My Playlist

Thanks to my aunt Melissa, and my husband Shane, I now have music to listen to as I view my blog, and so do you!! Isn't this stuff fun!?!

Kids are Way Too Smart!

This morning Parker woke up just before the kids. The boys came up a few minutes later while I'm changing his diaper. I had to make sugar cookies last night for Josh's class party, so the extras are in the cookie jar on the counter. Josh comes in to Parker's room and asks if he can have a cookie. I say, NO, because I'm a good mom who believes that kids should have something good for breakfast, not junk food. A minute later Tanner comes in, and he's eating a cookie. "Look, Mom," he says, "I got a cookie." All of this with a big smile on his face, of course. Josh starts to whine, "Why does he get a cookie?" Now, Tanner has all but two bites left at this point, so I say, "Because he was smart enough not to ask first, I guess." I don't think Josh appreciated the logic, because he is a good boy who asks first. To make up for the injustice, I did let him have one after he ate breakfast. They are just partying at school today, anyway, so the sugar won't be too much of a problem.

Well, anyway, because of the time, I had to fix the kids breakfast before I could get it for Parker. So I'm making pancakes while Parker plays with the kids, and I'm making his cereal so I can feed him when the kids sit down to eat. So everything's ready to eat, we all sit down, and have prayer. I fix the kids their plates of pancakes and then start to feed Parker his cereal. After every bite Parker cries at me. It takes me a minute to figure out why. He's crying because he knows that everyone else get pancakes and he wants some, too. So I have to get him a little pancake and he loves it!! He's starting to figure out that his baby food is not what everyone else eats, and he is indignant at having to eat it when everyone else gets "real food." It probably won't be long until he gives up a bottle, too. These kids are getting way too smart.

I'm It Again!

Thanks to my sister, Bobbi, I have been tagged again, but in a different way. Here I go again.

1.WHAT DID YOU DO IN 2007 THAT YOU’D NEVER DONE BEFORE? Hit a skunk in my car, and boy was it nasty!! It took 6 weeks for the smell to completely dissipate.

2. DID YOU KEEP YOUR NEW YEARS’ RESOLUTIONS, AND WILL YOU MAKE MORE FOR NEXT YEAR? I did keep one, to get in shape, but it took until we started a competition with Shane, his sisters, and his mom in November to actually accomplish it. I have been exercising almost every day for a month now. I hope to continue and make more next year.

3. DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU GIVE BIRTH? My sister, Bobbi, had her first girl after 3 boys.

4. DID ANYONE CLOSE TO YOU DIE? My Grandma Bake. She was a neat lady, but ready to be with Grandpa.

5. WHAT COUNTRIES DID YOU VISIT? Only ones in books or via the internet. The farthest I traveled this year was West Yellowstone.

6. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE IN 2008 THAT YOU LACKED IN 2007? More patience with my children, especially Tanner, who is the epitomy of the terrible two right now.

7. WHAT DATES FROM 2007 WILL REMAIN ETCHED UPON YOUR MEMORY AND WHY? Feb. 21 - when Parker was born.

8. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR? To actually feel like I could be a Primary President.

9. WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST FAILURE? Don't get me started. I would have a huge list. I've just decided to focus on the positive.

10. DID YOU SUFFER ILLNESS OR INJURY? I tore cartilage between my ribs - boy was that sore.

11. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU BOUGHT? Christmas presents for my boys - this year is going to be so fun!!

12. WHOSE BEHAVIOR MERITED CELEBRATION? Tanner's, even though he's still a big pill. He's not a humongous pill anymore.

13. WHOSE BEHAVIOR MADE YOU APPALLED AND DEPRESSED? My own for a while - I think I forgot who I was for a while. But I'm much better now.

14. WHERE DID MOST OF YOUR MONEY GO? Food and house payments.

15. WHAT DID YOU GET REALLY, REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT? The chance to move somewhere else if Shane gets a new job.

16. WHAT SONG WILL ALWAYS REMIND YOU OF 2007?

17. COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR ARE YOU:

a) happier or sadder? definitely happier
b) thinner or fatter? thinner, yippee
c) richer or poorer? probably poorer, but what else do you expect with 5 kids

18. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D DONE MORE OF? stuff for myself

19. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU’D DONE LESS OF? worrying about stuff that I have no control over

20. HOW WILL YOU BE SPENDING CHRISTMAS? with my family here at home, and I am so excited

21. DID YOU FALL IN LOVE IN 2007? just my boyfriend (and husband =>) Shane

22. HOW MANY ONE-NIGHT STANDS? with him, as many as I could get =>

23. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TV PROGRAM? The Biggest Loser - it is so motivating

24. DO YOU HATE ANYONE NOW THAT YOU DIDN’T HATE LAST YEAR? nope

25. WHAT WAS THE BEST BOOK YOU READ? I read so many that I'm not sure which was the best.

26. WHAT WAS YOUR GREATEST MUSICAL DISCOVERY? Josh Groban - Awake and Noel

27. WHAT DID YOU WANT AND GOT? A healthy family and peace within myself

28. WHAT DID YOU WANT AND NOT GET? a million dollars =>

29. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE FILM OF THE YEAR? Stardust - it was so cute!!

30. WHAT DID YOU DO ON YOUR BIRTHDAY, AND HOW OLD WERE YOU? I was 29 again, and none of you business =>

31.WHAT ONE THING WOULD HAVE MADE YOUR YEAR IMMEASURABLY MORE SATISFYING? to have some bills paid off

32. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL FASHION CONCEPT IN 2007? jeans and a t-shirt or sweatshirt

33. WHAT KEPT YOU SANE. Shane

34. WHICH CELEBRITY/PUBLIC FIGURE DID YOU FANCY THE MOST? none - I haven't been too impressed with celebrities lately.

35. WHAT POLITICAL ISSUE STIRRED YOU THE MOST? sorry, don't know that one.

36. WHO DID YOU MISS? My sisters and Mom. I wish I got to do more with them.

37. WHO WAS THE BEST NEW PERSON YOU MET? I don't know that I met anyone new this year, but I got to know my counselors a lot better and really enjoyed it.

38. TELL US A VALUABLE LIFE LESSON YOU LEARNED IN 2007: I am the only one that can determine my happiness - seems like a "well, duh!", but I learned it anyway.

39. QUOTE A SONG LYRIC THAT SUMS UP YOUR YEAR: Some days it's "They're coming to take me away", but most days it's "I Feel my Savior's Love."

Anyway, now it's Megan, Janine, Crystal, and Tiffany's turn. Tag, you guys are it!!

Trying to Stand

Well, the time that I have looked forward to and yet dreaded has finally arrived. Parker has been trying to stand unaided for two days now. Since he is our last one, I've wanted him to stay little for as long as possible. I have the feeling that once he knows how to stand, it's only a short time until he's walking. Once he can stand for more than a second or two (long enough for mom to get the camera) we'll take a picture and post it. Hope you all are having a great holiday season.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!!!

Well, for the first time this winter, it actually looks like winter outside. We got snow today and boy, did the kids have a ball! Tanner stayed outside longer than anyone else, and screamed in protest when he was brought in. His little cheeks and hands were bright red, even though he had thick gloves on. When the snow first started falling this morning, we went outside and he loved making footprints in it. It was funny to see him walk and watch behind himself to see his tracks.







They had snowballs fights, made snow angels,and Luke and Tanner played follow the leader, with Tanner trying to step in all the tracks that Luke made. And where was poor Parker when all the fun was going on? He had a fever today, and was glued to my hip. I was able to cut him off for a few seconds to try and take a picture of how pathetic he looked. But by the time I could get him to sit still for a few seconds and take the picture, the tylenol had kicked in and he was feeling a little better.



Speaking of Christmas, can I just say that I love Christmas songs? We have a radio station here that plays Christmas songs all day, and has since the day after Thanksgiving, and will play them until Christmas day. It's great!! Now just ask me in another week or so if I still think it's great when all I've heard for three weeks is Christmas songs!! => We got our tree up and the kids did all the decorating. Dad put it up and Mom put on the lights. They had a blast reminiscing about all of the ornaments they put up. Josh seemed to remember making them all, although most of the ones he was taking about I remember purchasing at a store. But I couldn't burst his bubble and let him think what he wanted. Tanner has been good and doesn't touch the tree unless he sees his older brothers do it. Parker tried to pull himself up on it once, and the needles are very poky and sharp, so he hasn't tried it again. (I wish all of my kids learned that fast. =>)


We also had a ward Christmas party and Santa came. I thought Parker would be the one to freak out about sitting with Santa, but Tanner outdid him this year. (The little girl you see in Josh and Luke's picture is one of the little girls that likes to be in the middle of whatever fun is happening. She wouldn't go away, even with all the moms around asking her to leave. I'm sure she is in most of the Santa pictures. We finally had to physically pull her away and she didn't go easily.)







It has been nice now that Santa has put in an appearance to pull out the good 'ol "Santa's watching you. You don't want to be on the bad list, do you?" card. Just the other night I made something new for dinner, along with a good old favorite - french fries. I told the kids that if they ate 5 bites of the new dish, they could have more french fries. I was feeding Parker and not really paying attention, when suddenly Josh asked for more fries. Kaitlin, mother number 2 at our house, told him he had to eat his other stuff first. He then said, "But this is my second helping." I looked up and laughed. You know us Moms, we can sense a lie a mile away. I said, "You didn't just lie to your Mom, did you? You'll be on Santa's bad list for sure." I laughed, hoping that he understood I was teasing, but he need to eat. Well, after dinner he came up quietly and said, "Mom, do you really think I'm on the bad list?" He looked so sad. I had quite a time reassuring him that one little lie wasn't going to doom him to coal. Note to self - Josh takes teasing very literally some days. Be careful.

Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke had his 6th birthday Sunday. We celebrated a little early with Suzy and the kids on Saturday. He had a great day. He had been counting down for months, and was so excited when the day finally came. All he really wanted for his birthday was two scooters; one for him and one for Josh. Needless to say he only got one, but maybe Josh will get one for Christmas.

Winter Fun and the Bathtub

I just realized that I haven't taken nudie pictures of my kids in the bath for a while, so we got out the camera this morning for a photo shoot. The only problem was that Tanner was having more fun spitting water on Parker's head than posing for the camera. He's getting ready to do that in the third picture. Here are the pictures, and don't worry, they are censored.





We also got a little bit of snow the other day, and Luke and Tanner had a ball playing in the little that didn't melt right away. They loved jumping on the tramp and eating the pieces of snow that broke off as they jumped.

Thanksgiving Memories

So, as you can tell, I'm not very consistent yet with this blogging thing, but it's coming. We just got back from Thanksgiving at my parent's house in Fruitland. It was a lot of fun. Shane helped out with the kids so I got to play with my mom and sisters, which was a lot of fun.

I had a ball shopping the day after Thanksgiving. We got up at 4 a.m. to head off to Wally-World for some toys, then ran to Boise for shopping at Target, Kmart, Fred Meyer and the mall. Because I may have a kid read this blog, I won't disclose the exact nature of the deals we found, but boy, did I get lucky!! If any of you want to see a fun Christmas morning, come to my house this year. My kids are going to love it. We were home by 11 a.m., which Shane was grateful for, and I even got a small nap in. It was a lot of fun. Thanks Bobbi, Dev, and Mom, for a fun morning.


Minus the stomach bugs and sore throats running rampant through the family, the kids had a blast. My parents have their home backed up to a small hill, which drops off to a small stream running behind their house. The kids found out they could play on the hill, and some of them were hardly seen for the rest of the vacation. They built a slide in the sand, a bench to sit on, pathways, and who knows what else. Mom and Dad have very sandy soil, so when the kids came in, you had to shake them off to avoid the sand being tracked in. But that wasn't enough. We found even after shaking them off, the sand continued to come out of their shoes and clothes when they came into the house. We'd take their shoes and bang them together outside, and a huge dust cloud would eminate from their shoes, covering everything around you. But boy did they have fun.

We took some family pictures there, too, and as soon as I get copies of those pictures, we'll try and post some.

Tag - I'm It (7 Random Things About Me, Casey)

Well, a friend of Shane's has a blog that we frequent, and after reading one of his wife's posts, I found out that I have been "tagged." I am assuming that means I get to do the same thing that she did: list 7 random things about me. So here goes nothing.

1. I love to read: While I eat, brush my teeth, cook dinner, feed Parker. And it can be just about anything, even Shane's boring potato magazines, as long as I've got something to read. I love chocolate, playing the piano, singing, making up songs about my kids (which they hate), and working in my yard (if I could do it uninterrupted by children it would be even better). Maybe I need to work more on teaching them how to work in the yard so they could do it with me. I love playing soccer with Josh, and teaching Luke words in Spanish. I love chasing Tanner when he grabs something he knows he shouldn't have, looks at me with that mischievious glint in his eye, and says, "Chase me, Mom!" I love throwing Parker into the air and hearing him giggle like babies do. I love it when Kaitlin asks me to curl her hair. And I love it when Shane and I get to work together on anything without kids.

2. I hate snakes: they are disgusting, ugly, yucky things and I would probably freak right out if I came face to face with one. I hate oatmeal, yet I make my kids eat it at least once a week. They probably haven't noticed yet, but when they eat it before school, I rarely have my own bowl on the table. I wait until they leave for school and then I get something else to eat. I hate having to clean the toilet in my bathroom, which is why I don't clean my bathroom as often as it needs it. Maybe when my boys learn how to aim ....

3. I really like trying to get my life organized. I'm a great list maker, and if job charts and stickers were popular and acceptable for adults to have, I'd make one for myself and give myself a sticker every time I completed a task. Now if only I could keep organized.... My kids come along and my organization goes out the window. And let's face it. If it comes down to playing outside with kids, or cleaning the bathroom, who would choose the bathroom?

4. I really enjoy watching football and basketball. If I could go every weekend and watch our hometown team play, or even watch it on TV when I wanted, I could handle that. My dad watched sports a lot when I was growing up, and still does, and I guess some of that rubbed off on me. I don't get into rankings, and I don't have a really favorite team, but I just love to watch. Watching Kaitlin play basketball last year and this year makes me want to go out and play. I'm sure that I would make a fool out of myself, but it's almost more than I can take to watch her play and not run out on the court to show her how it's done.

5. I am not a "girly girl", as my daughter would say, but I like to paint my toenails. I don't really care to have my fingernails painted, but it's kind of fun to paint my toenails. I really need to given in to this like a little more and buy several shades of nail polish, but I don't. I don't wear earrings any more because my babies would pull on them and it hurt. I don't wear a whole bunch of makeup anymore, not that I really wore very much to begin with, but I don't really care to wear foundation or lipstick (except for a few occasions), but I really like to doll up my toes and wear them in sandals.

6. I love Shane!! I have the best hubby in the world. Shane can clean a house and get kids working faster than I even dream about. I come home after having to be gone to a meeting or something at night, or on a weekend, and the whole house will be clean. He never complains when my house is more cluttered than it needs to be, he just steps in and gets to work. It always makes me feel guilty that I can't get it done like he does. He is great about wrestling with the kids, playing with them outside, and teaching them how to work and function inside. I really love that guy!!


7. I could live in the mountains for the rest of my life and be very happy. I love camping with my family and sitting around the fire, exploring through the trees, and hiking in the hills. I got to ride a motorcycle at our Bake family reunion, and I think I could get into that, too. I would love to just take a boat or canoe out almost every day and leisurely float down a river. I really enjoy being in the mountains with all that that entails (minus the snakes) and just enjoying the beauty of nature.

Well, I think that's it for now. By the way, Bobbi, Tiffany, Megan, Crystal, and Janine - Tag, you're it now!!

Youd 50th Anniversary

Here are some pictures taken at Grandma and Grandpa Youd's 50th Anniversary celebration. To see all of the pictures taken go to:
http://s231.photobucket.com/albums/ee290/youd07/

Family Pictures

We finally endured the torture and set aside a day for family pictures. As you will see, there is a reason we only do this once every two years. (Before you think it, No.. I did not wear sun glasses. My transitions had darkened and I did not notice it until later. I'm hoping I can con Cody into working some of his digital magic=-) Anyway, enjoy the show!

Shane

The Goblins Were Out!!

Well, we survived Halloween. Between parties at school, trunk-or-treating at the church, and the carnival that followed, it made for a long day. The kids had a fun time at their parties, and loved the trunk or treating and carnival. The boys took off by themselves, which hardly ever happens, to play the games at the carnival. They would find us to show us their prizes, and then go off again. Even Tanner got to play games and won a prize. It was a fun night. Kaitlin dressed up as a boy, and looked so different that Parker would cry when she tried to hold him. Josh was dracula, Luke was a vampire ninja, Tanner was a puppy, and Parker was a tiger. We were so glad that Parker would leave his hood on. He normally won't keep things on his head. Shane even got into the spirit of things by dressing as a convict for work and the party at the church. He looked pretty rough with this "pinstripe" mustache and beard.

We also carved pumpkins the night before, and that was a lot of fun, mostly because we got to hear Luke and Josh squeal about putting their hands in pumpkin innards. They all designed their own faces, and only had help cutting from Mom. Dad took care of baby and toddler duty so that Tanner and Parker would keep out of the way.




Parker is also crawling everywhere now and pulling himself up on anything he can reach. He is not always steady as he stands there, but he is getting better. He loves playing outside, as do all my boys, in the leaves. Tanner even helped me rake one day.

All Sorts of Good News!!

Hello, everyone. Shane has passed the blog torch on to me (Casey) and it is now my responsibility to update this puppy. I hope that I can keep it going like we would like.

The first good news is that Shane's biopsy came back from his last surgery and there was no melanoma in the skin that they removed. We are so very glad that it was clean. So now he goes in 6 months from now, and then every year, and his chances are good that there will no more cancer in that spot. We had to go out and celebrate with the kids, and Suzy and her kids met us for pizza. It was a really fun night.

Our next good news is that we got our family pictures back today. Yes, Suzy, some will come your way. => We may need to Cody to work his magic on a couple (if he has time), but most of them turned out OK. Tanner and Parker's were so cute, and Josh, Kaitlin, and Luke had some great ones, too. It was a crazy afternoon. Shane has a friend at work who agreed to take them for us and met us down by the reservoir to take the pictures with the changing leaves. Tanner was not as cooperative as we'd like, but he rarely is. Oh, the fun of the terrible two's. => Anyway, I've posted a few here and we'll try to get the others out to you all as soon as we can.

Our last good news is that Parker is crawling, sitting up unaided, and trying to pull himself to standing, all within the last week or so. He is so busy, and almost always wants to be down on the floor moving around. We love to watch him try to figure things out as he moves around the house. He is so sweet tempered, we can't imagine life without him.

Melanoma update

My surgery on Thursday went well and now after a few rough days I am beginning to feel much better. Thanks to everyone for the calls, thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate all of your support. I know this may be kind of gruesome but in the spirit of Halloween I thought it might be kind of fun to post my before and after pictures. Mom actually suggested that I put my clothes on backwards at Halloween and use my new scar in some type of Frankenstein ensemble=-) The pictures can be found at the link listed below. (I decided it might be a little too gruesome to place as a regular post. I also threw a new picture of Parker in just for fun.)

http://s214.photobucket.com/albums/cc141/Starbuckion/

Melanoma: Got an ugly mole??????

Hi All,
As most of you know by now I was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma cancer. Luckily, we caught it early and after removing a good chunk of the skin on my back I have a very good chance of a complete recovery. Since most of you who read this blog are related to me it is important to note that your chance of getting this type of cancer is significantly increased now. It is important to look for tell-tell signs of melanoma and get it taken care of immediately. Out of all three types of skin cancer, melanoma affects the fewest number of people but causes the most deaths of all three types. With this in mind I have included information on what to look for. Let me know if you have any questions.

S.C.


Ps. The information below is very basic. Here are some links for more detailed information and pictures.

Malignant Melanoma: Digital version of pamphlet given to me at my last doctors visit.
http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/MalignantMelanoma.htm

Skin Cancer Fact Sheet: Interesting facts on Melanoma and other skin cancers.
http://www.aad.org/aad/Newsroom/2007+Skin+Cancer+Fact+Sheet.htm



Melanoma

As with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, excessive and chronic sun exposure is a major risk factor for melanoma. There also is a tendency for melanoma to "run in the family", and to be associated with a familial trait of having many moles on the body. Melanoma often arises in a pre-existing mole or pigmented lesion. Early diagnosis and treatment of melanoma is essential. Any person with many moles or a family history of melanoma should be examined regularly by a dermatologist. Every adult should self-examine at regular intervals to detect any early indications of melanoma. Self-examination is done using the A-B-C-D criteria:
A=Asymmetry (the left side of the lesion is unlike the right side)

B=Border Irregularity (the lesion has a scalloped or poorly defined border)

C=Color Variation (not all parts of the lesion are the same color;
within the lesion may be patches of tan, brown, black, pink, white or blue)

D=Diameter (while melanomas are usually greater than 6mm in diameter when diagnosed, they can be smaller. If you notice a mole different from others, or which changes, itches or bleeds even if it is smaller than 6mm, you should see a dermatologist)

It is worth noting that some melanomas do not conform to the A-B-C-D criteria, so any suspicious mole should be examined by a dermatologist.

The information shown above was copied from the following website:
http://heartspring.net/pictures_of_skin_cancer.html#Melanoma

 
 
 
 


Casey was kind enough to watch Tanner and Parker while the kids, Vince and I explored the wonders of Goverment Caves=-) The kids enjoyed walking through the lava tube, seeing Grandpa Clayson's name painted on the wall and trying to scare Luke by howling like a wolf. We even got to see a rattlesnake before we arrived at the cave.

Take Your Child To Work Day

Today Kaitlin came to work with me and participated in numerous activities sponsored by the different projects. She learned how to extract DNA, create new potato varieties, plate bacteria, the different properites of wheat and how to make bread,and the wonderful world of bugs. Here are some highlights from her day.