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.