Summer has Finally come!

Summer at Last!
My garden is finally starting to look like summer! I just love it when my blossoms start to show their beautiful colors! My peonies are fabulous! Their smell is just heavenly, I can smell it coming through my window in the early morning.

My crazy wild rose bush is more loaded than ever before. I had to remind the Daddy to not trim it in the spring-or else we would have no blooms! It is one beautiful bush but it is a mean thorny thing! This rose bush was from my elderly neighbor Margaret. She has been gone awhile now. It makes me think of her. The other day while I was trying to cut out a wandering start I smelled these yellow roses. I totally remembered being at my Grandpa Roses house when I was a very little girl. The side of the house seemed to be lined by rose bushes. The smell was intoxicating. I know I was small because my Grandpa died when I was six or seven and the house was moved so the freeway could come through. However, in my minds eye I remember that house, the hedge out front, the flowering trees down both sides. I remember sitting on the front step and playing around the side wondering why we couldn't go into the cellar. My siblings and cousins ran around and around while our parents sat on the front step and visited.
Grandpa always had lemon drops and peppermint candies for us. The stairs to upstairs were so very very step. They seemed to lead to the largest bedrooms I had ever seen. In reality, it was because I was so small. My Mom and eight other children slept in those two bedrooms. Two or three to a bed!

I really do love my summer garden.

Hall Closet

The Hall Closet-2010

This closet is in my main hall. It is not a coat closet. It doesn't need to be a linen closet. What it has turned into is a catch-all! I seem to have lots of places in my home that this is the case. Lots of just putting things anywhere there is a space, just to get it put somewhere, even if that somewhere isn't really its home!

This picture is AFTER I pulled out all the blankets, pillows, sheets and other types of linens. It was crammed to the gills!



I pulled out blanket after blanket. I counted fourteen baby blankets that will be going to DI so someone can get some good out of them. I kept many of them because I love the flannel and thought that I could make something out of it. The problem? I am not at the point that I am making things like that and I am drowning in TOO MUCH STUFF!

I did have to call my Mom and have a moment of sadness because I love these blankets. These are NOT the blankets that my kids loved. They are not their Lovies, those I kept. However, fourteen baby blankets? Next were the pillows(why in this closet?) The extra large bedding blankets-just in case. Not the home for them. Old sheets that the elastic is worn out and not cute fabric. Tablecloths, old embroidered pieces that I want to make something from. Just way too much stuff!

This is what my hall looked like--actually this is a little bit better, I must have already put some blanket piles away.



This project has taken much too long. Mainly because all the other aspects of my life continue-even if I am in organization mode! Things like laundry, dishes, dinner, swimming lessons, toilets!


I have had this medium sized tote in the bottom of our pantry for nine years. It is the catch all craft box. The problem is that it is a big box and you have to sift through it to find what you want. I really don't like this. It is just the reason why big toy boxes don't work. The kids have to dump out the entire box to find the red car that is at the bottom of the box! I emptied out the box, threw out a bag of garbage, have another bag of unfinished crafts that will go to DI and I have an empty container for my crochet yarn that has been sitting in a plastic sack on my bedroom floor!!! I also went through my yarn, putting colors together so that I know what I have. Hopefully, I will start to make hats again soon!!



I knew that for my family"craft" closet to work I would need separate containers. So, off I went. I have sorted, purged, junked and finally have a closet that I can open!!




I have all the craft stuff separated into similar things. I have a little box(hidden in corner) for my hot glue gun and extra glue, I have a shelf for wrapping supplies(notice the empty box-that is for scissors, tape, bows etc.) The blue box on the floor is my yarn! Off of my bedroom floor!!!

I am so excited about having this project finished!! Now on to the bathroom closet!!! That is after I clean my bedroom from all the residual leftovers that are either being donated or going to their rightful other homes!

Progress-I am making Progress.

A Pantry Reveal

Pantry Redo!

My Pantry now looks like a pantry instead of a giant catch all! Better yet-my dining room table is no longer covered!!(I did put a bunch of stuff in a laundry basket so we could have a party! )
Next project-hall closet!

Remember childhood summers that seemed to last forever? I want one.

Next on The List

I go through phases. Usually it is just survival. Doing the daily stuff and keeping my head above water just enough. Then I realize that the chaos is drowning me and I better start digging out.
Quite a few weeks ago-maybe even six weeks ago, I started a list. This is a list that really is on going. I write one quite often. This list consists of most of the chaos ridden spots in my house. Places like closets, cupboards, etc. I started on the garage shoe spot. That project took three weeks to finish. I am happy to report that we are sporting a new shoe cupboard. I will hold off on deciding if it is a success-as it took me nine years to call the other method a complete and total failure.
However, I did cross it off "the list".

Stuff from TWO Shelves in my pantry
This is my latest project off of "the list" My pantry. I have a very large walk in pantry. It really is a lovely pantry. The problem is that it is a very large pantry. It serves dual purposes. It is not only the food pantry it is also the broom closet, the kitchen office, and over all catch all for anything that doesn't want to be properly put away!

I have been working on organizing this pantry for the last three years. I have made progress. I have labeled baskets for food that actually mostly work. I have drawers for pencils, crayons, phone books etc. that have actually been working for 8 1/2 years! The problem is that there is still space that is not designated with a very specific purpose. What ends up in this space? Anything! Mostly art projects and such that I want to save. I have a room in my basement that I have drawers for each of my children. The problem is that my children bring me treasures every single day. Usually I put the art on the bulletin board so that we can enjoy them. Then I decide to clean it off but I don't actually take the thirty two seconds to run it to their drawer in the basement.

So--my very large dining room table and counter is covered with stuff from TWO SHELVES!! Two! I am sorting, purging and will be photographing the artwork. I am also considering new containers. I have realized that my family(and me) do better with closed drawers. This way the only things that gets put into these drawers are the things that are labeled. I will be visiting the store in a day or two to purchase some plastic drawers. Baskets with lids work on things that are used infrequently, such as extra school supplies or recipes. But for the rest I must have drawers-that way, I wont just pile!!! I am also thinking about a label maker.

Hopefully, there will be great success to share soon!!!

Scenes of Summer

We finally got some nice summer weather! We have been quite impatiently waiting. We set the pool up over the weekend(it hasn't been up in two years). MissE and the cousins were so happy to start playing in it. They are all a bit toasted today--not quite enough sunscreen! J and his cousins -getting warm on the cement and pulling faces,of course!!

A was exhausted after helping at tennis camp. Dad saw her sound asleep with a ring pop in her mouth. How old is she again?

Memorial Day 2010

Why do five year old boys think that they MUST pull funny faces in every picture that is taken of them?

We had a fun Memorial weekend with my former roomie Steph and her darling daughters. The water was not warm but is was still fun to be out on the water. Steph was brave enough to jump into the frigid water--not me!

First Lost Tooth

May 27,2010 J's First Lost Tooth!!!

At J's preschool graduation he bumped his face. He thought that he had knocked his tooth loose. I looked at it and really just thought that it would tighten back up--there was no way he could lose a tooth already. I was wrong! Two days later he comes running to me with his tiny little tooth. "Mom-it was just sitting on my tongue!" As I looked in the space the new tooth was already up ! Another last! The last time one of my children looses their first tooth! It won't be long before those new teeth need braces!!

Preschool Graduation 2010

J's Preschool Graduation May 25, 2010

My last baby graduated from preschool. MY LAST ONE! I have never been one of those Mom's who cry when my kids go to kindergarten. I have always been so excited for all that they are going to learn. However, with this little guy I have had quite a few of those "last time" moments. He was an extra bonus for us to start with, we didn't think we would get any more babies. From the beginning of his life I knew that he was my last baby. I have tried to pay attention to the little things knowing that as a Mom I won't get to experience it again.

He was so cute at his little graduation. He got to be the flag holder for the pledge of allegiance. They sang songs and then all together threw their graduation hats in the air.

Good Job Sweet Boy!

Dance Recital and Nationals

The girls had their dance recital and then National's at Lagoon. Both of their teams did fabulous!

A's team got overall high golds and then an MVP gold on their A cappella dance--that is the highest award there is!!!

E's team did super as well getting overall high golds.

(recital was May 20th and National's was May 22, 2010)

Happy 17th!!

Happy 17th Birthday!

May 22 was MissA #1 firstborn child's birthday! I use to laugh when "older" people lamented about how fast time goes. I totally understand it now. I have a daughter who is 17 years old-how did that happen?

We celebrated her birthday by going to a dance competition at Lagoon! Hopefully, soon we will have a full day of shopping to really celebrate!!

Happy Birthday Skunke-we love you!

50th Wedding Anniversary

June 3, 1960

50 Years Ago Today my beautiful parents were married in the Idaho Falls Temple. I have been told it was a beautiful day and the lilacs were in full bloom.

The loss of someone you love leaving too soon never really lessens.

(we have had a lot of rain-picture taken at Grandma's - Spring 2009)

Drowning in Mt. Washmore!

My laundry is one of my biggest struggles. So--I am digging down and sorting, washing, folding and putting away mounds. Trying to NOT LEAVE MY HOUSE TODAY!

It is the last week of school so--

*Lovely MissA had her 17th birthday on Saturday--17! Holy Cow, how did that happen?

*dance competition was at Lagoon last Saturday. A's team got an overall MVP award! That is huge-this is the national competition so it is quite an honor--it was also a brand new Acappela dance they had never competed before.

E's team also did exceptionally well with an overall high score.

*A spoke in church, M spoke last week

*J had preschool graduation-my last little person in preschool

*E had a rendezvous field trip

*M hiked to the M and is at Lagoon today

*E has a field day today -games and fun activities all day long.

*Sugar Daddy has been busily working on a service project for a neighbor--hard manual labor kind of stuff.

*M has flag football practice twice a week

*I drive, buy lunches, take pictures and don't get my laundry done!(I am still hitting the gym at early o'clock)

*E had her last sewing class

*E and I had a Mommie Miss party last night and I got my toes painted!

*Graduation is Friday-A will be lighting the M with the Juniors and then taking pictures with the cute boy.

*It has been raining, my flowers are growing nicely, yet so are the weeds! I sprayed yet will need to again.

*We are hoping for good weather so that we can get the boat out on the water.

* I have not gotten much done on my list but we did go and buy a cabinet for the garage and I emptied a bookcase in the basement. Not a big dent but still something!!!

20th of May--Already?

It's Thursday-Thursday the 20th of May. What have we been doing?

*I have still been going to the gym most mornings at early o'clock. I still don't lose any weight. I don't gain weight either. So-trying to figure out how to add more workout time in or how to not eat (at least as much). Have also been trying to pshcye myself out enough to begin running again. I stopped last fall and haven't started-I want to, but haven't made the decision to just do it. It is an overwhelming need to be able to run over 10 miles. Soon!
*Laundry
*Laundry
*Not mopping my kitchen
*cleaning out the corner of my bedroom that has become a catch all of every book I have looked at since September, every skein of yarn and a few extra things thrown in because well-it was a mess, no one would notice.
*writing lists
*trying to accomplish a few things on the list
*not making much progress on the list.
*I sprayed weeds in my flower beds and I want them to die already so that I know if they are dead!!
*I cleaned out the endless pit in the corner of the garage last Saturday. It was designed so perfectly when me moved into this house almost nine years ago. There is a big bookcase for shoes, hooks for coats and backpacks, a shelf up high for coolers etc. The PERFECT CORNER has been a perfect disaster for exactly nine years. The only time that it isn't is the week after I clean it out. So, I have declared this perfect corner system a failure. I will be changing the way that our coats, boots and shoes are deposited. The biggest offender--the Big Mr. M, with his lazy drop of his size 13 shoes and his bag and coat. So, the garage has been under construction since Saturday. It has actually just been at a standstill because Sugar Daddy thinks he wants to go with me to buy a cabinet. It is now Thursday and we haven't parked in the garage since Saturday. Maybe I will go and buy the cupboard by myself.
*planning some trees. I have wanted trees for years. I have to just buy them so that I can plant them so that they can grow. It is so hard to know the types to plant. I don't want trash trees but I do want some variety. I have also waited for the hubby to do it with me--well, I will have trees this year, even if I have to get them by myself.
*We had a piano recital and a band concert last week.
*Dance recital tonight and competition Friday and Saturday at Lagoon.
*E and J both have field trips on Monday. M has a hike, field trip and dance next week.

*School is out on Thursday and the craziness of summer begins!

Chaos Dreams

I have had a recurring dream for years. Well, it is a recurring type of dream. I am usually in college about two weeks into the semester. I start to feel this panic, I start digging for my original class schedule, the one that I got the very first day telling me what courses I am taking and at what times they are. I have this huge fear that I have forgotten a class that I am enrolled in and haven't been going for two weeks. The dream varies from college to college(I did go to five) and on occasion I am in High School.

I had the High School version the other night. It was about a math class that I hadn't been going to and I was trying to figure out what I had to do and when it had to be turned in.

The main theme of these dreams---PANIC--CHAOS!!!!!

The next day I woke up feeling it. The overwhelming chaos of things undone. It took me years to understand these dreams. I now understand them. What I choose to do with the knowledge is another thing.

I had a rather crabby day. It was a good thing that most of my family was away for the day. I don't seem to get as grumpy with the little guy as the others. That will change, he will get bigger and talk more!

About mid-day I realized that I needed a list. I have had these lists a million times. They are actually quite overwhelming. I write anything that comes to my mind that needs to be taken care of. This is the chaos that I am feeling. These things are the panic in my dreams. So, my list encompasses almost three pages. Most of the items begin with--EMPTY or PURGE and is followed by pantry, closet, cupboard, etc.

I am hoping that by writing the list down it can leave the recesses of my mind and let me sleep better. I also hope that having it in writing will help me to actually make an action plan and start checking things off. Toys sorted under entertainment center--check. Books all in one place--check.

I read a book awhile back called The Artist's Way--it is a creative flow type of book. One of the techniques the author uses is what she calls morning pages. You are to get up early and start free writing. Anything that comes to your mind-write it down. It doesn't have to have flow or be good technical writing. The purpose is to free your mind of the clutter so that you can have a more productive day and hopefully a more creative day.

I am hoping that my chaos mind dump of things I need to do will help!!

Random images

Sometimes it is just funny the images I find on my camera. Other images can be --well--a bit disturbing!!

Mother's Day 2010

Happy Mother's Day Mom!



I was blessed to have lots of lovely flowers to brighten my day! E and J hiked the mountain and came back with lovely wildflowers-just for me. Big Daddy brought me a lovely bouquet with pink roses, lilies and other beautiful things.

I am a lucky girl.

(someday I might write about how conflicted I am about such holidays--just not today)

YouTube - My New Life

I have been following Stephanie and Christian Nielsen for a couple of years. They were in a plane crash and were severely burned, Stephanie over 83% of her body. I have been touched many many times by Stephanies writing. She loves motherhood--she makes me want to do better-makes me want to remember how precious my children and husband are---makes me just want to enjoy every blessing--even the dirty dishes and the messy floors---for they too, are a blessing.


Click on this video--it will touch your heart.



YouTube - My New Life

It is calling to me!

Remember my HUGE pile of yarn? I haven't been doing anything with it for quite some time. It sits and almost haunts me! I am actually wanting to make something beautiful with it again! I just picked up my favorite fifty year old sewing machine from being serviced, maybe there is some sewing in my future?

Now if I could just get the pantry organized first! Any one want to come and help?

BYU Women's Conference

Lots of things going on around here.

Last week I had the opportunity to go to BYU Women's Conference. It was two days of classes/talks about varying topics.

I was fed. In fact I was fed so much that I am now really trying to grasp some of what I was taught. It is interesting how that works.

Sister Julie B. Beck(LDS general Relief Society President) gave a stirring talk about motherhood. She was fabulous! Funny tidbit-we had a regional broadcast Stake conference on Sunday and she gave the same talk---it was fabulous both times! I think that it was even more profound the second time because I got even more understanding.

We listened to talks about delegating, humanitarian projects, family bonds, motherhood, being the Lionness' at the Gate of our homes-protecting all that we are entrusted with--how to just forget about who's responsibility it is and just get to work.

Now to try and incorporate these things-in more tangible ways. That is always the struggle, to really try and do what we KNOW is right--just because it is right-not always easy!

We also had some fabulous evening entertainment. I have found some new music that is so wonderful. Hillary Weeks, Daniel Beck, Alex Boye and Dallyn Bayles, Mercy River and the always popular Micahel McLean. If you need some new inspiring music look up their names! Deseret Book online would have all of them. We were also pleasantly surprised to have The Fab Five dancers from Americas Got Talent! It was so fun to have our home town girls perform at such a big venue--and quite an honor for them!

When?

As I was pulling the sheets off of my bed to launder I had a shocking realization.

I have no clue when my children's sheets were last washed!

Eewwh!!! That is just gross!! So, off the beds they came! I need a little genie that keeps track of
all the little things that need done. When they are accomplished a little check mark is given!

*wipe the baseboards--check
*clean the drip tray on the fridge--check
*wash the walls behind the beds-check
*dust the cold air return-check

Perhaps if there was a little genie that had a schedule these types of things would always get done!?

However, I am not the type to make myself detailed Martha Stewart lists that have everything detailed to the point that I know that on March 30th I need to dust the back of my computer monitor. Somehow, there has to be a happy medium. I will not be a slave to a million detailed lists but having a working(for me) system helps. Figuring out what that system is for me and my family is the hard part!!

Washing sheets regularly is a good start!

How?

I am continually trying to figure out how to create desire within my children.

Having them do because it is right does not create the desire to do it. Doing it
because it is a responsibility of being in a family does not create the desire.

How?

Sometimes life is just a bit crazy--well more often than sometimes! It is usually crazy.

A few things we have been doing--

*dance competition for the girls--overall golds-team and studio!!!
*laundry
*funeral for Vonda
*Mr. Sweet Sugar Daddy's birthday
*laundry
*learning to eat sushi(very, very good)
*working out at the gym at 5:00 am
*trying to not fall asleep at 9:15 a.m.
*laundry
*cleaning out last years growth from the flower beds
*cleaning out last years growth from the flower beds
*cleaning out----oh, I said that all ready
(please remind me in the fall to cut things down!)
*grocery shopping--these people just keep eating
*braces for E
*laundry-same load seven times and still counting-can't get the stink out(petroleum smell--any suggestions)
*ordering my first Bountiful Basket of fresh produce
*dishes
*bathrooms
*reading books
*hugs and kisses
*refereeing the squabbles

I am certain that I have forgotten other things--oh, like cooking meals. I am busy, maybe someday I will not have dead things to pull up!!

Afternoon entertainment-teenage boy style!

(notice the knee pads!)

Having teenage boys is certainly a different adventure than the teenage girl!

M and his buddy decided to create their own "nitrus circus" . The found an

old trike on the junk pile, it's tire barely hanging on after fifteen years of use.

They hooked it to the back of the four wheeler and pulled it down the road.

It made it quite a ways before the support fork broke-not the faulty tire!

After the trike died they decided they needed something better. They went looking in the neighborhood junk yard--they found the chair!

THE CHAIR OF DEATH!

They found this old chair and a piece of old metal. They attached the metal to the bottom of the chair. They then pulled the chair-like a sled around the field. They made it most of the way around before the metal cut the rope.

Luckily they did have safety gear on!

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

After almost 17 years as a Mom it still surprises me! How did that little

baby of mine get to be so big?

MissE turned ten yesterday--April 19, 2010! 10--that is a really big number.

Somehow there is something big about turning ten. It is like it is the official end of

being a little kid. You still are a little kid but there is just something different

once ten happens.

E helped me decorate her cake. I was happy because I got to use my cake stand.

Things just look prettier on a cake stand! I am so happy that they have come back

into fashion. They were out for a long time because they just weren't "practical."

Tupperware containers that transport things came into style. They did keep things from

drying out but they certainly weren't full of any style!

M is always teasing the little man. He always wants to dump him upside down--which J has hated since infancy. They are so so silly together.

The little man and his cousin"Jo" ---"Jo" just isn't quite up to speed on the silly game yet!

All in all I think that E had a happy birthday. I went to her class at school, played the crazy birthday song, got her class dancing and brought treats. She decorated with balloons and opened some fun gifts.

Here is to a great year! 10 is BIG!

Anyone want to come and do my dishes? Oh, and while you are at it would you finish up the laundry, clean up the mess on the floor downstairs, organize my pantry and closets. After that would you clean all the dead growth from last year out of my flower beds? My little crocus are trying just so hard but are struggling for some space!

20th Anniversary April 14, 2010

Happy 20th Anniversary!

I would do it all over again!