Meet The Man of Your Dreams!

In the Fuller family we rotate who has who for Christ mas gifts. This year I have Samuel he is the 4Th child of 5, and the only boy. he is also the only single one left. He is only 22 (I think?) so his singleness its not too serious yet. Still though, Jenny the 3rd child has created a blog dedicated to getting him married.

Samuel dates a lot, every week I would say he has a date. He has lots of friends and is very social. Samuel probably does not need any help finding a wife but, with family of girls we feel restless and feel like we need to do something to get him married, and he likes it. He enjoys being set up and overloaded with praise, and he does want to get married soon.

Samuel is insisting that I not get him anything for Christmas. He says he has too much stuff. So to me that means he does not want anything tangible. I have decided for Christmas I will post on the blog set up by Jenny, Get Sam Fuller Married. Come check out Samuel and if you know any nice single girls in Arizona set him up!

Sleep Advice From Pammy.

I am going to post the Month of November similar to the month of October. The kids love it and it was easy. The last 3 months of the year go by so quick and I do not want to take the time to sit a write a lot, but I do enjoy a quick read on your blog so thanks everybody else for posting!

One thing that I do want to write quickly was some good advice I got from Pam Hashimoto. I love Pammy! So do my kids. We VT together, every time we go I get some great real advice from her. I told her Jr was having a hard time sleeping at night. I was mostly upset because he was falling asleep at school.
When my kids are not in school and do not have responsibility to be somewhere during the day, bed time is much more relaxed. They can stay up latter then nap or sleep if they need to, but not Jr with Kindergarten all day I have learned to be more strict with bed time.
My problems were this:
1. Jr was not getting enough sleep at night and would fall asleep at school.
2. Katie keeps him up at night, they play and talk for too long after bed time.
3. It took him 2 hours to finally fall asleep, when I put them to bed at 8:00. My only solution was put him to bed earlier. It is dark at 6:00 he does not know what time it is, if it took him 2 hours to go to bed at 8:00 if I put him to bed at 6:00 he will fall asleep at 8:00 right?
Here is Pams great, clearly obvious advice:
1. Ask the teacher not to let him fall asleep at school. Then he will be tired enough to go to bed on time.
2. Send Katie to bed after Brian falls asleep. They they will not keep each other up.
3. He will not go to bed at 6:00 if he is not tired. He will play in his bed and not be able to sleep even after 2 hours. Wear him out then send him to bed at his bed time.

Great advice! It all seems so obvious when you step back and evaluate, it is nice to have a friend to give to honest straight advice!

The Whole Month of October in 3 Video Slide Shows.

Campaigning Joys

We are still going strong on the campaign for prop 8. I few weeks ago after calling hundreds to survey I thought well we worked hard, the yes side is starting to rise, that was fun now we can rest. Then Charlie Deem the comutity organiser said we are at the sprint of the Marathon in this campaign.
Last week Brian and I participated in sign waving. When I first heard that we would be asked to do sign weaving I thought NO-WAY that is not my thing. I will delegate and let somebody else to that. Then we stepped in to get it going. We went out the first and second day. It was so much more fun then I thought it would be! You can't help but smile, and have a good time out there on the street corner holding your big yellow sign as people honk, wave, give a thumbs up or other finger and yell at you positive words and some not so postitive. The first day there was 6 women and it was a a safe corner. We got lots of positive responses sure there were a few nasty words and gestures but mostly good.
Next time we were near Hazard Center, a busy intersection in Mission Valley. There were a lot more people gathered that day participating in the sign waving. It was honestly so fun, I am looking forward to doing it again. The rest of the week our ward had a large amount of people volunteer to sign wave and most everybody had a good time. We have heard that in smaller cities prop 8 suporters gather to line the main street with pepole holding up prop 8 signs.
Today (Saturday) we are hanging door hangers. September we did this with vote yes fliers and surveys registered voters. Today we are giving door hangers to those likely to vote yes, either because in the survey they would or the demographics say they would.
Last night our Halloween surprise was receiving 6400 door hangers. At my house. to hand out! By 9:30 a quarter of them were gone. A few people have committed to working all day in this effort.
There is an amazing amount of grass roots effort going on here! So many Californians have been contacted by face to face, phone, mail, and door hangers. Other Churches are meeting today at Qualcomm stadium to pray begin or continue their fast.
On voting day volunteers are going out to pole wach and check to see if those who said they would votes yes come out and vote. Others will be calling all day tho those "yes voters"to get them out to vote. I heard the grassroots effort is a proven method in elections. I am so happy to be part of this amazing effort. Even if it does not pass we will feel good knowing we did all we could to get people to vote yes on Proposition 8.

Sit back and enjoy some videos. Then get up and help!

The church produced a couple videos to answer some questions about prop. 8. enjoy.

I don’t see how same sex marriage really hurts anyone else. Really, what’s the harm?


If Prop 8 passes won’t it take exisiting rights away from gay couples?


Don’t gay and lesbian couples deserve the same amount of happiness as others?


What’s the point – didn’t we already vote on this?


Even if Prop 8 passes, the court in San Francicso will just overturn it again anyway – right?


I don’t know many who actually support Prop 8. I mean I’m sure they’re out there – but I don’t think there are many?


I don't think many of my reader will be persuaded to Vote for Prop 8 by this post, because most of my reader already have decided they will vote yes. I do hope this post inspires you to do a similar post. There are a lot of great videos at this web site. i think these new videos are great!
I think prop 8 WILL pass. There are so many people working hard on the grassroots effort with personally calling and recalling voters. We are now posting signs and preparing to wave signs at busy intersections. Only 3 weeks left! lets get to it and post come wave signs with us, get busy calling, had out fliers lets get to it! there is a lot of need for more help comment if you are interested!
Get your own videos here.

Standing for Something

Written by Chantal and Brian:

There are many great things about living in San Diego. This is such an important time for California. We are exited to be apart of it and to Vote. We have been very involved with the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign. I have spent hours calling people to survey and later to perhaps persuade them. I have done some training and recruiting of volunteers for the Yes campaign.
Over all it has been a good experience. Most people have been polite, even if they do not agree with me. Close friends who do not agree with our decision to support proposition 8 have been polite and we have avoided heated discussions. With all my involvement I would like to think that it will pass. I would like to think that the people of California would not want the institution of marriage to be diluted and changed into a simple social contract between adults. I would hope that the people of California will understand that marriage is and always has been in every culture an institution to protect children.
I think Satan has strong, outraged and educated people working to do what he has fraudulently persuaded them is just and fair. He would have us think it is unfair to adults to not have something they think they want. Satan uses imagery of wholesome goodness, love, family, and unity, and then he blends in tiniest bit of poo. Satan will use all the good he can as packaging to camouflage his covert agenda of sexual perversion. He knows what is valued and will use that to persuade us and cloud the issue.
There may be adults in traditional marriages who are not sure how this proposition will affect them. The truth is… it wont, but it will affect children… All children in California’s public schools will be required to learn about same sex marriage (per California’s Education Code § 51890). To me proposition 8 does not take away anybody's rights. In California, same sex couples have all the rights of marriage under a civil union. I believe all Californians should have the right to marry, but four judges in San Francisco should not be able to change the definition of marriage at their whim.

Recovering...More Journaling

Monday was tough. (see previous post) I still can not find my keys or phone. The week did get better. Jr. had some good days, at school, the rest of the week. I was probably putting too much pressure on him and myself. Tuesday and the rest of the week I tried extra hard to have a good morning that way when he left home he was feeling happy and loved. I laid out his clothes and socks and shoes. that way he will get dressed first thing in the morning. I also make is lunch at night so I am not rushed in the morning. All those things seem to be helping. He is a good kid, he is so loving and makes everybody happy. I sure love him and am happy to be his mom!
Friday I had a nice day. I took Katie and Susan to the ward enrichment "Friday Field Trips" The ladies met at the beach this time. I don't usually hang out with these women, not because I don't want to I am just busy with the 3 kids, kindergarten, preschool, homemaking, etc.. It was a nice change to hang out with the young mothers and watch the kids play. They are all great ladies.
Later on friday the ward Book group had a field trip to hear Greg Mortenson author of 3 Cups Of Tea speak. I have not read the book, (busy remember) but I wet to the Book group when they reviewed the book and enjoyed hearing about it.
I am trying to become more aware and involved with the world around me. My life is very full and rich, I'm very satisfied and happy, but I don't spend much time considering things that don't relate directly to me. In the world there is so much suffering and I don't think of it too much. So that is one reason I enjoyed the Book club talk about the book 3 Cups of Tea. Also the women who meet I want to get to know better, I want to be more like them, I enjoy being with them. So the field trip was fun, spending time with the few ladies and listening to the speaker. I wish I had read the book, I think I would have appreciate the speaker more and I could share more with you about the great things the author is doing.
So to top off the recovering I went to the General Relief Society Meeting. It was so nice! Elder Uchtdorf was so right on to things I needed to hear and I felt so uplifted listening to him. He talked about the women in his life, his wife, undervaluing yourself, loneliness, God's love, experiencing happiness, finding joy in service and in creating things. My favorite quote is,

"He is a God of creation, and a God of compassion. Creating and
being compassionate are 2 activities that we as his spirit children can
and should emulate.

The desire to create is one of
the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents education background or abilities we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before. Everyone can create you done need money position or
influence in order to create something of substance beauty. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty… You are spirit Daughters of the most creative being in the universe…Seek and experience
the eternal happiness creating things.

Here is a video link to his talk !
and great intro to the sewing class I was asked to teach.

BTW Katie cut her hair. I am so sad. I saw a little ringlet on
the floor and it was like seeing a lost limb. I have not finished the
job she started yet, I am pretty sure I will cry when I have to.

Power Struggles

Today has been a bad day.
7:00am-9:00am Can't find my phone, Brian won't eat the school lunch, Katie won't let me do her hair
Susan is sleepy but won't sleep withoput her blanket that we cant find.
9:00-11:00 preschool, pretty good actually.
After noon it came undone.
11:30 look for my phone, I am supost to meet mary, but cant cable guys are coming, horay! I cant call mary, I dont have a phone.
12:00 Waiting for the cable guy, they are supost to arrive between 12:00-2:00-
12:30 CLEANING looking for my phone
1:00 straighten family room and kitchen-waiting for cable guy, exited to sit and wach TV
2:00 cleaning the family room. Katie turnes on hose and gets all wet, and get Susan wet.
3:00 Call cable guy, he is gonna be late late. Clean up Susan and make Katie change her clothes.
3:20 Susan tales off her clothes and diaper, I put her in her high chair while I find a diaper, (we are almost out) Discover the spell of poo and see she has pooed in her highcghaor. Clean her up and dress her.
3:30 pick up Brian from school, find out he has been having "power struggles" with his teacher, He is my good kid!
4:00 Clean more, talk with Brian. Katie goes out side and plays in the mud.
4:10 Clean off Katie sen her to take a bath.
4:30 Where is Katie? "Unlock the door, Katie!" She fell asleep in the tub with just a few inches of water. turn off the water, She will wake up when the water is all gone.
4:32 dicover butter on the carpet floor from Susan, (the fridge door lock is broken)
4:33 Cable guy is here! Susan is all buttery, Katie is half awake, wet, and naked just walking out of the bathroom to see who is at the door, there is still butter on the carpet and what do I dicover as I lead the cable guys to the TV, a Poo! Guess Susan pooed right here between the couch and the TV, before she pooed in her high chair! I have been cleaning, how did i miss that! Luckally i had a rag in my hands and It was not a bad poo. But still I could not hide hi reaction to the sight from the cable guys.
4:45 Katie is dressed, Butter is clean up. Kitchen is messy again. Still cant find my phone.
5:00 Cleaning more, cable guys tell me to move the TV and some boxes in the garage.
5:30 Brian Sr comes home. Now I can use a phone to call Mary!
5: 40 Sorry no cable! "You would have to switch your internet service it could tak a week to turn it back on, bla, bal, bla"
6:00 Talk to Sr about Jr.
6:30 Call mommy for advice. hear a tapping on teh front door, little Susan! what is sher doing outside, how long had she been out there! (the kids and St were in the back homefully she just wanded to the front and went straigh to the door.
6:40 we need to go to the store, I have to have a fridge lock and some diapers.
6:50 cant find my keys!
7:00 its getting late, no dinner no keys no baths.
7:30 bathe kids, head to dinner, and walmart in PJ's. (i am NOT cooking tonight) Use the spare keys
8:30 Home safetly, kids in bed, they are as tird as I am.
9:00 BLOG
10:clean!

See a bad day! Most of this I can take care of. i am not too bummed about the cable. We only wanted it for a month fro General Confrence while my family was here. I probably would have gotten so lazy and watched way too much TV., and it would have been a pain to try and cancil.
I found Susan's blankie. Katie is ok now. I knew i was stressed to i told brian I needed some extra help. I took a Mommy time-out. I did not make dinner, thats a good thing sometimes.
The thing that i am most concerned about is the Power struggles. I have talked with a few mother of kids in school, a retired teacher, and my mom. All have given me really nice advice.
My mom suprised me when I tiold her the teacher said he was having problems and she (my mom) knew exactly what was going wrong at school! When he gets into a conflict he dosen't get-over-it like other kids. He gets really hurt or mad and ignores the teacher and misse the next thing in class, recess, free time, resting time ect...
Ernie and My mom were comforting they said is was normal. Ernie said he is testing the teacher and me, the change is a lot for him, he wasnts to test the teachr and myself so see that the rules are the same at home and school. She suggested i overload him with praise, love and affection. i have doem that especially this weekedn (Katie also, oviously she has power struggles as well) So this weekedn was good at home . that is why i was supprised to hear today was bad, for him. Even though I was in a bad moode in the morning i tried be cheery for the kids. I guess this might be the answer, I had a bad morning, he picked up on my mode and had a bad day also? Wow! Writing can be so theraputic.
So that was my bad day! I guess sometimes I do write about my dirty house!
i dont have time to edit, spell check, or add photos. Too bad for you.

Susan's bob

Usually I would never cut my Baby's hair, especially a cute girl who is often mistaken for a boy, but Katie started Susan's hair cut so I had to finish it, or get it finished. Actually I had to have it done right, with so few hairs on her little head I did not want to risk any mistakes. Thanks to my great friend Kristi Jones, Susan has a super cute new hair-do! I really love the hair cut and think it fits Susan's personality. Kinda spunky, cute, and fun.
She was so good during her hair cut. We were out running around when I called Kristi, she was available right ways so we went during Susan's nap. I thought either she will be really annoyed and cranky or will fall right asleep. She was so conferable in the high chair, watching Nemo, and the soft comb in her hair she fell perfectly asleep. Her are the beautiful results:
She would not look at the camera still though, I love this little girl!

My turn for the Memory Game

I have been leaving memories on some of others. It was lots of fun to remember fun times and it made me want to post too to see what kind of funny memories people can think of with me
Here’s how you play:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It does’t matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

Kindergarten begins..and so does growing pains.

Brian had his first day of Kindergarten. ..he loved it...I held together pretty well. When Brian Sr came home, he asked how my first day of Kindergarten was, if I had any "separation anxiety". I told him I was ok. I know Brian jr is ready. He was perfectly fine and the day was a little uneventful.
It still makes me a little sad to think of all then time he will not be spending with me; that somebody else will get to teach him, watch him grow, be with him. Sharing my kids and letting them experience new things is part of growing up. Growing pains. I do enjoy the new freedom of only 2 little ones at home all morning.
Katie is experiencing her own growing pains. She was very jealous of all the new stuff Brian got for school, she is jealous Brian gets to go to kindergarten without her. She was very whiny all through Brain's first day. She cried over everything and was very sassy. I took her to get a special doughnut with just mommy, she spilled her orange juice and cried. She painted her and Susan's face with some lipstick that does not come off for days, she poured out milk on the kitchen floor, a bag of pretzels on the couch and continues to cry. I will have to figure that one out. Ya think she need MORE time with me?! Well she gonna get it! or her parent-participation-preschool starts soon she will like that.
I have been concerned about, all day kindergarten vs. half day. When I was in kindergarten we learned the alphabet, the numbers and some simple science facts, taking turns, being quiet colors, playing nicely, and crafts. Now in Kindergarten Kids learn all that plus how to read and how to write, basic math, and social studies. I think most kids can handle a full day of Kindergarten and its great they are learning so much!
When Brian came home from his first day we called my mom to tell her about how kindergarten was, he told he he learned all his letters. She was surprised, she told me they took all year to teach her kindergartners there letters. (I am sure most kindergartners know there letters before they go to Kindergarten now)

Brian is very exited to learn at school and I will make sure he is still having lots of fun, and free time, free from; TV, computer, school, and organized games. Just some time to let him play, use his imagination, play with great toys that encourage creativity. I love to hear him playing, by himself, making noises, talking out loud to himself, it laying down playing with legos, robots, cars in his own imaginary childhood world.

I do miss him throughout the day but now when he is gone I can clean, craft, spend time with Katie and Susan, and have more me time so that when he is home I don't have to say "Honey not right now" so much. I love kindergarten with all its growing pain.

As I have been getting him ready for kindergarten we went shopping. I let him pick out, the shirt, shoes, and shorts for him to wear for the first day. On his own he told me, "Mom we need to get shoes with out laces. I can't tie them yet. I need shorts with no zippers or buttons, so I can get them off quick, and I want I a shirt with Super heroes." Now isn't he smart and ready for kindergarten!

Here is all the excitement (that I saw) of the first dayof school (it was pretty uneventful on my side of the classroom doors).

Rejuvenating Reunion with Relatives

When my sister and her family same to visit this weekend it was rejuvenating. I think the most rejuvenating part was laughing! Jenny and I stayed up so late making aprons for an upcoming Boutique. While we worked she let me teach her some sewing tricks, we had lots of fun exercising our creativity by designing aprons.

She is so funny and we understand each other so well, we are so much a like. I love her! She is so love able, and fun to be around. Many people close to Jenny know she is very special, Jenny has become a confidant to many of her friends they turn to her for advice, comfort, sympathy, love, and upliftment. That is what I get from Jenny also. My dad always say she is spunky! She is. As I have grown up and gotten less aware of popular culture I notice trends from Jenny first then in movies and on TV, she is just co cool! She is also married to a great guy! I love Shawn, he was my year in High School and we were friends and hung out in the same group, so did Jenny. He swears I had a crush in him in HS, I checked my Journal and I did not. But I love him now, he is fits so perfectly into our family, like a puzzle. He is always trying to include everybody, he takes care of the kids and love them. Brain and Him share lots of manly interests and he also has a great sense of humor!

Brian and I were so exited for the Browns to come, and we have a very rejuvenating weekend, at the Zoo, the Beach, The sea Wall in La Jolla, the Fireworks at Sea World, Phil's BBQ, Girardellis and a serious lack of sleep. Here are some pictures of the week:

I am pretty proud of these shots I took of the Browns, cute kids! and I love the ones Jenny took of us.



Jenny covered the weekend so well! Check it out: JennyLynnBrown

Getting Political

You may recall that there was a video here with John McCain announcing Sarah Palin as his selection for VP. I had intended to write my first real post on this blog. Chantal suggested one on this very political topic, but by the time i got around to actually writing it, the clip seemed stale- So I have deleated it. I will write one with a political topic soon though.
Alas... I am "Still working on posting."

Sunday Morning

We hand an unusual Sunday morning. We actually had extra time! With church starting at 1:00 you would think we always have extra time, but no we do not. We are almost always on time or early but this week we were ready a hour and a half early! So we took family pictures.

Brian Jr. also practiced for his talk. This was the first one in a long time. He was very exited! We wrote his talk together. The kids are suppose to give a talk on a story from the friend. I found on the church website you can read and LISEN to the friend! So I played the story for him a few times and he told me what he remembered then we wrote the talk with pictures. Like we did for Katie.

He did such a great job! I was so nervous. I forgot to ask him if he wanted help before he went up so I decided to hang back until he asked for help. I was on the edge of my seat very nervously waiting for him to break-down and call "mommy, help me!" but he never did. He gave the whole talk all by himself and he did a great job!
I cant post the video right now..we are having technical difficulties!

Oh (family in Az, and Figgins) did that post make you miss us?! Guess you just have to come visit!

How to Camp Clean

Our little adventurous, family went camping again. While camping we had some adventures getting clean. We camped 3 days 2 nights this time, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday after we set up camp I did Katie's hair. With 13 "ponies" . This smart lady does it so much neater, but I don't think she has 13 ponies. I actually started doing Katie's hair this way as an idea from Lacy. I knew it would be the easy to keep it cleaner this way and it would probably stay in for until Wednesday, and it did!

Tuesday afternoon we went to find a near by creek, stream, lake, pond, anything fun to play in or throw rocks into. We drove to the closest creek on the map. There was nothing. We then drove to the closest Lake it was a meadow with a mud pit. We passed! Then we drove to the next closest like about 30 min. away. It was a nice, little sunny lake. Lake Cuyamaca The kids had fun walking out a short ways and throwing rocks. Check out Katie's poses! What a lady.
Our first adventure getting clean started with blowing bubbles at the lake. One of the kids poured too much soap into the bowl they were dipping there wands into. Then they started fighting over the better bubble wand. I took the chance to introduce Brian to the art of making bubbles with your hands. He was actually very good at it! I could not blow one bubble and he had a whole stream of bubbles coming from the little circle he made with his hands.

This got the kids and me really soapy. We did no think the Lake was a good place to clean off so we decided and try to find a bathroom sink but we found something better.

We got lots of funny looks. Brian and I thought oh man I bet we look like red-necks, but,
Do red-necks take pictures when they do something that looks trashy, or funny? Probably not so there fore we are still not red necks.

Susan is the master at getting dirty! On our last camping trip she loved falling down flat onto the dirty ground. This trip was no different. Except the camp ground was dusty! There was dust everywhere. She would take a drink, dribble down her shirt, then fall in the dirt and have muddy lines going down her round belly and on their face. She got very dirty! I let her play happily and get real dirty.

Then at bed time I did the cleaning routine that I love. Brian Sr. warms up a pot of soapy water. One at a time the kids undress to there undies and I wipe them down with warm soapy water and clean rags. I always remember my Mom teaching us how to wash your body, "face first, then work your way down to your feet. Top-to bottom." (not literally "the bottom" that special place gets wipes) I also wiped a rag over the kids hair to get some smoke and dust out. Then they run to the tent in there undies and I dress them in clean pj's in the tent.

Wednesday Morning Brian and I wanted to go home through Julian and Romona. Brian did not want to go into a restaurant or stores smelling like smoke and feeling all dirty from camping. So in the morning we took a family shower! I packed shower supplies just in case and bathing suits for everybody. The campground has pretty clean showers and they were big enough for everybody. It was quite an experience to all shower together, but the shower had 2 heads one regular height and one shorter for the kids.
We left the camp feeling cleaner then we have ever felt after camping!

and that is how you camp clean.

btw, while camping we did some camping crafts. More at my other blog. We also saw crazy trees from busy wood peckers. and probably 50 squirls!

AND this awsome tree stump we had to take pictures for my Mommy.

Katie's 4th

Here is Katie's birthday Video.

Katie's Birthday was full of fun! We had pink strawberry pancakes for breakfast. The cake and ice cream for Lunch and Nachos at Balboa park. Katie wanted to ride the "spinney thing" at the park so we rode the free trolley and walked through balboa park to the play ground. After the park we took her to the corvette diner. It was a full day of lots of fun.

KATIE IS 4

1Beautiful

2Crazy

3Giggly

4Sweet

YEARS OLD!

Here is another video of everybody.

Based on my calculations I am AWSOME.*

I have never though of myself as a nerd.(Check me out in the HS photos) not super nerdy anyway. If I was a nerd I had lots of good company! I was not popular either. I have always valued my individuality, and did not do things just to be popular. For example I was in NAHS, instead of choir or dance. I was in the Outdoor Science Club. I took art classes and science not because they were an easy elective but because I wanted to learn more about art and enjoy exercising my creative mind. Also we went on awesome field trips!

Starting now I am going to embrace my inner nerd even more with a new blog all about my nerd hobbies. Crafting. Thrifting. Decorating Gardening. Creating with my kids. This new blog, Chantal's Getting Crafty at susiepoosie.blogspot.com will be repetitive of some things here at "Team Jones" but I will go into more detail about my projects and less family fun stuff.

Brian once gave me good advice that "self deprecation does'nt looks good." I do not want you to think I am doing that now. Nerd is not a bad thing, Nerd to me is someone who values ummm whats the word...in..intelect! someone who values intellect. (I like #3), someone who wants to increase their knowledge of everything around them to make their lives fuller. Then second somebody who goes against what is popular, whatever! I am bringing nerdy back! *

*I stole these quotes from some cool Wal-Mart shirts...the nerdyness now!

Come check out the new blog!

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Ahhh the smell of Mexico.

Can you guess what the smell of Mexico was?....

We have been to the Border Field State Park before. Brian and I were very curious; What does the border look like at the beach? Does it go out into the water? Wouldn't that be an easy place for illegals to cross? Are there border patrol everywhere? Well Saturday we got out answers. The Last time we drove that way the park was closed because there had been a lot of rain, alto I don't see how that was a problem. Any way This time It was open so we drove right up. Brian drove while I read. We parked in the almost empty parking lot and walked to the monument then down to the beach.

This might seem like a strange family outing,. I have heard Tijuana described as the arm pit of Mexico...Sick! Brian and I however have a curious and spontanious personality as well as a strange love and interest for Mexico. So it was pretty fun! Here are the answers we found at the park.

It was swarming with boared patrol. They are not friendly and I got the impression they did not want us there. Also they drive their trucks everywhere off the road inbetween park benches and tables. We also saw one girl get cuffed. We left shortly after that!

On the beach the boarder is just tall steel columns that people could easily squeeze through. We saw Mexican kids playing going between boraders. We warned a lot not to go through. We also saw a couple adult Mexicans come through to hug and talk with their American visitors. The Border Patrol did not seem to care but watched them closely. The boarder goes out into the water a few yards but nobody was in the water, not even the Mexicans.

It was very interesting at the monument there is a fence with a big spire and plaque. At that part of the fence you can see through. The Mexicans would come and stare through to America and we went and stood looking into Mexico.

The kids had a good time. They have been interested with Mexico even sense our Cruise. They kept asking, Are we in Mexico? Why cant we go into Mexico? It that Mexico? Why are we here to look at Mexico? What is that sound in Mexico? What is in Mexico? What is that smell? Is it Mexico?

Finally what was the smell of Mexico?...Churros! They came right up the Boarder to sell us all their goodies, churros, peanuts, mango's, candy Chiclets. The only thing we samples was the churros, you could smell them from the car! and they were great.

Also from the car you could hear a Mariachi Band, I love that music!

Cheep Seats & Fire Works

The week after the 4th of July we went on a family date. The house was hot and I was feeling restless so we went out. It started in beautiful PB, we walked along the beach while kids ran along the splashing in the waves. We made it to Cristal Pier in time for sunset. Susan was so funny on the Pier every couple of steps she had to look down between the cracks and talk about the water. Then walked to Fat Burger for dinner. (Side note)--Its always fun to out with the kids especially Friday Nights, we get lots of looks as a big, young family. That night there might have been even more looks. Last time we walked on the beach I lost my sandals, I did not want to risk loosing my new Roxy sandals so I left them in the car. Katie followed my example, so did Susan! luckily we were close to the beach to bare feet wasn't too trashy---

After filling up on high calorie food we walk again on the beach, and the car. On the way home we drove by Sea World to see the fireworks. We arrived an hour early so we left to go home, for baths PJ's and headed back. We made it just in time and enjoyed the show with a few other cheep locals and fishers at the bay.

We have been back a few times to the firework show, to put the kids asleep with the drive and enjoy the cheep seats. I told Brian that because we missed the great Tempe Town Lake show and the San Diego Bay show, about 5 Sea Wold shows will make up for that. The Last time we went (Saturday) it was extra fun Because Daddy Packed a stove and the Jiffy Pop! We got smart and brought the Explorer. The kids could sit in the big back with the door open to the show. Then I got real smart and left Susan in her car seat, unbuckled it and put in in the back with the big kids, so she is happy in her seat but and crawling around everywhere. It's good cheep fun walking on the beach and enjoying the fire works, we love SD! Do ya like how were getting the lingo down PB (Pacific Beach) & SD (San Diego) Like you needed that translation :)

Le'me Up On That Soap Box: Don't Judge a Girl By her blog and I blog for me.

When someone comes to my house, I clean it. It is not always clean but clean and perfect is how I like it best. I clean because it makes me and my family happiest. I clean because I have been given responsibility to care for my blessings. I would be embarrassed if somebody saw my house at its worst. I would never invite somebody over to see the messy house. Just like my house, life and blog. Everything here, at my blog, may seem to reflect a perfect life. that is because I choose to highlight the good stuff. I don't blog every shortcoming and flaw. Everything I blog is real, true, and I have spent a lot of time on every entry editing and adding cute pictures. I may clean up a bit to highlight the positive but not to be fake. don't judge a girl by her blog.

I blog for me. I blog to keep a journal and create this awesome book. In my book I want my kids to look back and remember the positive time we had camping, at the library, and being together. I know they will love it. I blog to keep updates with my friends and family. Jenny and Clarissa almost always comment so I know at least they will read it. My parents and Charmaine tell me they read I also have a list of readers I expect to drop by occasionally. ( lemme know if you want to be added to the reader list, this blog is usually private) I know myself and others, I have talked to, have felt life this after reading some body's blog, "Oh she is so perfect, she has so many friends, she always looks beautiful, her kids are so smart, she does so many fun things, I'm so jealous!" Lets all stop that and remember not to judge a girl by her blog! Keep your blog real, and remember she is not going to blog her "dirty house"

That was it, I am done how, I will get off my soap box...

You may be asking why did she just post that? The inspiration came from several sources, This blog, (that is funny BUT I do not like) this friends thoughts, (who I agree with) and the comment I first left on her blog but edited because it was too long, the conversation with her,(a real girl) who shared options. Lastly, this was some advice a gave to my sistas before they joined the dangerous work of blogging.

One more thing, I wrote this post yesterday before the comment on the last post from "Sara" and I will be going back to private after this post, so please if you want to read your welcome to it. Just leave a comment.

10 of the cutest things Susan does.

1. The way she blows on hot food. She gets her lips real close to the spoon, so I think she is going to sip it then she blows hot soup every where.

2. How exited she is when Daddy comes home. She drops everything and runs to the door, yelling, Dadda! Dadda! Dadda! then dances at his feet until he picks her up.

3. The little fists she makes when she gets exited. Susan make to small fists and flexes her arms, then squeals when she gets real exited.

4. Her relationship with her 10 year old cousin Sullivan. This is especially cute because Sullivan is unique. He has Asperger Syndrome a form of autism. Sullivan is incredibly intelligent, but doesn't understand nonverbal language and is not affectionate. He loves Susan and is very interested in her, and her development, and Susan loves Sullivan! When they are together she follows him around, watches him, sits by him, talks to him. All the kids (Mardells 3 and my 3) love to sit on the trampoline and play who's lap will Susan choose to sit on. She sits on Sullivan's lap, gets up circles the group, passing by everybody, then sits back with Sullivan.

5.When she talks. She is very talkative! She has been talking for a few months. Everyday she says something new. Or surprises us with sentence! I swear she said ."Mom, this is hair." As she picked up a few strands of hair. She did this after I had been telling her then names of her body parts. Another time it sounded just like she said, "But I'm just a kid." after I asked if she wanted to sit on the potty. Then Yesterday, I asked if she wanted to take a nap and I picked her up, it sounded like she said, "put me down!"

6. When she yells mama! She does this in the car, store, school, church, crib everywhere. I love it when she yells "MAMA!", just once loud and quick. I usually yell, "SUSAN!" back. She laughs and does it again. Everyone close enough to hear usually laughs also.

7. How much she loves her blanket. At breakfast on the way home from Arizona we stopped at Cracker Barrel. She took in her blanket and binki. During breakfast when she was done she put her blanket over her head and learned back with her binki in her mouth. I thought quick take a picture. I hurried and got the camera out, but there was no need to rush. She left the blanket up there for a few minuted just loving her blanket.

8. How friendly she is to everybody. She is always waving and saying hello. When we are out she says "hi" or "hello "and waves to everybody!

9. How much she loves her Dadda, All day she asks "Where's Dada?" (remember #2)

10. The way she quickly kneels to pray. Every time we have family prayer we call the kids in and they seem to take forever, but Susan. She droops, or throws everything, quickly kneels down, and bows her head wherever she is. The waits for everybody.

Susan is the cutest baby ever! She is my sunshine! I have little nick names I call my kids, usually unplanned just what comes out when I talk to them. I lately have been calling Susan "My Squishy" Which is also the name Brian Sr gave to the pillow I demand to sleep with every night and will him fight for. I just love my Squishy Baby Susan. she is such a joy.

Seriously so Blessed :)

Library Day

I want to be an avid reader. Every once in a while find a real good book then I totally get into it. I enjoy the break from reality and get lost the story. I can think of 6 books I have read this year (even more I have started but stopped) and that is a LOT for me. I think it was the Twilight Series that made me want to read more. I got very caught up in the story and look forward to the final book coming soon. While I did enjoy the, high school romance, and teenage directed writing, of the books, I don't think that type is my favorite. I feel like if I am going to spend my time reading I want to learn something also, but not have to work to hard to keep up with the language. I want something fiction, a memoir, a life story, a historical narrative, a classic, or something highly recommended. I just finished reading A woman in Berlin, 8 Weeks In A Conquered City. That one I finished and enjoyed even though it was a sad story she did not dwell on the pain but was very resilient. I borrowed The Red Tent, and bought The Mermaid Chair from the library, then bought Water for Elephants, at a thrift store. All three of these books I started and decided not to finish, all for the same reasons, SEX! in all forms; adultery, masturbation, animals, dreams, shows, rape, YUCK! YUCK! YUCK! I don't think I will start another book without reading lots of reviews first!

I have never read the Work and the Glory or The Kingdom and The Crown series. I guess I will stick to those for a while. They are both historical, clean, highly recommended, spiritual and uplifting!

I want to teach my kids to love books and reading. As I am getting Brian Jr ready for Kindergarten and teaching him to read. I thought reading to him would be the best start, and would teach my kids how fun reading can be. I often read to the kids but this summer I have been really trying harder to read to them more.

I decided to try out the public library and their summer reading program. It has been great! The kids check out 5 books each we read them for 2 weeks and exchange them for new ones. On Fridays we have been going and checking out a few movies. They have already earned a few prizes and always are exited to go to the library. Here are the book bags I decorated for the kids. I love how they turned out! (I will post Brian's bag later) I Love it when I catch my kids reading. Or when I hear them telling stories or talking to their toys, making up things using their imagination!

Pretty normal 'round here

Its pretty normal around here to see this, after dinner and the kids are all clean. Susan gets on the table to finish off dinner, throw everything on the floor then call for help to get down.
Its pretty normal to find my purse full of new treasures. One evening I found the normal contents of my purse on the ground and when I found my purse it was full of apples. I think Katie is responsible because the next day at preschool she asked if I had any apples in my purse for her.

4th of July, not so independent anymore.

This has been a 4th of July we will never forget. I hate how bad things sometimes happen around special events. Like you may have heard before, "I always hated my birthdays that was the day my ( fill in the blank with something terrible!) ."
We have always been lucky to not have any holidays that also remind us of something sad to make us not want to celebrate. Until...
This 4th of July we spent in the hospital with Brian's parents. On that day, Brian's dad was diagnosed with Leukemia. (Officially called AML).
I hope that we will not look back on this 4th and feel sad. Although he is very sick and there are still a lot of trials ahead for the family. There has been some positive things. Brian's Parents have had an optimistic attitude, and they have great faith. Brian's Mom keeps saying that she knows Heavenly Father knows them, and knows what they need. They are hopeful that the treatments will do their job. The Jones family has come closer together with relatives that have not always been so close. Faith and prayers have been tested and strengthened. We, and others have had the opportunity and to serve.
My father in-law started Chimo-therapy on Friday and he is already feeling, better. His blood work is showing improvement. Then after we left to come back to California they found a, staff infection, and the Chimp is staring to make him pretty sick. I will keep updating on his condition.
It seems to be the trend to take unplanned trips to AZ, celebrate with family, experience someunexpected announcement, enjoy the dry air, warm breeze and thunder storm. This trip still the same, considering everything we still have another great trip to AZ!
A word about our country, I love this country, The Constitution, The founding fathers of the United states were inspired men. Everything may not be right but somethings still are. With my father-in-law in the hospital he is receiving the best treatment available and given great care thanks to the hospitals, doctors, and nurses in our great country. Please remember Brian's Parents in your prayers!

Garden Journal Entry #2

Remember back when we were all Jazzed for gardening? Those cute little plants grew tall and I thought they were almost ready to go out side so I took them in the direct sun light for a few hours, as instructed my the information pamphlet, and the little sprouts got sun burned and died a few days later. Then we put off gardening until school was out and we knew out summer plans better.

A few weeks ago Brian planed our garden. We have a banana tree, basil, yellow peppers and Jalapeno peppers (from last year) cilantro, lettuce, cantaloupe, pumpkin, and 3 tomato plants. I am exited to see how these grow! We could have a nice salsa, and salad. The kids loved the water Mellon last year I bet they will love the pumpkin! I love that Brian loves to garden. I enjoy researching how to grow, harvest, get rid of pest, water, feed and even cook the veggies. Brian got creative with the web tomato cage. Well see how our garden grows this year!

Mis-directed, missionary inspired, friendly, mexican, water balloons!

The day started out uneventfully and even a little annoying. The weather was not hot but I had then mad feeling you feel inside when its too hot, and your mad for no good reason just that its hot. It could of been the kids making me mad with constant whining, complaining, and mess making. I might have been mad because I did not get our regular Friday night date together. Instead we took the kids to the Chicken Pie Shop last night. For whatever reason I was on the verge of mad. I though a day some time at the park would be a nice change, wear the kids out, and give me a beak. I borough a book, and Brian packed the bikes.

When we got there about 3:30 the park was busy with a kids birthday party full of happy Mexican kids, parents and grandparents. Not an unusual sight to see here, (or most any park we go to). Katie walked right up the the group, passed the food table, the gifts, and made friends with a little girl. I waved her to follow us and said a quick hello. Then we sat at a empty picnic table away from the group, I sat on the ground by the table to play with Susan. Shortly after we sat down, some kids from the party ran by and threw a water balloon at each other. The balloon missed the kid it was supposed to hit, and hit the ground next to me getting me wet! I half yelped and laughed. The table close to us, full of fathers, apologized quickly. Soon after, they invited me to come eat, saying they had a lot of food. I said, "Oh thanks, Maybe we'll come over." and stayed where I was getting out my book, after about the third person invited us over we came and got a plate. There was a lot of food, and it was good! They brought us water bottles, juices, a grandma came over with warn tortillas, everybody made us feel welcome. They invited us to break Pinata with the kids, and have some birthday cake. All the time they were very friendly especially the man who first invited us over, Wilfredo.

Brian and I have talked before about how we love, and admire in the Mexican Culture that they are so family oriented. All generations and extended family are co close. At this party there was a few great grandparents. I have learned that in the Mexican Culture they are also very friendly. Brian and I were Ward Missionaries in Provo while, we were there the Stake President asked the ward missionaries to go around the entire ward and knock on doors asking who was LDS, and who went to the Spanish branch, or who was Spanish speaking, but was not LDS. We had fun and I noticed quickly the Spanish speaking people LDS or not were very friendly. They almost always invited us in. Some offered us food and wanted to chat for a while. This party was so different they were so pleasant to be around!

Brian got to talking with Wilfredo. He was impressed with Brian's Spanish and that led to the Mission and being Mormon. Will said he used to go to the Mormon church and wants to go back but had not yet. We had a nice talk with him and hopefully he will feel more welcome and a greater desire to go back. He said he and his wife want to be married in the Temple, I hope they do! We felt so welcome and had a great afternoon! Thanks to feeling the need to get out, and getting hit with a miss directed water balloon.

Korea House & Flying Airplanes at Liberty Station

For Brian's Birthday (back on June 14th) he wanted to go to Sho Gun. The Japanese restraint with a big grill at the table and the chief comes and does a coking performance throwing food in the air, with big flames coming up, and big knives tossing the food then they chop everything right in front of you. After dinner we were planning on going to go to the Adult Session of Stake Conference, so we could go to dinner for too long. When we got to Sho Gun we realised every time we came before was a weekday and the weekend was too busy to come in a sit right down. So we left and drove down Convoy Dr. where there is a lot of Asian restaurants looking for some good place to eat. I noticed the Korean House and thought the outside looked like a fun place to try out, and it was!

We were able to come in and sit right down. At the table we were surprised to find our own grill in the middle of the table. That was an ironic and pleasant surprise. With you order for dinner comes about 12 small sides. Everything was new to us, pickled jicama, bean sprout salad, fish noodles, spicy cabbage salad (Kimchi), seaweed soup, broccoli and a spicy sauce, and more stuff that we didn't even know. Brian had a great time he got to do the grilling! They put our main dishes on the grill and gave us the tongs then came by every once in a while to help us. It was a fun experience to try so many new foods and cook ourselves. For desert they brought fresh oranges.
The picture is not from us but our dinner looked just like this!

Our Next Date:

I have been trading babysitting with a friend Jen. I watch her kids Mondays and she watched mine Friday afternoons. This Friday (June 20th) we took extra time because I will be watching her kids 2 times next week. Brian and I used the time to go on another date. We This time we went to Liberty Station. It is a neat place. It used to be the Navy recruiting and training Station opened in 1920's that closed in 1997 but had now been reopened and remodeled into a shopping, business center. It is still being remodeled but a few stores are open. Less stores then I thought but it was still neat to walk around. The place is beautiful! We had lunch and Panera Bread Bakery and Deli then waled to Ace Hardware. Because Brian's birthday was Monday it is still his Birthday week I told him that was why it was ok to go to Ace for a date. Really thought Ace Hardware was fun! My favorite part of Ace was in the women's bathroom. What the heck? Why did they do this? Its just so funny to me! Brian called it a Head to Head Toilet face off. I just had to take a picture of this! What other funny captions on this photo?

Next adventure was with the Balsa Wood Airplane. I have never played with one before and was thrilled when it too off! They are light enough that a rubber band twisted to cause tension that powers the propeller is enough to make it fly. It was fun playing right in the middle of the beautiful court yard. The place it still so new half the buildings were vacant and the others open to the street so there was almost nobody there. It was a perfect place to fly! It was fun to be spontanious and enjoy each other on another date.

Clever! Cute. and "Hey blog this!"

I must say I can be pretty darn clever...

Getting my kids and Nephews to clean the carpet and kitchen floor for the reward of an ice cream cone. It worked well enough on the carpet that I noticed a change the next morning. Just rags, warm water and a little soap, lots of scrubbing and rinsing!

..and lets face I can create some cute stuff! I decorated the back of a cheesy duckling puzzle for one of my favorite Primary girls as a get well gift.

I wanted to get her a "feel-better-duck" but couldnt find any toys other then the puzzle of some ducklings (actually I think they might have been chicks) in a super cheesy basket

In the Fuller Family we have a tradition of giving each other "fee-better-duckies" (usually a stuffed toy) my Dad gave Jenny one first after some bad sickness and named it the feel-better-duckie. The cute name and idea stuck . I wanted to share this tradition with Elisabeth and giver her a little get well gift. The puzzle wasn't cute enough for my standard so I decorated and personalised the back. I was happy with how it turned out.

As I finished creating a crayon masterpiece my supportive husband removed a hot dog from the package. He then placed it on a plate then proceeded to to microwave hit the 30 seconds button then enjoyed a late night snack as he mumbled, "Hey Blog this!"

For Fathers day I had another cute idea. I took a regular silk, tie and let the kids decorate the front with fabric paint. I think it turned out very cute. Then I painted the back, that was aslo cute but made it hard to tie.

As I was getting out the camera Katie kept complaining about the invisible ouwie on her foot. When she saw the camera she asked me to take a picture. She brobably would have said "Blog this!" If she knew thats what I do with the pictures.