Ah, Saturday mornings are so nice…I usually am awaken by Anthony tapping the top of my head with his pointer finger. I don’t know what that is, kind of annoying when I really think about it. I slowly opened my eyes and I was struck with the reality that it was not Saturday. Friday…the sun is up…I’m still out cold…what time is it?…School…late for school…AHHHHHHHHH!

So began the morning after the midnight showing of New Moon.

Thursday, November19, 2009. Excitement had been building for several days. Aliya and I bought tickets in advance for the movie and anticipated the seconds before we left the house to begin the festivities.

Then plan - 8PM Dinner at Pei Wei with friends, then head to the theater to wait in line

The unplanned - Kiowa Gordon (Embry) was scheduled to sign autographs from 7:30-9. That could be kinda cool. I wasn’t sure what part Embry was, but one of the actors from the movie would be at our little movie theater in Surprise…it sounded pretty fun.

We left the house around 7, our friend Jill picked us up…she is a friend of a friend of Kiowa…Jill is my friend, so Kiowa and I are practically family! There were so many people there, a bit crazy. We leisurely made our way around watching people and laughing at them for making such a big deal about just a regular kid. Not a big deal, but still fun to watch. We stopped in front of the theatre not completely sure where the wolf-kid would come from and waited.

Soon a stretch SUV pulled up and stopped nearly right in front of where we were standing. The door to the far rear opened, but we were too far away to see who got out. The crowd went crazy!!! Screaming and jumping. (Poor Jill had on flip flops…I wonder if she has toe nails today.)

This wolf-kid was greeted as if Brad Pitt just stepped out. Hilarious!

So we are craning our necks and stepping on Jill’s feet to get a better look, when we notice that he is walking toward the front of the SUV…towards ME!

The teeny bopper that had been buried since I loved Michael Jackson in the 6th grade came roaring out and alive as ever! I shoved my way through a few layers of people and stuck my arm at least 2 feet past anyone elses.

Then it happened. He shook my hand. He wondered who the hand belonged to so he searched the crowd and finally found me. A short, middle aged mother. HA!! I screamed when we made eye contact. HA HA!! Talk about hilarious!! I don’t know what came over me.

Kiowa made his way up the red carpet followed by a swarm of screaming girls and mothers. He was signing book covers and giving hugs and posing in pictures. He seemed the sweetest humble kid. So I shoved Aliya into the crowd with my book cover and marker.  Yes, she did get pushed around a bit and one lady gave her a dirty look and told her to stop pushing. I kept pushing. I’m not saying I’m proud of that…but it did get me a signature ; )

After that, I felt that the evening could be over and I could go home and sleep soundly. Then I realized that there were still 4 1/2 hours till the movie.

We got in line for another autograph and hopefully a picture with Kiowa. The line moved as fast as a turtle swims through tar. By 10:15 we were in the best seats in the theater (thanks to Jill), we had our autographed picture of Kiowa Gordon, we had food and popcorn. All set! Only an hour and 45 minutes to go…………………

The movie was better than I had ever hoped for. The effects with the “wolfing out” were amazing. I paid special, special attention when my distant relative, Kiowa entered the screen.

We got home around 3am. I made Andre’s lunch and left it in the fridge for him and planned not to get back up till6:30.

And you know the rest of the story.

But if I could just leave my thoughts for those who have seen the movie…Edward paled in comparison to Jacob on sooooo many levels. Who could argue that statement? For someone who is suppose to be virtually indestructible,  Edward sure did look breakable as he was about to step into the sunlight after he dropped his shirt. I hope he beefs up a bit before Eclipse =)

Aliya and I are sitting here looking at all of our friend’s blogs reading and catching up on everyone all over the world! Then we noticed our pathetic attempt=( Not so good. It’s been since last November. So we decided we better do somehthing! So Aliya suggested a “Random Blog”. I don’t think we will try to catch up on anything, just maybe a blog sharing proof that we are indeed still alive. Just busy. (I know, weak excuse.)

So, Aliya. What’s new with you?

i got an iPod touch!!

Cool! When did you get it?

Yesterday after we sold my nano to some creepy dude!

Don’t forget STINKY creepy dude! What do you have on your iPod?

Not very much yet, but i have about 8 movies, 113 songs, and 48 pictures!

LUCKY!! You have the coolest!

My intentions of being a good blogger are great. I have such a great time reading all the others.

Andre is at Scout Camp and then Trek is next week for him. Aliya and I have Girl’s Camp July 6th-9th. And then we’ve got our annual family trip up through Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Whyoming. We are super excited! By the time we get back, we will be starting school again. WOW.

Do you realize that Andre will start High School next year? High School. Crazy!

Yesterday, Kevin went up to join the boys for the last night of Scout Camp. Aliya, Anthony and I had a movie marathon. We started off with Australia <3, Edward Scissor Hands, Mall Cop, 13 Going on 30. Then Just Like Heaven. And finally, Anthony’s pickNapoleon Dynamite. Funny how that and Nacho Libre never get old =)

Thursday we went to UP. So loved it!

I think this is completely fitting to the title. How much more random could I get.

I just knew I took some pictures! I found them!!

Anthony’s birthday was June 17th. My kids are known to be forgetful if it benefits them. It is OUR agreement that they get BIG birthday parties on those important mile-stone years - 8, 12, 16 and 18. The agreement was “Those four, or none at all.” It was agreed. I took these pictures because, for one, Anthony is very good at convincing me that he misses out on everything that Andre’ and Aliya get. I don’t know if he’s really good at playing me or if maybe he does suffer from selective amnesia. He’s very convincing.  So, here is the proof! And of course the other reason - to document this awesome birthday party!

We passed out several invites and our turn out was amazing! Course, we had this 18′ water slide reserved and we boasted endlessly about it!

Our great friends came and played. It was a blast!

This happened earlier in the year but I just received these pictures. We went with Justin Warick and his son JR, and Brad Brown and his two boys Derek and Garrett. We all had a lot of fun and they actually caught some fish too.

Wahoo!

Monday morning we found out that Andre made the basketball team at Paradise. He knew it would be posted before school, but as luck would have it, we left the house late and we all dispersed the car frantic to get to our destinations.

“Text me as soon as you find out.” I hollored as he ran off.

I had just dropped Anthony off at his classroom when I received his text. “I made it.” Those 3 little words made me giddy as a school girl!

I wasn’t sure if I’d see him on his way to his T.A. class, but I did. I wish I could’ve taken a picture of what he looked like. He was so happy!

The whole week previous was the tryouts. The coach worked them hard for two hours every day after school. Andre made sure he put forth his fullest potential and then some.

It paid off!

The games start November 12th. We can hardly wait to attend his first game!

He doesn’t have his uniform yet, but ASAP I will get a picture up of him dressed in it. His coach asked the kids to get knee-high black socks and black shoes. They are gonna look awesome!!

GO EAGLES! Whoop-whoop!!

These guys are getting pretty good. You gotta love the personalities too!

See if you can spot Kevin! He’s the stud in black shorts and red t-shirt. He blends in with the boys!!

I can’t believe she’s 12! Goodbye Primary - Hello Young Women’s! She was so ready. When they passed out Primary Program speaking parts, Aliya politely informed them that she would be 12 before the program (4 days before!) So she talked her way out of it. She told me last year that she was so happy she didn’t have to do it anymore. So Anthony was the lone Dewsnup primary child in the program.

Aliya’s birthday extravaganza began on September 10th. It was Wednesday. She could’ve gone to YW’s but decided to go to dinner and the mall instead to celebrate. We had dinner at the 5 and Diner off of 27th ave and the 101 with a creepy life-sized poster of Elvis Presley watching our every move. The staff sang to her and I swear I saw his hips move! “Yeah, we gonna win this race.”

At the mall, she had her heart set on finding a hair brush at Clair’s. She was successful and she got a darling purse and chapstick too! On the way out, Kev started announcing to any and all life in the mall that it was her birthday. Quite loudly. Hoping to embarass her (as if the staff at the 5 and Diner (and Elvis) didn’t do the job). Surprisingly, her face stayed a normal shade and she giggled - I guess she assumed no one cared or was listening. It was pretty late, for a week day. Not many people were around. She thought she was safe. Thought. We walked passed a store and I yelled in, “Hey, today’s Aliya’s Birthday!” There was a kid at the counter chatting. He looked up and said, “Hey, Happy Birthday!”

Now her face was changing shades! Aliya started laughing. We continued walking toward the exit. Soon we hear the kid again…in perfect tone…”Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you.” We joined in and finished the song with the kid who had started it. She laughed all the way to the car! Especially when I spilled my ice cream sundae down the front of my shirt!

As if that wasn’t enough!

Friday night Aliya had a slumber party. Maddie, Kayla and Kailen came to celebrate.

The night started off with pizza and presents! Followed by a scavenger hunt that led them to their final gift - a picture frame which they decorated with paint and jewels. They turned out darling!

And finally the main event of the night was a little something I like to call Midnight Mischief. Dressed in black with black streaks under their eyes ( I think they confused this event with football ) we went to show a member of our ward how much we love them. Toilet paper was my suggestion, but the sweet girls thought that wasn’t very nice so we made bows, posters and paper hearts. Aren’t these girls adorable? We left the house around midnight and walked to the Bailey’s. (Oh, yeah - they knew it was us! - Someone slipped and spilled our plans.) We covered their palm trees with bows, their garage door with posters and paper hearts, their front door with a banner and their cute little bear at their front door - we left him with a hat of chocolate chip cookies.

We saw a weird guy out walking his dog on our way back home. Who walks their dog at Midnight? Yikes! Good thing I am a black belt in…let’s run really fast!! There were five of us and actually, I think he was a little afraid!

After that, I don’t really know what happened. The girls set up a game of LIFE and I went to bed. What a great party! What a fun bunch of girls!!

At church on Sunday, Bro Bailey met us at the door, said thanks for the cookies and rewarded Aliya with the opportunity to speak in church next Sunday!

Over the last couple of weeks, the word “Cancer” has seemed to appear in strange places and times. The woman at the nail salon and then on Friday, September 5th all the local T.V. stations banded together along with several celebrities and showed the world it was time to take a stand against Cancer and find a cure - NOW. The program was amazing. Hopefully you were able to watch it! To find out a little more about it or to donate to the cause click here. Another good link is here, for a little more info on the show if you missed it.

The statistics are staggering and I learned so much. It was exciting to hear that a cure is definitley in reach but what is holding up the process? Money. Make sure you watch the youtube video of where the money goes. It explains it simply. (You can click here.)

I know this is a strange Blog topic but I have been thinking about it so much lately and I guess I would like to help spread the word. We live in an exciting time and Scientists are discovering and solving life’s mysteries all the time. Can you imagine a day when our children might receive a Cancer vaccination at birth? Or a treatment that kills Cancer but won’t leave you hairless, weak and with life long side effects? No more “life expectancy” predictions at the prognoses of Cancer. Just a treatment. And one day Cancer could be an illness we have bested and a nightmare of the past like Polio, Hepatitis or Measles.

It’s just a matter of time - and money. I know that soon, Cancer will too, be a thing of the past and will no longer be capable of driving fear into our hearts at the sound of it.

Andre, Parker, Taylor, Joseph and Michael. Five boys and a re-newed hobby - bikes. They are getting pretty good. I don’t know how they handle the heat but they do. They ride to these dirt jumps that are right behind our back wall. They watch each other as they daringly attempt new jumps or try greater speed and ride back home several times for water - stinky and sweaty.

Lately, the excitement has been about the accessories. Kev brought home a box full of colorful accessories and told Andre’ and Anthony they could do some chores around the house to earn them. How nice! Andre’ dusted all the blinds and ceiling fans for some new brake cables! One day Parker even swept my entire downstairs wood floors for some handle grips!

They are a great group of boys and it is a blast to watch them!

Lucky us! We don’t even need to leave the comfort of our home to observe wild life, it comes to us!

A few months ago I was sitting in the back yard on the patio swing. It was about 6:30 am. I was enjoying the cool breeze and the peace while the kids were still sleeping. Our back yard is not very deep. Probably about 30-40 feet from the house to the brick wall.

I’m swinging and letting my thoughts wander when something off to the left catches my eye. I look up and freeze. I put my feet down to stop the swing and I held my breath. My instincts told me to run for the house, but my body would not listen. Fear had gripped me. Walking just like a tall, slender, graceful cat across the back brick wall was a coyote. A big one! His black eyes scanned the back yard for any bite sized rodents or bite sized doggies.

When he positioned himself right in front of me he turned and leaped off the back side of the wall. He did not see me. If he did, he stayed very calm. I wasn’t a threat to him at all. I took in some air and finally was able to move. I felt that was enough fresh air for the morning and I dashed inside.

Then a couple of days later, I was cleaning out the pool. The kids had left the toys in it from the day before and some rafts. I couldn’t even see the water, there were so many toys. I started pulling out the floaties and rafts when I saw a “bobber”. There bobbing in the water was the biggest fattest bloated desert toad I have ever seen!

I thought the one was bad enough. I had Aliya take a picture of it for me, isn’t he cute!

When I pulled out the last raft, there was another one!

My mind started working:

Once upon a time…

Mr. Toad enters his home after a long day of work. “Jewls” he says to his wife. “You need a night out, and I know the perfect place.”

On his way home from work a couple of days earlier, he had discovered a large lake. He had scouted out the area and found that not only was it clean and warm, but he was confident there was no threat of any predators.

The night is warm and humid as Mr. and Mrs. Toad make their journey across the desert, under the bushes and through tiny openings to get to the wide open space…and the water!

“It’s beautiful” Mrs. Toad says dotingly to the love of her life. They can hardly wait to feel the refreshing water on their dry wart covered Lycra skin.

Together in unison they make three graceful hops before landing happily in the warm water.

“Ahhhh!” they sigh.

They swim and enjoy each others company for a very long time. They fall in love all over again. It is the perfect evening and just what they need to break away from the stress and tediousness of daily life as a desert toad. The endless searching and collecting dried leaves for the home, scavenging for food and watching carefully for pesticides. A long relaxing swim is the perfect get away!

Soon they grow tired and reluctantly decide to call it a night.

“How do we get out?” Mrs. Toad pants.

“Ummm.” Mr. Toad takes off and circles the outskirts of the lake. He is discouraged to find only sheer walls straight up out of the water.

They kick for as long as possible, but unfortunately, it won’t be enough. They know “the end” is coming.

“Sorry darling. I only wanted to show you how much I love you.” Mr. Toad whispers fighting to keep his head above the water.

“I love you, Harold.”

And then together they suck in water. Memories of their short lives together flash like still framed flash photography. They look into each others eyes one last time.

Two tiny bubbles are seen from the surface.

Poor little desert toads!