Christmas is tight this year

To each of our dear friends and family,

This is somewhat embarrassing to admit. Sean is not getting his annual bonus, so Christmas is tight this year. We are choosing to make the most of our situation, and will be giving homemade Christmas gifts.

I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. I think you would agree that this is a great idea. If you would like to do the same, I've included the slipper instructions below.



Bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair. Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part. The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top. Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part. Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are: * Soft and Hygienic * Non-slip grip strips on the soles * Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh * No more bending over to mop up spills * Disposable and biodegradable * Environmentally safe *

Three convenient sizes: (1.) Regular, (2.) Light and (3.) Get out the Sand Bags. I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself.... Awaiting your res ponse. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

A good laugh is the real gift---Merry Christmas!!!!!

The icing on the Cake!

When Emily left for preschool today, I though..."Wow her outfit can't get any more hillarious! I guess I was wrong.

She leaves for preschool wearing a glow in the dark skeleton shirt, yellow flower stretch pants (I chose those), and yes Buzz Lightyear moonboots that light up! As funny as this is, I do think it is one of the things that make Emily who she is. She truly is a joy to have in our home.

Doesn't this photo of a cute little blond preschooler just scream

"Merry Christmas!"

Update

Hey guys,
It has been a while. Many of you know that I have had a rough week and and a half. Last Wednesday I blacked out and had a seizure while I was running errands. I was really confused about what happened, but luckily Jaron was with me, so we were able to piece together some info.
Both the EEG and MRI came back clean, so I am fine. The doctor thinks the problem was likely a migrane, or possible stress related. I have been cleared to drive again! Hallellujah! You never realize the little things you take for granted until you cannot do them.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their love and prayers. I really appreciate you. Sean was gone on a flight for a few days. We was very sweet and helpful to me. Gail came up and stayed with me to take care of the kids. Dianne stayed a couple days and a night with me. My mom was able to help a day and a night. Each of you eased my mind by taking such good care of my children! I cannot thank you enough!!! The kids were wonderful.
Anne and Tandy helped me with the kids so I could go to doctor appointments. Melody and Anne took up my slack on carpool. Melody also made the best meal for us one night. You guys are awesome, and I totally owe each of you a lot. Please let me know when I can return the favor.

We are doing good

I am so greatful for good friends who love and care about us. I recieved a couple e-mails last night saying "you have not posted to your blog for a long time, are you alright." Knowing of your concern means the world to me. Thank you.
We are doing well. Sean has been busy with work, I have been trying to keep the home in order, Nate is enjoying school, Jaron is making improvements at school, and is enrolled in an after school reading program, and Emily is loving her preschool--it is awesome.
Some days I could spend the whole day blogging, and I feel that there are so many momentous things each day. Lately, I have just been absorbing the moments. We have been having FHE, scripture study, and family prayers as a family. This is a relatively new thing for us. We are totally loving it, all of us. I think that by having this extra time together as a family had given me a lot to think about. Am I living up to my potential, am I showing my family how much I love them, am I truly "working" while I am home with the kids, what do I truly value in life. I am greatful for this time in life to really reflect upon mysel and my values.
So, That is what I have been doing instead of keeping my blog current. I am sure that when I have some of these questions answered, I will be back to blogging up a storm. Until then, please know how much I love you, and while I may not be checking blogs or updating, YOU are in my thoughts and prayers continually!
Love, Michelle

Halloween Day 2008

The boys were out of school on Halloween day. They helped me run errands. I took them to Inkleys so Eric could take thier photo for me. Each year he sets up a Halloween scene, and takes photos. It has become a tradition.
Before school started this year I went shopping with some neighborhood friends in Park city. We had a blast! We decided that we would buy all of our kids matching shirts for a Halloween gifts. The Hardy, Ellis, Jones, Ramsey, Mecham, and Gordon kids all had these shirts. (22 kids total)---We need to get a photo of them all together in these shirts girls!
Well, there it is. The Gordon kids traditional Halloween photo 2008.

Lessons learned at FHE

Our family has been doing a lot better at having FHE lately. We have loved it. It is so fun to see what the kids know and feel. However I wonder....did we wait to long to start. Last Monday Jaron was in charge of the lesson. Our activity was planned. We had been "Booed", so we needed to deliver goody plates to at least 2 neighbors. As I was helping Jaron decided what he wanted the lesson to be on...Faith, Babtism, Repentance, etc, his eyes lit up on "Holy Ghost."
Jaron: "Ya, Mom! That's what I want to do! The Holy Ghost for Halloween!"
I could quickly see where this was going. So I called in reinforcements.
Me: "Sean, Jaron wants to have the lesson on the holy ghost."
Seans reply: "Great."
Me: "Do you really think that that is appropriate for the week of Halloween?"
Sean: rolling his eyes at me "YES!"
Jaron: moving towards Sean with his arms outstreched and fingers wiggling "OOOhhh, I'm the holy ghost...Oohhh! "
Me: "Well, you approved it!" *smile*

That night at the end of our Holy Ghost FHE lesson. Emily informed us that when Jesus was babtised, the Holy Ghost decended in the form of a DUCK. I knew it was a bird, but I always thought it was a DOVE. Good thing we are having Family Home Evening! Sounds like we need a lot of clarification!

Happy HOWLoween Emily!

Today Emily had her preschool Halloween Party! They trick or treat to the parents, and put on a little program. They do 5 little pumpkins and dance "The monster mash". It was so cute. Tammy does such a wonderful job! I am so happy that she gets to go to Tammys preschool. She loves Mrs. Tammy and all the cute little kids. She always comes home so happy.

Emily was so funny today, because she wanted to be Batman! I just couln't send her as the only girl superhero. I figured the witch costume was a good compromise. It was unfrilly, and not a princess. Plus I was cutting 10 minutes before--no frilly apron, very little along the neck, no bows etc....

Sweet little Emily was a good sport. She tried to participate in the program for a while. But had daddy hold her because she had a sick stomach. When we got home, she got a temperature, and took a little rest. She has just started whining, so I better go hold her.

7 Facts about me

Here are the rules:

1.Link to the person who tagged you and post these rules on your post. (I don't really know how to do this, but I will try)

2.Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.

3.Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.

4.Comment to the people you've tagged and let them know they've been tagged.



Alright then, here I go......



1. I have skydived and bungee jumped! **Bungee jumping is worse, you have to worry about going down, AND going UP!**


2. I love to sing, BUT I am not too good:)

3. When I am shopping, I am the cheapest person in the world.

4. I love garlic. Pickled garlic, roasted garlic at Johnny Carinos, and Buddys salad!


5. I am a momma bear...Don't mess with my cubs!

6. I love to organize events, but my personal paperwork is a mess!

7. I have never been a runner...EVER! But in my mind I run all the time (like in marathons and stuff), and I LOVE the feeling!

Okay, so those are 7 things about me. Am I just too weird? Can we still be friends? Now I want to hear about you so I can decide if I can be friends with you! Just kidding....No really take the tag challenge!

Memories

I thought this looked like fun so I posted a few memories on a couple of my friends blogs who are doing this and decided to try it on mine.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew 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. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses.If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog then you are a party pooper...remember, every party needs one and that is why I invited you! Again...no pressure :)

Poky Pride Never Dies!

Poky Pride Never Dies. This is true. It is funny how we can still feel like we belong in High School. Whenever I am at an event when the Indianettes do their War dance, I still get chills. When I drive by Poky the words "We are loyal to you Poky High..." still come to mind. When I hear the word Highland I still get a little tense. Ya, I know that as an adult I should totally not be admitting to this. Friday night was the 2008 Blue and Black Bowl. Blue for Poky, Black for Highland. We live in the heart of Highland boundries. We moved from the heart of Poky boundries plus I am an alum. In our neighborhood we have former star Highland athletes and women who lead the Highland cheerleaders, not to mention the youth who currently attend.
Jason Ramsey coaches Poky defense and Kim, Tiffany and I all went to Poky. Our kids LOVE Poky, and we joke about how we will have to move so our kids won't go to Highland. Kim decided it would be fun to have a tailgate party before the game and paint faces, and paint hair. It was pretty funny, because the Ellis' both went to Highland, but were good sports and sat with us at the game. Their kids of course like Highland. When they were painting faces, Kymball said: Can you write "highland" across my forehead? Tiffanys daughters looked shocked and said "Ummmm, NO!"

Yes, I did let them put blue and red bows in my hair. (I totally would have let them use paint too, but I was the only adult who even did the bows---didn't TOTALLY want to stand out!) The kids all looked adorable! We had so much fun. Tiffany and I cheered like we did in high school. And all of us were good fans for the first quarter. At half time it was way past bedtime for us old fogies.
It brought back so many fun memories. It also brought back bruises on the back of my calfs! It was wonderful to see the kids have so much fun together. I loved seeing them all dressed up, filled with pride and excitement like I had. And yes, I do have a lot of crow to eat! Word of warning...trash talk is totally overrated....especially when your team does not win!

Last note: You feel really old when you are in the womens bathroom and they say "ladies first" to you....for crying out loud!!!!

Why get a Jack-o-lantern when you have a Jaron

The tooth fairy has visited the Gordon home 2 times this week! Jaron had Mrs. Welch pull his tooth on Thursday, and last night I pulled the second one! (I feel pretty cool, because I have never pulled a tooth before.)

So tonight as I was doing homework with him I looked at him and thought "Man, Jarons smile looks just like a jack-o-lantern smile!" Gotta love Jaron--he has a great personality!