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)