Err in judgement

So up until about 6 or 8 months ago, we didn't have cable TV. Even though we have it now we don't watch it all that often. We haven't joined the masses and gone into TiVo or DVR territory just yet. (mostly because I haven't had the time for my Myth project www.mythtv.org) One of the things that Ellee, Isaac and I like watching is Animal Planet. It has lots of different shows. Everything from Animal Cops to some crazy show called Living with the Wolfman. We haven't watched the latter. (No he's not a werewolf, but its all rather disturbing.) One show that we did watch was named Weird, True, & Freaky. (Now one would assume that the title of the show would have threw up some kind of flag, but alas we commenced to watch...)

The particular episode that we watched was counting down the top 10 freaky animals. It started out with a cow with what they described as having a "parasitic twin." It showed this cow with a couple extra legs growing out the top of one shoulder. (Nothing too troubling right?) Needless to say, the list started on a steady decline into more groteque images of two-headed snakes, two-headed pigs, two-headed this, two-legged that. While Ellee was watching the list regress (with every image being firmly embedded in the depths of her imagination) Isaac must have become bored and wasn't paying much attention towards the end. The grand finale, and most abominable creature on record, was this one-eyed, cyclops, newborn piglet. One eye right in the middle. (I must admit that it was mildly unsettling.) As luck would have it, this show ended around 8:00 or 9:00 in the post-meridiem so I turned my attention towards getting the kids into bed before their mother got home. (Yes, I failed to mention that Katie was out that evening with some friends, blissfully unaware that I was warping our first born child's imagination.)

There I was, in a race against time. The brushing of teeth, and changing of diapers has never taken place in such an expeditious manner. Isaac laid down for the night with very little reservation. Ellee, however, was not being as efficient as I had hoped so I went to help the cause. Quite some time after I got Ellee into bed, Katie got home and went in to check on what should have been two sleeping children. As Ellee told her mom (every detail) about the show that we watched I peeked my head around the corner and saw the look of concern on both of their faces... That was weeks ago, and just this morning (at around 4:00 AM) Ellee came into our bedroom because she was having a bad dream. With tears in her eyes, she told me that she was scared of me because in her dream I was the cyclops! I felt like such a schmuck. At 4 am I didn't consider this, but its kind of appropriate that I was the disfigured person in her dream. That will teach me.

Random stuff

It has been such a terrific weekend. I always love conference. It is amazing to hear the General Authorities of the church speak to us. There are a few quotes that are still rolling around in my mind. Here are some of them:

Faith is not only a feeling, it is a decision
Fear and Faith cannot coexist in our hearts at the same time
Come what may, and love it
The simple secret is this; Put your trust in the Lord
The Lord has said he will fight our battles, our children's battles, our children's children's battles
Life is hard, not the gospel
In the strength of the Lord, I can do all things
Find joy in the journey, Now
The tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid, and deeds left undone


A weekend in our world. This is snack time at our house. Yes, it is usually a huge mess.

I gave Ellee another haircut this weekend. She loves it short and Adam and I think it is quite cute too! (not to mention so much easier than when it's long) I should mention that Adam likes it long because she looks littler.

We made some amazing cinnamon rolls for Grandma Bonnie for her birthday; you know, the kind with caramel at the bottom... They were just perfect and needed to brown just a little on top, so I turned the oven off (I thought) and left them to brown a bit. I went up to get ready to go, and this is what I found. It took 2 days of soaking to get them out of the pan. :(
While at the party, Isaac fell down the stairs and got some road rash and a pretty good knot on his forehead.

Monday night, we went to my good friend Becky's house to roam around her AMAZING garden. She sent us home with tons of pumpkins and corn stalks. I will post another picture when I get things all put together. Her garden is something to admire. She has so many hours in it and we get the benefits! Thanks Bec

I guess all of these things just wore Isaac right out! I found him like this today, after I got ready... I was just hoping he didn't tumble down while I ran for my camera. Now you all know why I spend so many days without make-up and fancy hair. Bad things happen when I get ready!

She's Amazing!

Time for another retro flash-back to a movie from my youth. Julie Andrews was the main character in this flick. (and no I'm not speaking of her Emmy nominated performance in Mary Poppins) This one comes from the even more sappy Sound of Music.

"For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good"

Click this link, because I know you want to listen to it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EldGWnQ62g

Naturally, I am speaking of my wonderful wife of which I Love and adore. She is one of the busier people that I know. Between her calling in church (1st counselor in the Primary) and her calling in life (beautifying the general population) working, running the casa de Lott, being the greatest Mom to her two Beautiful children and being the greatest Wife to her frequently misguided high-maintenance husband, Katie never ceases to amaze me. I definitely can't keep up. Chances are that you noticed our new more superfantastic background on our "family blog" along with the many widgets and the music player. That was all her! Now we can add HTML programmer to her growing list of skills. Did I mention that I am the one that went to school and learned about Information Technology? She generally makes me look bad in one way or another on a semi-weekly basis.
Seriously, is there anything that this girl can't do? If there is anything that I am better at than her, its only because she hasn't tried to do it yet. I have no doubt, if faced with the challenge, that she could become a diesel mechanic just from her sense of logic and inquisitive nature.
Her list of skills and qualities seems to be only stifled by where her interests and desires stop.

I know that I don't tell you often enough, but I Love You Katie. Every single day I am thankful that you are with me.

Family Pictures

Our good friends, the Lisonbee's, are amazing at what they do. They are extremely creative and have an incredible gift to get amazing photos. We had family pictures earlier this week with Ashley and we love them. You can get a sneak peak on their blog 'all things lisonbee' and then you should definitely check out their website. www.livingartdigital.com There is a special treat to come the end of next week. We got to be the guinea pigs on Ashley's latest idea... Make sure you check back because I know you will want one of your own!

Side note: We actually ran into Mathew at Rowdy and Carissa's wedding. Rowdy told his photographer, Mathew, that his friend lived in Lehi too. It was kind of funny when we put it all together later that night.

Is this shirt not SO CUTE!?!

The new modbe line is fabulous! I am dying to try the clothes on, so I am having a modbe show at my house on October 2nd from 6-9pm. Please come. Bring your friends. Want to see more? There is a link under my favorite websites.

Empowered!

I am so lucky to know the women I know! Everywhere I look, I think..."she is so patient with her kids" or "she can really cook" or "she keeps her family so healthy" "she is so organized" "her house is always so clean" "she is such a natural leader" The list goes on and on... I have so many amazing women around me (some that live close and some that live far) that I can learn so much from. The last couple of weeks have been so inspring to me. This summer I had a pretend garden (a salsa garden in pots.) And now fall is coming, so I have started to bake again. YEAH! I love to bake! It was so fabulous when I made myself a sandwich on my homemade bread and used a tomato that I grew. I think I had that first feeling of self reliance, or really the desire to increase the skill. :) Now I have the bug to learn more and more how to care for my family, even in an emergency or tough times. Last night, I even learned to bottle!!! It was really fun. Our relief society presidency is so brave. They opened their kitchens and abandoned their families to teach us how to bottle tomatoes and peaches. I know, I know... you can find them cheaper on sale, but there is something really gratifying about homemade. And home grown. It is so empowering!

Next year I am going to grow a real garden and hopefully have lots to bottle!

Happy Harvesting!

Will it be Terrible or Terrific Two's?

Isaac loves doughnuts, so we skipped the cake!

He loved opening presents, but he wanted to stop and play with each one. He could have stopped at one gift and played with it all night!

This is his bithday breakfast. French toast with colored bread from Lehi Bakery. He started the day in his hat.

He played in his hat.

He drove in his hat. Shopped at costco with his hat.

Mom and Isaac went to McDonald's for a bithday lunch. He finally took the hat off to go play and slide. (He would not go in the playland until the lunch crowd cleared out and he had the place to himself.)


Isaac has grown so much in the last year. He is tall! He is growing out of all of his 2T clothes. He also talks non stop, not sure where he would get that. :) Some of his favorites are "my hungry" "my full" "watch TV" "picture, cheese" "thank you much" "mm-okay" for I'm okay, "don't bite it, k?" "cute bird" "wee hoo" "Love you sister" Don't touch" "tt tt cruck" trying to say truck. "sunbeamp" He loves to sing and I am just amazed at how many songs he knows; His favorites are ABC's, Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam, Working on the Railroad, A Child's Prayer, I am a Child of God, How much is that doggy in window

When I put him in bed at night, he tells me "cozy" and we rock and sing songs. When I lay him in his bed, he says "sit down, sing songs." He wants Adam or me to sit and sing to him while he falls to sleep.

We are so lucky to have such a fun little boy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ISAAC!

I am sure that there are cute things he does or says that I have missed here. Please add them if you have any.

Mom as Ellee sees her

(Picture taken by Ellee)

I saw this questionnaire on a friend's blog and loved the responses, so I quizzed Ellee.

1. What is something Mom always says to you? Do your homework before you watch TV

2. What makes Mom happy? By doing my chores

3. What makes Mom sad? I don't know, by not doing my chores

4. How does Mom make you laugh? By telling me some things that are funny

5. What was Mom like as a child? I don't know (she gave me this look of "I wasn't born!!")

6. How old is Mom? hmmm, 28

7. How tall is Mom? 7 inches

8. What is Mom's favorite thing to do? Clean the house (if you have been in my house, you know this is not true)

9. What does Mom do when you're not around? Do stuff with Isaac

10. If your Mom becomes famous, what will it be for? Being rich

11. What is Mom really good at? Cooking, and by the way, I'm hungry

12. What is Mom not very good at? Skipping rocks on the water

13. What does Mom do for a job? Hair

14. What is Mom's favorite food? Any kind of food

15. What makes you proud of Mom? When she cleans my room

16. If Mom were a cartoon character, who would she be? Elastagirl

17. What do you and Mom do together? Clean

18. How are you and Mom alike? Sometimes we wear the same things, we have the same hair

19. How are you and Mom different? We sleep in different rooms

20. How do you know Mom loves you? You send me a few things. You give me hugs and kisses

High School Tag

I have been tagged by Wacey and BeauDee. So I guess that I need to explore those far reaches of my memory that have been repressed for quite some time.

1. Did you date someone from your school? I guess that it depends on your definition of the word "date." I had a couple of girlfriends. [none that I would admit to at this point.]

2. What kind of car did you drive? First I had a brown Chevrolet Caprice Classic that had a stereo that was worth more than the car. [That thing was a tank... I actually bought that car from Wacey for about $500.] Then I had my "G-ride," a Ford Thunderbird.

3. Did you pass your driver's license test on the first try? Written test - no, Driving test - yes.

4. Were you a party animal? Well... Yes.

5. Were you considered a flirt? Absolutely! ["How YOU doin?"] ;)

6. Were you in band, orchestra, or choir? Choir aka "Tapestry" up there in K-town.

7. Were you a nerd? No

8. Were you on any varsity teams? No, I wasn't allowed. [on more than one level...]

9. Did you get suspended/expelled? Hmm, I don't think that there was anything official...

10. Can you still sing the fight song? No

11. Who were your favorite teachers? Mrs. Sylvester (Tapestry) [She was rough, but she was awesome. Didn't take any s%*t from us, that's for sure. She had "the look" down to a fine science.] Ms. Peterson (English) was pretty cool too.

12. Where did you sit during lunch? Before I got a car I would tag along with someone who had a car, or walk to the gas station or something. [Only the finest deep-fried oily foods back then!]

13. What was your school's full name? South Summit High School

14. School mascot and colors? Wildcat, Green and white

15. Did you go to Homecoming and who with? Didn't go.

16. If you could go back and do it again, would you? No, I thought that High School was an enormous waste of time.

17. What do you remember most about graduation? Nothing really. [This may have been because by the time my class graduated they had stricken me from the records of ever actually attending there.]

18. Where did you go senior skip day? Which day was that again? [I skipped a lot...]

19. Were you in any clubs? No

20. Have you gained some weight since then? 10 lbs. maybe? [Not sure how much I weighed then]

21. Who was your prom date? Didn't go. [such a slacker...]

22. Are you planning on going to your 10 year reunion? That time has come and passed. [and no, I didn't have any interest in going.]

23. Did you have a job while in high school? My mom finally let me get a job at WalMart as a cashier when I was 17. [Contrary to rumors and popular belief, I was not involved in the sale or distribution of any illegal substances.]

I tag :Britany and Jeremy [since Britany may be the only one who actually reads our blog on more than a semi-annual basis.] I also tag Pammy, Alan and Ally, Lisa and Brian, Austin and Lacy, Erin, Cami, Rowdy and Carissa, [if they ever get a blog going...] I tag all of the grandparents too. [I know it was a long time ago, but see if you can remember those days...]

:)

Eight Things I Love About You

This is an anniversary tribute to my cute husband! We have been married for 8 years now! Can you believe it!?!

There are so many things that I love about you, Adam...

1. I love how you hug me

2. I love that you are SO HOT!

3. I love kneeling with you each night in prayer

4. I love how you love our kids, and how you want to be with them every second you get

6. I love that you remember things about me that I forget

7. I love how hard you work

8. I love how you love me

Background:

Adam and I met through a mutual friend. (thanks Jer) We got married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 1, 2000. We were engaged for 6 long months. We dated, or hung out, for about a year and a half before we were married. We have lived in Murray, Woods Cross and Lehi. We are blessed to have 2 amazing children and one puppy (who is waiting for us in heaven.) We are complete opposites! I am usually cold, he is usually hot. I am high strung, he is mellow. I love chick flicks, he likes action. I dance, he sings. Well, you get the picture. Our opposites work! I love what being with him does to me. I love that I still love being with him. I love that through life's trials, we are stronger, both individually and as a couple. I am married to my best friend! I have been too sappy already, so I better be done!

We were able to get away for our anniversay. We went to San Fransisco for the weekend. A huge thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Lott for Keeping the kids while we were gone.

We went on a dinner and dance cruise through the bay. Sentimenal reasons... We did that on our honeymoon in Lake Tahoe.

We shopped at China Town, Pier 39 and The Wharf.

We took this picture of ourselves!