virtual game of tag....and I am it!

My sweet friend Mendy thought it would be fun to tag me! Now I get to share personal information with you. Shouldn't be too hard!

A. List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
B. Tag seven people to do the same.
C. Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag "whoever wants to do it."

1. I love lunch and dinner dates!
2. I am a hopeless romantic who loves all of those sappy 80's songs.
3. I love to read to the point that my husband wonders where his wife has gone.
4. I have geographic tongue.
5. I am not a morning person, never have been, and I hope I never have to be. 9:00 is a great time to wake up!
6. I love to find deals on anything from food to airline tickets to furniture. It's like the thrill of the hunt. A challenge that I must succeed at.
7. I have my tombstone picked out. It will be very large and the only writing you will see from a distance says "BOSS" in big bold letters.

So let's see, who should I pick on........let's do Libby, Mary, Tammi, Lynette, Lori, Becca, Melinda. Have fun ladies!

CANDY!!

It is so fun when you can see your spouse in your children!! Joseph and Alan are alike in so many ways. And the scene I witnessed today confirmed this fact.

History: When Alan and I had been married for a little over a year. I had the opportunity to help the Easter bunny and had gotten all of our favorites. I could not believe how much candy and goodies we got. I am one that like those Whopper robin eggs and black jelly beans. The rest of the Easter candy I can live without. Alan on the other hand loves it all. It had been probably 2 to 3 weeks since Easter and I still had candy left over (so I thought). I was at school thinking about those robin eggs and was excited to go home and partake. I got home and went to where I had left them. There were none left. I was outraged, I just stood there and could not believe it. I armed myself with my black jelly beans and went to look for the culprit. I found him in our closet (yes, he was hiding) with a huge grin on his face. I just started throwing black jelly beans at him along with a few chosen words.

Fast forward to the present: Alan packing his school bag with me talking to him and Joseph just standing around. Alan gets this look on his face, like he can't believe what he is seeing. He looks at Joseph and pulls out this mangled wrapper of what use to be a role of mints. Joseph just smiles as Alan asked if he ate all of them. I had to run out of the room because I was laughing so hard and Alan was being so serious and I wanted Joseph to take him seriously. I listened to Alan tell him that it's not nice and that he needed to pay him in toys for eating his candy. When Joseph passed me to go get the toys he gave me this ear to ear grin as though it was well worth it! I reminded Alan of the moment in time that he was caught having stolen someone else's candy! Paybacks are always sweet, especially when candy is involved, and it always comes around!!

Scary Thought

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 22 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

I think it is rather scary that there could be so many "Rebecca Boss's" out there. I have always thought one was plenty for the world to handle, but apparently there are other people out there who need a Rebecca Boss in their life! I couldn't help myself and looked up the whole family!

Alan -10, Hannah - 2, Peter - 19, Joseph - 71, Baby - 3

I am a Mom

I am a Mom and my heart will break a hundred times over just because I choose over 8 years ago to be a Mom.

Today is no exception. Alan and I thought maybe we had gotten somewhere and that maybe Peter would be o.k. with school and this change in life. Of course it had only been a week, and we had let our hopes take us to lofty places. This morning Peter decided that he wasn't going to school and that he didn't like it (a short lived education). After we finally got ready and went out the door he burst into tears.

What to do.........I have a 3rd grader who is basically running so that she can go to school and a kindergartner who wants nothing to do with school. I am a Mom.........I have resources and reserves for occasions just like today.

Well, after walking 3 houses down from ours Peter sat down and told me he wasn't going to school. At which point I saw the bus pull up. Frustrated that we still had a ways to walk and the bus was already there, I called Hannah back and drove them to school. We walked onto the school property, with Peter still crying, and then he refused to move again. What could I do? I tried kindness, I tried reason, I tried strictness, I tried guilt, I tried bribing...I was out of ideas. I left him standing by some tree and walked over to where Hannah was standing in line waiting to go into school, I took her hand and she started to cry. Of course that opened my flood gates and I started to cry. I just wanted to take both of them home and go back to bed. How could this day be any good?

I am the Mom........I had to be strong and enforce something that I didn't want to.

I kissed Hannah, sent her inside to class, and went back for Peter. I held him for a long moment, letting him continue to cry as I struggled to contain my emotions. We stood up, walked a little bit more until he stopped again, I picked him up and walked to the school entrance. It was actually funny because Peter was crying on one side of the door and there was a little girl crying on the other side. I thought, "At least he is not the only one!"

We finally made it outside of his classroom door, he was still crying. His teacher came out to greet him to only have him cling more and to have him cry even harder. I unpacked his bag and tried to get him to go in to his class, but he would hear none of it and even tried to escape out the side door. (I thought it was a good idea and was ready to go with him.)

What a scene he was making! I am not one that really likes to draw attention to myself, but I am a Mom....... who has to act like I could care less!

The last bell had rung, Peter was still crying and I was going to cry any second. One of the school counselors came and asked if I needed any help. (She had seen the whole thing) She tried to talk to him and he wasn't exactly thrilled by this third party. She looked at me and said, "Maybe it's best if you leave." I could not have agreed more at that moment. I hugged him, kissed him, told him I loved him and almost ran out of the school as tears were streaming down my face.

What else could I do? What else could I say? All I wanted to do was take him home and read him stories and let him play, but then what would tomorrow be like or the next day. If I gave in once, he would know how weak I am.......I believe that eventually he will learn to work the system, he's a smart kid. Till that day, I will have to think one step ahead of a 5-year-old, but also by then my emotions might be in check so it will be easier to handle.

As a Mom why do I have to enforce the rules? Why do I have to be the strong one? As a Mom why am I expected to make everything better and to make all the hurt go away? As a Mom how come there are things that I have to do everyday that I don't want to? Just another moment in time, just another heart break.

The worst part is that he comes home as happy as can be. It's all just a show for Mom!

To love or not to love....that is the question

Alert: Eclipse Spoiler!

My thoughts and feelings on Eclipse keep going back and forth. Do I love the book or was it just a fun book to read? I have enjoyed the other teenage romance novels in this series, Twilight and New Moon. Twilight was definitely my favorite out of the two. One thing that I have really enjoyed is all of the discussion and readings of what people have said or wrote on the Eclipse.

My favorite part would probably be when Bella hits Jake and breaks her hand! I was proud of her for standing up for herself. I personal don't like how aggressive Jacob is when he is trying to romance her and force himself on her. It makes me want to go talk to him as a mom and tell him if he ever touches my daughter he will have ME to deal with! (The mama bear strikes again!)

There were many times that I wanted to yell at Bella and tell her how stupid she was being. Hello, she has perfection in Edward, why can't she see it? One time was when she asked Jacob to kiss her. I was furious, both at him and her. Him for playing the card of "I'm going to let myself go down as a hero", and then her for being so dumb as to think he wasn't being conniving and searching for something to make him want to live. Grrrrr. One thing that I must say is that I am glad that she tried to take responsibility for this action and not let Edward or Jake convince her that it was their fault. Even though they wouldn't listen, she did try. She seemed very much a selfish 19 year old in this book and does an awful lot of pouting and feels so picked on. With the ending how it was it made me hope that she has seen the light and is actually thinking about what the future holds for her. I personally hope she becomes a vampire, just so Bella and Edward can live happily ever after. (I know many people disagree with me on this one.) Hard decisions ahead for this little lady.

My favorite Character by far is Edward! **Sigh** He is so drop dead gorgeous, patient, understanding, protective, has eyes only for Bella, and wants her to be happy and will go great lengths to make that happen! What more could a women want! One thing is certainly clear in this book. He is not 19. You can plainly see that to him this is not a teenage romance or some summer fling. He has over 100 years of experience and he knows what he wants.

I am glad that the wedding plans are going forward and that they will do things in the right order. (I was worried for a moment) I absolutely love that Alice is this total party planner and I can't wait to see what she does with this wedding! Who knows what the next book will bring, I for one am excited to find out!

Side note: Stephanie Meyers is coming to VA in September, I am almost positive that I am going to go to this book signing. And I like my sister-in-law Erin am wondering to my self if I am crazy! She went to the book signing in Denver, and strongly encouraged me to go. She said it would be educational just to watch all of the people! I am always up to a bit of learning, plus I must confess that I am excited for the Q & A session!

Quote of the day

People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading.
-Logan Pearsall Smith

With all of the fabulous books that have come out lately.......Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...........Eclipse........I find myself fully agreeing and truly feel this way! I think Alan is glad that there might be a lull in terms of "must read" books.

First Day of School

I can't believe that all of my worrying and fretting was for nothing! I have been so apprehensive about this day for so long......Peter starting Kindergarten....it sent my heart pounding and my palms sweating. But once again, my children have proven me wrong!

Hannah entered 3rd grade this year at Bond Mill Elementary School. She has Mrs. Vernor, whom, so far, I am impressed with. Hannah is so excited to be back in school and to have her friends back! I am super excited for her class this year. It seems like all of Hannah's friends, as well as the girls that I like, are in the same class together. But more importantly, her "best friend" Sabrina is in her class. I hope that she really enjoys this year!

Peter entered kindergarten this year at Bond Mill Elementary School. He was nervous when we went to his orientation last week and began to shut down, but there were a lot of parents in the class as well as all of the kids. However, he loved his first day! No clinging.......No crying......... No looks of fear.......Nothing! I couldn't believe it. I was so proud of him, and in some silly way it made me sad, because for once he didn't need me, and when you have had someone need you every step of the way, you get a little attached.

Getting ready was a rush as always.......waking up, getting dressed, eating, doing Peter's preventative asthma medicine, brushing hair and teeth, making sure we have everything, taking pictures. We almost missed the bus. I pulled up, the bus was already there, we gave kisses and hugs and goodbyes. Hannah took Peter's hand and they got on the bus. Hannah has been so sweet during this whole process. I don't know that Peter or I could have done it with out her! I followed the bus to school and stood back and just watched from afar, but then they were just waiting so I went and talked to them because I was bursting with pride for Peter. Hannah thought it was the oddest thing to look over and see me, it was funny, she said "Mom, what are you doing here?" It was in one of those voices that sounded like she was completely embarrassed to have me there. I am sure that I will hear that voice many more times over the upcoming years! Peter's comment was, "They don't dump chocolate milk over your head on the school bus!" The innocent minds of children!

My heart swells when I see hints that my children love each other. Peter was carrying a bag of Hannah's supplies, having already brought his to school to help her out. One of Hannah's friends, that is in the same class said, "We need to find our classroom." Hannah said, "Well I am going to take my brother Peter to his class first, but then we can look for our class together!" I walked them to the doors of the school, gave more hugs and kisses and they were gone...

I didn't leave the house until about 10 a.m., waiting for the call that I knew would come.....It never came. We picked them up from the bus stop after running some errands and Peter said, "Why did you drive, I wanted to walk!" So we slowly followed him as he walked home on his first day of school. Precious Moments!

A Great and Noble Man

President James E. Faust

Second Counselor in the First Presidency

passed away on August 10, 2007.

The funeral service held to honor this man was touching, to say the least. It brings me great comfort to know that even people like President Hinckley, the Prophet, struggles with the passing of a friend. Telling of all of the boards that they sat on together and looking for his friend and not finding him.

I love to hear these great men describe each other and use the names they refer to each other as. Like Thomas S. Monson calling James E. Faust, Jimmy! Or Jeffery R. Holland referring to President Faust as Gentlemen Jim or President Faust calling Elder Holland, Jeffery my boy! Normally, after one of their amazing General Conference addresses, you tend to think that they are so far out of my realm, but are they? These moments make them real people just like anyone else. They have the same random thoughts as everyone else, can get fired up about something, can laugh and cry, and can love so deeply.

It was so sweet to hear about him and his sweet wife, Ruth. How they were truly one. It made my heart ache for her. How hard it would be to lose a spouse after so much time together. James E. Faust certainly has made an impact on me as well as many in the church through his words and deeds.

If you didn't get a chance to watch it you can watch it at:

http://www.byu.tv/

Scroll to Tue. August 14, 2007, Education Week 12:00

Love~

LOVE has always been a curious thing to me, the meaning of love is so different for everyone. There is a book called The Five Love Languages that talks about how we all have different needs when it comes to love............quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Being the high maintenance person that I am, I wondering what do I need? (always thinking of myself) Right now I decided that it is cute shoes!!

I have been shopping for school shoes for the kids with the budget that I have and I bought this pair of shoes for my little Joe. I couldn't resist, they are so blasted cute, I love them, I couldn't help myself I had to buy them. It must be true love how else could I describe it?

I had a little pair of saddle shoes when I was a little girl and they were my favorite pair of shoes and I remember loving them then, so how could I not love them now! I am sharing that love with Joseph, only I don't think it will impact him as much as it did me!

Fun survey

81%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

New York Singles from Mingle²

I found myself giggling because it was like they knew what I was thinking!! But I must admit that I was surprised, I thought my % would be a lot less, another addiction that may eventually need to be kicked! What to do?! I predict that Lynette Loveridge will be in the high 90's!

I don't know how they do it......

Alan has been away for 3 days at a conference and it seems that so many things that can go wrong, have gone wrong. It could be that I am just more tired then I normally am, or that I am trying to get more done then I am physically able to do, or it could be that I am just not making par now a days. What ever the case may be, I am so glad that I am not a single mom trying to do it all! I just look at those women who work, take care of their home, grocery shop, make meals, and raise children by themselves. They are amazing!! I am just glad that I don't have to be amazing and I can just be me. I will forever be grateful that I have a partner in crime and that I don't have to work, and that when Alan is home he can help where needed. Were excited for you to come home, Alan!

P.S. I love you Karen!

I was right!!

I love being right, especially when it comes to predicting books!! For all of you who have not read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and don't want the whole story utterly ruined for you, please do not continue.


I had predicted that Harry would end up being the last horcruxe and that he would know that he had to sacrifice himself to save everyone else and would be the ultimate hero by giving of himself. I had also decided that Snape was good all along and that Dumbledore had previously told Snape to kill him. I also had a feeling that he loved Lilly and that is one of the reasons he hated James so much. Another thought that kept running through my mind was that everyone that has ever helped / saved Harry would have to die so that he could ultimately destroy Valdemort by himself.



So after reading the beloved book 7 in the Harry Potter Series I was very pleased and could not have been more happy. In fact after Harry "died" (kind of) I went to bed. I stopped reading and went to sleep perfectly happy. Everything happened according to plan. Alan was beside himself, and could not believe that I would stop there. I honestly just thought the rest of the book was about everyone else and what happened to them. So I was pleasantly surprised when he was the possessor of all of the deathly hallows which made him so that he couldn't die.



Favorite parts:

• Harry's birthday present from Ginny!!! Young love!
• When Ron came back, and the fact that he never went home! Touching.
• Dobby's amazing rescue. I cried, I admit it!
• The scene when Ron and Hermione finally kiss. Hilarious!!
• The last moments with Snape. Including his memories. Touching.
• Kreacher's change of heart. As well as his leadership role with the house elves during the last battle.
• Hagrid carrying Harry back to the castle and remembering everything that has transpired between these two.
• Having all of the horcruxes destroyed by different people.... I especially loved Neville's role in killing the snake or final horcruxe. Way to go Neville!
• Finding out what everyone Patronus's were. I love how they match the people.

Unexpected Surprises:

• Luna's father, Xenophilius, turning on them.
• McGonagall didn't play a bigger role in this book, and you don't know what has been going on at Hogwarts.
• Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth, that had the other mirror to watch Harry.
• That Harry ends up saving Malfoy twice.
• That Tonks and Lupin both die.
• Malfoy's mother, Narcissa, checking to see if Harry was dead. (this was probably the biggest surprise to me, I was touched by her response)

I loved the way J.K. Rowling tied everything together and how she made everything play out. What a wonderful ending to a fabulous series.