vacationing!?!

experiencing.....our family vacation "verb" ally

traveling....F O R E V E R . (or so it seemed to the kids.)
anticipating....are we there yet? (repeat)
justin ZONING OUT...while watching wall-e (so funny)
enduring...the sounds of screaming children (mainly dallin)
looking to the backseat....and feeling joy looking at my kids sitting in a cute row
kids sleeping lots.....thank goodness!!!
fitting in the car.....just barely
smiling....most times. :)

redefining "port a potty".....i LOVED the convenience.
pondering.....i wonder what she was thinking about!?
thinking....i'm a GENIUS for bringing that in the car
anna using it...often!

staying....w/ the O'rileys
freeloading.....is the BEST way to go
rating the accommodations.....***** (5 stars!!!)
walking......through beautiful American Fork
kids playing......and having tons of fun
sleeping comfortably.....not in the motel 6 thank goodness
enjoying....the wonderful time with friends

touring......beautiful temple square
totally admiring.....wonderful views
kids rolling.....down grassy patches
anna jumping.....from high up (she sure is a dare devil!)
observing with wonder....a slimy cool snail
feeling grateful....to belong to such a wonderful church

getting "there".....finally.
LOVING.....bear lake
really hoping ....for a warmer day tomorrow.
wrapping up....to stay warm
staying.....out of the cold water and on the shore!
mommy snuggling.....with the cutie guy dallin
dallin eating.....sand. yuck.
everyone digging.....and having TONS of dirty fun.
anna stripping.....huh!?!?
justin rowing.....with some fun found friends

camping.....really close to the beach
enjoying time......with distant relatives and cousins
roasting marshmallows....of course
flicking mosquitos....but i was still EATEN ALIVE!
justin being silly...with cute cousins
patrick and justing climbing....the HUGE tree without even getting hurt!
dallin chilling....in the WONDERFUL table chair (gotta have one camping)
getting dirty.....over and over again

basking in the joy on the beach....another day
actually swimming.....thank goodness for warmer weather!
anna lounging lots....she's good at it.
cherishing play time....i sure love my kids. (and love watching them have fun)
forever remembering....dallin's adorable laughter against blue, sunlit skies
wishing.....i would have the moment & feelings etched in my memory forever

boating....on crystal blue waters
tubing with justin....he even liked it (when it was over)
squealing....with excitement (i liked it the whole time)
admiring.....how cute justin was sitting in the boat, wind in his hair.
loving.....the beautiful lake and time together

taking a peek....inside some caves nearby
cooling off ....from warm summer sun in the 40* caves
learning.....about caves and how they are formed
feeling amazement.....for God's wonderful creations

traveling up to rexburg.....to visit patrick's g&g wilson
savoring.....the wonderful country feeling, sights, sounds and smells
learning....that doggies like mom's milk too
touring.....their AMAZING garden and grandpa's awesome woodshop
realizing.....how zucchini actually looks when growing
eating....cute, fresh picked carrots
justin LOVING.....all of grandpa's constant teasing and joking
checking out....the beautiful rexburg temple
wondering.....what it would live in such a small town
thinking.....i might like that sort of life
appreciating ....their hospitality and loving natures

stopping by....to visit the lovely Larae
admiring....her wonderful decor'
learning....about life living in utah
enjoying the short visit...wishing it were longer

hanging out in provo.....with wonderful friends steve+colleen & aaron
conversing.....and remembering the good ol' days
probably making them think....."when we have kids, they'll never act like that in a restaurant." :)
eating byu creamery ice cream...with great harvest cinnamon bread. yum.
learning....of how much they LOVE BYU.
their words convincing patrick....it's time to apply
wondering .....what it would be like to live there.

heading.....back home
stopping by....in cedar city for a visit w/ my g&g englehart
kids sitting....in grandpa's fun yellow car
LOVING.....the wonderful view a lightning storm near cedar breaks
enjoying the visit.....learning & loving & spending a little time together
showing gratitude....for wonderful grandparents!


REMEMBERING......wonderful times.

forgetting....screaming cranky kids, loads and loads of laundry, the vacation recovery period, unpacking, sunburns, mosquito bites, feeling cranky, and stinking.


wondering....when do i get a real VACATION?
(you know, the kind where you just sit and relax)

realizing.....it might be a while.

but still relishing....in the wonderful moments with my little family.



(and not wanting to edit and check this entry for errors since spell check wasn't working......sorry)



for realz ending...this epic blog entry.

did you get the memo?

TO: All Private Bloggers...especially you who read my blog....(but I can't read yours.)

FROM: Julie the uninvited.

DATE: July 27, 2009

SUBJECT: Let me in. Pretty please?!?

It's happening every day. It's inevitable (Gee thanks Oprah.) Almost everyday another blogger friend of mine goes Private. Oh, I totally understand why some go private. I've consitered it. So, go ahead....but I still want to enjoy reading your lovely blog.Remember?? So, if you have gone private, I don't know the magic word, but my e-mail address is:

morjulie@gmail.com

And me....I personally will never go private...there are just too many wonderful people to connect with out there. The pros of being public outweigh the cons of a privatized blog. I may, however just change my blog address and exclude my last name from anywhere on the blog....if I wanted more security. My "internet friend" does just this. I have no clue what here name is....or what her real kid's names are. I only know her general location....and that I love reading her blog and have been uplifted many times reading it (which I would have never enjoyed if she had been privatized.) Stephanie over at A Daily Scoop puts what I feel into words so much better.

I consider blogs like virtual HFPE (ENRICHMENT.) I love being inspired by all of the wonderful women in blogland. I love stumbling across wonderful blogs. It is definitely simplest to go private so I understand. It's just not for me. :)

Can I make one suggestion? If I were to go private I would make sure to display my e-mail address on my profile so those that are so excited to find you through comments in blogland can contact you......LIKE ME! :)

I think that's it. :)

mothers....you've been warned.

out of the blue....

"Mom, I kissed a girl for the first time. I think we're going to get married someday."

-justin (5.5 yrs. old)


i turned from his view quickly so he wouldn't notice my jaw on the floor.

it was very hard to pry it off.

while keeping my cool, i just said, oh really?
did she like it?

his reply, "i don't think so."


that's one plus i guess.



boy oh boy.

should i tell him that it's protocol to ask the "lucky" girl's parents before proposing?

perhaps i should have lied and told him a bit sooner that only married people kiss!?!

or maybe i should have told him girls have cooties.

better yet, i think i will inform him.....
kissers will be in thinking time....indefinitely!!!!!

...heaven help me!

because i was up WAY too late.....

just when i was wondering when i'd get a chance to laugh so hard i would cry.

RIDICULOUS:

HILARIOUS:



*for full enjoyment, watch at 12:51a.m. when delirious and sleep deprived.

already?!

he walks?!?!



....and melts my little mommy heart.

The fine art of freeloading.

We are wanna-be freeloaders…..kind-of.

So here's the thing. Our family is taking a trip up to most beautiful Bear Lake in Southern Idaho and to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Rexburg. It's far….like 12 hours or something absurd. Just since we'll be up there anyways, I thought it would be nice to spend a few days in Northern Utah. Were planning on staying in whatever motel we happen to be passing by at the time, but I like this plan of mine better! I'm not exactly keen on paying $70 or so dollars on amenities that I'll only experience with my eyes shut.

Oh my…this getting to be WAY to long and full of T.M.I!

In a nutshell:

We want to stay with friends while passing though Utah.

The Itinerary:

• Saturday July 11^th
  Stay the night in the Utah Valley area ish.
  
• Sunday July 12^th:
  Stay the night in the Utah Valley area.
  
• Monday – Friday: Spend the week in Idaho.
  
• Saturday July 18^th
  Spend the night after stocking up at Ikea.
  
• Sunday: go to church and maybe Temple Square on Sunday then drive home.
  

Are you up for us?

We'd bring our own cereal and everything!

Then, when you are passing through, you get to stay here and ask any other time too. J Deal???

Some may see this as begging…..it might be.

Or some as cheap…..yeah, probably so.

But me,

I see it as getting to spend actual time (as opposed to blog/virtual time) with distant friends (which is always fun) AND getting a good deal (which I love.)

Also….. I'd rather have someone volunteer to take us in than me push someone into a corner by asking if my family and I could and use their hot water and sleep on their living room floor.

Believe me, I'm not picky about where I sleep….as long as it's not at a 45 degree angle in the car!

I think that's it.

Too book our reservation, call me (702) 354-0761 or e-mail at morjulie@gmail.com

And if not…there's always Motel 8,6 or 13.

And ….If you ever want to stay with us or stay in our house while we are gone next week, you are TOTALLY welcome to…you could water my garden! :p

While I'm on this note, I would like to make another proposal.

Ever hear of House Swapping????

I have always LOVED the idea of house swapping….just not ready to do it with complete strangers…yet.

If you ever want to stay here without dealing with us, I'd love to do a swap ….I'd even mop the floor for you! Just let me know when!

numbered

we had a wonderful independence day...and have got the numbers to prove it!

25
the number of slices of watermelon i ate with gusto.
i just can't get enough of the stuff!
justin likes it too, no?

29.87
number of times dallin laughed while pursuing his newest favorite summer activity

2
gallons of water anna ingested wildest imagining she had gills.


0
number of fireworks dallin got to watch while celebrating his first independence day.

6
number of extremely happy cousins experiencing the BEST 4th of July EVER!

189/95
my blood pressure/heart rate every time the kids were swinging fire around.
anna was given a sprarkler and did what any wise 2 yr. old would do....
she threw it on the ground cautioning the silly adults, "danger!"

1
number of black spots i accidentally made on the wall...sorry grandma and grandpa!
i just REALLY love watching those snakes UP CLOSE. :)

5
number of dollars it took to make Justin one VERY happy boy.

9:00
what time it was when i realized that Justin hadn't properly been taught what we celebrate on the 4th of july when i asked, "justin, why do we set off fireworks today?"
his reply, "to celebrate fireworks?!?"
oh my. i fixed that one quick.

20
number of minutes it took 3 big boys to set up a single well orchestrated display.

60ish
number of rose blooms that were frolicing around the asfalt in unison to my delight.
i just love those little gnomes of flashing light.



16
(approximate) pounds of trash we added to the landfill this year.


9
number of tears that fell from my face while listening to the national anthem and contemplating the freedoms we enjoy and the opportunity of living in this great land!

4/5
the fraction of people in my little family who were zonked out in the yard after a long, fun day.

House rules

As I swept my floor for the 22nd time today I decided something.

At my front door I need a sign.

It would be to inform those entering.

I especially need this sign to inform the oh so polite souls with soles that walk over my thresh hold.

I wished I had this sign TODAY....and yesterday.....and the day before.

It would say, most fittingly.....

.....or else!

{unless you'd like to take some of my dirt or cherrio chunks home with you on your soon to be gray socks or risk creating a permanent imprint of a lego on your foot!}

There are joys in motherhood.

Having a clean floor is not one that I experience very often.

Someday in the future my floors will shine....but thankfully not for a long time!

a friendly letter

Dear Summer,

We just wanted to let you know that we are excited for you to be here! We especially thank you for the sun you've sent to grow our watermelons BIG and JUICY! Oh how we love you for that! 5 melons down....many to go!!!
Thanks for all the fun times in advance! We are especially thankful you've come in such a polite and gentle manner. The low 90's have been a welcome treat! What enjoyment outside we've already enjoyed thanks to you. We know your temper my get a bit "hot" at times in the future, but we forgive you. You offer so many wonderful perks and fun times that we won't even mention it. Welcome!

Your Friends,
The Morris'

p.s. is there anything at all you could do about the roach population you bring with you year after year? they are really nasty and are unwelcome guests! thanks for your consideration.
p.s.s. i hope we're not asking too much, but could you send the mom here more energy to clean up the additional sticky messes you bring too??

ME me ME me ME me ME me ME

You guessed it, this is about me.

What is your current obsession?
Thinking about when/where Patrick should get his PhD.
My decision to home school Justin....isn't he cute!!!!

What are you wearing today?
Brown pants and a purple shirt....
{accents: spit up and snot.}

What's for dinner?
Uhhhh?????
I guess i should think of this seeing how it's 4:15

What would you eat for your last meal?
Cafe Rio with LOTS of cheese....to go.
No need to be cooking at that point in the game!

What's the last thing you bought?
Silver brads and paint brushes at JoAnn's.
Oh...and groceries. Because we do need to eat afterall.

What are you listening to right now?
Anna singing a.b.c.'s along with the "word whammer"Dallin banging toys and jabbering.
2 happy children sound WAAAY better than water dripping into the toilet!!!

What is your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Trader Joes's Mint Chip
It's DANG good and only has 6 or 7 ingredients.

What do you think of the person who tagged you?
Michelle is AMAZING.
I sure know how to pick wonderful friends!

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?
Right where I live now!
With more rain and fewer roaches.....and a bigger laundry room.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
To sleep. Hey...I'm easy.
If I'm going to an awesome place I'll need at LEAST 2 weeks!

Which language do you want to learn?
Sign language.
I try to learn the alphabet but always forget the sign for f and g.

What's your favorite quote (for now)?
"Whatever you are, be a good one."
"Don't do whatever you like, LIKE whatever you do!

What is something you admire in your husband or a close friend?
His constant spontaneity.
He does something unusual and fun on a regular basis... he keeps life exciting!
Maybe it's buying 1000 pens or creating "rain" from above for the kids. He's just fun!
What is your favorite color?
Muted sage green.
{The color of my kitchen.}

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
My ruffled gray shirt.
Only wish I'd iron it!

What is your dream job?
I think it would be fun to be the Trader Joe's "artist."
They always create such fun displays and art.
I just need to learn how to paint better!

If you could go anywhere on a long vacation, where would you go?
The Italian Riviera
Cinque Terra is my favorite place in Italy.

If you had $100 now, what would you spend it on?
A used Cricut Machine my friend is selling.
I LOVE those machines!!!

Who is one historical figure you would love to meet?
Mary Magdelain
I bet I could learn loads from her!

Describe your personal style?
Simple, soft, functional, eclectic, random.
Still working on figuring it out!

What are you going to do after this?
I want to take a nap!!!
Now...How to get the kids to sleep??? Usually this happens....

What are your favorite movies?
While You Were Sleeping, Forest Gump, You've Got Mail, Ever After.
(The first 3 were Michelle's too.)

What's your favorite fruit?
WATERMELON....I just can't get enough of it.
Oranges during the winter.

What inspires you?
Experienced mothers with well aligned priorities.
Also, things of an eternal nature...trying to follow Jesus Christ.

Are you a home body or do you prefer to be out?
Both...i like just enough of each.
Used to be an out body now with 3 kids more of a home body.

What are 3 jobs you've had in your life?
2nd grade teacher, Nanny, L.V. Athletic club front desk attendant.

What is your favorite term of endearment?
Mommy....

That's it!
Thanks to Michelle who tagged me....my last 1000 pen post was getting stale.

The rules :1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add more one question of your own. [Polka Dots or checks? {i took out this question.}]

2. I supposed to tag eight other people........but couldn't decide who, soooo.
IF YOU HAVEN'T POSTED ON YOUR BLOG IN THE PAST & DAYS YOU ARE TAGGEGD!!! Or you can just tag yourself if you want to share.

Just let me know you accept your mission.!

write when life was feeling sort of dull....

a box came in the mail.
it was addressed to patrick.
like always, i put it aside.

it's always fun to see what comes in the mail, isn't it!?!
i just LOVE a surprise!
surprises just have a way of spicing things up.
so we waited.

when he arrived from work, we all gathered around the box with anticipation.

"you'll never guess what it is," patrick shared.
"who's it for?" i asked.
"it's for everyone!" he said.

as he cut open the box he added, "you might think this is strange."


"what could it be now," i wondered!?!

and then, the box opened......

"i bought 1000 pens on e-bay!" patrick exclaimed.
"they were only 5cents each!"


i just couldn't help thinking of this wierd al song.

what made him click on that {buy it now!} button, i know not.

THIS IS A LOT OF ONE THOUSAND ! (1000) PENS WHICH ARE ADVERTISING OVERRUNS.

amazing, huh?!

then...i shared my "excitement,"

"you bought WHAT!?!? what in world?!what on earth are you EVER going to do with all those pens???you are WAY crazier than i ever thought. you spent $50 on pens!?!?"

he defended "we'll never have to buy another pen again!"


and we have now paid to advertise (via pen) for about 50 different companies in IOWA!

i will be giving a standard door prize to anyone who enters my house. just ask.
ohhhh my.

life sure is full of STrAngE surprises....

especially being married to this cute guy with the mischievous grin!


at least he didn't buy the lot of 4000!
WRITE?!?!

when sweet dreams turn into nightmares!

i've been in dreamland {for the most part}
since anna decided to start using the potty 3 weeks ago,
just days after i accidentally took her commando style to an outdoor bbq
{didn't even notice she had no diaper on, i have issues, i know}.
at the very end of the night, my friend saw her lift her dress and asked,
"is anna wearing a diaper?"

appearantly she wasn't and hadn't cared to tell anyone!

after that night of freedom, i think she realized what she had been missing all these years.

she told me on monday, may 4th.
"anna has to go pee pee!"

and she did.


since then....

she's toured the globe using many, many new and exciting toilet facilities,

she's used our cute little "port a potty" {yes, i bring her little bowl ...sooooo handy.}

there has been much liberating bareback riding and horse bathing consequently.

we've had many mini potty party's full of cheering and flushing.
anna is LOVING it!

i share a story to illustrate her success....
one bright, spring morning this week, it was a dream to be sleeping away on that sunday morning only to be woken by her joyous squeal,
"mommmmeeee, i did it!"

"hooray for you anna!"
i replied as i tried with my might to go back to sleep.

WHAT A SWEET DREAM!


story to be continued below.

{*****disclaimer:don't even think of scrolling down if you are pregnant, have a weak constitution or have eaten in the last 10 minutes.}

a bit later i rolled out of bed and began carrying on as i do every morning.

while checking my e-mail and turning on K-Zion, patrick asked from the hall next to me, "what is dallin eating?"

"uhhh, i don't know,what is it?!?" i quickly replied.

that's when the nightmare part began.


justin chimmed in,

"mom, dallin is eating anna's poop!....
and he likes it!"

i surveyed the scene of the crime.

it was worse than i had ever imagined.

and way nastier

and way stinkier.

yuck!

then while enduring utter disqust i did what any mother who values the preservation of memories would do....

i grabbed my camera.

for posterity you know.


then there was nose plugging, baby bathing, sink sanitizing, probiotic powder feeding and milk of course...to wash it all down.



i have often wondered as a mother, could my job get any more disqusting!?!?

sunday, i realized it could.

it did.


have you ever googled, "my baby ate poop?"

well i have.

new and improved

no pile of dirt stands a chance against:

THEDALLINATOR2008

created by P&J inc.
(creating amazing vacuums since 2004)



after almost 9 months of development and testing,
this AMAZING vacuum machine ready for use!
check out it's list of features:

• one of a kind
• %100 man made
  
• operates at a variety of speeds.
• no batteries needed: runs on milk and edible organic matter.
• includes a sophisticated navigation system that instinctively locates any small items or large piles of debris that may be on the floor.
• cleans up easily with mild soap and water.
• it's features upgrade naturally.
• made in america.
  
• can also serve as a mop! (additional accessories not included.)
  

(illustration for demonstration purposes only!)

and if well cared for, in a couple years it may become....

a highly specialized "sock mopper!"


*additional maintenance may be required.
*manual NOT included.

*WARNING: 24 hour supervision required to prevent items that are improperly sized from getting lodged in the passage way!
*Sorry....no refunds allowed.

OH THE FUN WE ARE HAVING!

child labor laws.

i type in the title, press "enter" and then, WHAM! it says that i have a post.

it's not true.

but....maybe if you are lucky i'll actually finish posting this one.

believe me, i don't need one more DRAFT on my list of posts!

am i the only one who does that????

justin has dreams for the future

Someday I'm going to be like those guys that wear a black coat, black gloves and boots that go past my knees in front but not in the back.

Oh really? When are you going to do be a biker guy?

I'm going to do it after I get married."

Why are you going to wait?

"I don't want to look too cool when I'm not married yet or no girl will marry me. I'll look too cool.


hmmmm....
for now, i'm just thankful to have my little boy.

naval gazing is exciting around here.

so far, all of my children have "outie" belly buttons.

i was wondering why that might be...so i discovered this:

"One theory holds that the innie belly button is the norm, while an outie is the result of a genetic aberration. "

....and other useless information.

i don't know why it is so, but i seem to remember some social phopas related to having an outie as opposed to an innie, but i could care less about that.

just so you know, 1/10 of the population have outies.

but as far as my posterity goes.....3/3!

sorry about the genetic aberration kids.

not that as parents patrick and i will be able to relate.

patrick is one of the 9/10 that has an innie too.

i've got an innie and i've received no special perks in life...so far.

it will all be o.k.

it's just a belly button after all!

because of this commonality, they can relate and form some kind of sibling bond or something.

just think about it...NO BELLY BUTTON LINT....for life!!!

it's a blessing i tell you!

there's just one little problem.

dallin's outie is far more advanced and dynamic than his older siblings' which i fear may cause jealosy, sibling rivalry and a rift in their bond.

instead of a regular old outie,

he was born with a go go gadget belly button!

a rare talent indeed.

his talent is not quite as cool [or useful] as my childhood hero INSPECTOR GADGET'S talents, but close.

on a regular day, it is your average outie,

but when dallin gets really upset it pops out with gusto!

[kindof like a the popout timer on my thanksgiving turkey or an itty bitty ailien trying to escape it's confines.]

see?

[to demonstrate i just squeezed him like a little dough boy...
.you didn't want me to make him angry and cry, now did you!?!"

even when he is at a state of rest, it may decide to just sag a bit.

this thing has a mind of it's own i tell you.

his doctor said it might decide to stay in better as he gets older.

or it might not but they can do corrective surgery when his 2 years old.

NO THANKS!
cosmetic surgery is way freakier that go go gadgetbellybutton anyday.

since surgery isn't an option in my book, for the last 7 months i thought of other options to stop this button from popping.

somone even told me once that in some cultures they tape a coin over the naval to keep it in.

uh........no on that one too.

then, last week i was at wal-mart and i saw this stuff on the shelf...then it made it's way into my cart. i got home and told patrick about my plan to tame dallin's little alien with some skin glue.

patrick told me that i was very wierd, but i already knew that.

he also told me that he thought my idea was weird....which instilled doubt in my system.




so on my counter the good ol' new skin sits, but i am still undecided.

tell me what you think. i need your imput now more than ever. :)

do you have any pros? cons? practical experience with belly buttons?

HELP!!!

to glue or not to glue....that is the question.