Happy New Year!

We didn't do anything special this year. Carly fell asleep at 7:30pm only to wake up at 10pm and decided she would stay up until 2am and even then, I had to be the "mean" mommy and make her go to bed! BUT she was able to go outside in the rain in her underwear and bang pots and pans...so maybe I'm not so mean...just neglecting maybe???

Ethan didn't quite make it. He snuck off to his room, climbed in bed, and quietly fell asleep without telling anyone he was going to do it. Since there's so many kids running around the house anyway, we didn't notice, until it was time to go and bang those pots and pans.

Patrick decided to make a party of it. He had all the fixing and even put Diet Pepsi on ice in a bowl on the table. Thought it was pretty funny seeing he and I would be the only ones drinking it.

Raya, Malia, and Patrick played Monopoly until I had to yell from the bedroom for them to go to bed and I hung out in my bedroom with the door shut working on stuff and watching a new show that I'm now addicted to...Psych. But I made it outside to watch everyone outside celebrate the new year )There's proof...Patrick got it on video).

I'm excited for what this new year brings. I have yet to make any goals. I don't usually do that, but I think I might do a few goals this year and kick some serious butt in accomplishing them! I should probably get started on it before I forget.

Happy 2011!

My Year in Status Updates

Facebook has an app that gives me my year in Status Updates. I've kind of used facebook to catch me up this year on my blog since I was a huge slacker. I've gone through and am recording some of the ones I'd like to always remember. I will not be documenting the date or times or comments, but the updates begin with June 2010 and end with December 2010..I guess it's only appropriate to start with this one...

is kinda sad...I've been reading all my old blog posts and realized that I've only blogged once this year...time to start again...


Malia's Phase 1 Orthodontics = Pallet Expander...Poor girl is starving. She hasn't quite figured out how to eat with it...


thinks that park day might result in wet clothes with a chance of chill today...I'm still not complaining....I really do love this weather...beats the heat for sure!


thinks Raya might have poison oak...


AC not working...temperature slowly rising...


will not be checking facebook until AFTER I see Eclipse...tomorrow...well, today but I still have to go to bed first...yawn...


Went on a special girl day with Raya...it was fun and we got to visit our favorite werewolf together!


Loves Patrick and our kids so much! I am glad that I can be here to take care and love them in this earthly life. Hug them always and tell them you love them. You never know when you won't be there to do that for them again.


Me: "Ethan, I miss you...You've been playing that game way too long. Do you love that game more than me?" (talking about Wii's Lego Star Wars) Ethan: No, I love you forever." That boy melts my heart.


Boot Camp kicked my boot..eee! On another note, sitting in the back seat while Patrick is driving made me realize why Raya always gets car sick...


so when dad "babysits" and I get home at 11pm at night and a certain 5 year old is still up watching Star Wars...the only thing that can come after that (besides bed) is a full blown dad/ethan light saber war...lovely!


Most people think they are skinnier than they really are. I don't think that the camera adds ten pounds...I think you are just seeing how fat you really are...thank you Good Day Sacramento for showing me that yesterday!


trying to avoid the disaster in the kitchen...Raya made pancakes for breakfast...enough said!


Gonna make me a doctor appointment for my flippin' knee...So tired of the knee cap not staying where it's supposed to be.


Twilight in Forks...ummm, maybe I'm not as hard core I thought I was...Those fans are freaks!


In for a long night. Just got back from Monteray and Carly is now awake...Go to sleep child! Momma's tired!


Malia is sporting a fever and a stomach ache...how she got it, we do not know and we hope she doesn't share it with us either. That would not be fun at all!


enjoying the peace and quiet before the hustle and bustle of four little kids waking up...oh, and a husband too...gonna enjoy sunsplash today!


Just fed 10 kids, three grown men, and myself Sunday dinner, complete with cookies and all...now, if they only knew how much I hate the kitchen!


Carly is now sporting the fever Malia had last week....no fun!


Do you know where your street sewer access is? Half of ours was under the hidious banana tree planted in the front yard and the other half under a cemented brick patio extension. Apparently the people who put those things in didn't have a 2 1/2 year old that flushed a bunch of baby wipes down the toilet...


Patrick bought me a new stereo for my car. Got it installed yesterday so now I can use my iPod with it....so friggin' excited!


anyone want to come hang out at the Durling's tomorrow and cut down some trees and haul them to the road for Junk in the Street day? A great service opportunity...I'm just sayin' We'll be here all day :-)


After falling asleep, Ethan got up to use the restroom, Raya found him on the bathroom floor asleep, apparantly too tired to pull his drawers up. Yes, Mom got pictures to bribe him when older...


Ethan drank about 12 ounces of Patrick's diet coke just before bed...guess it's a good thing we don't drink coffee...maybe we should stop drinking diet coke.


Patrick's at an auction supposed to be buying wood for a fence...why is he calling me for the value of a car?


After I taught Ethan how to count by 2's up to ten, he said he was ready to go to 20. I got to 14 and he said "Oh, I get it", then proceeded to count to 100 by 2's with no mistakes, by himself. Such a smart cookie!


why couldn't school have started today??...I'm literally going insane! Don't be surprised if you see me being escorted outside in a straight jacket!


MRI Results = Swelling and a partial dislocation. The kicker is, I didn't think I had a dislocation when I went in....Orthopedic Appt. has been made...knee surgery is probably in my near future :(


kitchen down....rest of the house to go *sigh*


Carly: "Eww Eww".
Ethan: "What's Eww?"
Carly: "My fart...smell it."
Ummmm....You would think she was raised in a house of boys...apparently girls can be just as gross as boys :)


Two nights ago, a skunk visited our back porch...last night, a baby bird...I wonder what will come and have a look through our back porch door tonight?


I am learning how to deal with manly stuff (Car troubles)...sometimes the woman just has to handle the business ya know?


according to my email, I could have better breasts, view pic's of singles on facebook, and join Geoffrey's birthday club! What to do, what to do?


Patrick found a missing handicap kid on an adult tricycle tonight. Police came and took him home...ya, my husband is that cool!


Drove by someone's house today...BUSTED!!! Cops with their weapons drawn covering the house. Glad I drove by when I did...wouldn't have wanted to be around when the battle began.


can't keep my eyes open...woke up at 5:30 with Malia to finish homework...it's gonna be a long day


found my brain. It was in the closet...Now whoever put my calender in the closet is in trouble!


Has a lot of amazing people in my life!


Does anyone know much about pianos? I have some questions about my new (old) one sitting in my living room...


somedays I wish I could touch my fingers together and stop time so that I could finish sleeping...*yawn*


Patrick's watching Contact...I HATE that movie...and he knows it :)


random ants crawling on my bed...where are they coming from??? I want to terro them to death!


Dr. appointment today = surgery on October 20th...postponed it a little so I could actually walk as a bridesmaid down the aisle of my brother's wedding...in other news...I am going to be an auntie to a BOY! I'm so excited for Sarah and Mikey!


enjoyed 6.5 hours of soccer today....well, sort of. Let the soccer season begin!


caught the cold that's been lingering in our home. Woke up with a massive headache combined with a sunburn makes for a comfortable day... let's just hope I can get through the Primary Program today at church...hopefully I don't mess the kids up...again!


I think Carly tought her 3yo cousin Rylie the "knock knock...who's there? Chickenbutt" Joke...hopefully her parents won't mind...heheh


stressful morning....maybe chocolate will do the trick?


Malia is sporting a mouth full of metal. In addition to her pallet expander, she is now the proud owner of braces....expensive ones!


Ethan asked me if I got a makeover today...I had put my hair in a ponytail for the first time in a very long time. After telling him that, he replied "You look like a Rockstar"....That = Awesome!


is rockin in the kitchen...for someone who absolutely HATES cooking...I can make some mean meals...feeling pretty good about this people!


just burned the rice...hoping the smoke alarm doesn't go off....I was on a role people...


When I was a teenager confession #1: My mom used to make Top Raman for us kids to eat for breakfast. I didn't know it was not a breakfast food until Patrick told me. I do not feed my kids Top Raman for breakfast...anymore...


Prepared dinner today in the crockpot...forgot to plug the crockpot in. Thank goodness it was a vegetarian dish and was able to prepare it on the stove...still annoyed though!


Thinks I'm lacking on minor parts of my life due to the Hunger Games. Book one down, two to go...Thanks Jennifer Thomas-Webb for lending me my new addiction :)


Successful day in yard ville...got rid of a bunch of concrete (thank you neighbors for lending me your garbage cans) and dried rose bushes. I pulled out a fat rose stem with nasty thorns on it and showed it to Ethan..."Now that's a weapon" he said!


Thinks it's pretty awesome that Ethan can tell time on both an analog and digital clock. Me being able to ask him to tell me what time it is and him being able to tell me the correct time is so helpful when I'm rushing around being mom. We all know he's a genius...I'm just bragging a little bit more :)


Ethan scored his first goal in soccer today!


Thinks I need like 3 more kids...maybe triplets?? I really don't have enough people to clean up after...


My kids can't be quiet even when they're sleeping! They're kicking the wall and talking in their sleep.


Raise your hand if you can ruin pancakes (this is me shamefully raising my hand) *sigh*


is hoping that one pain killer will subdue the pain instead of the two that make me just high...


wishes I could have watched Ethan score his 4 goals today in soccer!


love my mom. She came and gave me a back and leg massage. Love my husband too. He's been working his butt off running our household...it takes a special man to do that for 6 days now and counting...I am blessed!


wonders why Ethan calls Skittles "S&M's"...


Doctor said I can start to try and walk without the use of crutches. I'm a bit wobbly, but am going to push until I can do! Physical therapy next week. 3 times a week should get my mangled muscles back to work! Best part about my appointment...the ok to take a full shower...Oh people, you don't even know! And a plus fo...r the day, flat iron is not broke, just a tripped bathroom plug...all is good :)

Feeling really good today...getting stuff done...may even try to get in the car by myself and drive somewhere...maybe?!?!


successfully made dinner...now who's gonna clean up the mess?


is grateful for my little Carly who doesn't mind rubbing lotion on the parts of my legs that I cannot reach and who helps me get my clothes over my leg and who helps me get my brace back on my leg too...she is so special and I am so blessed to have her!


Survived the day with only one trip to the car on crutches...the rest of the day I was crutches free...tomorrow brings physical therapy...can hardly wait!


looking forward to spending some time with long lost family members tomorrow...except they aren't lost anymore...thanks to facebook...


Carly is practicing her bows. I think she is destined to entertain.


Carly: "I want to change it on the next flips." She wanted to change her show on Netflix...kids are so cute!


has new floors! no more living on concrete....six months of that really gives me an appreciation for flooring period! And the floors look amazing...now if I can only get a new kitchen too....*sigh* someday!


I want to be like physical therapy....simple, yet effective.


is finally defrosting after being outside all day.


At my first Physical Therapy appointment, I could only bend my knee 40 degrees. Today was my 4th appointment and I left bending my knee 106 degrees...Lot's of hard work but it is surely paying off...


nooooo! The dryer just turned off.....another load to fold...at least it's the last!


Listen to my thoughts, not my words.


after viewing some pictures of the Utah snow...I remeber now how much I hated living there...


Wow! Talk about waking up on the wrong side of the bed...maybe I can sneak a nap in today...geesh!


took two tylenol and feeling much better...that and sending three kids off to school...thinking about going on a little shopping spree. Shhhh, don't tell Patrick :-)


‎2 parent teacher confrences down...one to go...all is well except for some focusing issues, but that was to be expected.


Ethan is watching Scooby Doo in Spanish and enjoying every minute of it.


Consider this your Christmas Card....Merry Christmas!


just let Ethan drink a cup of diet coke for breakfast...I'm such a cool mom (we just won't tell him I'm experimenting on him...trying to resolve some focus issues)...Ha!


How did I not know Eclipse was being released on DVD today? Guess I need to get my clothes back on (instead of PJ's) and head out to the nearest store...ok, maybe I'm not THAT desperate...I'll send Patrick instead :-)


My little brother ran the CIM in 3:23.23...I'm so proud of him! Love you Jared!


feeling pretty good about today's progress...an it's not even noon yet.


after preparing a most delicious dinner...I watched two kids devour their broccoli and exclaim they were done eating...at least they got a serving of vegetables in.


Nevermind that it's the middle of December...my kids are in their swimsuits playing in the water outside...It's probably like 50 degrees ...tough cookies they are!


Sleep is overrated. Now where did I place my diet pepsi?


My creative brain cells seemed to have gone on vacation. Maybe one day I will meet up with them again...possibly in Hawaii or Mexico...


Dinner is served...kids are eating. Now where's the number to Wasabi Sushi?


is turning off my alarm clock for two weeks! Merry Christmas to me!


‎6 years ago today, I stood in line at Del Taco. While ordering dinner for two little girls, my water broke. The poor kid behind the counter probably thought my baby would fall out of me right then. I will never forget how relieved I was to get out of Christmas Shopping that day but I recieved the best present I ever co...uld. A little boy, the next day. Happy Birthday to my Ethan tomorrow. Six years have flown by!


nothing like cleaning up a 2 year olds puke at midnight...at least I got to see the lunar eclipse...


Is thinking that if I don't push bedtime...the kids will just go to bed on their own, then Santa can work her...I mean, His magic.


has my neighbor, brother, AND the pest control guy helping me bring my groceries in...now who wants to put them away for me?


had two sets of unexpected guests for christmas breakfast this morning...thank goodness patrick cooked a whole chicken coop. Didn't open up presents until 10am and we are now enjoying Band Hero...thank you Aunt Sarah and Tio Mikey! Merry Christmas everyone!

Poindexter Family Sweat

For 15 years, my side of the family has gotten together each year around Christmas to celebrate our family. It is a time when we gather together and share our thoughts and experiences and even our battles of the year. It's always been tailored in a Native American way. We always have a sacred circle and follow the Native American ways of entering the circle. My father takes us around the different parts of the circle beginning in the east, the land of the eagle. It represents New Beginnings. Then we travel to the South, the land of the coyote. The coyote represents the trickster in our lives...youth per say. We then travel to the west. The land of the Bear which represents introspect. Finally, we travel to the North, the White Buffalo which represents the gray haired ones, the all knowing ones, the elders. We share different aspects in regards to each land with each other. This year, we were able to share our experiences in a sweat lodge built by the men in the family. Don't worry, it wasn't anything like the sweat that many people died at in Arizona.

The kids had their own sweat with grandpa. Then they went to the babysitters so we could do an adult sweat. Afterwards, we ate, we conversed, we enjoyed each others company. This family ceremony is something that I always look forward to. I always enjoy coming back to the "lodge". No matter what is going on in the lives of my family we ALWAYS make sure we are there for this special time. Here are a few pictures that I took of the day. Nothing big, but a nice memory of this years Family Ceremony.


The kids rounding the lodge before entering for their sweat with grandpa


Waiting for the kids to be done




Kids all done


Brother Jake with his Dr. Pepper Ad


Uncle Alvin. He tended the fire and made sure we had hot rocks for inside the lodge.


Cousin Nate. He's single ladies...and don't worry, he doesn't normally wear his hair like that.


Brother Jason. He thinks he's a model...I guess


My dad after the warrior sweat. The men did a man sweat before the family one, and the women did one after.

Before we took the kids over to get babysat, we did our annual gift exchange and of course, my kids got a second Christmas. Lot's and lots of presents.













Thanks cousin Nate for letting us trash your house. The new year is upon us and I'm already looking forward to when we gather as one whole family again.

My Holiday Post

Last year I made up a poem similar to "Twas the Night before Christmas" to document our Christmas Holiday. I decided to do it again. As a disclaimer, I need to mention that no one in this post was hurt and the fire department was not called even though a neighbor rushed over to make sure all was well. (Now you're totally interested in what the Durling's did on Christmas aren't you?)...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
No one was stirring except for me and my spouse.
The stockings were stuffed and the ornaments hung
And through Apple TV, Christmas carols were sung.







Christmas morning came quickly and most of us slept in
When presents were seen, kids were jumping out of their skin
Mom and Dad made them wait, they surely would burst
But Dad's special breakfast just had to come first









Unexpected visitors showed up so our table grew long
and one guest in particular came prepared with song
Titus the dog was a visitor too
But the kids did not care and were about to come unglued







Presents were plentiful, the kids received much
Baby dolls, books, Lincoln Logs, and such
A hard drive for Patrick, Malia a DSi
A man purse for Dad and for Carly, Super Why













For me a pedicure and for Raya, Ski's
Ethan got Lego Indiana Jones and Batman for the Wii
Band Hero was the hit at least it was for me
Aunt Sarah and Tio Mikey bought it for the whole family



Raya will get warm with Jacob Black
She's looking forward to a poster of the entire wolf pack
In the end, the room looked like Christmas threw up
But the love and excitement certainly filled my cup



I decided that our Christmas tree just had to go
So we took it outside, burned it and watched it glow
The house is now clean and presents put away
And we really enjoyed our fun filled Christmas Day





The post wouldn't be complete without this one thought
Something that generations have always taught
Jesus Christ came to the earth as a little babe
In a stable with animals, a manger and hay



Celebrating His birth is what Christmas is about
I know he lived on the earth with out a doubt
I hope your new year brings gifts that are happy and bright
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Kid Quote...

Raya: "Ethan, Do you like my hair?"

Ethan: "Ummm...it's interesting!"

Happiness Is...

Coming home from Physical Therapy and getting a note from Ethan that says this:



Seeing love between siblings on more than one occasion:





Being able to capture silly moments like this:



Having the knowledge and creative power to create this for my Secret Christmas pal named Jen (I did not take the actual photos):



Letting my kids play in the water in the middle of December:







Receiving an email wishing me a Merry Christmas from Santa Claus:


(This is actually my father-in-law...yes, he is cool like that!)

Most importantly, Happiness is family...my family:



Life is good and I'm enjoying the ride!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Wants an iPod Touch. Has been extra good and thinks a little sucking up to Santa will help her cause.



Wants a Nintendo DSi. Thinks she deserves one for braving the cold to sit on Santa's lap!



Wants a double lightsaber blade. Thinks he doesn't have to tell Santa for Santa can feel his Force.



Doesn't know what she wants for Christmas but braved Santa's lap for the Candy Cane he was handing out.