Blakester

The Graduates from CHS, Go Falcons!!!

Blakester and his buddies from school.

Mr. CHS!! Way to go Blake!!

More friends enjoying the refreshments after seminary graduation.

Blakester holding his three-year certificate from JR AFROTC.

Not many years ago our family and friends wondered what we were up too when we decided to add to our family through adoption. A dark haired, dark eyed little boy from a country far away came into our lives at the age 4 1/2. Little did we know then what a great young man he would become and will continue to become. Thanks for putting up with us Blake!!. Blakester was stubborn (fitting of a Carlson) and overcame all the odds against him and proved himself by working hard because he wanted to. Congrats to Blakester. You are truly deserving of all the honors bestowed upon you. We love you....the family.

Thanks

Thanks to my husband and children for their love and support this mother's day. I am blessed to be surrounded by Loving and patient family members. It was so sweet to have teenagers clean the kitchen before and after dinner. I enjoyed the neck massage and brushing of hair by a teenager boy while we watched bride wars and bedtime stories. I appreciated the homemade card and special 'licorice' treat, the spa kit, flowers which the boys picked out all by themselves.
I appreciated my husband for helping to bring it all together and for spending time as a family today. I also enjoyed being able to take a nap. I am mindful of the influence of all the wonderful mothers and mom's in my life. It was great to be able to talk with Grandma O. Thanks to each of my children and husband who also spoke to her. I miss Nila and thought of her today. I am so thankful that she raised such a wonderful son and that he still carries on some of her qualities. (Like finding the Easter candy yesterday that he had bought months ago.) May all mothers and birth mothers and those who nurture children to be their best enjoy this day and everyday of the year.

Taffy Pull

Mr. M has the nickname of "teflon" hands. the taffy rarely sticks to his hands while pulling it.

Clint and Nat showing us how to pull taffy.

opps....that is not coming from where you think. Actually when pulling taffy it is best to not use so much butter. Clint to Nat's rescue.

before and after

the entire right side received some damage.

Wish this was a close up. Lot's of scrapes to the bike, some broken and bent parts.

actually this is the before picture taken about 3 minutes before the mishap occurred. J was just pulling out of the driveway and had started to accelerate when his back tire slipped. He tried to keep the bike from going down but was unlucky there. He put his foot down to try and stop the crash and had no luck with that. Gratefully the bike bounced up and he was able to clear his leg and from there I understand that he flattened out his body and rode with the bike down the road for about thirty feet. He had all of his protective gear on which I am sure help to lessen the injuries to his body. He must have landed on his knee because it was very bruised and swollen with a minor scrape on it. He also has some road rash on his side which is now healing nicely and a sore foot. Not a fun ordeal, especially because he just had detailed the bike and is trying to sell it. Only body damage to the bike and it can be fixed. Quoting Josh, "My bike can be replaced but my life can't."

Prom 2009

It was a very poofy dress. Steak dinner served at our favorite restaurant....home.

Posing with Mr. B before he leaves to pick up his date.

Weird Dream

I very seldom remember my dreams and wish that sometimes I would just keep a pad of paper and pen handy to record some of them. However, this morning it is different. I decided to come and post it quickly before I forgot it. Now this dream isn't extraordinary but remembering it is!! I'm still pretty young but at times I've sure got that old-timers things going on and I forget a lot. Watch out children you may have to start taking care of me in a few years. HA HA

I am at a security checkpoint, the kind that you would find at an airport. I am going through this check point hoping to meet up with my family and friends who are waiting nearby at the Chuck-a-rama. (I worked there for 2 and one half years while in high school) I go down the escalator and through the check point, take off my shoes that have a teal stripe in them and go through the x-ray machine. Upon my exit I go to find my shoes and discover that they are not there. I am then sent to the "pile" to look through. This is the place where people leave their belongings behind. In my mind I'm thinking who would leave their stuff behind at a security check point? Strange. I look around to discover baby clothes, shoes, blankets and other items.
No shoes. I ask someone for help and I'm directed upstairs to where they take the leftovers and sort through them. Upon my arrival at this point I find that everything is neatly stacked and now all the shoes are paired up and in boxes, the clothes have all been folded. I look and look and cannot find my shoes. I'm told that I will not leave without shoes. That's real assuring to know that I can pick someone else's shoes. Where are my shoes? I search and search. About this time I am half awake and half sleeping and I'm cannot even remember what shoes I had on. I had looked at so many of them I was really losing my mind. Were they my old camping tennis shoes? Or were they my teal pearl izumi shoes that squeak when I walk. I determined they were not there so I kept going down the escalator looking and up to the other area and look. I repeated this cycle several times. Yeah it's like one of the those dreams that you keep going in circles or running and can never catch up to your destination. Finally I was allowed into another area.....this time it was the area where the employees stash the good stuff that has been left behind. I asked a lady if they were going to donate this to charity or just claim it for themselves? I was told that I was rude. The ladies all had black wigs on and looked alike in this area. Why? I don't know, they reminded me of Diana Ross and Supremes. I was finally given a pair of shoes. They didn't match of course. I had one white thin looking type of my left foot and then on my right foot I was wearing a gold adidas shoe. They were too small and at that point I heard my cell phone beep and that was what woke me up. Weird

Conclusion:
I don't really care about shoes and maybe I should purchase some new casual shoes for work.
I went to a baby shower last night and there were lots of clothes and blankets.
I can never catch up with my mind.

Link to sneak peek!!

Here is the link to see more of the photos our sweet Sushi-Mama took of our family.http://www.blessedlifephoto.blogspot.com Enjoy.

Picture Day Fun

Just some of the candid shots from our fun family pictures taken on our anniversary. More to come. Thanks again Julie for doing this for our family. Love to al

Happy St. Patricks Day

On this day 26 years ago, Fred and I were in Boston celebrating St. Patricks Day and on our honeymoon. It was alot of fun and I enjoy wearing the green on this day. At a public school there is much excitement and the kids are happy (well if they don't get pinched) and involved in many "lucky" activities. Our family feels a special connection on this day as Fred served his mission in Ireland. This morning, the Today Show was broadcasting from Ireland and I'm sure Fred would have loved to have seen all the beauty of the country.

I like to wear some green and have a special headband that has beaded shamrocks on it. When I wear it I look like I have two green ears on top of my head. The students love it and it's just a fun tradition. Today one of the kindergartners asked me what was on my head and I responded that I was wearing shamrocks. His comment back to me was, "You look like a forest!" Funny, Funny, funny. Never been told I looked like a forest before. I hope that all of you have some luck in your day. Happy St. Patricks Day.

Celebrating 26 years together.

Well he still loves me even if I snore loud at night and wake him up.
He still loves me when I forget where I put his papers.
He still loves me and let's me have scrapbooking shopping sprees.
He is patient when I roll his four=wheeler.
He is even more patient when I drew out a deer tag on Deseret Lands and we only hunted there for a few hours.
He loves me even if I can't see when backing up and I hit a red car and smashed the window to the camper shell.
He still loves me even if I can't pull a car out of snow and can't hear him yelling to stop cause the car door is open and I'm pulling it in the oppositive direction.
He loves me even if I ask him several times to repeat what he just said.
He loves me in spite of trying to run a fireworks business and we didn't agree. Sorry to neighbors and family over that one.
I love it that he calls me the boss, because I really am.
I appreciate that he lets me color my gray hair.
We may not see agree on many things. One thing is for certain. We've managed to love each other through everything for 26 years and look forward to eternity.

Happy Anniversary Fred. I love you more today than ever before.

A special thanks to Julie for helping to capture this day on film. It was so great. I really appreciate all of your efforts. The best gift today was being together with family. I love you all and may you be as blessed as Fred and I are.

Are you Game?

(To all my talented friends and family members. No more hiding behind the "I don't have talent or I don't Have the time to do something for someone else! Join this challenge. I am really excited and hope you will be to. Get the creative juices flowing and follow the rules below. What a great way to share with others!!! ....Thanks, Char)


ARE YOU GAME?
The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:
1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year
4- You have no clue what it's going to be.
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.


The catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Who's in?

Thanks to Crazytown and her friend Angela for the idea. This sounds like fun.

PS I love to craft. I love to sew, scrapbook and do other handiwork. I've got some great ideas and my youngest wants to help thus creating another bonus of bonding time with her.....so come on you can do it to!!! for Baker4...yeah I can do guy things to!!!!

Look at those sad eyes

I hardly get any time to blog anymore. When I come home from work the teenagers want to use the computer, when they are done Derf is home and he gets on the computer and stays for hours. He used to complain that I was always on the computer. NoT.....people Derf is a ebay junkie. Anyhow as I try and squeeze a post in this morning I am brain dead and only have an update of the dog. Now don't get me wrong she has bonded to her best friend quite well and is back to her old tricks. We really liked it and didn't like it when she was so sick. Here is a picture of poor Limmie after a visit to the vet. Look at her sad eyes, she is really looking for some major sympathy. She did not like the bandage on her leg and it was a matter of minutes before the cotton ball was out and then she chewed away at the wrap. That didn't take long either. This morning she is whining due to the fact that derf went to work. She goes to the window looks, she waits at the door, she goes down the hall and scratches at our door to see if he is there. No luck Limmie you are stuck with me. Poor, sad, dog. not really. She is getting as spoiled as the rest.
Happy Day. PS....We have new callings. Ward activities Chairpeople. Send any successful ideas our way. We'll be needing them.

Happy Birthday Kallee

singing? pretending to sing? Yeah for Kallee

Duncan's family

Josh loves to call Kallee goofer

celebrating Kallee's birthday !! Both families came together. Now the list:

23 reasons to love Kallee

1. Your name is fun to say backwards and will get your attention in a crowd. eellak

2. You have been a songbird from a very little age and have provided us with much entertainment.

3. You are happy (most the time) and love to laugh.

4. You are a good cook.

5. I love the rerun movies that you and Josh do

6. You created lots of fun home movies shows for us to watch.

7. You were blessed with "power" to marry josh and jerrica when they were five. You then decided to give your brother a blessing. funny memory

8. You and Nat were able to dress your brother up in bras and skirts and then get him to dance with you on the fireplace hearth.

9. You are great with children.

10. You were our tom-boy turned beauty.

11. You are a very tough player on the soccer field.

12. You put up with your dad being your coach and held your own.

13. You've always had strong desires to do what was right.

14. You married Mr. Right and we are very grateful he is taking good care of you.

15. You still love us in spite of what happened to the bug

16. You have a beautiful voice.

17. You style hair for others and don't charge for it.

18. You like to be silly and can get away with it. When I try it I'm booooooood.

19. You can stop the chaos if needed

20. You love to shop til you drop.

21. You love Disneyland and CAMping and Hawaii and to travel

22. You know your Heavenly Father loves you. I know you love him.

23. Any hair style looks good on you. I'm so jealous.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

It's a fun reading day for everyone. Today is Theodore Seuss Geisel's birthday aka Dr. Suess.
For some fun activities for kids visit www.seussville.com for some games and story making. Also it is fun to go to www.grinched.com move the magnifier around and find city hall, click on that and enter Whoville. You will be able to type in your name and find out what your "Whoville" name is. Today I am Cartoon Charlene Conga-loo-who.

I love the book "Oh the Thinks you can think" by Dr. Seuss. To encourage children to read I created this poem many years ago.

Oh the Thinks you can Think
when reading a book,
Think of the characters,
the setting, the scnook,
You can think of predictions if only you try.
Think up all types of questions that begin with the word Why.
You can think up a great summary and read many words,
Think about endings, the vowels and the verbs,
Think, Think, Think
then Believe in Yourself!
Now one, two, get ready
Grab that book from the shelf


Have fun and read a Dr. Seuss book today!!!

A little bit here and there

Yesterday as I came to work there was a darling handwritten note left by a student that I work with. He is a first grader and has been a little spit fire lately. I mentioned to his classroom teacher that he sure has been talking alot. Most first graders have to tell you all about their mornings, how so and so spit on them, that their mommy and their step mommy are having babies today, they explain when they are sad or that they have to move because their mommy and daddy can't live in the same house anymore. Those kind of stories break my heart. I hear many stories each day.

I don't always get a note and this note is not anything extraordinary. (Except that his handwriting has improved so much) But he saw it sitting on my desk and was so excited that I had seen it and proudly pointed it out to me. It reads: Dear Mrs. Carlson, I am sorry that I have not been behavins. I will talk less! I don't always get a letter of apology. I could tell that someone had talked with him and I thought that it had been his teacher. I was surprised when his mother came with him to my class to make sure that he was behaving. I appreciated this little stinker!!!

It really works well for children when there is support at home. I agreed with Obama with what he said last night with regard to parents and education. I do see everyday the positive outcomes of parents who take an active role in helping children with their homework and other aspects of education. It really does make a difference.
(I'm sure my nephew will elaborate more on his speech in a more eloquent way than myself.)

Happy Birthday Natalie

Twenty five reasons to love Natalie:

1. you were the first born and therefore have certain rights and responsibilities.

2. You are beautiful

3. You spread sunshine to everyone around you.

4. You set a great example for the rest of the family.

5. You love to be happy and choose this for yourself.

6. You put up with your family and still love us.

7. You are married to Clint

8. You study hard and work hard for what you want to achieve

9. You love your friends and cherish every moment with them.

10. You show respect for others

11. You are kind and loving

12. You give of your time wisely

13. You love your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.

14. You share your love of the gospel with others

15 You love to go camping and to hike with your hubby and dad

16. You have great style

17. You share your talents with others around you and plan "craft nights" so we can finish projects.

18. You are very creative

19. You were very good at dressing up your brother when he was little..and can still torment him and he will smile.

20. You love to share what you are learning with others so they will benefit from what you know.

21. You are adventurous and willing to try new things.

22. You are a fan of Costco and Roberts

23. You love to laugh often

24. You have a concealed weapons permit and will protect us!!

25. Why? Because you are Natalie, who came from heaven to bless our lives and that's exactly what you do!! We are blessed. We love you.

Note: I had written some facts about Natalie's birth and she jokingly said, "I don't want to know the details of my birth (or something like that) she wanted to know about her. So in my own way I have tried to share with why we love Natalie.

For Rent......NOT

If you are a frequent reader of this blog you are aware of the drunk lady on our porch on New Year's Eve and you may recall that strange events occur at our household. Tonight was no exception. The girls were busy and using their creative energy while Dunk was surfing the net. The phone rang and I picked it up and the person on the other end was asking for Derf and about the ad that was on ksl.com. I inquired further and asked what number was she calling and she confirmed our number, she also gave me our address and indicated that our home was in the classifieds and was being advertised as being available for rent for $300.00. Dunk got on ksl and sure enough a ad had been placed with details about our home, that they could call day or night or even come by anytime. At first it was funny but then I didn't like the part that said they could drop by anytime. Dunk reported it as a scam, we emailed the seller (don't know who it is) and finally after about 20 calls he and our neighbor were able to contact ksl via email. During this time I decided that a phone call to the police department would not hurt. We now had had a car stop and they were looking at our home. A police report has been filed and we have a case number assigned. It may take a few days for it to drop. So sorry there are no rental deals in our neck of the woods. Our neighbors just laugh at us. One said, "every time I come over here something happens"
What kind of adventure did you have at your house this week?

George Washington Medal of Honor #2

Blake with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa is a World War II Veteran. All veterans were also recognized today.

The Governor was not able to attend. During this moment they are reading Blakes essay to the audience.

A special escort to the awards area.

Proud parent moment.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin. A great Kodak moment without all the fuss of other people around.

Today we celebrated with Blake. He entered a contest through the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge. His essay was the best in the nation in the youth military category for the second year in a row. This organization is all about recognizing individuals and groups who promote freedom and their mission is to keep the spirit of freedom alive in all Americans. I highly recommend your support to this great organization. The American Spirit was truly alive and thriving today. Thanks to all who came and supported us. A special shout out to Gosha for becoming an American Citizen today also. We congratulate you. God Bless America!!!!!

THE REUNION AND THE STORY WITH LIMMIE

Back home ..... she loves to play with tennis balls

She just had to be on Fred's lap or under someone's feet all night.

A little blurry but Daddy is getting lot's of doggy kisses.

I'm home and never want to go to the cement house again. Cold and lonely.

Like I said she has to be on Fred. Poor K gets jumped on like she's another dog and Limmie is attracted to her. Funny but not funny.


SWEET REUNION STORY:

Fred and Limmie had been hanging out together for most of Friday afternoon. She had been tethered for some of the time due to her young age and not being fully trained to stay put. I believe Fred had taken her with him in and out of the house while he was fixing a bicycle. I get this part mixed up...he let go of her leash and had his back turned or he went in the house for a brief moment. Usually she would just go in the back or play in the trees. This time she took off. She hadn't been gone too long when Fred had gotten on his bike and went looking for her (time she left was at 4:00 pm.. we later learned that she had been picked up at 4 45 pm). No luck. As you may have read in an earlier post we were upset. IT has been a big learning experience and we have not done the best to be patient with her. However, not seeing her in the house or hearing her little feet cross the floor was very sad. She has become part of our lives and we missed her very much. Fred went door to door asking if people had seen her. WE even put a large sign in our big windows asking if people had seen our beagle. On Saturday, while at a wedding reception, our neighbors the Humes, who knew Limmie had mentioned that they had seen animal control in the area on Friday. Fred became very hopeful that she had been picked up by them. I was still a little skeptical that she had been stolen as we had had two golden retrievers that had been stolen a few years back. We called animal control and the sheriff's department but they were of no help and due to the holiday weekend we had to wait until today, Tuesday to check to see if she was there. Apparently the reunion between Dog and Man was very sweet. Fred paid the fees...not cheap but worth it and headed out the door, Miss Limmie was so determined to get out of the cement house she nearly pulled him all the way to the car. In the car she had to be next to him and he says she just kept kissing him. Meanwhile, Little K was sick and I went and picked her up at school. We couldn't reach Fred so as we got home we could see little doggy prints in the snow and I couldn't get the door opened fast enough. There she was in her kennel, acting scared. WE immediately got her out (Fred had gone back to work) and played with her for a while. WE've noticed that she has a cough, so if it doesn't get better we are going to take her to the vet. She's been pretty quiet and wants to be with Fred most of all. We are going to be more patient with her. I tutor a student and usually she howls when someone is over, but she didn't today. I started to play the piano and she joined in by howling and singing along. That was way funny. She is resting and I'm sure will be up to her old tricks in record time. One bad habit....she jumps on my leather couch and didn't before. Got to watch that!! So that's our story.

She's been found!!!

Lucky day!! We missed our Limmie but she has been found. Details later. She is wild and running around the house glad to be home.