Black Friday

I don't think it's ever been mentioned on my blog how much I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY!!! Every year in the month of November, I count down the days...all the while wondering what it is that will entice me to get up at 2AM. Every November, I start surfing the black friday websites but those websites just never do the sales justice. I need pictures!! I need to SEE what I'm buying. Then on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I get the jitters...my heart starts beating really fast and I can't concentrate. I get an excitement like none other. For 2 days, I sit by the front door just wondering when it will get here...that FAT Thanksgiving paper that advises me of my destiny for "Black Friday".
This year was no different. I waited and waited, pacing the halls, biting my nails, envisioning my victorious trip to Wal-Mart, getting everything I went for...I was like a druggy waiting for her fix.
Thanksgiving got here, My BFFL and I rushed out and got the paper. We went through it and then we went through it again...no Wal Mart ad? No Jo-Ann's ad? Something had to be wrong!! Since when does Wal Mart not put an ad out? We went through the ads again and there was just nothing that I had to have. There was nothing that I couldn't live without or that I could justify getting up at 130 or 2 for. This made me a bit sad as there has always been a reason for the madness but this year, there was nothing I wanted to get up at 2:00 for. We saw some really cute things and thought well, we can sleep in and hit these stores at 7. So we did. We had a route mapped out. First we would hit Walgreens for an awesome buy on some 4 ft. potted pre-lit Christmas Trees. Then we would hit Michaels for 25% off of our total purchase. Then Target for...well, not really for anything but just to see what we could find.
It was great!! We slept in and still got everything that we wanted. I was kind of bummed not to go out in the wee hours of the morning as I have for the past 10 years but the sleep was well needed. I have most of Christmas shopping done for hubby's family and my 2 younger kids. I also bought some great Christmas stuff for the house. I can't wait to put it all out!!
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY!!

Spotlight

Friday night my phone rings and it was a lady from the RS Presidency. She said she was working on the monthly newsletter and they wanted to spotlight me (you know, because I'm new and all). I said okay and she asked me to tell her a little about myself. I thought, and then I thought some more and surprisingly, I had nothing to say!! Of course, anyone that really knows me knows that I never run out of things to say...especially about myself!! Had this been someone from my old ward they definitely would have gotten an earful. They would have had to cut me off and tell me they wanted to spotlight me not write a novel. However, this poor woman did not get that response. After much thought I simply said, "I like blogging". "okay" she said. Then we sat there. I counted her respirations in an awkward moment of silence and thought I better say something else. "Ummmm, I have 5 kids". "Okay" she said again. Silence...more silence...I laughed because it was completely not like me to be so quiet and withdrawn. She laughed (like a, what are we laughing at? laugh). Then I said, "alright, why don't you just ask me some questions and I will answer them for you". "Alright" she said. Then she interviewed me like I was someone famous...it was great!!
I tell you this because it got me thinking...who am I? These "new" people in my lives should know who I am and I didn't tell her jack!! My kids should know who I am. I have been horrible about keeping a journal. So I started a new blog. It is nothing any of you would want to read but just my autobiography. Who I am, where I came from, and my life experiences....I was a horrible teenager!! Really, I was. Anyways, once I get enough written about myself I will give you all the link. Right now, I have my birthgiven name, my date of birth and where I was born....totally boring!! However, it will get better. So thanks sister Andrew...you inspired me to write my autobiography!!
Anyways, I didn't get to see the spotlight because I missed church today. It probably went something like this:
Our spotlight this month is on Julie Wright...she is boring!!

What are we?

I have a question...I think it's a legit one. You know when you're filling out paperwork for school, or the doctor, or even census forms it asks what your ethnicity is. It gives several options to choose from and for obvious reasons I always pick the "Mexican/Hispanic" option. But then it asks what your race is and it only gives you 4 options: White, Black, Asian, or Other. Why is that? And how does someone of my ethnicity answer that? I mean, I'm none of those...I guess I would be "other" but I just find that wierd. Don't you? What am I?
Oh, one more thing..for my kids ethnicity are they Caucasion or Mexican/Hispanic? White Daddy, Mexican Mama...I know what I always mark but what would you consider them?

Going to Scottsdale

I have been to the Dr's office everyday this week. Today was Justins turn..he had to have an MRI on his wrist and whatever the Dr saw on that MRI prompted him to send us to a hand surgeon tomorrow. So I get to drive to Deer Valley and I17 to see this doc. I hate driving thru Scottsdale. I never really have to but last year I had to go twice in one week and guess what? I got 2 photo tickets!! Yes, you read right...2!!! One for each visit I guess. The pics are very clear. I looked horrible and you could tell I was just singing my heart out in both pics!! Hubby was just a little upset and I haven't been back since. I honestly don't drive fast on purpose. I just get really caught up in my singing and lose track of speed. You know how it goes...you're in your car, music up, you're singing along with the music and suddenly, you sound AWESOME!! You never knew you had such talent!! So you think you need to sing louder. Before you know it, you're sounding better than Mariah, better than Whitney...you sound dang good. And you lose all track of speed or any other traffic laws. It's an honest mistake...happens to everyone..doesn't it?
Guess I should do my make-up. Just in case.

On the road to making lots of friends!!

Sunday we're sitting at church listening to all of the beautiful children sing their hearts out when Jarom (my 2 year old) starts pouting. Prior to this he had been a little fidgity and had turned around in the pew (bench), got on his knees and was looking at the family behind us. So I asked "Jarom, whats the matter?". He pointed to their feet. "Did you drop something?". He nodded his head yes. Then I noticed he no longer had the gum in his mouth that I gave him earlier that morning. I turned around and the lady behind me whispered "did he lose something?". "Yeah", I whispered. "He dropped his gum". We both kind of chuckled and she started looking for it. Well, after a few minutes, we found it...in her bag on top of her scriptures!!! All chewed up and wadded!! I was so embarassed. Way to go Jarom!! We're on the road to making lots of friends in this ward at that rate (sarcastically speaking).
Steve gave him a new piece. You know, I have no clue where that piece ended up.

not so fatal after all

I had just sat down at my computer this afternoon when the phone rang...

Hello?

Mom!!

Yeah?

Our bus was in an accident!! They won't let us off of the bus and the man in the other car is dying!! But I just want off the bus. There's other parents here...will you come get me?

What?! Are you okay? Where are you guys?! I calmly asked (because we all know I never panic).

We're in front of the high school and the Jr High.

OK Steph, I'm on my way!!

Luckily, Justin was home to stay with Jarom as he was napping for the 1st time in forever!! I grabbed the keys and out the door!! All the while yelling to Justin what was going on and that I'd be right back. Of course, the whole time I'm thinking to myself "please don't let my kids have to watch someone die". There was so much commotion in the background when she called that I thought "maybe it IS serious!!" Now, I leave many things in my car all too often, but NEVER my camera! I would be disowned if it got stolen due to something I could completely control. Not that I have the best camera on the market or anything but just because Steve always rides me about being careless with my stuff and he spent a little more than he wanted on my camera. Well, lo and behold, I was driving to the scene of the accident, looked over, and saw my camera!! We went to Jareds musical last night and since I parked in the garage, I thought it would be safe to leave the camera in the van. I'm glad I did because I was able to take a couple of pics of the accident while stopped in traffic waiting to reach my loves. The bus must have hit the other car pretty good because the passenger side windshield was all shattered and the door came off of its track. It wouldn't open. So when they finally let the kids off of the bus, they had to exit through the emergency doors on the side which is why you see people standing there. Anyways, that was the excitement for the weekend. And no, the man in the other car was not dying. There were 2 men in the other vehicle. When they were hit, they got out and one of them was cut pretty bad and he was all bloody. As they tried to make their way to the bus, he collapsed. This must be why my drama queen thought he was dying. They did take him away in the ambulance but no deaths!! (thank goodness...can you imagine?)

Great Finds

The kids were off for Veterans Day yesterday. We did nothing too spectacular. Justin and Jared went and helped a boy in our ward with his Eagle Scout Project. Afterwards, Jared went on a fieldtrip with his scout troop to the Desert Botanical Gardens. He had fun. So Steph and I decided to have a little fun of our own. I haven't done anything "crafty" in months (since before football season) and I have not found any of my refrigerator magnets since we moved. Sooooo, we made these cute magnets. We were very proud of ourselves.

And that was the extent of our day.

Thought I would take Jolene's suggestion and post some of the things I got yard sale-ing on Saturday. Let me know what you think....this cute little bowl (with nothing in it) was $3

I have been in the market for some barstools for our kitchen. Of course these are nothing fancy schmancy, but for $2 a piece I couldn't pass them up. They will do until I find those "perfect" ones...if there is such a thing.This duo (which matches the red in my bedroom) was $5. I liked the vases more than the flowers. Can you see how they are antiqued? Love it!!These chairs were...are you ready for this??? a quarter a piece!! I got 4 of them. I mean, for the backyard, they're not bad. They're great for around the pool.This was one of my favorite buys. I did spend a little more on this but it was totally worth it in my book. It is all ceramic. I don't know if you can tell but it is also "antiqued" or "distressed" looking (which I love). So the whole 3 piece set (tray, the vase and the bowl with the wooden apples) was 20 bucks!! That really is a great deal for this set. This beautiful bouquet was my first purchase of the day...I was so proud of it. You can tell someone had it professionally done. It had a price tag on it from Craftmart but that could have been for the vase. Anyways, I paid $3 for this beauty!! I love her and she goes great in my house. So what'd ya think? Great finds or not? I thought so!! I got a couple of other things but nothing worth taking the time to post on this blog.

Now this next pic is worth the time!! Is that model material or what?!?! Maybe I'm partial but this kid should be on the cover of some studly magazine!!

The candy Store

Yesterday was my first football free Saturday in a LONG time!! I knew not what to do with myself. I couldn't wait to sleep in as late as I wanted. Instead I got up at 6:45am and went yard saling...it was awesome!! I found some great stuff! Done by 10:00, I came home, washed all my stuff off and strategically placed it where I thought it needed to be. We then took all of the boys to get their haircuts at none other than "Sports Clips" and then went to the candy factory right next door. Jared thought he had died and gone to heaven!! I'm ashamed to admit I've never taken my kids to a candy store...and when I saw the prices I remembered why. $2.49 for 1/4 pound of candy!! R U Kidding me??? I know it's the novelty and all but c'mon! That's freakin' ridiculous!! So did we buy any? you ask. Of course we did! A whole half a pound! And a Big Hunk for Justin. Will we go back? Uh, probably not. I just have a hard time paying that much for sugar. The kids have now experienced it, thought the candy tasted the same as the candy at Wal-Mart, and the desire is gone. I have to admit though that Jareds excitement and the look on his face when he was filling his bag of candy was priceless. Oh, the things that make a child happy!! Such Sweet innocence!!

scary neighbors...continued

My mother always laughs at me because no matter where I go, I befriend at least one "freak". You know, the kind of person that will talk to whoever will listen because no one else wants to talk to them. Yeah, I always get stuck with that person. Whether I'm at the grocery store, doctors office, football field with my kids, or in a new ward...I get stuck talking to the freaks!! My mother also says it is because I'm nice and make everyone feel welcome and loved. Someone else once told me that when I talk or tell a story I make whoever I am talking to feel like they are the only person I am interested in...like they are the only one in the world. Whatever the reason may be, I do always get stuck with the freaks...but that's okay. Everyone needs a freak or 2 in their life, right?
I bring this up because I have recently moved. And with this new move came a new "freak". At least I think so. I must start by saying that I have not yet met this person or persons but was a little freaked when I decided to take a walk in my beautiful new neighborhood and walked past a license plate that read something satanic. I don't want to put it on my blog just to be safe. Anyways, I did not advise my children of this as I didn't want to freak them out. I did tell my hubby and he didn't seem too concerned. So, I have kept this in the back of my mind for a couple of weeks now. However this license plate really scares me!!
With the cool weather having just hit this area of the country my children have started walking home from the bus stop. Walking with them, has been the child of the "freak" with the license plate. So yesterday, or the day before, he informed my children that he does not go to church, he does not believe in God, nor do his parents and that God is just something his family has chosen not to believe in. Of course, the first thing out of their mouths when they walked thru the door that day was "Mom!! So and so doesn't believe in God!!" Immediately, my daughter said that he was bad and Steve told her "no, he is not bad...we don't know what or IF he has ever been taught about God". But in my mind, I am thinking...uh, read the license plate. They are evil!! Of course, I wouldn't tell this to the kids but honestly, these are my thoughts.
Here's my concern: I've never met them but my son has talked to them when ever he is out there and they are too. They've invited my 8 year old son over to play and I keep making excuses. The fact that they openly have a satanic reference on their car for the whole world to see scares me. What would you do? How would you handle this situation? How would you handle these "freaks"?

scary neighbors

okay, so do any of you have scary neighbors? I mean, like really scary. There's just something not right about them? If so, fill me in please! Just wondering...I'll tell you why tomorrow. Oh, Jolene...you have scary neighbors!! We'll talk later.

plane scared

I recently told my kids a story about a plane crash I witnessed when I was younger. I was 13 (maybe 14) years old and living in Harlingen, Tx. As is the norm in all towns, they were having their annual Air Show. My parents decided to attend with my little brother who, at that time, was only 2 or 3. I, being as "cool" as I was, decided not to go and to hang out with my friend Rachel instead. Now for those of you who have never had the pleasure of visiting Harlingen, let me advise you that it is a smaller town and you can see those planes from where ever you may be in town. So we were at Rachels apartment complex and suddenly one of the planes flies over our heads. I watched it fly by and as I did, I saw it start to go down in the distance. Not 2 minutes later there was black smoke rising in the air and I told Rachel that the plane just wrecked. She didn't believe me. My parents called to check on me shortly afterwards and I asked them if they had heard about a plane going down. Neither of them had and so I thought maybe I was wrong. Later that evening though, it was in the news. The plane never made it back to the Air Show and they had discovered it in the next town over. Though I was young and "oh so cool" I mourned for this pilot and his family and was so grateful that there was no one else in there with him. I will never forget that day. Not too many people witness a plane going down in their lifetime.
Anyways, the whole point to my story is, now that the kids have heard that story (Jared especially), they think every plane is going down (in their words). Jared always tells me how "loud that plane was" and "I thought it was going to wreck mom!!" Today, I was turning into the neighborhood when I heard a really loud plane, and, in all honesty, it sounded like it was coming straight for me. I looked all over for it and couldn't find it...a few seconds later, I saw the trail of white smoke headed over the superstition and knew it was probably just a fighter jet. When I pulled in the driveway though, they all came running...telling me how they almost witnessed a plane wreck!! They all ran outside to check out the noise!! They just knew it was coming down!!
What have I done to their poor, innocent, minds? Will they ever step foot on a plane again or are they ruined forever?!

Keeping the Sabbath?

Alright, so most of you that read this blog are of the same religion as I and for the most part, have the same beliefs. For those of you that may not know anything about my religious life, I am mormon (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). Now, don't let the word mormon scare you...no, we are not a cult. Yes, we believe in Jesus Christ. No, we do not worship Joseph Smith, we are thankful for his commitment in finding the truth and for the many sacrifices he made in restoring the gospel. Yes, we believe in keeping the Sabbath Day Holy. Now, my interpretation of that is as follows: (remember, this is just my interpretation)
I believe that Sunday is the day of rest. I use this day to focus on my family, reflect on things I may have learned at church that day, relax, and just avoiding "worldly" things. I do not go out and spend money on Sundays as I believe this is asking others to work and this should be everyones day of rest...not just mine. I do know that things come up and sometimes we have to go the store but for the most part I do not. And this my friends, is the reason I am writing. I would like to know your opinion on Keeping the Sabbath.
Here's the deal. I was given a prescription last night when at the ER. So today, I went to Wal-Mart and turned it in. I was told there was a 3 hour wait so I figured I would just come back later. Well, when it was time for me to go pick it up I had company and was given a hard time about going to the store (jokingly, of course, I know they totally wouldn't of cared either way). I explained it was only for my prescription and was told that I would be blessed for not going and holding off until tomorrow (to sum it up). Sooo, what would you have done? And where do you stand on this?

only in the Wright house...

The day started out as all other Saturdays do. I got up early, and as always, attended Jared's football game. Jared hates football!! He has no interest whatsoever in it and his coach's know this. Due to his hate for the game, he usually only plays his mandatory 4 plays per half and that's all. Needless to say, Steve doesn't attend many of his games...not enough action. And that's okay, he stays home with the baby. Anyways, today was the first day of playoffs...single elimination, so we knew it would be an exciting one. Jared's team lost...they're out of the playoffs. He and I were feeling a bit blue about it but were quickly cheered up when we saw this in front of us...Yes, that would be a man up there in that palm tree. I'd say about 50 ft up, if not more. We thought it would be something that lots of you don't see on a regular basis so we snapped a shot and off we went to grab lunch. Got back just in time for Justins game. Now Justin on the other hand, loves football. He eats, sleeps, and breathes it. Due to his love of the game, he usually plays offense and defense and gets ALOT of playing time. Other than a the definition of a touchdown, I don't know anything about football. So don't ask me what he was playing or doing but next thing I knew one of the moms was yelling "where's the medic?! Get her over here!!" I look up and it is Justin who needs the medic. He hurt his wrist. After assessing him, she said it was probably torn ligaments or tendens. But after a while, Steve thought I should take him into the ER, so I did and sure enough, he's got a fractured wrist. Now in most families, the excitement would end there, right. But as we all know, us Wrights aren't "most" families and so the craziness continues!! While in the ER, I started having a really hard time breathing. As time went on it was becoming harder and harder to breathe and I was coughing an awful lot. One of the nurse's thought I should check in and be seen since we were already there. So I did. Next thing I know, they're putting me in a gown, doing chest x-rays, breathing treatments, putting oxygen on me, giving me steroids, etc. Needless to say, I was in the midst of an asthma attack (didn't even know I had asthma...seriously). Poor Justin, he was discharged without me and had to sign his own discharge papers. Then, had to sit there and wait for me. Luckily, I was able to go home after a few hours and here I sit blogging about it. What a day, huh? Only in the Wright house...