Things to Teach My Son.

A New Year is upon us and I've been pondering on some of the most important lessons I've learned thus far in my life. There are many, however, some are more age applicable to my children. So, here are a few I hope to teach my Son (some work for the gals too). I am pulling from another source (which is one thing I've learned - someone, somewhere, somehow has figured it out before me, written it out before me, and probably done it better). The book: http://www.rulesformyunbornson.net/

1. Make sure your clothes fit properly. It is not about how much you spend on clothes but proper fit, the impression left is worth it. Fit matters.
2. Nothing good ever happens after 12am. Go home.
3. Spend time with your mother. She's cooler than you think.
4. Passion will always lead you to success. Passionate people who aim high and dream big always win.
5. Socks are not necessary in the Summer, no matter how formal the occasion. This bit of knowledge was liberating!
6. Learn to tie a bow tie.
7. When shaking hands, grip firmly and look him in the eye.
8. Don't be afraid to ask out the best lookin' girl in the room.
9. Surprise your Dad at the office. Trust me, whatever I am doing is not as important as you.
10. And NUMBER ONE: There is something bigger than yourself at work here. Trust God and know you are a better man for it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Enjoy this little video of our adventures with family on Christmas Eve. Neeley lobbied for the role of Mary once she heard we've be staging our own Nativity together. But the biggest element of the show? Neeley (um, I mean Mary) giving birth to the Baby Jesus. Whaddyathink, should we submit to America's Funniest Home Videos? You tell us?

So sorry for my lousy Christmas song singing. Obviously I need to learn the words. And sorry for the shaking of the camera in some spots - this was actually quite funny, so hard to hold still.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from us!

What a Week: Taani Appreciation Day

Hey blog readers...(hi Mom!), it's Ry. We've been off the blog circuit for a bit due to the captain of our ship succumbing to good ol' H1N1 and Strep Throat. In almost 10 years (has it been that long, time flies when one is havin' fun) of marriage I don't believe I've ever seen Taani so sick. Nor have we had three kids before, so by Friday 5pm I was shouting from the rooftops, "TAANI, I LOVE YOU! Please rid yourself of the swine flu and resume your position of master of all things Secrist!" I have always known, but now I really know that Taani leaps tall buildings in a single bound daily. I whined and cried as I tried leaping those same buildings but wasn't clearing the third floor. Here's what I am grateful for from last week:

• Her conversations. When she had strep and couldn't talk I didn't like one sided conversations. I realize we talk a lot. Severe soar throat means no talking. Not good. EVERYTHING I do gets talked about with her, so it stunk to sit there talking without profound words of wisdom coming back from the other side.


• Her beautifully orchestrated mornings from food, hair, clothes and lunches. As I dropped Hattie off at school I notice one massively limp strand of hair from my feeble attempt to curl her hair (I gave up after that one attempt but didn't do anything about it - just left it limp and hanging off her head). I was waiting for a call from CPS all day that day.


• Her amazing dinners. She is a master with food and we eat really well. I have always appreciated her infatuation with Ina Garten and ability to make amazing things. Well, her talents in the kitchen were missed.


• But above all else I missed her whit and wisdom. We do everything together and we are best friends and I felt a bit like a lone ranger which I did not like one bit. We are partner's in crime.
• She isn't paid enough. From all the school events to taxi service she should demand a raise or walk off the job.

She's back and doing well. She is a rockstar. I love ya babe!

Seriously, The Invisible Man

LOVE THIS. Check it out and tell us what you think...photoshop or for real?

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1ltPoj/v1kram.posterous.com/liu-bolinthe-invisible-man/r:t

All she wants for Christmas...

This post is not for the faint of heart. For one thing, this first picture she has yogurt all over her face. And, oh yeah, HER TOOTH IS BARELY HANGING ON!! I can't even look at her without getting a shiver down my spine. I told her Grandpa Peterson is really good at pulling teeth, but she knows to stay far away and NEVER let Grandpa even look at your teeth.


And Voila!!! Even though Hattie won't let Grandpa P. or even us touch her teeth, Aunt Diana is nice enough to have a peek. Hattie patiently let Diana look and Diana just quietly popped the tooth out!! No tears, no drama...nothing! Hattie is the last person in her class to lose a tooth so this was really a milestone that she has been itching to achieve.

Once Neeley saw that the tooth fairy delivers the cash, she has been wiggling her teeth like there's no tomorrow. Apparently, (according to Neeley) Aubrey Worthen is the expert on the toothfairy. Anytime we ask her a question about the tooth fairy, she makes up an answer and then says it must be true because Aubrey told her. Of course, her parents don't know what the heck they are talking about, but AUBREY? She's the expert.

Church

I swear, our pew was this dirty when we sat down. Really, I'm half certain we did not make this entire mess. So naughty. Good thing we sit by friends and family who love us despite our messes and irreverance.
Pictures were taken with ryan's phone, but sure does show how quickly Wild Westy moves.

Curlers!

This post is for Grandma Sherri. When I was a girl, my mom always put me in hot rollers. I hated them because they were pokey and...HOT!!! Well, the girl who does my hair gave me some tips on the new hair trends and it turns out hot rollers are back in style! So, we tried out the hot rollers on Sunday and my girls pranced around the house saying they looked just like Grandma Sherri! You have obviously left quite an impression at our house!