i'll git you my pretties...and your lettle dooog tooooo!

no, i would not be surprised AT ALL if this happened to me.......

i better snap out of it soooon!

sorry kids,

sorry patrick.

Digital Disection.

5. Steps to Morris family fun....led by daddy of course.

1.Find an ancient laptop in the trashcan.
2. Try to turn it on .
3. If that fails, get out the tools.

4. Di sect it.
5 Demolish!!!!

What did your family do for "fun" tonight?

A simple equation.

Sometimes I do things that are pure strokes of genius.
[Purchasing this Cub Scout shirt and neckerchief for 2 bucks at a garage sale was one of those moments.]

Some things are just a miracle..
[Like being given the flag the next day.]

To add it all up:

Shirt + Neckerchief + Flag = A VERY Happy Boy!!!

I just want to know if "Premature Scout Shirt Strutting" is sacrilegious?
I sure hope not, because Justin is in heaven when wearing this shirt!!!

little dallin

is one!!!!

and has been for several weeks now.

dallin's most memorable features at 1 year old.

*absolutely squezzable and cuddly
*walking [since 11 mo.]
* independently walking off on his own at the park [i now have to keep track of 3 kids going in all different directions.]
*loves dancing
*endures millions of kisses
*opens cupboards [and empties them in a flash with anna at his side]
* loves container play [the toilet being his favorite container...unfortunately.]
* trying to put on clothes [he got anna's smimsuit strap over his head today.]
* has the most adorable pouty lip you've ever seen.
* understands uh-oh....[and obeys most of the time :)]
* follows simple directions
* plays cars
* recently aquired and had PERFECTED his high pitched screech.
* signs please when he wants something
* loves watching justin run circles around him.
*eats....anything and EveRyThinG [and I can't wait till he stops eating trash]
* makes his mommy's heart MELT!!!!!!!

We're thinking out of the box....

and boy are we excited!

More excited then you can imagine!
(More excited than I ever imagined!)


Soooo, you ask, "What's in the box?"

Well, It's a meticulously researched, planned and sequenced kindergarten curriculum sent to Justin from K12 sent FREE OF CHARGE through the charter school Nevada Virtual Academy, of course!

(And I think it's going to be awesome.)

And now, a message from our "sponsor":

Our School at a Glance:

The Nevada Virtual Academy uses the K¹² curriculum to offer Nevada students in grades K-9 an exceptional learning experience. With individualized learning approaches, the Nevada Virtual Academy and K¹² provide the tools kids need to succeed—in school and beyond.

The Nevada Virtual Academy is one of the fastest-growing schools in Nevada, and here's why:

* Our experienced, Nevada-licensed teachers, who are available online and by phone.
* The exceptional, engaging K¹² curriculum, which covers the core subject areas. Based on decades of education research, this curriculum packages high-quality lessons with mastery-based assessments that ensure students achieve success at each and every level. Find out more about K¹².
* The online planning and assessment tools, resources, and hands-on materials ranging from textbooks to microscopes, rocks and dirt to beautifully illustrated classic children's stories, and much more.
* Our active, supportive school community, which organizes fun and informative monthly activities where NVVA parents, students, and staff share their successes, helpful hints, and more.
* The high-quality, tuition-free public education that enables a learning experience that is individualized for each child.

So.........tomorrow will be Justin’s first day of kindergarten, at home.

And I think we’ll even be out of our pajamas!

f.y.i.

when you add tooooo many pictures to your picasa web album(which is where blogger stores your blog pics), you can not upload any more pictures to your blog!

lesson learned.
junk pictures deleted.
actual blog pictures posted.

the end.

life....

is sometimes too adorable for words.

and too busy for blogging.

there will always be time for more words.....later.
cheers. :0)

some days.....

i'm soooooooooooooooooooooo glad when daddy comes home,
GLAD as i can be.


and it's just a guess, but i think they are too....
as you can PLAINLY see!!!

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??