Amen!

Everything's amazing and nobody's happy

click to watch

D.A.

While driving with a friend the other week, she mentioned that she finally thinks it's time for her family to take a vacation to Disneyland.  Her kids are 11 and 7.  In my most humble opinion, she is LONG OVERDUE.  But that is not for me to say. ;(

If you know anything about me, you know that you DO NOT open up a topic like Disneyland (or Disney World or a Disney Cruise or Euro Disney) without planning on having me give a very lengthy, enthusiastic, hyper, emotionally charged discourse on all things Disney.  I am a Disneyland fanatic.  That is no exaggeration.  Ask my husband.  Ask my kids.  They will concur.

It's probably because I was born in Southern California.  Disneyland is part of my heritage.  I have so many fond memories of that bless-ed theme park.  It was a frequent event that usually involved cousins.  Julie Beck and I would run from ride to ride.  I even remember, way back in the day, when we had to use the ticket books.  "E" tickets were the coveted prize.  They were the roller coasters.  You used those tickets wisely, lest you waste a chance at an opportunity for an adrenaline thrill.

So, I proceeded to speak at a very fast pace to my friend.  I could tell by the look in her eyes that she was trying to keep up with all the Mickey rhetoric that was flying out of my mouth.  I felt a great need to convey the urgency that yes, she must go now (go home and pack your things) and that her kids can't miss out any longer.  My mind was whirling faster than I could speak.  I was literally out of breath.  I wondered if my watery eyes were freaking her out a little.  Now I worry that she won't want to take her kids to my belove-ed Disneyland at all because, heaven forbid, they become a coo-coo like me.  I have a problem.

After going on a Disney themed vacation for 5 years straight with our kids, and now in my 2nd year dry spell, I'm having some painful withdrawls.  Seriously.

Which got me to thinking.  How can I channel all of my positive, creative, over abundance of knowledge about that simply magical place into some sort of action or cause? I'd love to be an Imagineer but I should probably only focus on one dream at a time. Jeff had a solution: become a Disney Advocate.  Advocate?  If advocate is defined as one who promotes, defends, supports, upholds, or pleads the cause of, then yes that would be a good title for me to scribble on my forehead.

Planning a trip with the fam to Anaheim?  Call me.  Need to know the best place to stay and how to get to and from the park?  Call me.  Want to order the best item on the menu at the Blue Bayou in Pirates of the Caribbean (yes, you have to eat there).  Call me.  Shows to see, hidden treasures, places to explore, trivial fluff.  I've got it all.  CALL ME!  I also am willing to have a sit down talk with hedging husbands who need help over the fence.  

And it's all yours for free.

I just ask that you eat a Sparkling Volcano in my honor. 

New Look, Same Blog

Yes, you're in the right spot.  

Yes, this is the Gregson family blog.

Yes, I felt it was time for a blog makeover.

No, Jeff wouldn't let me spend any money on a professional looking design.  I'm stuck with my limited abilities.

Yes, Rita was my inspiration for completely renaming it.  If she can, why can't I?

Yes, I came up with the blog title and description.  It's how I feel.   

Yes, I made the header.  Jeff colored the picture for me.  He also realizes that coloring outside the lines is OK.  In fact, he's been trying for years to get me to understand that.  I'm a slow learner.

Hodgepodge: Part 2

This week I will officially embark upon a creative adventure unlike any I have attempted before. It's top secret so no I can't tell you. But it's gonna be good. A close friend coaxed me onto a path of immense possibilities and I can't wait to see where it leads us. This voyage will probably stretch our talents until we want to cry, but in our mind's eye the end results will be worth every single agonizing step.  She also assured me that we'll no longer have mortgage payments and she mentioned something about being on Oprah. ;D  Wishful thinking but it's always nice to dream. Even as an adult.

I signed Britt for the after school dodgeball club. This is a utopia for 1 - 3 graders who have excess energy and desire the dodge, dive, and roll around on the ground. When he came home the first week beet red, drenched in sweat, and with a contagious smile on his face, I asked him what he liked most about it. He paused, contemplating my reaction, and slyly announced, "I liked it because I hit this really mean gill (girl) in the head with the ball and it was OK to do it. It's part of the game!" As any mother would do with her impressionable child, I gave him the whole talk about how it's never good to take our frustrations out physically, that we just need to walk away, blah, blah, blah. After I finished he looked at me seriously and said, "Yeah, but mom it felt really good to hit her with the [soft, squishy] ball. She's REALLY mean". He probably has a point. I can think of a hand full of mean people I'd like to have in a dodgeball ring

Son, numero tres, is now pulling himself up to a standing position.  Don't want to talk about it. Just look at the picture.  Sorry if the photo is a bit blurry.  I was having a melt down behind the camera.

Taider Bug is a faithful BYU fan.  Most of his school papers come home looking like this.  He's not in your face about the fact that he thinks the Y rocks.  That's not his style.  He just quietly leaves his mark (i.e. block letters) wherever he can and patiently listens to other boisterous boys describe their disdain for his beloved Cougars.  Taiden can handle the adversarial taunting.  He's cool like that.  But he knows that BYU is THE university of Utah.  

Bad Genes

Which picture is your favorite? And by favorite I mean nightmare inducing and disturbing. Please vote.

Brittan

Shaw

Kristen

Taiden

Kennedy

Jeff

Wonder what the Gregson family is wasting their time on these days?  Playing on our iMac's Photo Booth.  Come on over.  We'd love to get a sick and twisted shot of you to add to our gallery.

Hodgepodge: Part 1

Jesse is doing very well.  The surgery was successful and he and his donor Celynn are getting stronger everyday.  Celynn will be going home today and Jesse may be released by Wednesday or Thursday.  Modern medicine is a-maz-ing.  Transplanting a needed organ from one person to another.  Truly incredible.  My nephew now has the chance to live a long, full life.  Celynn Merrill a hero.

Jeff has successfully completed Season 2 of LOST and is staying committed to his resolution. He has invested 36 hours to this feat.  We have no idea what is going on in the world because we hit the play button as soon as the kids' heads hit their pillows.  No more watching the evening news.  I will admit that I'm starting to worry a tad because much of his thinking is revolving around things he is viewing each night.  Shaw's new nickname is John Locke Jr. because of his resemblence to the bald guy on LOST.  I'm not sure if I'm OK with this because we're still unclear if Locke is coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs or just a misunderstood good guy.  Still waiting for more information.  Jeff also pointed out a line in a sacremental hymn we sang the other week that talked about "the others".  Finally, he can't wait for the opportunity to use his new found knowledge of all things LOST in his profession - in the form of therapeutic metaphors.  Season 3 will be started tonight.

Kennedy is in phase 2 of her braces. Poor kids.  

It looks like they're all inheriting my extreme

overbite and Jeff's crooked teeth. Her first phase was in 4th grade. She's so grown up now!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Decor

Don't you love when your sweetheart goes to the store 2 1/2 weeks before Valentine's Day and buys you the perfect card?  I do.  Love you, Jeff!

Jesse Bear

This is my nephew Jesse.  He is one of the most lovable 16 year olds out there. EVERYONE loves Jesse.  He's funny, sweet, mellow, and well, look at that handsome face.  He also loves babies.  Shaw gets a healthy dose of affection when Jesse Bear is around.

Tomorrow this guy goes in for surgery.  Major surgery.  In the form of getting a kidney transplant.  Yeah, major surgery.  We've all known for a long time that it would probably come down to this.  He was born with only one semi-functioning kidney.  As his body has grown and matured, his kidney hasn't been able to keep up.  

He's been going to dialysis for the past 6 months.  He thinks it's kinda funny that he's been hangin' out with all the old people there.  

When asked if he's nervous about getting his new kidney (from his mom's sister) he says, "No, I'm just excited to feel good".  It's been hard to see him so sick.  It will be good to watch him get healthy again and get a little meat on those bones.

Please keep him in your prayers tomorrow.  He's been through so much these past several years.  

We love you, Jesse Bear!

Because I love you...

...and as a Cook who loves really good recipes and as a Foodie who loves really good food, I thought I should pass along this tasty tidbit.  Perfect for a Valentine's Day breakfast in bed or perhaps to score extra points with your kids in the mommy category.  However you choose to use it, it will make you look like a prize whisk-er in the kitchen.

Oh, by the way, I've included my famous syrup recipe.  This was handed down from my great aunt, LaVon.  If I someday get around to distributing it to the masses and easily earning a million dollars or so, you must promise to cease and desist from making it.  At that point, you'd have to drive to your local market and pick up a bottle with a pretty label containing my picture (the label would be pretty, not my picture).  Until that day, enjoy from the convenience of your home. ;D

Hearthstone Inn French Toast

• 6 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 c. baking mix (Bisquick)
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 1/2 c. milk
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 loaf French bread, sliced ( I get mine at Costco...thickly sliced and perfect for this)
• vegetable oil
• Spiced butter (see below)
  

In a large bowl, blend together eggs, baking mix, sugar, milk, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth. Dip bread slices in batter to cover.  Cook bread slices in oil until brown.  Serve immediately with Spiced Butter and Kristen's Famous Syrup.

Spiced Butter

• 1/2 c. soft butter
• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. allspice
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Beat all ingredients together until fluffy.

Kristen's Famous Syrup (do not try this unless you're willing to break up with Mrs. Butterworth forever...there's no going back!)

• 1 cube butter
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/4 tsp. soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. maple flavoring

Boil 2 - 3 minutes.  You may want to double or triple the recipe for a large family.  Store leftovers in the refrigerator and simply reheat in the microwave.  ***Warning:  This can be addicting!!  My father-in-law enjoys it on ice cream.  Heck, even a 2 x 4 would be palatable with my liquid gold.

Root Canal? What Root Canal?

I adore nitrous oxide. 

Wish I could bring a keg of it home.

We Shoot for the Stars 'Round These Here Parts

The start of the year is always a time for renewal. A time for reflection. A time to make resolutions to increase personal health, foster better relationships, improve humanity is some small way.

My beloved husband set a New Year's Resolution. Oh yes, he did. He set a goal for himself to watch seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the TV series LOST so he can get caught up on all the buzz that revolves around this mysteriously addicting show.

Since it's debut, we've wanted to follow LOST. The problem lies with the fact that our weeknights are really busy. You know, all the stuff that we all do as multiple offspring families. We also don't have high tech gadgets like TiVo.  Just a TV and lack of time. I guess we could dust off our archaic VCR and try pushing record.

Last night, as we finished watching episode 22 of season 1, Jeff smiled and rather boastfully stated, "I've really done a good job sticking with my goal. Most people have given up on their resolutions by now." Sigh. Oh, sweetheart. You make me proud. Fighting the urge to stop watching these amazingly acted, filmed, and well told stories. You are a pillar of strength. ;D

I'll be picking up season 2 at the library today. It's the least I can do to support my hubby in this monumental endeavor. Like the post title states, "We shoot for the stars 'round these here parts". The world and all mankind will be a better place when we fully know the lives, trials, and happenings of Kate, Jack, Sawyer, Sayid, Hurley, John, Michael, Walt, Sun, Jin-Soo, Charlie, Claire, and Shannon. 

Poor Boone. May he rest in peace.

In Honor of the Month of Love...