Life

Tonight was Morgan's dance recital. Will post pictures soon. She did such a great job, I am surprised that she got up and danced (but should I be, really?) She had so many people come and support her, G&G Nelson and Burton, Julie, Darren and Colby and daddy and Holly (this is daddy's girlfriend). I can't beleive this little girl I have is so grown up. She turned four a couple of weeks ago (during my blogging hiatus). What a sweet and fun little girl I have, well... when she isn't yelling at me that I ruined her life or that I am mean and nasty....but besides that...

I also took my last test of the semester on Saturday, oh blessed Christmas break. It is good to be free and not sit and think that I should be studying while I do normal life things. Two more semesters and I will actually join real life again, until then, I am just a mirage...

I also vow to keep up on my blog more often. I have figured out that the longer you go without blogging, the easier it is to say "I have too much to write to go back and start again."

Morgan update

I just wanted to update all about the relationship between Morgan and John, it has dratmatically improved in the past week. Last week we were talking and she said "Mom, that was really stupid of me to not talk to John, huh?" We do not say stupid in our house so I told her that it was not stupid and we don't say that. But she kept on pushing that she was stupid for doing that. Finally I just told her that it was stupid for her to not talk to John. Hey, it was stupid, I really couldn't argue.

Morgan... again

Totally random Morgan moment

We were chatting the other day and she mentioned to me that if she had to go to jail that she wouldn't like it but she would still be brave...

Not sure where that came from.

Great new diet

I have been on this great new diet since last week and I think I have lost about a pound a day. This diet has been around a while, but not many people utilize it. It is called food poisoning.... and it is lovely. I think I got my new diet by eating at this Chinese food restaurant across the street from work. So if anyone is interested in this; let me know and I will give you the address of the "diet place."

Girls Night Out

Last Friday (yes it has taken me more than a week to get these pictures up here) the girls in my ward did a girls night out. We had so much fun, I have such an awesome ward! We went to Sweet Tomatoes and then to Becca's house for some games, which was really more just talking and laughing than anything. Just wanted to share some pics of the night. The first pic is everyone in awe of my amazing ability to draw stick figures.

Typical Morgan

So as a few of you know, Morgan has not spoken to John in weeks and I mean weeks. Everytime he talks to her she turns around and huffs at him. Well we finally had a talk with her a couple of nights ago and the truth (we think) came out. She told us that her and Amanda (her friend from preschool) do not talk to boys. John and I just looked at each other and laughed. This is so Morgan... I tried to explain to her that John is not a boy, he is her step-dad, and she needs to be nice to him, but she wouldn't have any of it. She is still ignoring him. Any suggestions?

Pumpkin Patch

Morgan and I had a fun little outing on Friday, we went to the Pumpkin Patch and picked out our victims for the pumpkin carve. We had a lot of fun walking around and looking at all the pumpkins that had "goopies" on them. (Her word) . We were supposed to do this as a whole family outing, but with snowing on Saturday I figured Morgan and I should go out on Friday to pick them out. I really didn't feel like trudging through mud and snow to pick a pumpkin. I took a couple of pics and thought I would share them.

Passport

I decided that it was time to get going on getting my passport for my school trip next May. So I got online and filled out that applications, printed in all out and went down to the post office turn it in. I walk in and there are two ladies behind the passport counter just chatting away and not a soul in the room. I tell them I need to get a passport and they tell me I will have to sign up on the list, and that the next opening they have is on the 30th. I think I just stood there are stared at her like "are you kidding me?" When they didn't laugh and say gotcha, I took the clipboard and signed up for two weeks from now! So I have never gotten a passport before, but seriously, I have to wait two weeks to get my passport when I have the application in my hand all filled out! Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Fall Festival 2007

Wednesday was the Fall Festival at our church. It was a great time. We all brought soup and ate and chatted and the young men and young women were in charge of games for the primary kids. I had to wake Morgan up to go over to the church so she was a little out of it and hesitant to go around to the booths with all the kids dressed as witches and zombies. But anyway, after we ate she perked up and told me she was going to walk around for some "lonely time". What a hoot she is! She had so much fun walking around and talking to all her friends, who all happen to be adults. I swear more people know Morgan than me... The picture is of us in our awesome costumes, which in no way were last minute and cheesy, well Morgan's wasn't.

Picture Time

Ok, I got tired of waiting for John to show me how to download the pictures from our digital camera to my laptop. I just got everything out and it took me about 15 seconds, kind of embarrassing...

So here are the pictures from the Jordan High Homecoming dance. Doesn't seeing these bring back memories, it does for me. Going to all the dances with Kevin Butterfield, yeah baby.

One year anniversary

Last Sunday was our one year anniversary. Boy does time fly, actually we talk all the time that it seems like we have been married for years.... not in a bad way, just in way that it's hard to remember life any other way (which is a very good thing). So on Friday night we went and stayed in The Inn on the Hill. It is just down the street from the capitol. It was awesome. I would highly suggest it. We got the "romance package" which meant that while we were out eating dinner I called and told them we were on our way back and they lit candles all over our room. It was so cool to walk back in and have candles everywhere and a CD playing. I loved it. They had a jetted tub and this great antique furniture. And in the morning we got breakfast in bed and we didn't have to check out until 1:00pm! So it was a great time.

But we also talked about how good life is for us. We have a great marriage, a great family, great kids, a great ward, a great house... life doesn't get much better than this. But don't get me wrong, life is not all smiles and rainbows over here...I just told John this morning that I felt like our weeks are like Ground Hog Day. Get up, go to work, go to school, take care of kids, do homework, go grocery shopping, clean the house, blah blah blah... But I guess if you are happy that is all that matters. And I am happy! John is such a great guy, I could never say enough good about him. He is so caring and willing to do whatever is needed around the house or for me. When I was divirced I often pictured who it was I was looking for, because trust me I wasn't going to go out with any old Joe Shmoe, but I found John. He is everything I always wanted. Trustworthy, loving, funny, good-looking, loves the gospel, loves kids, and most of all I guess, loves ME.

I love you John, Happy Anniversary!

I am a dork

Ok, I think I am finally ready to tell the world what a fool I am. So last Tuesday night Julie, Morgan and I had a girls night. We decided to go eat at Famous Dave's and it was so good. Well while we were walking out I ran into an old friend who I have not seen for about six years. He was with his two kids and told us he was going through a divorce and that things were hard right now. Well he also said that is soon-to-be ex-wife was there with them and soon she came out and we all chatted for a moment. (Really this has nothing to do with the story, just trying to give the whole background of the situation). Well Brandon (my old friend) and I decided we would get together one night and catch up and compare divorce stories so I gave him my number and we left.

So Julie, Morgan and I walked to my car and got in, well Brandon and his "wife" were parked next to us and were getting in their car while we were going to leave. Well there was no car parked in front of me so I decided to pull forward instead of reverse out and risk any embarassment. So I pull forward and run right over the cement parking strip that was in front of my car and if that is not bad enough I also run over the one in the stall in front of me. It felt like we ran right over a curb, no two curbs! And to make it worse both Julie and I could hear Brandon laughing at me and my windows were up! I wanted to crawl under a rock for about 10 years. Julie laughed so hard I thought she was going to pee her pants. I laughed, but not as hard as Julie, because I felt too dumb to laugh. There is no way to play that off like you meant to do that.

I tried to convice Julie that I had ran into Brandon a couple of weeks ago and we came up with this elaborate plan just to give her a good laugh, but she wouldn't buy it.

So there it is... and I know it sounds dumb now, but it really was humiliating. But the good news is that I think Julie might have laughed off two years worth of stress.

Tagged

I too have been tagged. So here goes nothin'...
The rules:
A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Just to forewarn you, I think everyone I know has already been tagged... so I will not be passing this on. But it sure has been fun reading all of them.

1. I eat a peanut butter and honey sandwich every day for lunch- no seriously, everyday.
2. I love to make people laugh.
3. I really love to read, so much so that I have to ban myself from reading novels while I am in school. I am afraid I would read myself right out of school.
4. I love to do yard work-call me crazy-give me yard work over housework anyday.
5. This weekend I have officially been married for one year--and it is awesome.
6. I made a complete idiot out of myself last night while I was out at girls night with Julie. I might post it online, but I need to get over my mortifying embarrassment first.

That is as exciting as it gets...

Last night while we were reading scriptures Morgan just had to interrupt us tell me that she wanted to be a cowboy when she grew up, which I am not sure if that is better than the policeman she wanted to be last year. Anyway.... I was just reflecting on what I want to be when I grow up. I am going to graduate school to be an accountant and have a financial accounting class this semester. Well, we have taken 5 tests so far this semester and I have not gotten above an F on any of them, which is not a motivator, let me tell you... It has made me wonder if I am "cut out" to be an accountant. So I have chatted with a few people over the past couple of weeks and have come to the conclusion that my professor stinks! I am going to be an accountant whether I do well in his class or not... I am just not planning on telling my boss that I am failing accounting, this may not be a motivator for him to give me a raise....

Homecoming

Last weekend I got to be a chaperone at the Homecoming dance for Jordan High School. The twins in my ward asked us if we could do it, but John was at home with all three kids and insisted I go so we didn't disappoint them. It was such a trip down memory lane to go there. To see the preppy kids all decked out in their dresses and tuxes then the weirdos who dressed in Levi's and t-shirts then the even weirder kids who dressed in these clothes from the 80's. At least I assumed they were making fun of the fashion or maybe they really dress that way, either way, pretty funny for me. I took a couple of pictures, (like my own kids were there??) I was so excited to go and see all my friends from Jordan, yes, I now have friends in high school. I think it was more fun for me than for them! I will post the pics soon...

Life

Life has been very crazy the past couple of weeks; between school, work, church, kids, husband, household duties, babysitting other people's kids, I could go on and on. I proclaimed to John that this week is my week of no. I am not going to volunteer for anything, I am not going to watch anyone's kids, I am just going to say no. And it feels great!

We went to dance class again on Saturday and Morgan was very excited to dance, as long as I was glued to her.... So it was the day they got measured for their costumes, and her teacher proclaimed to the seamstress that they would have to sew a "big" outfit for Morgan's mommy 'cause it looked like I would be on stage with them.
Great, something else to look forward to...

Dance class and dance video

You will have to pardon my long absences, I am finding school a little overwhelming at the moment. But to update everyone on Morgan and her dance class. We went on Saturday and she again didn't want to dance in front of everyone. We sat and watched for about fifteen minutes and I kept asking her if she was ready to go out and dance. I was really thinking about leaving and not ever going back. So then I asked her if she wanted to dance and I would go out there with her, she finally said yes. So out we went to dance. I had to stand behind her the entire time and "help" her do the dance. You know how you always feel less stupid when someone is making a fool of themselves with you, I guess this was just one of those situations. I just never thought of Morgan as someone who would need a "stupid buffer". I guess she is a "Nelson". But to make a long story short, she finally danced. Now let's see if she can dance next week without her buffer.

Now on to the dance video portion of the blog. In our ward there are these cute set of 17-year old twins, a boy and a girl, who have adopted John and I ever since we went to Youth Conference. A couple of weeks ago, Stephen, (the boy) asked us if we would help him ask a girl to the homecoming dance. We, of course, said yes. Who doesn't love to re-live these moments without any of the awkwardness!? So him and his friends came over to our house and I recorded a dance/singing video to ask this girl out. It was sooo hilarious. John was front and center of the video, so much so that Stephen's mom said this poor girl wouldn't know who was asking her to the dance, Stephen or Brother Burton! Well I am trying to figure out how to post it on here. It is something we can all enjoy! Just don't tell John.

Missy Homemaker

So tell me if you have ever felt this way. In relief society they ask for volunteers to sew some book bags for a humanitarian project. I, of course, volunteer. I haven't sewn much in the past 20 years, so really what am I doing volunteering for that? I guess I had a moment of weakness. Anyway, after reading the instructions 5,000 times and going back to the relief society president three times for more handles (how embarrasing), I finally complete my bags. So we are supposed to bring them to our Super Saturday activity that we had last Saturday. Well the Sunday before I see someone else's bag and it looks really different than mine. I am sitting there trying not to be obvious looking at it and really the only thing I can think of is, "Well I am NOT going to start over!" So on Saturday I show up at the church for Super Saturday and quickly put my bags in the middle of the stack of other bags. This little lesson will make me think twice about volunteering my sewing services again!

Life is still going well. John likes his new job, but he says the only part of the day he gets excited about, is going home. Join the club! He is also feeling much better about his Young Men's calling. Last Sunday was his first real Sunday and he said it went very well. He had more young men than he thought. Which is a good sign...

Morgan is also still loving preschool, but still insists that she has made no friends. I don't believe her...

Un-dance class

Morgan started dance class on Saturday, well, we went to dance class on Saturday, but the only one of us that danced was me! We got there and Morgan just wanted to watch for a while before she felt like she could go out there. So we sat and watched.... and watched. Finally the owner of the dance studio hopped up and took Morgan out there with her. Morgan just stood there looking at her new dance shoes...that's it! So I got up and went out there, still nothing. So after the class I asked her why she didn't dance in dance class. She said she wanted to dance, but not in front of all the other people. I tried to tell her that that's exactly what dance class is, dancing in front of other people. We will see what next class brings. I am willing to bet we do lots of "watching" again.

It has also been pointed out to me by my Aunt Kay that I never divulged what John's new calling is in church. (I can't even keep up with my own life!) He is the new Young Men's President. He is very excited but more overwhelmed right now. We have good young men in our ward, but it seems like most are really struggling in life right now. And since John and I were in charge of Youth Conference this year, and the kids just loved John, the bishop said he was the man for the job. Good Luck John!

Speaking of John, he started his new job today. I can't wait to hear all about it. I'm sure he is hating it right this minute, isn't that the way it is with new jobs? But I told him that after 3 days, it will get much better...

Preschool

Today was Morgan's first day of preschool. She has been so excited to go. She had such a good time and she said her teacher, Miss Jennifer, was really nice. Miss Jennifer, or as I like to call her, Jenn, was an old neighbor of mine when I lived in West Jordan. I always said that when Morgan was old enough she would go to "Miss Jennifer's" school.

Morgan told me she made friends with a boy named Karter and a girl whose name starts with an M and is hard to remember. She sounds like me after my first day of school....

I'm sure with Morgan going to preschool now there will be many more opportunities for funny stories... stay tuned.

Labor Day

I guess it is time to write again, I took a Labor Day break, but I am back. We had such a great time on Labor Day this year. We did our yearly tradition and headed to Park City for the day. (Can it be considered a tradition if this is our second year?) Anyway, we took Morgan down the Alpine Slide and we had soo much fun. We got to race Aunt Julie and Morgan is still talking about how she liked the big hills.

Then we, of course, went to the outlets where the boys (John and Darren) shopped for new clothes. What's that about? We also got Morgan some new clothes for school. I decided she has to be there when I go clothes shopping for her because I have so many cute outfits at home that have gone un-worn because she is so dang picky!

Then we went out to dinner to a place called Nacho Mama. And in case you couldn't tell by the name, it was a Mexican Food restaurant. It was yummy!

Ah, it was such a fun day and I didn't do one ounce of homework. I will probably regret that all week....

Morgan

Morgan was having a very photogenic day yesterday. It started off with playing in the hose at grandpa and grandma Nelson's house. Everytime my dad would hold the camera up to take a picture she would stop whatever she was doing at pose for the camera. She did this about seven times. I don't know where she gets this...? Probably from her dad.

Then when we got home, she found my umbrella and wanted to do a dance performance for me. She had this brilliant idea because at her new dance studio they showed us how they did a dance last year with these really cute umbrella's. Anyway I took a picture of the "performance". This picture doesn't really do it justice, there was quite a bit of singing involved as well.

Well the umbrella performance only lasted until John came home and heard the umbrella scraping up the hall to Morgan's room. He put a quick end to that.... something about "Ralph Lauren paint" and "$25.00 per gallon..."

"Burton Bunch"

It has been an exhausting weekend. We had all three girls this weekend (which only makes me appreciate the boredom of the other weekends... alone). John had a scout meeting on Saturday morning from 8 am until 12 noon. (Don't be jealous, he said it wasn't as fun as it sounds). Anyway, I took the girls shopping at Target to spend their $10.00 they got from Grandma and Grandpa Fyans from our group birthday party. (Used to be $20.00, people need to stop precreating, it is affecting my birthday money!) They had so much fun looking at all the toys and books and movies, and I literally mean we looked at ALL the toys and books and movies. Morgan got a barbie (of course, because the other 25 are "gross" now). Brittney got a movie and Callie begged and begged for a makeup set, with real makeup. I was panicking thinking of getting this real makeup set for a 4-year old, but it was the only thing she wanted and she was so intent on it. So I let her have it. I guess this is one of the joys of having step-kids. I don't have to deal with many of the consequences... I should have sent it home to their mommy's house. Just as a small repayment for the bathtub crayons she gave Morgan for her birthday last year.

And now on to the Morgan story for the day. She was in the bathroom going potty and asked me to join her, as usual. I just keep wondering at what age you not only want no one in the bathroom with you, but you would like people to stay 20 feet from the door too. Anyway, she was in the bathroom going cockydoody (John's word) and after she was done she asked if I got any water splashed on me because it was a big one. I couldn't help but laugh, and then thank heaven that I didn't get splashed on.

Back to School

I started school again last night and it was quite uneventful. I mentioned to John after I got home that I always have a funny story about the professor or some dork-o in my class. But last night I had nothin'! It was financial accounting, so should I really be surprised? But still, what better class to have a story about a dork-o?

Congratulations and microphone

Congratulations to John! He just found out he got a new job. We are both my happy right now we could do a jig, but we are both at work, so we just sit silently at our computer instant messaging each other at how great this new job will be. It is for a company called Bard Medical and he will be an inventory analyst. He is very excited about it. Yeah!

Anyway in less exciting news, Morgan got a microphone from Aunt Ra Ra, who is the worst at spoiling Morgan. It has its own speakers attached so the whole neighborhood can hear Morgan play primary. She of course is the primary leader and is in charge of singing time, telling the other "kids" what to do, and the prayer. Ra Ra said that Morgan said so many prayers yesterday while playing that we don't have to pray for the next year...

Morgan usually plays at home with her two best friends, who happen to be imaginary, Riley and Alex, and who are both girls. Riley and Alex have been around so long I feel like they really are a part of the family. I guess this is what kids do who are an only child except for every other weekend when her sisters come stay with us. Riley and Alex never seem to appear those weekends.

John

So...John has been reading the blog and is feeling like he is not getting much play on here. So here he is. Isn't he cute? He has been very reflective about our marriage since last night because his buddies in the Elder's Quorum Presidency were asking him questions about his first marriage. Talking about it always makes him more appreciative of our relationship. So, John, here is your 15 minutes of fame. He also got a new calling in church so he will be released from the Elder's Quorum next week. But since it is not official, I will not release any details until I am given the word...

Last night was all about church in our house. John was with the boys from Elder's Quorum doing visits and probably having more fun than they should. I did my visiting teaching (aren't I a good person?) and then had an appointment with the bishop, which is always nerve-racking. Makes me wonder how long our relief society presidency has been in... Anyway...I got released from one of my callings!!!! Oh sweet relief. I am no longer a ward missionary in the Canyon Rim Ward. It was a great calling and sure forced me to get to know people, but it is nothing but relief to be done with it. So I am now just a teacher in the relief society, (I say like that isn't a big deal and I don't spend twenty two hours preparing each lesson.) But the release comes at a perfect time with me starting school again tomorrow. Maybe I won't be a stress-case this semester. Well, we can always hope, right?

Dance

Last night was a big night in the Burton household. We signed Morgan up for dance class. She is sooo excited that she cannot contain herself with her twirls and swishes. She also wears her leotard every day in preparation for her first class on Septeber 8th. I made the mistake of telling her she could try it on, I should have told her she could only wear it to dance class, like I did the ballet shoes. Live and learn.

While there signing her up she told her new teacher Michelle that she doesn't really "need" dance class because she already knows how to dance. Like she is just humoring us by just showing up there. She also expressed her concern earlier to her Aunt Ra-Ra that she hoped someone would ask her to dance in dance class. I guess we have watched too many princess movies.

We also had family home evening last night and Morgan was telling us about a new friend that she met at the park that day with Aunt Ra Ra. His name was Daniel and Morgan decided she wanted to marry him because, and I quote "he is kind of precious". So John asked her what about him, because up to this point she had always told John that she was going to marry him. Well she turns to John and says, "um... you're both boys hello!" And John said, "not me and Daniel, you and me!" But she was too grossed out to answer I guess.

John and I are still trying to recover from a sleepless night on Sunday night as well because Morgan had a bad dream about raccoons and insisted on sleeping in our bed... sideways. The joys....

Yep I am also positive that this blog will be all about Morgan...

Bored

Alas, it is Saturday afternoon and I am bored out of my mind. A perfect time to start my blog. This is how you do a blog right? This is all new to me, so no laughing. I have many things I could be doing right now but nothing sound fun, so I have just been wandering around the house for about an hour and I think I am starting to really annoy John, so I better get busy. Morgan is with her dad this weekend and so life is really slow without her. She is our entertainment.... for example,

Yesterday she was busy painting her nails on the floor and I walked by and she looked up at me and said, "I thought you were John until I saw your pink toe nails. That would be silly if people were like, 'Hi are you a girl?' and John was like "No, I'm a boy, I have a tail.'"

I laughed outloud for about 10 minutes. That girl... where ever does she come up with these things? I have a feeling that this blog with be full of "Morgan" stories because there seem to be sooo many of them.

Well I better get back to my accounting homework. Five more days of freedom before school starts again and I become a ghost around here...