BTW: I had my kids all answer the questions to the last post separately. I did not want someone to hear an answer and be swayed in the same direction.

This was very enlightening to see what my kids thought of me.

Ask your child(ren) to answer the questions and type their answers in. I tag other moms with older kids who might have fun with this. :)

1st answer: Abigail, 4.5
2nd answer: Haley, 6.5
3rd answer: Jason, 8
4th answer: Adam, almost 11.

What is something mom always says to you?
No.
I love you.
That you love me.
Be nice.

2. What makes mom happy?
Me being good.
Snuggles
Me not being annoying.
When I am nice.

3. What makes mom sad?
When I be mean to you.
Screaming
Me touching people’s butts.
When I am mean.

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Tickling my armpits.
Knock knock jokes.
Tickle me!
When you jump out and scare Haley.

5. What was your mom like as a child?
You had a new bear from Christmas.
A loving child.
Crazy.
Adventurous. You liked to go out in the forest and play.

6. How old is your mom?
12
30
32
30

7. How tall is your mom?
This tall (while jumping up and down)
9 feet tall
5 foot
5 feet tall

8. What is her favorite thing to watch on TV?
The news
Clean House
I don’t know the names of the shows.
Either CSI or Amazing Race

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Watch TV.
Do laundry
Work on the computer.
Read

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
For a bag of chocolate (WTF??)
Being a model
Art.
Writing a book.

11. What is your mom really good at?
Exercising at school.
Working at school
Cooking.
Reading.

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Building houses.
Bad at scratching dad’s back.
Video games.
Letting go of a book once you start reading it.

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Learn at the school.
Work in the cafeteria.
Work in the kitchen.
You work at the school for the lunch program.

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Cake.
Chicken and green beans
Spaghetti
Chicken tacos

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Clean my room.
Working in schools.
I don’t know.
How you work at the school to help.

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Spongebob (hehehehehehe)
Spongebob.
Panini from Chowder.
Lisa from the Simpson’s (At least he did not say Homer!)

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Go to the store and snuggle with each other.
We went places together when Abi is at school.
Go to lunch.
Watch Amazing Race

18. How are you and your mom the same?
We both have a pink shirt.
Our eyes and our hair.
We have the same skin color.
Our hair and some of the shows that we like to watch.

19. How are you and your mom different?
Your hands and feet are bigger.
You have longer hair then me.
You have brownish black hair and I have blond.
I like to play violent video games, and you like to play puzzle games.

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Cause I love you more.
By snuggling with me.
You tell me.
Because you always say that you love me.

21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
You like to help him get medicine (?)
That he leaves you alone and plays computer.
He is quiet.
He keeps occupied by playing computer so you have more time to read.

22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
The princess castle because it is so pretty and sparkle.
Out to lunch.
Disneyland.
Home.

Really?

1.Seriously? If this has something to do with my post then you really need to step back and look at the big picture. Taking things personally does not become you, because most of the time it has nothing to do with what you think it has to do with.

2.If this has nothing to do with my post then I am completely wrong about #1, but the rest of the info works well for everyone out there. :)

3.You need to let people get to know you. I hated it here when we first got here. HATED it. I had all of the same excuses as you, neighborhood, snotty people, etc... It was not until we moved to LA and then OK (5 years later) that I saw that I was not giving Utah the chance. I was so stuck on how great our old home was, that I never took the time to see the good things that were right in front of my face. I just had to go out there and make the effort, and it took a while.

4. People joke. Everyone at some point takes things too seriously, and everyone at some point doesn't get the joke. If you are as comfortable as you say, then you would know that in that house laughing, joking, having fun is the only way to go. Have you not seen that the more we joke, the more we play and have fun, the more we all get along, and the happier everyone is together? And the more people get offended and fuss the worse it is for everyone. That is why certain people can't hack it in the Balmanno household. That is why some people don't show all of the time, or ever at all.

If you get offended when someone says you are fat, ugly, strange, talkative, loud, quiet, freakish, boring, sensitive, shy, or stinky then don't show up for the showdown. We all know how everyone feels (and if you don't then you are not as comfortable as you think) and if laughter is the name of the game, then I am in. We have serious times too, but we are not 12 and worried about what the boy across the hall thinks about us. People are accepted as they are. We may tease and joke, but we ALL tease and joke equally.

I am sure that Cris and Sam are gonna have a field day with this one. You boys said you were bored at work and needed something to read... well read on boys, read on!!

Tomorrow: People Hate The Things About You That They See In Themselves (This one really has nothing to do with this post, I just thought that this would make a really good post for tomorrow!)

Next time you have a really "important" story to tell, and you go on and on telling all of the details, repeating them until everyone is listening, please make sure it has a good point. If the point is stupid, I will make fun of you.

Thanks for listening.

Winter Confrence in St. George

The week after our vacation from school (in February) I went to St. George for Winter Conference. Winter Conference is when all of the Nutrition Directors in Utah get together, have great speakers on working together, nutrition, new laws regarding what you can and can't serve, new ideas and much, much more. But most importantly we get to go to St. George and be in the warm, sunny weather for 3 days. Sun. Sun. Sun. A sunny day was just what I needed right about then. February is so hard for me in this frozen, cold wasteland that we live in. If you read my blog regularly you may remember last years fiery trip to St. George for the Winter Conference. http://whensmyvacation.blogspot.com/2008/02/fire-in-st-george.html

This year we stayed at a new hotel and it was wonderful. The lectures were amazing. I learned a lot, and had a great time with the old lunch ladies nutrition specialists. BUT I also had a great time with my friend Sheila who was also in St. George. We had dinner at Paula's Mexican Food and it was no good. My stomach rumbled for the rest of the day! I can honestly say that I do not recommend eating there.

Then I took her back to meet the ladies from the conference and to play BUNKO!!! And if you know me, you know I am good at Bunko. Well of course I won the most bunkos and I should have won most wins but there was a cheater there. Yes, one of the ladies cheated. Why do you need to cheat at Bunko? We played 3 rounds of 6 and I only lost 6 times, which means I won 12 times. You change seats only when you lose so I moved 6 seats. She claims that she won 14 times but she moved 12 times so she could have only won 6 times. I did not even notice that she lied (because really, who lies about Bunko?) until Sheila pointed it out to me. Oh well. She is a cheater... whatever!! I still won a $20.00 gift card to Target.The last day I was there we took a sandwich and went hiking in Snow Canyon. It was beautiful and warm. We sat and just ate. It was so nice out and quiet. We just sat out and got a little sun while we ate. Well, I got a lot of sun while we ate.

Don't you just LOVE the tan line? I guess you all know which necklace I was wearing. Overall the trip was great. I learned a lot, did not start on fire, and got to sit in the sun, which is all that I wanted to do anyways.

March 17th!

I am a blogging bum. I just do not feel like it right now. I will update soon. Don't forget about me.

3 Gifts

This is how it works..... The first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive a hand made gift (well, a hand made gift, maybe not from MY hands but hand made all the same) from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. BUT, in order for you to leave a comment on my blog, you have to post this on your blog first. (That means that sometime during this year you will send a gift to 3 people as well.) Get it? So, the first 3 people to comment on this post will be the lucky ones!

Don't Judge Me. It Is Not Your Job.

This is long so stay with me.

I wish that I could articulate my feelings as well as this blogger does. I fell that he or she has put my feelings and beliefs into words that I could have written myself. Alas, I do not have the time or the patience to deal with such fights. That being said aside from owning the guns, being in the military, being Republican my whole life, and a few (very few) other things this person has written my feelings out for me. Love you!!

hummm....hard subject to broach. Religion and politics. Both subjects end families and start wars. Both have a "Do Not Disturb" sign firmly planted on them. But since you all know me and I don't much care for being "PC" and usually I see the "Do Not Disturb" signs to read "Welcome"...I will give my opinion.

Let me start off by reminding people that when Brother Brigham Young came to this area he set the people into two (2) groups. He then said group 1 you are Republican...you must serve your party with diligence. Group 2, you are democrats.....you must serve your party with diligence. Being a great leader and a man of God, he knew that it takes multiple views and discussion, and compromise to make things run in a manner that was sustainable and fair for the masses. He knew that a myopic view was dangerous.

Now...that i reminded people of history let me say this.....I am LDS. I am a registered Democrat as of this past election(been a republican since high school). I have more guns that you really want me to have, I served in the Military, I am against abortion(when used as contraception, some times it is permissible including rape and incest), I am completely for protecting human rights even if the outcome is that a billion people are violently wiped off the face of the earth, I think that everyone who has ever burned a flag should be beaten and thrown into prison for life but am glad I live in a country that it doesn't actually happen.

I believe....I believe that when I lived in the pre-existence I was presented with 2 options. Option one was I would be subservient and I would comply through force to obey the will of another. Option 2 was that I would be presented with all choices and it was up to ME to choose the path to follow and that the choice would never be taken from me.... I picked option 2, and so did you.

That said just because I believe that abortion is wrong doesn't mean I have the right or the responsibility to take the choice from my brothers or sisters out there. It IS my duty to educate and to make sure that they understand what they are doing, as my brothers keeper, but not to make them comply to my beliefs and dictates. Just because I believe that it is wrong for 2 men to be married and to have sex (eeewwww) it is NOT my duty to remove their choice from them. It is my job to educate and to promote what I believe is an important tenant of life but NOT to remove their choice from them.When we start removing choices from others and taking their choice from them, and whatever may be our wishes, our inclination, or the dictates of our passions, it is no better than what Satan tried to do to us. It is no better than his plan which was rejected for the freedom of choice.I do think abortion is wrong but its not my choice and I don't have to answer to it when I die. I have my own problems that I am going to have to be begging mercy for without worrying what you do with your GOD given choice.

I was and am all for outlawing gay marriage. Marriage is a religious institution and the states actually have no authority to perform marriages. They do it for money, but "marriage" is religious. If gays want the same status then there are civil unions and other things they can do to have the same rights as married people without the religious connotation, and for that I say go for it. I don't give a crap what you do, its your choice, but "marriage" is a religious thing and civil union is the non religious equivalent.

It seems that many Mormons, especially in Utah, have a narrow understanding of that freedom of choice. I think that maybe the prophet should again separate the blind masses form their "yes sir" way of thinking. I wish he would again say this half is democrat and this half is republican and you must act according to what’s best for your party.when the scriptures say that the savior is a shepherd and we are his sheep.....it doesn't mean you have to be sheep and follow the others blindly. You were given the ability to think and reason and to choose for yourself too.

I love my church and follow the church and their council, but my choices will be informed choices and I will not be a sheep in the sense that I will follow the others sheep blindly. I have my own mind and my own will and I will flex them like muscles, and just like muscles if you don’t use them and flex them....you lose them.anyway, that's how I see it. I don't agree with a lot of choices that people make but I can't force them to comply to my religious beliefs or moral compass and neither should others. If I did I am no better that option 1.

I am sure that this will not be a popular post especially in Utah.

Another friend said it perfectly yesterday. She said that we are not here to regulate others morality. We are here to regulate our own.

Someone Cut Her Own Hair...

... and boy was I mad!!! She took large CHUNKS out of both sides in the front by her face. After a looooong timeout in her bed we went strait to the hair place to try and fix it. She did not say anything the whole time. Not one word until she was done and then she just said Thanks to the lady who cut her hair. Then she was silent again for the whole ride home.

After the cut she wanted to "recreate" the window picture from the week before because I told her that it was a nice picture. She was just trying to make me happy, but I was still mad about the hair.

More Holes then Swiss Cheese...

Do you remember the old "Mama" jokes?

I drive past this place almost on a daily basis. Whoever named this place was playing a 90's prank on his employees and partners. Who would eat there? If you have, please let me know how it was. It looks totally scary to me!!!!

Am I Behind on Blogging????

I guess I need to start where I left off, so let me take you back about 3 weeks to our February school break. Each February our school closes for a week so that people can take their winter vacations while we are out of school. Not that it helps much, people take their vacations when they want. Usually they go to Hawaii or Mexico the week before or the week after break, but whatever. In the past I have promised my kids a fun week where we will actually do things and have fun. To spite my great intentions the past 2 years most days we just played, "Leave mommy alone. I am not ready to get up yet. I don't care if it is 11:00 already! Get out of my room!!" This year I promised that it would be different. And it was! I kept those kids so busy that they did not have time to think, let alone wake me up before 11:00! :) Here is the rundown:

Friday, Feb.13: We had a half day of school as usual for Friday. This was the kids Valentines Day parties so they were very busy. This was also my 11th anniversary. Yeah! Whatever. I worked out with the ladies and then Lewis and I watched a movie and got take out. Same that we do every weekend. Nice quiet night.

Saturday, Feb.14: Lewis and I had a fun poker night with friends. (See previous post.)

Monday, Feb.16: I slept in. It was Presidents Day but Lewis had to work. The kids played and I did laundry. This was our "down" day.

Tuesday, Feb.17: I took Adam, Jason, and Haley to meet up with M.R. and her 3 kids, and S.E. and her 2 boys for lunch and an afternoon of climbing at the climbing gym. The little kids got tired after about an hour, and Haley fell and got "hurt" and so she just sat on the floor with her blanket and was very quiet. Adam could have stayed all day. He had a great time. And with 2 free passes (Thanks M.R.!) and a BO/GO Free coupon it only cost us a little over $20.00. Well worth the money for an afternoon of fun with friends.

Wednesday, Feb.18: I got up and worked out (yea for me!) and then we went to see a movie with out friends the Ewells. It works out well because Adam is good friends with one of the kids and I am friends with the Sheila (the mom). We also have 2 more that are the same ages; 2nd graders and to be kindergartners. I enjoyed the movie, as did all of the kids.

Thursday, Feb.19: We had planned on going to the hot springs but when we realised that the drive was going to be longer then the time we would get to stay there, we changed our minds. We decided on bowling. All of the kids love to bowl, and I am the WORST at it so everyone is in for a fabulous time. We went with our friends the Ewells again, because, well, hell, bowling is better with friends. The kids had a great time and we even had pizza from the Pizza Factory for lunch. It tasted like cardboard, but the bread sticks were delicious! After we bowled 2 games we gave each of the kids $1 each to play games. Adam bought a Twix bar instead. That's my boy!!

Friday, Feb.20: I did an early workout and then I took Haley downtown to meet with my dad for lunch. She got all dressed up for him. She wanted her lunch date to be fun. We went to his new office building and Haley was able to go to the top floor and look down on the Temple. She thought that was really cool. We went to lunch and then stopped for ice cream at The Gateway. It was nice and sunny. Lots of people were out because it was one of the nicest days that we had had so far this season. When we left my dad at his office we walked over to the Joesph Smith Building to get to our car and she wanted to have her picture taken in the pretty building. On our way home we picked up Abigail at school, and we all drove home together. Haley was pretending to be me, so then Abigail wanted to do it too. Because apparently, I always wear sunglasses, sing, and talk on the phone while I am riding in the car. It was pretty funny!

Overall we had a great week off. I wanted to go on a trip to St. George but with the rain down there, tight funds, and no free prospects we opted to stay at home. I think we made the week really fun, and definitely stayed busy, which was my goal.

Other items of note: Lewis and I watched about 5 movies in the evenings too, so now there is nothing at Redbox that we have not seen; Jason lost another tooth, so he is almost toothless;

I got just about all of the laundry done.