I love this time of year!

Popcorn Popping on the Elderberry Tree!

Scotch Broom (not in Scotland!) but in Utah

My tulips are busting out! WooHoo!

I love these little Grape Hyacinth! My favorites!

Rug Surfing!

Now doesn't that look like fun?

Living it UP!

Ok, at least that got your attention. I covered the couch with a plain brown fabric and moved the furniture around. The cardboard table isnt' cutting it, but i like how it's shaping up and I have a definite plan. :) Its not "quite" there yet, but moving furniture is kinda fun.... :)

Bring it ON!

In this war between good and evil, I will never give up. I will never back down, and I will continue to fight for what I believe is right. I will not apologize for what I believe in and I will not retreat. For anyone who believes that 'playing well with others' will further the cause is sorely mistaken. Battle lines are being drawn and I for one will not back away, back down or back off. If you cross into my territory or try to harm my family, I will protect them to the best of my ability. This is no longer the "work of men" but also of fearless, strong and tireless mothers, strong wives and strong women. There is a time to fight for what you believe in, and it's time the banner is unfurled once again. I can only speak for myself, and I believe these FAMILY VALUES are worth fighting for, and again, I will NOT retreat! (photo attributed to www.latterdaybanners.com)

Miss Pepper and the Flying Nun

I think my daugher and son in law would agree. Their little puppy (my Grandogger) looks just like Sally Fields the Flying Nun. :) Same flappy cute ears! Like she's flying!!!! I miss that little puppy.

OUR FAMILY RULES

OUR FAMILY RULES

1. We respect ourselves.
2. We respect our parents and others.
3. We respect property.
4. We do not manipulate.
5. We supervise ourselves and clean up our own messes.
6. We follow directions.
7. We are always honest.
8. We ask permission before doing things.
9. We do our jobs.
10. We have good dress and grooming habits.
11. We have a good attitude.
12. We go to bed happily and on time

Instructions: If a child breaks a rule, they go to time out for 1 minute for every year they are old. 3 years = 3 minutes in time out. Sadly, most children will break several rules, so add it up, but make sure you're calm. The area of time out needs to have the rules posted in front of them, even if they can't read. Once they serve their time out, the following Parent Script should be followed for optimal results.

Parent: "What rule did you break?" Child Answers (example) "We respect property"
Parent: "How did you break it?" Child Answers (exmaple) "I broke Spencer's toy firetruck"
Parent: "How will you not break this rule next time?" Child Answers (example) "I will walk away when I'm mad"
Parent: " That is good!"
Parent: "Do you know why we have these Family Rules?" Child Answers (example) "I don't know" (or have them repeat after you.. the following statement)
Parent: "...because we love you and want you to be happy" Child Answers (example) "Because you love me and want me to be happy.."
Parent: "That's right" (then you MUST hug that child).

Parent: (if Christian/LDS) "Heavenly Father also has rules because he loves us and wants us to be happy, that's why we have rules too." :) extra hug.

NOTE: Breaking rule #7 is always a DOUBLE TIME OUT <--that is manditory.
Time outs help parents and children to calm down.

I cleared out my downstairs bathroom of anything that could harm/hurt a child. Remove all cleansers and medications, etc. Sit the child on a closed toilet seat. Post the rules so that if they are sitting on the toilet, they can see the rules clearly. Make sure you have a family meeting ahead of time to explain clearly the rules to the kids.Give them a treat if they remember each one, in the family meeting. Even if they can't read, they will be happy to learn these rules for a small treat. If they can't remember which rule they broke, remind them, then ask them to repeat it before moving on with the script. Note: Number 4 is the only one with the word "not" that appears negative. Every other rule is stated positively. #4 is important stated that way because it is the one that hurts them and others as they grow up, and it's UNACCEPTABLE.

I'm reposting this, because I don't remember who asked this from me who had little kids..... My missionary also asked me for this.

Another good set of family rules comes from: http://www.passportacademy.com/2008/09/our-family-rules.html

8:00pm - Back in A-Fib, back to the Hospital

Our THIRD hospital in 2 weeks. Mark went to American Fork IHC tonight for severe chest pains and A-Fib at 8:00pm. Thank goodness for the skilled hands and priesthood blessings! It's 1:26am and we're home, finally. Thank you Dave and our Wonderful Bishop! They made a "convert" out of Mark (converted him back to sinus rythum). Sometimes, this gets downright scary. I can't even sleep. I just want to watch him breathe all night.....

BEFORE AND AFTER photos

What a rough month for our little family, but we're all back in business for the most part! Here's some crazy pictures to shed light on the issues. First, here's Kat in the hospital for a few days with C-diff after many trips to Doctor, Urgent Care and ER wouldn't get rid of it.
This is in the URGENT CARE, before she was diagnosed with Colostridium Dificile. C-Diff She was in so much pain and the IV wasn't working at all!!!

AFTER photo, after diagnosis and after proper medication (Flagyl) She's home now and doing a LOT better, still has some rough days though (actually rough mornings).

This is the EKG - BEFORE surgery, totally irregular all the time.

This is the EKG AFTER surgery, isn't that BEAUTIFUL?

This is Mark 2 minutes after heart surgery. Before waking up from surgery - He's super COZY.

And this is just 9 hours AFTER surgery (ablation, is actually the technical word for it! He's fantastic! ALL BETTER NOW!!! WooHoo!!!

Dedication by Lemuel Shattuck

PLEASE DOUBLE CLICK TO OPEN THIS IMAGE FULLY TO READ IT.

This dedication and proclamation was given to all the descendants of Lemuel Shattuck. NOTE TO LEMUEL: We haven't forgotten you or all you've done, and we're on the job. We do know you, and we will know you again. That's the only part you missed, because you hadn't been given the Gospel of Jesus Christ yet. Heavenly Father is planning a great family reunion, and we're helping. :) Thank you Lemuel for being the first person in the U.S. to start the genealogical process! We love you, we're working on the Family Tree and Francis and Rosa and the whole bunch are being processed as we speak. Can't wait to meet you again...

My Bucket List

Meet my HERO, Greg Grunberg in person (AKA Officer Matt Parkman)
(NOTE: He's the National spokesperson for Epilepsy)

Ride in a small airplane at sunset

Find a way to help my son get braces

Finish organizing all my Bosanko Genealogy

Go on a trip with Misty and play

Go to London to pick up my missionary daughter

Go to the NorCal RenFaire this October in California

Go to the Dickens Faire in San Francisco next Christmas

Finish writing my two books.

Go to Greece with Lizzie and Kathryn "girl time" woohoo!

Throw a dinner party for my new friends in Cedar Hills.

Get a professinal massage

Go to Thailand with my husband

Go skiing with Wasatch Adaptive Sports

Get out of medical debt

Hike the up to the "Y"

Finish and graduate college

Go back to Santa Cruz for PapaDooRunRun

Go to West Yellowstone

Get a scanner so I can digitally scrapbook

Me and my Grandogger!

I love little Miss Pepper! Her mommy was sick today, so I helped out.
Miss Pepper is a sleepyheaded little puppy but almost fully housebroken! :)
Her Daddy Travis holds her up to show her off. My cel pic of a pic.
Uncle Spencer let's her hang out while she takes a nap in his lap!

"WHAT NOT TO WEAR!" (I'm trying!)

Why did I ever think this was ok to wear? Argh! I would have been pulled over by the Fashion Police! YUCK. Yeah, don't bother commenting, I need to lose weight also, but hey, I went from an 18 to a 12, and I'm not complaining! I'm working on it!

This is an attempt to try to make things a little better and wear a better fitting pant. Thanks to "What not to wear"! Now I have to work on everything else!!! I am officially a 12 Petite, and I'm happy with the progress.

Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted Sisters!

Sisters are so special! Always love your sister! I love my sisters, even when we're apart. Nothing will ever change that.

"Suite Life of Mark & Linda"

I feel like I'm on the Disney show "Suite Life of Zach and Cody". My adventures have included:

1) Making a pretend cooking show by myself on a hotel floor, recipe? GUACAMOLE
2) Watching a "lady of the nite" help a Chinese man make a waffle for the first time.
3) Making friends with my Hispanic housemaid with four beautiful gold teeth.
4) Trying to figure out what is wrong with the bathroom fan.
5) Following miles of hallways toward a recreation room that didn't exist.
(I guess I got my excercise going up and down miles of hallway!)
6) Talking to my friend "Davy Baby" (seminary student) for 3 hours.
7) Another phone call, trying to "fight city hall", I'm losing that one.
8) Stalking up on Shampoo (we'll leave it at that; I'm only taking my daily share)
9) Having a lunch consisting of Roast Beef and Spinach Salad, and ate it in bed! :)
10) Counting planes as they flew overhead, and tried to guess the Airliner.
For some reason, I'm always right about Southwest. Not sure...why...

I'm enjoying the "Suite" life. But I sure miss my Young Adults...and Shelby. :)

I cannot tell a lie!

Jason and Thomas. Two faces that make me very happy! LOVE YOU GUYS!

MY CHRISTMAS LIST. What's yours?

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS? TAG you're it.

1) A new bulb for my Whirlpool oven
2) For my mother not to be alone on Christmas
3) Pretty Purple Plates for my sister
4) To talk to Loree again (she died)
5) Rust proof metal cooking tongs
6) To take my husband to "Mikado's" to lunch
7) To hug my missionary
8) My son to have a job he likes and is successful
9) For the computer to stop dumping long emails I try to write.
10) To be able to be with my Dad for his birthday.
11) Transportation so I could do nice things for other people.
12) A new battery for my laptop. It keeps overheating
13) Find a cure for Epilepsy,so I can drive again.
14) A goldfish (Beta)
15) For my other sister to be cancer free forever.
16) For my wonderful father in law's heart to be steady and regular.
17) A female movie buddy.
18) For Dad to see out of his other side again.
19) For Sheila-mom to know she's blessed my life immensely
20) For Ray to know he's forgiven and that I want him to be happy
21) To have sugar without guilt
22) For Nelda to know how she has blessed our missionary my making her feel pretty on the mission!
23) To personally thank all the anonymous MISSION donors!
24) To take my husband to Thai Food on Christmas Eve.
25) To purchase a particular charm at Dear Lizzie for my own Dear Lizzie.
26) To get completely out of medical debt.
27) To have the written testimonies of my children, for my journal.
28) To hold a little baby. I don't care whose it is,I just want to hold a baby.
29) For the test to go well.
30) Peace on earth
31) Tickets for Kat and Travis for Disneyland and Pirate Dinner Adventure in Anaheim
32) Tickets for date with Spence for Trans Siberian Orchestra for next year.
33) For my bathroom door to open out, in case I have a seizure in the bathroom.
34) To have someone help me organize my photographs so I can digitally scan them.
35) For sunflowers to grow in snow.
36) To go to the "Nutcracker" for the first time.
37) To see my Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Jigg this next summer in Yellowstone
38) A treadmill (not an eliptical) with a padded front bar.

G-L-E-E-K !

It's official! I'm a "Gleek" and I had a Glee Marathon today. There it's out. :-)

My Dear Young Friends....(lessons on love)

1. "Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart." - Washington Irving

2. "Better never to have met you in my dream than to wake and reach for hands that are not there." - Otomo No Yakamochi

3. "Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop. - Anonymous

4. "There is love of course. And then there's life, its enemy." - Jean Anouilh

5. "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." - Alfred Lord Tennyson

6. "Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.
- Kahlil Gibran

7. "I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken -- and I'd rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken places as long as I lived." - Margaret Mitchell


8. "The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost." - G. K. Chesterton

9. "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have lost at all. - Samuel Butler

10. "The hottest love has the coldest end." - Socrates

Camelot! Camelot! I know it sounds a bit bizarre...

KUDOS to Lone Peak High School's performance of CAMELOT! Great job kids! Especially my neice Laura Shattuck!

"I wonder what the king is doing tonight?
What merriment is the king pursuing tonight?
The candles at the court, they never burned as bright.
I wonder what the king is up to tonight?
...Well, I'll tell you what the king is doing tonight:
He's scared! He's scared!"

Poor Wart..., he never saw it coming. . .

44 things about me! TAG!

Learn 44 things about your friends, and let them learn 44 things about you! Tag the person that sent it plus others.

1. Do you like blue cheese?
Yes, but in order: Poppy Seed, Thousand Island, then blue cheese.

2. Have you ever been drunk?
-At my sister's wedding - accidently, I was too young to know it was spiked.
-At Olive Garden with the Bishop and his wife (he was my brother in law) and
they gave me the wrong drink! We didn't know. I was really sick afterwards.

3. Do you own a gun?
I really want Ruger. I love handguns and archery.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite?
Raspberry

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?
Only the ear doctor. Good man, but usually bad news.

6. What do you think of hot dogs?
I crave them about once every couple of months, fully loaded from DerWeinerschnitzel

7. Favorite Christmas movie?
Grinch. :)

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?
I really like Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice, but I VERY seldom have it on hand.

9. Can you do push ups?
Only if you challenge me and do it with me.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry?
My Dear Lizzie necklace that my missionary daughter got for me before she left.
It says "Family".

11. Favorite hobby?
Genealogy

12. Do you have A.D.D.?
Nope, but I do have OCD.

13. What's your favorite shoe?
I have a few, and they are all from other countries! China, Philipines, India.

14. Middle name?
"Maureen" (oh, please, I don't like it, so I changed it to BOSANKO on my I.D.)

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment?
a) Why in the world did I not hear from my missionary this week?
b) I'm hungry for something Japanese.
c) I wish I could drive again.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?
Water, Apple Juice, Warm Citrus Cider

17. Current worry?
Employment

18. Current hate right now?
That unidentified 'stink' downstairs...in the basement.

20. How did you bring in the New Year?
Slept through it and soundly!

21. Where would you like to go?
England to pick up my daughter, Christmas 2010.

22. Name three people who will complete this?
a) Misty
b) Kat
c) Stephanie

23. Do you own slippers?
yes, three pairs!

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now?
White

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?
Never done it, but I do like my Egyptian Cotton 350 count!

26. Can you whistle?
Since I was about 10, and I drove my Dad nuts!

27. Favorite colors?
Seafoam Green, Dark Lavendar

28. Would you be a pirate?
Totally, in fact, the Pirate Queen.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?
"Get Together" (old 70's song) "Family" by Dolly Parton
"You are the Preacher" by Dolly Parton, and any 70's music.
I'm not a huge Dolly fan, but I like just those two songs and lyrics.

30. Favorite girl's Name?
Lola (don't laugh!)

31. Favorite boy's name?
Johhny D. (go figure...)

32. What's in your pocket right now?
Cel phone

33. Last thing that made you laugh?
Cute little kid who said he wrote my daughter as a service project just so he could get a piece of candy out of the Bishop's service jar. :-)

34. Best bed sheets as a child?
Pink and white stripes (extra crispy)

35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child?
Dropped both heels into the wheel spokes of my Grandpa's bike. No shoes. Ouch.

38. Who is your loudest friend?
I would say Misty, but I think I'm WAY louder!

39. How many dogs do you have?
None yet, but I really want to get a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, asap.
It would have to be a purebread with papers, because I won't tolerate Cherry Eye.

40. Does someone have a crush on you?
Yes! But he's not well, so I don't take it seriously.

41. What is your favorite book?
Secret Life of Bees.

42. What is your favorite candy?
Plain M & Ms

43. Favorite Sports Team?
Are you kidding me? BYU Men's Soccer!

44. What song do you want played at your funeral?
Elvis Presley's version of "How Great Thou Art" (not at the church, please!)
If I get my wish to be cremated, then start with Elvis' "hunk of burning love" and end with "The Spirit of God like a fire is burning" No church funeral please, sorry!