THE MAN RULES

After almost 13 years of marriage and this e-mail I just recieved, I have finally began to understand my man.

Here are the rules from the male side.

These are our rules! Please note.. these are all numbered "1 " - ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down.
We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides.
Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want.
Let us be clear on this one:
Subtle hints do not work!
Strong hints do not work!
Obvious hints do not work!
Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do.
Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.


1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument.
In fact, all comments become Null and void after 7 Days.


1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.
Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done.
Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials..

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings.
Peach, for example, is a fruit, not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing's wrong.
We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .

1 . Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or motor sports.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this.
Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight;

ANYBODY KNOW ABOUT THE STOCK MARKET PRICE ON TIDE?

I just had to take a picture for everyone to see, even though Jason said "Nobody is going to care about that". Keep in mind that this is only 4 days of laundry. I just had to pile it up to see how big I could get it. Pretty sad - huh?

NOTHING CUTER

There is nothing cuter to me than to see my children sleeping. It is the only break I get. (HA HA!) I went to check on Keaton and found him sound asleep. How cute is he?

J-E-L-L-O

Pudding that is! Rigdon helped himself to this yummy treat and got it all over from head to feet!

THE NEXT DIVINCI

Mikala came home with this masterpiece from her art class at school. I was impressed. I couldn't draw something like that. Does it look like anybody you know?

CHRISTIAN DIOR - EAT YOUR HEART OUT

Walking down the staircase with a pouty pucker to her lips - here comes Gabriella Checketts in an amazing little ensemble she created herself. From her brown shirt overlayed by a hot pinked striped sweater to her underlay of navy blue polka dots right down to the faded turquoise pants - this is the fashion for the spring ladies. Take note - you will be seeing this on the cover of every fashion magazine. Can I wear this to school mom? Is it crazy outfit day? I think not.

GOT MILK?

Where's his mother? Probaly cleaning up one of his OTHER messes. What you can't see - the deliciously, chocolatey, oh so refreshing coating of powder covering the kitchen floor.

TAGGED AGAIN!

I was tagged on Cassie LaRue Kerby's Blog to tell you about the one I love. So without further adieu let me introduce you to

Jason R (that is just R without a period after it) Checketts
Age: 36 years old

Who said I love you first? He did of course!

How long did you date? Our first date was May 20th and we were married exactly one year later.

Who can sing better? It depends on who you are asking. I think we are both about the same - Believe me we are no Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers - Islands in the Stream, but we can both hold our own if we had a gun to our heads.

Who is smarter? Again, that depends on who you are asking. I can often be quoted saying "What were you thinking?" Obviously he has a highly educated brain, he just sometimes forgets to use it.

Who does the laundry? Me, of course.

Who does the dishes? Me, of course.

What are his guilty pleasures? A shot of Nyquil at night - I joke with him that it is his nightcap AND DARK CHOCOLATE!

Who sleeps on the right? If you are laying in the bed then he is on the right if you are facing it - it's me.

Who mows the lawn? He does

Besides you, who is his best friend? Jason needs no other friends besides me, but if I had to say someone - it would Nello. Who's Nello you ask? Why the OH-SO FAMOUS CES YOUTH SPEAKER - Just ask and I will get you an autograph.

Who cooks dinner? ME, Of course.

Who drives? It depends on if I am feeling like putting my life on the line that day or not.

Who is more stubborn? ME, of course.

Who kissed who first? Jason had to wait three long months to kiss me. He tried on one of our first dates, but I was unyielding. Poor guy. About three months after our first date - he could take it no longer. We were at his parents house watching Ghostbusters and he leaned over planted one on me - talk about romantic - is Ghostbusters romantic. I never imagined it as a turn on movie - but maybe it is.

Who asked who out first? Jason asked me

What was your first date? I honestly can't remember. We had hung out together before then, but our first official date was the 20th of May. I think we saw a movie and got some dinner. How sad is that. I will have to go back to the journal on that one.

Who proposed? Jason

Who has more siblings? We both of the same. We are both sandwiched in the middle

Who wears the pants? ME, OF COURSE!

What is your favorite thing about him? There is no way to pin-point one thing. Jason has the ability to make everything okay. One touch of his hand can calm me down and strengthen me. I would love it if he could retire and spend his days with me. We have a lot of fun together and if I had to choose I would rather be with him than anyone else in the whole world. Not only am I completely, 100%, Totally CRAZY in love with him, but I LIKE him just as much. He IS my match made in heaven.

I TAG: Kristen, Jamie, Rachel, Melissa, Aunt Lori, Annalisa, Dorothy

I WAS TAGGED

So, I was tagged by a couple of people to do this so I thought I would just throw it out there on the old blog.

Three jobs I have had in my life:

1. Waitress at Olde Time Pizza (That's Old with an e)
2. Receptionist at M.R. Tanner Construction
3. Scentsy Consultant :0)

Three movies I would or HAVE watch over and over:

1. Pride & Prejudice
2. Emma
3. Anything Jane Austen

Three places I have lived

1. Mesa, Arizona (I am starting with my first choice)
2. Highland, Utah
3. Frederick Maryland

Three TV Shows that I watch:

1. American Idol - (auditions over - 24 have been selected)
2. So You think You Can Dance
3. Anything Jane Austen

Three places I have been:

1. Puerta Viarta
2. California
3. Hawaii

People who email me (regularly):

1. Kristen
2. Jamie
3. Dorothy

Three of my favorite foods:

1. Mexican
2. Mexican
3. And More Mexican

Three places I would rather be right now:

1. In Arizona
2. By the Pool
3. Disneyland

Three Things I am looking forward to in 2008:

1. The SUN - Cassie says it is going to come back.
2. SUMMER - No School - Ask me again in August
3. BREAKING DAWN - is coming out in August and we get to find out if Edward bites Bella or not.

Now it is your turn - let's see what you have to say for yourselves!

THE LUCK O' THE CHECKETTS

Rachel this one is for you.

As I was setting up this St. Patrick's Day splendor I typed out The Luck O' The Checketts to correlate with my Irish theme. However, as I sat and thought about it, I realized how LUCKY I really am.

So, my word for the week.

LUCKY
Pronunciation: \ˈlə-kē\
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): luck·i·er; luck·i·est
Date: 15th century
1 : having good luck
2 : happening by chance : fortuitous
3 : producing or resulting in good by chance : favorable
4 : seeming to bring good luck (a lucky rabbit's foot)

Fortuitous - I love that - I AM fortunate - I have so many things that make my life so incrediably easy. Amidst all the madness that I call my life, I find myself very fortunate to be a member of this wondeful gospel. I cling to the belief of the tender mercies of the Lord to get me through each and every day.

I feel VERY fortunate to have the love of a man named Jason. He is my source of comfort and reason and brings me back to sanity after moments of tearful tantrums of torment. (Say that 10 times fast)

I have 6 gorgeous children who raise me up to be a better me, requiring love, patience and long-suffering which are all qualities of our Savior that I am striving to obtain.

So, I don't need a rabbit's foot, I have friends and family like you and that makes me the LUCKIEST person in the world.

I Love you all - you know who are!

SNOW, SNOW, & MORE SNOW

I know I have said it before, but maybe someday the people in Utah will realize that they have been living in an insane assylum and just a state down is the place where all the normal people go and they just don't know about it. Poor fools - paradise is only 10 hours away and they continue to suffer in this misery. We had another blizzard on Wednesday. It was insane. I watched people inching their way along the road. Highways were closed and teachers were stuck at schools. The roadways were littered with abandoned cars and a 45 mintue commute turned into 2 1/2 hours. Jason practically got lost in all the madness. I had a Scentsy party that had to be cancelled because I wouldn't have been able to see her house from the street in order to find it. So, those of you that are basking in the sunshine - remember me and turn your face upward and soak it up for a few mintues. I would love to be in your shoes.

KISS ME I'M IRISH

I couldn't wait for Valentine's Day to be over so I could change my blog. So, here is my version of the wearin' of the green. Have fun kicking your heels up to this rip-roaring, toe-taping music list.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE AZ

Twas the night before AZ
When all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse.

The luggage was stacked
By the back door with care
So we coul all pack up
For our great journey there.

The children were nestled
All snug on the floor
So they wouldn't have to do
This one last great chore.

And papa in his cut-offs
And me in my jammies
Could not stop thinking
About seeing our families.

When up in my mind
Rose a thought just like thunder
We're heading for sunshine
A land of great wonders.

My mind started racing
My brain was just whirling
What a fun time we'll have.
It makes me feel just like twirling.

Punching the pillows
I turned this way and that
I pulled at the blankets
Then straight up I sat.

I can't go to sleep
I'm just to excited.
In less than one day
We'll all be re-united.

If you can't tell I am so excited to be going HOME tomorrow. I just can hardly stand it. AND I really can't sleep for the butterflies I feel in my stomach. Last night Jason had to tell me a story to get my mind off of it before I could go to sleep. Will I ever grow up?

Probably not, but that is okay.
I love my family, what can I say?