyone watching you try. I did however get to learn how helpful the school's custodian could be. There was no need for me to reveal the wonder woman in me my strong muscles because he could just drive on the lawn to get to my car and jump it off.

I also learned that I do sorta take awhile to learn things, but I was finally done learning things from that battery. I was trying to give it all the chances I could to quit teaching me things but now I have a new battery and I am teaching it a thing or two. My family, friends and neighbors are all tired of showing me how much they care for me. Work or else!

P.S. I am afraid I can't let you leave my blog until I swear you to secrecy cause you see, we don't really want anyone to know we were at Wal-Mart as they are the enemy competition and Rob was there too and didn't dare ask any of the 30 ladies who came out to help him anyone to help him, thus the SIL came to save us but before she could get there Rob finally got brave and asked a man to help him and he did and I was shopping just window shopping that whole time and not even out there or I would have asked someone (really), but I just had to come clean with this because you all need to know that Wal-Mart really is as rude as all that and so you need to come to Maceys instead cause I KNOW they would help you if your battery ever decides to teach you something... {catching breath}.

I lived in Heaven a long time ago, it is true

We have been learning about the Plan of Salvation...

... in FHE over the last few weeks and we learned an important truth in the first lesson that a lot of people in the world don't know and understand. It is on this day that I can reflect way back on a day 33 29 years ago when I left my place in Heaven and came to this earth to receive MY body. What a glorious day that was indeed for it was the only way for me to progress from one of Heavenly Father's spirit children and on my journey towards becoming like my Heavenly Father and striving for eternal exaltation with him. His perfect Plan included giving us a family here on earth with parents who could provide for us and teach us about Him and our Savior. I am grateful to know that he also gave us a way to be with that family forever and ever.

It is on this day that I would like to thank my mom and dad for giving me a body and an eternal family. I love you all so much!

Sept 2008 Missing sister Wendy

October 2007

Everyone likes to see funny pictures of Bonnie right? Today is the only day you have permission to laugh!

From enemies to buddies, just. like. that!

Following in my sister's footsteps and reposting and oldy but goody.  (Original post 9/2008.)  Enjoy!

Why can siblings be so MEAN to each other? I am talking crazy mean! Pulling hair, scratching, biting, smacking, pushing, need I say more? Cause I can. My sisters might try to tell you I should already know cause I was a meanie myself, but I wasn't and so I just don't get it.
Naughty kid #1: Hey, that is mine, I had it first! MOM!
Naughty kid #2: Yeah but you put it down.
Naughty kid #1: So! That doesn't mean I was done! Now GIVE it back!
Yadda, yadda, yadda. I'll spare you the rest of the hub bub cause frankly it is no fun for anyone. Basically it comes to something like this...

...and I am left to figure out who the thing belongs to. Do I give it to the favorite kid (JK, I REALLY don't have a favorite kid, really) or do I take it and keep it for myself (especially if is like an Oreo or something), or do I just ignore it and let them fight it out? Do I really need advice on this? No, because I have learned a trick. I kind of came across it by accident one fight. It went a little something like this:
"...but mom! I had it first!" "No I did!" "No I did!" "Mom tell her to give it back!"
When ignoring it could go on no more and my blood was boiling hot, I might have pealed off the mask of the nice mom and put on the one of the mean mom. With stomping, growling and words that were not so gentle I might have said,
" Here! Give me that darn thing (except I probably didn't say darn) and get up to your beds right now! I have had enough of all this bickering. Go now! "
If you know me when I put my mean mom face on, you might can imagine the the shear terror on their faces as they run for their lives and for their rooms. Then if you were a fly on the wall in their room you might hear something like this.
"Mom is mean huh?" {sniff, sniff}
"Yeah she is really mean."
"I don't like her anymore, do you?"
"No, not really."
"I am bored. Want to play?"
"Yeah, what do you want to play?"
"I don't know, why don't you chose?"

And that is where I say... mission accomplished.
Disclaimer: With your newfound peace, it might be tempting to forget about them in their rooms leave them there forever a long while, but if you do, you will miss out on the beauty of children and their ever forgiving hearts. They don't really hate me. They still need food and and clean clothes and a bed to sleep in...