CONFIDENCE

Today on the radio

they mentioned something about raising kids.
It got me thinking...
{I know SCARY thought}


When you bring home a new little one,
you have such hopes and thoughts
about how you want to raise this child.


And then they start to grow up--
gain their own

personalities,
ideas,
thoughts and
opinions.


So exactly what is my role as a parent?


What, if i had to choose one thing
would i want to instill my children with?
The word
CONFIDENCE
came to my mind.


And then i thought,
can you give them too much
CONFIDENCE?
{UHh--yea,that's where the word
OVER-CONFIDANT
came from--dummy.}


Anyway, i think confidence is soooo important.
With confidence you have the

courage

to stand up
for what you believe in.
With confidence you can be a leader,

but you can also step back and help some one else be the leader.
With confidence you can believe in the things you know,
and have the ability to admit the things you don't know.
With confidence you can admit when your wrong--
because you know that is not a judgement of who you are.
With confidence you are willing to try new things,
and to step outside that comfort zone.
With confidence,
You know who you are.

Isn't that really what we want for our kids?
At least that is what i want for mine.
For them to know that they are loved,
and for them to have the
confidence
just to be themselves.


The word confidence also means trust.
To take someone into your confidence means
that people can trust you.
That you can trust yourself.
With Confidence they have nothing to prove to anyone else.
If they are happy with who they are
that to me is success.
I just LOVE this word!!
I just hope that I have the confidence to pull this one off....

so here's the question.
Will you miss me?
Will you even know that i am gone?
I am not entirely sure about my ability
to post while we are down in Mexico.
Personally the thought
of being in the real world for an entire week,
{vs. the cyberspace one}
kinda gives me the willies.

My goal when i started this
was to use it as a journal.
And my goal is to have an entry for every day this year.
Now that does not mean that i have written every day--
some days i play catch up and post twice,
and then there are those evenings when i stay up all night
killing time,
BLOGGING.
So with all this in mind,
I have tried to blog ahead,
in the event that i am without wireless access.
{Shun the thought}
You now can date your post for the future,
and that is what i have done--
so even if i cannot post first hand,
I will be posting.
The sad part is
i will have to wait till i return home
to see how/what everyone else did while i was gone.

I promise,
i will try not to have too much FUN.
It will be hard,
Napping,
reading,
relaxing,
enjoying the cool weather,
and maybe even scrap booking.
Like i said,
Pain
Drudge
and Misery....
NOT!!!

Packed???

for those of you that know me well,
You might want to be sitting when you read this next line.
It is a shocker!!!
Even for me!!
It is the day before
we are do to leave on vacation,
and i just finished
packing my bag?!!!
I know, I know,
HARD TO BELIEVE!
And they say;
an old dog can't be taught new tricks!
Usually the hour before (if that)
I can be found going through the clean laundry
and throwing things into my suitcase.
I can't for the life of me remember
when i have ever had my bag packed early.
What will i do with that time now?

Truly,that is such a dumb question.
I will be obsessing about something in the house
that i have previously been ignoring.
There is something about leaving
that makes me want to
deep clean,
and organize.
That is why earlier i was organizing my closet
by shirt and skirt colors.
(Yes, i know i have a few OCD issues)
That was followed up with organizing my shoes.
There is still a ton to be done,
but at least now i will be able to tell
if someone breaks in and ransacks the place.....

Is there really such thing as cheap gas?

Today i filled up the van for
Drum roll please.......
$3.57 a gallon!!
WOOOHOOO.
You know it is a sad day
when we are cheering for gas
that is over $3.00
Before your reply
to find out where i got this crazy deal,
I will let you in on my secret.
That cranky
Albertson's store
gave me a coupon for
.50 off each gallon.
(where is that blasted cent sign?)
My car was not completely empty today
but i did manage to squeeze in 17 gallons
and got a whopping $8.50 back.
So i guess i will quite cursing them under my breath.
I did go in and get 20 more specials
and wouldn't you know it
I grabbed the wrong item
because the were out of the sale item
and someone had filled the space with the non-sale item.
So here i am at the checkout
making another spectacle of myself
all in the name of saving 5 bucks.
(There was a lady at the next stand over
that was a bigger spectacle than me today)
I just don't think i have good karma
when it comes to that store.....
But i did love,
{how shall i say it}
"Cheaper Gas".........

peeved

i try to be a positive person.
i try not to let the little things ruffle my feathers.
{After all i really don't look that good in ruffles.}

After looking at the store ads today
I decided that it would be worth my time to shop at
Albertsons.
Mind you this is a store that i rarely shop at
I think maybe i have an aversion to Albertsons
since the day when i was 9 months pregnant and was
rear-ended by one of their semi's.
(that is a story to be written another day)
my husband called me
and found out where i was at--
he was a bit shocked and made the comment--
why are you shopping at the expensive store?
But i told him it was because of this great sale on stuff.
So i proceeded to load my basket
It was FULL
It was OvERfuLL
It was beyond precarious.
My balancing act was one turn away from coming undone.
I slowly navigated my way up to the checkout.
I almost-(repeat almost) made it without losing everything.
just as i was about to make the turn to the
finish line,
i mean checkout,
my beautiful balancing act started to come undone.
It was as if i had filled my basket with dominoes,
and they started to tumble.
My proverbial house of cards
was falling down around me.
Some kind gentlemen came to my assistance and
saved my balancing act.
Feeling slightly embarrassed
that i had filled my cart SOOOO full
the cashier proceeds to casually mention to me
"There is a limit of 20 sale items"
You are kidding me--
RIGHT???
WRONG!!!
--he was most apologetic
but only 20 items would be at the sale price.
What a RIP.
At this point i am feeling rather ornery.
I am tired and hungry
and my blood sugar is low.
Not to mention
"do you have any idea what it took to get this
BULGING basket up to this point?"
So ya know what i did?
I only bought 20
of those sale items.
I did buy some other stuff
(like the circus cookies that i had broken open
to fend of passing out from hunger)
but it just peeved me
that they have several hundred items
included in this sale
and you can only have 20?
I ended up filling a basket to go back,
and yet i still walked out of there with 2 carts.
I remember why i don't shop there too often.
And the next time a sale comes along,
I will think twice if i want to go through that agony again.
I guess it really was
a blessing in disguise
I had just that much less stuff to put away
and i really didn't need those 6 tubs of ice cream anyway....

love visiting teaching

I went visiting teaching today.
It was so much fun
spending time with these sisters.
We have three ladies that we have the opportunity to visit and teach.

I was in charge of giving the lesson.
I had read it,
and then re-read it,
and then shared it
3 times.

I love the inspiration
of those that wrote these words.
I love how each word is so carefully chosen.

"You were taught and prepared for the circumstances you would personally encounter in mortality. … Your memory of premortal life would be kept from you to assure that it would be a valid test, but there would be guidance given to show you how to live."

I love the fact that we were given guidance on how to handle the things in life we are going to or have encountered. It gives me hope that when i am faced with a trial--i can deal with it. I have been taught how to deal with it. And just so we don't cheat on our test here on the earth--the book with all the answers has been closed to us. I guess that is why my kids didn't come with an instruction manual. Instead of having the exact book on how things should go we have been given other resources to seek and find guidance from.

"We have faith that with the Lord’s help we can be successful in rearing and teaching children"

It doesn't say only with faith--or by yourself--it says with the LORD's help we can be successful. He wants us to succeed and has promised us that through our faith and with him by our side we will. It doesn't mean it will be easy--but really anything worth having usually requires work. Goes back to you don't get something for nothing.

I love that i believe we lived with my Heavenly Father before we came to earth. I love the idea that he did prepare me for my trials. I love the fact that he is willing to let me lean on him when times get rough. And more than anything, I love the idea that even if my best falls short--That through Jesus Christ and his sacrifice I will have the opportunity to live again in heaven.

I love that i got to share this with my sisters. And that i was taught and reminded of things that maybe i knew but have forgotten. What a blessing--what a day......

shock em'

Do you ever just say
"things"
for the shock factor?
{I'm not talking about swearing or anything like that,}
maybe just something
to make my kids look at me sideways
and wonder
What is really going on in that feeble mind of mine.

On occasion i have been known to terrorize my children,
just for the fun of it.
I do realize that i have this
warped sense of humor.
I can't help it
It is who i am.

Where am i going with this you ask?

Today i was talking with the kids about family pictures.

Middle son
--also known as
my shadow---
currently has a rather large scrape on his nose.

he has made the comment in the past that
"Chicks
dig scars"
--as he has continually added them to his face



He was telling me that when we take the picture

he will just turn his face and then you won't see the scrape.
After all (according to him) that is his best side
WRONG!! I said.

That isn't the side that has his cute dimple.
It is the kind of dimple that is present
even when he isn't smiling.
It is the kind of dimple
that gives his personality so much charm.
That dimple
has been known
to get him out of trouble in the past.

And then we started discussing who else has dimples in our family.
I mentioned that i had dimples
(yes that is plural)
on my behind
Oh, wait they don't call them dimples,
i believe
"cellulite"
is the correct term.

To which my oldest son
screamed out in agony
"STOP MOM--JUST STOP!"
"Don't go there."
"I now have a mental picture that i can't get rid of."

It still makes me laugh thinking about it.
I will admit,
It's not a pretty sight.
I do understand his mental anguish.
and somehow i just couldn't
NOT say it.

I knew i would get that reaction.
Like i said earlier.
It's just who i am--
a little warped i guess
but laughing none the less.

Awake but not moving

As previously mentioned before
I am not a morning person.
But the last two days, i have been up with the sun.

Yesterday,
was not by my choice.
Little man felt the need to rise and shine at 5:45 am.
Today,
he slept in till 7 but it really didn't matter,
because i was wide awake.

WHY? Oh WHY?

Especially when I can sleep in?

While i am awake, I am not actually moving.
I should get up,
I should be productive,
I should be accomplishing something
I should take care of those things outside,
before it gets too hot
and melts off my skin.

You know it is hot,
when the weather is in the 80's
and it feels cool.
That is summer in most places.
It is crazy how quickly it gets HOT here.

I hope today will be a day of accomplishment.
My goal---
dig out the kids rooms
(and i am not using that term loosely)

Usually this job makes me REALLY cranky!!!
I go in and find things
that have been ignored
for far too long.

They kids are excited for the help
and hopefully once it is clean
it will stay that way for the rest of the summer.

Keep your fingers crossed.

I really should take a picture of the mess
but it is BAD--real BAD.

Wish us luck
and check back
just to make sure

1. that i haven't been swallowed up by the mess

2. that i am still talking to my children

Who knows,
maybe with the room clean
little man just might want to sleep in his room
instead of the comfy chair,


or my bed
where i found him this morning


I can be hopeful can't I?

Diagnosis NORMAL

what is normal?

---apparently my daughter is.
After a trip to the doctor this morning
we have been given a good bill of health.

Found out that 20% of young women
have this passing out problem.

She has been told that when she is "just standing"
to wiggle her legs to keep the blood flowing,
and that should eliminate the problem.

Since she had no other symptoms
the doctor didn't feel this was a neurological issue.

I think i can feel good
about her being away from home now.
Well, at least health wise........

Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts and concern
in regard to this child of mine--

Trouble maker.........

why worry

don't you love those days where you run from one appointment to the next.
I finally got my oldest son an x-ray to check on his scoliosis.
one of those things i have been putting off
[for what ever reason i don't know]
We did get an EKG done

for my fainting child
results and an appointment with the pediatrician

in the morning.
It is amazing the many things that can cause one to faint--
I'm not sure i like any of the outcomes...
but we shall see
one step at a time
and no need to get worked up and worried for the unknown.
I am leaving the worrying to the grandparents
I have had a call from all of them
and i promise to let them know
when i find out anything

Blessed is the person
who is too busy

to worry in the daytime
and too sleepy

to worry at night.
~Author Unknown

unseen body parts

elbows

i have found
are an under appreciated portion of my body.
Under normal circumstances
do we even give that joint a second thought?


Despite our best attempts
we really
can't even see our own elbows

-right?
We know that they are there--

taking it for granted as it bends
until it hurts to do that simple motion.

Then there is the "resting" elbow
either on the table as you are sitting,
or perhaps as you are driving.

but now it reminds me that i am wounded.

Even finding a comfortable position to sleep
with out hurting my elbow has been interesting.

And i won't even discuss
the found muscles in my

--Behind--

but if i was to discuss this pain,

was it the

horse back riding?

or perhaps the

mountain bike riding?
that made me more aware of those muscles?

Surely,

It couldn't have been me landing on the said

--TUSH--

that made it hurt so bad?

let's face it
the term "out of shape"
is there for a reason
Out of sight--- out of mind

until you do something that forces you to remember

that it is still a part of your body.

I hear ya body,

LOUD and CLEAR

you can quit reminding me that i have been ignoring you.

accidents happen

When you make the statement
"we made it back alive"
is it really only talking about
near death experiences?

"We" made it back
"ALIVE"
and only a little worse for the wear.

On Friday,
my oldest

{accident pron child)
passed out and fell
head first
into the camp stove.

Those that were around her at the time
think that maybe she might have had a
mini seizure.

{Isn't that what you want to deal with

first thing in the A.M.?}

We feel real blessed that she only came out of this

with a lovely bruise and scratch
instead of stitches
and maybe 3rd degree burns,
{since she fell on the side away from the bacon grease}

She had a fainting episode a year ago when she was working out.
and at the time
we felt it was an isolated incident.
{I guess we were wrong.}
Hopefully after a trip to the doctor this week
we will find out that all is OK.

I also chose to take a walk on the wild side
and disregard my common sense.

Against my better judgement
i felt i could do a lovely "mount"
(drawing out the inner gymnast in me)
on a 1inch fence board
to get a better vantage point
to take a picture.
(isn't it always about the picture?)

this is the fence--
notice the skinny rail?
What was i thinking?
Instead of using
my graceful
co-ordination
for good
i found myself dismounting
in a not so attractive manner

off the side,
down the slope.
Landing on my
BEHIND.
which i previously thought was well cushioned--
----it's not----

The girls were impressed that i did not cry--
even more so when i was taking their picture
and they noticed the blood running down my elbow. It was their turn to use their first aid skills
they have been taught all those years at camp
They managed to bandage me up and send me on my way

and just for the record

I did save the camera
and i did get a picture
just not the one
that i had originally planned on

see the clouds overhead?

that's a story for another day..........

Stump the MOM

I think my children stay up at night

thinking of questions to try and stump me.

And recently they have.

As I was struggling to come up with an answer the other day

my son informed me that i was supposed to know these things

cuz i was

"The Mom"

and that is my j0b,

to know the answers,

--to any question that his little brain can think up.

Did i miss that requirement on my job description?

Like i don't have enough pressure placed upon me already--

now i am supposed to be

the "fountain of unnecessary information"

Do i look like i belong on jeopardy?





So my new plan is to surround myself with those who do know

the answers to these monumental questions.

Today Miss Mindy is my Hero.

She went 2 for 2

in the obscure question department.

Middle son was impressed.

We all have our strengths--

I just hope when he asks me

life's real important questions

I will give him the answers that he needs to hear

and more important than that

is that he will listen

and take it them to heart.

But thank goodness for those other influences

that can answer those questions

that even as a mom

stump me.

It's rather humbling when you realize

that you really don't know it all.

I guess i will continue to learn..........

THINGS and MAYBE's

Somehow "things" manage to work out.
"Things" always look better in the morning
and with a good nights sleep it is amazing the "things" you can face.
My laundry will be here waiting for me when i get back
along with the many other "things" i have brewing these days.
It all works out---eventually.

I am excited to be getting out of the heat.
My boys are excited to be left behind with Grandma.
She knows how to show them a good time.
My girls have quit arguing about what jacket each of them will be wearing
and are managing to get along.
One has resigned to the fact that her parents are going along on this outing.
Most youth think were pretty fun to hang with,
hopefully she can see that were OK.
I think i managed to surprise her today.
I was playing my "playlist" on my computer
she came downstairs and asked where i got that music.
"It's my playlist-- I picked the music"
imagine the shock and awe
when i was playing the music that
SHE
listens too.
She kinda smiled and realized
that i couldn't be totally out of it
if i like her music.
Maybe this is a turning point in our lives
maybe she will begin to realize
that we are not completly out of touch.
Maybe,
i will see her crack a smile this weekend
and maybe,
just maybe,
I will be able to capture the event on film.
Cross your fingers
and wish me luck.

I am off...........

I'm so far behind i think i'm in first

I am going to bed
already behind.
You know those kind of days
where the "to do" list
far out weighs
the "to done" list.
Where you are already so far behind,
you even question getting up?
--so you think to yourself
Sleep is overrated.
Maybe i should just stay up?
--accomplish some of that list
and then i can sleep in the car.
Not going to happen though.
I am getting too old to stay up all night
--it takes my poor body too long to recover.
I will do what i can
and the rest will work itself out.
Right?
I am trying to give myself positive affirmations
in regard to the many things that i need to do.
(Most of it is self imposed deadlines)
but.....
I am feeling overwhelmed
This summer is moving at warp speed.
Summer school is over for the kids
and things will only continue to speed up from here.
--even next week i have so many things i need to get done
before we leave for Mexico/the Beach.
I probably should make a list
but i think that would probably put me over the edge
and send me screaming in fear.
(if you find me balled up in the corner
you know i actually put my many tasks down in writing)
So for now
i will concentrate on
packing
(if i have any clean clothes left to wear
---that laundry thing is on that overwhelming list)

We are headed to Mt. Baldy
for a weekend of

adventure

and

fun.
It should be a grand time.
and i can hardly wait to leave the heat behind.
It has gotten
NASTY HOT
--the kind of hot that
sucks the life from your body,
and leaves you in a limp, tired stupor
by the time the afternoon rolls around.
Oh the joys of summer life in Arizona
-well at least the Valley anyway.

TTFN

my shadow has returned

Unbeknownst to you all--middle son has been gone the last few days. On our way back from Cali we met up with my sis-in-law and slowed down just enough to have him change cars as they were on their way to Mexico. He got homw tonight so i went out to their house and picked him up.
I swear he has grown.

He looks older.

(not sure about wiser--although he is a "wise guy")

Maybe it's the picture of him driving a car

that makes me realize how quickly he is growing up

In the car on the way home he was telling me about his trip

and i commented that i hope he used his manners

and said

"Please" and "Thank-you".

To which he responded

"Nah, I didn't say thank you"

(I am appalled and getting ready to give speech #273 on the importance of saying thank you,but before i could get the diatribe started he responded with)

I said "THANKS"---

"I didn't want to strain my vocal cords on saying Thank you"



Somewhere i had heard that those three extra letters in the word YOU can be quite the strain on your voice--good thing he was conserving--so he could use it to say other things like

"I didn't realize George Michael was a real person--I thought he was just a made up singer"

(if you don't understand that comment watch Eli Stone)



Oh it's good to have my funny man back.

He's still a guy

Where does the time go? We have more daylight, I am up more hours and I feel like i am accomplishing alot and yet..... I feel like time is flying by me and I still have a ton of things that i want to do and there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day? I miss my regular date with my blog. I have been having "BLOG" thoughts but by the time i get to bed i am not too coherent, so by the wayside goes the blog. I think "i will do it in the morning" only to find myself up and running, and we all know that once the day is started there is no turning back.

This is a warning--if children are reading this--
(especially mine)
they might want to turn back now--
or risk being "grossed out" ...........

and dear hubby just remember "I warned you"


Remember how i wrote about music triggering memories.
Well,
"I'm still a guy" by Brad Paisley
is my new "happy" song.

(Usually this entails me turning it up and singing at the top of my lungs)
It makes me break out in a smile every time i hear it.
While we joke about my dear hubby being
"part woman"
with his cooking abilities and all
(he does a very good job of keeping me

"fappy"
(--that is fat and happy if you were wondering)
Also his love for the movie
"Beaches"
(which in my mind is the ultimate in a chick flick)

but all that aside
---he is still a guy.

This man loves to watch sports--
any sports.

(And if he can't watch he is listening to it on the radio or checking scores on his phone)
Pro Bowling could be on
and he would stop and at least pause to take a look.
Now unlike this song he is not a big fisher--but has ventured out when the occasion arose.

{notice the lovely tan line around the ankles--

one of the side effects of playing golf}

And he has been known to go hunting in the past.

I am glad he is my guy--
(most of the time.)

BUT......
There are those occasions
where his being a guy makes me roll my eyes.
For instance:
Having him encourage my youngest to
"pull his finger"
and having him play the "butt" trumpet
which in turns makes "little one" crack up laughing.
I am told i should be

"happy"

after all,

he is entertaining the kids.

or how about our recent date night....
where we went out to dinner.

he was seated facing the window and the sun was shining right through it.
The waiter commented that if it was a problem
let him know, and he would shut the blinds.
After he had walked away hubby made the comment to me that it was OK,
because now he could wear his sunglasses--
"and no one would know....
if he was looking at my boobs."
Did he really just say that?
UMMM----YAH!
So at that point
i proceeded to show my indignation at the comment.
To which he responded
"I should be happy"
"HAPPY?"
"Yes, HAPPY"
That after 20 years of marriage
(that is a hard one to believe)
he still thinks of me like that.
O.K.
I guess that is a good thing.
And he has been known to hold my purse
BUT.....
"He's STILL a GUY!"

I am happy most of the time.
Thanks for being the "guy" in my life
and being a great dad to your kids.

crazy life

Things have been CRAZY busy.

Feel like i have been on warp drive the last few days.

I did try to post from the hotel in Cali

but i guess my network was down because the post is gone.

Dear Hubby informed me that he had to work in San Diego last week--

and with that

I decided that i would take the my three youngest

and enjoy some days of cooler weather.

So even with the gas prices over $4.oo

we jumped in the car and were off.

It is amazing how you can forget

that it really does cool down in other places.

My poor children thought that winter had revisited them.

And did they pack warm clothes--

NO!!

because when we left it was in the 100's

I wasn't even anticipating the 60 degree weather that we encountered.

I LOVED it!!!

What a nice time.

What a nice trip.

Now back to the reality

or

my real life vs. vacation life.

bare feet at the beach

“And forget not

that the earth delights

to feel your bare feet

and the winds long

to play with your hair.”
-----

Kahlil Gibran

It's a NEW day

I was going to be oH sO SmArT today and add some music to my blog--
but alas it seems that the music gods are conspiring against me
(update--WOOHOO--as you can now hear--I figured it out)
as it appears NO ONES music links are working this morning.
So instead i will give you the start of the lyrics
to a Michael Buble song
and suggest that you find it
and listen to it--
it makes me happy.

It makes me want to
bust out singing--

it makes me want to
buy the CD---

HMMMMM

maybe i should do that!!!
I think i need some new tunes for my road trip today---

did i say ROAD TRIP?

Why YES!!!!

It does involve a drive to Yuma and beyond.
Should i tell you?
Or just let you be surprised when i post?

Sorry all--
I am voting for the later.

Stay tuned ............

"Feeling Good"

Birds flying high

You know how I feel

Sun in the sky

You know how I feel

Breeze driftin' on by

You know how I feel

It's a new dawn

It's a new day

It's a new life

For me

And I'm feeling good....

Parental frustrations

today the blue bird of happiness came and dropped a load of "life" on my house.
Not too happy at the moment.

According to my child,
my sole purpose is to make their life miserable.!
I am the devil reincarnate---

lets dwell on that one for a minute

shall we.?

Not the fact that i am being accused of being the devil,
because if i really was the devil

i would care less what they are doing
and the consequences that their choices are bringing them.

The devil does not outwardly make your life miserable.
He disguises things as fun and desirable.
That his choices of slothfulness,procrastination,giving up,
will make us happy--
{and maybe for a while we are.}

But true happiness comes from having goals
and reaching them.
From being tried and tested.
pushing forward when things get tough.
persevering......
and in return for the hard work and frustration,
we become stronger.

As parents we try to direct our children
to paths that will take them where they will want to go.

Sometimes it is more like a push---
and the reason we push is
{because with our hind site wisdom,}
we know what will bring them the happiness that they desire.

Whether they believe it or not

we do this

because we love them.

If we didn't--
it would be far easier to say
"Do what you want--I really don't care"

But i do care--gosh darn it.
{And so i sit here--being the bad guy}

Gee, some days i just love being a parent...........

Just not TODAY.

If you have never been hated by your child,

you have never been a parent.

----
Bette Davis,the Lonely Life

Days flying by

i feel like i am out of my blogging rhythm.

Having kids home for the summer will do that. My life as i knew it is no longer my own. My time is dictated by the many bodies who surround me these days. I have a new old shadow. It reminds me of not so many years ago when child #4 was the last to attend school so he had me all to his self. We would just hang out together. So it is these days. It seems like the rest of his siblings have places to go--things to do but that is not the case with him. So where i go--he goes--just like old times. It is fun having a buddy to run errands with. He has long since given up his cowboy boots--he now can be found skating around me in the store with his "heelies" on. Today he got a new book to read and has taken it with him where ever we have been. Any spare moment that he can find i will see him with his nose in it. It really does thrill me to see him that excited to read. It is fun to be able to have a real conversation with him and see how much he is growing up. He really is making that transition from little boy to pre-teen. It is exciting to see his maturity and acceptance of responsibility these days.

There is hope!!!

i need to get a pedicure--

think he will want to go with me for that errand?

Yah, i kinda doubt it.

So i officially declare this my summer of sewing.

Tonight i finished 8 pillows!!! (a paying job)Yeah--I love the feeling of accomplishing something. I have a list of sewing projects that i want to get done for the summer---for myself---there is more on the list than i actually have time for, but it will be fun to see what i can actually get done.Thanks to the summer cottage and cable TV and staying up late (because i can kinda sleep in) it is amazing the things i will be able to get done. I will have to post pictures as i finish things so you can relish in my accomplishments along with me. I guess i will just have to make a list and start crossing things off as i accomplish them.

WISH ME LUCK!!!

Technology and Super Hero's

Recently, on the recommendation from my 2 oldest children, we saw the movie Ironman.
I have never really been a big fan of Superhero movies--I just don't find them realistic. But i can honestly say that i found myself engaged and very interested in this one.

Maybe it was because i knew so little about iron man that i was believing the story.

Maybe it is because technology has advanced to the point that he might actually be a possibility?!


I mean is it really possible for someone to be "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"









And then there is this guy(spiderman) who is bit by a spider and instead of being left with a sore spot he is given the ability to cling to walls, has superhuman strength, a sixth sense that alerts him to danger, perfect balance and equilibrium, as well as superhuman speed and agility.

I guess what i am trying to say, is that when you think about the whole superhero thing, it is not very realistic. But as I watched Iron man the thought crossed my mind that with all the technological advances that I have seen happen in my lifetime that maybe, just maybe this is a possibility? Not that i know that much about technology and such--but if you look at the technology that has advanced in the last 20 years it really is amazing. Think about it---20 years ago if you had a car phone let alone a cell phone you must have been really important and more than that--Loaded. That is not the case anymore. Everyone has a cell phone--even kindergartners. And computers--that was not something that i had in my home growing up. (We didn't even own a VCR--and i won't even address the gaming systems that were around at that time--ie: Atari--pong,break out) Our first computer when we married 20 years ago was a 286--I remember having someone laugh at me at how outdated my computer was when it was 4 years old and me feeling insulted.(I get it now) It wasn't that many years ago that computers took up entire buildings and now we have calculators that can process more information than those first computers. When you stop and reflect back it truly is an amazing thing.
So why these thoughts you ask--why now?
Well Sunday night my kids were asked to bring a laptop to a discussion with the bishop. It made me reflect on how technology has changed--the fact that we have portable computers--and not just one but two in our house is amazing! The information that we have available at our fingertips--WOWZER.

So go see Iron man and tell me that it is not possible to create something like that!--Who knows in a few years I might look up to the sky and see my oldest son coming home from work---

After all he did declare a few years ago

that when he grew up he was going to be

a superhero--

it might not be that far off.............

Waiting

I almost went to bed without posting---
but i am waiting.
Waiting for dear daughter #1 to come through the door. {Isn't it a bit ironic that you wait 9 months for them to arrive, and from that point on you continue to WAIT for them}


It is amazing how a call from a boy can change plans. My daughter informed me that she was NOT going to the Tri-Stake Dance since she had a work party to go to. Then she got this call from a boy from Corona(who was going to the dance--she had met him through her club swim team.) So she went to the work party and left early so she could go to the dance and now they are out having ice cream-- (does that constitute a date?--since i haven't met him yet I certainly hope not)
and i am waiting
and blogging.

My feet are killing me!!!
I spent the afternoon in the laundry room
and i think standing on the tile took its toll--
I love deep cleaning.
I get such satisfaction
knowing that inside
or under things are clean.
The rest of the world will never
move my stove out or
pull out my fridge and check to see if it is clean underneath---
but i know it is and
that fills me with some sense of
warped joy.
Today i was cleaning out the cabinets
in the laundry room--
something that mainstream America
(or even my friends)
will never check--
but man it makes me feel good.
(Well except for the feet.)
I am 4 loads from being caught up on my laundry
and that mostly consists of blankets
that need to be washed and put away for the summer--
if that isn't something
to put a smile on my face.
I love being caught up--
why,Oh why, can it not stay that way?
Oh YEAH,
because i live in a home with
5 children
and they wear clothes.

(Although i do have a few that are trying to pass an option clothing rule--

Not going to happen--not prudent---and who pray tell says that?)

Did i mention that

i HAD to take a pregnancy test today?

And i failed it.

BIG TIME FAILED.

or maybe IT failed.

Either way I am not pregnant

{did i have you going?}

--I have never taken a pregnancy test that didn't turn up positive--

so today was a first, and i hope the last time

i ever have to take one--

been there done that.

I am so over being pregnant.

I knew there was no chance

and was a bit insulted that i had to pee on the stick.

It was a pre-requisite to the DEXA scan that i had done.
That is a test that measures bone density.
Kinda cool--especially considering my family history of osteoporosis.
It was the last thing i had to do for this nutrition study.
If any of you are interested in helping out some grad students
and having some comprehensive tests done,
they are in need
of more women up to 41 years old.
You don't have to change your lifestyle at all.
In fact the whole point is them gathering info.
So ladies--who are under the age of 41,
not pregnant and not nursing.
Step up--it harmless
(except for the pregnancy test)

Daughter is home--so that's all I wrote

morning comes too early

my head is stuffed,

my eyes feel puffy,

and for the record

I am not feeling the early morning love today

this is not unusual

but today i REALLY don't want to be awake yet!!!

YES, It is BeAuTiFuL outside

the weather is nice and cool

it smells nice

The sun is shining brightly--

(rather rudely in my eyes--that i wish were still closed.)

I stayed up really late or very early last night.

(it's a perspective thing)

Mothers of babies and teenagers have something in common

LOOSING SLEEP

I thought once my babies were sleeping through the night

my sleepless nights were over

I was incorrect in my assumption.

I felt the need to stay up waiting....

until daughter #1 got home from work.

(trying to be a responsible mom)

She had a private pool rental till 3am.

at 3:15 I started calling her

(i figured the sooner she got home

the sooner i could go to sleep)

I don't like having my kiddo's out that late,

especially driving home at that time of day.

Everything was fine

my worry for naught.

And there she is

fast asleep,

while i have to wake up

and run siblings to different locations.

stay awake thereafter because

little man is now awake.

WIDE AWAKE.

Have i mentioned before

that "I DON'T DO MORNINGS?"

"Most people

do not consider dawn

to be an attractive experience

- unless they are still up."

~Ellen Goodman

At 39 I'm just a youngin'

It is official.

I am the last hold out.

I am the baby of the group.

{out of our core group of friends}

I am the only one still in my "30's".

{Mind you it's not for much longer}

Yesterday my sister-in law

crossed the 40 year old thresh hold
so tonight in honor of this momentous occasion

The Toe Head Family

and friends gathered together--
(these are the names that Kims grandma has given to each family)

Grandpa and Grandma Jones--hard to believe but true

The bishops family (who happen to be childless this week)

The Short Family
(I personally prefer the term "vertically challenged")

The Lamenite Family (who are trying to empty their nest)

And then we have the pilots/bishops wife

who's husband was M.I.A. using the excuse of "working"
(does "having" to fly to Hawaii and stay overnight really count as work?)

Like a torch being passed from one generation
to the next,
so goes the
"MOo-MOo"

It really is quite a lovely thing.

I am sure that many of you are wondering--

where can I get one of these?

To which i would have to respond.

{that like a cherished heirloom,}

it is something to be passed on

from one generation

to the next.
I am looking forward to receiving

this little bit of loveliness in November
--although it does seem more like a

"spring and summer" look
--than fall--
maybe i should pass on it?

Sheli embraced this rite of passage

and wore this BEAUTIFUL

[one size fits all]

{no need to worry about the spills showing}

DRESS.

she worked it
like she was on
AMERICA's NEXT TOP MODEL
she "owned" the look

and like a trooper that my brother is

notice :

he still held her hand as they walked out .

THE END
"do these flowers make my butt look big?"
Never mind don't answer that.

Love ya sheli--and i hope you had a good birthday. Did i post enough pictures for you?

closing doors

my "baby" is becoming independent.
{yes i know he is almost 7}
I think of the book--
I love you forever----
{"as long as I'm living my baby you'll be".}
but with all his delays,
he has remained little to me.
And then there are those days
that he pops off some maturity.
And i am left sitting in awe
of his new found independence.
Left wondering what my role is?
Have i been replaced?
I think since he is "my baby"
i cherish each of these moments,
because i have realized how fast the do go by.
I have figured out that before you know it
another door has closed on a moment in childhood.
Sometimes you don't even realize that a door has closed,
until you pause and reflect back,
and see the transitions for what the were.
Growing Up.
Independence.

Today i heard a door slam--
LOUD and HARD.
It SHUT.
I saw it happen.
I am glad that it has occurred.
So why do i have tears in my eyes?

In dropping my baby off at day camp
he let me know in no uncertain terms
that he didn't need me.
With a wave,
and the words "Bye-Bye",
and a sweetly blown kiss
{so i couldn't feel totally hurt}
he walked into his class
without so much as a look back.

Gee MOM--
DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT-CHA IN THE BUTT

raising rightous men

I am doing my best to raise good boys.
Boys who will become great men.
Men who will honor their priesthood.
Men who honor womanhood.
Strong men--
both physically
but more importantly spiritually.
Men who are not afraid to work.
Men who will not be intimidated by strong women.

There are so many amazing woman i know
that are not matched with equally amazing men.
These woman contribute so much to my life
and the life of my children.
They are strong woman.
They are spiritual woman.
They know who they are and where they are going.
They have goals and continue to reach them.
I am lucky to call them my friends.
And my children are lucky
to have them as an influence in their lives.

So for those who are willing to wait--
I am trying to prepare my boys--
to be the amazing men that you all deserve.
We need more of those kind of men
that are worthy
of the amazing women that are currently available.
You all inspire me to be better.
To continue to move my life forward.
And more than anything else
to be mindful of the job i have to do
to make my boys worthy
of the amazing woman they will meet.

break the fast makes fast sunday worth it

I am still full from dinner.
Not the kind of full that makes you want to hurl
or eat TUMS for the remainder of the evening.
No, this is the kind of full
where it tasted so good and i want to eat more
but I am full,
so i can't/won't.
{I am trying to listen to my body--
and i am tired of it screaming at me
when i have over done it}
I love when you haven't eaten all day
(and i really hadn't since it was Fast Sunday--
and NO that does not mean the day goes by FAST.
On the contrary when you are fasting.)
I am full from pot luck yumminess.
I love having a smorgasbord of choices to NOSH on.
I love trying new things.
I love comfort food of time tested recipes.
I actually came home with a recipe
for Chile Reno Casserole and a Diacon radish.
{Two seperate items--
neither one has anything to do with the other}
Have you ever had a diacon radish before?
I had heard of it before, but
i don't think i had actually tasted one
until the last break the fast
and i have been wanting to eat it again.
So my lovely hostest
(who is originally from Japan--hence the authentic food)
gave me half of this radish
so i can make Tuna with it grated in it.
It was so yummy i can hardly wait to have it this week
Just a little bit of yumminess to look forward to.
I really am easy to please.