What a Merry Christmas We Had!

Wow, the big day came and went. It was wonderful and chaotic. The children were so overjoyed with their treasures. We had few unhappy moments, no fighting for two entire days(a Christmas miracle) and lots of good food and fun.

The biggest blessing of all? Being with my wonderful husband and beautiful children celebrating our Saviors birth. Warm, safe and connected. What more could I ask for? A Christmas blessing indeed.

Trying to focus

Do you ever just wonder where the time goes? We have been running in overdrive for a few weeks. I feel like I am six weeks behind! Can you believe that Christmas is only a few days away? Unfortunately for me, I still have much to do. I am so behind at home that I stayed home from the gym yesterday to do laundry and just put things away. It is amazing that my house still looks so messy after spending nine hours working in it. I am hoping that I can make a difference today and get to town to do some last minute stuff. I need to make a list-I have avoided it because it is too big!
I am trying to think of this as a blessing, I have the means to get the things on a list. I have people on a list. We are blessed. I will try and remember that as I am vacumming and picking up the same messes over and over again!

Merry Christmas!-let's remember the reason!

The Terrible Family Picture Day!

The words that bring fear into grown men and children alike. FAMILY PICTURES!
We attempted to have pictures this past Sunday. We were all dressed for church and Grandma was here to take the pictures. It sounds perfect. It wasn't. We went outside, it was bright so we were squinty, we came in and the old family picture was behind our heads. We went to sit down and all Hell broke loose. Mr. M started whining about sitting up, being stubborn, then baby was through. Finally Momma lost it. I went out of the room crying, Grandma then started in on them about their bad attitudes and how bad they have been treating me. Poor Husband, trying to feel the Spirit and watching Satan walk around his house. Mr. M mouthed off just too far, Husband lost it too. The two big kids went into hiding. Husband left, Mother threatened the kids. We went to church in silence--not the way to go to church on a very special day.

I tell you, that the family pictures were not the reason for this terrible scene. It was Satan. He didn't want to let Dave and our family feel the Spirit. Perhaps keeping Dave from being sustained as Bishop. It was strong and it was real. I have heard other people tell of these stories. I haven't really had one so strong before. It was horrible. However, it made me realize how much Satan is trying to stop the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He doesn't want it spread. He doesn't want people to know the truth and to teach other people. Satan will use anyone and anything he can to stop the work. He tried with us. He had us for a moment but he didn't win.
We have to remain strong and keep on keeping on. We have the light within us, we need to let it shine so that other people can feel the light.

What a weekend.

Bishop Carrigan!
My sweet hubby was made a Bishop in our church(LDS) on Sunday. It is in a University Stake so it is a single's ward. All the ward members are between 18-30. There are about 200 of them!
I know that he will do super. I am not so sure about myself. I worry about my ability to take care of these four people that live with us! I just keep praying that we will have extra blessings that come from serving. I know that it is a good thing but it is also a big change, for all of us.

My kids have really been having some behavior issues lately and I think it is in direct relationship to this new calling. I believe that Satan doesn't want good things to happen so he will attack people any way that he can. I believe that he has been working on our children. Particularly Mr. M man. He has always been so mild and respectful. I pray that this will improve.

Please add us to your prayers, we need all the help we can get to help those in this new ward and to keep our family strong.

What a weekend.

Bishop Carrigan!
My sweet hubby was made a Bishop in our church(LDS) on Sunday. It is in a University Stake so it is a single's ward. All the ward members are between 18-30. There are about 200 of them!
I know that he will do super. I am not so sure about myself. I worry about my ability to take care of these four people that live with us! I just keep praying that we will have extra blessings that come from serving. I know that it is a good thing but it is also a big change, for all of us.

My kids have really been having some behavior issues lately and I think it is in direct relationship to this new calling. I believe that Satan doesn't want good things to happen so he will attack people any way that he can. I believe that he has been working on our children. Particularly Mr. M man. He has always been so mild and respectful. I pray that this will improve.

Please add us to your prayers, we need all the help we can get to help those in this new ward and to keep our family strong.

Time keeps on moving.

December 6th already! The month is flying by!
We went and cut down our tree on Saturday, it is HUGE tree that is still in our garage! We are going to hopefully get it in the house today. I am not too stressed about it but it is making Miss E nuts! She is so excited this year. I am glad that I still have one that is still in the magic!

I am headed to Idaho for a Collin Raye concert with my Mom tomorrow! That should be really fun. It will be a quick trip and then Mom will come back with me for a few days.

Thanksgiving update

Time flies!
It seems like an eternity, not that many are reading but those two who do are tired of my old post!

It has been a nutty two weeks! We went to Idaho for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful/awful time! It is always so much fun to go to my Momma's house. It is one of those houses that seems to just wrap its arms around you. I want to just sit in the chair and look at magazines by the fire. There is one really big problem with this, those four little people that think I AM THEIR MOMMA! They get rather bored, the two bigger ones are no longer able to entertain themselves with blocks, coloring, books etc. So, they watch t.v. for hours and hours which makes everything worse. After they have watched more t.v. than their brains can absorb they have to come up with other things to entertain themselves. Those things are usually things that just shouldn't even be talked about. The things that make nice Moms say really bad words. The ones that make nice Moms come close to child abuse. It is getting to the point that my children are almost not invited any more. I want to go by myself. They can eat cereal! I was so exhausted after returning that it took me an entire week to emotionally recover from their nasty fest.

Ok, now for the good parts! We had my Uncle come spend Thanksgiving day with us. He is in his seventy's and quite frail. He never married so has no children, etc. The family(my Dad's family) is not close at all so he is really really alone. When I invited him he was nervous about the weather, slipping etc. I just told him that we were coming and my husband would throw him over his shoulder if he had to! I think that he had a nice time. I know that it was nice to know that for at least a few hours he was part of a group, part of a family again. He has always struggled with relationships so I think it was probably a bit overwhelming but still good. I know that it was good for me and also good for my children. They didn't really have conversations with him but I hope that when they are older they will remember when we went and got their Great Uncle for Thanksgiving. Isn't that what this entire experience is all about? Helping and loving each other? We seem to forget and only worry about ourselves.

After a great day we hit the craziness on Friday morning! It was insane. I don't usually go, I don't like the nuts! It was alright, and we got a few things we wanted and nothing to stupid!

A busy holiday with lots of memories, good and bad! Hopefully, I will be able to focus on the positive and forget the negative!!!


Now lets start celebrating!!!!

Thanksgiving memories

Thanksgiving is almost here! Have you already started thinking about pies and turkey? We had our family dinner on Saturday and it was nice. The food was good and the company was also. We played games and visited.

What are some of your favorite holiday memories?

I remember going to my Grandparent's house in Driggs, Idaho. They would have the big table all spread out. Many times I got to sit right next to my grandpa. I remember thinking that I was the very favorite -later I realized that he was just like that, we all felt that way! I remember the first year that we stopped going to Driggs. It was a really hard change for us. We went to an Aunt's house and it just wasn't the same. We started doing it at our house after that and have been doing there ever since. My family always goes to Idaho for Thanksgiving. It is as much a tradition for our children as Driggs was for me. My little Miss E is counting the days to when we go to grandmas house.

This year we are having my Dad's brother come. He never married and lives alone. He is homebound. I had to bully him a bit to get him to say yes. I told him we would just throw him over Dave's shoulder and bring him. I hope that he has a good time. How lonely it would be to have no one to visit.

A Beautiful Lady

My Mom!

I am thankful for her in my life. As I do the zillionth load of laundry I remember that she averaged 35 loads a week, I am not there yet. As I make goulash I remember her making it(hers still tastes better!). As I pick up my daughters skirt from the floor I remember her saying that if you hang it up you can wear it again! As I really quickly wipe the bathroom I remember her saying "A lick and a promise". A lick is better than nothing!

My Mom is quite a lady. She went to college with four children while helping my Dad build a business. She taught school for 20 years and was a great teacher. She has had some terrible heartache in her life but she hasn't become a bitter person. She has gone to church alone for almost 20 years, many widows would have quit going. She accepts callings in church and does them well. She has been to 3 of my children's births and taken care of us after and many other times. She is willing to watch my herd while I have gone on trips. She is encouraging but doesn't give too much advice. She alway knows something special to get for someone, she is a great gift giver. She is a caring person. She helped my Aunt in her dying hours, she helps another sick friend, she fed her brother when he couldn't feed himself. She is willing to help, whatever that may be.

I am so proud of my Mom, she is a role model for me. I know that if she survived my brothers, my sister, my Dad and me that I will probably make it also!

Thanks Mom, I love you! 

I'm weird!

Strange things give me thrills! Today I decided that I am going to work in my studio. It has become less of a studio and more of a JUNK ROOM! Well, I started just getting rid of garbage, it is amazing how much actual garbage is strewn around in a room that is a disgusting mess. I decided that the pile of really old magazines had to go today! I was tempted to start looking through them-I did not! What a way to get sidetracked!!!

I took a HUGE pile out to the dumpster and threw them in! I considered calling a few friends to see if they would like to look at them, then I decided that noone else needed my clutter cluttering up their house! Amazing how thrilling that thud was!!

Off to more dejunking. My soul is in need of some calm so I have to get rid of some more chaos!

Bubble Time!

Little boy blue isn't afraid of the tub anymore! He even asked to get in this morning! Yeah!!!

Aren't bubble baths just the best thing? With a big big tub that makes lots and lots of bubbles who wouldn't want to get in?

My Yummy Guy!

I had the pleasure of going to the Temple with my sweet hubby. We had a very nice session, we hadn't been for awhile so it was nice to be somewhere so calm. Sweetie was quite emotional, he feels the Spirit so strongly sometimes.
After the session we had lunch in the cafeteria and then came home. My house was a wreck. I keep wondering when it isn't a wreck! Anyway, I put the kiddos to work(not happily). We are just not that great at really making them be responsible for things. That is something that is our fault. I have to make them do things now. Mr. M is constantly telling me, "I'll do it later" well, as we all know what that means is "I don't want to do it, I will tell you I will do it later and then you will leave me alone and I won't have to do it!" Well, I am tired of that! I know for myself that it is hard to always "JUST DO IT" but, it is quicker and it gets done!!!
Okay, enough of my Momma drag!

What am I thankful for today?

I am thankful that my sweetie is still my sweetie! We have been married for 161/2 years, with 4 dating and I still just want to eat him up most days! He is a calm figure for my raging storms. He is a constant. He has the gift of listening. People have come to him for years to talk. They tell him their troubles like he is a counselor. He is just a really great guy and I am just so glad that I get to share a life with him. He is a great Daddy also! What more could I ask for? Only more time with him.

Fun Little Books

Creating! It feels good!

I made the flower covered tablets the other day. The little one is my portable calendar. It had little dogs on it, it just screamed to be altered! The other is just a plain spiral notebook. I am still trying to learn what to do to cover the color on the edge--any ideas?

The cute little tag book was made today by the cub scouts. Isn't it darling? I think that there are more of these in my future. Think of all the possiblities with this idea. Alphabet books, mini albums, recipe albums, teacher albums.

I was in my studio and it felt good. The room is a nightmare. I am going to have to start 15 minutes at a time sorting, junking, organizing. I just have this urge and need to make things!

I hope that you are thankful for something beautiful today!

Best Friends

Today I am thankful for Best Friends! I got to spend the entire day with my best friend Tina. She and I met 8 1/2 years ago. We have each had two more children and moved far away from each other. We still talk almost everyday. Thank goodness for mobile to mobile minutes on our cell phones. It has improved our phone bills!

We usually go to cute little shops and spend way too much money on scrapbooking supplies and home decor. She actually decorates her house and I just add one more thing to my to do list!

I am so glad that we became friends. She enriches my life more than she will ever know. She makes me want to be a better Mom and person. She teaches me about kindness and tolerance. She puts up with me and loves me.

I am lucky she is my friend.

Thankful!

Thanksgiving is on it's way! So in a traditional way--what are you thankful for? I think that I am going to try and remember at least one think I am thankful for everyday!

I am grateful for my healthy body! Today I went to the gym and ran two miles! That is almost a miracle! I didn't die or need oxygen. Having the strength to exercise, play, take care of my babies, husband and home,these are all blessings. Often we take our health for granted, in fact, almost always.

Busy Day

What a busy day! We had no where to go! We stayed home and did this and that! I cleaned(what's new?) the kitchen, behind the fridge, really got the counters. Sweetie worked hard, he emptied the freezer, defrosted it and all! He went through the storage room that was full of junk, he put some electrical switched back on, he put the blow up Christmas decorations up and cleaned out both cars! He was a working machine!

There are days that it is nice to be home and have everyone milling around. Luckily for me, they weren't fighting(too much).

Ok, I finished reading "The Artists way" It is interesting. I believe that we as humans are creative. Most of us just don't realize it. We get stuck in the thinking that creative is for "real artists". We are all life artists. We decide how we decorate, what to wear, what to plant in the flower bed. We decide these things because they feel right, well, this is creative energy. I have been feeling creatively stiffled for many months. I am hoping that somehow I can find that creative energy. I am discovering that I stay busy with all the normal things in my life that keep me busy, I wonder if it is to avoid my possible creations. Am I not comfortable with it? Do I not think it is good enough? Good enough for who? So many questions!!!

So, this week I am going to try and notice the creative things in my life and actually give myself some time to explore!

Avid Readers Beware!

Remember when I said that I was interested in the book "The Artists Way"? Well, I went into Barnes and Noble bookstore and bought it!

Barnes and Noble---have you been there lately? I have only been in there 2 times in 13 years because I am mother and those are places that I do not take my children. It is too easy to become "That Crazy Lady". I was with only little guy(bad enough). This place is to a reader like a bar would be to an alcoholic! I just want to go and spend five hours just looking at all the possibilities!

I did get my one book. I have been reading it. It is very interesting! It is actually a process book. With assignments and such for 12 weeks. I am reading the entire thing and then plan to go back and actually try to do the course. If any of you feel that you could lead a more creative life or would like to encourage your children I recommend getting it. You might find it at the library to browse through, however, if you are going to really do the course I recommend purchasing it. I will keep you posted. I do know that I have been a busy bee around my house trying to get the mundane things caught up because I am very aware that when I have chaos in my house I have chaos in my soul. I am grumpier when there are big messes! So, I am on a quest! I hope that it works! Socks are folded(for a day) and that is almost in miracle zone!!! Downstairs bathroom is clean--13 yr olds just don't care about health issues-"it isn't that dirty Mom!"

If little boy would get over his cold I could get back to the gym. It is a must with all the Halloween candy around! I have done pretty well, I realize how long I must work for every little piece that goes in my mouth. Most of it just doesn't taste good enough!!!

Halloween cuties!

Halloween Gouls!
Aren't they darling? Big boy was out already so he isn't in the shot. I am going to have to have him put his getup back on so I can get a picture! Miss A fell and cut her upper lip so she was quite miserable, and then stayed home today because of embarassment.

Baby boy thought this trick or treating was great! He was so cute as a little bumble bee. He would walk up to the house, smile, and then take the candy, put it in the bucket and then walk into the house! Luckily, we went to neighbors who think he is too cute! Miss E was cute also, her cousins dropped out after they went to the church so it was just the 2 of them. They are still little enough that it was sweet.

Are you ready? Christmas is officially on its way! Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and the snow and then the big holiday.

How are you going to stay sane and organized?

Budding Writer

Oh that they would want to be so helpful later on!
Miss E was so distraught that I had already poured the laundry soap that she wrote me a note to put on the washer to remind me. Anytime I am going to pour soap to ask if she wants to do it. Not while she is at school, of course!

For those of you who don't read well!
It says,

Let me do the washer soap, pour it Because
I want to do it! 

It's Coming!

Have you been to any store in America in the last week? Christmas is upon us. I say that with glee and with trepidation! I love the feeling of Christmas, the music, the lights. I love the idea of Peace on Earth. I love families getting together. However, as the Mom I have that dread. I am a worry wart. I am not a huge spender, even though hubby would disagree! Therefore, I worry about every little thing. Will they love it, will they use it for more than two minutes? Is it teaching them anything? Am I teaching them the true meaning of Christmas, do they understand more than the season of getting?

So in that thought, I decided that I must just plan better and stress less. So, I did one step today! I figure that I have 8 weeks--if I just plan and actually DO IT! I can actually not freak out myself, my husband or our bank account!

We have started to not give gifts as adults. It is a wonderful thing! That may seem trite, but I believe that often all the gift giving is given because it is expected instead of really wanting to. All of my siblings, and now hubby's have decided to not exchange, only the children! It has removed one more stress. If I find something I just want to make or give them, I will, but we don't HAVE to. I think that it is better. So, if you are in my family, and not one of my children or my Mom you will not be getting a present from me! I love you but how many Popcorn tins can you really eat and do you really want another singing fish to hang on your wall?

Halloween is tomorrow! I need to buy candy! I have put it off so that I don't eat it!!!!

Sleepless night

Ever have one of those nights? I took some cold medicine, daytime type and could not sleep! I decided that my body needed rest even if my brain couldn't turn off. I pray that I am never confined to my bed with a sick body and a (fairly) healthy mind. It would be torture. I have thought about stroke victims or some people with Cerebral Palsy, that are basically trapped inside their bodies. It would be a terrible place!

Have any of you heard of the book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron? I have been hearing about it for awhile and wondering if it would be worth buying to help tap some hidden creativity. I used to be a creative person and then I believe life got in the way. Dishes, laundry, driving, etc. I don't like it. I often feel like I am trapped inside myself, so I know that there is something that wants to come out. Hopefully, it is not the crazy woman that my 6 year old can bring out when she won't do what I ask!

Well, here is to a beautiful Sabbath.

COLD morning

It is a beautiful COLD morning. I have also awakened with the same cold baby has had. Drats-I am mother, I am not allowed to be sick. Hopefully, it won't be too bad!
I was walking behind little boy blue this morning after getting him out of his crib, looking at his soft blonde hair bouncing. I just have to touch it! He is still so little I just want to absorb his closeness to heaven.

The big kids and Dad are doing a ATV/Motorcycle test. It will be cold for them but they will do well. They were out of school yesterday and it was a really long day. Miss A just doesn't know what to do with herself when she doesn't have all her friends. She was online for awhile, which I am not thrilled with, so I locked the computer down. She was beside herself. I talked with her about finding a creative outlet. She said, "I am not creative", I told her that is so not true. She has gotten into the habit of not doing anything creative. Well, she did sit down and draw a picture, pretty good too.

I have been thinking that I need to find something that interests her creatively. perhaps get her some sketching pads and good charcoal pencils. I have also thought about taking her to a scrapbooking class or something. I would love that and we really need something that we can do together that she doesn't think I am old and dumb.

I read something the other day about a cute gal that felt she had her 4 year old girl all figured out, I sure hope so. I know that I do not have my 13yr old figured out! It is a difficult emotional time and I struggle to know how hard to hold on and what doesn't really matter. I know that there are some things that do really matter and others that don't so much. The question is to really know the difference.

I am trying to not stress and keep my faith in Heavenly Father. I know that he hears us and I need to ask for his help more.

Life is full of questions, isn't it?

Worry or Blessings

Are women hardwired to worry? I had a chat with a friend today about this. I think that I came to the conclusion that we are. It is our role as mothers to nurture but sometimes to nurture we have to worry about it for awhile before we know how and what to do. Men are different. They are compartmentalized. They can look at one aspect of a problem and decide if they can do anything about it, if they can't they move on. We as women have to look at the HUGE picture, we worry about 18 years from now instead of what we can do today!

So, how do we continue to nurture but not worry ourselves sick?

I am quite a spiritual person. I pray, I read, I go to church, I try and teach my children. I try and lead a fairly good life. I slip and occasionally let a cuss word out(not proud of that). However, what do we do to just look at the blessings in life and keep going?

So, in answer to my own question I am going to find a few blessings. I have done this before on this blog. I need to remind myself!

1. I am healthy
2. my children are healthy
3. we have a home
4. WE live in the country on a dead end street!
5. We have many dear friends. (Hi, Renae!-my lurker friend)
6. I have many beautiful views!

just a few for now! Lets try and find some blessings!

Scouts

Oh, my what a day! Yesterday was exhausting! I had bear cubscouts and we were making planet mobiles. That doesn't sound too hard! I ran to Walmart and got the dowels, posterboard and craft sticks.

I ran home and get baby to sleep(he has a cold, so no gym for a few days) and try to straighten up my mess I live in. I have washed laundry for 2 days but not folded it--bad thing to do! So, I picked up the mound of laundry and took it to my bed, another bad idea when bedtime comes!
I got the rest of the mess cleaned up. Why does it take me hours to pick up stuff that isn't mine that is dumped in much less time?

I made a sample mobile. It wasn't too hard, I knew I would have to help with the strings for a couple of boys. Well, they arrived and got to work. ONE out of 6 was able to do it by himself! It took much longer because of this and I was suppose to pick up the Weblos at 5:15 to take them to their meeting! Well, at 5:30 we finally pulled out of my house! Luckily, I called everyone so they knew they were coming! Once I dropped off all the scouts and came home I was exhausted!
I am a teacher by trade, you would think that I would know what age kids can do things. Perhaps I am just used to my own 10 year old, he is very mechanical. Things like this are easy to him. I know I will think hard about any project in the future or at least have 3 parents there to help! The mobiles did turn out great! I hope that the boys hang them up. Miss E took mine to school for show and tell.

It has snowed! That is good and that is bad. Good because we are closer to going skiing, bad because it is COLD, wet and dark! It is beautiful this morning with all the trees frosted and the ground all covered in white.

I have a friend who was knitting yesterday, I am jealous! I am getting very anxious to work with some of my photos. I just have this need to use some creative energy. It all gets sucked out by laundry!!

10 Wierd Things(you probably didn't want to know!)

1. I like to eat onion sandwiches! Bread, butter and onions, if I am really energetic add a slice of cheese! Bite anyone?
2. I went to college in Hawaii.
3. I met Harrison Ford in Driggs, Id and HE talked to me!
4. I am a closet neat freak! It is so deep in the closet that it hasn't surfaced for a long time!
5. I would have 8 babies! I loved being pregnant. I only have 4 because they don't stay babies long enough!
6. I was an FHA state officer in High School. How is that wierd you ask? Future Homemakers of America-I don't bake, am a lousy organizer and basically a messy homemaker. I like to say that it was more of a leadership organization. It taught me how to talk.
7. I would like to be a motivational speaker, I just don't have any idea about what I would motivate, I am working on everything!
8. I was out in the hall on the day talents were being passed out in heaven. I was talking! Therefore, I am a Jack of all trades, Master of none. I do lots of things, just none of them really well!
9. When we were first married we had 4 forks, so if they were in the sink to be washed and we needed one we would look at it and think--Eeh, it's clean enough! EWW!
10. I can clean really disgusting things, but don't bring snakes near me! I will scream like a sissy girl!

I hope you enjoyed this, it is one of those posts that share TOO MUCH INFORMATION!

10 weird things!!???

Ok, I have been tagged by my friend(I don't know how to link to her) and I am suppose to come up with 10 wierd things you might not know about me! I am in the process of this! I guess that I like to think of myself as normal!

More to come!!
If you have any ideas leave a comment!

My ramblings

I did make it to church and it was nice to feel the Spirit again. Perhaps other people can convey things better than I can myself. Little boy blue decided in SM that he needed his diaper changed, so he proceeded to totally strip down! I was trying to get the shirt back on, while he is taking the pants off. I finally realized what the reason was, he was wet and it had to come off! So, he got naked and I put a new diaper on and redressed him and he stayed dressed! Sometimes we just have to listen to the reason they are doing what they are doing! It was funny!

Miss A gave a talk and she did a wonderful job. She can be such a delight and a joy. I hope that this is a sign that she knows what she has been taught and that she will be able to remember it and use it! Dave came to hear her and it was nice to have him with us in church! It doesn't happen often.

We went to our friends big 50 party last night. It was so much fun to visit with friends from our old ward in Ogden. That was such a special place and time for us. We are all so close still, I think that because our ward was dwindling we had to be so strong and do everything. Therefore, we really created lifelong bonds. When we are with these people we feel like we have come home again.


Ok, totally different topic. We were watching a program on BBC America. It was about the biggest spenders. This man was a millionare. That is fine, my problem with him was that his entire purpose for making money was to be able to spend the most. He didn't have true friends, he bought them. a wife? no, he just had the money to have the beautiful women dance around him. He is one of the fortunate people that has been blessed with an ability to make lots and lots of money. He could bless many many lives with some of his riches. However, he is so wrapped up in himself that the only thing he lives for is to see how much he can spend. This program just sickened me. We didn't finish the program because it was so hollow.

Dave has been reading a book by John Huntsman, and in contrast to the show, here is a man that has made millions of dollars, almost lost it but had integrity so he wouldn't choose bancruptcy, now his business is even bigger and stronger than before. This is impressive but it is only a part of his story. He donates millions to cancer research, church projects around the world. He helps other religions, not just his own. He is a man that understands that there is more to life than just what he can buy. He can buy anything he wants, he chooses to give. Whos life would we rather learn about and perhaps emulate?

I am not really an activist type. I stay in my own little family and try the best I can to take care of them. However, I feel that we have been put on this earth to make it a better place, even if that means doing something for someone else. I know that when we do something for someone else, even something so small that it isn't heard around the world, it matters. After being so offended by this mans attitude it makes me want to be a more appreciative person. To look for ways to help others and to be less materialistic. To find ways to give service. Jesus gave us the ultimate sacrifice, I believe that we can all give a little in return.

Still alive

Struggling with how much is too much information. I will post more later! I think about it, but somehow it isn't happening. Perhaps the 4 kiddos might have something to do with it.

I am going to church today, I have been absent for 4 weeks so if feel inactive. Perhaps it will help me get a better perspective and be ready to really dig in again. You know, Family Home Evenings that really matter, more family prayer, scriptures. The whole thing. We need it around here.

Wish us luck!

A New Day!

Ok, after my whine fest I decided that I am in charge of my own disposition so I better snap out of it. So, today is going to be whine free!(at least on my part!) I will try and ignore the messes, and be glad that I have children to make them. I will be grateful for my busy children, grateful that they are healthy!

Blessing are all around us. Today, lets find them!

Whine Whine Whine!

How have mothers throughout time survived? I am emotionally and physically exhausted. Between worrying about the 13 yr old and then cleaning up after 6 people I am just wiped out. I try to not worry too much about the mess, it is evident if you come in! However, today I left the 13 yr old in charge of the 2 and 6 yr old for 1 hour while I did scouts. I left my house quite clean. I had had company in the morning. I came home to a fussy baby that needed changed, 2 six year olds spreading stuff high and deep, a very unhappy 10 yr old(mean 13 yr old) and where you ask was the 13 yr old who was in charge? In my bedroom on the phone! There was every possible thingdumped out. I am sorry, but I lost it a bit. Why is this normal? Why do all children make messes? Why?

Tired and cold. Mom, can I come and hide at your house for awhile? By myself?

Cold Weather

It is cold, dark and rainy. It makes me want to curl up in comfy pj's in front of the fire. It also makes me want to smell something yummy cooking, like apple pie or bread. Does this weather do this to you?

We went Halloween shopping last night. Miss E and the Dude got their costumes and you would think that it was already the big day! The girls have been playing dress up all afternoon. We now have three capes so that all three of the girls can have one. They have been a great investment in make believe! They have played with these capes for years.

Go and make something yummy. I wish that my Momma was here to make me some apple crisp, hers always tastes better than mine. Hers must be full of love!

Now for the digging out!

Now the yucky part! Cleaning up the mess from a muddy, dirty, wet weekend! We actually had a really great time. Thursday and Friday were beautiful! The weather was perfect, we layed out, went on the boat, went to the sandy beach and just enjoyed the days. Friday evening it started to rain and it downpoured! We thought that we were going to slide into the Lake! Luckily for us we didn't, however, we were trapped inside for an entire day! Sweetie kept telling us we were lucky we weren't in a tent. I said that if we had been we would have already packed up and left! However, we have now found out that we wouldn't have been able to go anywhere! There were flash floods all around. In the Vegas area there were 4 deaths! We saw one spot while we were leaving that had flooded and filled with mud, at least 5 feet deep across the road!

So, here is to cleaning up the yucky muddy mess! It is sticky clay. I think that we will be cleaning it forever.

Sweet Angel Boy is Two!!!

It is hard to believe that we have had this little angel with us for two entire years. He was a surprise baby that we are so blessed to have received! I think he has been a blessing for the entire family. I recommend everyone have a caboose baby!

This little guy loved his shopping cart so much that he had to sleep with it! He also loved his big yellow dump truck! Simple toys are the very best, they play with them, imagine with them, love them!

We are headed out again! WE are taking our pilgrimage to Lake Mead, NV. The kids are off of school for two days so we have some extra time. My Sweetie is so excited he can hardly stand it. We haven't been in Oct. for the last two years and it is the very best time to go! So, packing and lots to do! It is crazy how much garbage we eat while camping. I try to be reasonable with junk food most of the time, I hardly buy any. NOT CAMPING!

BonVoyage!

Hey, my two readers, if you want to go on the cruise in Feb. let me know and I can get some info from Ron to you.

Fabulous Weekend!

What a great weekend!!! We just didn't take many pictures but we had fun! We wandered up and down the beach between Pacific and Mission Beach! We watched the waves, the people, and the bikes! I LOVE beach cruiser bikes! There was this fabulous bike shop with all these custom paint jobs. I wanted to take one home with me, they would have shipped it!!! These bikes just made me happy to look at them!

We suntanned on the beach, ate breakfast at Kono's on the beach and just enjoyed being together! We could have used 3 more days of just laying on the beach, it was perfect! I am going to check out rental properites! Wouldn't that be a super vacation?!!! I think so!

Well, this will have to get us through until we go on another cruise together! It is so important to be with your hunny, but oh so hard to manage it!!!

Thanks Sweetie! It was fabulous!

Big Picture

In the big picture of life I wonder if Heavenly Father knew that if we were fully aware of how difficult parenting can be at times that many of us would have chosen not to participate. So, instead he had us begin as babies, which everyone loves! I am not saying that I wish I were not a mother, not at all. My children bring me so much joy, however, being a parent is hard sometimes. As a Mom I get tired of being the heavy all the time. I am the one that is there to make sure that piano, homework, chores, etc. are done. I am the one that tells the teenager no, alot. I sometimes wish that I could be a really fun, crazy, non-responsible Aunt that says, ok, whatever! And then goes and does her own thing! Then again, I know that as the Mom, that is not how you raise children! I have a cousin who's wife decided she didn't want to be the parent, she wanted to play. Well, who suffers? Her exhusband and 3 children.

So, in light of my plight, I am running away for the weekend with my sweet husband and leaving my darling children with the Grandma. I hope that she survives! Perhaps with a couple days away we will be reenergized and ready to keep on keeping on!!!

Baby parts

I am getting terribly excited about our trip!!! We are leaving tomorrow! Yeah!

I spent today at our organizing class, trying to learn, making a bit of progress. I then went to town and got pictures printed of baby Josh. His Momma is extra busy and hasn't had time. They turned out so cute! I put three in a frame and they are precious! Little newborn baby parts, nothing better than that!

It is raining and cold. It makes me want to stay home and sit in a blanket and embroider! I hope that someday I will want to start tackling my own photo pile. I have such wonderful pictures of my children, they all need to be in frames and books in my home!

Better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today!

I'm a Lucky, Lucky Girl!

I am such a lucky girl! My sweetie brought me a dozen roses for my birthday!!! They are so so beautiful. Even better than the roses was the card inside them! We are going to San Diego this weekend, just the two of us!!!! Yeah! I was so surprised. It will be so wonderful to get away with my sweet hubby. He is so good to me, he puts up with me and my craziness. He deals with our family and our insane schedules and hardly ever grumbles. What more could a girl want?(other than thin thighs and buns)

Morning Beauty!

What is outside your window? This was the view outside mine this morning! It was so vibrant in real life that I told M to look quick, it looks like the leaves are glowing. 'Go take a picture Mom". So, I did! A Pretty good shot but the real thing was magnificent! It was one of those days that you have to make yourself really, really absorb the beauty. It is so fleeting. I know that by tomorrow, the color will have faded. Truth be known, it seemed to have already started by this evening.

Why is So much of life like that? So fleeting that we often miss it. I know that with my normal routine I get caught up in the monotany of laundry, dishes, dusting, driving, etc. etc. etc. that sometimes I forget to look up and just be IN the moment. I tried to do that today with the little man. Since he can't escape so easily(thanks for the new door knobs, Poppa) he really needed to go for a walk. I just let him lead me, it is so fun to really watch how he decides where he is going. He likes little trails, sidewalks, garages. He just wants to be. That is what the rest of us need to relearn.
Sometimes To Just BE!!!

Angel Hair No More!

I succumbed to the pressure to cut Angel Babies hair. Never mind the fact that he couldn't see because it was in his eyes. I have avoided having it cut for months because I knew that it would never be so soft and sweet ever again. I was right. I tried to have her just trim it up, a little. Well, it is ruined, and the sweet angel hair is gone.

I am sad that this little angel is growing so fast. All the other angel babies are now big and they don't think I am so wonderful, they sass me, and are not always sweet and yummy.

So, it is a sad, sad, day. Baby had a hair cut. Mommy is sad.

Button, Button!

Button Button who's got the button? Sweetie has the button! All over and all spread out! He got into my stitchery box (I didn't think he could open it!) and dumped them all out!

Do you ever feel like you are fighting a losing battle when trying to maintain a home? I am in the throws of a tornado all the time. If I don't keep going at an insane pace everything just seems to fall apart around me!

But for today, I will look at this little mess with this little messy boy and be grateful that it was buttons instead of eggs!

Finished Projects!!Yeah!!!!

I finally finished some projects! I have had these hanging out in my house for much too long. So, today when I knew that I wouldn't be going to the gym due to baby's cold I decided today was the day!

The yellow chair came started out with the intention of sanding to paint. However, once I started I decided that I liked it! A thinks it is awful! Oh, well, what does she know? I am sure Darling with hate it as well!

The shelf has been in the works for months. Sweetie even hung it up for me!!!

The bench turned out great! It is amazing how I just love the distressed look of things. I love old, ratty stuff that others put on burn piles!

I distressed another bench and shelf and painted a little
desk as well! Hopefully, tomorrow I can get it into Miss E's bedroom!

A few down, a few hundred left! Now on to some chairs!!!

 

Boutique Overload!

Our Cousins from California have been here since Wednesday evening. It has been so long since they have visited that we just had numerous places that we had to go! Boutiques were on the top of the list! Chris and I started on Thursday taking them to the Quilted Bear, Union Station and Pendleton Hollow. Friday Baby J was sick so Chris took them to the Rock Loft, which they said was incredible, then they went to the fabric store. Saturday we went to Rainbow gardens and then to 25th street. It was the street fest so it was really noisy, we were on overload at this point, I found at least 3 new shops for my next jaunt with Tina! At this point, we said no to those last 3 shops---they stopped again at the fabric store and then back at Pendleton Hollow!!!! That is what I call boutique overload!!!! It was fun! Funny thing, I didn't by anything except some tiny individual sauce cups, like for ketchup or maple syrup!

With all this looking it made me want to do some embroidery again! Carolyn bought a couple of patterns and I traced them on the muslin for her. It really made me want to do it. I haven't done it since the spring before the baby came! I have two Easter patterns that are so close to finished, 1/2 hour and they would be finished! Perhaps, the little guy is big enough I can do it again!

It has been fun to have family in town. We have eaten too much but had a great time. Makes you wish that we all lived down the street from each other. Although if that were the case we wouldn't be eating out and shopping all day and it wouldn't be so special!


Oh, baby J is still not well. Has a terrible cough, I hope that it doesn't turn into croup. My kids are so prone to that.

Patriotic Children

Tonight was the bi-annual patriotic program. The entire elementary school participated. It was fabulous. The students have been working on these songs since school started. The football stadium was lined with American flags, the kids were in Red, White and Blue and the excitement was in the air. The entire football field was full of parents, grandparents, etc. It really is one of the blessings of living in a smaller community, there is just a feeling of community that I don't know would be present in a larger place.

As the kids were singing a tribute song to all the different branches of the military and those that served in those branches stood, I got all choked up! We are all so blessed to have men and women that are willing to serve this country so that we can be protected. I hope that my children will always remember doing these programs, and somehow have that patriotism printed on their hearts. People with big hearts, that is the goal.

Busy Days

I have been so busy! The reunion was great! It was so much fun. My camera wigged out on me, so I have exactly one terrible picture! Oh, well! I was having too much fun visiting to take pictures anyway. Sometimes we need to be in the moment not just recording the moment.

I had a strange feeling after the reunion. A sort of void. I realized that some of these friends from so long ago, some that I have known since kindergarten are not part of my regular life. I realize that in this life things are ever changing and it is impossible to stay in contact with every person you have ever cared about. There is a poem about a friend leaving footprints on your heart. However, there are a few people that I felt like they just really should be more a part of my life, even if that amounts to Christmas cards. Strange how these things turn out! It was fun to be (for the most part) past all of the cliques and such that dominate HS. I noticed most people really trying to talk with many people. It was too short, there were people that I did not get to talk with. My dear friend Laurel was "elected" (hijacked is more like it) into heading up the next reunion. I am assuming that means that I will be helping her. She is an organized person though, she is already thinking about people that were not located, found websites, etc. She is amazing and I know that the time will go quickly.

One more thing!!!! We all looked pretty good! I was surprised that more people didn't look worse for the wear. Perhaps they actually do but I am familiar with their faces already and I am mature enough to look past the flab, wrinkles, baldness and gray hairs! I reallyonly noticed one gal that looked like life has been rough on her. The rest looked pretty good. I was so thrilled to not have lots of extra weight on me!!!! I actually bought a size 10 pants!!!! That is cause for celebration! I know, I am so vain.


On another note, Miss A is driving me nuts. I am hoping that this hormonal jr high thing ends and she gets better. She has a streak in her that causes me so much stress. I am constantly worried, she doesn't seem to have any common courtesy or common sense. I just pray she will outgrow this stage without something really terrible happening.

Where Did the Time Go?

20 years already!

I can't believe that I am old enough to have been out of highschool for 20 years! Tomorrow is our 20th class reunion! I am sure that it will be fun. It will also be a bit nerve wracking as well. As much as we hate to admit it, we all want to see how we have all aged! Fact is, we all have! For some, much more than others!!

I am lucky because I really had a fun HS experience. Of course there were those things that we wish wouldn't have happened but overall, I really don't have lots of baggage that is still junking up the trunk!

I am excited to see friends. I am so glad that I went to a small school so that I actually knew everyone in my class! So wierd though! 20 years, sounds like such LONG time, yet once you are through it, it barely seems like yesterday!

I do have to say that I have not been prepared for the 80's fashions that are back! Polo shirts with popped up collars, leggings, large low belts, cropped jackets, big sunglasses, lots of flashy jewlery!!!

Well, here is to OLD FOLKS! 

Happy Birthday!

Wow! Ten already! He came into my bed early and asked when he was born. 2:14 pm Sept 15 1996! It was a rainy day much like today! He was my largest baby, weighing in at 8lbs. 15 oz. However, his labor and birth was the easiest of all four. He is a good boy, strong yet quite tender hearted. A difficult place to be where he is surrounded by hard headed outspoken girls. I hope that all of the estrogen he has to deal with doesn't ruin him. He is considerate and kind. He doesn't like it when people are mean (unless it is him to his little sister). He is always the one that comes and gets me if one of his sisters or brother is sick, even in the middle of the night.

MY BOY IS 10! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

What is organized?

I went to our organizing class today. The Lazy Organizer always teaches us so well! I am always too chatty, too excited about learning! I am an interrupter, not intentionally, however. It is always so exciting to be learning new concepts and be discussing things with other people. I wonder why some people are so naturally organized, or they seem to become organized out of necessity, yet, the majority of us just wander around thinking about it and never really tackling the problem. Hopefully, this class will help all of us, I know that discussing these things makes me THINK about how I do things. Hopefully, in years each little baby step will add up to less CHAOS in our home!

Moving too fast!

It is always amazing to me that life just keeps going, going, going. After my little nightmare on Tuesday losing J I would think that the world would have stopped for half a minute and realized that I was a basket case and give me a warm bubble bath and chocolate ice cream and then slowly start to wind up again. No, full throttle, full speed all the time!

After the trauma I did manage to paint!!! This an amazing thing. I have had these things in the garage all summer! I painted 2 shelves, and two benches. One of them from the junk pile at my friends. It looks great! I need to do a second coat of black and then some distressing. Yeah, I worked on a project!!!! I do need to finish these and wait a few days before I start another so that Darling can park his car in the garage. No matter that the watercraft are in my spot!!! Just not enough hours in the day!

Grateful

This afternoon I am grateful. Grateful that my sweet little boy stopped walking. Grateful that the dog stayed with him. Grateful for a neighbor driving down the road knowing it wasn't right and stopping. Grateful he is now in his crib safe and sound. Grateful.

Another day gone.

Well, luckily for me, today was a much better day than yesterday! I must be PMSy or something! I went and had lunch with Miss E and she seemed so excited to see me. It was fun to see all the kids. My scouts see me and are excited--but only as long as noone else knows! I stopped at ACE and bought myself some black paint and a paintbrush! Hopfully, that means that the shelf that I have had for MONTHS is getting closer to being painted! I have done laundry, and then more laundry! Luckily for me, it is more done than not so that is a good thing.

Poor Miss E got sick as they were leaving for the bus! She threw up--luckily outside! She came home and slept for about 4 hours. I hope that she just got some little germ, and that J and I don't get it!

It is amazing to me how much of life really is just ordinary, monotonous stuff. I guess that the best way to really find true happiness is to really take that old saying to heart .Happiness is the journey, not the destination! I just wish that I didn't struggle with the journey quite so much!

Enjoy the Process!

Five years later 9/11

It is hard to believe it has been five years since the terrible day and weeks following 9/11. I know that many, many memorials and such will happen today. I feel badly but I will not be watching. I did not know anyone personally that perished that terrible day but the images are still so raw for me that I don't feel like I have the emotional strength to go over it again and again. I don't think that there have been many days in five years that those images have not replayed in ours heads. It is a constant in conversation, it is now a part of who we are. I read that for my generation that day is etched into our memories like JFK's assassination was to our parents. We lost more of our innocence that day. Our world changed because of some evil, evil men. I pray that today and every day that we will grab our family and hold them tightly, extra tightly and remember that we are blessed to be together.

What a change

Within ten minutes of that last post Miss E became a terrible stinker. I just don't know what to do with her. She is the most stubborn of my children and it hardly seems to phase her if she gets into trouble.
I am home from church in between meetings because my heart is so heavy because of her. She is constantly screaming or being screamed at. M usually has her going but not always. She is just so strong willed that she is constantly in trouble. I just really don't know what to do with her. What I have done in the past just doesn't work. She was good in the morning for quite a few days, only becuase of the reward. That is totally missing the point! I understand the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic and I really don't want the only reason that she is "nice" in the morning because she is going to be able to get a treat. I have tried to have the talk about how she feels when she is happy and gets things done. I just don't know how to get through to her on an ALL THE TIME basis. I am going to have to try something totally different with her. It has to be constant. I remember when we were watching TV and the show Super Nanny was on. She was fabulous, I may have to revisit her techniques. I also think that I may have to turn some of it over to Heavenly Father because I don't like the way that I feel towards this child of mine.
Well, now that I have put these thoughts out there I hope that I can find some solution. I know that I am not the only mother to really have a challenging child. Compared to many, my problems are minor, I do realize this, however, when you can actually understand where the point is people get to that abuse their children it is pretty awful. Hopefully, after a couple hours away from her I can deal with her a bit better--how awful does that sound?! Pretty awful.

You are perfect!

WE had a moment this morning. Miss E was painting a picture of a rainbow and M started to tell her the "correct" order of the colors. I proceeded to tell him that she was "perfect just the way she creates!"
Why is it that the older we get the less we just make things because we feel like it and let all the sounds from everyone else matter so much? I know that it happens to all of us. I just wish that it didn't.
So, I am taking on Donna Downey's mantra and making it my own!
YOU ARE PERFECT JUST THE WAY YOU CREATE! 

The End of Summer Fun!

Today seemed to really make it official! SUMMER IS OVER! Dave took down the pool! He started to drain it a few days ago but today was the day that it was torn apart. It was almost a sad thing. The kids have had so much fun. It certainly was more fun than going to Lagoon! M, E, and W have had so much fun with it, they have been the main three in it. All the others have been in it but not to the extent of those three.
So ode to summer! The pool is gone and the air is cooler, the leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter---every day we are inching our way to the dark, dark, days of winter. I often just dread the dark and dreary days of winter. Summer is just too short in this northern country. We all need to move to somewhere that is not full of people but has the climate of San Diego!!! Perhaps we wouldn't really enjoy it as much if we didn't have to deal with the big bad W! So, enjoy these last warm days, drink in the last of the summer flowers, enjoy those summer skirts and sandals, boots, coats, hats and snow are on their way!! The only good thing is I will get to go skiing!!!! Yeah for one bright light in a dark and dreary season!!!