Happy Birthday!

Happy Happy Birthday to me!

(my seventh birthday, in Logan, Utah where we were living for a school year. I got my very first transistor radio with a single earphone. I could get AM stations. I would listen to static filled ballgames. Oh, how I loved that radio!)

Fall Colors

The colors change fast!

This first picture was taken on Tuesday Sept. 15. there is just a hint of the color peaking through.

This second shot was taken on Friday the 18th.

This last shot was taken today, September 25, 2009. The color is vibrant and glorious. I think that those trees hit their peak today. The red fades quickly around here and then we are blessed with tons of yellow.

Fall is here!

Little bits of joy!

I just love preschool art!

There are no pretenses, they just paint and create with wild abandon.

I remember reading a quote by Picasso "I have worked my entire life trying to paint like a child".

This is a keeper.

four miles

I ran/walked four miles. It was good, yet hard. I haven't been running as much since school started and I can tell. I am going to need to figure out how to add at least two more runs in a week. I have been only getting about two runs in a week. I have been doing them when the little man is at preschool. I lose too much when I don't run more often. So, another thing to figure out in my crazy life! Oh! well, it could be worse--lots worse.

What about Thursday?

Thursday. What do I think of when I say Thursday? I think that it is almost the weekend. The weekends are usually a bit crazy around here with football games, church responsibilities and work outside to get ready for winter. So, Thursday-I evaluate where I am in my house ----

*laundry----Mt. Washmore=needs serious attention
*floors--all covered
*kitchen--always needs love(2:00pm is the best time to see my kitchen)
*bathrooms-if you visit, call first
*bedrooms--watch where you are walking

So--Thursday is a busy day, trying to get a bit further along with my everyday things.

This Thursday I am trying to stay on the bright side of my brain.

*I got to go shopping at fun boutiques yesterday
*I got a few happy treasures
*I spent time with my best friend
*I woke up feeling healthy
*I made a green smoothie for breakfast
*I am going to run today---hopefully energetically

Thursday is a good day!

Wonderings

I am a thinker or more accurately a wonderer. I wonder about a lot of things. Generally these things have to do with the human psyche. Why do we do the things that we do? It must be the hidden psychologist inside me trying to emerge. I have always thought that someday I might go back to college and get a counseling degree.

Today my wonderings are about myself and my brain. I am confused about the ebb and flow I so often experience. Why does my body/brain have to have so many ups and downs? I want to feel energetic, happy, positive and healthy more than not. I don't want to have a great day followed by lots of average or less than average days. I am trying to find that body/spirit connection as well as trying to find the proper way to fuel my body that makes it stronger and less prone to the ebb and flow. I don't feel like I am making any headway today.

Today, after I was disapointed on the scale, I literally forced myself to run. I managed two miles on the trail. I am glad I did it, but it was hard. I really just wanted to sit on my rear and do nothing. Yesterday I went to boot camp at the gym and really felt pretty good(except when I about passed out because I am a good breath holder). So-what is the difference?

I am really trying to eat healthy. I have almost completely cut out processed sugars, which means I hardly eat any bread, potatoes or rice. I am getting my greens and fruits and I am getting enough protein. I rarely eat artificial sweeteners. Is my ebb and flow literally inside my brain? Am I truly that sensitive that I am already being affected by the changing light just as the leaves are? I know that light sensitivity is real, I have dealt with it before, but usually I really feel it in January and February when winter's dark talons engulf me and I can't get free until spring.

I read. I read a lot. I know that exercise and healthy eating are the best ways to help cure almost any ailments. I KNOW THIS. I have been trying so hard to do this. So why the ebb and flow so often? Is the ebb and flow caused by my femaleness and if so how do I combat this without getting sucked into its dark undercurrent?

My Little Man

It is 9:00 a.m. on Friday. It is yoga day. Where am I? Here at the computer in my gym clothes. Why? Because my precious little guy just doesn't want to wake up. I tried gently awhile ago and looked at him and decided to let him sleep. He was laying there with both hands up to his cheek looking just like a little angel. I had to take a mental picture and burn it in my heart because he is growing so fast.


He will be five in a few weeks. FIVE YEARS OLD! How did that happen? He has already started to become big. Unfortunately, he has heard older children use the sarcastic term "whatever" much too often and he has begun to use it. Of course, I am trying to teach him not to but it is difficult. He has also just recently started to try and get away without buckling his seat belt. All of these types of behaviors are because he is getting bigger and spreading his wings. For me, however, it is the beginning of the end. The end of his babyhood. The end of me being the mother of a little one. This little guy is my last baby. He is my bumper baby, my extra bonus. We didn't expect to be blessed with my last two children. We are so glad that this little boy came along. He has brought so much joy.


There is a larger space between the Little Man and MissE than there was between the others(although there is a big space between all of them-3 1/2 years). Because of this space there has been a definite difference. My oldest was 11 years old when he was born. She has loved this little guy so intensely. I believe because she was older she has been privileged to experience some special bonding that I don't think happens when children are very close in age. There has never been any competition between them, only love.


This little guy is still very willing to give hugs and kisses, or "huggles" as we like to call them. He still snuggles on our laps and still tells us he loves us whenever we need some attention. He still wakes up in the morning with that smell, that smell that just makes you want to hug and hold them. I think that it must be something that makes us feel closer to heaven. Just like when they were newborns. For some, this wears off early, others seem to hold onto it a bit longer. I am grateful that this little guy has been able to keep it. It helps keep this Momma a bit more grateful for the blessing of these beautiful little ones that I have been loaned for awhile.


Yoga can wait.

Happy 13th Birthday!

We officially have another TEENAGER in the house! This teenager is already FIVE inches taller than his mother and three taller than his big sister. This is the year that his age and his foot size match!

Happy Happy Birthday! Bubba!

The years have gone by in a flash! MissA asked me how I felt having two teenagers. I didn't really have an answer. I am hoping that we can go through this stage with hope and joy, because this stage will also pass by much too quickly.

Signs of Fall

It has happened. Fall is here! Yesterday was our first "soup day." It was cold and rainy and it just felt like a day for a hot bowl of soup. When that begins to happen Fall is here.

While preparing the soup I decided that since Fall was here I should decorate. So-out came the pumpkin. I made this years ago and I have hung it up ever since. It will be there until I put up something for Christmas.

While looking out my kitchen window for the last 8 years---exactly-(we moved into this house on September 15, 2001 ) I have noticed one tree in a grove. It is my indicator of Fall. Well, today I noticed it. The changing of color. This tree is the very first tree that really show its color. It is also the first one to lose it.

When that tree starts to go red I know that summer is officially gone and Autumn is here.

Fab 5 on tonight!

Tonight is the night!

Remember to watch "America's Got Talent" and vote for the Fab 5! These gals all grew up a block from my house. They have taught my girls how to dance. Remember that you can vote 10 times on each phone-if you have text you can call and text 10 times. Give the Fab 5 a vote---some good clean wholesome entertainment!

New phase

We have entered a new phase at our house. MissA has now officially been asked to the Homecoming dance. Her room was covered in colored balls and included was a note that read. "We will have a 'ball' if you go with me to homecoming." She had to sift through all the balls to find the boys name. It took awhile but she finally spelled the entire name out. To answer him she covered his car in streamers and hot pink balloons.

Now what to do with all the balls?

Tired

It is Wednesday and I feel like it must be Friday. I have been running around like a crazy person since we returned from our lake adventure.

I am tired, bone tired.

I am going to bed. It is 9:03 p.m.

FabFive Makes it to the Finals!

We almost feel famous! Tonight On America's Got Talent our hometown girls
The FabFive made it through to the finals! We are so excited we can hardly stand it!
These girls all grew up a block away from us. My daughters have taken dance from two of them for eleven years.

Totally Cool!!! So, in two weeks when it is the week to vote--vote for the FabFive for me!!!!

Trail Run

When does a runner KNOW they are a runner?

Yesterday I ran 4 miles--it was a bit rough. This morning I did yoga. That is going to take time, lots and lots of time! Tonight I was cleaning the living room and decided that I should run to the barn. We live in the country. However, we live in a little corner--there isn't a lot of options for different running scenery. I go out my door, down the road and decide if I am going to run right or left. I have mainly been running right. It is right down our county road. I run whatever distance I want and turn around.

Tonight I decided to run to "the barn". "The barn" is actually not a barn at all. It is actually called the Recreation Center but we all refer to it as "the barn." Our neighbor built this great facility years ago so that his family and others would have a place to do activities. We hold church events, they hold weddings, reunions, hunting parties, etc. It is up a gravel road, against the mountain. I have walked this trail many times but I have never run it. Tonight it just sounded right. I called MissA and told her where I was going(in case I didn't come back) and headed out. I usually run with my ipod bud in one ear. I don't like both because I don't feel like I am able to be aware of my surroundings. Well, tonight as I started down the first hill I pulled out my earbud.

I usually run in the morning. The sounds are so different in the evening! I continued on my run and turned onto the farm road. Instantly I knew this would be a different challenge. I am not used to having to watch for boulders in the road. I headed down the lane and decided to take the trail that runs up next to the mountain. I am so glad that I did! It was cooler and the smell was heavenly. I could get hooked on trail running. My senses were so much more alert than when I run on the road. They had to be or I would kill myself on a rock or hole! I had to go up a couple small hills and they about killed me. I need to do hills more, maybe I wouldn't be so slow.

As I ran along the canal road I could see across our little town. I noticed the fields and the color of the sky. The sky was that orange buttery color that makes everything glow. I decided to jump the creek(we say crick) where my children love to play in the summer. As I hopped the rock bridge I realized that I hadn't done that the entire summer! I need to find more time to go and sit at the creek, it is so lovely.

My little mini vacation has had a nice beginning!

My little mini vacation

For years I have been telling my friends that I would like to have a vacation at home. However, I wanted to stay home for a few days by myself. Well, I am almost having that little mini-vacation!

We have been going to Flaming Gorge (large reservoir/lake) for Labor day for years. We started this tradition when I was about 10 days from having #2 Mr. M. We have gone every year since. We haven't missed one-he will be turning 13 in a week or so.

What happens when you add two more children and thirteen years to your life? Other people's schedules. MissA is taking some very difficult classes this year, she is also on the tennis team so she couldn't miss school. So, Mr. Sweetness just pulled away with #2,#3, and #4 and I am staying here with #1 until Friday when we will leave and join them.

I haven't had time to think about this little mini-vacation I have been so busy getting everyone ready for theirs. What shall I do? So many options, so little time!

Options:
Read
Start rescue procedures on my art studio
Clean the basement
Make beds
Clean carpets
Vacuum
Read
Exercise
Sleep
Shopping
Dust
Laundry
Read

I am going to go and start my little quiet time experience!

First Day of Preschool 2009

This sweet little boy went to his first day of preschool today! He was terribly excited to go "away" to preschool.

He packed his backpack with his lunchbox and water bottle, put his drawing and papers in and was ready to go. He wondered if the "little" kids would be scared of his shirt.

I wondered if he might be a little nervous but he walked right in and started playing with the toys. When he came out the first thing he told me was that they learned "five little monkey's jumping on the bed." He talked all the way home about all the things they did. He loved that they had yogurt for their snack with a little bit of juice. After a difficult preschool year last year I am glad that he is starting out on a great foot!