The Pratt Clan

Fall 2011 Updates...yeah, it's been a year!

2011-10-25T07:20:00.000-07:00

I am inspired by many people....my sister-in-law Kinsey is the one who constantly inspires me to update my blog! She posts pictures of all the fun and cute activities my niece and nephews are doing...and dang it...I just got the bug to blog!!

So...as you can see from the picture, Jenna lost her first tooth! She pulled it out herself! I came home from work and she told me, "I took a bite of an apple and my loose tooth was hurting, so I did what the lady at the dentist told me to do...I twisted and turned it and it fell out!"

What a cutie! My kids definitely didn't inherit my squeamish-ness! In this picture I can't decide if Jenna looks more like me (in her face) or her grandma Pratt, which we have always thought she favors! I love this little girl! I can't believe my "baby" is six and in first grade!

Other updates...Joshua has been up at the University of Utah and has been really having a good time. He's met some great kids at the Institute and is all done submitting his part of his missionary papers. Now our Bishop does his part and then the Stake President will meet with Josh and submit everything to church HQ. The Stake Pres. said he could get his call within a week and a half! We are excited for this new adventure in Joshua's life...and ours as well. Although I for one, am sad to think my boy will be gone for 2 years...but I'll think about that later (I know...so Scarlett O'Hara...but really maybe she was onto something ha ha).

This is the picture Joshua submitted w/ his mission papers!

The other kids are busy with school and sports and such. Jonah is a sophomore at Westlake this year. He wanted to do the swim team, but we missed it. As a firm believer in him doing SOMETHING...I think I convinced him to take guitar lessons. He inherited an electric bass from his uncle, and I think he's pretty interested. He is old enough to get his permit and is working on that. He has been a big help to me since Joshua is living up at the "U". I've really been impressed at how he has "stepped up" and taken on that role of "oldest".

Jeremy played 8th grade football...and he hated it. Being a girl and not ever having played FB before, Alan informed me that at this age it gets really competitive and the coaches are not at all 'warm and fuzzy!' After going to a few games and observing this for myself, (the coach actually got kicked out of one game for being such a jerk to the referees) I have to agree. Jeremy was quite miserable and ended up missing the last couple of games. He is looking forward to playing basketball as that is what he really loves. I am not at all disappointed he doesn't like football...he's always been my big teddy bear boy, and I'm glad he doesn't have that violent, 'I'll kill you' type attitude that I guess you need to play football.

The girls have been busy playing soccer this fall. Joely played for the 2nd year and Jenna played for the first year. They were so cute. They really love to run and Joely especially loves soccer. Jenna...not so much. She got tired, but she did score a goal! Her coach put her right in front of the goal and everyone on her team had the job of getting the ball to Jenna. It was pretty awesome!

Now for me....I started working part time in the afternoons the end of June as a court clerk in the Justice court in Saratoga Springs. I really like it. Its pretty decent pay and its 10 min from home. Down side is that I'm not here when the kids get home from school...but that's OK b/c my mom is moving in with us!!

I'm actually flying down to Dallas this Friday and I'm driving back with her! We are so excited! It's been a long road getting her here, but we couldn't be more excited!

Look for another post hopefully in a few weeks...about Joshua's mission call!

Love to you all! Have a great Halloween!

Way to go Joshua!!

2010-11-12T14:43:00.001-08:00

Just a bit of wonderful news...Joshua earned his Eagle Scout award! He did an amazing job! We are so proud of him. He built by hand a wooden puppet theatre and a beautiful wood storage box (for the puppets) for our local Eagle Mountain library. They had recently built a new addition to the library and the librarian suggested the project to Joshua. He worked really hard. Way to go Joshua!! He will have his Court of Honor in June when Grandma Colleen and Uncle Dave both fly in for his high school graduation. That way, he'll have an uncle in the "eagle's nest". What a kid!

Some new pictures

2010-10-21T14:56:00.001-07:00

So, I live in this totally amazing neighborhood where within a 2 block radius I can get professional pictures taken, my hair done, my nails done and a massage!!! Not to mention the ladies who cook and sew like professionals too! It's very humbling to live around such talent!! So, I decided to take advantage of this...and forego the ever-boring standard school pictures (the ones with the same old blue/grey background we had as kids 25 years ago) and have my very talented friend Mikki take my kids' pictures. I'm sure you'll agree that they turned out a 100 times better than the canned school shots and the kids didn't have to say "pickles"!!

Probably my favorite of Joshua...because he looks so handsome and you see the mountains too!

So GQ right?

I love this one too!

We finally got a genuine smile out of him!!

Josie is in 3rd grade this year!!

Joely is in 1st grade- love the toothless grin!

My little baby girl Jenna....not so much anymore...she's in Kindergarten!

Yes...Jonah is smiling!!! He is so cute! My big freshman!

My Jeremy -the big 7th grader!! Can you tell he didn't want his picture taken?

The closest we came to getting him to smile! He is so handsome!!

So thankful.....an attitude of gratitude!

2010-10-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

I know its been soooooo long since I blogged, so forgive me please!! (Not that anyone besides maybe my sister Wendy reads my blog anymore....I don't blame anyone for giving up on me!!0

So, its been a while. Updates are due. First off- everyone is doing really well. We are happy and healthy...what more could we ask for? (More money, but that goes without saying, right?)
Just kidding. We are truly blessed.

The kids just keep growing like weeds...literally they are all shooting up past me! The boys have officially "outgrown" their mother (although I tell them being 5'3 3/4" isn't tall!!) The girls are getting so grown-up too. They are all in school now (Jenna started Kindergarten this year) and for the most part, they really love it. Jenna for sure tells me everyday how much she LOVES school!!!

Alan and I just celebrated our 18th anniversary. Hard to believe we've been married for as long as we lived at home with our parents and siblings. He is awesome and I am so lucky to have him as my spouse!!!

I was impressed this last conference with the many references to gratitude. Its true that I often focus on the negative and what's going wrong instead of paying a little more attention to what is going right and all the blessings in my daily life. So this is my small tribute to all the blessings I have been given.

First, I have to give much thanks for my wonderful family. My husband, my kiddos, my mom and my brother and sisters. This summer I also had the wonderful blessing of reconnecting with many members of my extended family at a family reunion up here in Utah; aunts, uncles, cousins, new cousins (the children of my cousins), their spouses- some I had never met. What a blessing it is to have such a large and wonderful extended family. My family is AWESOME!

Second, I am so grateful to have the gospel in my life. Although last Sunday we had FOUR baby blessings and not enough room in our chapel to hold everyone (it was very loud and crowded and put me in a very bad mood) I need to look at it as a positive instead of a negative. I love living in Utah where we are so close to church headquarters and so close to so many temples. What a blessing it is to be surrounded by so many GOOD members of the church- in my neighborhood, in our schools, in our community. This is truly a blessing of the restored gospel. Its not only something particular to Utah- but in Eagle Mountain where the LDS population is about 95%- its a huge blessing. Also, I have a neighbor who recently moved here from Florida and is taking the discussions and investigating the church. What a blessing to be in such a densely populated LDS area and still have the opportunity to help someone investigate and discover the truthfulness of the gospel.

Last, I am so grateful for all the material blessings I have been given-not to sound trite or superficial..but I really am grateful for having good vehicles to drive, a comfortable home to live in and good food to eat. Sometimes I get caught up in always wanting more, or newer...but I am truly grateful to just have what I have. Someone once said..."Happiness isn't getting what you want, but wanting what you've got." (Seriously I think thats a song lyric from Sheryl Crow!!!) But its true. And I'm grateful for that!

Hope this fall finds you happy and healthy and grateful for the blessings you have in your life.

It's great to be 8!

2010-01-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

Josie will be turning 8 on Friday Jan. 29th and so in anticipation of the "big baptism day" we teamed up with some friends and met with a photographer and the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple in South Jordan. It was freezing cold, and Josie is seriously lacking in the "meat" department...so needless to say, she was shivering quite violently and her lips were a pretty shade of violet! But, it was great fun to have her in a beautiful white dress sitting/standing on the temple grounds. I told her that someday she could even come back to this same temple in another white dress and get married! She wasn't so excited about that idea, simply because boys are still "gross" but hopefully the seed was planted and it will be a goal of hers for the future! She is such a blessing to our family, and I am so lucky to be her mom! And of course, I told her that many people pay big bucks for highlights in their hair that are naturally hers. What a sweet little angel..and I still can't believe she's already 8 years old. It seems like yesterday Alan and I were blessed with the first little girl in our family. It was another snowy and cold day when she came into the world....in Colorado Springs....love you Josie!

A New Year...can you believe its 2010??

2010-01-06T18:41:00.000-08:00

I can't believe its 2010!! Wow...its truly amazing to me how fast time flies!! Joshua celebrated his 17th birthday....on Jan. 2nd...and Josie is getting ready to celebrate her 8th birthday and get baptized! Grandma Colleen called us today and excited us all with her news that she'll be coming for a short visit the first week in Feb., and to see Josie get baptized. The kids are all excited...they haven't seen Grandma Colleen since last April..too long! Anyhoo...wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year! Hope you are sucessful in achieving your goals for the year...I need all the luck I can get to achieve mine (they are always daunting..yet for some reason, I feel confident that this is THE year I'll finally be able to achieve them!! yeah, I know...keep dreaming!) I'll post some new pics soon....as one of those daunting goals is to finally organize all my pictures!!!

Merry Christmas to all!

2009-12-16T17:35:00.001-08:00

We had some new family pictures taken in October...so I thought since its been a LONG time since I've posted something on our blog, that I would put a picture on for all to see (all those who haven't given up on me ever blogging again!) The kids are getting so big and so handsome/gorgeous!!! Joshua will be turning 17 in about 2 1/2 weeks..can't believe it. He's doing really good in school, driving, dating a teeny bit (hey, I'm not complaining about that!) and he's a great kid. Jonah is 13 going on 17- at least he wishes...he's in 8th grade...and life is pretty smooth...great kid, very funny and great with his siblings when they aren't fighting!! Jeremy is in 6th grade...11 turning 12...soon all three of the boys will be priesthood holders and blessing and/or passing the sacrament...so cool. Jeremy is the funniest kid...he always has some funny word to say, or some sarcastic remark...he's a cool kid. The girls are so precious...Josie is turning 8 in January and getting baptized. I'm trying to convince her to pierce her ears, but her dad is throwing a fit about it..so we'll see who wins the battle. She's a great little reader and is doing well in 2nd grade. Joely is enjoying her Kindergarten year...she's a little bored b/c a lot of what they do she already knows. She is so busy...constantly going, going, going! Jenna Grace is no baby in our house...I can finally say she is potty trained (only took us til age 4....whew!) and she is so much fun. She goes to preschool with me, is learning to read really well and is busy just like her sisters and brothers. She is a gem...we all spoil her rotten!

I love this time of year....but I miss being close to my family. I've enjoyed sending out Christmas cards this year, and doing a couple of cookie exchanges and a secret santa. The time goes by so quickly, there isn't enough time to do everything I want to do, so I try to pick the things I REALLY want to do, and then try to find time to squeeze it in. Life has been good to us...we have been so blessed...we have our family, our friends, our health and the gospel of Jesus Christ...like my other friend posted on her blog....what more could we ask for??? Hope this post finds all of you happy and healthy and enjoying this Christmas season. Love to you all!!

Hello Monday Morning!

2009-08-31T06:49:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't my exact kitchen sink this morning, but trust me, its close! Does anyone else feel like the weekend just isn't long enough to get everything done, let alone, keep up with the dishes!! It was a typical weekend full of soccer, football and softball games, shopping for groceries and just relaxing....but dang if it isn't unpleasant to wake up Monday morning and see this waiting for you downstairs....what happened to my bright and brillant parenting that incorporates my children helping with the chores around the house??? Being the "Brady bunch" (six kids- 3 of each- minus coming from different families) what we really need is an Alice...but I know that's never going to happen. Oh well...let the fun begin!!!

Joely's 1st day of Kindergarten

2009-08-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

My little Joely Elizabeth on her first day of Kindergarten! She is so excited!

Now for the girls!

2009-08-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here are Josie and Jenna on their first day of school!!! Josie is in 2nd grade this year...so happy that she got the teacher of her choice...Miss Christensen! Jenna is at Learning Dynamics Preschool for the 4 year old program with me...MWF in the afternoons. Joely will start Kindergarten this year, at the end of the week, so I'll have to be sure and post her first day picture or she'll feel left out!!! Cute little girls...love them so much!!!

Some pics of the kids.....man they have grown!

2009-08-25T09:38:00.001-07:00

First day of school for Jeremy Spencer--big sixth grader at Lakeview Academy...his last year at the charter school...next year the new Jr. High opens and its goodbye forever to the school uniform..doesn't he remind you so much of Buddy?

Jonah Michael...barely paused for me to take this picture as he was walking out the door for the first day of 8th grade....He is my "Mr. Fashion"...he was so fun this year to shop for...we had to hit the mall of course, but then he discovered Ross and got all his cool namebrand t-shirts for a pretty good deal! What a kid!

Here is my big "man" on his first day at the new High school!! Wouldn't smile to show off that perfect "braces" free smile....but isn't he cute???

He's really got a load this year...2 AP classes and 2 UVU classes that he gets high school and college credit for...you all know what a smarty pants Josh is....I challenged him to graduate valedictorian....I know he can do it!!!

This year is another one of those years with all 6 of the kids in school and all 6 in different schools...Josh at the new Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs...Jonah at Willowcreek Middle school and Jeremy at Lakeview Academy. I love how big they are getting, how smart they are and how much they HATE for me to take their pictures!!!

I'm amazed at how time flew by this summer and now we're back in school! Note to self....enjoy each moment because they come and go too fast!

The Invisible Mother

2009-02-26T12:13:00.000-08:00

**I got this sent to me in an email...and just HAD to share it with all you....you mothers who inspire me, help and support me, encourage me and do it all with such grace and beauty! Remember..."Never, never, never give up!" Love to you all! **

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack
of response, the way one of the kids will walk into
the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to
the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on
the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on
the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even
standing on my head in the corner, because no one can
see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can
you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a
human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?'
I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the
Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around
5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the h ands that once held
books and the eyes that studied history and the mind
that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had
disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner,
celebrating the return of a friend from England.
Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and
she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.
I was sitting there, looking around at the others all
put together so well. It was hard not to compare and
feel sorry for myself. I was feeling pretty pathetic,
when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped
package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a
book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't
exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her
inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the
greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the
book. And I would discover what would become for me,
four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern
my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals
- we have no record of their names. These builders
gave their whole lives for a work they would never see
finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no
credit. The passion of their building was fueled by
their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who
came to visit the cathedral while it was being built,
and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside
of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are
you spending so much time carving that bird into a
beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will
ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God
sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into
place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to
me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you
make every day, even when no one around you does. No
act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on,
no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice
and smile over. You are building a great cathedral,
but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction.
But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It
is the cure for the disease of my own
self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong,
stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a
great builder. As one of the people who show up at a
job that they will never see finished, to work on
something that their name will never be on. The writer
of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals
could ever be built in our lifetime because there are
so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to
tell the friend he's bringing home from college for
Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and
bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey
for three hours and presses all the linens for the
table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a
monument to myself. I just want him to want to come
home. And then, if there is anything more to say to
his friend, to add, 'You're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We
cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day ,
it is very possible that the world will marvel, not
only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has
been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible
women.

Some Random Thoughts....

2009-02-10T21:28:00.000-08:00

Well..it has been a while since I've sat down to update my blog! Alot has happened...Christmas, the New Year, Joshua & Josie had their birthdays, and now Valentine's Day is knocking on the door! I spent a couple moments reading my sister Lisa's blog...she has such great insight into life...just normal everyday life..that sometimes, if not most of the time, we take for granted...nursing sick kids...seeing hubby's off to work, you know, the daily stuff that makes up life. For me, life seems to move at super sonic speed..but I take comfort and gain strength knowing I don't travel this road alone...I have my family, my friends, and my Savior, Jesus Christ, to help me, inspire me, comfort me, lift me up and just be there for me! Thank you to you all... for living your lives, wherever they may be, the very best you can, because I look up to you...all of you. Everyone that I know, that I keep in touch with, whether by phone, email, facebook, or this blog...you touch my life. It's so good knowing that we all share this journey together!!

OK, so those are my thoughts for today...and now I'll give you the scoop on what's been going on in the lives of the Pratt Clan. Alan and I are still sane...and that is BIG news!! Alan (you know that his nickname is Alfie..right??) is busy at work and studying for the PE exam (Professional Engineer) It's an 8 hour test..grueling I'm sure...that covers all the Chemical Engineering stuff he suppossedly learned in school like 10 years ago. Needless to say...he is studying hard!

Joshua turned the ripe old age of 16 on Jan. 2nd. I can't believe I have a 16 year old! He was home sick today from school...i think he ate something bad. Anyway..doing good..working on getting his driver's license and will start a job working for the golf course next month! I told him I wouldn't charge him rent...yet!

Jonah is doing good too...I tried (unsuccessfully) to get him to take up piano lessons...so really he is waiting for track season to start...sometime next month! He continues to love our crazy mutt Nacho...and is learning to ski this winter with his brothers and dad! I think he is an adrenaline junkie!

Jeremy is playing basketball right now with the Jr. Jazz program that they do up here in Utah! He is so funny...he really loves it...but can't wait for football to start. Needless to say, Jeremy was disappointed in the Super Bowl...as his beloved San Diego Chargers were beat by the Steelers, who went on to win in all. Oh well..maybe next year!

Josie had her 7th birthday on Jan. 29th! She is so cute! Her 2 front teeth are coming in and it is funny to see how grown up she is getting! She is doing really well at piano..although if I try to help her..watch out..its WW III! So...I stay away from that! She informed me a few days ago that she wants to do ballet...I think I might have to get a job to pay for all the kids' activities!

Joely is still going to preschool with me and Jenna! She is reading really well...but a little sad that all her friends dropped out of her class...she is the only girl, with 4 other boys..but she has a great teacher so she is still pretty excited about going to school! Joely is a sweetheart...if I can just get her to stop yelling and fighting with Jenna...they have good days and bad days!!

Jenna is my little comedian! She talks to me about all the movie lines she has memorized. The latest is from Madagascar 2...she says, "Mom, Moto Moto sings...'I like chunky, I like big!'" She is sooooo funny! She follows Josie and Joely around everywhere and thinks she can do whatever they do! I do have to take her up to Primary Children's next month to see a Pediatric Opthamologist...she has lazy eye..and will probably need glasses. I'm a little nervous..but I hope the problem can be corrected WITHOUT surgery!!!

As for me...I am my kids' mom...I just added 3 new piano students to my crazy schedule...but I'm hoping that I can maintain my sanity. My current fave thing is facebook...the first couple of time I got on I literally felt glued to the computer...I'm better now..and its been fun finding all these people I knew when I was in grade school!!! My next big thing...I'm trying to put together some ladies to form a soccer team...maybe indoor, maybe outdoor! It will be hilarious!!! All these "old" ladies running around pretending they know how to play soccer...oh yeah...that's just ME!!!

Christmas Traditions

2008-12-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged...and I've missed it! I got back from my sisters weekend which was awesome, fun, heavenly, much needed, invigorating, etc. etc. and I don't think I've had a spare minute since!!! Thanks Lisa and Wendy for an awesome time...and thanks to Alan and my kiddos for holding down the fort and not totally destroying the house while I was gone...OK flash forward...we had Halloween, it was so fun (and I still haven't had a second to download my pics..but trust me, the girls were adorable as a vampire (Josie) a monkey (Joely) and Nemo (Jenna)...Jonah & Jeremy dressed up too...Jonah was a very good zombie Ute football player and Jeremy was the Joker (Heath Ledger-type) and he was VERY scary...and most of all...they were safe and had a blast....they covered the entire neighborhood and then some and ate so much candy we will keep the dentist in business!!! We had a lovely November....I got my wish as to no snow...THANK YOU!!! and Alan's parents hosted Thanksgiving and it was fun....it was us, Al's brothers Mike, Kenny & Wayne...the other two Phil and John weren't able to make it. We had a nice dinner and hung out with everyone all evening....we left happy, grateful for a wonderful family and FULL!! Now we are in December and I seriously can't believe how fast it has gone by...I really will be shopping on Christmas Eve I'm sure...to finish everything up. I'm not going to berate myself for it anymore. I'm dealing with the reality of shopping for six children and unless I start in July, there just isn't enough time to finish up much before Christmas Eve. And I admit...I love shopping during the Christmas season (minus Black Friday which I avoided this year as well as last) because it just makes me feel all Christmasy (is that a word???) and I love this time of year!

We put up our Christmas tree, house lights and inside decorations and on Sat., Dec. 6th we engaged in our long standing tradition of going to Temple Square to see the lights...Since we've been back in Utah, we have been going with our friends the Andersons...Scott was Alan's roommate at Snow and Christine has been my best friend since birth! We meet at Crown Burger, gorge ourselves and then walk it off (yeah right, I know) on Temple Square! This year it was especially enjoyable because it wasn't so freezing cold...and there wasn't snow covering up the lights. We forgot our camera (hence, the generic picture) but we had a great time! It is one of mine and the kids' favorite Christmas traditions!!!

So, I hope you all comment...I want to know how you all are doing...and Merry Christmas to you all!!

Sisters Weekend 2008

2008-10-14T12:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm off to Houston in a couple of days for our third annual "Sisters Weekend"! It is really something Lisa, Wendy and I look forward to all year long! This year, I'm flying down to Texas and we are going to hit the town of Austin (close to where Wendy lives) Hopefully, we will get to do some shopping, eat some good food (Wendy wants to try Indian food...yummy!) and also get to sleep in at least one day!!!! My mom is picking me up from the airport on Thursday evening and I'll get to hang out with her for a couple of hours and then Lisa will pick me up at her house Friday morning and we'll scoot on over to visit my Grandma Pistorius and her husband Stuart. Then we're off to Austin for some sister fun!!! It's a blessing in my life to have such great sisters! They inspire me, motivate me and are my two bestest (is that a word??) friends! I'll for sure post some cute pics of our adventure in Austin when I return. Let's just hope Al and the kids can survive for a few days without me...yeah right!!!

Tagged

2008-10-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

OK, I have seen these "tagging" bits on other people's blogs...I've never done it, but I was reading my sister-in-law's (super cute) blog and saw this...and saw down on the bottom that she tagged me! So here goes....

I am....Amy- a mother, friend, my husband's girlfriend, softball player, piano & preschool teacher, daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me

I want...too many things....most are superficial like losing weight, getting in better shape, but most of all I just want my family and friends to be happy and safe

I have everything...my family, friends, health and the gospel

I wish...that Alan and I were independently wealthy so he could retire and we could do all the things we want to do with our kids (you know...all the stuff that costs a lot of $$$$)

I hate....snakes..I just killed one a minute ago...I thought it was a baby rattler...don't know???

I fear...Barack Obama getting elected and our country becoming a Socialist nation

I hear...Joely singing and laughing with her friend and Jeremy playing the piano and teasing his sisters

I search...for good recipes (easy and cheap), and ways to be a better mom!

I always...listen to Rush, Glenn Beck and Dr. Laura when I'm in the car

I usually...don't know what to cook for dinner

I am not...a patient or perfect wife or mother

I miss....living close to my family and my dad and brother

I love...my family, friends and living in Utah

I never...get enough sleep

I rarely...get to sleep in

I cry...in the shower or in my closet (for any number of reasons)

I am not always....on time

I lose...my car keys

I am confused...by how blessed I am...great hubby, kids, family and friends

I need...a diet coke (but I swore off them this week...to see if it helps with trying to shed a couple of pounds)

I should....be cleaning my house and making dinner instead of doing this blog

I dream....of seeing my children grow up into healthy and happy adults, traveling the world with Alan and some day going to Hawaii!!

Ahhh, I love fall!!

2008-10-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

I just love the fall season! It is so beautiful and the air is so cool and crisp!! We won't have too many days of this blissful weather...I know snow is on the way! I'll take the good stuff while I can get it!! We finally finished up with soccer and football (although Jeremy might be doing a football tournament). Jonah's 6 weeks of inactivity are just about up and I've had one Parent/Teacher conference and one to go! Piano is coming along with Josie and Jeremy and Joely and Jenna are loving their preschool! I have one softball game left (did I mention I'm playing in a rec league??) and church volleyball is underway (did I also mention I'm an asst. stake sports director???) OK, it is busy, but its fun. I am however, looking forward to a much needed (and deserved I say) break next week!! I'm heading to Houston for our annual "Sisters Weekend"! This will be year #3 that me, Wendy and Lisa have gotten together for a weekend alone with NO KIDS!!! I flew down to Texas in 2006 and we stayed in San Marcus at a B&B and shopped and had a blast! Last Oct. Wendy and Lisa flew up here to SLC and we stayed in Park City and went to conference together in the conference center! It was cold, but it was awesome! This year, I'm heading back to Texas and we're staying at Wendy's in Austin! I'm looking forward to sleeping in, trying some cool new restaurants, and just catching up with my sistahs!! I'll blog when I get back home!

2008-09-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

My sweet little girls......

Josie Lynn Pratt

age 6 1/2 (First grader)

Joely Elizabeth Pratt

age 4 1/2- (Preschooler)

Jenna Grace Pratt

age 3 years (Preschooler)

We had a great lesson in church during Sunday school and the topic of journal keeping came up...of course someone mentioned "blogging"! What a great way for us busy moms to take a second and record a little bit about our lives and our children! I am a HORRIBLE journal keeper- I think I write in my journal a couple of times every decade...so of course I miss out on recording and thus later remembering, many little details. I've blogged a bit about my boys...so now its time for the girls. After having three boys, I never thought I'd be a "girl" mom...but I must confess how much I love being a mom to three precious little girls. Josie, Joely and Jenna are such joys and we have a lot of fun with them. So, just a few little details of their daily lives! Josie, in first grade...loves all things "girly"! Pink rules the day, and so does Barbie, Strawberry Shortcake and Hello Kitty! She is a great student, and loves her teacher Mrs. Lamb. She is taking piano lessons and really doing well! She loves to ride her bike, color and draw, jump on the trampoline and play with her friends! She is my little "kitty" as she loves to curl up either right next to me, or on my lap! Right now she is trying to master the jump rope and spends many hours practicing! Joely is going to preschool this year with me and Jenna (I teach another 4 yr. old class and Jenna goes to a 3 yr. old class). She is learning her letter names and sounds and learning to read! She loves to play with her sisters and friends, and she loves her puppy Nacho and our adopted cats Tiger and Oreo. She loves to sing and and can't wait to start piano too! Jenna is also going to preschool and she adores her teacher...she is so big and smart...she loves to play with the big girls and right now is into catching moths in the backyard! She loves elephants and has about half a dozen different ones on her bed. Everyone adores her and she is truly the baby of the family! Right now her favorite movie is "The Little Mermaid" and she can be heard singing the songs all over the house! We never presume to know what she wants or needs...Jenna will for SURE let us know if we are missing something...even though she's number six, she does NOT get left behind...EVER! So there's a bit about my girls...what a blessing they are. I love them so much!

We've made it 16 years together...can you believe it?

2008-09-26T08:33:00.001-07:00

Today is Alan and I's 16th wedding anniversay...so you are going to have to bear with me as I blog a bit about being married to the best husband on the planet for a minute! OK, we all know, NO ONE is perfect, but if there was a close call to it I think my Alfie would top the list. I'll give you some empirical data to prove it (can you tell I married an engineer???) First off...he does laundry- ok it totally annoys the heck out of me HOW he does the laundry, but hey, with six kids and two adults, who cares HOW it gets done as long as it gets done. Second, he rarely fights with me. Now, those of you who know me, know I WANT him to fight with me, but instead he laughs and then I usually see how ridiculous I'm being and the fight dissipates before my eyes! Third, he hardly ever complains about my "girls night out" or my "sisters weekends" or my "scrapbook USA" or all the other activities I participate in for my own sanity's sake. Fourth, he still likes my body (we won't go into too many details on this one, but I have carried, delivered and breast-fed six kids- use your imagination I don't have a supermodel body!!) Fifth, he loves his children and they KNOW it... even if they do get annoyed sometimes by it! Sixth, and not last by all means, he honors his priesthood and uses it to bless my life, and our children's lives. The list could definitely be longer and sweeter, with better examples like how good he provides for us, how hard he always works, how he spends his vacation days doing things I want to do or what the kids want to do...etc, etc.

At the end of the day, I couldn't be more blessed or more happy to roll over and have HIM by my side! Love ya Alfie! Can't wait to see what the next 16 years bring!

Football, Soccer and a fractured skull!

2008-09-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

Jeremy just finished up an awesome football practice, and Josh a soccer game tonight! I just have to say that even though I usually spend at least an hour or more per day driving my "athletes" all around to practice and games...its worth watching them learn, excel and have fun. Jeremy is playing tackle football for the second year in a row and having a great time. The first part of the season he was a little disappointed b/c he was playing offensive line and not really getting any "action". I tried the usual "parent pep talk" about being a team player and having fun, and working hard so the coaches would see how good he really is...blah blah blah to his ears, I know! Anyway...he is now the Defensive Captain and playing Defensive end and kicking some tail! He told me he had quite a few sacks of the quarterback at practice (they scrimmaged a 6th grade team) and his coach said he was MVP of the game! Kudos to Jeremy for being so awesome!

Josh is playing on a competition AAA Under 16 team- the Lehi Arsenal. They have a lot of talent on their team and really decent coaches..there is just STIFF competition out there...so they've only won 1 game this season...but Josh is as dedicated a player as I've ever seen. He never misses a practice, runs on his days off and plays his heart out every game. I love watching him run (for you Nacho Libre fans..."He runs like a gazelle!") and he really has improved his technique and ball handling skills tremendously this past season. It's super fun being the soccer and football mom this year!

Jonah is not doing a sport right now (he was due to start karate a couple weeks ago) due to the fact he fractured his skull and gave himself a concussion last week. He is doing fine...a trip to the ER and a doctor visit later (not to mention the $$$$- ok I won't complain..he is my kid!!!) But...no physical activities for about 6 weeks! Long story short....he made a little swing out of some webbing (rock climbing rope) and in the basement was swinging in the doorway over the concrete..lost his balance, flipped around and landed on the back of his head. I knew he was really hurt when he said his ears wouldn't stop ringing, and then he started barfing! YUCK! Thankfully, he will be ok, as long as he NEVER does that again. Six kids..three boys and the only bones they have broken are the ones that can't be cast- Josh and his tailbone and Jonah and his skull! I hope we have filled our broken bone quota...but I sort of doubt it! Joely and Jenna still need to learn to ride a 2 wheeler!!!

Happy 35th Alan!

2008-09-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Well it's official...Alan and I are OLD! No, just kidding....I truly believe age is a state of mind! We celebrated Alan's 35th birthday today (he's finally caught up to me) and we had a pretty good time. Unfortunately, he still had to go to work, and although I wanted to drive up and take him to lunch, he was too busy with stuff and meetings...so I cooked him his favorite dinner (meatloaf, baked potatoes, shrimp salad and jell-o!) and then we had cake and ice cream and BOY, we were stuffed! Only Al and I ate the meatloaf, the kids wouldn't touch it, but everything else was a big hit. Pretty easy to please and pretty easy to pull off! We kept it simple this year, and Al got a new shirt and pair of pants from me and the kids got him a DVD, a flashlight (he really asked for one!) and a bag of one of his favorite candies...black licorice (YUCK!) but he loves it! Hey, what else could you ask for except a good, hot meal, some cake and candy and best of all, six wonderful (but hyper) kids all around you???? Happy birthday Alan! You are the best and we all love you so much!

Ahhh, Paris!!!

2008-09-12T15:08:00.002-07:00

I really loved Paris! Of all the cities we visited in Europe, Paris was my favorite. I think it's because I felt like we saw SOOOO much stuff! We started out with our tour guide, Antoine taking us on a bus tour of the city. We drove by all the big sights...and saw everything to get us excited about being in Paris! Our first stop/tour was Notre Dame. It was incredible! It was huge and very crowded, but we did get to go inside and the stained glass was breathtaking! We stopped for photos at the Arc de Triomphe and other sights as well...but the most impressive was the Eiffel Tower! It is so huge! The boys really loved it! Jeremy was so cute..he said, "I can't believe I'm here at the Eiffel Tower; I've waited my whole life to see it!" We also took a boat ride on the Seine river and that was another really great way to see the sights as well. We of course visited the Louvre Museum and Josh, Dane & Andre really loved it and took off on their own to explore. It is an enormous museum and the other boys were hot and tired, so we didn't stay as long as the big kids...however we did see the famous Mona Lisa and yes, she really is as small as the picture...but still very cool to see in person!

Pictures from Stuttgart

2008-09-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

Our second stop in Germany was Stuttgart. We stayed in a really nice and fancy hotel and the boys and I loved having air conditioning and really yummy breakfast buffet. They have the BEST yogurt in Germany..in Europe everywhere for that matter. Also, did I mention the chocolate??? OK, hands down its the best in the world!! It is so rich and doesn't taste at all like the chocolate bars here in the US. Anyway, our hotel had a big bridge that went over the freeway and right into a park that connected to a shopping plaza. We had fun walking around and saw more beautiful old palaces, fountains and statues.

We visited the Stuttgart Museum and it wasn't too great because everything was in German with only a few displays equipped with English translations...plus it was hot with no air conditioning! But we did have fun walking around and seeing the shops.

They had a really cool display called the United Buddy Bears. Jeremy had his picture taken in front of the United States bear...of course!!!

As for the food, we SHOULD have eaten at least a bratwurst, but we ended up in a Chinese restaurant..let me sum it up by saying that it tasted COMPLETELY different than Chinese food in the US. Josh was good sport about his Sprite having no ice and not tasting anything like Sprite.

We were only in Stuttgart for one day and one night but it was fun!

Oberammergau Pictures (Slide show #2)

2008-09-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

Our second stop in Germany...Oberammergau a small town nestled in the Bavarian Alps! It is the home of the Passion Play...put on by the people of Oberammergau every 10 years as part of a promise their ancestors made with God when their town was struck so hard with the plague. They promised to put on a play depicting the life and death of Jesus Christ if He would spare their town. He did, and they have kept their promise to Him! This is a HUGE production and it was so cool to see the huge theatre they built for it and hear about the production of it. We went on the stage and got to see all the costumes backstage and it was impressive! Oberammergau is high in the Bavarian Alps so they couldn't make their way in the world by farming...so they had to find another way to make money..so they became woodcarvers. They had some of the most amazing wood carvings in their shops. All of the buildings in the town had some part of the passion painted on their fronts. It was neat. There were beautiful gardens and flowers and even in the end of July I was chilled enough to need a light sweater. How cool is that? It was a beautiful part of Germany and probably my most favorite place in Germany!

Pictures from Europe (FINALLY)

2008-09-12T08:05:00.000-07:00

We had a great time in Europe!! It's taken me a while to get all the pictures together and edited. I hope you enjoy seeing where we went, and what we saw. It truly was a trip of a lifetime. I am going to post the pictures in video form in a few different posts because its easier to upload smaller video files. This is part 1- leaving for Germany and a couple of pictures from Germany. We left SLC and stopped for a brief layover in Atlanta. Then we were off the Munich, our first stop. When we arrived at our hotel it was too early to check in, so we locked up our bags and hit the streets of Munich. It was kind of scary b/c it was the first time I had been somewhere where I had no idea what anything said, or how to communicate with anyone..unless they mercifully spoke English, which most people did. It was humbling to be so dependent on the kindness of complete strangers! Anyway, mom knew we wanted to see the Glockenspiel..a giant clock tower with full size figurines that moved to music..and WE FOUND IT! We were quite proud of ourselves! Then our tour bus picked us up and we headed out for our first tour..to Dachau Concentration Camp. It was very somber, quiet and an amazing experience. The boys were so tired...it was midnight Utah time...and early morning in Germany. But they did their best and we saw the barracks, gas chambers and ovens they used at the concentration camp. We will never forget that experience and we have first hand knowledge that it DID happen. We were tired but grateful for the experience.

Bon Voyage!

2008-07-18T09:19:00.000-07:00

Summer has blown by...and we have been looking forward to our European vacation for a year now...Alan's mom and dad, three cousins, a sister-in-law, my mom and the three boys are off on Tuesday for a 10 day European adventure! My mom is flying in to SLC tomorrow and we leave for Munich, Germany on Tuesday, July 22nd. We'll be in Germany for two days, then off to Paris, France for two days, Amsterdam, Netherlands for two days and then London, England for four days. It is going to be so exciting...I've never been ANYWHERE and needless to say, this will be a once in a lifetime experience for me and the boys! I will update my blog with all the cool pictures when I get back...til then, Au revoir! (I would say good bye in German but I don't know how to spell it and I have no idea how to say anything in Dutch..so this is as "bi-lingual" as I get..so much for four years of high school French!!) :0

A few braggin' pics

2008-07-10T15:33:00.000-07:00

Well, as a mother it is not only my God given right to brag about my kids, but also a perk to embarrass my kids whenever the chance presents itself. Since starting the blog, my oldest- Joshua has commented on my time spent on the computer (mainly b/c it cuts into HIS time on the computer- I know he is SO deprived b/c we only have ONE computer ;) So, he has said, "Mom, I don't want my face all over your blog...yadda yadda" Well, again as my God given right as his mother..I'm doing it anyway! Sorry Josh. He's so cute anyway...what does he care? Here he is smiling away receiving his Life scout award. I'm so proud! He's close to getting his Eagle...just need to find a project. He leaves for his Varsity High Adventure Camp on Sunday- a river adventure down the Salmon river (in Idaho). Love that Josh!

I was trying to find a picture of all the kids together....but I guess when you have six of them your lucky to get five of them in the same picture. This is when we went to Wheeler Farm with my brother David, his wife Kinsey and their son Drew. We had a lot of fun and I was able through my powers of persuasion get Jonah and Jeremy to come along with us even though they are BIG kids and its a LITTLE kid place. Mainly, I think they came b/c they didn't want to miss out on fun w/ their favorite Uncle and plus they got to miss school!

I know I already put some pictures of the girls on the blog, but for all my family and friends (OK maybe 1 friend ha ha) who might want to see how cute they are in their Easter dresses...plus its a great shot of our view off the back deck. What a lovely place we live! Just to update..we moved back to Utah in Sept. 2005 after a year in Colorado and 3 years in Texas (1 in Bryan and 2 in Victoria). We chose Eagle Mountain b/c Alan's brother lived out here and it was affordable. Well, Alan's brother moved and we are here...we love it. There are a million kids, our ward just split for the third time in 3 years and the views are breathtaking. Wow...life is great.

Help me, I'm addicted!

2008-07-09T15:42:00.001-07:00

Since starting the blog yesterday, I admit that I am addicted. If there is an AA type group out there for bloggers, I probably need to join, because since yesterday I think I've spent about 17 hours on the computer looking at backgrounds and trying to figure everything out. I just posted the pictures of the girls riding horses today and I am so proud of myself. So, thanks to my sister Wendy and couple of friends who just insisted I start blogging, thanks for the additional addiction and distraction in my life! No, just kidding. It's been a lot of fun!

Go easy on me, its my first time!

2008-07-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

OK, so I decided to join the 21st century and get a blog! Actually, I'm really excited because I think this will be a lot of fun, and a great way to keep in touch with family and friends who live far away! Some day soon, I hope to add pictures and cool links, and all the stuff I've seen on other blogs...but like I said....go easy on me, I'm a first timer!