Sugar and Spice and Everthing Nice

Spiritual Resolutions for the Whole Family

2011-02-24T15:49:00.000-08:00

This year, we decided to kick our bums into gear and make some family goals. Spiritual resolutions if you will. We decided on the following schedule to help us reach our goals:

Sunday: Family Council (where we discuss up coming events and schedules, complaints and suggestions and basic planning. We also address concerns and talk about other extended family members that may need service or our prayers that week. We also read scriptures to make up for any days that we missed during the week.)

Monday: FHE (sometimes a lesson, occasionally a fun activity. Like this last week. We went down to my mom's in Alpine, and had her show my boys how to grind wheat from food storage and make wheat bread. They helped their grandma measure and mix. The boys each formed their own loaf and put it in the pan. Then we ate the yummy bread right out of the oven with lots of butter and honey! I don't think my boys knew, that wheat, is where we get flour from.)

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: Family Scripture Reading (On these nights, we all meet in the family room at 7:30p.m. sharp for scriptures. We're reading the Book of Mormon. We have an opening prayer, read 4 pages, and close with family prayer. Short and sweet. We felt that 4 pages was a manageable goal for the boys' attention spans. Its worked out pretty good. The important thing is, we're reading!!)

Friday and Saturday are free. We do try to do a family activity together one of the nights-dinner out or take-out and a movie in. Or some other fun activity. Todd and I have date night the other night together, sans kiddos.

For Todd and me, this was huge. We have attempted to do all of these things but have been unsucessful with being able to follow through for a very long time. Or we'd choose one thing to work on like FHE, do it for awhile and give up when the kids gave us grief or when we weren't prepared. I think the trick to making this work for us, was to set manageable and attainable goals in each of these areas. We also have been pretty commited to making it work. And the blessings we've seen and felt...incredible.

This post isn't about tooting our horn. It's about sharing our victory-over the adversary. He is so ever present in all of our lives. Doing these things, help us as a family, to remember we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father who wishes our return to him. All we have to do, is do our part.

Oh, Holy Crap!!

2010-12-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

It's been far too long since I posted. I had to blow the thick layer of dust off my blog and remove some accumulated spider webs, but I'm back!

So, how was Christmas? Ours was filled with cooking, cookie decorating with cousins, house-cleaning, house guests, gift buying and wrapping and visiting friends and family. This year we even hosted Christmas dinner at our house for Todd's side of the family. Thank goodness he comes from a small family-14 w/ kids-so not too bad. We exchanged board games between the families and then played them together. It was a riot! That was something new we thought might be fun to try. It was.

Ethan, turned eight the beginning of Nov. and was baptised the beginning of Dec. He is so grown up. He has a passion for life and wakes up every morning happy and singing some little song. But, like every kid he comes with challenges-both for himself and his parents. He still sits in the lazy boy with me and snuggles under a blanket while we watch T.V. or read a book together. I'm afraid it won't be much longer til he won't be able to sit on my lap. My lap will be empty and I will truly miss that part of motherhood. The sweet tender moments. I also see my boys transitioning more towards spending more time with their dad. Good for him, sad for me. I suppose that's just the way it should be. Lucky for them, they have a very attentive father who loves to spend time with them. I either need to get a new hobby or a part time job!

The Blue Bubblegum Mohawk

2010-04-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

This morning at 6:15 a.m. my bathroom light turned on. It woke me up. I sleepily asked who turned it on. It was Ethan. I said, groggy and annoyed, "Ethan, what are you doing?" He replied, "I'm cutting gum out of my hair!" Not the kind of project you want to wake up to. "Ethan, put the scissors down and I'll help you get the gum out in five minutes. I need to wake up first! Give me a minute." I quickly get my whits about me and stumble out of bed to my bathroom. I thought this would be just a wad of gum in one place in his hair. No such luck. This child, I kid you not, had blue gum in a straight line from his forehead bangs, across the top of his head, down the back of his head ending in a big mess of gum on the skin on the back of his neck! I ran to get the camera so I could remember this precious moment-and to prove to Todd that mornings with our boys are hectic to say the least. But alas-dead battery! Ugh! Unbelievable, a bubblegum mohawk at six freakin' thirty in the morning!! Not to mention, Ethan had cut a couple of nice chunks of gum laden hair from his bangs with my cuticle scissors! I'm thinking to myself-how am I going to get this all out? I ran downstairs to get the Goo Gone. After a soaking application, I began to pull the gum residue from his hair. It took awhile and whallah-gum gone! Now I had to figure out how to fix the bad haircut. I hate it when my kids cut their hair.(talk about a hair raising experience not to mention anguish about how to fix the damage.) A barber girl I am not. A snip here a snip there and he looked pretty Ok. I tried my best. After a shower and shampoo, I sent him off to catch the bus. I was exhausted and it was only 7:55 a.m. This child is going to be the death of me. I know, I know, some day I'm going to look back on this and laugh. However, today, not so much!

Random Ramblings

2010-02-15T17:07:00.001-08:00

It's pretty pathetic that my life is so seemingly boring that I haven't had a thing to blog about in 6 weeks! So here are some random ramblings:

THIS IS IT! A couple weeks ago I rented the Michael Jackson movie "This is It." In one word: AMAZING! I had been wanting to see it. Keep in mind that I was a 15-16 year old, living through the era of Michael Jackson when he was in his King of Pop prime. MTV was pretty new to the scene and M.J.'s "Thriller" song and video was all the rage. In the mid 80's everybody loved and listened to Michael Jackson's music.

I am so glad I watched the movie! It reminded me of just what an amazingly talented person he was. He was a phenomenal performing genius! On the flip side, I feel really bad about the fact that he was plagued by so many personal demons during his life. Sad, that despite all of his talent he had to resort to such powerful drugs just to sleep...drugs that would later cause his ultimate and oh so early, demise. What an incredible loss. I would have paid for tickets to see his "This is It" tour. If you haven't seen the movie-I highly recommend it. You'll see what I mean.

Today, Todd and I took the kids to see the new Percy Jackson Lighting Thieves movie. Cole was so excited to see it. He just finished reading the last book in the series a couple of months ago, and thoroughly enjoyed each and every book. For Cole, that's a big deal. He unfortunately, is not a big reader. However, he couldn't get enough of this series. Cole said for him, it was the equivalent of the Twilight series for me. (And you know how much I loved and anticipated the movies.) The movie was exciting and entertaining. It was well cast, too. I can see why he likes the books. I might even be enticed to read them now.

In the last month, I've been able to spend some much needed time with girlfriends. Friends from my old neighborhood as well as my new one. On more than one occasion, I have really felt grateful for my friends. I can't imagine my life without them! Something about getting together with other women just fulfills a need that cannot be filled any other way. Women just understand each other-and we love to talk-about just about ANYTHING! I always come home a little lighter, a little happier and just plain grateful for girlfriends! They are the perfect balance of sugar and spice in my life.

O.K., enough rambling for one day.

The Toolbox

2010-01-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Today, I realized that I did not come with a full toolbox when it comes to solving problems and generally dealing with my kids. Not only did I not bring to parenthood the tools that I needed, but I also didn't get an instruction manual, either. I didn't get a caution or warning label and I certainly did not get a promise that satisfaction would be guaranteed. Today, I am unsatisfied with my parenting and my kids. To tell you the truth, some days I wonder why my children were sent to me to be their mother. I just don't have the tools I tell you. When I asked Todd this question today, he said that, " they were sent to me so that I could learn." To which I promptly replied, "Yea, like what?" Didn't think about that one before it flew out of my mouth. What more could I possibly NEED to LEARN? Um, like how to accumulate some more tools for that toolbox? Where can I go to find the answers I'm looking for to solve the issues I'm having with my kids? My Mom's answer to that question would be simply to pray and read the scriptures. Can it be that easy? Will the answers come? O ye of little faith?

I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed, O.K., maybe today a lot overwhelmed with the responsibilities of parenthood and how to deal with all of the challenges my kids are bringing to the table as of late. I need some more tools in my toolbox, like how to nail Cole's butt down to the chair so that he can get his homework done and put the screws to him about how important grades are and that his performance in school will be in direct correlation to the kind of adult he becomes. Does he care? Nope. Or all the times I try to hammer into Ethan's head the importance of being kind to his friends and cousins, including everyone and sharing and not saying mean things when he doesn't get his way. And that yes, reading is important, everyday to become a good reader. Maybe I'm not motivating them the right ways...Maybe I'm not....Maybe I need to.... Maybe, just maybe, I need to turn this over to the Lord. He'll know. He'll send me the tools I need, right?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-22T19:50:00.000-08:00

Friends and Family-Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

Note to Self

2009-11-19T17:16:00.001-08:00

I just updated the quote of the day (see right). I'm thinking my life would be so much better and easier if I were taking heed to the things in that quote! Why, oh why, is it so hard for me to read my scriptures on a consistant basis? Or, at all some months. I really could use those promises in my life right now. I think I'll dust off my B of M tonight and do some readin'! If you have any suggestions on how you make scripture reading work in your life, I could use some.

Try These! Sweet and Spicy, Cool and Crunchy

2009-11-13T16:22:00.001-08:00

Been awhile, huh? We celebrated my birthday on Oct. 28th (whoopee!!) and Ethan's on Nov. 8th. In between, both he and I have been sick--him with the lovely H1N1 for a stinkin' week! We're both feeling better thank goodness! I wanted to post Halloween pics but can't seem to find where Todd downloaded them so I'll save that for another time. It's been a crazy couple of weeks!

Last night I made these! De-lish! They are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy & cool and crunchy. I'm addicted to any lettuce wraps so when I found this recipe, I wanted to try them. Even my picky Ethan ate two and said they were really good! (Which he rarely does and says.) I highly recommend these, even though they're not really "Fall fare". They would be awesome in the summertime, though.

If you try these, I'd love to have your review on a scale of 1-10 and any other comments you'd like to share.

P.F. C's Lettuce Wraps

1-2 heads bibb/butter lettuce (depends on the size of your family and the size of lettuce head)
Rinsed, spun dry in salad spinner and refrigerated to get really cold

Chicken Mixture:
1 1/3 lbs. ground chicken (I bought @Maceys)
1 sm. can water chestnuts, drained & chopped
2/3 c. fresh mushrooms, chopped
3 green onions, chopped white & green parts
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Bring 1 TBL. canola oil to high heat in lg frying pan or wok. Saute the chicken til done. Add rest of ingred. Cook until mushrooms are done sweating. Drain any juice/oil. Add stir fry sauce and simmer 4-5 min. more on low heat.

Stir Fry Sauce:
1/2 c. soy sauce
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. rice vinegar

Special Sauce:
1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
2 Tbl. soy sauce
2 Tbl. rice vinegar
2 Tbl. catsup
1 Tbl. lemon
1/4 tsp. sesame oil
1/2-1 tsp. siracha chili sauce

Assemble lettuce wraps by spooning filling into bibb lettuce cup. Top with special sauce and white rice. ( You could also add matchstick carrots and red bell peppers sliced thin.)Fold up like a taco and devour!

Just the Best Breadsticks

2009-10-27T11:47:00.000-07:00

I've decided to add a recipe of the week to my blog. Last night I made homemade Lentil Soup and these delectable breadsticks. They are quick and easy and just the best. They would be great with your family's favorite soup or pasta dish-like spaghetti. YUM! I had some leftover Alfredo sauce and the breadsticks from last night were pretty darn good dipped in that today, for a snack-or lunch;) Give them a try. You won't be disappointed.

Just the Best Breadsticks

1 1/2 c. warm water
1 TBL. instant yeast ( I used the quick kind)
2 TBL. sugar
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix all ingred. together in a lg. bowl or electric mixer with dough hook. (I used my Kitchen Aid stand mixer.) Let knead for three minutes. Turn off machine and let the dough rest for ten minutes. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray. Flour your working surface. With a rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Using a pizza cutter, cut 1 inch strips. Twist each strip and place on baking sheet about 1/4 inch apart. Sprinkle with garlic powder and grated parmesan cheese. (Or, use whatever herbs your family likes: Italian seasoning, rosemary, thyme, poppy seed, sesame seed, Mrs. Dash.) Cover with a towel or plastic wrap sprayed with non-stick spray. Set in a warm place and let rise for 30 min. Bake 15-20 min. until golden brown. Remove from oven. While hot, using a basting brush, coat each breadstick with melted butter. Sprinkle more parmesan if desired. Enjoy!

Sweet is the Work

2009-10-19T19:43:00.000-07:00

Last week Todd and I had the great pleasure of taking Cole to the Draper Temple. It was our first time. With Cole. Just our little family. I wished Ethan could've been there too. We weren't complete, it was bitter sweet. But, it's the sweet part I wanted to blog about. What a cool experience!

Let's back up. Over two years ago, I started working on some family genealogy on Todd's side of the family. His dad is a non-member and his mom a convert to the church-Todd too, he was eight or nine when he joined the church. So, needless to say, there is a lot of work that needs to be done. Lots of family that still need to be found and that are waiting for their work to be completed. I love, love doing family history work! I couldn't find enough hours in my day. I didn't want to stop or put it down. I delved in and got a good start. But then, I had the distinct impression that this was just not my season to do this work. I ended up putting it aside, reluctantly.

Fast forward. My mom, who is serving a part time mission at the Family History Library for the church, called me up one morning. She had a name come to her in the middle of the night. She wasn't familiar with who it was. It ended up being Todd's great grandfather, Frank Kiss, the line I had been previously working on two years earlier. She felt pretty strongly that he was waiting. My mom, who has so much more free time than I do took it upon herself to start researching. Through her research, we were able to get a good start on 10 family names that included Todd's great and great, great grandparents on his grandmother's side.

It was these 10 names that we took to the temple. My mom came along to watch. I did baptisms for four female names. It was really cool because Todd was the one that actually got to baptize both Cole and I for his family. His family! Todd was baptised for his great, great grandfather, Daniel Szekretar, who Todd's dad was named after. How cool is that? I've never done temple work for a relative(s) before. It was such an amazing experience, not to mention that it was Cole's very first time doing baptisms! I don't have the words in my vocab to describe what I was feeling. I was definitely on a spiritual high. We all can't wait to do more family names.

Off the subject, a pretty cool thing happened while at the temple. I ran smack into Christian Nielson-you know Nienie's husband. I am an avid follower of her blog. Earlier that same day they were on Oprah, although I had not watched Oprah yet. I made Todd go talk to him in the men's dressing room at the temple. I wanted "Mr. Nielson" to know just how incredible I think he and Nienie are. They inspire me, daily. She, especially. That's a whole other post.

Anyway, I'm so very glad that I have three temples within 15 min. of my home. I am incredibly blessed to live in this time and in this place. I hope to be able to meet the family members that I did work for when I get to the other side. I anxiously, sweetly, look forward to that.

Need Advice, Got Ideas?

2009-10-07T15:10:00.001-07:00

I woke up in the middle of the night with one sentence on my mind, "Ask Debbie if she has any filters on her computer." Weird. Debbie is my new next door neighbor. Her son Ryan (13) and Cole (12) are great friends. If they're not here on the computer, they're over there. I mean they do other things when they hang out, but one of their favorites is gaming on the computer. So, at 2:30 a.m., my mind is trying to figure out why I woke up out of a deep sleep with that going on in my brain. Is it a warning? An omen? A wake-up call so to speak? A still small voice? Should I be concerned? Should I ask Debbie? What will she think? Or am I just nuts?

I don't worry about the computer at our house-we do have a great filter. I can always walk past my office and see what's on the screen. We've talked a few times to Cole about the dangers of porn. I don't have any reason not to trust him. And, I can certainly be in control of him not being exposed to, or having the chance to view porn at home. But, away from home? That's a different story. To be honest, I've never really given the situation much thought. (Dang it, he is at the age where I have to start thinking and worrying about this kinda stuff.)

So my questions is, how do I protect my child from the evils of porn (accidental or otherwise) when he's away from home?
Any thoughts?

Constant Struggle

2009-09-17T21:27:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: This post is deeply personal and kindof a downer. Pop a Prozac before going further!

I think I'm suffering from post-move depression. Maybe it's just the plain old kind? I have always struggled with depression, probably since I was 21 years old. I went through some really traumatic things that year, which I'm sure brought my predisposition to depression out. Since then its been a roller coaster ride. I have had it on and off since then. I know I had post-partum with my first pregnancy. Not so much with my second. But this past year, my depression has become more challenging. Last August, 2008, I thought I would take a break from my depression medication. I told myself I wasn't depressed anymore (I was feeling good) so why did I need to keep taking it? "I don't need that anymore. I'm fine." Bad idea. During the course of that month things progressively went downhill. I knew I needed to get back on my meds. It's pretty common from what I know, for people that are depressed to talk themselves out of needing to take medication. I don't know why. It's not rational thinking. So, I started taking them again. Because I definitely didn't like the way I was feeling off of them.

When I am depressed, I feel like I have a heavy, wet blanket weighing me down. I have no energy. No pep in my step. I feel tired and run down all the time. I'm cranky. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. Nothing sounds fun. I really don't want to talk on the phone to my family and friends. Todd and the kids just sometimes bug. I just want to be left alone, No demands. So I don't have to fake feeling normal. That takes an enormous amount of energy. Energy, I just don't have some days. (Don't worry, my depression has never come with any thoughts of suicide-I'm not severe, just a little moderate, right now.) It's easier for me to just get thorough it alone, with no pressure or expectations. I know when I'm like this I can only disappoint those around me.

I do have to say, that I'm very grateful for my husband. He is supportive and loving. He listens and reassures. He validates. He tells me It's o.k.-to be right where I am, o.k. to feel the way I feel at a particular time. He is patient with me (and it takes alot of patience) and gives me space when I need it. He picks up the slack for me on my suckiest days. Most of all he loves me despite my depressive episodes and ugly imperfections. I don't know how or why. But I am eternally grateful to him.

My mom called a few weeks ago. I really didn't feel like talking-she calls me all the time. Sometimes daily. It's just too much. She proceeded to ask me if everything was O.K. I debated the answer in my head. I decided to just be honest with her. "No, Mom, I'm not alright." (Like she didn't already know that.) Her response, " Well, what's going on in your life?" Like something has to be terribly wrong to make me feel the way I do. Or like, for hell sake Cami, what do you possibly have to be depressed about...you just moved into a beautiful home, your kids are blissfully happy, they're both in school full time, you have all of this free time to do whatever you want...blah blah blah. I know, it sounds like I should be the picture of happiness. I'm just not. She doesn't get it. Or me. Or depression. Depression isn't a situational disease. It's a chemical imbalance in the brain. Not enough neurotransmitters connecting with the right amount of chemicals in the right way. Next, "Are you taking your medication?" Followed by, "Well do you think it's the right dose?" REALLY?!!? My depression shouldn't be new to her. I've suffered with it on and off for the last 20 years. Unfortunately, for me, she just doesn't get it. I was annoyed with her and came away not feeling the least bit validated. Why did I answer the phone??

Every day is different. I have good days, o.k. days, sucky days. Sometimes it's easy for me to get down on myself and sit on the pity pot asking, WHY? Why me? Why does this have to be my challenge in life. I just want to be normal. I don't want this struggle. (I'm not sure what I'd want in its place, but I know this is not the way life is meant to be lived.) I like to imagine what my life, my relationship with my husband, kids, friends, self would be like if I wasn't depressed. I like to think of all I could accomplish, things that other people take for granted, like my mom. Just getting through a normal day feeling...well...normal, even downright happy. I look forward to feeling that again on a more consistent basis.

I know I'm taking a risk sharing all of this. I don't care. It's part of me. The very ugly part. The part that takes up too much of my energy. I just need to let it go. Talk about it. Admit that I have a constant struggle in my life. That, unfortunately, is normal. We all have things that are ugly and things that challenge us. The test I guess, is how we deal with and become victorious over our struggles and challenges. It's about the journey. The good, the bad and the ugly.

New House...New Baby!

2009-08-26T18:40:00.001-07:00

Meet the newest member of our family...OLIVER!

The boys wanted a puppy last summer. We had just decided to put our house up for sale so, getting a new puppy was not in the cards-with potty training and keeping the house immaculate. SO, we promised them last September that as soon as we got into our new house we could get a puppy. We had them earning "puppy bucks" for everytime we asked them to clean their rooms for a house showing. Little did we, or they, know it would take so dang long for us to sell our house. They really "earned" little Oliver.

It is such a joy having a puppy! I am an animal lover-especially dogs. (I even worked a couple of years at an animal hospital before I met Todd. I loved that job.) We've really taken a step up from the hampsters we've had over the years. Oliver is a Shih Tzu. He is 8 weeks old and sooo darn cute! I think he looks a lot like the ewoks in Star Wars. His little face melts my heart. I'm excited to wake up every morning and play with him and smell his puppy breath when he licks me. The boys love him, too. There is nothing like having a new puppy!

Settling In

2009-08-13T17:27:00.000-07:00

Whew !!!!!

We're finally out of the old house and into the new one! We had to be out of our house in West Jordan on Sat. Aug. 1st by 5:00 p.m. We just barely made that deadline-thanks to our very dear friends-the Browns. Seriously, at noon that day, I was in a panic wondering how we were going to get it all done-packing and cleaning. No sooner had I said a little prayer did the phone ring. Todd answered. It was Tera. She told Todd that their whole family was on their way to help us and that they were coming with Slurpees, too! When Todd came into the bathroom where I was cleaning and told me, I nearly cried. I think I was at the end of a very long and emotional rope. I was very humbled and grateful for the help. The Brown's helped to give us the additional energy we needed (both physically and mentally)to get all of the many tasks remaining-finished! A BIG thanks to our wonderful friends! Unbelieveably, the new homeowner showed up, ready to move in a half an hour early! CRAP! Needless to say we were not all the way ready. I hadn't even had the chance to go look through my house one last time and say goodbye. Maybe it was better that way. So many memories-nine years worth. How do you say goodbye for the last time??

I have never felt so totally and completely exhausted-except after having babies. It has been a long time since I have slept so soundly. (Unlike after you've had a new baby;)

From West Jordan, we went with suitcases and boxes packed with our day-to-day necessities, to my brother's house. We stayed with his family for 5 days and then packed it all up again to stay at my dad's for 4 days. Finally, yes, finally, we moved in to our new home in Riverton on Monday, Aug. 10th. YEA!!! Let me just say moving is one heck of alot of work-and stress. My hair is falling out, kinda like it does after you have a baby. In fact, there are alot of similarities between being preggers, giving birth and the adjustment to looking for a house, moving and the adjustment of relocating. Can you say ANXIETY?? But it comes with the thrill of having something new and different.

Our new house has a 3 car garage. The third car garage is double deep-so I guess technically, it is a 4 car garage. You would not believe that the whole side is completely full of all of our years of stuff. Boxes and boxes and boxes of stuff. I made the decision that once I got it all here (from 5 different places) I was going to be really careful about what came into the house. Because, surely, truly, we just don't need all of this "stuff"! And, I never want to move it all again-EVER!
One box at a time, things are finding their new homes. We are adjusting to a new area, neighborhood, friends and a lovely home. (Not to mention new schools for both of the kids-both get to take a bus-I am jumping for JOY I tell you. No more commuting to South Jordan!!)We are glad to finally be at our "destination". I will post pictures sometime soon-when I find the camera and the stuff to download it to the computer. For now, I just wanted to get you up to speed on our move. And to re-assure you all that I survived and that I am alive.

HELLO???

2009-07-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi friends and family! What has happened to all of you? Nobody is blogging anymore. Damn that Facebook! :(

Oh, Happy Day!

2009-06-26T19:33:00.000-07:00

Our beloved house, sold this week! Yeah!!!! We are so excited to "move" on to the next chapter in our lives. We are also sad to be leaving the house that "we" built 9 years ago, with all of our upgrades and special touches. It has been a fabulous house & yard for us and we will miss it :(

We aren't even talking about saying goodbye to all of our dear friends and neighbors because we know we'll still be in touch and hangin' out a bunch-probably forever. We have made lifelong friends. The kind you want to have til you die. We love the friends we have made over the years. (You know who you are.) Thanks for all of the good times and great memories that we'll be taking with us. We look forward to plenty more! We'd love to have you all over for a little house warming once we're all settled in.

Unfortunately, we have no idea where we will be going. Our plan was to sell, then find a place. SO, I guess that's what we'll be doing in the next couple weeks. Wish us luck. I'm very particular as my friends can attest! Might take a while-or not!? Who knows. It'll be fun to look though!

My First Babe Turned 12 Today!

2009-06-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Coco! I can't believe its been twelve short years since I had you. I remember all the details just like it was yesterday. I am the luckiest mom in the whole world to have a son like you!

The Sky is Falling

2009-05-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Doesn't it seem like some some days (or weeks or months) the sky is falling? Let me explain what I mean. Lately, (it been one of those months) I feel like everything is falling in on me at once-I feel overwhelmed. I have been a hampster running in a wheel. It doesn't help that I am a self-admitted and incurable perfectionist! So, I take on too much, over commit and feel like I have to be everything to everyone and that it all must be flawlessly executed. Super mom, wife, daughter, friend, master gardener, chef, laundress, cruise director, housekeeper, Y.W. leader, party planner, taxi driver, alarm clock, day timer...you name it...I do it...ALL! The list could go on and on. How do I get it all done? And, with a cheerful attitude? Sometimes I feel like if one more person asks me to do one more thing for them, I'm gonna either flip-out or bite their head off or have a nervous breakdown. O.K., B R E A T H E. Overwhelmed, I tell you.

So I ask myself, "How do you simplify? So, that you can enjoy the moments?" Cause, I'm definitely missing a lot of them. I'm simply too busy.

I think I might need a vacation. In fact, Todd and I are most overdue for one without the kiddos. Ahhh...where to go? Tahiti sounds heavenly! Seriously, the beach, the sand, the sun, a daiquiri....instead, REALITY CHECK: I have Stake Youth Conference and Stake Girls Camp to look forward to in June a week apart...not quite the vacation I had in mind. Reality. Stinks sometimes? Don't it? I know, it sounds like I bit into a lemon before I posted this. But really, I just need a quiet place to vent and quite possibly a little validation for all that we are and all that we accomplish as women living in this day and age. It's a lot some months...and some months, the sky is definitely falling! I think I'll run away....FAST!!!

What Would You Rather...

2009-04-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

So, if you had a choice would your preference be to have a great marriage with little money or would you rather have alot of money and be in a not so great marriage? (I know, we'd all probably like both, great marriage with money) but if those were your choices what would you rather? Just curious.

WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL MOTHER NATURE THAT I DECLARED SPRING'S ARRIVAL OVER A MONTH AGO IN MARCH!!!! ENOUGH SNOW ALREADY!

2009-04-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

O.K., So you might think my declaration of spring was a little premature in March, but honestly, my yard is telling me it's spring. The weather just hasn't clued in yet. Maybe Mother Nature is on sabbatical somewhere. She needs to get with the program and usher in the springtime weather! I would appreciate a sunny day with temps in the seventies!

I Declare SPRING Officially Here!!!!

2009-03-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, How I've Missed the Color Yellow!

Daffs are some of my all-time favorite flowers. But, who doesn't love any springtime flower? This little beauty is the only one in my yard. What a nice suprise! I have two weeks to enjoy her. Tulips won't be up for another 3-4 weeks. More color is on its way! Yea!!! It's been a LONG winter this year.

Cabin Fever!

2009-03-13T15:17:00.000-07:00

I have cabin fever. BAD! I cannot wait for spring to come. I am so tired of feeling cooped-up. I am tired of doing the laundry and cooking meals and doing dishes, only to wake-up the next day and do it all again-Groundhog Day is my life! I am so tired of my house-and cleaning it-all the time. It doesn't help that it has been for sale now for 6 months and it hasn't sold yet. Damn the economy! Meanwhile, I have to keep making trips to our storage shed to retrieve items I thought I wouldn't need or wouldn't need to unpack until we moved into our new house. I was hoping not to have to go get the Christmas tree and decorations. But had to. When I took them back to the shed, I moved the box that had the kids Easter baskets in it. I distinctly remember cussing in December, that I better not have to come back to the shed to retrieve them, surely, we would have the house sold. Granted, I still have a month before Easter comes, but, I'm ready for a change. Maybe, I'm just ready for the weather to change, or to see color again, or eat a big piece of watermelon or wear my Capri's. Whatever. I just need something to change. I'm ready to trade cabin fever for spring fever.
How 'bout you?

How "Mr. Chuckles" Got Himself Out of the Doghouse

2009-02-19T14:58:00.000-08:00

On Valentines Day, Mr. Chuckles got himself out of the doghouse. (See Ha, ha, Very Funny post below.) Friday night he came home with a dozen of the most exquisite pink roses, a tiny hot pink bag from Victoria's Secret with some "un-mentionables" that I won't mention, and a dozen chocolate dipped strawberries. The bases were covered! I am a very lucky (not stupid) woman. How could I not forgive him? I wish that I could say it was due to my short memory that he had been forgiven, but, I'm not inclined to forget that last little practical joke, quite yet. Granted, I didn't get these things to make up for what he did, but the chocolate does go a long way to help me forgive and in time, forget. Chocolate can cure anything in my book!!

Todd, I love you! You make life so much fun. Exasperating at times, but fun! XOXOXO

Ha, ha, Very Funny!!

2009-02-12T13:38:00.000-08:00

After a long day of driving home from West Yellowstone, we arrived home to find that the fridge and cupboards were bare (Well, almost. Nobody wanted to eat the leftovers from before we left-gross!) So, once I unpacked everybody and got the laundry started, I headed off to grocery shop. (While Todd, took a nap. Why is it that a woman's work is never done?!!) I went to Macey's to pick up a few things then to Wal-Mart. I purposely parked my car at the very end of the isle, so I could get some walking in from being in a cramped car all day. Besides, have you ever been stupid enough to go shopping at Wal-Mart on a Saturday evening? The parking lot was pretty full. My point is, I distinctly remember parking far, far out in the lot.

I did my shopping with the crowds. Did the self checkout, and headed out to the parking lot. I checked my phone to see if I had missed any calls, yep, two from home. Who's been playing with the volume on my phone, anyway? So, on my way out to my car, I called Todd to check-in and see what he wanted earlier. I got to the end of the isle, where I thought I had parked (still on the phone with Todd) NO CAR! I said to Todd, " Damit, I can find my car! I'm sure this is where I parked!" He says, "What do you mean you can't find the car?" I say, " Well, you know how I sometimes forget where I park!" Sometimes I'm just not paying attention or something. Lately, I've been wondering if it's a lack of estrogen that makes my memory fuzzy? This has only happened a few times before. It's rather frusterating, not to mention highly embarrasing. I decide to start hitting my remote so I can find my car. Meanwhile, Todd says to me, "You don't think someone came and moved your car do you?" "Like who, I said." "Maybe your husband and kids." Lots of hiarious laughing from Todd this whole conversation. I say, "He better not have moved my car, this IS NOT FUNNY!" Still laughing from the other end of the phone. Quickly, I'm getting a little panicked thinking that maybe this wasn't where I had parked the car. After thinking it through, I was positive this was where I had parked! Then where in the heck was my car?? Todd's still laughing til he can't breathe. I'm so irritated, I hang up on him. So, I go back to looking for my dang car. I feel like the whole parking lot is watching me push my loaded cart all over the stinkin' place, laughing at me. Not to mention, Todd and the kids, laughing at home about the wonderful prank they just pulled on dear old Mom! Long story short, I found my car parked on an adjacent isle. I left Wal-Mart fumming mad. All I remember telling Todd when I got home was that when he gets to be my age, pay backs were gonna be a B!!

So, how 'bout Valentines? I'm not so sure I'm feeling it this year for Mr. Chuckles!

Our Snowmobiling Trip to West Yellowstone

2009-02-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

Winter can be BEAUTIFUL! It was 4 below this morning. Burrrr!
Should've seen it-it was snowing glitter! Really spectacular! I didn't want to leave.

Cam & Cole

All of us at Firehole Falls, last time we were here in the winter, Cole was 3 yrs. old!

Going to see...

It's much better to see Yellowstone Park in the winter, including Old Faithful. We got to see alot of wildlife. Bald Eagles, Coyote, a herd of Elk, Trumpeter Swans and of course, my favorite, the Bison. INCREDIBLE!

Aw, aren't they cute in their little snowmobile suits?

Excuse Me...

2009-01-16T20:14:00.000-08:00

Have you ever had one of those moments when your in a quandry about how to handle a situation...tactfully? I happened to stop by my Dr.'s office today. Before taking the elevator downstairs, I realized I really needed to pee-bad! So, I headed into the ladies room, chose the first stall, occupied. Chose the next stall, also occupied. Chose the middle stall got in just in time to barely get my jeans down in time and do my thing. (Does anyone else have bladder control issues??) I reached over to grab some T.P.-NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, EMPTY not a scrap to be found anywhere!

So there I am contemplating my options. First, I think maybe I could just pull up my pants and forget wiping-which would be totally gross and disgusting. Nope, couldn't live with that choice. Next, Maybe I could pull up my pants and ditch into the other stall when it is no longer occupied and grab me some T.P. PDQ and hope my undies don't get wet. Nope, also not do-able without someone walking into the ladies room and wondering what in the_ _ _ _ I'm doing, running stall to stall frantically searching for some T.P. while trying to keep my pants on and my undies from getting wet. That would be just my luck! Panic sets in. Crap, I'm running out of options!! Somedays, don't you think that wearing a depends would be so much easier? So, as a last ditch effort, I decide to suck up my pride and disturb my "neighbor" to the right. I say, "Excuse me," "Hello?" I lean over and wave my fingers under the stall to get her attention and let her know from where the voice she hears is coming from. Voice from "neighbor" lady, " Are you talking to me?" I hesitantly reply, (hoping she doesn't think this is going to turn into one of those infamous "airport" restroom rendezvous or that I need conversational company while I do my thing.) "Could you kindly give me some toilet paper? I have none in here." She laughs and passes me a nicely folded mound of wonderful, white, fluffy toilet paper. I have never been so grateful as I was at that very moment to see T.P.! We exchange some laughs and some other pleasantries, I flush, wash my hands, and hope I don't have to run into my "neighbor" in person before I dry my hands. Gratefully not. I once again thank her profusly for saving my hiney, (no pun intended) and leave the ladies room pride intact.

Good, Mom's Gone!

2009-01-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

Last night, after telling Todd to make grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner, I headed out the door to a Y.W. activity. Ethan asked where I was going and I told him we were going rollerblading. He seemed pretty happy with my reply and promptly said good-bye.

Well, come to find out later, just as Todd came to give me a good-night kiss before heading off to bed, he told me the funniest thing Ethan had said earlier that night after I had left to go to Y.W. Apparently, after the door slammed behind me, Ethan announced to Todd and Cole, " Good, mom's gone! Now we can burp and fart!" Let me translate: That was code for let's get this party started-it's male bonding time! OH MY GOSH!!!! Is this what happens when I leave home?? I refuse to believe Todd is responsible for that kind of comment coming out of Ethan's mouth-or should I wise up?! What the crap??

Whew! It's All Over!

2008-12-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

I'm now officially gallbladderless! Yea! Just wanted to thank with much appreciation, all of my friends (and family) for taking such good care of me and my 3 little men as I've been recovering. From delicious dinners and lunch, to bringing my kids home from school. Thanks for all who called to check up on how I was doing. So thoughtful of all of you, especially at this time of year when we are all being pulled in a million directions. It's nice to know I can always count on my friends when I'm in a pinch...or a stich! Love you all!!

Tis' the Season

2008-12-09T21:24:00.000-08:00

Good Gracious, I haven't posted in a long time! Just seems like I've been hit with a ton of commitments and demands, not to mention working at home doing my billing business. Tis the season for craziness I guess.

One of these days, I'm going to get my Christmas shopping done! I always put it off. Shopping-not at all one of my favorite things to do-especially when things are financially stressed. Just knowing with each purchase I'm getting further and further in debt. Ugh! Sound like fun? Not to me. I guess if I were smart, I'd learn to put a little $$ away each month so that when Christmas comes along, things wouldn't be so stressful. OR I could just win the lottery! Ya, right! I guess I should just be darn grateful for what I do have. Like Todd's job. He works in the banking/financial world and we know how stable that industry is right now. Things look O.K. for him but who knows what the future might bring? So, I 'm glad I have enough. No less, no more. Christmas is by far one of my least favorite holidays. Can't stand all of the commercialism. All of the expectations to buy, buy, buy, give, give, give, get, get, get. However, I am a firm believer in the "reason for the season." I'm trying some new ways to have a more Christ centered home this Christmas.

One bright spot was this last weekend. I had the chance to have a "sleepover" with a bunch of my really good friends. We went downtown to the opulent Grand America Hotel and needless to say had a fabulous time together-talking, eating, talking, a lot of laughing and more talking. We did very little sleeping. The next morning, I woke up with abs of steal from all of the laughing I did. I had a great time with all of you!! :) My life would be so lonely and devoid of happiness and laughter without my girlfriends. It was great to take a break from my other roles and just let my hair down and have a good time. I felt relaxed and rejuvenated at the end. (Although, I came home feeling like I had a hangover! Wonder why?!)

Thursday I head to the hospital for a little tune-up. I'm getting my gallbladder removed. It's something I've been putting off for about two years now and I'm afraid I can't put it off any longer. I'll admit, I've been in denial, plus, who has the time for surgery? Nobody told me I would start falling apart when I turned forty. The bright side is maybe I'll loose some weight. No more greasy fries and cheesy pizza for this girl! However, I won't be giving up my Diet Vanilla Pepsi for anything!! My advice? DON'T GET OLD-that's an order!

Allowance-Yes or No???

2008-11-19T20:57:00.000-08:00

Cole's writing assignment has me thinking, and I'd love to hear what you think.

Do you give your kids an allowance? Starting at what age?
If you don't, why? Do you think you should? Why?
Do you have them earn it or do you just give them a set amt. each week for doing nothing?
If they earn it, what do you have them do?
How much money? Per chore or per day, week, month?
Do you have some say in how they spend it or do you turn it over to them to decide?
What is the consequence if they fail to complete the chore(s)?

Just some questions I'm contemplating myself. Did you have an allowance? What are some of the pros and cons?

Kids Say the Darndest Things...

2008-11-17T18:56:00.000-08:00

Ethan came home from school on Friday and when Todd got home they were talking about Ethan's day at school. E promptly told Todd that Samantha was back at school today. When Todd asked Ethan why she had been gone, he replied that, "she had her testicles removed." I would have loved to be in the room to see Todd's reaction :) SO-Todd said, "are you sure her name is Samantha? and that she's a girl?" Ethan said, "yes." Well then Todd had to remind E that girls don't have testicles. Ethan got a quizzical look on his face and pointed at his throat and said, "what are those things called again in the back of your throat?" "Oh, yea, they're called tonsils!" I about busted a gut laughing when Todd relayed this conversation. At least Ethan used the correct term-just had it linked to the wrong body part!

One more quick one. So, Ethan and I are in the car coming home from running some errands together. Ethan said, "mom, did you know girls are females and boys are e-mails?" I quickly turned around to clarify what he said, not sure I heard him correctly. Sure enough, he repeated the same thing. I didn't dare to laugh out loud for fear his little feelers would get hurt. Secretly, I about peed my pants! Kids are awesome! I found out later he had been learning about opposites in Kindergarten.

Why Blog?

2008-11-14T15:49:00.001-08:00

So, I've contemplated whether or not I wanted to start my own blog. About a year ago my friend, Tera, told me about a blog of another friend we have in common. She said it was all about the trials we all face-it peaked my curiosity. So, I went to check it out, never having read a person's blog in my life. I was hooked! This particular blog's comments on the trials women were going through was heartbreaking and powerful! I spent days afterwards digesting all that I read, stewing over some of the problems my friends, neighbors and people I don't even know were having. Needless to say, it had a profound effect on me. At that time, it was nice to know that I wasn't alone in facing life's trials. There were others. Lots and lots.

Another thing that struck me, was the ability that all of these women had to share-honest and open about everything-the good, the bad & the ugly. This is something that doesn't come easily for me in most situations. I admit, I have trust issues. I guess I've been burned a few too many times. So, I usually play it pretty close to the vest. This brings me to one of the main reasons that I have given in to blogging. It's an exercise in letting go- a little-or maybe a lot. Opening up, sharing and writing about things that are sometimes difficult for me. I'll have to admit, it's pretty uncomfortable. Cathartic? I'm hoping.

Other reasons for blogging? I sometimes feel guilty for reading blog after blog, never contributing my own life experiences for someone else's consumption (not sure they'd want to hear some of them:). I hope there would be something I could say or share that would benefit or help a reader. That would be worth it and so fulfilling. So, I'm commited to giving blogging a try.

My First Blog Ever!

2008-11-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog! I can't wait to start posting. All of my friends have given me a hard time for never reading my e-mail or getting into the blogging scene. Well no more! You are about to embark on a new adventure with me as your tour guide. So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!