Welcome to summer

We welcomed in Summer with the usual.

We started with Popsicles. One sunny afternoon we opened a big box of them and decided to share them with the neighbor kids. The street was full of kids riding bikes and writing on the sidewalks with chalk. Everyone was out to enjoy freedom in the sun. So we shared our Popsicles and got lots of smiles in return. Later on in the week we enjoyed a fire pit with the Madrugas in their backyard. It has been a summer tradition since we moved here four years ago. Late nights making smores and telling stories.

This week we hit the American Fork Rec Center pool. Wow the pool was crowded!!! I walked in and was ready to turn around and walk out. The crowd made me nervous.  I get nervous with my girls and water because they don't know how to swim yet. It was noisy and busy and so hard to keep an eye on them while holding Lyla. But I stayed for nearly three hours and the girls had a blast. They played so well together, splashing, going down the slide, jumping in (the little end of course not deep end) and, making new friends. It reminded me of summers with my sisters at the little local YMCA pool in Ridgemont neighborhood of Rowland Heights. I'm so glad my girls are making the same memories.

This year summer is going to be super fantastic. I love summer!!! I love the heat, the sun and its warmth, clear skies, free days, giggles, water splashing, ice cream and everything else that comes with it.

Be involved VOTE

Last weekend we walked with about 100 other Mike Lee supporters at the Orem City parade. It was a blast!  You should have seen Lindsay chanting "I like Mike" with her fist held high in the air!!! She was so cute. Lauren sat on Dans shoulders with her Uncle Sam hat. As much as I despise the dirty side of politics it feels great to be civically minded and involved.

Dear friends,


I promise my husband didn't ask me to do this .

I  just went to early voting! I love to vote, I get a natural high from doing my part as a citizen!! I believe each of our votes do make a difference. So I'm asking each of you to vote for Mike Lee for US Senate.

Here is why...

I have attended several of the senatorial debates and events the past few months. I followed the seven candidates through convention and we are now down to two, Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater. Mike is far more qualified than his opponent! I have personally met with him and find him to be intelligent, prepared, passionate about our Constitution and very honest! Mike Lee is the man! He is a highly educated constitutional attorney but like most of us cruises around town with his kids in a mini van.

Unfortunately his opponent has sent several attack ads, paid for endorsements (yuck) and lied. The opponent claims to be a small business man but he isn't...he has taken millions of dollars of government money for his "small" business and sent it to Mexico and Indonesia. He seemed like a nice enough guy but the truth is coming out. It is embarrassing how ugly politics can be. :-(  Tim Bridgewater has donated nearly $400,000 of his personal money to his campaign. Yet he continuously cries out that he is just a small town boy from a double wide. Make me barf! He also is dragging Cherilyn Eager around as his pathetic side kick. Let me tell you she is one mean lady! She even admits it while parading around with a sticker that says "nice women don't get ahead".

Mike Lee is who you want to vote for!!!!

Mike Lee is a pro life Republican
He doesn't like BIG government telling us what to do
He opposes government bailouts
He has never worked as a lobbyist
Supports the 2ND Amendment gun rights
Supports lowering taxes
Opposes amnesty
Fights to protect Utah's lands and water from federal encroachment
Wants to balance the budget and reduce national debt.
He has ran a clean campaign
I trust him
Log onto his website and read issues for more details

Mike Lee has been endorsed by
Steven Covey
Attorney general Mark Shurtleff
Governor Norm Bangerter
Representative Jim Hansen
Utah Senator Mark Madsen
Mark Levin - radio host
Carl Wimmer – Patrick Henry Caucus Co-Founder
Freedomworks
Republican Liberty Caucus
ALL of the 912 tea party groups
and more!!!!!!! check out the website to read more than 50 additional endorsements www.MikeLee2010.com


Forward to everyone you know who cares enough to vote.

Please join me and
vote for Mike Lee!
Early voting is now
through June 18
Election day is Tuesday June 22

www.MikeLee2010.com

facebook.com/mikelee2010

best friends

Lauren Kay & Lindsay Jane

Best friends and sisters

Roses are red

Violets are blue

I'll be your best friend

If you'll be mine too!

He is not finished with me yet

Here is my prayer for today, that I may remember God is not finished with me yet. I have a long way to go but he will never leave me. So I need to be patient with myself.  Its OK that I m not perfect or anywhere near perfect!  Hes not finished with me yet, words from a song, Wait and See, by christian artist Brandon Heath. I love it. It reminds me that my Father in Heaven is not finished with me. I'm living this life to grow closer to him and to become a better person but I am a work in a progress!

I'm the last one to drop my kids off at school..I wish I was on time.
My house is a mess. I clean it, but I wake up and it looks like a pig pen. How does this happen. Do I have mid-night ghost who makes a mess while we sleep?
I feel like I don't do enough good things with my kids and let them watch too much TV.
Dinner is not on the table at dinner time often enough.  Wouldn't it be nice to have the table set and a healthy meal at 5pm every day. I am capable of this but why is it not happening?
I could be saying my prayers more regularly and getting to church on time.
My husband and I never spend enough time together. I know he wants to but he is just too busy.
The baby won't sleep through the night and I'm tired.
I can never make decisions. Why can't I just decide and move on.
I have art work to hang in the pink bathroom. I bought it one year ago...it is STILL in the bag!!!!
Why can't I be more like Martha Stewart??? :-)
Why are my Mothers Day cards still stamped and on the table one week after the holiday..oops!
I love my life and love my family !!! At times I feel elated but at others defeated.  So when I heard the words to this song I knew I needed to sing it out loud. There is hope for me yet!



Lyrics to Wait And See :


I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive
I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right
There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet
I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright
I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth
There is hope for me yetStill wondering why I’m here
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something
So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight
I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight


There might be a day I finally get it right... or not.  But there is hope for me yet, because God won't forget all the plans for me.  Hes not finished with me yet.  The Lord is up to something. I'm not here for nothing. All I gotta do is hold on tight.

It is OK that I'm not perfect. This song uplifts me even when I'm feeling down. So thankful for good music!!!!

puppy love

I love the scent of my baby. It is like the way a new puppy has a certain little scent. She smells so good... that is except for her diapers! I love the nuzzle into her warm baby soft skin and just take a deep breath. I love kissing her little lips, her forehead and the back of her head. She smells so yummy and is so fun to cuddle with. I'm absolutely in love with her!

Laurens first day!

Oh, the first day of school!!!! It wasn't so hard I only got teary eyed for a few minutes. Lauren is ready for school. She is so smart and confident and makes friends so easily. So we have nothing to be worried about. I just wish she was a baby for a few more minutes and then may be two or three years old for a little while longer. She is growing up so fast now. She doesn't even have a baby face any longer. I miss her sweet little cheeks. But we are equally excited to see her grow.

She is so proud of her new backpack! We went shopping together for new school clothes, ribbons for her hair and her backpack. I let her pick out a few things but she had limited choices since she is wearing a uniform. Dan is very excited about uniforms! I made all of the bows and let the girls help. She is attending a charter school called Mountainville Academy. We have only heard great things about this school and hope that we will be happy with our kids going here.

Daddy and his girl share a hug!

None of the parents wanted to leave! After 15 minutes the teacher Mrs. Powell said "OK parents you can leave now" . Here is Lauren saying goodbye and off we went leaving our first born to her first day of school.

Lindsay back in preschool

The little bear is back in preschool. She has returned to Learning Dynamics and has Mrs. Bailey, Laurens first preschool teacher. We love Mrs. Bailey! Here is a few photos of Lindsay on her first day back at school. Isn't she so darn cute! She wore a new dress that she picked out herself and Gorgeous Grammy Wanda paid for it. Lauren wanted to walk her to class and say hi to her former teacher. Lindsay is reading simple words and writing better than she was last year so I think she has a head start on school this year. We are proud of her.

Family in town...for good!

After a year of deliberation and trying to sell their home the Hauser family finally arrived in Alpine...for good! Marc, Kelle and Sidney have settled in.

Five Crowns Ranch in La Cresta (Murrieta ) CA, sold on June 1st. June 1st was the day about a year ago that Kelle prayed it would be sold, if it be Gods will. Several families looked at the home over the past year but both the first and second offer didn't come until June! Since it took so long to sell the Hausers had already decided to stay in Murrieta until Sidney finished her last three years of school. While looking for a new place to call home in Murrieta, they found one they really liked and coincidentally the owners had relocated to Alpine, Utah. So Marc and Kelle decided to reconsider Alpine and now here they are! Sidney started school this week and has already made friends. They are currently living in Kay's home and will take over a portion of the mortgage. Kay has originally had her home listed but with this market it wasn't moving. So this is a situation that works best for everyone.

We couldn't be happier to have additional family right here in town with us. It is going to be wonderful to share more holidays, birthdays, dinners, Taco Tuesdays, having them at soccer games, dance performance's, etc. We have already enjoyed a few picnics in American Fork Canyon and see each other often during the week. Tonight we are celebrating Kelles birthday with an enchilada feast and a chocolate cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes".

Good times ahead!

Gone Fishing

Uncle Marc helping Lauren

Nana relaxing

Lauren and Lindsay had been asking for months that Dan take them fishing. Dan doesn't even own a fishing pole so I don't know where they came up with the idea that he should take them on a fishing trip. But they pressed on the subject so I promised them that he would . I thought may be we could drive up to one of the local lakes and tie a string on a rope or something. Then Auntie Cheryl sent Lindsay a gift card to Toys R Us for her birthday. Lindsay told Lauren she wanted to share it with her so she wouldn't feel left out on her shopping spree. They both picked out child size plastic fishing poles. Lauren choose a pink Disney princess pole and Lindsay choose a pink Barbie pole. The girls carried them everywhere for two weeks! About a month later we packed a picnic and drove up American fork Canyon near a stream. The girls dropped their wire in the stream and just waited. The next thing you now two scruffy fishermen showed up with live bait and poles. The kids were in awe. One of them could see Laurens excitement so he let her reel in nearly a dozen of his fish! Lindsay preferred to watch. It was perfect timing and they had so much fun.

Laurens first soccer game

Lauren played in her first soccer game tonight, Tuesday August 11Th, at a park in American Fork. It was so cute!

For the millionth time I watched her and thought she is the cutest girl ever (Lindsay too). Since they were each born I have loved every stage of their little lives. I always think they couldn't be any cuter and then another day comes and I think it all over again.

I signed her up for soccer last week. The teams had already formed so she missed the first practice. She hadn't met anyone on her team until tonight. You would have never known. She ran enthusiastically onto the field and by half time had made new friends. She was jumpy and giggly and holding hands with some of the girls. When it came to playing she took over the field, chased the ball and even scored a goal. I'm not sure if she even realized it. In fact all of the girls stood around waiting for the goalie to pick up the ball. None of them realized they had scored. I'm not sure if at this age the coaches even keep score. Her all girl team is adorable. Their shirts are orange and they are calling the team "The little cuties" after clementine oranges. Lauren is already talking about her next game and practice. I'm so glad she is loving sports.

socialism and hypnosis

I tried to give this guy a chance. I stayed quiet for the past six months and had hope for him and our country. It has become very clear to me why his approval rating is dropping.

Socialism scares me. I am OK with change especially change for the better but I still value good old fashion American values. I think Obama hates America. I have traveled and lived in Russia and China. I know what we have in America is a good thing, not perfect but really good! This is God's country and we are blessed with freedoms that may be slowly taken away right before our very eyes. And the sad part is that uneducated as well as educated but unaware Americans voted for it. They were fooled! Hope or hypnosis?

Why does he think its OK for people to be lazy and let one economic class pay for everything? Why does he call police officers stupid? Why does he spend tax payer dollars on a beer social to mend his "stupid" mistakes? How do we in this day and time have a racist president? Why is he so secretive about his past? Why is he so arrogant? Why doesn't he want to the government to use his new Obama care...its good enough for the people but not our leaders? How does he justify handing over our business to China? How can he explain the benefit of a cap and trade that will only cost the people more money? Why does he apologize to our enemies? Why doesn't he love America?

"You are absolutely right that I can't cover another 46 million for free, you're right. So we're going to have to find some resources. We're going to have to have some money from somewhere." President Obama

I know where it is coming from. The working upper class who already pays for everything. Don't include me in that group...I'm broke this year. I still think its unfair to make one social group of people pay the countries bills. And when that isn't enough he wants to print up more money, put us into a deeper debt and make our children pay for it. He wants to take over the auto industry, health care, financial institutions and what ever else he can get his hands on. No thanks!

I copied these articles.

This "socialism-lite," however, is as specious as is classic socialism. And its insidious nature makes it even more dangerous. Across Europe, this "mild" form of socialism acts as a parasitic ideology that has slowly drained entrepreneurial energy – and freedoms – from its free-market host.

Could it happen in America? Consider the words of longtime Socialist Party of America presidential candidate Norman Thomas: "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened." In addition to Medicare, Social Security, and other entitlement programs, the gathering political momentum toward single-payer healthcare – which Obama has proclaimed is his ultimate goal – shows the prescience of Thomas's words.

The fact that each of us depends upon the efforts of millions of others does not mean that some "society" transcending individuals produces our prosperity. Rather, it means that the vast system of voluntary market exchange coordinates remarkably well the efforts of millions of individuals into a productive whole. For Obama to suggest that government interfere in this process more than it already does – to "spread" wealth from Joe to Bill, or vice versa – overlooks not only the voluntary and individual origins of wealth, but the dampening of the incentives for people to contribute energetically to wealth's continued production.

• Donald J. Boudreaux is professor of economics at George Mason University. He is the author of "Globalization."


AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA By Lou Pritchett Dear President Obama: You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me. You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you. You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support. You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American. You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll. You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core. You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others. You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail. You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America' crowd and deliver this message abroad. You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector. You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one. You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves. You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world. You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations. You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals. You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people. You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient. You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do. You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view. You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing. Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

Note: Lou Pritchett is a former vice president of Procter & Gamble whose career at that company spanned 36 years before his retirement in 1989, and he is the author of the 1995 business book, Stop Paddling & Start Rocking the Boat. Mr. Pritchett confirmed that he was indeed the author of the much-circulated "open letter." “I did write the 'you scare me' letter. I sent it to the NY Times but they never acknowledged or published it. However, it hit the internet and according to the ‘experts’ has had over 500,000 hits.

sweet summer

I love summer, I mean I REALLY love summer. I can't think of anything better than sunshine, a light breeze, late sun sets, hikes, gardens, fireworks, fairs, bonfires, playing outdoors, picnics, ice cream, lemonade and the scent of sunscreen. This summer has been fun. We have stayed home for all of it but I'm dreaming to get one California trip in. I don't mind staying home in the summer because no matter where you live summer is full of fun. We have been to the park, pool parties and up the canyon and all of this fun at no cost! The past few weeks I have allowed myself to stress out over the economy and our future in particular the future of my family and home. I feel guilty that I will miss my dads 60Th birthday because its just too expensive to travel right now. I'm also counting down to the arrival of our baby (16 more weeks). I'm going to put all of those thoughts away and just enjoy our last month of the 2009 summer. I'll let my house get messy (or stay messy), forgot about responsibilities and pretend to be young. I'm going to play with my kids all day and eat snow cones. I'm going to cherish every last minute of this summer because once its gone its gone and I'll be in the house for the entire winter with my new baby. I want Lauren and Lindsay to be carefree, sticky and full of laughter for the rest of summer. Time to set up a lemonade stand!!!!

free gift

I copied this from my friends blog and thought it would fun.

"So, here's how it works: the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Come and play!!"

I have no idea what I will make but you are brave if you play because I am no Martha Stewart.

book drive!!

I'm way behind on my blogging/journal! I have typed in several entries dating back to Fall, but not yet posted them. I just have to take the time to download the corresponding photos. But for now I'm excited to write about an upcoming book drive.

My new friend Olivia Votaw, is holding a book drive to raise money for Mothers Without Borders. So cool!!! I'm always thinking of ways to help others but I never do anything about it. But this girl thinks about it and acts on it. I wish I was more like that. I've always wanted to save all of the children in Russian orphanages but I don't know how to do it. I'd also like to help out the homeless, battered and neglected people of the world especially in our own country. Olivia has been taking action and not just sitting on her bum thinking of how bad she feels for those in need. So I'm asking everyone I know to help her out. All of the funds from the book drive will raise money for orphanages in Zambia. Send me a message or email if you can help out. More info is below. Thanks!!!

Used Book Drive and Bake Sale
to Benefit Mothers Without Borders
• Prices ranging from $2 - $4.
• Monetary donations are also
gratefully accepted.
• Cash only please.
For more information or to volunteer,
contact Olivia Votaw at 801.766.8934,
or Olivia@oliviavotaw.com.
Please donate your GENTLY-USED books, DVD’s and videos.
The books should have no torn pages or watermarks and all
items should be in sellable condition.
The books will be sold to the public on Saturday, May 2.
ALL the proceeds from the sale will go to purchasing new books
for children in an orphanage in Zambia, Africa.
Please support this worthy effort!
Collection dates:
• All through March and April
• (Call for pick ups)
Sale date and location:
• Saturday, May 2
• 10:00 AM - 5:00 P.M.
Location:
• 60 West Main St.
Lehi 84043
(Right off of I-15)

Lauren is five!

I love my girl Lauren. I loved her the first time I saw her tiny little heart beat on the ultrasound when I was six weeks pregnant. She has been cute every since then. She is one of my best friends and I can't imagine life without her. When she was a baby people would stop me everywhere to gaze at her beautiful little face, big blue eyes, dark hair and ivory complexion. Things haven't changed much. She is still beautiful but now with attitude as well as a lot of love! Oh well. I kind of get teary when I thought about her turning 5. She will be starting kindergarten this year and she is ready. What happened to my baby? She is all grown up, the big sister, likes to help me cook, knows how to read, learning to tie her shoes and tell time. This can't be happening. I asked her what her favorite things are and this is what she said, "My birthday party was about my Nana and Papa here! They had the cutest stuff ever at my birthday party. One day Papa had a new idea and he made a ball and a stick and rolled it down and was almost tired so he stopped and Nana do it and didn't know not how to do it so Papa showed her how to twist it in the right spot and play ball". I guess she likes her Nana and Papa. She likes the color blue the best but also likes red and yellow. She loves watermelon, pizza, bean burritos, apples, blueberries and cantaloupe. Her favorite toy is her cat and lamb beanie babies.

We had a big birthday celebration for her. Her birth date is near Valentines day so we decided to have a sweetheart party. She invited boys and girls. We played musical chairs and other games, we ate lunch and pink cupcakes then opened her presents. Lunch was pb&j sandwiches on pink bread cut into shapes of hearts, fresh fruit, pink and red candy and pink rice krispie treats. The windows were covered in big pink, red and white streamers, ribbons and hearts. The table was covered in valentines heart candies and pink tulle. It was fancy and cute. She loved it.