Monday, February 23, 2009

A new best friend

We are impulsive shoppers.

Not always, but lately it seems like all we have been doing is buying. Our latest impulse was a dog! We went into Petsmart planning on buying a few fish and ended up coming out with a terrier mix named Max.


The first thing I thought of when I heard his name was, "Oh no. Suzy is going to think that I named my dog after her son!". That was already his name though. I promise.

He is a pretty active dog and loves to play. Ethan has already had a lot of fun with him. He tried to ride Max like a "horsey" on Sunday. It was adorable. I heard Ethan laughing and I peered down into the living room. He was attempting to climb onto Max. Max would hurry and move and Ethan would fall down and laugh. He tried to climb on him at least ten times and he would say, "My ride horsey". So cute. :) It's moments like these where I forget about the struggles of having kids and appreciate the joys of motherhood.

Ethan on a real horse!


So, in conclusion, the morals of the story are:
1) don't be an impulsive shopper because you never know what you will end up buying
2) don't go into Petsmart on Pet Adoption Day

Friday, February 20, 2009

Life

Yesterday, I had a unique and humbling experience that has been weighing heavily on mind. Last night was men's church ball. We all know that men's church ball means a loss of blood, morals, and possible membership. Kidding all aside, as we were playing in the second quarter a gentleman collapsed on the floor and lost consciousness immediately. Two ER doctors from the other team quickly assessed the situation and eventually began performing CPR. At this point it's not cool. Eventually the ambulance arrived and they began using the defibrillator. After about a half hour, CPR and the defibrillator was still being used; he eventually was taken to the hospital. From what I understand he passed away. Never in my life have I seen anyone look relatively healthy one minute and pass away shortly thereafter.

I'm still trying to assess the lesson to be learned from this experience. My deepest and most sincere condolences go to his family and friends. It was a very sad situation.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Are you tired?

I have been putting off writing a post, because I couldn't find my camera... and then when I found it... my internet was down! I didn't know how much I depended on the internet until I couldn't get on it today. Whenever I have a question about something or need to look up an address... I just get on my trusty laptop... so as you can tell... it was a rough day! J/k. It wasn't that bad. Luckily Chris was able to fix it when he got home. :) What would I do with out him?

We had a fun weekend. We have all been battling the flu off and on, but we still managed to have a good time. Friday night we stayed at the Hilton in Salt Lake City. It was kind of for Valentine's day, but more of just a little get away, because we brought Ethan and Logan with us. It was a very nice hotel and we got an awesome deal at priceline.com... our new best friend!

I was so excited to take Ethan swimming and it was all he had been talking about all day. Well, the sad news is that the pool was pretty cold and so we only ended up staying in it for about 15 minutes. Ethan sure had fun swimming around with Chris. Hopefully we will be able to take him again soon.
Chris was off of work yesterday and so we headed down to Cabela's in Lehi. It is his favorite store. It was fun showing Ethan and Logan all of the animals. Thank goodness they weren't real, except for the fish! After that we headed over to Thanksgiving Point. Neither of us have been there before and so we decided to check it out. We ate lunch at the deli and then Chris took Ethan to the petting zoo, while Logan and I sat in the car. I wasn't feeling too hot. When they got back to the car the first thing that Ethan said to me was, "Mama. I rode a horsey!" He was so excited. He actually only rode a pony and was very scared at first, but after a minute, Chris let go, and Ethan rode it all by himself! Our friend, Andrea, took a picture of it. I can't wait to get it from her. He is getting so big!

Later that night, when we were riding home in the car, this is the conversation that went on between Ethan and Logan:

Ethan: Are you tired?
Logan: Ya!
Ethan: I'm tired too.
Logan: Ya!

They both hadn't had much of a nap and were exhausted and I just think that it is so adorable that they are starting to talk to each other! So fun! :)

IS IT EVER GOING TO STOP SNOWING? We got 14 inches today...but as Chris says, "We live in the Bermuda triangle of Utah!"

Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Economical Facts

The facts. The fact is our country is in a major recession. Another fact that is impressive to wrap our minds around is the devaluation of the dollar and an increasing rate of inflation. The last fact that is extremely detrimental to our nation is the ignorance of the consumer. I would like to discuss all three.

First, our country is in a major recession. There is no doubt about it. Everyday, tens of thousands are losing their jobs and businesses are closing its doors. Subsequently, there is a huge increase in foreclosures, deflation of the housing market, and repositions. Many people are having to move back in with their families in various ways, unemployment checks that don't support families have increased significantly, and welfare payments have also increased. Notice a pattern? The pattern is simply over reliance on others for the short-term gain.

Second, another major problem our country is facing is the devaluation of the dollar and rising rate of inflation. So what is driving this rate? My answer is simply the government. The government is providing individuals and business with a "stimulus package" that is meant to swing a slowing economy. Well when the government begins to provide unbacked (i.e. backed by gold, land, etc) funding to individuals and businesss, then the consequence is the devaluation of the dollar. Simply, the dollar is not worth as much. Since the dollar is not worth as much, then we in any market consumers are forced to pay a higher cost for goods and services. Well this doesn't help anyone but those who are enjoying the failures of others in a capitalistic society ran by socialistic market. Basically, we are better off dealing with a recession than having been provided a "stimulus package".

Lastly, the ignorance of consumers. There is nothing that drives me more angry than an ignorant consumer. It's on the lines of adultry and murder. Okay, maybe not that bad. However, consumerism in the US has been based on the notion of using loaned or credited monies to fund purchases rather than from a savings account. So what is happening in our economy is that banks are running out of cash because of defaulting loans. The banks have of a lot of assets that can be turned into cash that we as consumers and business may borrow from; however, no one can afford, for example, the houses the banks are willing to sell from foreclosures. Thus when there is no cash for the banks to offer us as loans or credits, then we as consumers cannot purchase our items. Since we cannot purchase our products or assets, then business fail because of the lack of profit to stay in business. Then as that occurs people lose their jobs and the cycle of losing their homes continues. Therefore, the ignorance of the consumer is that loans or credits would always be available and our economy would always be thriving. Wrong. The need to have a savings account and to stop spending on credit is vital for the regrowth of our economy. As people save their money and use their own money, then I believe a swing will occur, the value will be added to our dollar, and deflation or stagnation of prices would likely occur. There is one caveat to my savings and borrowing idea and that it is okay to purchase some items on a loan or credit basis because, for example, a loan on a home is really an investment.

In summary, I believe our country will continue to fail unless some major sense of self-reliance is obtained by the majority of the people in this economy. This country has some major economical problems. It's time to act now. If there is even a slight possibility of losing your job in the near future, I would recommend you stop spending now, differentiate what is a want and a need, and start saving. I would also recommend that people demonstrate their lack of support for the "stimulus package" that will only have short-term gains and long-term consequences. Enough Said.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

There's a Baby in There

We got a new car about a month ago and I keep forgetting to take a picture so I can post it. We were trying to get by for a few more months, without having to buy one, but we had finally had enough. My Malibu was a major lemon and we really needed something with 4-WD because South Ogden city is not good about plowing our roads. We bought a Ford Escape and I love it! I don't love the car payment, but I love that fact that it has a sun roof!


Onto other news...did everyone know that Ethan is expecting a baby? That's right. Yesterday I asked Ethan if I could look at his big belly. He replied by saying, "There is a baby in there." Kids say the darndest, cutest things! I tried asking him if it was a boy or girl, and what he was going to name it, but he just kept copying my questions. When I told this to my mom she mentioned that he had said the same thing a few days ago. He knows that Katie has a baby in her stomach, so I don't know if he just wants to be like Katie or if that is the only reason that he can come up with for why his tummy is so big!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Nano and Good Times


Since Nano has all the fun in writing a blog, I thought I would get in the action and write one. So it may not be as cool as Nano's writing ability, however, it's impossible to compete with her.

First off, Nanette had wrote about being buried in books. The truth is she has been buried with everything. She has been taking care of the boys during the day, taking care of one more boy at night, and somewhere in between nap and bed time she has been getting her studying done. As a demonstration of her intelligence, I have witnessed her take four tests in one week and the lowest score she got was 95%. Don't you think that is just amazing? I believe so. I know I would never have amounted to that accomplishment with those responsibilities, so way to go Nano.



So I had an opportunity to go to San Antonio this last week. It was fun and might I had 30 degrees warmer than in Utah. Since I have been home, I have continued to mention that it is 30 degrees below San Antonio. As far as I am concerned the only aspect that sucks about San Antonio is the Spurs. The main area that everyone most go to is the Riverwalk area. It is simply beautiful, even in the winter season. There are flowers everywhere, palm trees, great restaurants, and shops. However, as great as the Riverwalk is, the main historic site that everyone must visit is the Alamo.

Anyway, way to go Nano and everyone go to San Antonio.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Buried in Books

This picture describes how I have been feeling lately. It would be okay if it was books that I enjoy reading, but when it is textbooks it is not so exciting. Even though I have a lot of school work, I am still glad to be back. I have decided to get a Business degree with an emphasis in Human Resource Management.

Chris is currently on another business trip to San Antonio. He will be back tomorrow, but he will be going again at the end of the month. It is his new favorite place and he really wants to move there. I have never been there so we are talking about making a trip later in the year. I've been hanging out at my parent's house while he is gone. I really enjoy being around family and wished that we lived a little closer.