Mom Of Boys

I am going to post what book I am reading. I would love comments on it and other book I should read.

I am now reading The Name of the Wind (The Kingkiller Chronicle, Day 1) by Patrick Rothfuss.

• Breaking Dawn (Book 4 in The Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer.
• City of Bones by Cassandra Clare.
• Vampirates: Demons of the Ocean by Justin Somper.
• The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven.
• Double Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix.
• Promise the Moon by Elizabeth Joy Arnold.
• The Host by Stephenie Meyer
• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
• A Long Fatal Love Chase by Louisa May Alcott
• World Without End by Ken Follett
• The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
• The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
• A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
• The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
• The Floating Island by Elizabeth Haydon
• Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde
• White is for Magic by Laurie Faria Stolarz
• Blue is for Nightmares by Laurie Faria Stolarz
• Vampire Acadamy by Richelle Mead
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
• Marked by P.C. Cast
• Extras by Scott Westerfeld
• 1st to Die by James Patterson
• Helen of Troy by Margaret George
• Maximum Ride #3: Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson.
• Rebel Angels by Libba Bray
• A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling.
• Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer.
• Mary, called Magdalene by Margaret George.
• The Sleeping Doll by Jeffery Deaver.
• The Good Guy by Dean Koontz.
• The Husband by Dean Koontz."
• The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
• Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
• The Star of Kazan by Eva Ibbotson
• The Angel’s Command by Brian Jacques
• Among the Free (Shadow Children) by Margaret Patterson Haddix
• Among the Enemy (Shadow Children) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Among the Brave (Shadow Children) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
• False Impression by Jeffrey Archer
• Sold by Patricia McCormick
• Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
• New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
• Among the Barons (Shadow Children) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Among the Betrayed (Shadow Children) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Among the Impostors (Shadow Children) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Among the Hidden (Shadow Children) by Margaret Peterson Haddix
• Specials by Scott Westerfeld
• Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
• Sam’s Letters to Jennifer by James Patterson
• The Boy in the Stripped Pajama by John Boyne
• Magyk (Septimus Heap, Book 1) by Angie Sage
• The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
• Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
• Pretties by Scott Westerfield
• Gossamer by Lois Lowry
• Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
• The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
• Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce
• The Sisters Grimm: The Problem Child – Book #3 by Michael Buckley & Peter Ferguson
• The Sisters Grimm: The Unusual Suspects – Book #2 by Michael Buckley & Peter Ferguson
• The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
• Pay the Piper: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple
• Troll Bridge: A Rock’n’ Roll Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen & Adam Stemple
• The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy-Tale Detectives – Book #1 by Michael Buckley & Peter Ferguson
• A Dangerous Fortune by Ken Folett
• The Pact: A Love Story by Jodi Picoult
• I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
• Maximum Ride: School’s Out Forever by James Patterson
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards
• The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
• Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment by James Patterson.
• Tell No One by Harlan Coben
• Marley & Me by John Grogan.
• Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult
• Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult
• My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult Boy, did I cry!
• The Twelfth Card (A Lincoln Rhyme Novel) by Jeffery Deaver
• Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.
• Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult.
• Eldest by Christopher Paolini.

I have placed an x by all the things I’ve done. This is for my ENTIRE life! I know that the questions are the same as others I have done, but I love doing these. So sorry for the repeats. (And remember there will be a quiz on this later!) :)

( x ) Gone on a blind date
( x ) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
( x ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( x ) Been to Florida
( x ) Been on a plane
( x ) Been lost
( x ) Been on the opposite side of the country
( x ) Gone to Washington, DC
( x ) Swam in the ocean
( x ) Cried yourself to sleep
( ) Played cops and robber
( x ) Recently colored with crayons
( ) Sang Karaoke
( ) Paid for a meal with coins only?
( x ) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t?
( x ) Made prank phone calls —
( x ) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( x ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( x ) Danced in the rain
( x ) Written a letter to Santa Clause
( x ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( x ) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about
( x ) Blown bubbles
( x ) Gone ice-skating
( ) Been skinny dipping outdoors

• Any nickname? T
• Mother’s name? Barbara
• Favorite Drink? Diet Coke
• Tattoos? Yes
• Body Piercing? just my ears
• How much do you love your job? I love that I get to stay home with my boys, they mean everything to me.
• Birthplace? Evanston, WY
• Favorite vacation spot? Texas and Florida
• Ever been to Africa? no
• Ever eaten cookies for dinner? no
• Ever been on TV? no
• Ever been in a car accident? Yes, once with my family, and once when I was driving
• Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4
• Favorite salad dressing? 4-cheese Ranch
• Favorite Pie? Apple
• Favorite number? 25
• Favorite movies? Too many, Phantom, Dirty Dancing, The Saint (I could go on forever)
• Favorite holiday? Christmas
• Favorite dessert? Mom’s Eskimo Pie
• Favorite food? Real Crab
• Favorite day of the week? Saturday, I get to be with my family
• Favorite brand of body wash? I like to use whatever matches my perfume, I don’t always get to have it because of the cost
• Favorite toothpaste? Crest
• Favorite smell? My Hubby, clean and smelling yummy, and My boys, fresh out of the shower
• What do you do to relax? Read or watch TV
• How do you see yourself in 10 years? We will only have 2 in the house, so probably enjoying my hubby more!

I don’t know who makes these up, but I love filling them out! Thanks, Malia!

• Place of birth – Evanston, Wy
• Favorite food – Italian
• What’s your natural hair color – Strawberry Blonde (With a touch of “kid-produced” gray :( )
• Ever been a Neat Freak – When I first had kids, but I learned really fast that you can’t be with children
• Ever been skinny dipping – no
• What are you most afraid of – Losing my family
• What is the most recent movie that you have seen – AJ and I watched Music and Lyrics last night (2nd time for me)
• Love someone so much it made you cry – Yes
• Been in a car accident – yes
• Croutons or bacon bits – Croutons
• Favorite day of the week – Saturday, cuz AJ is home and we can do what ever we want!
• Favorite restaurant – I have way to many to list, all of the ones we went to in Texas!
• Favorite Flower – Daisy and Bleeding Heart
• Favorite sport to watch – my boys playing soccer, on TV it would have to be football
• Favorite drink – Diet Coke
• Favorite ice cream – Georgia Mud Fudge from Dairy Queen
• Warner Brothers/Disney – both, they both put out good movies for families
• Ever been on a ship – no
• What color is your bedroom carpet – cream
• How many times did you fail your driver’s test – none
• What do you do when you are bored – read or stumble the net
• Bedtime – anywhere between 10 and 12
• Favorite TV shows – I have way to many to list, So you think you can dance, Army Wives, Burn Notice, Friday Night Lights, ......
• Last person you went to dinner with – my family
• Park or Zoo – Park
• What are your favorite colors – Pink and Blue
• How many tattoos do you have – one
• How many pets do you have – 1 dog and 3 fish, (AJ wants to get a boxer at the end of the summer, so then it will be 2 dogs)
• Which came first, the chicken or the egg – chicken
• What do you want to do before you die? – live a fulfilled life, and to see my boys happy
• Have you ever been to Hawaii – no
• Have you been to countries outside the U.S. – Canada when I was little

How is My Inner Child? I had to find out!

Your Inner Child Is Surprised

You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you’re rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things.

Two Names You Go By:

1. Mom
2. Tory

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:

1. Capri jeans
2. Polo

Two Things You Want/Have In A Relationship:

1. Love/Intimacy
2. Support

Two Of Your Favorite Things To Do:

1. Spending alone time with Aaron
2. Reading

Two Things You Want Very Badly At The Moment:

1. To get a new vehicle that can safely pull our new tent trailer
2. To go camping with the above mentioned 2 things!

Two Pets You Have Had:

1. Lily
2. Kelly

Two People Who Will Fill This Out:

1. Jenny
2. Spencer ( My immediate family has already filled this out )

Two Things You Did Last Night:

1. Unpacked from our fun weekend at the Sheffield Cabin, in Logan Canyon
2. Watched “Army Wives”

Two Things You Ate Today:

1. Squeeky Cheese
2. Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese

Two People You Last Talked To:
1. Aaron
2. M&D

Two Things You’re Doing Tomorrow:

1. The boys swim lessons
2. attending TJCS board meeting

Two Longest Car Rides:

1. The trips when we were little (Ditto Erin’s thanks!)
2. And the ones that felt the longest where the ones from Nampa to Evanston when I was really pregnant

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. My Birthday

Two Favorite Beverages:

1. Diet Coke
2. Hot Chocolate

Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. IGA
2. Little Academy
3. My own home
4. I am blessed to only have these 3 jobs!

Four places I have lived:

1. Evanston, Wyo.
2. Logan, Utah
3. Rexburg, Idaho
4. Nampa, Idaho

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Florida
2. St. George
3. Estes Park
4. Texas

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Lasanga
2. Stawberries and Bananas
3. Popcorn
4. Crab Legs

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. With Aaron
2. With my Mom, Dad and my sisters
3. In bed!
4. In Texas

Here are a few fun questions my mom sent me and I thought I would pass it along.

1. What time is it? 2:40
2. Name? TJ
3. What are you most afraid of? Loosing a loved one
4. What do you drive? Ford Windstar
5. Have you ever seen a ghost? No
6. Where were you born? Evanston, Wy
7. Ever been to Alaska? No
8. Ever been toilet papering? Yes
9. Croutons or Bacon bits? Croutons
10. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
11. Favorite restaurant? Olive Garden
12. Favorite Flower? Daisy
13. Favorite sport to watch? My boys soccer games, and football with AJ
14. Favorite Drink? Diet Coke
15. Favorite Ice cream? Peppermint Candy
16. Disney or Warner Brothers: Disney

17. Favorite fast food restaurant: Wendy’s
18. What color is your bedroom carpet? Beige
19. How many times have you failed your driver’s test? never
20. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail from? Jenny
21. What do you do often when you are bored? Read, watch TV, or play the DS
22. Bedtime? Between 11 and 12
23. Favorite TV show? Heroes
24. Ford or Chevy? Ford
25. What are you listening to right now? My boys coloring
26. What are your favorite colors? Pink and Yellow (Not together)
27. How many tattoos do you have? one
28. Do you have any pets? Lily our toy poodle and a few fish
29. Which came first the chicken or the egg? Chicken
30. What would you like to accomplish before you die? My boys raised and happy, traveling with AJ.

1. First name? Keturah but I go by Tory
2. When did you last cry? last night, watching TV! (I am such a cry baby!)
3. Do you like your handwriting? yes
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? turkey
5. Kids? 4 boys
6. If you were another person would you be friends with you? Yes
7. Do you have a journal? Yes, this
8. Do you use Sarcasm a lot? yes
9. Do you still have your tonsils? yes
10. Would you bungee jump? No
11. What is your favorite cereal? Cinnamon Toast Crunch
12. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No
13. Do you think you are strong? Mentally or Physically???? Mentally
14. What is your favorite Ice Cream? Oreo
15. What is the first thing you notice about people? Eyes and mouth
16. Who do you miss the most? My sister, Megan
17. Do you want everyone to send this back to you? Yes
18. What color pants are you wearing right now? Dark Blue Jeans
19. What’s the last thing you ate? a ghost peep
20. What are you listening to right now? Curious George, the TV series
21. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? yellow
22. Favorite smell? my husband (anytime) and my boys (when they are clean!)
23. Who was the last person you talked with on the phone? Aaron
24. Do you like the person that sent you this? yes
25. Favorite Drink? Diet Coke
26. Favorite sport to watch? My boys playing soccer
27. Hair color? Reddish Brown Blonde :)
28. Do you wear contacts? No
29. Favorite cake? my Dad’s Spumoni cake
30. Scary movies or Happy ending? Happy Endings
31.Last movie you watched? ? V for Vendetta
32.What color is the shirt you are wearing right now? Pink
33. Summer or Winter? Summer
34. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs, depends on the person :)
35. Most likely to respond? Megan, Erin
36. Least likely to respond? anyone too busy!
37. What is on your mouse pad? blue with green and blue circles
38. What did you watch on TV last night? Brothers and Sisters & Heroes (from the DVR)
39. Favorite sounds? my boys when they are happy, my husband talking to me
40. Rolling Stones or The Beatles? The Beatles
41. The furthest you have been from home? Florida
42. Do you have a special talent?
43. When were you born? Nov. 25
44. Where were you born? Evanston, Wyo

I am making a wish list. This will change with time and be updated as needed. Some of it is a wish list of what I want for me (some is extravagant, then again, it is a “wish” list) and some is what we want for our home.

for me

• sheets for my bed
• a new TV
• a working VCR
• a DVD recorder
• a diamond solitaire necklace

for our home

• a porch added onto the front
• remodel kitchen
• remodel my bathroom (we are almost there, we just need new fixtures and new towel bars!)

for fun

• a T@b

Here are 100 things about me.

1. My given name was Keturah.
2. I was born November 25th.
3. So that makes me 31!
4. I grew up in Evanston, Wyo.
5. I have 3 younger sisters – Megan, Erin, and Lucy.
6. My parents both taught elementary school when I was growing up.
7. I didn’t get my first kiss until I was 17.
8. I worked at IGA while I was going to high school. I really enjoyed working there.
9. I was in an accident in our gym parking lot at our high school.
10. I graduated Evanston High in 1993.
11. I am LDS.
12. I have my Young Womanhood Recognition.
13. I believe religion is an everyday belief, not just a Sunday thing.
14. I loved how religion was viewed in my home growing up. We lived it and breathed it, but it wasn’t a forced issue. It was a normal part of our lives. Not big but just there. This is how AJ and I strive to raise our boys.
15. I went to Utah State for 2 quarters, and then transferred to Ricks College.
16. Utah State was the biggest eye opening experience of my life. I learned a ton about myself and others. I hope I can pass some of this onto my boys when they get older.
17. I met AJ at Ricks. I knew that there was “something” about him and that he would be a part of my future, the minute I saw him.
18. We have been married for 10 years! Amazing.
19. We went to Estes Park, Colorado for our honeymoon.
20. I am married to the most amazing man. He is more than I could have ever hoped for. He supports, loves and stands by me no matter what.
21. We lived in Rexburg for our first 4 years of our marriage.
22. While we lived there, AJ went to school full time, and worked full time. He commuted to Pocatello almost everyday. I also worked full time at a daycare, taking BJ and later SJ with me.
23. Were we crazy?
24. We now live in Nampa, Idaho. We love it!
25. We have been here for almost 6 years.
26. We have 4 boys – BJ, SJ, IJ, and LJ.
27. I am very lucky to have 4 boys. I never thought that I would only have boys, I imagined there would be a girl in there somewhere.
28. I wouldn’t know what to do with a girl!!
29. I swore I would never spoil my youngest, but I think I am.
30. I never realized how hard it was to be a mom, or how rewarding it is.
31. All of our birthdays (except IJ’s) are on or around holiday’s. AJ – Memorial Day, Me – Thanksgiving, BJ – July 4th, SJ – Halloween, and LJ – Christmas.
32. I love being a stay-at-home mom.
33. I struggle everyday with patience.
34. I strive to be a better mom everyday.
35. I do not like to be alone.
36. I love to bargain shop. I love it when I save money on something.
37. I hate to worry about money.
38. I love to read.
39. My favorite books are: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, and As the Crow Flies by Jeffrey Archer.
40. I love to sew.
41. I love sewing blankets.
42. I hate to be hot.
43. I wish I weighed 15 pounds lighter.
44. I wish I loved to exercise. I guess if that was the case then the last one wouldn’t be one!
45. AJ bought me a really cool bike last year, and I wish I rode it more.
46. I like to swim.
47. My favorite candy bar is 100 grand. hehe Kind of ironic that that came after the exercise ones!
48. My favorite food is my dad’s lasagna. Yum!
49. My favorite flavor of ice cream is peppermint stick. You can only get this around the holidays so I eat a bunch then.
50. I like to watch T.V. and movies.
51. I have a tattoo. It is on my right lower abdomen.
52. AJ designed it. It is a heart made out of 2 rose stems.
53. My parents didn’t find out about this tattoo until I was just about to deliver BJ. Whoops!
54. I have just discovered the computer game Dungeon Siege and I love it!
55. I love to sleep.
56. I love to eat out.
57. I drive a white Ford Wind Star.
58. Someday I will owe a truck.
59. I love to spend time with my family.
60. I hate to miss out on things with my family.
61. I have been Young Women’s President in my ward. This was the hardest calling I have ever had or will have.
62. I am now Sunday School teacher to the 14-18 year old youth in our ward. This calling is a challenge. But I am getting a bit better and I am learning a ton.
63. I wish I could be a better Visiting Teacher.
64. I have way to many magazine subscriptions.
65. My favorite vacation was when we went to Florida 4 summers ago. We went with my whole family and it was the most wonderful, relaxing time ever. I hope we can repeat it again soon.
66. My greatest moments of my life were when all of my boys entered it, starting with AJ.
67. BJ’s birth was my hardest. 21 hours of labor.
68. LJ was my easiest. 6 1/2 hours, I got my epidural only an hour in, so I was feeling nice.
69. LJ’s was my hardest recovery. It was Christmas and I wanted to do, and tried to do, all that everyone else was doing and I paid for it.
70. BJ’s was my fastest recovery. He was readmitted to the hospital with jaundice and we had to go back every 3 hours to feed him. We lived in a third story apartment and so using the stairs that much really kept me active and helped in the recovery.
71. The time in my life that was the scariest was when SJ (at 2) was in Primary Children’s Hospital with pneumonia. We almost lost him and he had to have a couple of surgeries. It was a very stressful and scary time.
72. I feel like I missed IJ’s newborn stage, he was 2 months old when all of that happened to SJ. Our attention was so focuses on SJ that I kind of feel bad for IJ.
73. IJ is the most like me.
74. I want the very best for my boys. I want them to be happy and have their dreams come true.
75. I hope that I can make “take your breath away moments” for them.
76. I am a soccer mom, and love it!
77. I wish I attended the temple more often.
78. I wish I took more pictures of my boys.
79. I want to be a nurse. I will start to go back to school when LJ is in 1st grade.
80. I love living near my parents.
81. I have a wonderful relationship with them.
82. I wish I had a better relationship with AJ’s mom.
83. I am working on that.
84. I love that I am close to my sisters. I know I can talk to them about anything.
85. I love to laugh.
86. The ring tone on my cell phone is, You’re the one that I want from the movie Grease.
87. I love blankets and being wrapped in a blanket.
88. I think this is a reason that I don’t mind the cold, it is an excuse to use a blanket!
89. I don’t like to buy clothes for myself. I always feel that the boys need new clothes more then me.
90. Some of the clothes I wear are still from my high school and college days.
91. I can make myself feel guilty for just about anything.
92. I am working on this. It has made me sick quiet often.
93. My van license plate is: 4cbwthu. We are big Star Wars Fans.
94. I don’t think I look good in photo’s.
95. I have a very hard time making decisions.
96. I always wished I had an older brother. That is why I hoped to have a boy first.
97. I love Diet Coke, but I am trying to go off it. I drank it way to often.
98. I hate having dirty dishes in the sink.
99. I rarely leave a load of clothes in the dryer.
100. I’m really proud of myself for finishing this list!