Cinnamon Roll Heaven and Fall Festival H*ll

Lookie what my wonderful friend Laura made and brought for me on my birthday this morning...warm, squishy cinnamon rolls! These are the best dang cinnamon rolls EVER (no offense, mom). H proclaimed them to be "cinnamon roll heaven." Right on, H. She even had a hard time tearing herself away to go to the primary pizza party. She said she didn't want to leave the cinnamon rolls. Weird kid, yes.

Last night was the much-anticipated Fall Festival at H & L's school. I must say that, despite my dread of taking all four kids to a school event by myself, a good time was had by all, and B even won a prize for "Most Creative Costume" in the 4 and under age group in the costume parade. This puzzled me a little, since he was one of approximately 27 other pirates there, but I was informed it was because *HE* was the cutest pirate. No argument there. Everyone LOVED L's hair, and H was a big hit, too, because she had such a great disguise. Some of the kids/adults there had a hard time recognizing her. I told her that's a
sign of a great costume, and that made her happy. L's teacher LOVED her costume, and commented on how "real" her eyes looked. I told her that I just punched her in the eyes to get a more real effect. After thinking immediately that I probably shouldn't have said that to her teacher, she shot back with, "Well, it works out because the black eyes will probably last 'til Halloween and you won't have to do her make-up twice." Way to go, Mrs. J! What an awesome Kindygarten teacher!

Long time comin'

I just looked at my blog and realized I haven't posted in, oh, around 17 days! WHAT? That just doesn't happen. Unless, of course, you have four kids and your life--between church and kids and school functions and PTO's and other craziness-- just suddenly becomes complete and total CHAOS! I don't know where 17 days went, but I don't believe they were actually here. Somebody's playing tricks on me, because I have no recollection of that many days passing. But judging from all the chicken scratch all over my calendar, it's not likely I'm going to remember the NEXT 17 days or so, either. So, having said that, here is a very brief synopsis of those days (thank goodness for digital cameras, or I'd really have NO memory whatsoever!)...
*B wanted me to take a picture of him with a pillow on his head, so I did. End of story.
*Daddy took the kids to Mesa for a couple of days to visit Nanna and Uncle Jerry, and visited the Phoenix Zoo while there.
*We headed to Tucson to Adam and Samantha's house (thanks, you guys!) for a birthday party for Grandpa Pollock (I didn't know til I got there, but this was also a par-tay for ME (take a peek at the cake--my name is on it--woo hoo!!).
*Let's see, what else...Daddy's been bringing home "little" pet bugs for the kids. They get attached to them and even name them (don't get me started). These bugs are ugly and gross, but my kids seem to enjoy them. Whatever.
*The pic of L with the hoodie on is just there cuz I thought he looked like ET. Can you say, "Phone home?"
That's it in a nutshell. I've got costumes to sew and parent teacher conferences to attend and field trips to chaperone and school festivals to help with, just to name a few, so I'm outta here. Ciao. Enjoy the pictures!

I love conference!

For starters, my husband and three oldest children just drove away to nanna's house and will not return until Tuesday night. Can you hear the angels singing???

This turn of events gives me time to sit quietly and reflect on the wonderful messages given over the past two days at our General Conference. I've compiled some of my favorite quotes (these are severely paraphrased, so they're not word-for-word) and I thought I'd share them on the blog. Some of these are deep and meaningful, while others are lighthearted and humorous. I love our prophet and other leaders because they're able to pull off both!!! Here they are, in no particular order:

Pres. Henry B. Eyring: Every person upon entering the world is given the Spirit of Christ. Everyone has had spiritual experiences, though they may not have recognized them as such.

Claudio Costa: We can lay down our lives for our families by giving them our time, love, and affection. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old. The past doesn't come back, and the future might not come at all.

Julie Beck: Spiritual growth happens best in a house of order. (amen, sista!!)

Dallin Oaks: What your children really want for dinner is YOU...The home is the basis of a righteous life.

Enrique Falabella (summarizing his words): He told the story of how his family was terribly poor growing up, and how he desperately needed new shoes. He went to his father one day and showed him the big hole in his shoe with his big toe sticking out of the top. The father did his best to fix the shoe, but the toe still stuck out. When he pointed this out to him, his father quickly remedied the situation by putting black shoe polish on his toe so it matched the rest of the shoe!

Dieter Uchtdorf: The gospel is clear and plain. It answers the most complex questions in life, yet can be understood by a young child...Endure JOYFULLY to the end (don't just endure).

Michael Teh: To some degree, I am still carried on the shoulders of good men and women. I suspect that we all are.

Jeffrey R. Holland (my favorite): Any who dismiss the idea of an embodied God dismiss both the mortal and the resurrected Christ.

Douglas Callister: None can permanently endure on "borrowed" light.

Steven Snow: My mother was the travel agent for guilt trips.

Four Freaking Things

Jenna tagged me (she knows how much I love these things), so I'll play, just this once.

Four jobs I've had:

-Potato sorter at the potato farm in Queen Creek, AZ. Dirtiest, stinkiest job I've ever had (outside in AZ in July), but some sweet moola.

-Gal Friday for Tailoring Shop. Owned by a little italian (dare I say mafia) woman who scared me A LOT.

-Customer Relations Specialist (or some title I made up for myself) for a glass subcontractor. That was a fun job!

-Receptionist then sales assistant, then cashier then operations manager for NYSE firm Prudential Securities--did that one for about 7 years before I got promoted to wife and mom.

Four places I've lived:

-Queen Creek, Arizona

-Troutdale, Oregon

-Marion, Arkansas

-Sierra Vista, Arizona

Four movies I love:

-Happy Gilmore

-Pirates of the Caribbean

-Dragonfly (obscure Kevin Costner movie with a GREAT ending!)

-Overboard

Four movies I'd love to see:

-Any four where I get to leave my children home with a sitter.

Four fave foods:

-Chocolate

-Anything spicy

-Mexican

-Chocolate

Four weird things about me:

-I have monkey toes (so I'm told)

-I can't sleep unless I'm hugging a pillow

-My hair falls out after I have a baby (yup, it grows back)

-I get up at 4am every single day (weird or crazy? you be the judge)

Four places I'd rather be:

-Love to see Hawaii

-Getting a massage and facial at Total Bliss Salon in Mesa, AZ

-Somewhere with lots of fall colors and cool temps

-Having a girls' night without the kids

Guess I'm s'posed to tag 4 people now? Ok, then:

-Polly

-Tiffany

-Adam & Samantha

-Jenna took all my taggees (I guess I could always try tagging gramma Elsie's blog, but I'm thinking she'd not be very likely to respond)

Math Problems

When your husband is in the border patrol and your friends' husbands are in the border patrol, you're bound to come across gems like this on a regular basis. Normally I'd forward something like this in an email, but this one bears posting on the almighty blog for the world to see...I love it! (thanks, Carly)

Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help . While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this?

Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950's:

1. Teaching Math In 1950:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

2. Teaching Math In 1960:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of
production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

3. Teaching Math In 1970:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

4. Teaching Math In 1980:
A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

5. Teaching Math In 1990:
A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and
inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the
preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did
the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their
homes? (There are no wrong answers).

6. Teaching Math In 2007:
Un hachero vende una carretada
de madera para $100. El costo de la
producciones es $80. Cuanto
dinero ha hecho?