The Sometimes Wild Wests

I might die... or cry...

2011-10-05T14:02:00.000-07:00

I feel pretty sick.
Some pictures are missing.
Ballet pictures.
...and pictures of T applying lip gloss for 20 minutes before her 1st ballet lesson.

I was going to blog them last night, but I can't find them ANYWHERE!

Update

2011-09-29T23:06:00.000-07:00

Me: I am still a busy mom and wife. I am still collecting coupons and am actually enjoying doing it :) On my first attempt to use the carefully cut scraps, I saved 50% on my shopping trip! Nice! It's been a month since I started a new book. I started one, but it didn't hold my attention... I'll try it again, soon. I open my doors each morning with the hope that the air will be brisk... no such luck, yet! I keep having great ideas for projects around my home, but seriously lack the vision to get them going. That frustrates me. i hope to be finished with my Christmas shopping before Halloween... doing very well so far! I have a friend who calls me Pollyanna . I like that.

(R and I with Dr. Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General of the United States)

R: ...is now Chief of Physical Therapy at work. It was a long time coming! He's definitely the brains of this operation. R organized a day trip for us all to the Tonto Natural Bridge last weekend. It's one of our favorite family outings! He also takes very seriously his responsibility to lead and guide our family's spiritual growth. He is the one who makes sure we have family home evening and study the scriptures together. That is such a huge blessing for our family.

K: She's in her 2nd year at BYU. K has a great condo and great roommates. In her choir, Singers, she is singing alto for the first time in her life. She loves it, and it gives her a great opportunity to focus on training her soprano solo voice. The Singers will head to England this summer, so K is looking forward to that! Granny & Opa are picking up K tomorrow to spend the weekend with them in SLC. The following weekend, she will be here with us so she can be here for a friend's wedding. Hooray!

L: is as busy as ever. Drum line is pretty much the coolest group on campus. It is so fun for him, but is also a huge time commitment. Marching competition season is upon us. That means extra evenings and Saturdays. He's doing really well in his classes and choir, luckily! L just passed the board of review required for him to receive his Eagle Scout award. Hooray, again! I guess the next project will be driving...

J: Started wrestling at the Jr. High. Unfortunately (for him, not me), he broke his right pinky finger in the first match. (I had to explain to J how fortunate this is that his dad can make his splint in the kitchen and that people pay lots of money for custom splints. He still didn't think it was cool...)

This boy is an excellent student. His teachers really love him. Sometimes, he surprises me in the middle of the day by bursting through the front door and then out just as quickly as he's forgotten a book, or paper, or something. Lucky for him classes are right across the street and he is really fast during his 5 min passing period!

L: Is progressing in karate pretty quickly. His sensei says he's a natural! L just worked hard and received his arrow of light award in webelo scouts. L is my best and fastest dishwasher emptier and potty scrubber... although not simultaneously... ewwww! L likes that his teacher has a lot of their 5th grade homework posted online because it gives him a great excuse to use the computer.

T: has started pre-school 3 days a week. He is in angel school at Rita Lyon's and has fun new friends there. He pays attention well and writes well, too. At least it's legible, so far! He thinks he's outgrown naps, but is sure exhausted by the end of the day. I can still get him to snuggle by me for a bit if I promise some time playing Wizmo's Workhop or Wii. Funny boy! I love that he loooooves to help!

T: takes a ballet class on Tuesday mornings. She absolutely loves it, and that is probably an understatement. She will sit and apply lip gloss or chapstick for as long as I let her. A couple of weeks ago, as she and I watched the homecoming assembly at the High School, she grabbed my face between her 2 hands and said "Mom, I want to be them!" as she watched the pommies and cheerleaders perform. She was mesmerized. T just turned 3 and got a small version of Ariels wedding dress. She wears it whenever and where ever she can!

We are healthy, happy, and mostly, oh so very blessed. xoxoxo

I'm In...

2011-08-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine started couponing (is that a word?) about 4 months ago and has started to "save her family TONS of money".

WOW!

Who wouldn't want to do that? I do...
So, the other day, when she was here cutting every head except mine and then 1 extra head, too, she explained her method.
She mentioned that she was having a class at her house, being taught by the expert who taught her all she knows.
She invited me and I was busy, dang.
Today, R informed me that he thought this could be really useful for our family and if I couldn't go, he would.
He's brave like that. Rooms full of women don't scare him.
I re-arranged my schedule.
Yes, the method involves a paid website.
Yes, I subscribed to that and multiple copies of the Sunday paper which will be pilfered for their coupons and then promptly tossed in the recycle bin.
Yes, I may have just proved to the world that I am looney. I feel it.
Or, I may actually save a few bucks and get to go on a trip with my hubby as a reward.
That's VERY big incentive to make it work.
I'll let you know how it goes, but give me several weeks to build up my stockpile of coupons before I start the actual savings...

I am a skeptic... R is a believer :)

Things I've Remembered This Summer

2011-08-16T00:08:00.001-07:00

#1 I love to read...

I have enjoyed several books, lately, but most recently finished a great 6 book series called The Great and Terrible, by Chris Stewart. Thanks, Dentons for the great suggestion!

#2 4 yr old boys are one of our Heavenly Father's most wonderful creations, EVER!

T is just a busy body, cracking-up, diggin in the sand box, popsicle eating, hard sleeping, snuggly, board-game and wii playing, tree climbing, sister teasing, joke telling, song singing bundle of wonderful who is constantly asking me, "What can I do heyopfuw?" (translation... helpful) Oh, I just love that boy!!!

#3 Summers in AZ are toooooooo hot!

With both of our extended families living here, we keep wondering just who's great idea it was to stay! I mean, come-on, there are sooooo many not so hot much prettier places to live than here! I like it just fine, but when I don't get to escape the heat at least for a few days during the summer, my brain frys like an egg on the sidewalk outside...

#4 Everyone loves to be loved.

It is a common denominator. Being kind to people feels good to them and me.

Dog Days of Summer: Robin Hood Edition

2011-08-08T09:20:00.000-07:00

Basically, here is July...

Monday through Friday practices from 3-6.

First, Saturday mornings, and then all day.

R made and donated 10 swords "cause they needed cool ones".

Smiles on the faces of Little John and Gideon (the sheriff's left hand man)

A proud and excited little brother.

...and grandparents...
A week of performances at the Mesa Arts Center.

I just cannot say enough about AYT...
We love them!

The Dog Days of Summer: Bug Wars Edition

2011-07-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

WARNING:
THIS POST MAY BE DISTURBING TO YOU.

IF YOU ARE BOTHERED WHEN POISONOUS CREATURES ARE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO BATTLE TO THE DEATH IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE...
STOP READING.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

(And, no, I am not raising anti-social serial killers... we would never think of harming something cute or cuddly... like I said, it's in the name of science...)

This is an emerald jewel wasp...

Carefully saved in a jar on the counter until nightfall, when the boys could catch this...

a scorpion...

Combined into one jar/arena...

Make sure that lid is on TIGHT!

Who won?

The wasp!

How, you ask? After watching a little you-tube video to enlighten ourselves, we learned that the poison that the wasp carries "zombifies" its' prey.That was more than I wanted to know about a creature found in my backyard... we carefully placed the jar containing both bugs in the freezer overnight. We then put the popsicled bugs in the green barrel with all the other organic materials headed to the composting place... good riddance!

She's Developed an Opinion...

2011-07-13T09:41:00.000-07:00

"No bows!!!"

...well, ok. If that's how you feel about it...
Luckily, I can still get away with it if she doesn't notice when I tie them in :)

Irony...

2011-07-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

For several weeks now, I have been hand feeding a bird.

It's no fancy bird...
It's the fall-out-of-a-tree-too-young-to-fly-or-feed-itself kind of bird.

I taught it to fly
...by making it exercise it's wings
...by giving it that little nudge over the edge
...by even giving it a little toss...
now it can flutter across the kitchen to land on my head
and more importantly,
across the yard.

It still eats baby bird mash from a syringe and pecks a few seeds.
I have a feeling that it is old enough to not be hand-fed,
but I'm not quite sure how to teach it that.
And, we named it Winky.

While I do see a really great parenting correlation here,
at the moment, I'm not looking for lessons, it's all about irony...

While driving in my van this morning,
I hit 2 birds...2!!!

Who does that?
I have been driving for 24 years and this is a first for me!
One, ran straight out in front of me and ended up a puff of feathers in my rear-view mirror.
The other swooped low across a major road and after hitting my grill, flopped into on-coming traffic.
After the first one, I was in shock.
The second one...
All I could do was scream and then laugh like a lunatic...
pathetic.
My boys, all of them, thought it was hilarious!

So what is to become of Winky?
I would like to know.
He has some outside time each day, but just doesn't fit in with the other birds.(He even flys away from them, I think I need to put a mirror in his cage...)
He doesn't even look like them , really...
he cocks his head funny,
his feathers are ruffled,
and he doesn't keep his wings tucked up tight.
He had no bird mom to teach him bird hygiene or bird posture.

So here I am, a person with NO PETS, raising a wild animal in my kitchen and killing 2 others in the same day.
Yep...ironic.

Les Mis

2011-07-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

When Les Miserables came to Tempe in June, R was determined to take our 4 oldest kids.

They all know the music and were as excited as can be.
We realized a week prior, that L had cub scout day camp and couldn't go...lucky me... I got his ticket.(I have seen the show before, and didn't think we needed to spend the $ for me to go with R and the kids.)
The music WAS amazing, but we were disappointed in the raunchiness of a couple of scenes.
I KNOW what the story is... I HAVE read the book... I KNOW it's art...
It just didn't NEED to be so graphic... leave a little to the imagination, please!

Before the show, R got an email announcing a question and answer session with some of the cast immediately following the show.
That was amazing.
We met the crew member in-charge of all the moving parts on the set, the actors who played Combferre, M & Mme Thernardier and Jean Valjean.
They were so kind and happy to chat.

We were all super impressed by this percussion pit. Here's the drum set... This and more all played by ONE percussionist!

At the END of the month, L performed in the school edition of the same play.
Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, but captured a few blurry photos with my cell phone...
He played the bishop, Combferre (a student), and in the ensemble.He had a great time and did a great job.So many people commented to me on his really nice voice...
cause it IS reeeaalllly nice!

After the last performance, all the cast and audience went outside and enjoyed Mesa's great fireworks show.As the fireworks exploded overhead, all the cast sang "Can You Hear the People Sing".

They will remember that forever.

Fun at the Freedom Festival

2011-07-03T08:56:00.000-07:00

Huge props go out to Mesa for hosting the Freedom Festival on Main St. Friday and Saturday.
We happened upon the festival by chance
and were soooo lucky we did.

We went on Friday, with hopes of seeing fireworks...
knowing that I was busy on Saturday...
not knowing where to watch them on the 4th.

There were NO fireworks on Friday.
This said, the festival was still worth every minute we spent there.

One area was kids' carnival games and a fishing demonstration. FREE

One area was bouncers. FREE

One area was water slides and water bouncers. FREE

Concerts. FREE.

We played and strolled and danced in the street.

We admired the flags
and memorials of fallen soldiers
and the model of the USS Arizona
and the models of some of the sights in the nations capitol.

We ate dinner and a treat.
(For less than $20!)

We stayed until the last possible minute
and had
so. much. fun.

Happy Birthday America!

Happy July... Where did June Go?

2011-07-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

July is one of my favorite months.

I love that July means we are in the middle of the year.
I love July means we are intrenched in summer.
I love that July comes with patriotic celebrations.
I love that July means more sweet corn and watermelon.
I love that July brings a lot of time to splash in the pool with cousins and slip slide at Sunsplash.
I love that July reminds me that my Pioneer ancestors completed the trek.

We are smack in the middle of all of our summer stuff.
Stuff means... summer theater, summer school, and summer schedule.
All important.

Our 3 big boys are busy with performances and rehearsals with AYT.
L is enjoying his week of performances in Les Mis at the Mesa Arts Center. Every performance is sold out and there are rumors of extending a week if another theater can be found quickly. L is in the ensemble and plays the Bishop and Combferre (a student). You can find him in just about every scene.
Ja and L just started rehearsals for Robin Hood. It will also be performed at the Mesa Arts Center, but not until the last week of July.
The downside of having all these stars in the family is that I have given up any chance of heading out of town to escape the heat...

L is taking summer school each morning. We have found it to be an unpleasant necessity for the kids in high school who take a lot of music and release time seminary. But at the same time, the payback for him is marching band, drumline, and choir. He is so excited for his upcoming senior year!

Summer schedule has been the hardest for me to love. The kids want to stay up late and then sleep in... duh! But with the temperatures soaring, no one has any productive energy after about noon. That means we get the important things done early, or not at all. And for me, that just isn't an option. Some days I feel like a slave driver and it has been hard for me to find a good balance of work and fun. We have tried to compromise by having Fridays officially dubbed "Sleep in Day". It's been very popular :)

One other thing I love about this July... I am about 1/2 way finished Christmas shopping!
Shhhhhh... don't tell...

Monday, Monday

2011-05-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

I started the week off by staying up til midnight Sunday night. It seems that J, in jr. high, had a book project due today that takes the place of the class final. I intended to stay up with him for the duration, but at 12, I could no longer keep my eyes opened as I tried to help him type. I told him to keep working and let me know if he needed anything in particular. I would just rest a little on the couch...

I guess at 2, he told me he was finished for the night and we could work some more in the morning.

R found us curled up on the couch and chair at 5 am and wondered why I wasn't curled up by him:)

At 8, I had an appointment for my yearly physical. Pleasantly, I was informed that I was off the hook for a pap smear this year, but was ready for another rite of passage: scheduling my first mammogram. Pleasant, I don't think so, but important, yes. At least it's not the dentist.
(WhichI also need to schedule, but am a huge baby about...)

When I got back home, we finished the book project just in time for me to pack J a lunch and send him out the door. He even combed his hair!

Only a few days of school left and we have finished another year. It always feels like such a huge relief! I do have to admit, though, that since we changed 4th grade schools in January, life has been much more pleasant for L, and for me. He is a happier boy who is enjoying school as a 4th grader should:)

As for summer, 3 of our 6 have auditioned for productions with Actors Youth Theatre. We have had children in their productions in previous years and love them. J and L will be doing Robin Hood in July. L will be in Les Mis in June. Both shows will be preformed at the Mesa Arts Center. With rehearsals, scout camps, summer school and band camp, we will be at home this summer, but at the water park in our "free" time, thanks to Santa.

Besides having these obvious commitments, I am hoping to accomplish other things as well. I have started to accumulate wish lists from my kids and hope to incorporate as many of those summer fun ideas into the schedule.

We will have chores and projects and fun. Hopefully!

First things first, happy end of school!

Flying

2011-05-18T00:27:00.000-07:00

I caught T giving this little guy lessons.
It's ok, we all need help, sometimes!

A Life Lesson From Millionaire...

2011-05-08T22:47:00.000-07:00

Remember the show?
The contestant is asked increasingly difficult questions for increasing dollar amounts... as the contestant is stumped, they have 3 lifelines to use. Friends who have the answer in a jam...

A recent tough question asked by L after a day of fishing... "Now what do I do?" The question was asked as he pulled 2 catfish from my gallon size igloo thermos. One was dead, one wasn't.

My solution: Phone a Friend...

Joe said he would be right over.

He brought an electric fillet knife in it's own attractive carrying case. This knife had click on battery packs similar to R's power drill and leaf blower.

He demonstrated the procedure and then let the boys try their hand.I love this one with T peeking through!

Before he left, Joe had me grab a pen and paper and write down a recipe. THE recipe. I had written off eating catfish after my one other attempt to cook it for my family. This time, it was fantastic! We all loved it and even T kept asking for "more fish"!

Now, theoretically, we know what to do for next time.
I will still probably still phone a friend!

2011-04-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

It's time.

Time to check in.

This month I have been gardening.
We are growing green-beans, cilantro, basil, lemon-thyme, oregano, pineapple-sage, chives, peppers, squash, carrots, beets, radishes, strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, onions, eggplant,10+ types of tomatoes, cucumbers, and tomatillos.
The harvest has just begun, and I can hardly wait.
There is nothing better for me than picking dinner out of the backyard!

This month, I have been reading.
Mom loaned me her These is My Words series by Nancy E. Turner and I love them.
I just cried myself through the end of the 2nd book and can't wait to start #3 tonight!

This month, I have been worried about beds.
We have them, all we need.
We have even had extras to share while having 7 friends from afar come to spend a few wonderful days from North Carolina.
(I don't have 7 extra beds, we "all shove over" and make room)

But the reality is that some people don't have beds...
or cars...
or food...
or medical care...
or an education...
and they live close by, not in another country,
and it hurts my heart.

I think that is why sharing was invented.
Sharing a harvest from The Lord,
sharing a book from Mom,
sharing a bed when you have an extra.

Thank-you for sharing!

Today's Adventure

2011-04-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Potato bug races across the kitchen table.

We have been spending hours outside, in the garden. Citrus is mostly juiced and frozen, boysenberries pruned, peas climbing, tomatoes blossoming, rows sprouted and thriving, and pecans have been collected. We are trying a bigger variety of herbs this year, and added peas and beans and eggplant as well. The eggplant blossoms are the most gorgeous purple, they have definitely earned their keep!

For some reason, gardening, family, housework and church assignments seem to be all I can wrap my mind around, lately. But, that is enough. I have great job security :)

A little bit of this and a little bit of that...

2011-03-09T07:45:00.000-08:00

This is one of the places I found T, yesterday.

See all the ingredients she so carefully got out of that upper cupboard?
She even closed it, again.

All my other "chefs" were dumpers at this age.
Not T.

She had gotten out that stainless steel bowl and carefully measured each ingredient.
A teaspoon of this...
A teaspoon of that...

She made us a lovely "dinner".

In the Leafy Tree-tops

2011-03-04T22:42:00.001-08:00

Family Night

2011-03-01T22:28:00.000-08:00

Monday night is family night.

We had our song, prayer, calendering, story about Jesus, story from The Friend, and lesson from Preach My Gospel. I left part way through, to bathe the "littles". They never last that long, but R and the boys have some really great discussions and take turns teaching each other.

If I hadn't been fast, I would have completely missed it.
If I had been faster, I could have made the camera work to video the trick.

I came into the room to find R, L, J, and L all in push-up position.

It was time for a contest.

Long story short... (you're welcome)

R won the contest by doing a push-up with L (153 lbs.) and J (100.3 lbs) balanced over his shoulders.

It was awesome.

What has been keeping me busy?

2011-02-22T11:19:00.001-08:00

Doesn't she just look like trouble?

Let me tell you...

She is!

Here is a recent timeline:

Thursday dinner: she put a bean in her nose. We decided to go see our pediatrician on Fri. to retrieve it.

Friday morning: slipped and split her lip while we were in Phoenix. With the bean AND the lip, we just decided to go to Phx. Childrens' hospital. We love that place.

Here's the best picture I got that evening.

Sunday evening: slipped while we were visiting with friends. Almost split her eye. You can see the addition of the mark on her left eyelid, here:

Monday: I got a visit from my next door neighbor, "I've taken T off the top of the back wall twice, now. She keeps dangling her legs over into our yard, which we don't mind, but I am just afraid she will fall." Me, "thanks, she will. I'll put away the ladder and lock the chicken coop."

Tuesday evening: R, L, J, and I each had meetings, concerts,and karate, so Granny kept L, T and T for me. I didn't pick them up until 9. They were bathed and happy and watching Eloise on the couch with both of my parents. When I asked how the kids were, I was told they were "just as sweet as can be".

Wednesday: I called my sister to see if she could watch T while I went to the cannery. She said, "yes, but not if she's gonna pull a stunt like she did at mom's!" Then proceeded to explain how T had poured a jug of juice across the counter, into the drawers, and across the floor. At mom's. I told my sister I could bring T with a straight jacket if she wanted.

Thursday: I kept T buckled in a car seat while we ran errands, and then let her play in the yard at Mom's while I apologized. She let herself out of the yard to visit a neighbor...

Friday morning: When I picked up T from my sister's house and asked how things had gone, she showed me the dresser that had been knocked over. I guess using the drawers as a ladder was the quickest way onto the top bunk.

This girl just moves from one adventure to another.
This week I have found her sitting on the counter, in the fridge (relax, the door can't close when she's in there), under the utility sink, in the dryer, in my shower, and behind her brother's drum set.

She loves hotdogs, her kids (which ever bunch of stuffed toys or plastic characters she happens to be toting around), her sister, our back yard neighbors, juice boxes, each brother, and even me.
Mostly, she loves her dad.
She melts for him and he melts for her.

She is a mini tornado these days as she leaves a trail wherever she goes. It's fine with me when it's just stufties and tea-lights and not blood and tears.

Her nicknames are Sister, Suzy, Suzy Kabloozie, and Bruiser.

I have found her perched here, 6 times in the last 3 days.

Maybe she is looking for a way to get over, or on.

But then again, it could be a distraction to hide the fact that she started a tunnel.

She is her sister and 4 brothers all rolled into 1 cute person.

And I will be glad when she is a little more predictable.

2011-02-18T07:44:00.000-08:00

My dear blog,

I am so sorry to neglect you. I have much to show and tell, but alas, it is not high on my list of priorities right now. We had a lovely Valentine's day. We did a little re-arranging. We are all sharing 1 bathroom as the other 2 are out of order. And, that little T is really giving me a run for the money. She's turning me grey... er, or more grey, more quickly. I shall return when budget meeting is prepared, taxes are ready, and T is asleep or buckled into a straight-jacket. Or, when all my ducks are in a row...

Love, Jen

Teaching and Learning

2011-02-08T08:33:00.001-08:00

Sunday, I had the chance to teach a lesson in Relief Society.

I heard this talk in September and loved it. Here is an excerpt and the way I opened my lesson.

A young couple, Lisa and John, moved into a new neighborhood. One morning while they were eating breakfast, Lisa looked out the window and watched her next-door neighbor hanging out her wash.

“That laundry’s not clean!” Lisa exclaimed. “Our neighbor doesn’t know how to get clothes clean!”

John looked on but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, Lisa would make the same comments.

A few weeks later Lisa was surprised to glance out her window and see a nice, clean wash hanging in her neighbor’s yard. She said to her husband, “Look, John—she’s finally learned how to wash correctly! I wonder how she did it.”

John replied, “Well, dear, I have the answer for you. You’ll be interested to know that I got up early this morning and washed our windows!”

Tonight I’d like to share with you a few thoughts concerning how we view each other. Are we looking through a window which needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don’t have all the facts? What do we see when we look at others? What judgments do we make about them?

Said the Savior, “Judge not.”¹ He continued, “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”² Or, to paraphrase, why beholdest thou what you think is dirty laundry at your neighbor’s house but considerest not the soiled window in your own house?

None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions.

There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: “Judge not.”

I know my windows need cleaning. And I love that none of you worry about that. I love that I can click and scroll and find out what is going on in the lives of other women who have lives similar to mine and whom I admire. They remind me to notice blessings and beauty and add humor to my perspective.

As I prepared to teach, I decided that I can be kinder and more forgiving. I can remember that most people really are doing the best that they can. Most need encouragement and smiles, not scowls and criticism.

Love One Another.

I can do that. So can you.

2011-02-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

I am linking tonight. It's late in the day, but this is when I finally have time to think.

Jen, at the Denton Sanatorium posted this challenge:

We as women are bombarded with images of what perfection should look like. And, if you're anything like me, it doesn't appear when looking in the mirror.
I spent a good ten minutes staring in the mirror, trying to look past all the flaws and imperfections and issues I wrestle with every day. I wanted to really SEE myself. It took me close to five minutes to decide on one facial feature that I consider quite beautiful.

Straight after a shower or after you've washed your face, take some time to really look at that woman in the mirror. What do you see that's beautiful? Ignore or re-evaluate those things that have always bugged or challenged you. What is your singular, personal element of beauty? Is it skin, ears, hair? Is it wisdom or humor or understanding in your eyes? We all have one thing that not only makes us individuals. That one thing makes us beautiful. What is yours and why?

I grew up with a dad who always told me I was beautiful. I believed him.
And since he still tells me, I still do.
Thanks, Dad.

This post took a little tricky camera work.
It had been a while since I really sat and stared.
I tried the mirror, and then turning the camera backwards.

How did you get those pictures, Jen?
Finally, I called in my camera savvy 4 year old, T. He thought I was silly.
And then I realized I was.

See that ear... it comes from a long line of similarly large-eared ancestors.

The freckles that are melding into ages spots... I have always loved them, but I am not sure which side of my family they come from.

My eyes... along with my hair, were so dark when I was born that my Muttie (Mom's mom) called me Carmelita for the longest time cause I was born in Tucson and she joked that I might have come from south of the border.

I think my smile is my favorite feature. I used to take it for granted. Then, for a while, I was so heart broken that I couldn't find it. Now, it comes easy, as if it is "in my pocket", just as I learned in the song in brownies.
I have always loved that when I smile, people say, "You are Dottie's daughter!"
I love that, and that smiles feel the best when I am with the people I love!

So, even though I never have nor ever will win a beauty contest, it's ok.
Maybe, because I believe my dad, I do win.
Thanks, Dad!

This NEVER Happens!

2011-01-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

Well, here's the story of my 2nd adventure within the week.

Just a few days after arriving home from CA, I headed off to Utah.

No Mom this time... she was previously engaged, dang-it!

My fellow adventurers were T and T (cause everyone at home had school and work), J and A (our 2 Australian friends that I fetched in CA), and K (a friend who needed a get-away and stayed with her cousin in Orem).

We left home early on Saturday and headed through Flagstaff and stopped at
the GRAND Canyon.
I had been once, as a child, and was amazed at how it certainly is grand.
We walked about a 1/4 mile in freezing wind to our first lookout point.
The 2nd lookout we stopped at was much more convenient.
Basically, the parking-lot sat at the edge of the edge :)

We arrived in Provo.
The cold air was a little shocking to us all!
Our sweet K had a great dinner ready in her dorm.
The girls all got cleaned up and dressed and went to a dance which ended up being a dud.
In the meantime, however, I was able to deliver a box of citrus to a friend's daughter and buy groceries.
It felt really great when I had everyone tucked into their beds that night.

Sunday, was a nice day of rest.
We slept in.
We went to the student ward for church.
I cooked dinner in the dorm.
We stayed for ward prayer and sang with the ward choir that K leads.

Monday had another slow start.
(Ordinarily, that would bother me on vacation, but on this one, it was just right)
We ate lunch on BYU's campus.
We listened to K rehearse with her choir.
We viewed the Carl Bloch exhibit in the Museum of Fine Arts.
We explored the Bean Museum.
(We decided it must be this animal that provides both of their hair extensions!)

(T loves suckers. J and A found this kind at the museum's gift shop and T just sat and stared. She finally licked it once, but decided the bug inside wasn't worth the worry!)

We called it a night early and ate pizza at "home".

Early Tuesday, I took K to work and the snow started falling.
Within a couple of hours, the world was covered in a fresh powdery blanket.
It was the first time J and A had seen snow falling... there's just not much of it in Australia!
T loved the snow flakes in her hair and mine.

T loved to tromp around and make trails with his boots on, but did NOT want his picture taken!

Since I had taken K to work, she had a sweater and not a coat, but still had to walk home in the "blizzard". Don't worry... she survived!
We spent the afternoon at the University Mall, having fun, boosting the economy and actually finding some great sales!
K, J and A kept the babes that night and I went to dinner with my friend M, whose home we stayed in. We ate at the Blue Lemon. The food was delicious and beautiful!

Wednesday, we picked up our friend K at 4:30 am and started our trip back home.
We ventured through Las Vegas to add in another adventure.
When we arrived, we found the Stratosphere and headed to the top...
well, some entertained T and T while J and A headed to the top.
A had to talk J into riding the rides, but then J loved it and A didn't.
We laughed and laughed at the pictures they bought.
The horror on their faces is all I needed to see to know... that adventure is not for me!

I don't remember ever driving the Las Vegas route before.
The scenery was beautiful.
I loved winding along the I-15 from St. George, UT to Mesquite, NV , seeing the Joshua trees and there was just something interesting about Wickenburg, AZ.

All in all, a great day with great travelers.
No,
A great 5 days with great travelers!

Now, it really will be nice to be settled for a while!

The Time of My Life

2011-01-20T21:26:00.000-08:00

One year ago, we hosted our first 2 Australian exchange students.
6 months ago, 1 wrote to ask if she could come, again, to visit our family.
She would bring her cousin.
Last week, we were sure that the 2 girls would arrive on Saturday, overlapping their stay with that of the 2 handsome boys already visiting from down under.
Saturday, we realized that the girls were flying into LA, would sleep in a hotel, and then arrive here, on Monday.

Good plan.

Ron had a better plan.

"What if you just drive to Cali, meet the girls at the hotel, take them to Disneyland, and then bring them here."
I didn't even need to hear it twice.

I called Mom.
For Christmas she received a year pass to the happiest place on earth.
She didn't need to hear it twice, either.

We left at 4 am on Monday in her car.
Just the 2 of us.
I slept while she drove and then she slept while I drove.
We listened to and obeyed the voice of the GPS that had been carefully stuck to the dash.
I really love that thing!
We arrived in just 6 short hours.
We greeted our friends and headed for Hollywood.
Why?
Just to see it!
Almost immediately, we were accosted by Jonathan.
He wanted us to buy tickets for a 2 hour open air bus tour for only $40 each.
I talked him down to $20 each and we boarded.
As the bus pulled away from the curb and the wind started to blow my hair, the cheesiest grin took residence on my face and stayed for 2 entire days.

That afternoon, we left for Anaheim and checked into our hotel.
I slept for 10 UNinterupted hours.

Our day at Disney was the BEST ever.
Oh, sure, I missed my babes and told all the people in line how cute theirs were.
But, the ease of my day, toting only a camera, was just-so-nice!
The longest line we stood in was 25 minutes and the average wait was 10.
WOW.
I even enjoyed my first pineapple whip.
We did everything we could in the 2 parks.
By 7pm and 8 shopping bags later, everyone was tuckered out and ready to sit and wait for the water/fire/laser show to begin at 8:15.
We found a spot to sit... and... wait...

Hmmm... really? No-one wants to do anything more?

No problem...

In the last 40 minutes, by myself, I rode on Space Mountain, Julie Andrew's own carousel horse, and then the Matterhorn.
And then we finished off the night with the EPIC water show.

IT WAS SO FUN!!!

The best part? Easy...

Having my mom to myself.
Love you, Mom!

G'day Mate!

2011-01-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

I have it on good authority that people from Australia don't really say this phrase much.
My sources are reliable... 2 teenage Aussie boys who are asleep in my basement as I type.

Early in the fall, we received this.

It's the biographies of 2 boys, in "grades 10 and 11" who have each spent the year working at a McDonald's near their home to help pay for their trip overseas.
Honestly, I worried a little.
Who knew what habits, language or problems they would bring along with their expectations of "experiencing America".
At the same time, I kept in mind that we had a wonderful similar experience last year when we hosted 2 girls.
But you know, boys are different... I have 4 of them!

On the 6th, we received this.

2 clean cut, well mannered, helpful, kind, courteous (you get the picture), boys who have been an absolute joy to get to know.
They came ready to dive in and see and do as much as they possibly could.
They have even eaten whatever I put in front of them.
They are teenage boys, after all.
The program they came with has had outings scheduled almost every day. They got to see...
ASU,
Tempe Marketplace,
The Zoo,
Sedona,
The Grand Canyon,
Tucson,
Scottsdale Mall,
and
Tuzigoot National Monument.

The weekends were ours to plan, so the first weekend, R loaded up the van and took the crew to Pinetop to play in the snow.
They experienced Taco Bell and loved it!
They had a great time and even got home Saturday night so we could all enjoy our Sunday, together.

This weekend, we ran errands to any of the stores that the boys wanted to visit before leaving Arizona. They had specific gifts in mind and bought them at quite a savings as compared to prices in Australia.
Tonight, we said our goodbyes. J and L will be heading to California in the morning for the final leg of their trip. They will spend the week enjoying various amusement park adventures.
We helped squash down their luggage. We deflated a soccer ball and an American football so they took up less space. We removed packaging and boxes and then had room for a few items from us that included a good variety of candy found here and not there.

This was a super great adventure that we look forward to next year!

Happy in the New Year

2011-01-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

The fact that I mistyped the original title with 2010 says a lot for the beginning of our year.

The fact that it has taken me 3 hours to write this much of a post
says a lot about the state of my mind.

Blogging has been hard for me lately.
I guess I have been trying to figure out how and when it fits into my life.
I like to keep up with those of you whom I don't get to see often.
I like for those of you who are away to know that I miss you and think of you and remember what it was like to be away from home and "out of the loop".
I think blogging is a good "warm-fuzzy" tool.
I can pass on love and learn from your blessings, hardships, foibles, triumphs and insights.
Because that is what life brings on a daily basis.

And I can never be sure what it is that this day will bring.

Recently, I have become keenly aware of a few things.
They have left me in a stupor.

1) I am very mortal. Remember? Unfinished.

2)I am richly blessed. And I am not referring to $.

You are, too.

3)I have an enormous responsibility to and love and help.

Because I can never be sure what it is that this day will bring.

An amazing thing is, that like the ocean, life ebbs and flows.
Sometimes, I am confident. Sometimes, not.
Sometimes, I am happy. Sometimes, not.
Sometimes, I am funny. Sometimes, not.
Sometimes, I am patient. Sometimes, not.
Sometimes, I am wise. Sometimes, not.
Sometimes, I am helpful. Sometimes, not.

I am betting it is the same for everyone.

Now, it has taken half the day to draft this post.
My 2 smallest children are eating ice-cream cones even though they didn't finish their sandwiches and I am still very human and wondering why blog when my compositions come out in rambling streams of confusing musings.

In the midst of my tangle of words, I have...
delivered a list,
tidied,
buzzed 2 heads of hair,
wandered and wondered,
visited,
assembled pre-school puzzles,
washed dishes,
changed diapers,
read stories,
cheered,
counseled,
consoled..

That is my life.
A little plan and a whole lot of what happens amidst the plan.
Enjoy.
And be happy in the New Year!

December Birthdays

2010-12-30T07:27:00.000-08:00

For our family, along with Christmas, December is the month of birthdays.
Yes, I know... bad planning.

T turned 4.

R turned 43.
I am not sure why, but we always have about 5 cartons of ice-cream to choose from...

L is now a double digit.
Remember how cool that was?!
By this time we were all caked-out. L chose a delicious dessert with an oreo crust, mint-chip ice-cream, hot-fudge, and whip cream. YUM! We put all the candles in his piece.

Happy happy birthdays to 3 of my favorite men!

Christmas 2010

2010-12-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

My sister and her husband (L & M) host a fun Soup and Singing Christmas party. One of the favorite games is passing a couple of pennies around a circle while everyone sings "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat..." When the song ends, the holders of the pennies are out. This year, we had to do a childrens' round first as the adult round has becomes progressively rowdy!

Grandma L joined in the festivities. She came home from Idaho just in time for the fun. Her annual Christmas breakfast was held in Mom & Dad's home for the first time and I think she enjoyed it more than ever. She gave us the wonderful gift of our grandfather's written life history. It is truly a treasure.

We also enjoyed the annual West family breakfast, but missed having a Huber gathering. It's a blessing and a curse when families grow so large that it is hard to plan BIG activities.

Spreading ''magic reindeer hay" that T brought home from pre-school. It is a magical concoction of hay, oats and glitter. It helps the reindeer fly, you know!

The "line-up"!

Much anticipated fairies :)

Our official garbage bag holder... Thanks, Papa!

See all the treats on the counter? They mostly aren't there, now... Yummmmm!

Afternoon lounging in new chairs.

Simultaneously installing new drivers and learning the uke.

The backyard battle zone.

And here is the photo taken just a few minutes ago. Obviously, it's time for the bail-out! I know that I need to remove the fire hazzard/tree that is filling the corner, dropping ornaments and pine-needles but still smelling pine-y.

The problem is, I just like the lingering holidays. For me, it's kind of like the smell of bread that stays in your house all day long after you have baked it. We all stay in our jammies way too late. We play together, we nibble on treats and candy even though we have just had breakfast. And, I don't have to think about the babes returning to schools... near AND far.

So, if you don't mind... we are still having Christmas for the rest of the week. ...even if we do end up tidying up a little :)

2010-12-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

I love the holiday season.

After my birthday in November, the days are just more and more fun.

I love the concerts, programs, parties, decorations, fun and festivities.

Once upon a time, I finished all my shopping and preparations before November.
That was my standard.
Now, it's my dream.

So, here I am on the 20th (Oh! MY! Gosh!) of December and I still have a list of things to go and do and get.

That is the part that I just don't like this year.
The Getting.
Shopping.
Buying.
I have no oooomph or even desire to go and do it!

We have what we need.
Why clutter and complicate our lives with more?

These thoughts have been pressing on my mind.

And, in that perspective,
I have been enjoying the concerts, programs, parties, decorations, fun, festivities and family
even more.

I have been aiming for simple and uncomplicated and joyful.

Simple.

T and I shopping for the tree and surprising all her brothers.

Uncomplicated.

Listening to the Mtn. View choir sing at the AZ temple and enjoying the light display.

Joyful.

My mother and aunts performing for the family Christmas party and laughing til they cried when they received a standing ovation.

Simple. Uncomplicated. Joyful.

Provo or Bust

2010-12-10T07:10:00.000-08:00

We have been looking forward to the first weekend of December for a couple of months.
It's a rarity, but we had planned a trip.

K, in Provo, was performing in BYU's Celebration of Christmas.
All the choirs and their Philharmonic orchestra were on the docket.

We were told not to miss it, so we didn't.

We invited grand parents.
We bought tickets early, as they "always sell out".
We arranged transportation, because our van just isn't large enough.
We made sure everyone had clothes and shoes that could withstand blizzard conditions at least temporarily if needed... we lucked out and had beautiful weather in the 40's :)
At the last minute, we invited a niece to join the fun.

The whole trip as wonderful as we had hoped.
The roads were clear.
The children were pleasant.
We had food.
I'm not sure there is much more I could want.

Here are some photo highlights:

On the way, we walked across the dam.

When we pulled in and stopped at K's job, everyone had to throw snow... shoes or not!

Here we all are with the "real cougar"!

Not bad for an "old guy"! Of course my camera skills didn't catch the good stuff :(

L could reach the rings flat footed. That cracked us up!

The concert.

Our Star.

The proud parents.

Down time and tickle time.

We went to Music and the Spoken Word Sunday morning in SLC.

Now we can get ready for Christmas!

Giving Thanks

2010-11-29T22:23:00.000-08:00

My Dad was in the Navy while I was young.
We lived away from family, and visited them on vacations.

Thanksgiving, for me, was always a wonderful assortment of people.
We feasted with each other,
neighbors,
teachers,
colleagues,
acquaintances...

We had gratitude in common, and an appetite for turkey and trimmings, and a desire to eat pie!

Living close to family, things have changed a little.

We have big families. Together, we have 14 siblings! In the past, we have spent the day feasting here AND there and trying to see and visit as many loved ones as possible.

This year, we missed K who opted to stay at school planning to work extra hours (see here).

This year, we played football (of sorts) in the field at the school.

This year, we shot paper rockets with our neighbors using an air compressor cannon.

This year, we ate once and it reminded me of years past.
Family AND friends.

Together AND Thankful.

And blessed.

40 Baby!

2010-11-23T20:37:00.000-08:00

I am not even hiding it!

It was my day to celebrate on the 19th.

R took the day off and spent it with me.
Just what I wanted.
A sister kept the babes.
Also what I wanted.

We lunched at a great restaurant called Sekai Sushi.
Its on the NE corner of Gilbert and Southern.
It was our first time there, and our first time having sushi.
unless you count california rolls...
We loved them both!
I can't think of a better way to start a meal than with a hot towel...
and everything else just followed suit.

We did a little shopping.
We bought a treat from DQ.
I even got the large, thinking I would share... but I ate it all myself!

I love treats, especially cake.
J started talking about this one a couple of months ago, so I had to make it.
It tastes as good as it looks and I even shelled pecans from my tree for the frosting.
I think that makes it taste even better.

When my family sang, they had K on speaker phone from Provo.
Gosh I miss her and her music!

The best part of the day was spending time with my family.
A close second was getting so many sweet messages from friends.

It was a wonderfully happy birthday to me!

Unexpected Results

2010-11-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

He had a plan.

It started with this.

Do you see the problem?

Nowhere does it say WASHABLE!

I only said, "WOW!"
...and picked up the camera.

He was quite pleased with himself.

He had been quite thorough.

Then he looked in the mirror.

It was not quite what he had been expecting.

It mostly washed off... with A LOT of scrubbing.

He did have purple circles under his eyes for a few days.

I guess he comes by it naturally.
No, I don't color myself purple...

I DO start projects and have an idea of how they should turn out, but when they don't I get discouraged and then my projects are few and far between.

I think that is why I stick with the basics.
Meals.
Laundry.
Cleaning.
Momming.

They don't require much vision, just some stick-to-it-ivness.

But sometimes, we are asked to stretch ourselves.
And when other people will see the success or failure,
it is scary.
Scary isn't bad... just uncomfortable.
I've been learning that from a friend who took a job in Abu Dhabi just because she could.
I have been comfortable with me.
But,
What am I learning?
What am I becoming?
What am I teaching?

Who am I fooling?
Not me...

Today, take a chance... do something different...

Use a marker that is NOT washable!

Veteran's Day

2010-11-12T19:38:00.000-08:00

There is not much I enjoy more than a day off from the regular schedule!

I like a schedule to get things done,
but
with a day off, we relax and enjoy each other.

2 left bright and early to help with an Eagle project in the mountains.

The rest of us joined a wonderful early morning flag ceremony and breakfast.

At 1o:50, we were seated on Center watching the historic plane with a prop fly over the parade route.

We sat with Granny , an aunt, cousins, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews... just like in the olden days.
My olden days.

For as long as I can remember, we have met in "our spot" for parades.
Muttie, my mom's mom, always brought a big bag of home popped popcorn.
Now, my mom does.

We cheered for the police officers who rode by...
we always have.
We stood for the first flag.
We called thank-you's to the Veterans.
We stood again and cried when too many pictures of young faces were borne past in waves.
And, of course,
we cheered for our favorite and tallest bass drum player!
He even grinned!

Granny treated us all to frozen yogurt cones.
We spent the afternoon visiting and letting all the children and dogs run in the yard...

Enjoying our free country...

THANK-YOU VETERANS!

Finally Halloween

2010-11-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

My brain is a jumble right now. It has been for a couple of weeks. Anticipation of the upcoming and unknown has thrown off my sleep AND wake habits and blogging has suffered... along with a few other things...

For you who are away, here is our silly Halloween. Enjoy!

T with some of his class mates at Academic Accolades.

(the best pre-school in the area!)
We started the day by participating in the Juvenile Diabetes 5k walk...

Go team Coke!
(My sister in law's company sponsored us all!)
Here they are heading off to the ward trunk-or-treat...

One of our favorite Halloween carnival games!

L hoping to win the cupcake walk so he can win one of these...
delicious monsters we created in our lab!

Checking out the loot!
There's got to be more in here!

Black and Orange Dinner

2010-11-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

This is one of our favorite family traditions.
We were adopted into it... the family and the tradition.
We have been going since K was little.

For the Browns, this was the 24th year!

costumes
dinner
bring something black(ish) or orange(ish) to share
homemade rootbeer
pumpkin carving
laughter
friends that feel like family
goody bags

This year was bigger than ever, but we missed our K!

2010-10-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot this month about budgeting.

It has been one of those months... where there more days than dollars.
(Nothing serious, just way more effort to stick to the budget)

For 14 years, we have been paid on the 1st of the month.
Efficiently,
Automatically,
Like clock work.

For 7 years, we have had a monthly budget meeting.
R and I,
1st Friday of the month,
Almost like clock work.
(You know, life happens)

The practice began as a necessity.
It was one tool taught to us by the therapist we were seeing at the time.
It is one of many tools that saved us.

Really, the object was communication...
even in the financial part of our lives.

We fill in an established budget form.
We notice any changes.
We check totals on our various accounts.
We check see that our debt is decreasing and our investments are increasing.
We set goals for the current month.
Together, we anticipate what we will need to spend money on...
(haircuts, birthdays, receptions, showers, tournaments, fairs, trips...)
We review how we did on the previous month.

We "spend" every cent on paper, before we spend it for reals.

I know stuff like this comes naturally for many couples, but not for us.
We learned that we have to plan it and organize it.
We learned that and now we do it.

Hooray for us :)

And now, I ponder the concept of budgeting time.
I have the same amount as you.
Yet, our lives are so different.
I mean, as far as talents, hobbies, interests, schedules...

I do so much,
but I could do so much differently.

Really, the possibilities are endless.
If I clear my schedule,
first put in the necessities,
and what is most important,
and schedule in the things I will do to become the person I want to be,
and plan to act when I am prompted,

the possibilities really are endless.

Fall Break

2010-10-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hooray! No routines for the week!

Monday:

2 dozen free for great report cards...

and they were PINK!

We also picked up 15 tokens per report card from Chuck E Cheese... we collect them for each report card until we have enough for a family outing.

We spent a couple of hours "browsing" the shelves of Toys For Us. It had been ages since we had done it, but our "babes" all love to play through the aisles.
We even got some great ideas for a certain upcoming holiday ;)

My boys are always wanting to visit the Halloween stores that emerge this time of year.
Dad thought it was a great idea.
We didn't last long inside... YUCK!

Finally, we watched the new Karate Kid in the basement for the afternoon.
Fun movie.

Tuesday:

I did chores.
The boys ate and read and ate and read and ate and read.
Hmmm...

Wednesday:

I did chores.
The boys ateandreadandateandreadand...

WAIT, that was YESTERDAY!
so, I had a fit.
not cool.

WE did chores.
We escaped to Granny's house.
We ate lunch.
We played with cousins.
Some of us SWAM... in OCTOBER!

2 stayed for movie night
and then slept on the couches
and had apple stuffed french toast for breakfast.

Thursday:

Surprise!
Appointments for everyone to go see Dr. Lim!
For flu shots!

We love Dr. Lim.
We don't love shots.

Everyone cried.
1 person even had a panic attack and had to be taken to R's hospital to get his.
I got one at PIMC too.

We went to Costco for lunch and saw friends.
We went to Last Chance and saw another friend.
We went to Sheplers to buy T her first pair of cowgirl boots with birthday $ from Papa.
She wouldn't keep them on, so we didn't buy them.

We pitched our tent in the backyard.
We read by the light of our headlamps until we fell asleep.

Then, I snuck back in to watch the end of "runway" with R.

Friday:

Cereal for breakfast?!
With cartoons?!

Oh what the heck, we're on vacation!

And I think, after chores (it's already 10am) we will head to Main to enjoy the shops and statues.

BYE!

Recycled Crafts and Pesto

2010-10-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

I am the first to admit that I have probably hampered the creativity of my children.

I RARELY encourage (or allow) any kind of activity that is cutty, gluey, markery, or glittery.
In my opinion, they spread too far and... I just don't like the mess.

L came up with this one all on his own. I sometimes feel like he tries too hard to keep up with his older brothers and what they do, so I was so happy when he started a creative kid project. He even let T join him... bonus!See the stairs up one side and the slide down the other?

I even let it live on the counter for 4 days :)

Unrelated, our basil plant in the garden is the size of a young hippo. Probably bigger than it should be. I am unsure how to tame it or whether or not we should cut it wayyyy back.
I did decide to make pesto... a first for me. I used almonds instead of pine nuts. It is really great on grilled pizzas.

It was also delicious on this!

A couple of other interesting harvests recently...

Dad has been collecting the olives off his tree instead of complaining about the mess they make. He has learned to brine them and has used many different concoctions for flavors. My favorite have been the lightly salted. They are just smooth and soft... almost buttery. He has offered to teach me, so I'll have to take him up on it!

A neighbor spread a sheet under her palm trees and has been collecting the falling dates. They are sweet and delicious! I was gifted an entire bag of them, already dried. I could eat them like candy, but I think I will bottle and save some and add some of their deliciousness to granola when I make it.

Which One?

2010-10-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

A while ago my sisters joined a running club. Not all of them but a few of them. L goes to the gym daily and sings in an amazing choir on Thursday nights. E and KK enter races. J directs a major musical production yearly. M is the president and owner of a company that employs 120+ people. D and S are PTO presidents at their children's schools. J and J have full-time jobs AND take care of their families. J and T teach weekly classes.

I am constantly amazed at the huge undertakings my friends and family are involved in. They spend hours organizing, planning and practicing for their projects and hobbies and interests and commitments.

Most days, I don't even want to leave my house.

Recently, I have felt guilt about the fact that I don't even want to be involved in any of this stuff...

so, I am trying to decide...

con·tent

–adjective

satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else.

OR

com·pla·cent

1.
pleased, esp. with oneself or one's merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self satisfied.

or... maybe lazy? (i hope not)

It's quite a notion to ponder.

Family Home Evening

2010-09-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Monday nights, we have a ritual.

We sing hymns.

We discuss the schedule for the week.

We study the scriptures.

Last night, before we finished with our family prayer and bedtime, the boys challenged dad to a "wrastle".

Each person had their turn.

This does look promising for L, but...

Dad is still king.

Then, the boys challenged each other and then me.

It was a fun time.

I did learn that I should have specifically mentioned to J the "no choke holds" rule.
Silly me, I thought it was understood :)

Be There

2010-09-24T11:56:00.000-07:00

Last night, K had her first big deal, real concert at BYU as a Singer. She has another performance tonight. I wish I was there. Listening. Watching. Supporting. Enjoying.

When K was choosing where to go to school, I remember telling her that if she was at NAU I would be able to come to more of her performances. No such luck.

We are so happy with her choice, but still wish we could be there.

With 6, R and I are usually spread thin. Too many nights are double, triple and even more over-booked. Usually, we divide and conquer... or hope to conquer. He goes one way, I go another, we meet up, swap babies, cab duties, etc., just so that we can be there.

Friday, though, was a real treat. 2 boys, 1 activity. Jackpot.

The weather was perfect and we had popcorn and licorice. We were ready!

L is on the drum line at Mt. V. for his second year. J plays in an advanced band in his first year at P Jr. High. J switches between trumpet, baritone, and tuba/sousaphone.
Each year, the high school marching band invites all of the jr. high bands that feed into it to come for jr. high night. The bands rehearse, eat pizza, play stand tunes, and perform at half time. It really gets the jr. high kids excited about adventures to come. Except J. He performed that night with the sousaphone and decided he will never march with one again. Who can blame him?

Yes, she fell asleep for an hour, right in the middle of all the fun!

It was so nice to be there.

A Lesson

2010-09-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, the boys are ornery.

They trudge upstairs and then stomp around. They have claws drawn and teeth bared and through scowled brows, challenge each other to just dare to get in their way.

They yell, they be-little, they growl, they offend.

They tolerate nothing.

EVERYTHING and EVERYTHING offends them.

I have learned that if I react to their behavior, it feeds the ugliness.

If I can corner them, away for their peers, for just a moment, I can whisper sweet nothings and calm their spirits.

I can remind them that if everything is bothering them, the problem isn't everything, it is them.

Sometimes, that is hard to swallow, but I excuse them to their room to breathe and relax and pray and transform back into the loving man-child they are.

If the offense is rooted deeply, I follow them into their room, invite them to kneel, and I pray.

I thank Heavenly Father for them. I list their talents and virtues individually and tell Heavenly Father the important part they play in our home. Then, I implore Him to help my son overcome his frustrations and feel love and peace and joy.

Sunday was one of those days. The offense came from small, unkind quips and inconsiderate behaviors and not having help when help was needed.

By the time we were on our way to church, tensions were running high. A gentle reminder to not yell requests from one room to the other, but deliver the requests face-to-face was the last straw.

I LOST IT!

I yelled inappropriate AND unkind accusations at my tall son.

I slammed the doors to the van.

In the parking lot.

At church.

I was in no condition to walk in, so I stomped... quietly.

R was already there, on our side pew. I pushed past, ignoring his greeting smile and then puzzled look. With R as a barrier between the children and myself, I pressed my shoulder to the wall, willing it to give way and swallow me up.

Instead, I was pulled away by a firm pulsing grip on my hand. The tears started to fall, but were quickly caught by the tissue that had been pressed into my palm... just like when we saw Stella together on our first outing (not a date because it was the first day we met and were with a big group of friends).

He was in my corner. He was telling me he had my back.

As I sat, I realized that my tall son had remained calm. He never did react to my tantrum.

I was offended because some of his words stung. They were true and it hurt.

I nursed my wounded pride and half listened to the speakers and the lessons.

Later that day, I told R of all my ugliness. He loved my anyway.

I apologized, and so did L.

It is a hard lesson for me to learn that my kids see me as I really am. It is hard to realize that I really do have to step up and do what I teach. All of it. I have to be better than I want them to be.

I have to listen to what the Spirit tells me to tell them:

If everything is bothering me, the problem is not everything, it is me...

And then take a time out...

...Before it gets ugly.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

2010-09-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sacrifice

2010-09-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

I have always know that being a parent comes with inherent sacrifices.

I didn't know this was one of them.

Since K left for school with our 1 good flat iron, my hair has looked like this.
I feel like my un-done tresses could be used by Larainy Days if she did a "Help This Hair!" post.

I love how my hair looks after a great cut and blow dry
so

I tried this...

Apparently, I have NO SKILLS.
I won't even post the picture.

I was ecstatic when I saw this beauty on sale at Marshalls.
And it's pink, bonus!

I washed and dried and creamy-conditioned.
I even flat-iron-heat-protection treated.

Ta-da!!!

Um, yeah...

That baby is going straight back to Marshalls.
Dang!

And I am going to have to splurge for an actual usable of a flat-iron.

Reading

2010-09-10T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Stars Have Aligned.

Could that be the only possible explanation for the fact that I am reading a book?

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE to read.
At this point in my life, however, pleasure reading takes a back seat to, well, EVERYTHING!
Or, almost everything :)

I am reading

Mockingjay
by
Suzanne Collins.

I am nearly finished and I am really enjoying it.
Fortunate, since it's one I feel I have to read.

Let me explain:
Kids have a mind of their own. I know you know that. Most at our house are avid readers. They bring books home from where ever and when ever they can. Most of the time that is ok. As a matter of fact, I have not had to ban any that they have brought home.
But how would I happen to know that?
I either read to them, with them, or before them.
I have checked book reviews online and sought out the opinions of friends.
But, most often, if I have never heard of it, I read it myself at the same time they are.

They know I know what they know, sort of. :)
We discuss characters and plots and what-ifs.
It gives us more in common.

And, most of the time, it's fun.

The Natural Bridge

2010-09-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

Labor Day 2010 gave us the chance to visit the Tonto Natural Bridge. It is one of our favorite places EVER! It is the perfect day trip from the valley and the cooler weather was wonderful.

Enjoy!
(Continued on the next post)

Natural Bridge Part 2

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

The big brother carried his little sister the entire way, over the treacherous terrain and was vigilant even when they rested.
This is my favorite picture from the trip.

A Peck of Peppers

2010-09-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have any suggestion as to what I should do with these?

They are late bloomers from our garden. L asked on Saturday if I wanted him to pick the bell peppers and bring them in. This is what I got.

Hmmm... We will make fajitas, but that surely won't use them all!
If they were the spicy kind, I could make buckets of salsa, but no such luck.

Really, who even needs spice when I have these peppers flavoring my life?
They are so great! They even practice their instruments without me having to ask!

More from Provo

2010-09-03T08:25:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time back on the BYU campus last week. R and I attended parent orientation classes and K bounced back and forth between work, freshmen orientation fun and errands with us.

R and I met at BYU, although we grew up just a few miles away from each other and attended the same high-school. We had K in Provo and it was funny pushing T in the stroller on campus like I had done with big sister.

Besides the Creamery and the Candy Counter, these are a couple of my favorite places on campus:
Did I mention that K has the sweetest roommate EVER? She has been in the US for 4 years, is native of Korea and her family has just gone back there.

I am not sure how K survived the 2 1/2 weeks she was there without her piano and guitar, but you can see the smile, and she has them close, now!

Have fun, ladies!

Amazing!

2010-09-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

Today, I am bragging about...

Karli

She found out this morning that she made it into BYU SINGERS!

BYU Singers

Brigham Young University Singers is a small, select choir of flexible singer-musicians. As one of the major touring ensembles of the university, the Singers have traveled throughout the United States, including Hawaii; twice to Russia; three times to Israel; to Australia and New Zealand; to the countries of Western and Eastern Europe, including the Baltic States; to West Africa; and to South Africa. The choir traveled through the British Isles in May 2009, placing second in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition at the Cork International Choral Festival. The choir has attained the reputation of a captivating, versatile choir with an impressive range of repertoire and style.

This choir RARELY auditions freshmen, but she had a great recommendation that helped her get in the door and then she took it from there. The audition process had 3 parts and then soprano call backs were last night. While posting the results, the director paid her some very nice compliments.

We are SO HAPPY for Karli.

She has always been determined and hard working and we look forward to the great concerts and the adventures she will have.

I guess we will be making a few more trips to Provo!

My Word

2010-08-31T07:40:00.000-07:00

My friend Jenny from the Denton Sanatorium challenged readers last week to think of a word that describes them. One word, and post it today. I have been thinking hard.

There are many words I would like to be:
Creative
Classic
Compassionate
Able
Artistic
Excellent...

The list goes on.

I had to look at my life, my aspirations, my environment, to see what I am.

I looked for a word that was defined as "a much anticipated masterpiece". That is what I like to think I am. Do any of you know what that word would be? I couldn't find it anywhere, but then again, my vocabulary has decreased over the years. If my toddlers can't understand it, chances are, I may not, either.

I am unfinished.

Not glamorous, not hopeless.

It is evident in my character foibles,
unmet deadlines,
laundry piles,
dreams,
to do lists,
decorating,
talents,
preparations...

It leaves me room to change, accomplish, learn, become.

I like it.

A Visit to Provo

2010-08-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Happy 20th Anniversary to R and I. We celebrated on the 24th by strapping in the 2 littles and taking a drive to Provo, UT. After only a small officer related speeding incident and after finding K at a friend's dorm, we picked up the belongings she would need for the night (along with a large pile of dirty laundry) and headed to Cedar Hills.
We are blessed with great friends. One of whom generously gave us her basement for the week. Look at the beautiful private entrance...

...and a friend to play with!

A Successful Rescue

2010-08-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

It took these trained professionals all afternoon to make a man-chain long enough to reach their friends stranded on the chair below. Luckily, they were able to employ their friend, who is 5 inches tall, as compared to their 3, to be the main anchor with some help of a generous "dog-pile" formation.
Upon their reaching him, a loud cheer was said to erupt from the onlooking crowd... R and I.
Please, don't be in any hurry to grow up.

Hot August Nights

2010-08-21T23:06:00.001-07:00

One thing we love about our home is the yard. Specifically, we love that the garden half of the yard is flood irrigated. A couple of months ago, we hauled dirt and formed a barrier in the middle so that the trees are irrigated, but the rows are not. It cuts down on weeds to water the rows by a drip system... and really, who needs weeds?

Our berm has caused me grief.
Ron's question to me: "Why is it that whenever I irrigate the berm is fine, but when you irrigate, it all washes away?"
Hmmmmm......
Who has time to ponder such things, really?

So on this hot August night, we once again, rebuild the berm.

And one of us goes skinny dipping.Lesson learned: figure out why the berm washes away so I won't have to rebuild it, AGAIN!

I am no Bobby Flay!

2010-08-19T22:04:00.000-07:00

See this bad boy?
(off-centered as it is, sorry)
I love grilled food. I am not a griller.

I had a lovely play date with a friend and her boys which ended up including a delicious, yummy lunch.

Naked grilled chicken. Completely bare except for it's grill stripes.

I loved it and I had never had it before.

How hard could it be?
I followed the directions on the package: Grill until the internal temperature reaches 170 degrees F.

We had beautifully grilled chicken bricks for dinner. If you could crack through the outside, you could tear away some edible shreds, inside.

It still wasn't half bad when dipped in Bill Johnsons Original, thank-goodness.

The best part is that my sweet family all ate it (or snuck it into the garbage can) without complaining!

Thanks, gentlemen!

Not 76 Trombones

2010-08-17T08:13:00.000-07:00

One is enough in our home.

L started playing trombone this summer and T has found it and loves it.
The blast she can force from this abbreviated instrument is impressive!
And as her sister says... Prodigy? Well see...

First day of school 2010

2010-08-11T13:05:00.001-07:00

Today, I sent 3 of my 6 out the door to school.
Tomorrow, a 4th will start and then the 5th on August 30th.

Crazy schedule? Yes, I agree. I think it is only the beginning for this year. Here's the line-up:

1 in College: K is at BYU(not too big a pile, but we will take the rest in a couple of weeks!)

1 in High school: L, 11th grade
1 in Jr. high: J, 7th grade
1 in Elementary: L, 4th grade
1 in Pre-school: T, at the Amazing Miss Greta's (Academic Accolades)
1 still home :T, 22 mo.

That is all 6.

All in different stages.

All amazingly fun and interesting.

All hungry when they arrive home, so I'm off to make cookies!

2010-08-05T22:39:00.000-07:00

I have been absent. I am continually thinking of things that I just need to write, but then... dang.

#1 My back went out.
Chalk it up to being out of shape and bending/reaching incorrectly and the result is trouble.
That was a Thursday. I was basically out of commission until the following Thursday. I even postponed leaving for a trip I had been looking forward to all summer. Then I decided that I could lay around at home while the world around me fell apart, or I could just suffer through the drive and get to the cabin where Mom and my sisters would feed my children and keep them safe. I did suffer through the drive and then nursed my back for a few days. It was time well spent.

#2 We went to reunion #2. Layton's in Pinetop. When I was unable to go to girls camp due to a change in R's work schedule, he suggested I go early to the reunion. My back injury almost threw off that plan. Fortunately, I was still able to enjoy the reunion. Some of the highlights were seeing family who live elsewhere, watching the kids on the waterfall by the pond, hearing Grandma enjoy that I have learned to make jam, rainstorms under the awning, afternoon naps, and the lady who wore her squaredancing dress from the 50's to church :)

With a quick stop at home to do laundry and pack, again, I left once more.

#3 It dawned on us recently that in order for K to get a campus job, she had to be on campus. Yes, we are sometimes kind-of slow. Even though school doesn't start until the 30th, that is where I am, now, Provo, Ut. It has been a fun adventure with a few oddities here and there.
I have the 2 Tr's with me and K and most of her stuff, and Mom. She came for moral support and to be a driver for the trip home after we leave K. While at the reunion, 2 of my sisters heard the plan and decided to come along for the fun. They are 2 moms driving Bluebell the 12 passenger van with 10 children, 10 and under onboard. It has been a lot of fun.

#4 Today was spent on campus. We read job listings, applied for jobs, bought treats at the candy counter, visited professors in the music dept., toured and measured the dorm, and ate and played at the park.

#5 Tomorrow I will drop off K to live with a cousin and her husband. She will stay with them while she continues the job hunt before she can move into her dorm on the 25th. We will enjoy dinner together.

Then, on Saturday, I will leave and K will stay here.

I hope she starts a blog so I can see what is going on!

2010-07-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Here is our faithful van. She is almost 12. She recently had 3 well deserved days at the spa.

(Mechanic, but don't tell her!)

She had a door handle repaired, 2 new side mirrors installed, tires, oil and lube job, transmission something-or-other, etc., etc.

See these small slits? The ones that are hardly noticeable in the console?
The AC, radio and CD have just not been working great for a while, so we had it opened up to investigate...

JACKPOT!!!

$90.00 worth of change!

At least that is what I paid to have it removed, thanks T & T.

Reunion #1

2010-07-25T00:52:00.001-07:00

This is the part of the summer I always look forward to. Reunions just make me smile. I love the chance to escape the heat by heading to Heber. I love the afternoon rain, family, night time card games, dirty babes, baths in the utility sink, sleeping in the tent trailer,fresh air, and night skies full of stars.

The pictures speak for themselves!

Except that I must elaborate on the slip-n-slide. R is asked to set this up every year, no matter which branch of the family is in charge of the reunion. He starts with a fresh layer of hay on the hill, followed by a loooong roll of carpet padding. That is carefully covered by large blue tarps and finally, the plastic sheeting is rolled out over the top. This is a labor of love and takes a while to set up. He suits up and stands at the top of the hill with the hose and several bottles of baby shampoo to aid the slipperiness.
As you can see, it is hours of fun for everyone... even R!

2010-07-25T00:48:00.000-07:00

Ta-Da!

2010-07-12T22:50:00.000-07:00

Well, we did it!

My people came through, like always, and we made the cake.

See for yourselves...

I baked the top tier and made the fondant.
(The bottom 2 layers are styrafoam.)My sister and K helped to frost the rounds and then we covered them.

If you make a silly face for a picture, of course I will post it!
I was so happy with how the rounds turned out. It was a great start.
...and then, T put her fist through the top tier.

I straightened the tier as best as I could. Fondant is very forgiving. I toyed with the idea of hiding the remaining dents with the flowers the florist would bring. Then R reminded me that although it was a favor, it was still their wedding cake. Oh, yeah.

As I thought about it, I realized that a lot of what I do is "good enough". Not great, or super, just "good enough".

I wanted to be proud of this project.

I didn't want to have to hide the flaws.

I stayed up and baked a 2nd night and then, instead of delivering the cake in the morning, I spent the day frosting and covering a new top tier.

It was even better than the first,
perfectly round and level.

And, all 3 layers sprinkled with edible glitter.
(Thanks, other sister)

I felt pride as I set up the cake on the stand the bride's mom had provided.

The florist arrived with the flowers and ribbon that the bride wanted to use.
Together, we finished the project.

Ta-da!

(The bride smiled.)

I Have People

2010-07-08T08:51:00.000-07:00

I think I must be one of the smartest people I know. HAHAHAHA... Yes, it is funny :) Seriously, though, I admit to being proficient in many skills, while not expert in any. The reason I am ok with that, is one little secret...

I have people.

My friends are the most amazing people ever! Collectively, they can do ANYTHING!

And... it's a darn good thing, cause I need a lot of help and they ALWAYS come through!

For example... My project for the next couple of days...

I AM MAKING A WEDDING CAKE.

FOR A RECEPTION.

A REAL ONE... AS OPPOSED TO A PRACTICE OR IMAGINARY ONE.

You may ask how this came about... good question!

I have 2 sisters who make cakes of all types and have been paid for their talents. My Indiana, soon to be Washington, sister specializes in using fondant. When we have had the treat of E being in town, I have watched her at work. I think it is amazing.

A few months ago, a new friend in my ward said she was making a wedding cake for a niece, but the niece wanted fondant. She had never used it before, but had heard somewhere that I had. Together, we helped my sister make the fondant and decorate our little brother's wedding cake.

Skip to now. This same friend agreed to do the wedding cake for a friend in our ward. As a gift. Knowing she had a busy summer schedule, asked me to be the assistant.
Of course, I would be happy to.

Now, she is out of town with her daughter and a new grandson.

Now, I am the head baker/decorator.

I have made the fondant.
I am baking the top layer that will be sliced and shared.
I am gathering the pedestal, ribbons, styrofoam forms, etc.

I have called my people... in this case, my sisters.

They are coming Friday afternoon.

We will make a gorgeous cake that will make the bride smile.

I love that I have people!

It's Time

2010-07-05T22:20:00.000-07:00

For what? I just am not sure.

I have remembered, just now, something that I have told my children over and over.

"When everyone and everything is bothering you, it isn't them with the problem."

After I whisper these words in the ear of an overly frustrated child, I usually try to lovingly escort them to a quiet place where they can be alone. They may read, nap, have a snack... doesn't matter. They can re-center, re-evaluate, re-adjust, re-new. They may emerge when they have found their smile. Sometimes it takes a while, but I make sure to let them know they are not in trouble or grounded. I just help them to make a graceful exit.

So now, I try to figure out what the problem is. With the heat of summer sucking the life out of Arizona, I think it is doing the same to me. At the same time, something is stirring. Surprising breezes in the evenings and more...

I just can't put my finger on it, yet, but it feels like change is coming. Change always comes. As much as I profess to like adventure, I also like predictability. (That is why R is so right for me.) I feel like I need to batten down the hatches. I would even sit on my chicks, but I am sure they wouldn't like it!

Maybe I am simply feeling the weight of undone-ness. Corners, projects, a pile of zucchini and a crate of apples to use before they decay are all calling to me relentlessly... The children are growing up minute by minute... able and needing to do more and learn more.

The new list and responsibilities for the children are slowly making a difference. One of my favorite new assignments is that the 4 olders each have a night to plan and prepare dinner. I shop and assist. Try it, you'll like it!

Tonight, we even had an impromptu dinner with friends... The ones who let us live in their home for 6 months and still like us. We ate, laughed, talked and teased.

When they had gone, we talked about the good people in our lives. They enrich us and bless us.

They teach and inspire.
They motivate.
They don't notice what is un-done.
They even help when we need to make a graceful exit.

So, whatever it is time for, we are ready.

DONE!

2010-07-01T23:54:00.000-07:00

I have had it with this week.

Summer school and summer band both ended last Friday. I had looked forward to a reduced schedule, no time constraints, not having to load into the 500 degree mini-van, and having my boys home to get stuff done.

I am wondering when we will get stuff done!

I made a great schedule and charts.

I established time limits and rewards.

I encouraged, suggested, plead, ordered, and then freaked out!

Boy , did I ever freak out. I am really great at yelling, and I hate it! (And hate is a bad word at our house.)

Everyone is really determined to practice their agency this week, but no-one seems to like the consequences. I am on edge until the last part of the day, wondering if anyone is going to do anything.

My children are miserable and keep asking if they can ...find friends, swim, play wii, go to the library, visit cousins, etc.

How do they not get it???

If they finish by an appointed hour, then the answer is yes... to all of the above!

Yet here I am, having to be the ultimate enforcer of chores and lists while I am trying to make dinner.... and yelling about it!

Calgon, take me away!

Messie...

2010-06-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

We love this girl, but not her messes. She speeds through the house opening, undo-ing, dumping, and spreading. Sometimes she adds coloring and gouging to her agenda.
I was relieved, yesterday, when T picked up her doll and bear, apparently deciding she was finished helping me shred.A couple of minutes later, I called to K in the other room to see if T was ok in with her. She informed me that T had toddled through, but not stopped. K jumped up to find T and then let out a shriek of agony.

The doll and bear lay abandoned...
For this...After the scrub down, we noticed how perfectly her eyelashes were coated in mascara. This girl certainly is thorough!

Perfection

2010-06-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

I have been accused, recently of having a perfect, fairy-tale life.

Me?
Of all people!

You know the hard work it takes to get up day after day to the same routine:

keeping house,
teaching children,
planning,
preparing meals,
scheduling,
ref-ing,
hauling,
mending,
serving,
noticing,
working,
etc.
etc.
etc.

Did you hear what I said?

Hard Work.

Things that are worthwhile all come with a price.

Hard Work.

Time.

Effort.

Sweat.

Tears.

Scrapes.

Bruises.

And after all this, there is no guarantee of the outcome. Whether I am making dinner or guiding a child, I put forth my best effort and then with a measure of blessings from my Heavenly Father, I hope for the best.

Sometimes, I burn dinner or it just tastes like "poop". (an actual quote!)

Sometimes, my children act like they were raised by banshees.

Sometimes, I get so caught up in my shortcomings that I wander from room to room not knowing what to do first... for days on end.

THAT IS LIFE

We all have those days.

Get over it.

I am blessed.

I am happy because I choose to be.

Now, GO BE HAPPY!

Jamming and Jamming

2010-06-16T07:59:00.000-07:00

This has been a big year of firsts for me! They mostly come in the domestic area of my life. (I am not sure there is another area, though. )

Growing up with 9 siblings, we were always busy with something. The something was mostly always a regular part of coming or going and daily life. Occasionally, and I don't know why she would give herself the extra work, Mom would decide it was canning day. I remember we bottled cherries, bread and butter pickles, and peaches. There could have been something else, but these are the things I remember eating out of jars. Each time, it was a huge process. We started in the morning and didn't finish until evening when the entire counter would be lined with hot jars of yumminess. We would be tired, but it had been a day of great teamwork and industry.

Jump back to now. I knew that with our great, new yard, my work would be cut out for me. We juiced and froze every drop of juice off of every citrus tree (thanks to Papa for picking them all and helping me!). I anxiously anticipated using every last juicy plump boysenberry. I have made freezer jam plenty of times, but now, my freezer space is limited. Best option: cooked jam in jars that would have to have the lids sealed. It's ok, laugh. For me, this was a daunting task. I have never sealed a jar lid myself and I still had in mind the all day process.
With the companionship of my trusty ipod and L's trusty dock, I dove in. As of now, I have bottled 8 pints of boysenberry, 21 pints of fig, and 5 pints of apricot. I did it! They look beautiful and taste amazing. Better yet, I felt so good doing something I know my mom and grandmothers and their moms and their moms have all done. The surprising part for me is that each one only took up to a couple of hours, if that. The big difference was that I had not purchased boxes and boxes of fruit, but just used what was picked and ripe... a bonus: free fruit!
Last night, a friend called and said she had apples for me from her tree and that they made great jelly! One of R's favorites! I guess that will be my next bottling venture.

Pie in the Face

2010-06-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

Early in the week, we received a phone call letting us know that one of R's Chilean mission companions was in Sedona. Could we get together? "Of course!" C also called their other "companion", who lives in Cottonwood, to come join in the fun. Since R had to work on Thursday, they decided to meet in the middle at the Rock Springs Cafe... famous for their pies.

These guys had not seen each other in 18 years! J and his family live in Cottonwood and opened a burger joint named Bing, C lives in Sacramento with his family and said we could visit anytime... nice! Our group of 17 was seated in a room all to ourselves. J's 2 babes are the same age as T and T. C's 2 girls are the same age as J and L. We had a super great time catching up.

Of course, we couldn't leave without some pie to bring home. The selection made it hard, but we decided on pecan and this... coconut cream... YUM.

Friday, after dinner, we cut slices for anyone who wanted some. L looked at it longingly and asked if it would be alright if he smashed his face in it. I told him it was his pie and he could do what he wanted with it. "What?!" Disbelief. "Really?"

Then T had to try, too.

Day Camp in the Desert

2010-06-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

(There's Sir L with the shield and the "helmet" too small for his noggin!)

Cub Scout day camp is an amazing phenomenon that occurs each summer. I think the fact that dozens of scouters and parents wrangle hundreds of cubs in the heat of the desert for 3 days at a time make it truly remarkable. This year, the average temperature in blistering Phoenix has been about 108 F for our 3 assigned days of camp. YIKES!
R was able to take Monday and Tuesday off from work to go and help the leaders from our L's bear den. Each den is assigned a "campsite" that they decorate following the theme... this year it was "Knights of the Heard Pueblo". Activities begin at 3pm each day and end at 9:30pm. Each person brings their own sack dinner which is kept in a cool chest and there are plenty of places to refill water bottles.In addition to these fun activities, the Cubs also got to swim, hike, use a compass, shoot bb guns, water fight, make terrariums, and attempt to pull the sword from the stone! Hooray for Cub Scouts!

No Photos

2010-06-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

Just as promised in the title, I have no picture proof of our wonderful, fabulous weekend in the mountains.

When we moved, it was only 2 blocks away from our previous home, friends, and ward (congregation). This small geographic change has brought many new experiences and lots of fun and learning.

When I had the chance to host our previous ward's Youth Conference for 3 days in lovely Pinetop, AZ, I jumped at the chance. My babes and I went up on Wednesday to make sure everything was in order. All of the youth and their leaders arrived Thursday at noon(ish).

I had time to assemble 994 pieces of a puzzle which ended up in the trash because of the missing 6. I soaked up the evening chill and let my babes drink all the hot chocolate they wanted. I enjoyed catching up with old friends and making some new ones. I didn't cook a single meal, as that part of the trip was assigned out. I watched and listened as my 2 older boys learned of life and spirit and mind and agency and accountability and then testified of what it all meant to them. I applied sunscreen and bug spray on the children and then did it again and again. I let my boys canoe and fish and even told them I would cook whatever they caught. (Un)fortunately they came back empty handed.

It was a wonderful weekend and I am ready to go back. Unfortunately, tomorrow starts 3 weeks of summer school (10 hrs daily) for L and summer band for J on trumpet and L starting trombone. They will be directed by the brilliant Mr. Kelly Higgins. Yahoo! 3 busy weeks and then we will relax, again and get ready for family reunions. I can hardly wait!

Time Travel

2010-05-27T10:56:00.001-07:00

That must be the answer... Right? Time travel!

This was yesterday...
Ponytails and bows. Hercules backpack with her new folder tucked safely inside. That was the day that suddenly, someone (Mrs. Annes) knew more than the parents did!

This is today.
She does her own ponytails, now, but she did ask me to tie a bow on it, this morning. All set for graduation, tonight. After my freak-out a few weeks ago, I am ready for it.

I sure love this girl.

2010-05-24T23:53:00.000-07:00

This is what after breakfast looks like most mornings. Minus the milk-jug/cup thing. That was new today, compliments of T. I don't even know where he has ever seen that!
(yes, he did knock it over and I didn't even get mad.)

10 minutes later, we were in the car to take things to the schools that the children forgot...

T: Mom, ouw bananas have decay!

Me: What?!

T: Ouw bananas have decay!

Me: Do you know what decay means?

T: (giggles) Wotten. They awe toneing bwown.

Me: Wow, T! That is a big word! Decay...! Where did you learn that?

T: Fwom Sid Science Kid.

Our babes are sponges. They soak up everything around them. Good or Bad. Science or whatever. This afternoon, I almost tripped over my bowl of berries when I heard J and L on the trampoline, teaching T (the other one) to "just smack him" and "now, kick him, hard"! How dare they! Don't they know that she will head into nursery on Sunday and do just that? Grrrr!

On the other hand, every night before I sing my babes to sleep, I kneel with them to pray. T and T always listen while the other has a turn. I say a phrase and then they repeat it. Now, T can finish many of them for me and he quite often comes up with his own list to be included. T, however, (sorry if it's confusing!) Has yet to participate. She listens, but hasn't repeated any of my phrases... until tonight. I think it caught her attention when I said, "Thankful for ba-ba", which she is. Then she repeated everyone's names and then said, " Jesus, Amen!" It was so sweet.

It was another reminder that I really need to be aware of what they are all soaking up... my bigs and my littles. They absorb more than we know!

Harvest

2010-05-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

I hope you are not sick of my garden, I'm not. I have never had one before and I love this one. When we bought this house, I was sold when I saw the yard. Half the yard was set up for playing and the other half for growing.

I inherited a fully mature and productive asparagus patch that just needs picking every spring.

I also inherited 2 fences of boysenberries that are at least 20 feet long, each. In early spring, I spent hours and hours pruning, thinning, and taming them. It has been worth every minute and scratch. This week, they have begun to ripen. The best ones are nearly black and ready to burst and warm from the sun. They melt in my mouth. I must have picked at least 5 pounds during the week. I made one pint of jam the first day, put them on ice-cream the 2nd day, and gave the entire bowl (still warm) to my babes the 3rd day. The 4th day, my sister picked them to help me with my chores so I gifted them to her :) (I just loved the visit!) Then, the 5th day, I made 3 1/2 pints of jam and warm bread to go with it.
Can you tell that I am in AWE? Growing is truly a miracle. There is no other explanation. We are so blessed. We have also planted bikinis (according to L when he was VERY small), radishes, onions, carrots, beets, peppers, basil, lemon-thyme, and a variety of tomatoes.

Growing my garden to take care of my children and growing my children to take care of my garden. We are learning together and enjoying some time together while we are doing it.

Hints of Summertime...

2010-05-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

The signs are all around us. As the thermometer creeps up, we can't deny the fact that an Arizona Summer is coming soon. With a new yard this year, our family has new signs to notice as well as the yearly rituals that make our family tick. See for yourselves...

Promises of sweet things to come...
The boysenberries are gorgeous and delicious!
Can you see the asparagus coming up? It grows about 4 inches each day!

Popsicles...

Summer haircuts...

It did all come off, but they both loved the in-between stage!

And... apparently his brows were a little toasty, too... notice the gap in each one? Compliments of J. Sorry it is blurry... I had to steal the proof while he was asleep. The story is that it was L's idea and he asked J for help. What big brother could turn down down a request to make his little brother look doofish?

Honestly, it is now 2 days after the eyebrow assault and I am finally just beginning to see the humor in it :)

I don't want to know you, thanks

2010-05-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

I met cancer this year. Actually, she's an acquaintance of some friends. I definitely wouldn't call her MY friend.

I met her the first time several of years ago, through an aunt. At the time, my heart was so pained by other things, that I didn't recognize her for who she was and what she did. I avoided any contact with her as she stole that precious life.

I heard, over a year ago, that she had made the acquaintance of a woman who I didn't know, but knew of. Somehow, I knew I would meet this woman, and I have. I love her and love her children and love her sisters and mom, and her husband who serves selflessly. (How could he not, when he is in need of a miracle?) Twice, when I have seen her across the way, with her children, tears have sprung to my eyes. I even made sure her niece sneaked a picture when I saw her laughing on the couch with her husband, who's head was in her lap. Cancer has stolen her future. It will take birthdays, weddings, holidays. It will steal all the minutes of holding babies, smelling rain, and teaching her children.

A couple of months ago, I reconnected with a friend from high school. Within a month she was in a battle for her life. She had also battled 7 years earlier. This time she lost. She left a husband, a daughter and 3 sons.

A few weeks ago, a teenage friend met cancer. She is not supposed to live through the summer.

Lives stolen.

Dreams shattered.

Cancer does not always take everything. Quite often, after knowing her, people are stronger, happier, more sure of what they want. Overcoming hard circumstances can do that for us.

For my friends, cancer has been unwelcome, overbearing, intrusive, demanding, lurking and aggressive.

My friends, on the other hand, have been kind, generous, grateful, faithful, private, and hopeful.

They are beautiful women who lead beautiful lives, one second at a time...

Happy Mothers' Day!

2010-05-08T23:15:00.001-07:00

Years ago, I was surprised to find out that some moms cannot stand this day. For them, it conjured up feelings of guilt that they were somehow falling short of what was being celebrated. Not me... I have had no guilt... about this. I think, if I was the kind of person who reflected, analyzed, critiqued more, I might. But, I'm not and I don't.

When I was a teen, 19, newly married and now a part of the Relief Society (the womens' organization of the LDS church) I heard a scripture that became one of my favorites. It is found in the book of The Doctrine and Covenants section 46, verse 12. I'll start with verse 11...

11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To Some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited, thereby.

See?! I don't have to be able to do everything. If we all do the part that we can, when we put it all together, we will have enough.

I believed it the first time I heard it and I still believe it, today. Through out my entire life, I have been blessed by the women around me who are all doing their part. They have loved me, taught me, taken care of me (and my children), fed me, clothed me, cheered me, heard me, laughed with me, cried with me, encouraged me, had patience with me... If I can do but one of these for one person during a day, then I am giving my part.

The first mothers I watched:
(at least the ones I can remember :) )

My Angel of a mother, Dottie Layton
Muttie
Grandma Layton
Many Aunts and older cousins :)
Joyce Koster
Jane Wright
Nancy Hobbs
Margie Willis
Kathleen Anderson
Tina Wright
Kathy Nunes
Vonda Giles
Carleen Dennison
Jody Busby
Stephanie Wright
Michael John
Cherie Burrell
Vickie Smith
Glenna Tingey
Fern Anderson
Erma Anderson

Look at that... its a who's who in the old 8th ward, plus a few. I love these ladies. I watched them through my teen years.

I have watched others along the way.

Now, I watch you and the women who are in my family, ward and neighborhood. I have so much to learn :)

I am privileged to mother 6. My joy and motivation come from them. However, I must confess, I love their father first :)

Prom 2010

2010-04-29T08:19:00.000-07:00

Prom 2010

2010-04-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

Preparation

2010-04-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

It is, after all, the key to success, right?

Prom has been a surprisingly big deal at our house. I can't remember K ever being this excited for anything. The final weeks of her senior year have been spectacular. YCL activities for summer girl's camp, Regional Choir, 1st soprano in All State Choir and the choir trip to San Fransisco have all been highlights. Anticipation of prom, however, lit her eyes like nothing else.

You have to understand that K has never been a girly girl. No frills, ruffles, floofs, or flounces for her. Prom, however has been another story, altogether. The preparation has resulted in the perfect coming together of the perfect parts. I'll explain:

The Date: T. Her favorite, kindest, talented, funny, most polite friend who smells good and happens to be very handsome.

The Dress: It's the one of her dreams. K doesn't like to shop. She gets it from me. Together we are quite a duo. We ventured off go AZ Mills to Group USA where we have had amazing luck finding great dresses in the past at GREAT prices (usually on the clearance rack). She told me she might want red. She spied this one almost as soon as we walked into the store. It was in a clear bag in the bridal section. She could see the color and the roses and knew it was perfect. She didn't dare step toward it, but when I saw it, I wanted her to at least try it on. Our arms were piled high as we made our way into the dressing rooms. Each dress was beautiful. She saved The Dress for last. There was a unanimously audible "ohhh" when we saw her. The other moms and girls had all stopped and turned. That, I think, is what sold her. Of course, with the price, we had only tried it on for fun. We took pictures so we could remember what the goal was as we searched for a similar dress, and if necessary, we could show granny what the goal was as we searched for patterns and fabric. We left the mall empty handed and stopped at the first fabric store, but came out disappointed. The next day, K left for her choir trip. That night, Papa came to visit. He asked if we found a dress, we told him about our new quest to either find a similar one or make one. Long story, not as long as it could be :), when K came home from her trip, she had a surprise waiting. Aunt KK "just happened" to have fabric that matched to add on the sleeves, and granny did her magic.The Accessories: R is the best dad ever and loves to shop with K. He is the one who took her and found the shoes and tiara. Aunt L loaned the gorgeous jewelry. I asked K if she wanted something "more"... fancy, bauble-y, pearl-y, sparkle-y? She insisted that the pieces from L were just what she had envisioned.
The Team: Aunt KK is an aesthetician and came and did make-up... perfectly. S, our good friend and "hair-doer" brought her sister B and they did the amazing curls and styles. Thanks team! It was so fun, and 2 friends came and got ready here, too.
It seems a little funny to me, that we made such a big deal of a high-school date. To K, though, it was a big deal.

I have learned that when we make a big deal of the things that are important to our children they grow in confidence and self worth and feel lifted by the family.

That is always worth the preparation.

2010-04-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

As R was headed to work one particularly jumbled morning, his after smooch remark, with a hopeful smile, was "try to keep all the balls in the air..." I smiled and then started to panic.

(If I could juggle and had a picture of me doing it, I would post it here.)

It was a day with a long list and a particular order for checking the items off.

Do you know me? I keep lists so I don't forget what to do. I start one thing, do part of something else that catches my attention on the way, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, and oh yeah, that is what I started doing in the first place. Confusing enough? I know!

R's hopeful suggestion is still sitting here, in my mind even after several days of repeat, repeat, repeat.

I still think of myself as a beginner when it comes to doing what I do. What do I do? Good question. I wife, mother, sister, friend, etc... all verbs, not nouns in this sense. I have a few tried and true methods, but I am always eager for new techniques. I try to eliminate distractions and stick with the practiced routine so that the lives I lead and shuttle and share and feed and teach and encourage and scold and love will be in place. Still, sometimes I mess up big time. Sometimes, it all crashes to the ground. Sometimes, more often than I want. Then what? Pick them up and start again with one and add another and another. They will fall again. I will mess up again. Not because I want to, but because I am so just "simpley" me.

It's ok. I am completely fine with it. The ones I wife, mother, sister, friend, etc., are my favorites. They are forgiving, kind, even appreciative, sometimes. They are wonderful, fun, and, well, sigh..., so worth it.

2010-04-10T23:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday is a special day... it's the day we get ready for Sunday!

We always have a list longer than the day on Saturday. We have chores galore and places to go and people to see and things to do. Vague? Sorry.

The chore part of the day has never been the same twice. We never have figured out a good division of labor/responsibilities for the children. Outside chores are usually done with dad, and if we don't start inside chores early enough, it becomes boys outside and girls inside. Both will get done, but not a lot of teaching or learning takes place.

Our schedule was out of the ordinary today. K was gone shortly after noon and didn't return until 11:27pm. Prom is in 2 weeks, and her group of friends had their amazingly fun and creative day activity today. I only include this to show that she was out of the picture.

When R left to go to Home Depot for the 2nd time, I knew I had to act fast. I rounded up the troops and gave orders.

The goal: a clean house.
The technique: everyone will work together in each room until it is clean. We will have people vacuum, dust and tidy. We will trade jobs in each room... GO!

It went really well... surprisingly so! In 35 minutes, we cleaned almost 3700 sq. feet! Impressive if you ask me!

2 Highlights of the job:
1) when the boys found our chunky pink and blue microphones that are basically an echo chamber with a spring inside, they all broke out into a rousing rendition of "Fat Bottom Girls" by Queen!
2) the spontaneous "wrastle" that broke out at the end!

My boys did a great job. I hope they feel good about it and enjoy their clean home on the Sabbath.

2010-04-07T13:09:00.000-07:00

As she teeters on the edge, my grip tightens, desperately. Frantically, I grasp at anything that will keep her from slipping. My struggle seems to slow, like the time I did CPR on my infant brother. Minutes stretch to eternities, and even though I see where she is headed, there is nothing I can do to stop it. I scream inside, I plead, I dangle anything I can to lure her away, but still, she tip-toes, elated to be on the ledge... and it is narrowing. She will fall, soon and there will be nothing I can do but watch... My heart is racing and tears spill, but there is no changing the future.

I hate that it feels like this! Why is this part of my daughter's life so traumatic to me? People do this everyday, but as I type, my throat is closing off and I am shaking and forcing myself to breathe slowly.

K has every opportunity before her. She has worked so hard and deserves every good thing, but I just want to hold her on my lap and rock... hold them all on my lap and rock and read and sing. She has proved herself good and disciplined and faithful. All important, but still, I hold on, too tight. Her world will expand, soon. I see her dreaming and hoping and planning and hope the dreams and hopes and plans all come to be a reality exceeding what she envisions.

For now, I cannot bring myself to pay a housing deposit. I hold on too tight.

2010-03-28T15:25:00.000-07:00

L had an assignment in his high school physics class to make a car powered by a mousetrap. The further the car goes, the higher the grade earned. We take those challenges seriously. During the first semester we produced first class bridge made of spaghetti and hot glue that won the class competition for the amount of weight it could hold. This time, we, I mean L, ran over the competition! Hi car traversed over 18 meters to set class record! He said that although it was slow, it just kept going. Great job L!

Spring Break

2010-03-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

Spring break is one of the most anticipated times of year at our house. We never have used it for a week of adventure or vacation, but have always enjoyed relaxing mornings and really slowing down the pace of our lives for a few precious days, without the cumbersome schedules of school.

The first notable occurrence, however, almost called for a holiday type celebration.

Haircuts.

Our tresses had become way too long to manage in a timely manner. Gel, mousse, hairspray, countless minutes in front of the mirrors, constantly having to check and recheck to make sure all the hair was in place... it was ridiculous. And the girls were not the ones with the problemS!

I assured the boys I would do my best, although un-trained, to make them less hairy, but still presentable. Well, because I am slow, and they are impatient, it was only a few minutes before they were each pleading for me to "...just buzz it off!" HoOrAy! I love buzzed heads and the time and product-usage issues were all solved!

This is the hair from only one head, my 11 year old!

The one interesting outing we took was to my cousins' "farm". It is her wonderful, big backyard, where they have acquired some of the interesting, petting zoo type animals. The draw for us, was the new addition of a newborn shetland pony. I saw it on her blog and knew we had to see it for ourselves. We were not disappointed! Ruby was sweet and tiny and not quite as tall as T, who is 18 months old. We could hardly get enough of her, and I had to refuse, more than a few times, the pleadings of my children who wanted to keep her :)

Our First Garden

2010-03-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

2010-03-14T15:12:00.000-07:00

2010-03-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

T had the perfect "making sandwiches" hat, today!

The best part is that he "made" me one as well!

2010-03-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

Wake up.
Pray.
Feed my family.
Take care of my family (and their stuff).
Read my scriptures.
Pray.
Go to bed.

Simple. Predictable. I like it this way.

I like when I have no where to go. I like when I have no calls to make, things to arrange, or purchase, or deliver.

I like to go at my own pace. I like to pause from cleaning up breakfast to read to T & T for 30 minutes. I like finding each bed in the house carefully made... usually. I like nap time on the couch with 2 sleepy heads in my lap just not able to keep their eyes open one more minute.

I like to thin my boysenberries a little each day, sitting in the warm sun listening to the grackles chatter in the trees. I like to pick my asparagus, one stalk at a time and enjoy each crunchy bite, still warm from the earth where it grows, all while my babes play nearby.

I like that my 2 in the middle run home from the bus to see who can kiss me first and who can kiss me the most. I like that they all love food and will eat just about anything I set in front of them. I like that they are all becoming a very efficient kitchen crew after dinner. I like that sometimes my boys shower so fast that they forget to wash all their parts. (Sillies, what are they in there for in the first place?)

I like that R is the best at putting children to sleep. I like that he knows it and enjoys it. I like that he leaves everything clean and I never have to tidy up after him (at least almost never:) ) I like when we are ready for bed at the same time. I like that he is so thankful and conscientious. I like snuggling up to him... a lot.

I like when I am in the middle of my small universe and the phone rings and a friend needs help. I like that Heavenly Father knows that I need to step outside myself and sometimes feel uncomfortable to learn and grow. I like being able to teach the few tricks I know and help when I can.

I like that when I am the one who calls, so many people are ready to help me.

Pneumonia

2010-02-28T20:52:00.000-08:00

Yes, really. This is what it looks like at the West house.

If I was to add sound, it wouldn't be pretty. Coughing. Wheezing. Crying. Complaining.
Who can blame him, really?

Poor guy, he was diagnosed in the ER in the middle of the night last week. We went late to the new Cardon's Center at Banner Desert. It was busy, with a really great staff. He received 3 breathing treatments and then had a chest x-ray from a portable machine that was disguised as a firetruck. While there, my 3 year old enjoyed control of the clicker, new crayons and coloring book, and several middle of the night trips to the "Nourishment" room.

Since then, T has been on an antibiotic and breathing treatments.

Today, I think a down hill turn. No appetite, no joy, no patience...hmmm.

Tomorrow, back to the Dr.

Hooray for K!

2010-02-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, K came home from school and asked if I thought she should participate in the upcoming Az Junior Miss Scholarship Competition. I told her that in my opinion she was strong in each of the areas being judged, and if someone wanted to give her some money, and if she had the time... why not?

After only 3 weeks of practices, the competition was Saturday night. The girls were judged on academics, interview, poise, fitness, talent, etc. K borrowed a gorgeous dress and wore it when she sang an Italian opera. Even with laryngitis and bronchitis, it was beautiful. The amazing hair and bling from Sommer were the perfect touch. She even placed as a runner up in that category. For poise, she wore an amazing red dress that she had gotten for homecoming. We bought it long and strapless, with potential, and amazing Granny made it perfect. K was darling doing the fitness routine, and like I thought originally, strong. From her dad, of course:)

In the end, K was named 2nd runner up, over all. We are thrilled. R surprised us, and got to be there to watch. He had driven to San Diego for a conference, but came home a whole day early and came straight to the theater. What an amazing dad thing to do.

K said the best part was becoming friends with so many great girls, and the money is not so bad, either.

We are so proud of our pumpkin head!

2010-02-18T07:32:00.000-08:00

Growing up, several times a year, Midnight Magic would happen at my house. I would go to bed, unsuspecting, and in the morning, an amazing project would have been started and finished. Easter morning, my sisters and I would wake up to new dresses where there had only been a neatly folded stack of fabric and notions the night before. On the day of our Valentine parties, we would awaken to dozens and dozens of pink heart cookies lining the counter. Each one carefully frosted and inscribed with the name of one of our classmates. Amazing.

Last week, while the Greens were here for the wedding, our home became wedding cake central. My job was to assist with whatever Em needed to make it. Orange fondant, rice crispy layers and all. It turned our beautifully!

As inspiring as creation can be, I never thought that L would be the one to hatch a plan for the next cake.

Today is the birthday of the percussion section leader. He plays the quints when they march and is a nice guy. So, why not make a cake... in the middle of the night? Anyone can do this, right?

Nice job, L! It was fun to work Midnight Magic with you!

Notable February Happening #2

2010-02-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

When I was 17, I did CPR on my 1 year old little brother. Yesterday, he got married. It was wonderful!

Notable February Happening #1

2010-02-13T19:57:00.000-08:00

Not great news for us, but T realized with little to no effort she can reach new heights. She is thrilled with her new skill!

2010-02-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

Over a week ago, I broke the oven door. I bumped the handle with a cookie sheet and the entire front shattered. Then, the fallen, broken pieces continued to jump and pop all over the floor until there was no piece left larger than a pea. It was a sight to behold!

Since then, I have not been able to use the oven and continue to wait for a new door.

In the meantime, we have use the crockpot many times and the stove top the rest of the times. I am getting tired of both and feeling very repetitive in our meals.

Today, I saw a recipe for cookies made in this...

...and they turned our great! They were fresh and hot as the babes arrived home from school.

Then I started thinking, did a little online research and discovered that people cook many things in their waffle irons. Who knew? So, with our delicious vegetables and sausage gravy for dinner, we had...

waffle iron biscuits! Cute and delicious! They were a hit! Try it and enjoy!

2010-02-02T21:50:00.000-08:00

I keep finding the camera in a different place than where I left it. Yes, most things in my house are that way. Everything has legs, but the camera has just recently sprouted them. Today, when I found the camera, I also found these...

I love them! This is J practicing in the backyard, yesterday. He could play as loud and long as he wanted, and no one even asked him to stop. I am so glad someone grabbed the camera!

When I found this evidence, I could see that it was our 3 year old photographer once, again. Not bad!

The camera has such cute stubby Cox toes on it's legs.

2010-01-23T15:27:00.000-08:00

Years ago, I learned a make-up trick that I continue to use and is my favorite. It's nothing revolutionary, but for taming unruly eyebrows, clear mascara does wonders. I use it myself and have even been known to use it on my sons...on occasion, not frequently.

I guess T felt like he needed a little taming on Thursday.

I'm not sure this was the effect he was looking for!