Out of Town

I am currently in So. California for Christmas break. I will update everything when I get back in town later this week. We had one more interview add on, so for those of you in Utah. . . . there is a chance we could end up there. I will continue to add to the list if other interviews become available. Well, enjoy the end of 2008. (Only one day left)

Where to next????

Since we are not going to do our training with the military, we can start playing the where to next game. Below I will list all the places Chad is interviewing at and the specialty. If more interview requests come in I will add those too. You can weigh in with your opinion about what we ought to choose and why. So here goes. . . .

1. Texas Tec. (Lubbock, TX) Surgery

2. University of Albuquerque (NM) Surgery

3. University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio (TX) Surgery

4. University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) Internal Medicine

5. University of Louisville (KY) Internal Medicine

6. Jewish Hospital (Cincinnati, OH) Internal Medicine

7. University of Utah (SLC, UT) Internal Medicine

8. Mayo Clinic Arizona (Scottsdale, AZ) Internal Medicine

9. St. Mary's (UCLA) (Long Beach, CA) Internal Medicine

10. The University of Arizona-Tuscan (Tuscan, AZ) Internal Medicine

11. University of Wyoming (Cheyenne, WY) Family Medicine

12. Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID) Family Medicine

Disappointment Again

For those of you who were wondering, we didn't match in a military residency program.  Crazy huh.  Well, okay then. . . maybe we'll have better news in March.  Or maybe we're just not supposed to be in medicine.  Who knows.  I need a vacation.  

$150,000.00 of debt in a career you never had the chance to finish isn't all that much right.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!  Okay, I'm done now.  Somehow this too shall pass, but how, I don't have a clue.  

Star Wars Lunchables

For those of you who are cringing to find out that I do on occasion feed my children lunchables I apologize.  (But when they cost $1.50 at the store and you have a coupon, it's hard to resist.)  

This last Tuesday I let Jake and Joe pick out a lunchable and to their surprise the lunchable had a punch out Star Wars game connected to the box.  I am assuming this game was in someways supposed to resemble a Pokemon game, but whatever the intent, it has become my kid's favorite game.  It's crazy that 4 small little card that either beat or tie their opponents cards can be so much fun.  For whatever reason, it must be the key to the lunchables, McDonalds happy meal, etc. . . . enterprise.  I will never cease to be amazed that both popularity and fortune can come to a product if simple, mindless toys and games are attached.  

Disco Dancing Prior Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Pre-Christmas Fun and Gingerbread Houses

I've decided that our family is into last minute chaos, so at the last minute we decided to travel to Utah for Thanksgiving.  Chad wasn't able to take any vacation time, so he flew in Thanksgiving morning, I drove with the kids the day before and we all drove back home on Sunday.  Talk about a quick trip, but it was a whole lot of fun.  

As part of the Thanksgiving get together traditions we do all of our Christmas stuff the day after Thanksgiving.  This makes the reunion time feel like two holidays in one, and it gives us a chance to enjoy opening each other's gifts together.  Every year the cousins participate in a gift exchange and when the kids go to bed the adults commence in their own gift exchange.  As adults we draw numbers and either steel or open a gift of our choosing.  We have a lot of fun and there is usually quite a bit of laughing, teasing, and plotting going on.  

Opening gifts at Grandma and Grandpa Prior's house.  

  Sorry Chad you are sideways.  

Another tradition at the Prior home is to have an all boys outing.  This year we girls rebelled and included an all girls outing with the teenage cousins on babysitting patrol.  The boys went golfing and the girls went to see Twilight.  For as much as I disliked the book, I actually enjoyed the film.  I think the whinny female character in the books got to me, but the actress seemed to internalize more of those emotions, so the film was fun to watch.  I may actually consider finishing the books, when I have a spare moment or two.  

After two days of driving and three days of fun in Utah we arrived home and for family night decided to build gingerbread houses.  Each child came up with their own design and it might surprise you when you see who made each one.  

Picture #1 Joey, #2 Rebecca, #3 Sara, and #4 Jake.  

(I didn't help any of them, they each came up with their own designs)

I hope you are all enjoying your December chaos.  If letters don't make  it out and the baking doesn't happen, know that I still love you all and think about you often.  

Tag I'm it

Tag I'm it 

7 weird things about me

1. I always double check the locks in the house before bed but often don't bother to lock the door to my car.  

2. I have always been a people person, but lately I enjoy doing things with one or two people/families more then in groups.  

3. I tend to think everyone thinks the same way that I do.  (Even when I know that they don't)

4. I still tell people that I am from Southern California even though I haven't lived there for more then a year and a half out of the last 14 years.  

5. I buy and get excited about scrapbook stuff even though it's been 3 years since I worked on it.  

6. I enjoy licking the brownie bowl more then eating the brownies.  

7. I feel guilty when I don't read my scriptures every day.  

10 years ago

1. I was a newlywed

2. I lived in Provo Utah

3. My husband was applying to medical schools.  (Now we are applying to residency programs for the 4th time after military interferences.)  

4. I was thinking about having our first child

5. I taught relief society 

6.  We rented a small house that tilted to one side.  You could roll a ball from one end to the other.  Our house that we lived in is now a parking lot just south of center street in Provo.  

5 things on my to do list

1. Make Christmas Cards

2. Go Christmas Shopping

3. Go to Utah for Thanksgiving

4. Plan the rest of our Primary Activity and Sharing time for Sunday.

5. Start teaching my first Jr. performing group at the Dance Academy.  I can't wait to see them compete.  

(If you can't tell, I have a hard time focusing on things that are more then two weeks away)

5 snacks I enjoy

1. Chocolate

2. Strawberries

3. Homemade Bread (Great Harvest, I miss you)

4. Ice Cream

5. Fresh Peaches, or berries from my parent's yard.  

5 things I would do if I was a Millionaire

1. I agree with Janae, Pay off Chad's student loans.  

2. Buy a house

3. Get a year's supply 

4. Put money in the bank for my children's graduate programs.  (They can pay for undergraduate school)

5. Donate money to fund scholarships programs and medical missions.  

5 places I have lived

1. Orange County, CA

2. Provo, UT

3. St. Louis, MO

4. San Antonio, TX

5. Clovis, NM

5 jobs I have had

1. Mom

2. YMCA Teen youth leader

3. Dance Teacher (West Coast Performing Art's Center, CA, Community Center in St. Louis, The Dance Academy, NM, and Clovis Community College, NM)

4. RA (Resident Advisor at Deseret Towers, BYU)

5. Inventory Control Analyst, at Meade Instruments Corp. 

I tag whoever wants to do this.  

Congruatulations CARRIE!

Congratulations to my cute sister Carrie who just had her 1st little baby today.  

They haven't decided on a name yet but here's the stats:

Baby Girl Jensen 

Born at Mission Hospital in CA on November 11th (Veteran's Day)

8lbs 6oz 

She has a cute head of light colored hair and is absolutely beautiful.  (My daughter Sara is hoping Carrie will name her baby Sara, but I guess we will just have to wait and see.)  

Learning and Growing up!

Do you ever sit back and laugh at all the twists and turns your life seems to take?  When I graduated from BYU in 1998 I remember thinking my dancing years were over, I was growing up and would now live the life of a supportive wife and "stay at home mom." (Whoever thought that one up was definitely never a stay at home mom)  

The funny thing is, even though I changed my degree from Dance to Psychology I have taught dance more during the last 10 years then anything else.  The psychology comes in handy, but I am far from a paid therapist.  I guess I've learned that if you really enjoy doing something, you just need to do it.  

The class I teach at Clovis Community College has such a wide variety of students that sometimes I wonder if what I am teaching is too challenging, not challenging enough, etc...  Then today one of the ladies came up to me and said, "you know I've lost 15 lbs this semester just taking your class once a week."  It made me so happy.  I love watching people who have never danced a day in their lives, not only become more coordinated, but develop a talent they never knew they had, and benefit physically from the exercise.  

I still wonder from time to time how long I will be teaching dance.  This last weekend we had two dancer/choreographers come into the studio I work at and teach master classes, and let's just say that I am seriously getting OLD.  I don't think I moved much on Sunday.  The motrin helps but man, my body just isn't what it used to be.  

The good news is.  I love dancing and I am grateful that I have been able to continue doing it for so long.  I hope you all make time for something you love.  What a dull place this world would be it we never found the time to develop the qualities within ourselves that make us different.  

Happy Halloween

Halloween night was a whole lot of fun.  We trick or treated a few streets in our neighborhood, then went to Papa Murphy's to trick or treat and get their famous "cookie dough" (my kid's favorite trick or treat stop), and lastly we ended up at our friend's the Heaths for a massive Halloween party.  I think there were 20 kids and 10 families.  The kids have had more then their share of sugar for the week, but what would a Halloween be without lots and lots of CANDY!!! Happy Halloween.

It's Jake and his alter ego Mr. Bones.  

Joey was seriously afraid of these ghosts that we bought to light up the pathway to our house.  I think it took 3 days before he was convinced that they weren't real.  

It's Tinkerbell (for the 4th year in a row) and Hermione.  Hey, Sara likes consistency.  I can't say that I blame her.  

Cute pumpkins (they designed them all themselves) and cute kids= a great Halloween night.

Election 2009 (Can you believe it?)

 I just wanted to throw in one last reminder to make sure all of you reading this blog go out and vote.  We had some problems this year being in the military in NM and registered to vote in Texas, but we have been able to work things out.  It's often easier to register then you might think.  When Chad and I moved to San Antonio four years ago and were late getting in our registration, we were still able to vote for a president.  

I was watching some of the speeches made by both parties yesterday and felt compelled for the first time to choose a candidate.  Until yesterday I was ready to give up on voting this year or pencil in Mickey Mouse, but in the hopes of choosing a candidate who might actually make some positive adjustments to our government and economy I am going to vote.  

I hope that you all take advantage of this unique opportunity that is ours to choose a president.  Happy Voting.  

Tagged, Lucky 7's

Okay Michelle  here you go.  

SEVEN things I want to do before I die:

1. Have at least 10 Grandchildren
2. Learn how to paint
3. Visit beautiful places throughout the world
4. Have a conversation with the prophet
5. Learn how to love better and get frustrated a lot less
6. Have some place that my kids can call home. (A Permanent residence)
7. Make a difference in the world. 

SEVEN Things I do now:

1. Teach dance
2. Play with my kids
3. Read
4. Blog
5. Bake (If I did a little less of this, I might actually loose those ten pounds that I would like to loose)
6. Run
7. Clean

SEVEN thing I can't do: (that I wish I could)

1. Play hymns and Christmas songs on the piano
2. Paint
3. Budget better
4. Read Greek
5. Cook really well
6. Understand everything
7. Stay away from sweets.  

SEVEN things that attracted me to my husband:

1. He could make me happy even on a really bad day
2. He's intelligent, hard working, and had a testimony
3. He's patient 
4. Okay let's face it "He's HOT"
5. He was great with his nieces and nephews and continues to be great with our kids. 
6. He loved me first.  
7. He made me feel safe.  

SEVEN things I say most often:

1. "Okay"
2. "Just a minute"
3. "I love you!"
4. "Really"
5. "Seriously"
6. "Becca, Sara, Jake, Joe. . . "
7. "Time for bed"

SEVEN celebrities I admire:

1. Jesus Christ
2. The signers of the Declaration of Independence (I don't know all the names, so I will group them)
3. Enoch
4. Gordon B. Hinckley
5. My Parents
6. Scott Anderson 
7. Joseph Smith

SEVEN favorite foods: (This one's easy)

1. Chocolate!!!!!
2. Strawberries
3. Peaches off the tree
4. Ice Cream
5. A really good Salad
6. 5 layer Chocolate Cake  (We won't tell Chad he won the cake contest)
7. Homemade Bread Right out of the oven

SEVEN people I invite to do this blog:

1. Elena
2. Shara
3. Cindy
4. Jessica
5. Heather
6. Carlee
7. Rebecca

Can't wait to see your lucky sevens!!!

To pick the perfect pumpkin

How a Prior picks the perfect pumpkin  

(According to the prior children- say that 10 times fast)

Once upon a time. . . the Prior children went to the farm to pick the perfect pumpkin.  With a little discussion as to how this might be done the plot through the patch begins.  

Sara went quickly and found just the spot where three perfect pumpkins lay on a plot. 

Jake knew for certain that smaller was best, if he was to carry it back on his chest.  

For Joey each pumpkin was carefully inspected so as to detect any flaws connected. 

Rebecca felt certain her pumpkin would be one she could hug and treat tenderly.  

So back to the van with their pumpkins they ran, dreaming of carving as their master plan. 

The End!

Christmas Dilemma

Okay, so most of you know how I feel about guns.  (ESPECIALLY guns around CHILDREN).  For those of you who don't, I am very much opposed to them.  

The other day I was sitting around talking to my husband and I ask him what he wants for Christmas.  He is in the process of applying FINALLY to Orthopedics programs both in the military and outside (along with surgical programs, plastics programs, and ER programs).  So his first comment is, "A Job."  (Which I totally agree with.)   I ask him what else he might like, because a job isn't something I can give him.  Then, with a long forlorn look on his face, he says "the only thing I really want I know you won't get me."  I ask him what that one thing is, and Yes, you guessed it. . . . It's a GUN.  

Then he goes on to tell me that he has been trying to think of ways to put away money that I don't know about so that he can just go out and get one.  

This made me think.  Do I really want my husband feeling like he has to sneak around to have what he wants?

I am almost to the point of compromise.  I might be willing to let him get a gun, so long as he doesn't keep it near the children.  (He can't have one in base housing anyway, but they do have storage lockers he can use.)  

The whole reason he wants one is to shoot clay pigeons.  Okay, I don't see the joy in that, but I'm sure that he doesn't see the joy in my scrap booking, so I can't argue there. 

What do you think?  

Tire Info.

A friend of mine emailed a 20/20 report on the tire industry to me.  I thought it was important, so I am posting it on my blog.  If you can't watch the whole thing, know that tires more then six years old have the potential to fall apart while driving.  These tires are often sold as new by retailers.  If you check the code on your tire and it reads  239 it means the tire was made in the 23rd week of 1999.  If it says 3004 then it was made in the 30th week of 2004.  Check out your tires and see just how new they really are.  You may have to get under the car to view the number because until recently they were printed on the inside of the tire so they wouldn't be seen.  I bought my tires from Walmart last year and was pleased to find that all of them were dated between 1307 and 1707.   I was sold new tires, but check yours out.  

Here is the web site:http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

Costume Preview

So these are the boys costumes.  They were so excited about them and looked so cute that I thought I'd take a picture.  Joey wanted to wear Jake's costume from last year and Jake wanted to be a spooky skeleton.  Lucky for me the Disney Store had a spooky skeleton for $14.99.  What a deal.  Enjoy.  

My Baby is Three

It is definitely hard to believe that today Oct. 4th, my baby turned 3.  We tried to have a little party last night.  (Invite a few friends to meet us at the park for cake.  Unfortunately Joey only cared about the bouncy castle that we rented for the weekend.  We tried to get him to open presents, but he just said, "No thank you."  Then we tried to get him to blow out his candles but he was afraid of the fire.  (So Jake blew them out instead).  At least we scored with the bouncy castle.  The parents of his 3 little friends thought it was hilarious.  

Today we were able to play in the bouncy castle and discover the toys Joe had no interest in the night before.  It's been a fun day and were all excited to see our baby grow up.  He's a cutie.  

One more Soccer Photo

Joey anxious for the day when he too can play Soccer with Jake.  Unlike Jake, Joey's favorite thing is to bounce the ball off his head.  Maybe between the two of them they will make a great team.  

Lovin Soccer

If pictures say it all, then you have probably guessed that Jake LOVES Soccer.  He is blessed to have a coach who believes in letting the kids have a good time and for Jake, that is perfect.  In the last game he played, Jake proudly scored a goal for his team and then assisted in two additional goals that were kicked in accidently by the other team.  (but hey they were all we got, so we count them.)  He is having so much fun, (in spite of  his sister Sara's comments that his talents may be better suited for Karate then Soccer) and looks forward to practice on Wednesdays and games on Saturday.  Good job Jake.   

How does your dad rate???

Everyday this last week I have gone walking with some friends from church.  I am still waiting for Joey to start preschool (Hopefully next Tuesday) so I figured I could go join the ladies in town and give both myself and Joey some friend time.  

Well, today we were finishing up our walk when one of the little 4 year old boys announces that he is the King of his house.  We chuckled and said, well, I guess dad lost his status as King of the castle.  This little boy turned around and with a very serious tone said, "No, my dad is the God."  

So the question is. . . How does your dad measure up?    

Harry Potter Fun

Rebecca celebrated her 9th birthday Harry Potter style with a day at Hogwarts last Saturday evening.  Rebecca dressed up as Hermione and after all the guests arrived they were sorted by the magical sorting hat.  With four teams they were ready to begin their feast as Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.  

After dinner, the kids all went to their classes.  At Divination they played the memory game, at Care of Magical Creatures they made owls (which looked a little more like chickens then owls) and at potions Chad had fun as professor Snape where they mixed together solutions and performed basic science tricks  

After class we played a game of quiddich where everyone searched for snitches (marbles with wings) that were placed throughout my front yard.  Lastly there was a scavenger hunt to find Harry Potter.  At the end, the team that earned the most points throughout the night won the house cup.  

We gathered inside to announce the winner, eat Rebecca's castle cake, and open gifts.  The kids left with a bag of Bertie Botts Every flavor beans (Jelly Bellies)  a glow stick, and a chocolate covered pretzel wand in a cute necklace box. (Thanks to the BX store's donation).  We had a lot of fun.  

I don't recommend psychotic parties, but both Chad and I really enjoyed putting this one together.  I hope you all had a great weekend.  Happy Birthday Becca.