It’s out with the old. . .and in with the new. . .

I have new dishes!  Finally!  IKEA in Utah came through.  It’s a good thing I don’t have an IKEA closer to me, or I may ditch everything in my house and start over.  For now, it’s just out with the Corelle dishes and in with these. . .just plain white dinner plates, salad plates and bowls.  Plain, simple and SO much better than the old.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00044481

and some of these for the kiddos. .super cute in olive green, red/orange and turquoise.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10132972

Oh, and these new glasses (which I also saw when I went to LVC’s house after I had bought them. . .of COURSE we have the same glasses.)

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60131705

SO, anyone want to roadtrip to Minnesota, or back to Utah with a big trailer for all our goodies??

My twinner

My secret twin Lisa Lou's birthday is today! I want to make it fully clear that I'm not copying her, this really was my plan for today!!! Lisa and I have never remembered a time without each other. In fact, my first memories almost always include her. I'm so thankful for our parents who must have realized our friendship early on and always had us together (or more than likely our mothers were tired, and needed a break, but that's ok, we get that now.) We seriously thought we were twins, I mean, come on, her birthday is ONE day after mine, and who cares that she was born in the Carolinas, and I was born in Nebraska, we are SOOOO twins. We have been through probably every situation together. . .hilarious (remember when my little sister Julie would cry and we would laugh? :), and your sister Gina got left at the dance studio?), sad (we saw ET about 12 times and thought it was the most tragic movie we'd ever seen in our 7 years), scary (remember that creepy guy that worked next to the dance studio that freaked us out while we were waiting for our moms?). When I was about 8, I wanted a dog SO badly (Lisa hated them I'm pretty sure), and Lisa helped me all the live long day on time cleaning out this corner area of our yard to show my parents I could take care of a dog and in the end. . .no dog. I'm sure my Dad took us to DQ for ice cream or something instead. (Oh no, I'm that exact same parent today. . .) The only way I survived at BYU was that I took my two best friends with me. . .Lisa and Cim. We lived at Heritage Halls with 3 other room-mates, I think in the process of living with the 3 of us we ran out about 4 total room-mates. . oops. The day before I was scheduled to get my wisdom teeth out, my mom's best friend died in a car accident and she needed to leave right away. The first thing I thought to do in that moment was call Lisa. I didn't know what I would do if I didn't have Lisa and I just wanted her to know. She also offered to come and hang out with me when I got back from the Dr. She got me my drugs, watched movies with me, all that good stuff.

Lisa and I have that kind of relationship that just has always been. I can't remember a time without her, and I know that I never will have a time without her. We may not chat every day, but I think some part of every day, I think of her, or wonder what her smarty pants kids are doing, and mostly wish that we had our dream of living next door to each other. Yesterday when she called for my birthday, we were wishing we were together and she reminded me of something we decided a long time ago. . .we certainly have our mansion lots next to each other set up in Heaven. Where we will always be able to take each other to lunch and watch our gazillion grandbabies run around while we reminisce about the good old days.

Happy Birthday Lisa Lou!!

Nibs Bibs

My Dad has always called me Wendy Nibs. When I was little I wore this pair of overalls everyday. EVERY day. If my mom tried to wash them I'm sure it was while I was sleeping. I also always wore them with my Rousseau Rams shirt from the elementary school where my older siblings went. I called them my "bibs", so that's where my name came from. They were my nibs bibs. Anyway, my mom didn't ever get rid of them (THANKS MOM!), so I still have them. I have pictures of Madison in them, and I think Molly too. Yesterday I was clearing out some things in our room and opened up my cedar chest to see if I needed to toss anything in there, and there were my nibs bibs, and my blue shirt! I called to Whitney and put them right on her. . .luckily, they still fit (mostly. . .now they're capris on her). She posed up for me so I could get some pictures. Be sure to look closely at all those patches. Whenever there would be a hole, I couldn't bear to throw them out, so my Mom would just patch them up. One patch is even a little heart by the front ride side. Here's some pictures of Whitney, and a few of me in them (I think I was maybe 2-3 years old?).

Do not adjust your television. . .

Um, yeah, so that's me standing next to Adam Lambert in the pit on American Idol. Once I'm home I'll upload the copy from TV and post it so you can see the whole thing, this is just a snapshot my brother in law took of his TV when he paused it at the right moment! My little sister Julie is kind of squished up behind me too. . .I wasn't going to let her in on it TOO much.

Here's how the whole thing went down.. . .

I was heading out for my annual girls week(end) with my sisters and mom on Wednesday, but my sister Heidi called Friday night and said "can you meet me in LA on Monday night instead, because. . . I have ticket vochers for the American Idol rehersal on Tuesday!!" After some shifting of work and help for the kids, I was on my way.

Madison's reaction was great. . ."Madison, guess what? I get to go to American Idol with my sisters!"

"What? You're GOING to American Idol? You get to go to EVERYTHING!!!"

So we met up in LA on Monday night and early Tuesday morning headed out to the CBS studios, yes, AI is on Fox, and tapes there. . .people were also lining up for Dancing with the Stars from ABC.

We got in line about 9:45 or so and waited until 1 to get in. My sister Julie said that her husbands advice for being in a line is "if you're going to get in a line, you may as well be first, then be friendly and be fully prepared." It was awfully HOT I must say, so when no one was there for a while, we sat at the bus stop and played cards. Once we were in the real line, we just tried to find some shade. Unfortunately we could only have our camera to that point, so the pictures are few. . .

waiting at the bus stop playing cards to pass the time Everyone BEHIND us in lineRyan's parking spot
Our official bands to be standby

They finally counted us off and took us in and got us all set up. For the rehearsal, we were in the left side front pit (when you're facing the stage). Ryan came out and did his run through for the evening, setting up where he stood, running his lines, etc. He was very friendly with the audience and made comments, etc. So they ran the whole show. While we were waiting for them to begin, I looked at the row behind us and noticed Brenda Strong--voice from Desperate Housewives. The contestants all sang, it was so great to see all of them. One of the funniest parts was the fake judges. They have 4 people out that are kind of mocked up like them. The Simon guy actually looked pretty close. They made comments after the contestants sang (all nice and supportive of course). But here's where I let you in on a little Idol secret. The recap portion of the night of the live show is all from the dress rehearsal, so if you go back and look, you can even see the backs of the judges heads are not the same as the real judges. . .the hair is not the same and the clothes aren't either! I never even noticed before. . .but now you're in the "know." Also, in the real show Anoop misses his last note, but in the recap he hits it!

Before we went in one of the stage guys said if we were interested in being standby for the live show to find him, so of course we did. . .he said to go back to the front gate and get in line, FIRST again (at least the 2nd group in line anyway). We waited again in the heat, while we were waiting Steve Wozniak drove by on his segway and said hi to us. Then they took back about 20-30 of us. They told us we would be seat fillers, basically fill in any empty seats, most likely VIP's that didn't show or that left early. My sister Heidi and I ended up fairly close to each other. As we walked in I saw Vince Neil (from Motley Crue). Lisa ended up with a seat on the far left side of the studio, and Julie had to wait at the top. Just as we sat down they announce Randy and Kara into the studio, they shook hands and made their way to their seats. Just a second later, they were already pulling me from my seat and put me in the right side pit. Then they announced Paula, I high-fived her, then Simon came out and I shook his hand. Crazy. So the show began. One thing we all noticed is how loud it is in the studio. When you watch on TV, you can only hear the crowd when they're really loud. After Lil' sang, Julie ended up in the pit behind me. Kris sang next (I stood by his Dad in line when we were picking up our cameras after the show), then Danny then Allison. As Allison finished, I heard a stage hand by me saying "excuse me, excuse me", and I realized she had Adam with her. I said, "Oh, he can stand right here!". He quietly stood and clapped during the judges comments. I was standing there realizing that they were going to do the clip for the commercial right there, and was honestly freaking out thinking Ok, what am I going to do? Just clap? Wave? What??? So just after Ryan was talking with Allison, Adam turned around and said, "Ok!", if you slo-mo it you can totally see him turn and look at me. It all went so fast, but I decided to just smile and point like crazy at Adam like "HELLO! Adam is right here!!" I think I said "good luck" or something then he headed off. . . then turned to my sister Julie and said, "alright, I'm sure my kids are freaking out Right Now!" So, that's basically it. We saw Adam sing (amazing!), then we got moved to some seats. Just before we moved Andrew Lloyd Webber was walking right behind us. Matt and Anoop finished off the show.

It was fantastic, and even more fun to hear how everyone saw us. Most of our families knew we'd be at the rehearsal, but had no idea we'd be in the actual taping, and we left our cell phones in the car since we couldn't take them.

Matt and the kids were eating dinner and hadn't watched it yet. . .Madison's friend Olive called and said "I just saw your Mom hugging Adam!". They turned it on and were trying to figure out where I was.

My brother Todd called to tell them. He and Suzanne had no idea we were even there! They had been watching it, and Suzanne yelled "There's your SISTER!!" He was so confused, "what are you talking about?", she said, "I wouldn't miss your sister!", so they rewound and sure enough!

We called everyone else and gave them a heads up of where to look. When we watched it back later when we paused here and there we were able to see all of us in the audience. It was such and blast, and even more fun to be there with my sisters. Such an adventure. Where will we turn up next?????

Growin' them smarts.

Whitney had a fun easter egg hunt at preschool today so after we arrived back home I was in the kitchen as she unloaded her goodies and I hear this. . .

"I got a number 1 mom!!"

Who is putting educational stuff in these eggs. . .seriously. . .where's the candy?

"NO! MOM! It's a SEVENTEEN!!!"

What?

She comes to the table and puts it on the table for me to see!

"LOOK---I got a SEVENTEEN!!!"

Indeed.

Tubac

Just after Christmas, we met up in Arizona for an amazing Grandpa's Camp. What do you mean you don't have Grandpa Camp?? Check out more--click here. All of my siblings, their spouses, all the grandkids and my Dad spent a week at the Tubac Golf Resort and Spa. We ate, played games, played golf, soaked up the sun, mom's had manis/pedis/facials/massages, we sang, rode horses, some ventured to Mexico and then we played some more. Here's a look at our photos and some video too!


I tried to just upload to youtube, but they would probably not let me use the music and they said it was too long. Whatever.

ok, so it IS a little long. . . .I won't cry too much if you decide to just let it load then skim through the pictures.

New York City

Here's a quick video I made of our photos from New York City last May. Best trip ever!

(warning: the music comes in a few seconds after starting the video. . .don't jump! )

mushy

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed today. I'm finding myself frantically trying to pack and somehow find a way to finally get a clean house (will it ever happen?). I sat down to try to unwind a bit and clicked through my "favorites" menu, and ended up on The Gledhill family page. I can't remember when or how I first came across the story of their sweet little Gracie, but I was drawn to it for whatever reason and have checked in on them from time to time. Today is the day that they will say goodbye to their baby. My motherly heart is aching for them. I need to buck up and quit being a crabby, mean momma and take a look around. I have a houseful of healthy kids (which also means I have a houseful of toys, clothes, and stuff, stuff, stuff, that I need to get over being crabby about). After I teared up a bit reading their latest post, I went back to the living room and saw my smiling Simon. My dear sweet boy is back. A week or so ago he was running a fever and was just so unhappy, which is so NOT him. Simon is about the happiest baby I've ever seen. Really, I think he's making up for being a stinker of a newborn, but whatever the reason, he is happy. I love that boy. Every little chunky smiley inch of him. Today I'm loving my kids and my dear babe of a husband. I've been blessed, and starting (again!) today I'm going to be more thankful, more loving, less worried about these earthly things, and more grateful for my full, blessed life.

Neglect.

I've been neglectful. . .it's seriously time for a photo update of what's been happening at the Mar household. Here's just a bit of our latest photos.

Snow Day!!


Re-discovering Play-Doh!!
Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit for Molly's baptism!

I get my crafty on for the girls new room!
Whitney LOVES her little brother. As soon as he starts chitty-chatting after he wakes up, she goes right up there, climbs in his crib and plays and laughs with him.
Whitney took over camera duties at the baptism, and got some laughs. . "OK, 1. . . .2 . . .3!"
Matt and our sweet Molly!
Whitney's cute Valentine holder from preschool
Molly's b-day party!!
Simon got a cute gift, but better than that. . .PAPER!
We celebrated Chinese New Year. Matt's sister declared that she couldn't make anything chinese. . . but, look what she made! (Turn you head to the right. . .)
Whitney and Eva play at the Children's museum!
Madison turned 10, and got her ears pierced!! (No, she didn't earn a girl scout badge for it.)
Madison's birthday party.


More updates soon!! (I really promise this time!)

Poachers!!

Whitney has inherited a trait or two from my Dad. . .the first is a true love of peanut butter (which has me on my toes every time I go to Sams Club. . .why must they move it EVERY time?!). I will often step into the kitchen and find the huge jar of JIF opened on the floor with a big spoon in it, and Whitney walking around with peanut butter practically from ear to ear. But that's not what this is about. .

Years ago we had a phrase we used when out to dinner with my Dad. . .NO plate poaching! To this day if we go out to dinner, he'll say he's not hungry and order a small something or a salad, then proceed to oogle over everyone's plate. . ."OOOH, THAT looks good!", "are you going to finish that?", "pass that over when you're done." My little (almost 4 year old) Whitney is now a carrier. Her sisters are starting to refuse to sit next to her. You almost don't even notice her little hands "borrowing" from your plate, until almost all your strawberries, or fries, or whatevers are gone. I'm turning her over to the plate endangerment police.

more "mormon" songs. . .

Ok, here's a few more songs where Matt and I like to sing "mormon" instead of the real lyrics. Just remember to pause my music down on the left side.

Jack Johnson at :46 "Stabbed a mormon in the back, with a round thumb tack." Ouch. . .that hurts Jack.

Crosby, Stills and Nash "Southern Cross" at 1:33: really the lyrics make sense this way don't they? "I have been around the world, lookin' for that Mormon girl, who knows love can endure. . ."

,

Is it just me or does Mraz love us Mormons?

Am I the only one that thinks Jason Mraz sings about Mormons in his song. . .I'm Yours??

"Listen to the music of the Mormon people, dance and sing. . .we're just one big family."

Check it for yourself at 1:23. .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Z2EvsOhFw

Growing chart. . .

We keep track of our ever-growing kids on the door by the bathroom. . .marking their height progress every 6 months. Madison is now almost as tall as me. . .she grows a crazy 2 inches every 6 months or so. When Molly saw how much further along Madison is then her she said. .

"What's in your body? Like little rockets or something??"

Any Questions?

I saw this on someone's blog. . .just for fun. . 101 things. . .What have you done??
Any Questions for me??

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band--5th grade Clarinet. . .
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain-a "mountain".
9. Held a praying mantis-probably.
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped (does the one at worlds of fun count)
12. Visited Paris--I will in Summer 2010.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty-ooh, I lose points here. . .we decided just to take the ferry BY it, not go up.
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France--again Summer 2010.
20. Slept on an overnight train--probably Summer 2010.
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse--I vaguely remember this when I was little.
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors--Summer 2010--Switzerland.
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance--for Madison, not for me.
47. Had your portrait painted--characature.
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris--2010.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie--only silly ones we made when we were kids.
56. Visited the Great Wall of China--someday!
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason--thanks babe!
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy-my Winnie the Pooh from when I was 3.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible. . .word for word? No.
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating--I would assume fish counts. . .
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake. . . I have been in the Dead Sea. . MUCH more salt.
97. Been involved in a law suit. . .am probably about to be.
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person. . .no, and it's a shame I live fairly close.
101. Learned to play an instrument

What and why????

In complete 3-year-old-dom Whitney has been driving me c.r.a.z.y. After everything I say she says What or Why and repeats the last word that I had said. Every TIME!


"Whitney, please stop."
"What stop?"
"Whitney, don't do that anymore."
"Anymore what?"
"Whit, why do you have to repeat every last word?"
"What last word?"


Ugh.


Also, these are questions that I'm asked at least 4-5 times a day.
"Why do I need my gloves?"
"Because it's cold."
"Why is it cold?"
"Because it's wintertime."
"Why is it wintertime?"
"It just is." (I'm done with the "Heavenly Father made it that way." phrase.)
"Why is the sun in my eyes?"
"Just look out the other window."
"Why my backpack?"
"Because it's time for preschool."
"Why am I going to preschool?"
"Because. . .(mommy needs a break.)"
"Why is Simon crying like that?"
"Babe, if I knew I'd be rich (and more rested.)"
"Why are you making that face Mom?"
heavy sigh from me.
"Why you go "huuuuuuuuuh?"

The Chopping Block, by Molly

Ah, the famous "fall party" at school. . .Molly brought home her fabulously decorated Turkey complete with a story written to share. . .(I typed it just as she had written it, you know, sometimes quotations, sometimes not, but always funny.)

"It was the night before Thanksgiving but my mom was just kidding that is was Christmas, well, that's what she told me. But I knew that it was Thanksgiving because I saw thousands of turkeys going to the chopping block. I hope I don't go there because all my friends go there and then I never see them again. It's sad. Maybe they go there to eat, sleep and play. Should I go or not? What do you think? Maybe I will. . hum? I will! I am going to bring all of my friends so we can all have fun. I am calling my friends. But wait. Who should I invite? I know, Brooke, Catherine, Tillie, Anna, Katie, Mrs. Stoltenberg, Mrs. Dougless, Mrs. Bucher, Elyssa, Olivia and Kylie. Okay I'll just yell out their names, Brooke, Catherine, Tillie, Anna, Katie, Mrs. Stoltenberg, Mrs. Dougless, Mrs. Bucher, Elyssa, Olivia and Kylie! Come here! Alright I've got big huge news to tell. We're all going to the chopping block! "Oh NO!" everyone said. "the chopping block is a very bad place," said Brooke. No, it's not like that. I heard that it's where we eat, sleep and play. "Still we're not going." Pretty please? Okay, we'll come. So they went walking. "Okay, everyone, we're here." wow! This is so cool. "Well, who wants to go in first?" "I will" Everyone shouted really loudly. "Single file, single file" I shouted, but no one did it. So everyone rushed in and a really mean dude put everyone in a dark bag. "It's squishy in here" shouted Kylie. "I'm hungry" said Catherine. "Really, because I'm hyper." said Katie. Olivia said "I love to talk fast. Do you like to talk fast? Should we go to the mall to buy shoes, because I just love shoes." QUIET! I said, "we can't go to the mall, we can't eat because we're trapped in here." We need to make a plan, said Mrs. Stoltenberg. Okay, so this bag is only paper right? So maybe we can all peck with our beaks. On the count of three. Ready? One, two, three. Peck, peck, peck! We're free! Run everyone, run! So they all ran away into the woods and no one could ever find them. The End."

My favorite parts were "single file, single file" and Olivia talking fast about going shopping at the mall to buy shoes while they're all in the bag. . .so cute. Good thing Mrs. Stoltenberg was there to straighten them all out.

Too much tv?

We had our Primary Sacrament Meeting Program a couple of weeks ago. Whitney is a little anxious that she will get to participate next year and felt free to sing along with all the songs AND direct the kids from her little pew.

One of the little boys got up and said his part about prayer "I can pray to Heavenly Father, any time, any place."

Whitney piped right up and said all excited, "Any time! Any place! The super-sleuths are on the case!!!" (in full action with the little arm swing and everything.)

Thanks "My friends, Tigger and Pooh"

True Thanksgiving.

Please visit this link to be witness to a miracle.

http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/2008/11/thanksgiving.html

I'm adding my Thanksgiving wishes to the wonderful Nielson family and the Clark family.

My animal lover

Molly is my little animal lover. Apparently ALL animals. We had some "evidence" of a "little friend" in our basement storage room. After a couple of days the little mouse must have taken a leap and ended up in my washing machine. . .dead. Dun, dun dun. Anyway, I figured he was a loner, but we got some traps anyway, just to make sure. As Matt was assembling the trap Molly sat furiously writing and writing at the table. I walked over and she swiped it away. I asked for it and she made a sad face and gave it to me. . .here's what it said.

(I don't know why blogger wants to flip my picture, but oh well.)

"Keep out! Danger up ahead! Mice. . ps. . I love you! Don't die."

Don't worry, she AND I are both very happy that we haven't caught any more friends.

make 'em with butter, sugar and flour. . .

One of my favorite memories of growing up was making cookies with my mom. That house ALWAYS had cookies. We would sit around a big bowl of dough and use our little spoons to place the cookies on the sheets and always eat WAY too much dough and end up with tummy aches. But it was all for a good cause. Whitney and I made cookies today ("I'm a good cooker"). Mainly for Madison. . . she's going to "Heritage school" tomorrow and I wanted to make some snickerdoodles (and choc. chip for us) for her to take. I'll post about that later with her cute picture.

Anyway, Whitney was my little "helper" today. Even though it took longer (letting her measure things out, completely smooshing the eggs--so a lot of extra time spent retrieving the shells, and counting each cookie as it was put on the sheet, she (and I) had a fabulous time. But Whitney and I agree the best part about making cookies is licking the beater.

Don't you love my apron?? I didn't ever work there, but my sis-in-law did and she snagged it for me when she quit. . thanks Tiff!!!

Did anyone else sing this song when they were little??

Chocolate chip cookies, you'll always have more, you can bake 'em in the oven or buy them at the store but whatever you do, have 'em waitin' at the door and I'll love you forevermore.

Make 'em with butter, sugar and flour, bake 'em in the oven 'bout a quarter of an hour, and whatever you do have 'em waitin' at the door and I'll love you forevermore. . .