Can I Have Your Attention Please...

I am thrilled to announce...(insert drum roll here)...that I am now a certified teacher of Let's Play Music! This is an amazing 3 year music program for children starting between 4 and 6 years old. It is a program to teach well rounded musicianship and piano. I am very excited to start this new endeavor. If you know of any children in the Pocatello area that could use this program send their moms my way!!!

Amazing Race: Valentine's Edition Pocatello

I wanted something fun to do for Valentine’s Day for my husband. Our dates lately have been pricing projects at Lowe’s or Home Depot, not exactly the most exciting thing we could do, I know. Papa Duck is working full time and in school full time and so there isn’t much left when it comes time for date night for either of us. I found this link and a great creative blog of a friend. I decided to give it a go and invited some girls I think are great fun from my ward. They were in! This took us a month to plan but it turned out fantastic.


First off We had t shirts made at Alston Ink. They turned out fabulous and were really cheap.
We made cards and envelopes for our clues
Clue #1
Putt your way down the green,
Your next clue you soon will see.
Make sure to play the whole way right
When you reach the end it will be a delight.
Clue #2
Out in the country some parents you’ll find,
Who have animals of every kind
One of you should be familiar with the way
Hurry make haste, south on the freeway.
Ask the lady of the house for a way,
To get your next clue, and be on your way.
Clue#3
On a hot summer day this is a cool place to be,
For only a dollar a cone it’s easy to see,
Ask the girl behind the counter what you can do
To be on your way, with your next clue.
Clue #4
If you get a new calling and you need some direction
You can come to this store for some spiritual reflection
Here you can buy Holy undies and books made in blue
Just go to the counter to ask for your next clue
But warm up your voices because you’ll need them too
Clue #5
In the frigid section you will find
A square clear canvas that will take time
Be creative now take some time
For this will be displayed while we dine
Chisel & shave until you are through
Sculpt it into something new
Don’t forget we must have two
Hurry make haste, we’re waiting on you
Clue #6
Have you not got your bouquet and your gifts yet?
Do it now, or you’ll be very upset
When you reach the finish-line,
And, must turn around.
Your tasks are not finished,
Until these items have been found.
Once you have finished and completed all the tasks
Follow the road signs and make it fast
A surprise is awaiting, but it’s getting cold
Don’t worry because you have done what you’re told
But you better come quickly now’s the time for conclusions
We are waiting for you, we don’t want to start a revolution.


The guys had to play three holes of frisbee golf and then go to a farm and herd cattle. They then had to go to an ice cream place for their next clue (We should have given them money for an ice cream, they were bummed) Then they went to the mall to sing to the ladies at the LDS distribution Center. They had to sing a love song but couldn't come up with one so the ladies taught them "A Bushel and a Peck". They then had to go get our gifts at the dollar store.Our husbands got very creative with their task of getting us flowers. They decided to go to Sierra’s, one of the local craft stores and beg for help! They were really lucky because the ladies there were more than willing to help. They even blogged about it on their craft blog.


The guys had to sculpt ice sculptures for the centerpieces of our beautifully decorated tables.


We had an amazing menu that included Cheese Fondue, Chocolate Fondue, Prime Rib, Roasted Potatoes, Salad, Cheesecake, Apple Pie and Ice Cream.
Our guys were super great sports and really had a fun time. They say they are planning BIG for next year!

Wow!!! Where has the Time Gone?

I cannot believe I have waited so long to post something here. I must apologize but with seven kids a husband working full time and in school full time, my own full time job, my calling and now two baseball teams, and a garden to plant the time has slipped away.
I do not have time to post anything fabulous but I am alive, my children and my husband are alive and the house has not burned down. That is an accomplishment in my book.
I will post baseball pictures and the kids spring pictures after I take them. Typing it here makes me have to get it done right?
More to come later!!!

Romance is in the Air

A month ago Hubby found a great deal in the paper and since he hadn't done anything for me for Christmas....and I mean anything, he made the reservations. It was a really great deal...in fact they said it was about 50% off the regular price. We scheduled it for his birthday weekend and close to Valentine's Day so we could justify the expense...It turned out to be the best Chrisbirthentines Present ever!
We went to Downata Hot Springs for a beautiful, quiet, romantic stay. We got a cabin, dinner for two, two full body massages and access to their tranquility room, use of the hot pool and hot tub, and breakfast. It was wonderful. It was quiet...that was one of the best things! It was romantic...It was fun...The pool was one of our funnest things, it was great getting into the big pool that was so warm. With our heads sticking out of the water our eyelashes would grow ice crystals. They were really cool looking. The very best part was being together, spending time, reconnecting and falling in love all over again. It makes all the every day stuff so worth it! Having an eternal companion to share this life with, the good and the bad, is such a blessing. And to be happily married and more in love than I ever thought possible makes it even better. We came home feeling as giddy as two teenagers in love for the first time!!!

And as I said mentioned in the previous post the pictures will come eventually. I am sure the cord will show up when I threaten my children within an inch of their lives!!! JK

Attack of the Glue Stick

The other day I was feeling very motivated and wanted to get some cleaning done. I had the little girls, ducklings 6 and 7 and two little ones that I babysit here. I felt that I could get 15 minutes at a time to work on each room. Things were working pretty well. I was pleased with how much I was able to get done. I had just finished my third 15 minute session of cleaning and had sat down to play on the puter. After a few minutes I realized it was very quiet, especially quiet and missing one child's noises in particular. I went searching for duckling #7 and calling her name. No answer. I begin searching the bedrooms...I find her in ducklings 5 and 6 bedroom...sound asleep...in the stink bug position. She doesn't respond to any of my cries. I go to her and lift her head...only to find that it is stuck!!! She is covered in blue, I look down to find a glue stick next her. I carefully pull her off the mattress...sssccchhhllloooooooooccckkk She has not moved or even twitched yet. I am a worrier and always tend to think worst case scenario right off. I start to think she has poisoned herself, she is going to have brain damage, she is going to be blind, etc, etc, etc!!! I lay her on the couch and run to read the glue stick expecting to find horrible warnings and "call poison control immediately"...I read...and relax, "Non-Toxic" it says, thank heaven. I decide the only thing I can do is take a picture and begin the process of ungluing her eyes, and mouth, and nose, and hair from themselves and each other. I take the picture, no response, I sit her up in the chair...she starts to respond...I wait for some response...all I get is "STOP". She didn't want to be disturbed taking her nap, she didn't want to have her face washed, her eyes unglued, or anything else for that matter.


I will have to post the picture later...my cord is missing...again....are you shocked?

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...

We have had a beautiful white Christmas. It started snowing a few weeks ago and it hasn't melted so each new snow adds a few more inches. Today we got about another foot! It is beautiful and the icicles hanging off the house are pretty amazing too. These are of right outside my kitchen window.



Last Night we went for a drive to see the Christmas lights around town. We listened to the radio station that plays all Christmas music for the whole month and while we were driving they had the Christmas Story read. It was a beautiful drive. We came home and ate yummy spaghetti for dinner and did our traditional open one gift (that is always pajamas). We talked about our Savior and our love for Him. It truly was a beautiful evening...except when you have a moody ten year old daughter who doesn't like her gift and she doesn't know why.



We did eventually get her to smile...just not at the camera!



Our big family present this year came a few weeks early. "Joseph Taylor Son of Gus", affectionately known as "Joey", came to our home on December 7. He is a great addition to our family. The kids have been taking very good care of him and he is very loved. It is fun to finally have an animal back in our home.



The kids did get a gift from a sibling and a gift or two from Santa. They said it was a great Christmas! I am happy that they really did enjoy the gifts that they received and are not doing the "but you didn't get me ________!" (fill in the blanks)! I sincerely hope that never comes.

Here are each of the kids with their stash!















This morning after presents we had a delicious breakfast of sourdough pancakes, spiced peaches and whipped cream. It was delicious and I may just start doing breakfast for the family meal every Christmas!



This afternoon Hubby went out to shovel the walk and driveway. He now understands the importance of shoveling after walking the paper route! It took about two hours to finish.





There is only one picture of me in all this and Duckling #1 took it with out the flash but at least there is documentation that I was present.



We want all our family and friends to know how much we love each one of you and appreciate all that you do for each of us. This truly is a wonderful time of year. We want you to know that we know our Savior lives! He was born in a Stable and His mother did lay Him in a manger. Those very humble beginnings bring great joy to our lives today. What a precious gift is His Atonement! The least we can do to repay Him is serve others and represent Him well.
Merry Christmas and may the coming year be full of blessings for all of you!

Halloween Fun?????

I am so frustrated. I was so excited to do fun Halloween things today. I was going to make cookies for Duckling #4's class party. I was going to continue cleaing up for our new floor. I had soooo many plans for today. Alas, is was not to be. I woke up this morning hardly able to move. I had moved wrong during the night and had hurt my neck. It was no fun. I spent the whole morning almost in tears. I am taking it easy for the rest of the day. Folding laundry and enjoying staying home. I am grateful that on days like today when I don't feel well I can stay home and not feel guilty for calling in sick. I don't have to worry about the money lost from a day of lost work. What a blessing. I will try to remember to not be frustrated and to count my blessings no matter what happens.

Tag...I am IT!!!

Five names you go by:

1. Melissa

2. Missy

3. Mel

4. Mom

5. Dear


Three things you are wearing right now:

1. jeans

2. Striped Shirt

3. Crocs


Two things you want very badly at the moment:

1. For the kids to go to sleep

2. For my husband to be home from work


Two people who will probably fill this out:

1. Anyone???

2. You!

Two things you did last night:

1. Went to the ward Halloween Party

2. folded laundry



Two things you ate in the last 24 hours:

1. Ice Cream

2. Popcorn


Two people you last talked to on the phone:

1. Julie

2. Rob Love


Two things you are going to do tomorrow:

1. Clean and Pack up House for new Flooring!!!

2. Achievement Days, We are making Capri Sun Scripture Bags!


Two longest cars rides this year

l. Pocatello to Page

2. Phoenix to Pocatello

Two of your favorite beverages:

1. Caffiene free Diet Coke with Vanilla

2. Fresh apple juice

I Tag Christina and Tiffany!