Sunday, June 16, 2013

Terry"isms"

A couple things you should know before reading this post...

1.  My dad has a potty mouth and he will be quoted {I warned ya}. 
2.  I'm a daddy's girl...so I am a little biased!
3.  It may make you laugh and possibly cry!

I have a dad of many one liners. 

For example, if you complain you are hungry, then you know you are going to hear...
"Are you hungry enough to eat the hind end out of a dead skunk?!'

If you tell him that the weekend is packed with a bunch of family obligations...
"Well kids it looks like we will be having a whole lot of FFF (Forced Family Fun)!"

Feeling frustrated with a friend, neighbor, coworker, etc. 
and you want to complain to my Dad...this would be his advice:
"Tell them they are lucky?!" 
"Why are they lucky, Dad?"
"Cause they can kiss your a** and you can't!!!"

When we were little and we would ask my dad where he was going...every time his answer was.
"To see a man about a horse!" 
(oddly enough he never came home with one but we kept asking him)

Some other good one liners...
"I am going to kick your butt so hard that when you stop rolling your clothes are gonna be out of style!"

"That makes about much sense as a one-legged man butt kicking contest."

"New Mess on The Lawn" aka New Kids On The Block

When my Dad was Bishop I was lucky enough to go to a few of the weddings he performed.  The best advice was given to the groom.  He would usually make the groom turn and stare right into his eyes and make sure he was paying close attention.  

"If Ma's happy.  Everybody is happy.  
If Pa's unhappy...nobody cares!"  

Moral of the story treat your girl right!  Every ones mood plays off ma's!  So keep her happy!

Sometimes he sings inappropriate songs to the grand kids
Birdie Birdie in the sky
let a turdie in my eye
I'm no baby I don't cry
I'm just glad that cows don't fly

And he also shares things he is not supposed to...

When I was trying out for the cheer team when I was 15
He would help me with my back handsprings over and over
With the occasional elbow and knee to his nose

When my toe touches needed to be, (his words) "higher" and "better"
He would get his skis out and put them on me and tell me to keep practicing

He will tell you ALL Icelanders are stubborn and bullheaded.

My dad loves red neck jokes.

Loves his family.

Can totally pull off a purse!

This guy loves music.  

And he has moves!

"Hope" by Shaggy will put him in the best of moods!


Loves to hunt, four wheel, be with his dogs (his other children)!


While growing up my mom would travel, my siblings were all in high school or married, and so my dad would take me to Blockbuster (remember blockbuster ha) and we would rent musicals.  That is where I think we truly bonded.  King and I, Oklahoma, 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, Calamity Jane.  Looking back now I think how patient my dad was...I would ask 308,908 questions during each movie.  Sure, he would tell me to "be quiet" and "just watch you will see what happens!"  But, he still took the time to give me a love for old movies and musicals.  

One of his favorite past times is watching YouTube clips..over and over...
Like this 
and this
and of course this!

And, yes, tears just flow.
Kinda like when he watches
"Here Comes The Boom" with Kevin James!
He has a tender heart!

The thing that brings my dad the most joy in life would have to be his kids.  
Mostly our kids but he wouldn't get his grand kids with out these crazies first!

Who am I kidding?

The person who he loves the mostest in this whole world would have to be our Mom.

I am so glad he took her to the Jr. Prom
And Sr. Prom

And that he was smart enough to marry her!


Now, I am aware that I am making my dad sound perfect...he has some flaws! ;)

If he even hears the word "Obama" his blood starts to boil.

He has renamed CNN as the Clinton News Network

Don't even get him started on the MLB, NBA, and NFL!

If your hat is on backwards, you will get thumped!

He hates anything "HOLLYWOOD!"

My dad is not perfect.  He has a temper.  He can cuss with the best of 'em!  

But, none the less he is pretty perfect!


So glad I will always be his baby!

Happy Father's Day from down unda!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Sometimes I get this really cool idea for a blog post.  I imagine what I will say and what pictures I will use.  I write it in my mind while driving around, waiting for kids after school, or sitting at play group with Pax.  However, when I actually sit down to write it...it is just a big ramble of my thoughts!

The last couple days I have been homesick.  I think its a mixture of a few things, or two, or five.

1.  Mothers Day
2.  My niece got engaged
3.  My sister in law, Taylor, had her 1st baby boy!
3.  My sister is planning a wedding and I wish I was there to help her
4.  My mom is out of town and I wish I could have my Dad over for dinner
5.  My best friends baby shower is on Friday and I wish so bad I could go

I got rebuked by my sweet nephew, Elder Hughes.  He told me I can't whine about being away from home because I get to skype, facetime, e-mail, or call whenever I want!   Touché     Morgie!

Not sure if I am homesick or just having major FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)!  
Maybe it is 50/50!

I stepped out of my comfort zone in the past couple weeks!  I signed my kids up for one extracurricular activity.  Lillie is the newest member of Guides (Girl Scouts).  Boston is the newest member of the Wasps Jr. Basketball!

Life is just starting to get busy.  We are getting more involved in work, school, church, and friends.  Last week, between the kids and Jared, we had something every night.  Every night!  I have not felt that busy since like last September.  It made the week zoom by!  It did feel a little bitter sweet.  The one thing I have loved about being here, is that our lives has dramatically slowed down.  Something that at first was hard for me but as the months have gone on, I have learned to love it.  

Our daily routine is getting more and more normal and natural as each day passes.

For example, my days are spent with this stud muffin!  

and apparently I am boring because this happens...


 If Pax is not with me then he is at kinder.  Which he absolutely loves.  I forgot to take his hat to school last week (every school here in Australia is a "sun safe school" meaning that if the sun is out and you are at school then you have to wear a hat...) and so when I went to pick him up I couldn't find him.  When I finally spotted him I couldn't help but giggle!!!  

He totally pulls off this hat, GQ!


I do my daily school runs for Boston and Lillie.  I know what you were all thinking...kangaroos took them!  ;)  Some days we come straight home, sometimes we go to the park, and sometimes...I take them to get a special treat!

Cutest green blobs, ever!  Ignore Bostons hair...he is in the "growing out" his hair phase.  I hate it with a passion!


We spend a lot of time at the table!  Paxton loves to ask everyone..
"what'd you do today?"  
He goes around the table and asks everyone and then when everyone is done he says to Yillie (Lillie), "ask me what I do today!"


Our family photo...we were getting all creative!!

 Found this gem on google today...



I love President Uchtdorf.  He makes the hardest things in life sound so easy.  We all have trials to overcome.  Temptations to hurdle.  Goals that need to be reached.  Relationships that need nurturing.  Imperfections to be perfected.  Hearts needing mending.  

If we just sit still nothing is going to change.  We must keep going!  Whether that be getting off our buns and making it happen or simply and humbly starting on our knees.  




Thursday, May 2, 2013

7, Seven, Siete

Well folks can you believe it?
I know I can't!  
We have lived in Australia for 7 months!
Crazy!
It's been awesome.
And tiring.
And so amazing.
Sometimes easy.
Lots of times Hard.

This gem sets on my counter for a daily reminder.

I am grateful for this reminder everyday.
Cause gets what?
Life's hard!
But, can be so amazing as well!


Saw this on my insta feed..

How true is this!  
Wishing the whole world would remember this!


The past 7 months we have had some good times.
We have grown as a family A LOT!
Probably more than Boston likes!
He is my social bug!
He's learning though that Lillie IS pretty AWESOME!



A little picture roll of the last 7 months!
Ya, we lived in a hotel!  That was "fun!"
YOLO - Thailand was totally legit people!
Once upon a time we had no furniture!  Made it a little easier to go on adventures with Dora, because the kids were already standing! ;)
Seriously, though!  We spend A LOT of time just our little crew!
Still get sick down under! Boo!
Lunch dates with friends are a MUST!
I never want to forget the stage where Pax wore his Star Wars jammies for
a month straight!
I get to work with YW at church and they are an amazing group of girls.
Even if we can't seem to look at the camera at the same time! hehe!
Need i say more!!!?

Love COMPANY!
His smile says it ALL!
Pax and I go to a play group every Wednesday!
This is my bestie, Sammie!
Love her!
Going to fashion shows and acting like we are big deals!
Now that was fun!
Vistors helped immensely! xoxo
An absurd amount of coke zero has been consumed!
*Packages from home makes for a Spectacular Day*
Did I mention we love visitors???
Zoo days!
Taking Selfies at church with this Bogan has really made time fly! ;)
We look like Americans at the beach!
With our 3 lbs. of junk food, crystal light, and our sweet cups! 
We went to the beach on a regular basis! Peace!
Lots of parks, zoos, and adventures!




We spend our time with some amazing friends.  We feel so blessed to be right here in this moment.  We have learned some life lessons, made memories, and started new friendships that will last a lifetime!

Some days I do get a little sad! And cry a bit!


So for days that are really hard we just turn it over to technology to help us with that gap.
Between FaceTime, Snapchat, and random texts and pictures!
It somehow makes it a little easier!
Some of my favorite over the last 7 months!





How cute are my parents?!


















Now, please don't kill me if your picture was above!
If it made it on the blog then it must have truly spoke to my heart!
So, thank you! And, possibly, sorry! :)


And, last but most definitely not least!
Our surprise visit to Utah really made April zoom by!
I loved surprising everyone.
Best feeling ever!
From friends, to grandparents, to my old dance mom!
It was just too much fun! :)
I really want to do that for my job!
Think I can go to shcool for that?
I want to be Ginnie, that girl on Ellen, who just rocks up
at people houses, work, schools and gives them whatever
Ellen wants to give them.  She doesn't even have to buy it!
She just gives it!
Anyway, WOW, lost my focus!

Loved our week in Utah!



Grandma was THRILLED!!!!!



Getting pampered by my Dad!


Being with this girl made my heart happy!


This two little girls made me "clucky"
Clucky = Australians way of saying baby hungry!
Eeeeeek!



Loved to just chat in RealLife with friends and family!
And some might think that was my favorite part!
But you are wrong!
See that white styrafoam cup!
Yep, that was my favorite!

Kidding!!

Hope the next seven months were as cool as the last!!

P.S. Come visit!!  ;)