I think too fast sometimes...

Setting and background:
Meet me...I am a Customer Service Representative for the Provo City Utility Department.
I take payments.
I offer assistance.
I explain to people why their power got shut off.
I explain bills.
I occasionally want to throat punch some people through the phone.
I provide city wide information...such as:
What the Post Office Phone number is.
Where the dump is.
How to get your neighbors dog to stop deucing on your lawn.
The justice courts phone number and any other phone number within city...or county limits.
I begin each phone call with a pleasant "Provo City Helpline, this is Tara, how can I help you?" Very friendly right?

Ok: so I get many calls per diem from unpleasant people whose power has been terminated for one simple reason...THEY FORGOT TO PAY THEIR BILL.

So this is how one of the calls went after the initial greeting and information and all that stuff:

Me: Your power has been shut off for non-payment.
Provoite: Well I need to get in on....like now. It's FREEEEEEEZING in here. I'm so cold.
Me: I do appologize for that, but once you make the payment I can schedule a reconnect.
Provoite: Fine- take the payment.
(I take the payment and create the reconnect.)
Provoite: When will it be back on? (In a snappy tone.) I'm freezing.
Me: We will get it on as soon as we can. It just depends on what time the service techs get back in your area.
Provoite: Well, ALL MY FOOD IN MY REFRIGERATOR IS GOING TO GO BAD!!!!
Me: I thought you said it is FREEZING in your house? Your food should be fine. (smiling) Is there anything else I can help you with?
Provoite: No...and hangs up the phone ever so gently....no- my bad- I'm pretty sure she slammed it down.

Seriously: so funny. Perhaps my tone was a little too sarcastic.

*Maybe in the words of my brother I should have said, "YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH"
We are so kind.

PS. Provoite? Provoian?...either or.

{say cheese}

Sometimes Brody hands me the camera and says "CHEESE, CHEESE, CHEESE" until I take a picture of him. SO cute. I love him.
Other times he HATES it...

"Get that camera out of my face!" ha ha ha. Seriously- he gets so mad...and sometimes I like to tease him. Sad, I know.

{I love to see the temple}

St. George Temple...So plain and so perfect. I fell in love with it.

Seriously- so pretty.And yes- the sky was actually that color. Enjoy.

{love} from the Porters.

Ro-ad trips...

ARIZONA...the state of my heart. However, the state of my heart is 10 hours away. We got to go down for Nolan's state wrestling tournament and hang out with family and whatnot. It was a good and quick get-a-way. My mom and dad brought their trailor down and they got to spend time with Brody and me...and a little bit with Trace. He had to spend the majority of his time helping with the tournament and spending time with his brothers. We stayed with my mom and dad one night...it was a hilarious event...which I plan on telling about soon. (It needs to be a post all by itself.) Doesn't my mom just look so fancy in this picture? ha ha. Just so you know- she put Brody's pants on her head AND a sticker on her nose. And then tried to do the same thing to Brody. They both thought they were pretty funny.
They keep eachother very entertained.

He would say "MINE!" and would laugh when my Nanna would take it from him and say "MINE"...they were as happy as two kids in a candy store.
Also- on a side note: I bought a little something something for Trace for his birthday...and he built me a little something something to put it on. It turned out so good. I love it. Our house smelt like laquer and stain for a couple of days and in which I'm pretty sure I spent higher than a kite! :o) (That was a joke.) Next we just need to get a wall mount, surround sound, theatrical seating...oh and a house to put it all in. I must say thought- those Phoenix Suns games look a lot better on HD.

We've spent a lot of time in the car lately and Brody has been a little trooper.

(Yes, he still has thunder thighs.) Isn't he just so dang cute? If it wasn't for the poopy diapers, nights of non-sleep, temper tantrums, and heaps of responsibility I'd have like 20 more! :o) (That was a joke too.)VIVA LAS VEGAS...we took a random trip to the Sin City to watch the BYU vs UNLV basketball game with Poppa Lon and Uncle Eddie. I love those last minute trips.

My too two cute BYU fans. We are just getting ready to hit the strip and outlets and all that fun stuff.The Porter boys at dinner. We had pretty much the best nachos EVER...or maybe they were just so good cause I was starving. I couldn't eat very well because I had massive dental problems...Trace offered to have them blended up for me...such a sweetheart.Here's the boys at the game. I also fell in love the the rebels fight song. It's quite a catchy little jingle-jangle. They also had in door fireworks that were pretty spectacular. Oh and I must say that UNLV fans aren't too found of BYU fans. I thought I was going to get sucker punched or something.

It was a fun little adventure. I'm always down for a quick trip. Want to join us?

A little late...so sue me....or don't

My loverboy, Mr. Porter, turned 26 last week. Happy Birthday to him....and as with tradition...I'm going to do a "remember when" post.
Remember when you asked me out (aka had Amanda call me and ask me out for you) to a Suns vs Spurs game? I said no cause I was busy packing and moving. You will never let me live it down.
remember when you asked me out to go bowling, to sonic, and bunny bashing? I remember that I kicked your trash in bowling...which allowed me to drive your BIG new truck all the way to sonic. Then you pretty much kicked my trash at shooting rabbits. Although- we only saw like 5 jacks and you hogged them all.
Remember when we hiked Havasui Pai and it was really hot and we did back flips off the rope swing into the water. (No-correction-I did face plants into the water...you did back flips. Show off!!) Then when we hiked out you wanted to use one of my bandannas and I said "No" and you were mad...however, I was just joking. You can use my bandanna whenever you want.
Remember when we went out to the softball fields in Pinetop...by the park...and you told me you loved me? (ahhhhhh....)
Remember when you helped me move ALL my junk down to the valley and then helped me haul it across the grass, up a flight of stairs, and into my room? Ya, that was a pain.
Remember when you would drive down every weekend to see me and spend time with me? You would take me out to dinner, watch and laugh at movies, go to Diamondback games, and Phoenix Suns games...and all sorts of fun.
Remember when you eventually proposed to me out at Sarraro lake? Bagel sandwiches...music...and one nervous young Mr. Porter!
SKIP FORWARD:
Remember when you suprised me for my birthday and took me to Flor-i-da!! It was so awesome. I'll never forget that.
Remember when we played eachother in sequence and you got mad at me cause I kept winning. Remember when we played ping-pong and you kept winning and I got really mad at you? Maybe we are both a little competetive.
Remember that I love you a lot? I do, I do...I really, really do. I could go on and on about all the "remember whens"...
I hope you had a great birthday. Here's to #26....I hope it is a great year for you!
I LOVE YOU!!

Superbowl Sunday...

We had a little bit of a SuperBowl Party. Lots of friends, good food, and a good game (minus the part when the Steelers made that miraculous catch and somehow put both feet in that freaking endzone...and won the game and broke our hearts and made our dreams come crashing down...but no hard feelings.) We enjoyed watching the game...here's my two boys. Notice Trace "fake" smile...trying to hold on to the small chance of hope that the Cardinals can score in the last 35 seconds.

Here's some of the party crowd. Mi Amigas Jaime, Adalaide, Kyralynn, and Brenda. Here's my tough little guy....love the wife beater! :) Look at those muscles. Ow OW!!!

Better luck next year CARDINALS!!

{throwing a tennis ball 101}

As many of you know...I am in school to become a Physical Education teacher. Last semester I had to pass off all the basic skills. You know: throwing, catching, jump rope, hoola hoop, frisbee, tinikling (some sort of foreign weird dance), lummi sticks (banging sticks to rhythm), speed minton, basic basketball, basic volleyball, hitting, striking with racquets...the list goes on and on.
The semester goes by and I pass everything in flying colors...naturally.
SIDE NOTE:
Meet Emily. Emily is from South Carolina and has the cutest southern drawl and of course, is BLONDE. A true steriotypical blonde. Me and one of my fellow classmates always say that if we could bottle her phrases up and then replay them randomly throughout the day, we would. She's on her own little spaceship and soars around and then sometimes will come back down to earth (the classroom) and give us her opinion or input...which usually has us all laughing. Then when we play games she skips around like a little kid. I love her.
Ok, so the last day of class rolls around and I am checking with the teacher to make sure that I have everything passed off. I look down the list:
Jump rope: check
Hitting: check
Juggling: check
Dancing: double check...
you get the idea. Anyway, I get down to "throwing a ball 100 feet" and there is nothing. Blank. Zero. Nada.
Hmmmm...how is it that I passed off EVERYTHING else but somehow missed something as simple as throwing? Not saying that I have a pretty good arm, but I did play a little softball here and there back in the day. (I personally just think the Doc forgot to record my score.)
Emily also did not get it passed off.
We were in the gym because of the cold freezing cold tundra weather of Utah. I grab a tennis ball and do a couple warm up throws with Emily. Then the Doc says, "Alright to pass it off you need to stand at one end of the gym and hit other end high on the wall."
I'm thinking multiple thoughts:
1. I can't believe I have to do this AGAIN.
2. This is cake.
3. I played center field.
4. I can't believe she is making me do this again...and I have to stay late.
SO- I grab the tennis ball. Do a wind-up, a powerful crow hop, and release. Picture perfect...well EXCEPT for the fact that I released WAY to late...which caused the ball to decrease in altitude at an extremely rapid pace.
At this time Emily decides to take a stroll across the court....probably skipping...not realizing that I had just thrown a bullet line drive right at her face.
Point 2 seconds later...WHAM!!! Right square on her glasses which caused the glass lense to pop out and go flying across the gym. She hit the floor like a war vet....moaning.
OH CRAP...what did I just do??? I just knocked Emily out. Me and everyone else that was in class ran over there and she is just laying there, holding her eye, saying OW. I felt like crap....but in my sick humor...once I realized she was OK and not gushing blood everywhere...I started laughing. Luckily she is a REALLY good sport and she laughed it off too.
So now when ever I pick up a tennis ball or talk about throwing or anything remotely close to it...everyone ducks and flinches.
Moral of the story: Stand back when I'm throwing or you could get knocked out. (ha ha...just kidding.)

{Life as the Brodster}

A week or so ago Trace went to Arizona to watch our buds Dustin and Lindsey get sealed AND to watch Nolan wrestle in the Doc Wright Wrestling Tournament. Brody was Trace's traveling buddy...sad to say...they left me behind in Pootah to chill with my lonesome. ANYWAY (that is a different story for a different day). Trace got to spend a lot of time with family and enjoy hanging out. Brody loved being with his Aunt Olivia...as you can see by his half smile and snot-nosed face!

Trace took Brody over to see his Great Grandma Bowers. He loved her cain. Trace said that Brody stole it from her and then took off running. When he went to give it back, she would reach out for it and he would pull it back AND laugh. He teased her for quite sometime.

I guess Brody TRACE Porter is becoming more and more like his daddy everyday.Brody found this pretty fancy woven plastic Gingerbread house thingy. He thought it was a hat. (Please watch the video for a full understanding.)

As you can see...anytime Brody puts anything on his head he thinks it is a hat and he INSTANTLY turns into a cowboy. I must say, that little cowboy has got some moves!!

Trace also took the Brodster over to Nanna and Grandpa Reidhead's house. I'm sure they enjoyed the visit from the Porter boys. Also, on a side note:

Brody has learned a lot of new words lately. I'll just list a few.

Aqua

Leche

Milk
Water

Please

Eat

Sorry

Thank you

I O Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

YeeHaw: that's what a horse says

Moo, Cock-a-doodle-doo...which sounds like Doooo DOOOOO!

Dinosaur- I promise, he really does.

Stetson (by the way, Stetson is living with us again...Brody LOVES him.)

Ouch, Hat, Teeth, Eyes, Nose, Teeth, Ear, Toes, Fish, Animals

$hit (I promise I didn't teach him that...I blame it on his Uncle Rustin)

....just kidding...he really doesn't say that.

There are a LOT of words that he is learning. He is so smart. He impresses me everyday! I love that little boy.

Alright, peace out homie g's. Word to your mother.

PS. Nolan did amazing in the tourny. First place and Most Outstanding Wrestler Award. I'm so proud.

Hello 2009.

Ok, so maybe I'm a little late posting this. Get off me.

In 2009

{Trace will...}

Take 21 credits in the Spring Semester, 10 in the summer, and 18 next fall.
He'll work extra hard and tone down his sarcasm level 1.5 notches so that he can get the manager's job at UPS. (Crossing my fingers.)
But he must continue to use sarcasm and laughter to brighten up my life.
Take Brody to the zoo or on some adventurous vacation.
Run a marathon...ok, that's a lie.
Turn 26.
Do at least 10 jumping jacks per diem.
Play with and tickle (to almost the point of torchure) his son....and wife.
Go to church, fulfil his callings, honor his priesthood.
Be the best dad and husband in a hundred mile radius.

{Taralee will...}

sleep, eat, school, work, sleep, eat, school, work, eat, sleep...
(Ok, probably a little more detailed than that.)
Make Brody and Trace laugh as much as I can.
Love Trace like he just got home from the war.
Take 18 credits in the Spring, 15 in the summer, and 18 next fall. I plan to graduate NEXT year.
Continue to make my house a home.
Control my temper...or at least attempt to.
Swim across the Atlantic. (Not really, just making sure you're awake.)
Turn 26- that honestly sounds so old.
Spend more time in the great outdoors.
Make more crafts, quilts, and home decor.
Go to Enrichment...seriously, you heard me...Go to Enrichment.
Live life to the fullest and love those around me....especially my TWO boys.

{Brody will...}

Continue to make his parent's laugh...a lot.
Develop his vocabulary.
Learn to say, "I love you" clearly...we are ALMOST there.
Be healthy, happy, and full of energy.
Continue to be the cutest, most handsome, redhead that I know.
Enjoy being a kid.

Happy New Years! Hope yours will be as good as ours!

Christmas and what not...

Season Greetings peeps. We had a wonderful holiday break. It consisted of many great adventures and experiences. We had an early Utah Christmas because we didn't want to have to pack everything down to Arizona and back. Brody LOVED opening his presents....and ours. He kept saying "more, more, more." As you can tell in the below picture....Trace also enjoyed it.We got Brody some new kicks. He likes his new nikes. Right when he saw them he wanted me to put them on. I'm sure he'll be able to run faster, jump higher, and kick harder now.We left on the 23rd and drove ALL night to get to Arizona. I'm so glad that we were able to get there in time to see my mom like this...ha ha. I love her fancy little red poinsetta suit with the jewels. Back in 1990-something she wore the outfit out in public...and to work. :o) I'm hoping that I'm on the will to inheret that fine piece sew-man-ship. Please, oh, please. I also got to spend some time with Rustin. He cracks me up. He is also so kind and giving. He had our name for Christmas and TOTALLY hooked us up. THANK YOU so much for everything.

He's also hilarious. For instance:

1. It was time for Brody to hit the hay so I asked Rustin if he would help me set up the pack n' play in my mom and dad's closet. (Don't judge me cause I made Brody sleep in a closet.) Well, after multiple efforts and words mumbled under my breathe, a couple pinched fingers, and feeling like a complete idiot...we figured out that you have to click the side bars up first and THEN lock the bottom in. DUH. I was laughing so hard....my silent shaking laugh with tears.

2. On our way out of Show Low to the valley of the sun we RAN OFF THE ROAD. It was very tragic.

Actually, no it wasn't...it was freakin hilarious. We pulled out of our driveway and went to turn on the main road and slide off the road into a ice covered, 2 inch ditch. Rustin tried to push us out...but wasn't quite strong enough. We called my mom and dad...who were .2 seconds away...to come rescue us. 5 minutes later we were still sitting there. LUCKILY, the 65 year old Mr. Birdman Skipper (my 8th grade science teacher) came to our rescue. He and Rustin were able to push us out. Thank goodness.

Anyway- we got back in the car and called my mom and asked them what they were doing...perhaps they were packing a lunch or putting their snowboots on...I'm not so sure. We got a kick out of that little experience.
I also got to spend a little time with Danica. We have a great time teasing her and we sure do love her.

My mamma and her red headed Brody.We went down to my Grandma and Papa Reidhead's house for the annual Christmas Eve Party. It was hoppin, as usual. It was great to see everyone. Most of them commented on how "husky" Brody is. Here's Danica and Cody sitting on the mantle.Of course we had all the kiddo's act out the nativity scene. I'm sad cause Rustin, Kari, Kristen, and I didn't get to sing our Christmas Quartet. Maybe we could sing that one song when Grandma gets ran over by the reindeer....what's it called again?We did Christmas morning at my parent's house. It was so wonderful. I just love the feeling of being home and walking around the corner and seeing the lights and the stuffed stalkings and the Santa presents all laid out. We were truely spoiled and definately hooked up. My mom and dad always are so giving. My mom and dad made me some cute crafty decorations stuff. She is very talented. And of course they spoiled their favorite grandbaby.
My mom and dad have worked so hard remodeling and fixing up their house. It looks great. You guys did such a good job. I didn't get a good picture of my mom's tree. But it sure it pretty. Someday I want to have like 5 Christmas trees....decorated and lit up like crazy. Oh someday...We also watched A LOT of sporting events over the holidays. Did I say A LOT?? I meant a mucho grande freaking TON of sports. You name the game and I'll tell you all about it. Suns, Cardinals, BYU, all bowl games, NHL, College Basketball...seriously. It was so great. This is us at the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey game. We were right on the ice.We also got to spend time with the Porters. Trace got to go quail hunting with his brothers. We all went out to dinner and a movie. Fun times were had by all.

Oh and we left Brody there for a week, which I previously stated. When we met them in Blanding my mom and Brody wore their matching sweaters. CUTE...I know right? (Brody was laughing at my dad cause he was mooing like a cow.) My mom and dad taught him a lot of new things. He can "moo" and "cock-a-doodle-doo" and pant like a dog. He is getting so smart and will be talking in sentences in no time. It seems like everything is starting to click. I love that little boy.

Alright, well Trace and I are back in school now. He's taking 21 credits and I'm taking 18....just shoot me now. It will be fine though. The sooner we get done the better! I can't wait. Trace got me a spa package and I went and indulged today....it was wonderful. Although yesterday I had to get 5 cavities fixed and 1 crown and cap....so today was WAY better than yesterday.

Until next time....peace out.