Family Fun and Good Times

I wanted to show you what it is like to try to get a picture of the girls. Which one is different from the others???

Annie is all over the place!!! Notice Audrey-I don't think she changes from each frame and Lily just a little bit but she's just a year old! Annie sit still!!!!!

Here is some more family fun from our long winter break since I know you are all dying to see so enjoy!!! :)

What a sight!!!

Last night I went into the bathroom to get ready for bed and this is what greeted me.......










Wait for it..............






--------------->

Why, hello, Troy! You look sooo nice!! You always make me laugh that's why I love you so much!!!!

Apparently, ElRey was a little bored in the bathroom....either that or he was sick of seeing naked Troy on the bathroom floor! Oh, yeah! The dress is much better!!!

I *Heart* Inversion

I love January! Half of it is too snowy and cold to even get your mail and then the other half is nice and 'balmy' but you'll die of lung cancer if you go get your mail! Love it! To top it off my daughter is off track AFTER the Christmas break! I am on entertainment duty and I am tired!! Christmas wiped me out physically, emotionally and mom-ially and it continues!!! I love my kids but I am grateful for school-someone else can give them structure and entertainment for a few hours and probably do a much better job at it than me! I am about ready to run away to Park City to breathe some fresh, non-toxic air but I know that will cause spending money I do not have so I have been spending a lot of time at "Jumpin' Jacks", a bounce house with all the blow up slides and such. It's a pretty good work out for me and the girls! Lily loves the biggest slide there and guess who gets to carry her up those awesome stairs-that'd be me! We would get down to the bottom and she would sign 'more, more, more' with a big smile on her face so up we go again!

Another thing we've been doing is watching a whole lot'a TV! Just to give you an idea of how bad it is Audrey was laying on the couch and said, "I'm cold! I need a Snuggie!" That's one of those blankets with sleeves that make you look like a creepy monk! But look how happy these people are with theirs! You can even knit AND stay warm! Annie came in the bathroom one day when I was putting on mascara and

she said, "Mom, is that a Spin-Lash?"

Mom: "Huh??"

Annie: "A Spin-Lash!"

Mom: "It's mascara"

That's when she walked out apparently thinking I was a lost cause. The next day I came in where the TV was on and there was a commercial on for a "Spin-Lash", a spinning mascara wand. WHAT THE H-WORD!?!??! Are we that lazy we can't just do it our selves!?!?!?

Audrey keeps telling me I need a Big-City Sliders cooker that makes cooking burgers easier than ever and it gives a smaller waistline and it cuts julienne fries!!!

Hmmmmm...... are we watching too much TV? I don't think so! I just NEED these products and my kids are on the lookout for my needs! I mean, Mother's Day is coming up and all! Is it April yet???

The BBC And Those Who L-O-V-E It!

My family is a group of BBC junkies! From "Pride and Prejudice" (Colin Firth version best ever!!!) and "North and South" to "Bleak House" and "Wives and Daughters". The latest one I had the pleasure of viewing is "Cranford" based on the Elizabeth Glaskell novel (she also wrote Wives and Daughters and North and South). It was so wonderful! I love watching movies of that time it seems so simple but so entertaining and engaging! I could've totally been a gentleman's daughter! Sit around, read, take walks, go to a country dance! That is what I am talking about!! Plus, the clothes rocked! Who cared if you had an extra set of boobs around your middle-hello!??! Empire waist and petticoats!!! "Cranford" was much ado {nice!!} about education and progress and how hard it is for those set in their way to allow it. Oh, they were all such great people in this story! If you are looking for 6 or so hours to kill-go get this movie or book! Whenever I get sucked into one of these movies or books it makes me wish there really was a place like in Shannon Hale's "Austenland"! If you haven't read that one go get it now!! Now, that would be a fun movie!!! I wonder if Colin Firth is free to play the leading man.....hmmmm

Mindi Interprets the Scriptures

There was a misunderstanding from my last post. No one missed my birthday-you still all have plenty of shopping days before my birthday! I am a summer baby so you all have about 6 months to get me something pretty. If you need a list let me know and I will e-mail it to you!

I love the Apostle Paul! His conversion, his teachings, everything! I think he is great! However, his letters in the New Testament have caused major confusion! I am sure that is not his fault, they were published out of context and were probably only meant for the wards and bishops he wrote them to. Thanks to my astounding knowledge of scriptural things and just pure smartypantsness, I can interpret what he wrote with great ease! ElRey shared these few with me the other night. Don't worry I will tell you what he means at the end. This first one is in 1Timothy 4:1-4:
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.
~There are evil people out there who will lie and deceive you into thinking you should not marry and never eat meat! Paul says get married and have a cheeseburger, in fact, make it a double with bacon just to be sure! Obedience is key! We want everyone to know we obey God's commands!!

The next one is just as important! This one is in 1Timothy 5:23:
23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.
~Have a beer or some tequila with you burger.

I am just telling you what he said and you can take it or leave it but I for one will be obedient! Now pass me a Tecate and some napkins!!

I am so grateful that Audrey has such a smart and spiritual mom! She is turning 8 this year and it's up to me to make sure she understands the scriptures and the Gospel! I am here for you, sweety-pie!!

When did I become OLD???

I've been in my 30s for a little while and I haven't been a fan. In my heart I am 19 but my body and mind just doesn't feel the same way. Here are some signs that I have entered the 'aged' realm:
*Call my kids different names. My grandma called me Harold often so I figured only old people did that!
*The words, "When I was your age..." escape my lips often.
*Ibuprofen is in my daily vitamin regimen
*I know when a storm is coming, I feel it in my joints.
*When did 9pm start feeling like 11pm??
*Dinner is getting earlier and earlier.
*Kids don't believe a word I say because I'm way to old to understand.
*I call teenagers 'kids'.
*I am buying more food that says "Great Source of Fiber!"
*I don't like going any further than an 8 mile radius from my home.
*I worry about driving alone at night.
*The "hottie" actors are now so young, it's creepy and wrong for me to notice.
* I can fall asleep at the drop of a a;lksdifopjA; 'Q46W]ODF0B EP4T' qbw
SORRY MY HEAD HIT THE KEYBOARD.
*I can no longer step foot in the Juniors department without getting arrested or at least getting the stink-eye from someone!
*I just ate a fry and it went immediately to my rear end!
*The fact I just typed 'rear end'.
*People laugh when I talk the newest lingo as if I can't pull it off! WHATEVER!!! FO SHIZ!!!

I know the 30s isn't really old but it has been an adjustment! Sometimes I wonder if I took my 20s for granted. That was when you could still get away with stuff. When you turn 30 you are suddenly supposed to 'know better'! Well, I am going to go toilet paper someone tonight just to prove that I am young at heart! I just need to be home by 9:30. I have early church in the morning.

Chapter 3: The Spinster Looks For Love in All The Wrong Places And True Love Gives Her a Call

Here's a little secret about Mindi: I realized early in my life that I would know rather quickly if I was with my eternal companion. I am very indecisive and noncommittal so I would get involved with someone, find something that bothered me or get scared because it was getting too hot and heavy and I would run and I would run fast! I'm talking in a month's time, I'd be moving on! There was only 2 guys in my young life that I didn't do that with. We will begin with Bachelor #1. He was fun, funny, very tall and I felt very comfortable with him. We had been kind of off and on (because of indecisive, noncommittal little me) and at one point we were going to get married. I broke that off at one point but we kept hanging out after. I was very befuddled because I loved him, I wanted to be with him, but it never felt totally right. It didn't feel good with how we started out and there was always this feeling of not being able to completely trust him. I even went to dinner with my parents at one point to let them know our family may getting little more diverse (he was Samoan). I was so mixed up about it I finally gave it to the Lord and said, "If he isn't it, You may need to send the one. I don't think I will get out of this on my own."
One day I got a phone call from ElRey Jeppson a.k.a, Bachelor #2. I had just had a call from another Elder a few days before telling me he was getting married so I thought maybe ElRey was doing the same. But no, he was calling to ask me out! Ruth, ElRey's sister, asked if I had tattooed my name and number on his hand that day so long ago. No, it was on paper but my name was tattooed on his heart! The first thing that got me was he asked if I wanted to go to the fair in Salt Lake but not if I would meet him down there-he said he would come pick me up in Logan! The guy I was seeing never came up to Logan! I always had to go to him but I was worth it to ElRey to do a 6 hour commute for a couple hours of time with me! I said YES! He later told me that he had just broken up with that girlfriend and he was feeling blue about it. He came across my number I had written down in his planner. The only thing that gave him the courage to call me was that I put all those silly hearts around my name! It must have been the Spirit that told me to do that! ;) He didn't have to pick me up, I had a car. The second thing that got me was he asked me out again! I know that sounds weird but I had an interesting dating life that I won't go into. Let's just say there was no kissing but he wanted to go out again.
I never felt so comfortable with someone in a dating situation! Our first date was in September and I knew by November that he was it! He was the one God sent to save me from myself and give me all I ever wanted!
One night we were making out...I mean hanging out talking about our favorite temples and I just asked, "So when is the big day?" *silence*
ElRey: "Thanksgiving is coming up..."
Mindi: "That's not what I mean...when are we getting married?"
I think he may have blacked out at this point and I don't remember all that was said but the next day we went looking for rings. I think he just didn't want to hurt my feelings so he went along with it at first. I had NEVER been so confident about something in my life! I would have never said anything like that if I wasn't but I knew I would marry him and I wanted him to know that.
We started making plans, meeting families, picking names out for our 8 children. One night we were talking on the phone and he confessed that he wasn't totally sure about it all. I was surprised and felt bad that he felt pressured by me into this. We got off the phone and I immediately fell to my knees, pleading with Heavenly Father to help ElRey feel what I had felt. Just has I finished praying my phone rang again. It was ElRey crying and he said, "I know now. We are getting married!" He had gotten off the phone and prayed the same time I was. I think that is one of the very few times where my prayer had been answered so quickly and clearly!
ElRey officially proposed on the weekend of December 4th at Temple Square after dinner at The Garden Restaurant. We were married Jan 29th. Yes, we planned a wedding in one month! I know, I'm pretty much awesome (or pathetically low maintenance!!!)
So, that is how the Jeppson Clan came to be! Yes, it was short but when I know what I want, I go for it! Luckily, ElRey was all for it, too! My nice rack helped A LOT!! Thank you Boob Fairy!!

Happy Anniversary to the greatest husband, friend, lover *whoa* and partner in crime!! Without you I would be lost!! Thanks for all these awesome years you have given me!! You are the best gift I ever received and you are still my Knight in Shining Armor!!

Chapter 2: The Unsuspecting Soulmates Meet Again

The response to our first chapter was very nice! I thought I may be a little presumptuous to assume anyone was interested, maybe I still am and you are all being nice! Be that as it may, I am enjoying writing this down, it brings back memories and it's been a fun conversation with ElRey. Our romance novel continues....

He looked at her in her jumper and knee highs at their PPI. She looked so bloated and oddly attractive. Elder Jeppson took Sister Thomas in his arms and.....oh, sorry wrong story...and a little creepy.....

Anyway, I ended up coming home the transfers just before ElRey's release date (that's a month). I didn't do much but sleep till 3 in the afternoon and wait for my boyfriend to come home from work so we could make out...I mean read scriptures together and write down goals...By the time ElRey was home I was done with that relationship (see most embarrassing moment in previous tag post). I wanted to get in contact with him but I didn't want him to think I wanted to go on a date-you know how return missionaries are. A couple months later a senior couple came home and I wanted to go see them. It gave me, what I thought, a good excuse to call him up and tell him about their homecoming. A couple of us missionaries met up at the homecoming and had a fun little reunion at the couple's house afterwards. We were sitting around talking (I'm sure, as always, that I was monopolizing the conversation) and laughing and I made a joke about not dating. That is when quiet little ElRey finally said something and I am not making this up but he said: "Maybe you don't date because you talk too much!" That had everyone on the floor laughing all over again (the senior couples would still bring that up for years after whenever we saw them)!

As my friend/companion, Lisa, and I were leaving, ElRey said he wanted to keep in touch and we should hang out so he asked for our numbers. I'm sure romance was far from his mind since he was dating someone at the time so in my flirty, silly way I put hearts all around my name on the paper. Ain't I charming? I didn't think he would really call and I didn't think twice about it. He was off with his girlfriend to California and I was off to Mexico to bask in the sun. Shortly after that I moved up to Logan to go to USU (GO AGGIES!!!) and I was having a blast. I remember walking the campus at one point and in my ripe old spinstery age of 23, resigning to the fact I probably won't get married, for reasons I will explain later, and I would pursue my education and career. I was content.
We will end this chapter here, stay tuned for our next exciting chapter of the hottest romance around...I know the suspense is killing you....

Chapter 1: Missionary Mishaps With the Man I Love

Our wedding anniversary is coming up this month and I thought in honor of that I would write down how we came to be 9 years ago.

Our story begins about 11 years ago. It was a sunny California day. Excitement was in the air-it was transfers in the California Carlsbad mission and I was being transferred. I was leaving the nest. The mother bird was releasing me to fly on my own, yes, I was leaving my trainer. I was scared and a little excited. You never knew where you were going or who would be your new companion but I was ready to take it on! I was transferred to the Carlsbad 1st ward which was near the mission office and mission home. I was sooo excited to be right in the heart of the mission, and by the beach, no less! My district leader, a tall drink of water named Elder Jeppson, whom I affectionately came to refer to as "Jeppy". I knew the moment I laid eyes on him I would bear his children and clean his house! Okay, so not that dramatic but I loved him! Not in a I can't wait till it's time to call in at curfew and I didn't put on lipstick when I called in my numbers on Saturday nights or for PPI's. I never once wondered if he was dreaming about me in my green and white jumper, knee highs and Dr. Marten's. But he was one of my favorite missionaries! I know for a fact he didn't think of me as anything but a sister missionary-I didn't have a big bow in my hair and I didn't put off the "Molly Mormon" vibe, which was more his type. It didn't hurt that I had an extra 20 lbs. on me that I didn't have in the MTC but I digress...
We got ourselves into a little trouble a couple times. I was always desperate to exercise but I destroyed the 3 comps. that were willing to run with me after just a few early mornings. Not to say that I was tougher than them but it was always really early in the morning and they weren't into running. After a month in Carlsbad I became a trainer and my new comp., "Rawly" (Rawlinson), was ready and willing, she even bought shoes for the blessed event of running along the sea-wall at 5:30 in the morning, bless her heart!! ElRey's comp., DeWitt, wanted to join us so they met us there bright and early. Come to find out, ElRey wasn't a runner either and DeWitt and I slowly gained the lead. At one point we ended up on the highway above the sea-wall with our companions below. One of the members of The Elder's ward saw DeWitt and I and ONLY DeWitt and I running along Highway 1. ElRey got an earful and was not happy with his comp. and needless to say, that ended the running with them. *oops*
Another time they offered to drive us to the mall on P-day since we didn't have a car. We pretty much just wandered the mall and somehow ended up walking Sister/Elder more than Elder/Elder, Sister/Sister. It felt a little like a double date which I know was driving ElRey nuts and, again, that ended any outings with just the 4 of us.
The irony of it all is that ElRey and I were both tired and grumpy with new missionaries who were both ready and eager to get to work, and we would often joke that if we ever got married we would be the grumpiest couple ever!!! Who knew we were receiving revelation at the time!!
I was in that area for 4 months and it was one of my favorite areas. And ElRey was really one of my favorite Elders, I looked for him at every transfer but I don't think I saw him again, maybe once.
I am not one of those that will tell you my mission was the best 18 months of my life because it wasn't. It was hard and I was glad when I was done. I had awesome companions who put up with A LOT and I have a few great memories and I learned a ton about the Gospel and myself. But if the only reason was to somehow meet ElRey, then it was worth every painful time that alarm clock went off, every door slammed in my face, every heart break and every crying jag and yes, even that extra 20 lbs!! He is the best thing that EVER happened to me and there has been a lot of great things in this short life of mine! I will continue our greatest love story ever told in another chapter as this one is longer than my own attention span as it is!

Belated Tag

I got tagged a little while ago and forgot to do it, I think it's more of a Christmas one but I thought it was fun anyway:

1. embarrassing moment: There are so many...I was on a second date with a guy and he talked about our kids...that was embarrassing and uncomfortable-no we didn't have any kids together-I knew it wasn't going to work out when we went and saw Prince of Egypt, you know the movie about Moses? He leaned over to me as it started and asked, "Is this a true story?" Pretty much the whole time we dated was embarrassing, he's a nice guy, though....
2 best friends: Again, there are so many, I am way super popular it's overwhelming but I will go with ElRey and Amber.
3 things you buy regularly: Diet Coke, Milk and bread
4 places you want to go (and might actually really go): Heaven, Italy, Hawaii and Vernal, I've heard it's lovely there.
5 goals for the upcoming year (that you might actually do): Lose 20ish pounds, Take my family on a trip, take more college classes, get finances in order, buy a shirt
6 things most people don't know about you: I'm loud and obnoxious, I have often laid awake at night coming up with talks to give in church, I have a dark side, I lay awake at night thinking of funny things to say, when I am sad I love to listen to Pink Floyd, I have a disturbing crush on David Bowie (I know, really???)
7 things you would never say: "I think I'm gay", "I'm the greatest mother", "I can't wait to wake up in the morning!", "Clay Aiken is totally dreamy", "I wanna get a job", "Al Gore is super smart", "NO, Will Smith, I will not make out with you!!"
8 things you love about the Christmas season: Doing fun activities with my kids, all the food, Christmas morning, how everyone seems to love everyone (except while driving and shopping), all the Christmas cards I get even though I send nothing, getting together with family, thinking of Jesus more, Christmas songs.
9 things you say to your kids (or loved ones for those not married): "Stop it!", "Be nice!", "Put the knife down!", Lily, get off of that!", You are soooo cute!", "I love you!", "You are so smart!", You are so funny!", "We all need a nap!".
10 things you do a lot: Go to Maverick, look at the clock, workout, do dishes, whine about doing dishes, wish I had cleaning fairies that would do the dishes, read, look at blogs and facebook, whine, wish I was somewhere else.
11 things you would rather not live without: Food, my family, Diet Coke, money, friends, cellphone, hot showers, my king size bed, my husband, my mom, the Gospel.
12 people to tag: 12 of my closest and best friends-you know who you are!! ;)

Wonderwoman!!!!

My sweet little four year old was wandering the house the other day in just a t-shirt and underpants. She asked me if she could have some lemonade and I told her yes but it was down in the garage and she would have to go down and get it. She was very responsible and went and got her snow boots to brave the cold garage (uh...pants?!?!). When she came back up she started dancing around the kitchen and said, "Hey, mom! I look like Wonderwoman because all she wears is a shirt and boots!!" Then she gave me her best superhero pose.

Oh, were it that easy......