Random Recent Photos 2009

This is Trentin and his cousin Evan, the budding soccer player, or future WWE wrestler!!

This is Troy and I last night at our New Years Eve get together -- we had a great time!!

Me, April, and Sandy with our lucky Irish beads - at our New Years get together!

One of the few pictures of Trey -- mainly because he has spent that vast majority of the last several months playing Roblox on the computer -- no lie!! This pic was taken in St George, right behind my mom's home, where Trey and Bella had climbed atop these beautiful red cliffs.

Trentin and his cousins, Tyler and Evan, in their best "muscle man" stance -- Trentin spent most of the time wrestling at Thanksgiving with his cousins and Master Wrestler Shawn!!

Trentin and I at Thanksgiving --- he's growing up sooo fast it scares me!!

Master Shawn teaching proper submission hold techniques!!

Grandma Atkin and THE BOYS!!! Tyler is wearing the hat he wore the whole time we were there -- it must have some deep sentimental meaning -- such as - "I like this hat, I'm not taking it off ever!"

I don't even know where to start to explain this picture. Hmmmm, let's just say me and my work friend, Cinthia (middle), thought we were meeting our old work friend, Wendy (right), for a holiday dinner.....apparently she had other plans in mind, so we just rolled with it....!!

Troy, showing Lavell "who's boss"!!! (This was a Leonard's BYU Hall of Fame induction.)

My Latest Legging Obsession!!

Tart Leggings -- very comfy!!

Banana Republic Leggings!

So I haven't blogged a lot lately -- but I thought I'd share my latest obsession -- black leggings!! I know they are completely unflattering to the body for even the skinniest of people. However, I just can't help myself -- they are just so comfortable and I can't bear the thought of putting on cold denim jeans or polyester dress pants in our furrreeezing weather! I have shiny, matte, thin, thick, dressy, and sporty pairs of them!! I bet you didn't know there was a difference among leggings!! Nooooww -- if I could just find a pair of knee high boots that will fit my non-existant calf muscles so I don't look like I'm wearing big 'ol rain boots!

Belated Thanksgiving Gratitude List

Here is the list I posted on my Facebook Page on Thanksgiving, listing all the various things for which I am grateful!!!! I thought I'd share with you all even though its a little dated!!

I'm GRATEFUL FOR:

- ADHD medication - my motto is "a medicated family is a happy family" or "your medication is my sanity"!

- When my husband returns from trips so I don't have to do his menial tasks anymore...take out garbage, feed dogs, turn off house lights, make dinner, wash laundry, close the garage door, etc....

- My iPhone.

- A new Nordstrom Rack nearby.

- Drivers that understand the concept of a passing lane!

- Scentsy candles that can be worn around teenage boys waists --- oops that doesn't exist-- new product idea anyone?

- Still having a functional, albeit partially chewed up, retainer.

- Having a large closet full of Nike running gear, in the event that I start jogging again or am needed as a Nike model.

- Not having my hair burnt off when a child thinks it would be funny to turn up my flat iron to the hottest setting without telling me.

- Knowing that apparel items I reaally like come in other colors and duplicates - because I have plenty of storage room in my basement.

- Having a father in the trucking industry who helped expand my choice of vocabulary words when angry. Hmmm, ok my dad wasn't a trucker, but cut me some slack ok?

- Being around such dysfunctional people that it's easy to blame them for all my problems, and I might even be right!

- Being from a country that truly practices equality and healthcare for all citizens, "God Bless Canada!"... Jussst kidding all you Americans- please don't tell me to go home - I love the US - shopping is waay better!!

- Having children who don't let my ego get too big- so I can remember I don't do anything good for them, going to work is easy, I am stupid, I have "flubber", I've ruined their life, etc...

- Heated car seats so my children can secretly turn them on to warm my rear in 100 degree weather, just in case my profuse sweating was making me feel chilly!

- Knowing that as smart as "Genius" on Itunes is, it will NEVER correctly suggest songs for my liking- because how do predict the listening tastes of one individual that has ABBA, Limp Biskit, Rascal Flatts, Bruce Hornsby, Ice Cube, Wale, Backstreet Boys, Journey, Def Leppard, Rent, Earth Wind and Fire, Erasure, Fabolous, and Tupac all on one playlist?

DRUMROLL PUuulleease for my LAST item for which I am grateful

-------- KNOWING that Tom Cruise has to wear LIFTS (you know in his shoes to make him taller) and has to stand on apple boxes by his costars when making movies!!

State Champs!!!

STATE CHAMPS!!!! GOOO INTER FC!!!!
Trentin and Trey's soccer team had their State Cup tournament this past month. Trey's team, made it to the quarterfinals, and played awesome, but just couldn't get the ball in the net, and lost 2-1. Trentin's team played strong throughout the whole tournament, but struggled a little in the final game this Saturday. They were tied 1-1, went into overtime, and were tied 2-2 in overtime. This meant they went into a PK shootout. We went first, and our player made the PK. Our goalie proceeded to block 3 STRAIGHT PK shots from the other team, while our first 3 players made their PK's, resulting in our boys taking home the title of State Cup Champs. This is Trentin's 3rd State Cup medal with his team. Quite an accomplishment!! Trentin has worked really hard to be able to compete on this team, and will continue to work. I'm proud of both my boys. It's fun to see their hard work pay off!!

As a side note, our soccer club Inter, is the smallest club in the state, but out of the 8 possible boys state cup titles -- we took home 2 titles -- 95 Premier (Trentin's team - Trentin is the 2nd to the left on the bottom row in the pic) and 92 Premier. The only other club in the state to take home 2 titles is the largest club in the state!! Now you know why Troy and I put so much into this club --- because we feel we've got the best trainer and coach in the state!!! He's a great example and mentor to both of my kids -- and inspires kids to love soccer and want to be better!!

Happy Libra Birthday!!!

Well after that last depressing blog -- it's time to celebrate life!!!

Doesn't this cake look FEROSH (short for ferocious all you non-Project Runway fans)???

My sister Skye has apparently nominated herself as the official birthday reminder person. Well Skye -- I'm beating you to the punch this month!!!


Happy (soon-to-be) Birthday MOM, SKYE and any other fellow Librans!!! I hope you have FABULOUS birthday celebrations!!

M is for MUSIC -- which my mom loves so MUCH!

O is for OPTIMISM -- she strives to get within her touch!!

M is for MERCIFUL, compassionate, loving and such . . .

S is for SKITTISH -- always flitting from here to there,

K is for KIND, and always concerned about burdens others bear.

Y is for YIELDING a house full of children for whom to care.

E - EPICUREAN -- a lover of cooking, food, and happy to share.

I thought it would be interesting to post a little information about the Libran personality. Okay I don't agree with all this, but I found this excerpt on Librans, and thought it would be interesting for you all to read and see what you think about the the Librans you know!!!

"If you are born between 23rd September and 23rd October and your ruling planet is Venus, you probably belong to the zodiac Libra, who stands for justice, harmony and balance. That is why this zodiac is represented by a pair of scales which speaks volumes about his personality for it is the only zodiac bearing the symbol of an inanimate object. Librans cannot perform to the best of their abilities unless they are teamed up with others. They are not loners and don't like to stay alone. They try to avoid conflict and be fair, and there fore they are a constant delight to those who pair up with them. His keen sense of aesthetics makes him a lover of beauty, haute couture and expensive gifts as well as intellectual conversations. Under the influence of the element air, a Libran always hankers for an ideal. Newton's third law- "to every action there is an equal an opposite reaction" - is the motto that guides the life of a Libran."

"Positive Side of Libra Character: Librans are famous for being peace-loving, idealistic, sociable, easygoing, charming, romantic, soft-hearted, urbane and diplomatic. Librans make the best organizers and the best masterminds behind strategies. They can be always counted on to make peace and douse conflicts between team members because their sense of unprejudiced justice and fair play is acutely strong. They are curious by nature and knowing little tit-bits of information about people around them satisfies their curiosity. Some other positive traits of a Libran are love for art, neatness, desire for popularity, attention to detail, love for public service and charity, dressing up for occasions and planning ahead of time. He is also a bit of a perfectionist. People are easily attracted to them through their irresistibly charming and gently affectionate nature. They are warm, jovial, energetic, gregarious, polite to everybody and lovable. They are lovers of good food, good wine and living in style - epicureans par excellence."

"Negative Side of Libra Character: But on the flip side they are notoriously flirtatious, gullible, soft, self indulgent, easily influenced, changeable and indecisive. Librans are supposed to have a wavering personality because they try to evaluate a situation from all angles before coming to a fair final decision that is best for all. Boredom makes them lethargic and others have to take the initiative to refresh and pep them up. Although Librans make excellent team members, they are lacking in leadership qualities. He can be at times imperious and narcissistic. Their craving for romance brings about their ruin. Their heads are ruled by their hearts. Librans enjoy the reputation of being indolent and they have mastered the art of procrastination.A Libran puts down his pathologically idle nature to his epicurean tastes. A Libran woman often makes a pretty lazy homemaker and mother, who chooses to rely on an army of domestic helps."

HAHAHA!!! Now the LAST SENTENCE is HILARIOUS!! LAZY HOMEMAKER AND MOTHER--- well MAYBE that's because WOMEN aren't SUPPOSED to do all the HOMEMAKING and PARENTING!!!!! So not LAZY -- but EQUAL OPPORTUNITY HOMEMAKING AND PARENTING!!

Woe Is Me...So Just Let Me Be!!

Woe Is Me...So Just Let Me Be!!

I'm tired tonite.

I feel overwhelmed with being a wife and parent today.

So, I resigned . . . for just a few hours alright?

Little in life is black and white, mostly grey......okay.

Crooked teeth after 2 years of braces.

An utterly uninspiring 5th grade teacher.

Atkin passion misunderstood in many places.

Humiliation sitting by screaming soccer parents in bleachers.

Running and running, figuratively, literally...but where to?

Compassion yet helplessness for loved ones experiencing despair.

Loyalty often runs face deep, not through and through.

I forgot to sign the document supporting "Life is Fair"

...well Jimmy crack corn, and I don't care!

Hmmmm....time to reign it all in now.

Meet with principal, check.

Get BEST orthodontist, G-pa Atkin, in the WEST, and HOW!

Sit far away at games to avoid impending parent train wreck.

Recite "Serenity Prayer" over and over in my car.

Replace Alanis Morrissette CD with GaGa's "Just Dance"!!

Take Gold's Gym street exit, instead of one leading to a bar!

Play lighthearted computer game, "Fancy Pants"!!

Avert danger - stay off the calamitous teeter totter!!

See, my pity party is almost to a close.

I got furthest in family swimming lessons because I can tread water.

So I will tread ce soir . . and watch all my taped Bravo reality shows!!!

There's No Place Like Home!!

Don't you LOOVVEEE, love these cute little shoes?? So if you know me at all -- you know that I'm a HUGE KLUTZ! I trip walking on carpet in flat shoes!! HOWEVER, I found these cute little "Dorothy Shoes" (as I call them) on sale of course at Nordstrom - and I couldn't resist taking the chance I would fall flat on my face while wearing them. See how sparkly and red they are -- they totally made me think of a modern Dorothy shoe from the Wizard of Oz!! So I broke out of my black ballet flat comfort shoe zone and bought them!! AND, the bonus is they're "Sofft" brand shoes, meaning they are padded and very comfy. I vow to wear them and not just put them in the back of my closet -- well this week anyway. I'm going to try to wear them on Wednesday and Thursday.

I bought another fun pair of more casual heels -- maybe I'll have the courage to show you all cause they're a little different.....