Too thin???

Seriously?

Okay, THIS is my beautiful daughter, Taylor. Yes, she's a little on the thin side...yes, she's rather tiny and petite...yes, she's a stinkin' hottie (okay that's what I think cuz I'm her mom, but I'm also right)...yet...

At school she is constantly being teased by a little monster in her class because she supposedly looks, "anorexic". Excuse me? When I was in school, it was fun to tease the fat kid, but the skinny kid? What the hell? When is it okay to tease anyone about anything?

This girl that won't leave Taylor alone is the worst! She calls her skinny, anorexic, asks her when the last time she ate was, tells her that her mom's heart is colder than a chainlink fence in winter, she gets mad at Taylor and digs her fingernails into her arm...I don't know what's wrong with this girl. What kind of parents does she have to make her think it's okay to hurt someone else's feelings?

Yesterday, Taylor got pushed face down into the snow by this girl, and again told that she's too skinny. I'm afraid a bomb inside me has finally gone off and I've HAD IT! I will not allow this biznatch of a girl continue harassing my daughter and the school WILL do something about it or I'm going to the district. My children need to feel safe when they go to school. I feel like I'm sending my little lamb to the slaughter.

Taylor gets bugged enough by her brothers about being thin. I ask you, WHEN did it become a crime to be thin? For heaven's sake, aren't we bombarded by the media about exercise, eating right, looking beautiful--my daughter comes by it naturally, yet everyone gives her a hard time about it. How does this make sense? I would KILL to look like her.

What kills me in all of this is that I'm watching my confident, strong little girl slowly crumbling. She calls me from school, crying that her stomach hurts, and when I finally get it out of her, I find out this girl has been tormenting her, again. Well I'm done. I will put up with this no longer. I know that the school can only do so much, but as her mom, I am unstoppable and I will make this end NOW.

Taylor, you need to know you are a beautiful little girl. You have a wonderful personality, and it doesn't matter what anyone says about you because YOU ARE PERFECT! Your Heavenly Father loves you just the way you are and he is proud of what a sweet girl you are. You are compassionate, kind, and genuinely good natured. I love you with all of my heart!

I am mother bear...hear me ROAR!

UPDATE: I talked to both Taylor's teacher and principal today and for starters, she is switching tracks at school. This means she will go to school at a different time and the girls should see less of each other. Taylor's teacher is so wonderful! She said she will do anything in her power to help Taylor to feel comfortable and safe again at school. The principal has also offered to call the girl bothering her into his office and have a chit-chat. I told him that for now, let's just see how the track change affects things and then go from there. Taylor seems emtionally exhausted this afternoon, but relieved to know that things are going to change...hopefully. She's been crying a lot today, but we said a prayer after school, asking for help and she seems a little more cheerful. I am grateful to all of my good friends out there--your comments have been so helpful! It's good to know that not only am I loved, but so is my daughter. Thank you!!

My Nana

The last week was a particularly long one for me.

My Nana has been in perfect health all her life and then suddenly took a turn for the worse after a visit to her Dr. for some back pain. She suffered for about a week, so getting the call yesterday that she had passed peacefully in the night, surrounded by her daughters, was a relief. It all happened so suddenly, I'm still having trouble wrapping my brain around it.

I told Tim that she had passed away and he tearfully told me that if there was a word he could describe her with, it would be gentle. I've been remembering my Nana and my Papa (he passed away about 14 years ago) and came up with some words of my own...

Fragrant...there are particular smells that make me think of my Nana. Avon's Dew Kiss lip balm. She always had some in her purse, along with Trident original gum, certs and mentos. One of her favorite perfumes was Chantilly, and to this day, every time I smell it, I think of her.

Soft...my Nana always had the softest skin.

Generous...it seems that every time I saw her, she had a gift for me. When she'd come visit us when I was a kid she always had presents. I remember getting lots of Hello Kitty things. The lip balm reminds me of her. She also gave me an 18" Snoopy, Belle and Woodstock doll. I loved those things and she was always sending me clothes for them to play with. When I got older I would recieve money in the mail "just because". She always had her grandchildren in mind.

Silly...my Nana seriously had a silly sense of humor. She would often use the phrase "Oh Yippie!" when she was being sarcastic. She had a funny look she'd get on her face when she was being mischevious that always made me giggle. She'd get excited at the grocery store like a little kid when she saw something new she wanted to try. We were at the store one time and she saw these chips that had cinnamon and sugar on them. She said to me, "Oooo Kerri, don't you think we should try these?" Then when we got home she ate them up and was so excited. She was a funny lady.

Another time, at my Papa's funeral, we were at her house remembering Papa and having a good time when she backed into a cake that we were deliciously partaking of. It was hilarious! She had frosting on her little bum that we had to scrape off with a knife. After that, she started referring to herself as "sweetcheeks". Ohhh my goodness she made me laugh!

Thoughtful...she was always prepared when we came to visit. She had cereral in mini boxes, boxed juice in her little juice holder, snacks that we liked, candy in the candy dish. She would get up early to make breakfast and make toast with bread my Papa made. She had a clip that she would use to get the toast out of the toaster oven and little glasses for the juice. She had toys for us to play with and lots of blankets.

Cook...she was a wonderful cook. She made the most delicious filled cookies and every Christmas she would bring them all the way from California. Once she found a new recipe that she liked, she'd cook it over and over and over. One of her favorite's was my cousin Tami's recipe: Mushy Chicken. EVERY time Granty and I took the kids to visit, she made that for dinner and it was delicious!

Intuitive...my Nana and I wrote a lot of letters. I have them all in a box and I lost count after 200. She would write me letters at the most random time, but they always came when I needed them. I once had an extremely difficult time when I was in college and she wrote me letters of encouragement almost weekly. One letter said, "Life does deal us some pretty hard blows now and then. The one you have recieved has been a tough one to cope with. Stay strong, keep your chin up and your spirits, too! Have faith in the future. Sometimes God says wait, and boy is that hard!" Her words echo in my ears often when times get tough.

Advisor...when Granty and I first found out about our son Tim, she was there at my mom's house. I sat down and had a talk with her about how worried I was to have a 4 yr old who could talk back to me, had bad habits, wouldn't obey me, etc. and she said, "Kerri, all you need to do is love him. He's a lucky little boy to have you for a mom." I was still fearful to say yes to adopting Tim, but Nana kept saying I could do it. She was so right!

Love...my Nana was full of love. Each time I saw her, her arms would open wide for a hug. Everyone knew that Nana loved them. She was always doing, doing, doing for other people and rarely did anything for herself. Her selfless nature has blessed us all.

There are so many other words that could describe my Nana. Words like happy, thrifty, delightful, smart, obedient, christ-like and gentle. She left her handprint on my heart and life just won't be the same without her. The world is definitely a little dimmer without her light. I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I have that I will see her again one day. The rejoicing she and my Papa must be doing right now would be a sight to see! I am so glad they have been reuinited. I look forward to the day I see them both again. I love you my sweetcheeks Nana!

Here We Go....AGAIN!!

I am SO excited!

Taylor auditioned for her school musical, "Beauty And The Beast" and she wanted the part of Babette, the french feather duster. Guess what? She got it!

I can't wait for rehearsals to begin!

Where to park? Oy vey!!

HOLY CRAP!!

Okay, so tonight we tried to go to "The Festival of Trees". Tim & Granty weren't all that interested in going, so I packed my younger three kids into the car and we were off! Kaleb was in one of his silly moods, so the mood was amazingly cheerful from the onset! Even MY mood was cheery, and that's saying something! Anyway...

There were multiple morons on the road tonight. I don't think I have EVER been cut off, tailgated, cursed at or nearly hit so many times in one night! 'Tis the season I suppose! But, on with the story...So, we're in the parking lot of the Sandy Expo Center and there literally is NOWHERE to park. We were driving around and around for over 30 minutes and I gave up. Surprisingly my kids were dissapointed, so I promised them we'd try again on Saturday. One of my very best friends did a tree this year, so I HAVE to go and see it!!

Then the fun began. My little Kaleb has a wonderful sense of humor. He sometimes throws the funniest things out there and we all stare at each other giggling, wondering where in the world he came up with that? I kept hearing his voice in the back of the car say "Racist" and I couldn't fingure out why. The more I listened, I realized every time someone said "small", or "little", or "tiny", or "short", or "shrimp"...you know what I mean, he would blurt out "Racist". I tried in vain to explain to him that being small isn't a "race", but the more I tried explaining, the louder he would get screeching "RACIST"! Maybe you had to be there, but it was hilarious.

The jokes just continued from there. Some things were said and now, for some reason, the name "fat ass" sends my younger three kids into peals of laughter. Honestly, I don't remember what I said, but I don't care. We read the book "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" before bed tonight and I kept saying that the reindeer called Rudolph a "fat ass". By the time the kids went to bed, we were all crying from laughing so hard and my kids (even my ornery one!) said "Thanks for tonight mom. It was SO fun!"

Mission accomplished, fat ass!

Thankful A - Z

I saw this on my good friend Heather's blog and I thought it was kinda fun. I thought I'd give it a try...

Things that Kerri is thankful for from A - Z:

A - one of my best friends, Audra, apples with peanut butter, and Almond Joy's. Mmmm!
B - books! I love, Love, LOVE to read! Hot bread at Texas Roadhouse with cinnamon honey butter! Deeeeelish!
C - my son Cameron. He is fiesty and ornery, just like his mom! :) I'm thankful for fresh corn on the cob and Crown Burger! Yes, I said Crown Burger NOT In-N-Out!
D - my Daughter, Taylor. She is my favorite little friend and I hope we always will be. my Daddy...hands down, he is the most forgiving, loving, Christ-like man on this planet. I heart you dad! Krispy Kreme Donuts and dates with my Granty.
E - baby Evie!
F - my unbiological sister, Dawn Farr. She was put on this earth, just for me. My freedom, my faith and my family & friends all over the world.
G - now, I wasn't sure if I should put Granty, or Toren (looooong story, but those of you who know it, ha ha!) I love my Granty like none other. He is truly my sweetheart. :) I'm also thanful for goldfish crackers, Trident gum, and my Grandma Jespersen!
H - another of my best friends: Heather, my wonderful home, and hot chocolate!
I - soft serve ice cream from McDonalds! I love that stuff! I'm also thankful for insurance and instacare. We've needed that place more than once!
J - the Jespersen (my dad's) family...every last one of 'em (and there's a LOT of 'em!)
K - the Kidd (my mom's) family, my Koosharem family. My littlest son, Kaleb. He makes me laugh EVERY DAY.
L - the smell of clean laundry, licorice and licks from my dog, Hershey.
M - my mom. I don't know what I'd do without her. She is honestly my very, very best friend (next to Granty). Yummy dinners like meatloaf and sweet & sour meatballs.
N - my sweet Nana.
O - orange juice (especially when I have a cold!), having a working oven, and orthodics (yes, I admit I'm old and I need them! bah!)
P - my dog Peetie. I'm thankful for the time that I had with him! He was a wonderful friend. I'm also thankful for diet pepsi and movie popcorn!
Q - quiet time when everyone is gone or asleep. I covet those moments!
R - recreation time! I love camping, 4-wheeling, bike riding, being outside...anything that gets me out of the house!
S - SUMMER! SWIMMING! SUN BATHING! Sugar cookies with lots and lots of frosting, squash with lots and lots of butter, school, and sunflowers!
T - my son Timothy. He'll always have a special place in my heart. He was my first and I searched so very hard for him! The temple and forever family!
U - thankful Granty is NOT unemployed! We kinda need that income! Umbrellas and the movies Underworld 1-3.
V - my van. I don't feel all that sexy driving it, but it sure gets me, and everyone else I'm responsible for, where we need to be!
W - my brother Wade & his wife Sarah. They are the reason I have a niece EVE! The ward we live in. We really live in a great area!
X - X-rays/CT scans. Two and a half years ago I would have died without them.
Y - the Youth Program of the church.
Z - the zoo of a household I have! 4 kids, 1 husband, 4 babysitting kids, 4 pets--we are always busy and I love it!

Never a dull moment!

I am disgusted with myself. I'm such a terrible blogger! Anyway...

A few months back (September I believe) my three best friends (the goddesses) and I got together to celebrate Audra's birthday. Birthday's with our group are never a small thing. Each time we get a bit more creative.

For MY bday, the goddesses came over and surprised me. I was in my jammies and pissed at the persistant knocking at my door--hilarious! For Dawn's bday, we were camping (minus Audra *sniff sniff*) and surprised her with a camping princess bday party. We even managed to surprise her with a princess CAKE! For Heather's bday we told her we were going to the temple and took her to dinner instead. Her husband STILL gives her a hard time in regards to that every time we go. "Are you REALLY going to the temple this time?" Ha ha!

So, for Audra's bday, we had a hard time figuring out how to top the previous bdays. We have a thing for the movie "Xanadu" amongst ourselves--it's kind of an inside joke! Anyway, we decided to surprise Audra and take her roller skating at Xanadu complete with LEG WARMERS! Imagine our dismay when we got to Xanadu and found out the roller rink was being used as for a hockey practice! Well, we COULD have lamented the fact we couldn't skate (I think we did...just a little) but instead...well, let's just say a night of sheer delight ensued!

Dinner at Paradise, a missed opportunity to skate at Xanadu, naughty picture taking at the Valley Fair Mall, stopping at Albertson's for more batteries, dessert at The Cheesecake Factory, and meeting our new friend Chad. *sigh* Chad!

Such good times girls. SUCH.GOOD.TIMES! I thank the gods of friendship for helping me find you guys! You are seriously the BEST friends a girl could ask for. I HEART YOU GUYS!

Welllllll...it's been a long time since I posted and I decided it was about time to change that! Been busy...been depressed...blah blah...so here we go:

We went on a mini vacay to St George with some of favorite family/friends. It's awesome when you can call yer family friends! Anyway...

My cousin Dawn & her husband Eric have a membership with Trendwest which allows you to stay in a condo practically anywhere. They chose to go to St George in September and we got to come along! It was 5 days of total bliss I tell you! Swimming, Guitar Hero, awesome food, shopping sprees, a trip to Mesquite, late night giggle sessions...we had a blast! Here's some pictures to prove it!!