Everyone is ok...

Well, what a crazy weekend!! I know it has been a while since my last post, and it has been even longer from the Dulaneys. So, this one sums up the weekend for both of us. Let start off with Friday night...Amanda was headed to the mall with some friends to watch Pirates of the Carribean 3 and made a got off at the wrong exit. She was not sure where she was and it was very dark, she took a turn to sharp and rolled her dad's jeep. Thankfully nobody was hurt and all were wearing seatbelts. I don't think the jeep will be totaled, although it does look pretty rough right now. The good thing about jeeps is they are modular vehicles and everything just bolts together, so with a few parts to unbolt and replace it should be back together soon. Ed and Lisa both took it pretty hard. It was Ed's dream car and Lisa's welcome home gift to him when he returned from his first tour in Iraq. BUT the most important thing is that everyone is ok...the jeep can be fixed or replaced, Amanda and her friends cannot.

Saturday was fairly uneventful. We all gathered at dad's for our bbq/swim party. Everyone had a good time the pool was cold (Still being filled up, so the water was straight cold...the kids tried to warm it by taking pitchers of water from the hot tub and naturally it didn't help)but the weather was not so it worked out great(when it wasn't raining)

Sunday...church and then home to do laundry and clean up a bit

Monday we had our Church picnic and Steve and Sierra played softball together (youth vs Priesthood) Sierra made it to base every time she went to bat...not to bad considering it was her first time to ever play softball

And then it was back to dad's for more bbq and swimming...needless to say, we were all exhausted by the end of the day and we all fell asleep rather quickly

Thought of the day

The world is in need of your help. There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire, and souls to save. The blessings of eternity await you.
President Thomas S. Monson

Thought of the day

Your body, whatever its natural gifts, is a magnificent creation of God. It is a tabernacle of flesh—a temple for your spirit.
Elder Russell M. Nelson

That oughtta make you feel good! As some of you know, I have been struggling with my weight for some time now. When I hit 220, I had enough! I can now proudly say, I have lost 22 pounds over the last month and a half! It has not been easy, but it is well worth it. Not using some fad diet that melts the fat as long as you are on it, and then puts them right back when you stop. I have been eating right, no more soda, junk food etc. and I have been exercising. I barely have time to breath on most days, but I have found ways to fit in exercise even if it isn't much. I still have a long way to go, but I am very pleased with my results thus far.

Mother's Day

So, we had this great 10 year old cat named Jack who just recently died.

Jack was a great cat and the kids would carry him around and sit on him and nothing ever bothered him. He used to hang out and nap all day long on this mat in our bathroom.

Well we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old, 3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves chapstick, LOVES it. He kept asking to use my chapstick and then losing it. So finally one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my chapstick and how he could use it whenever he wanted to but he needed to put it right back in the drawer when he was done.

Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around and try to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys are fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I am trying to nurse my little one at the same time I am putting on my make-up. Everything is a mess and everyone has long forgotten that this is a wonderful day to honor me and the amazing job that is motherhood.

We finally have the older one and the baby loaded in the car and I am looking for Eli. I have searched everywhere and I finally round the corner to go into the bathroom. And there was Eli. He was applying my chapstick very carefully to Jack's rear end. Eli looked right into my eyes and said "chapped." Now if you have a cat, you know that he is right--their little butts do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to mind.

And the only question to really ask at that point was whether it was the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cats behind or the hundredth.

And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it reminds us that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures, there will always be that day when you realize they've been using your chapstick on the cat's butt.

Had an amazing birthday!!

Steve and I both took the day off work. We got the kids off to school, hooked up to the boat and took off for the lake. We spent all day fishing with the new pole (present #1) the kids gave me for my birthday. We didn't really catch a whole bunch of fish, but we did catch some and had bites all day long. It was supposed to rain today, but it didn't start as early as the weathermen said it would. It was cloudy, but warm...perfect weather to be on the water. We managed to make it home right when the kids got off the bus, so they didn't have to go to the sitter/neighbor, so that saved us 15 bucks. Got in the house and put a few things away. As I was walking through the kitchen to go back outside, I noticed a huge box on the table...present #2...a dual deep fryer! We don't really eat a whole lot of fried foods, but the kids love their tator tots and fried chicken. I also like fried catfish which I usually just pan fry, but by the time I get it all done, most of it is cold. This will solve that problem. Now I just need to figure out where to put it when I am not using it. So, after all of that excitement was done, I walked outside to get a few more things out of the boat and Steve handed me a card (present #3) when I walked back inside. I was absolutely shocked! He never remembers cards...well I soon found out why. The card read: For my loving wife, It's your birthday and I want to whisper those three little words you're longing to hear........Let's eat out! and inside was a little handwritten note from Steve. It was a coupon for a free dinner at RED LOBSTER!! I absolutely LOVE Red Lobster and we Never go because it is almost always an hour+ wait and with the kids, that is almost impossible. So we went to dinner and the food was incredible! Just as we were getting ready to leave, a little old lady from a couple tables over, came over and offered us a coupon for $4 off, and she complimented us on how well behaved the kids were!(present # 4) I was so proud!