The Color of Success

This his is an apology to Larry, who shows up looking like a kiss ass. Wearing bright red and standing out above the crowd.

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Who knew that the two days later 7 (not all pictured here) would show up in green, a little less muted but trying the same approach?

April - brown looks great on you!!

Friends for a Season, Reason and Lifetime

After a long drawn out discussion about celebrating birthday's for her BFF's on Ann's blog with KT (How can Ann have 3 BFF's?) I have come to the following conclusion about friends that I felt compelled to share on the blog.

When I was Young (the first time around), I used to believe in the concept of one best friend. This was until someone introduced the concept of friends for a season, reason and a lifetime. When I became a Young (the second time around), I found out that if you allow your heart to open up, you will be shown the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your "wasband".
Another friend is needed when your family is driving you crazy
One friend is your crazy family
Another will sit beside you in the auditorium (or swim tournament) and enjoy watching your childrens activities as much as you do

One will meet your spirtual needs, one is a bargain shopper, one is so damn funny you can't stand it, one shares your shoe fetish, another your disdain for purses and one or two will exercise with you.

I share love for Brad Paisely with one and the love of Frey with another. One is cousin who really is your sister. And sisters that are there forever. One gives advice another calls me for it. Everyday I grow closer to daughters who will are becoming the best of friends and thank God for a mother who is the best!

I am in awe of the choices and strength of the women who have been friends since Plain City, Wahlquist, Weber, Gateway, ASSRT, ASRT, Scottsdale, Maricopa, Perot. Not for for the season or reason but because they all have a best trait,

How lucky am I to have shared, healed, changeds joked and just to have so many best friends!

Breaking the Rules

I will admit it, there is rebelous part of me. The sign says do not enter, what I read is "Great picture taking opportunity if you are careful"


The Sign ............................... The view









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The close up

Putting it in perspective :)

Im Golden

I am a proud Gold (or above) member or UW Airways, Hilton, Marriot, Northwest, American Airlines, National Rent a car.



Is it bad when I received this Gold status from La Quinta I laughed instead of being honored?

Come on Lets Dance

It was dance recital weekend (yes weekend): Friday rehearsal 9 am - noon, 530 show, 730 show. Saturday 1100 show. Sunday sleep in!

All the girls did Fabulous!!!! The stage mom is so proud and happy for the season to be over.

26 at 27

August 26 Jason's life tragically ended

April 27 Alice is running 26 miles in his honor

At 27 years old what a great tribute

(AND ACCOMPLISHMENT)

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Oklahoma Memorial Marathon 2008
Team Jason

Running for

Palmer Drug Abuse Program

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We are all so proud of you!

UPDATE: ALICE FINISHED IN 4 HOURS 53 MINUTES!!

Meet Our Houseguests

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Charlie has been the most polite beggar and instruction follower (except when he tried to explore the neighborhood alone). So much so that Jessica wanted a Lil' Charlie of her own.

Happy Birthday Mighty Joe

Perdiddle

Of all the discrete photography I have done in my life this one was the most difficult. As I was driving down the freeway the other day screaming out PERDIDDLE and trying to get this shot--is it so much to expect my car mates (including my children) to lean over and kiss me?

This is when I discovered I am old or this is just a Utah thing. Guess they don't know what Perdunk is either!

In Unison

Tonight the girls have their cousins over for a sleepover. I told them to pick a song and after prayers they were going to sing to me instead of me singing to them (I figured 5 kids: 1 song was better than 1 song: 5 times).

How beautiful was the chorus singing to me:

Jesus said love everyone
Treat them kindly too
When your heart is filled with love
Others will love you

And how great was it having a boy in the chorus!!!!!! (Dad, no wonder Jenny tried so hard)

Happy Birthday Ruth!!!

In the Forest

In the car........................... Outside of the Car

The GPS is something I couldn't live with out. Since the awe factor (http://kim1champ.blogspot.com/2007/02/crossing-bay-bridge.html) has subsided I havent been entertained as much as I was this weekend when it showed up all green. Took me back to the good old days (2007) when the blue screen for water was funny.

I have always loved the Sky

Grand Canyon Sky 2008

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The beauty of the Sky lies unknown
Sometimes dark and forlorn
And sometime polished like the knight’s polished sword
Don’t forget the heavens with the lord
The eagle flying high
Where spirits never die
When I see the mystery of the sky
I pray for you and I

(by Laura Young age 14)

I'm in Love

My dad went to a happiness seminar where they handed out mood rings. He gave me one for each girl. I put mine, Brittney's and Melody's on while Jessica put her own on. Immediately they all turned purple. The color of Love!
Shortly thereafter Jessica's turned to the same blue color as her eyes. What does blue mean? She's normal.

Nice Hair

Melody's the ModelA couple of years ago my sister in law gave the Young sisters a tip on creating curly hair. The tip takes super straight hair (which we all have) and turns it into a curly wave. I have done my several times over the years (with ooo's and ah's).

So, you take eggs whites and beat them (think meringue). Then you squish into the hair, put on some hair spray and blow dry.

The second secret to nice hair success.

PS Isn't Melody hot?

Wes owes me lunch

Never challenge the girl with the pearl in a competition for a photo of the badge of the overly proud "Contractor to the US Government investigating a previous employee for a security clearance for a job with the US GOVERNMENT".
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And what did the losing challenger say upon email receipt of the badge?

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"Do you think she was Cagney or Lacey?"

Identity Crisis - Coffee Anyone?

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Brown and White java logo, must be Burger King. Oh no that's right Starbucks gave up their identity and changed "back to the original"

"if you don't make dust you eat dust" Part 2

Day two of this great adventure and who knew I would learn so much. The night was cold but my heart was warm. Brittney and I in early mornings just smiling away.

Our troop board to announce to the world we are here and ready to go.

One of my favorite activities is arts and crafts. To day marks our last night of this great adventure and tomorrow we head home.


The nights are amazing filled with a beautiful night sky looking at the star! Star bright star light the first star I see tonight.....

"If you don't make dust you eat dust" Part 1

On Friday Brittney and I went on a camping trip....yes you read correctly a camping trip. As we all drove to the camp site I was thinking hmmm look at all this dust and next time I think I will be the first car leading!

Also a preview of your new home away from home or at the very least for the next two nights. There is a old saying that says it take a village to raise a child.

My favorite part of camping the food.

So the adventure begins and I am sure there will be more to come.

Melody's Sense of Humor

WARNING: These photos were done a closed course with trained children, do not attempt this at home.

Olympic Torch Relay - Liz's Guest Spot

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"If you have kept up with the news you may know that the Olympic Torch is only touching U.S. soil in San Francisco. What you may not know is that the starting point of the Olympic Torch Run is just about 500 yards away from the CHW SF-Corp (China Basin Landing) building, and Lloyd Dean is the event co-chair.

I (Liz) made just a few pictures with my cell from the 3rd floor window to give you an impression. The actual run starts at 1PM. Let’s hope it remains peaceful."

How to Clean

Jessica learned out to clean surfaces at school today. So according to her this is the best way to clean, "and you will be so impressed".

1. You have to have a small bowl and a large bowl.

2. You have to have a nail file to scrub (so I gave her a scouring sponge)

3. You have to have a clean rag

4. You have to have white soap.

"Once you clean, sometimes when it dries it will look dirty again and thats ok"

Psalms 23 (Forwarding the email)

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!

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I shall not want = That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!

For His name sake = That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's Tribulations!

I will fear no evil = That's Protection!

For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies =That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life =That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. Chris rather than emailing it out I put it on the blog for all the people I am crazy about.

What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!

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I LOVE YOU ALL!

But I like pink

I used to dye everything I could find. It was one way to turn old clothes into a true treasure. What a great memory when I came upon the boxes at the local Wal-Mart (still at a great price).

And sorry mom for not running an empty cycle and turning your whites a pretty color of pink after a red dye job.

Some more pics of Sydney

Longest eyelashes ever and lots of hair!!
Can't wait to see you in person kiddo!











(PS KT is doing great)

Fair of Face

She's here!!!

Sydney LeeAnn Thomas
April 7, 2008 (around 1:22 PM)
7 lb 6 oz 21 ¼ “long

Monumental Birthday Wishes

To Paula (the best cousin ever)To the Alice (the youngest sister, and non-pregnant one) And possibly Sydney

Love you all!

ANSWER

Your name :)

Jinjer was right on (and in minutes)

Share the Joy

Johns got a new truck!!!!

(and his hat is on is head not covering his face)

QUIZ

What was given to you, belongs to you but is most often used by others?

Funniest Wikipedia find ever

Three-date rule
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Three Date Rule is a dating rule of thumb which states that the third date is a milestone in determining whether a woman will consent to physical relations. This is not to be confused with the Three Day Rule cited in the movie Swingers, which states that the "industry standard" waiting period for a guy to call a girl after obtaining her phone number is 3 days, the purpose of which is to not appear desperate.


The Rules suggests that a woman should play hard to get. [1] The exact origin of this term, like many longstanding traditions, is difficult to trace. There are anecdotal references going back to the 70's. The term is assumed to have been created during the "free love" era of the lat 60's/early 70's.[citation needed]


A an anonymous poll carried out by msn.match.com among 5,237 singles reported the following distribution of answer to the question: “How many dates does it take before you become intimate?”[2]
One: 12.74%
Two: 24.94%
Three: 21.48&
Four or more: 34.18%
Only after marriage: 6.66%


A columnist Tom Blake [3] claims there is no 3-date rule for mature people of 50+ years.

Zim Zam Champion of the World

Zim Zam was the best child hood game ever. It consists of a metal stick with a coil at the top and a tennis ball at the end of a string that you use a paddle to compete. The winner uses the paddle to send the tennis ball either all the way to the top or all the way to the bottom of the coil. YES I was The Zim Zam Champion of the World (followed closely by big sis).

When Zim Zam and kick the can was replaced with movies and Kirk's Drive In the toy itself was tossed aside and discarded (insert sad music here). Tami and I have been looking for a replacement Zim Zam for years. Fortunately it is 2008 (it is great) and upon happenstance found a replacement game, Swing Ball, at my local Costco.

The only thing better than being the Zim Zam Champion of the World is watching my daughter conquer one competitor after another and take over the title (only second to her mother).

20 Useless Body Parts

I was the kid that kept asking my mother why we had an appendix (that was after she told me not to swallow gum or watermelon seeds because it would cause my appendix to rupture).

I was pissed when I had to get wisdom teeth out. Why do we have them?

My sinus infections have been driving me crazy.

And then I discover the list...................

(This list was was originally drafted by Jocelyn Selim)

VOMERONASAL ORGAN
EXTRINSIC EAR MUSCLES
WISDOM TEETH
NECK RIB
THIRD EYELID
DARWIN’S POINT
SUBCLAVIUS MUSCLE
PALMARIS MUSCLE
MALE NIPPLES
ERECTOR PILI
APPENDIX
BODY HAIR
PLANTARIS MUSCLE
THIRTEENTH RIB
MALE UTERUS
FIFTH TOE
FEMALE VAS DEFERENS
PYRAMIDALIS MUSCLE
COCCYX
PARANASAL SINUSES

Damn that I had to have a broken tail bone, and Grant I dont mind the hair.

The Final Countdown

No one knows better than I the craziness you are in right now Ms Speaker of the House.

2 months and your show will be great!!

Miss you! PS I love this pic, it reminds me of getting to pretend like I am your mother :)

Happy Aprils Fools

In honor of April Fools Day I thought I would share the coolest website of all times. It gives a list of all of greatest April Fools jokes that were pulled off in the last century.

Click here