Painful Realizations

I have gathered a list of things I am realizing daily... enjoy.

• I am at an age where I should never jump on the trampoline without first emptying my bladder.
• Never glue on scout patches if you ever intend on removing them later.
• If I clean all day long, every day, taking no breaks, my house will STILL be messy. 
• Check your bedding BEFORE you are ready for bed… you never know when a child has decided to stop a bloody nose with your pillow.
• It is possible to power nap at stop lights.
• If I put all willing kids in my family sized shower, I can get three showers done at once – and blog at the same time (sitting at the counter in the bathroom with them of course) Please don’t judge – it’s been a LONG day.
• Just because you have told your son you will be returning the "too-small" pants he just tried on, don’t assume he knows not to run through the mud in them.
• Just when you think nothing grosser can come from your puppy... surprise!
• There are worse things than naked Barbies.
• If you are trying to water fight with your son, be sure not to aim a strong stream directly at his eye. He will cry. You will feel guilty.
• Don’t tell your smart-alecky son he is growing whiskers unless you want to hear the same thing about you.
• Our family is, if truth be told, filling the landfills all on our own – and probably killing all the dolphins in the process.
• If it looks like a dead bird, it probably is. Don’t approach.
• There is no such thing as a “Dish Fairy” only a “Dish Nymph” – and he hates me.
• The "Fresh Beat Band" is strangley intriguing and they really do have "Loco Legs"
• A laundry room really can, in fact, smell like sauerkraut.

Out of my mind excited!!!

How did I see the Hand of God today?

A new temple was approved by the town council... The most sacred building to a Latter-Day Saint. The place where God walks. We get to build another one. I get to see it happen. It is such a wonderful feeling.

Absolutely Wonderful!!!

Many people have the mistaken idea that going to the temple is an "exclusive" club of sorts. But that is SO not true. Heavenly Father wants ALL his children to go there.

BEFORE the temple is dedicated, it is opened up to the general public to walk through. And I want to take this opportunity right now to invite all my blogging buddies (especially those who are curious) to come walk through this beautiful building with me. Come see why it is so special to me. I will let everyone know, as soon as I do, the dates (which will be a LONG while still)

AFTER the temple is dedicated, it is opened to members of the LDS church in good standing. But being a member in good standing is open to everyone.

This quote has been coming to mind tonight,

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done (History of the Church, 4:540)."

Nap Time...

I know I just posted about my niece and her mess... but B didn't want to be left out...

I got a locking make-up case for this reason... but in my rush to get ready this morning, forgot to put the lipstick away.

Usually, Sunday afternoons, we take naps. At least most of us do. But today? Not so much.



So, while I dozed, B decorated -- her face.

B saying, "You're not mad, mom. You're happy!"

It's important to look your very best...

Oh. My. Goodness.

Okay, here's the deal. My little sis flew into town to rescue me. She has been here, helping me get the house in order, hanging pictures, cooking freezer meals (by the way, I have the Uber Best Sister in the world!)

Anyway, things have been kinda hectic and our traditional Target run had to be put off. Finally, after a whole day of food prep and kid juggling, we decide to drag our tired hineys to the store. I got B down and Auntie L got her little girl, G, down -- sort of.

You see, she was mostly asleep.

So, with a kiss good - bye, Auntie L told her little girl that her boy cousins and Uncle T were in the other room watching the movie. We'd be right back. Promise.

This is what we came home to... I still can't stop laughing. My sister is now taking up a collection to replace her well loved, slightly gross, and mostly gone make up!!

Love it!

Things I know...

I have some hesitation in sharing this post with the blogging world. However, I awoke this morning with the distinct feeling I needed to post my thoughts – if only for myself. There are some details that are too personal, too intimate to share. But, because this blog is first and foremost a chronicle of my life, I would be amiss if I didn’t share the things that are in my heart this morning.


I have mentioned that our family is experiencing some trials. One of the hardest trials I think we have ever faced. Hubby and I have spent a lot of time on our knees pleading for guidance and help. I don’t know if this trial is over. I don’t know what trials lay ahead. But I do know, with all my heart, that the Lord, our Heavenly Father, loves us.

I know there is power in prayer. I tend to wear my feelings on my sleeve, well both sleeves actually, and pant legs and pockets… I don’t hold much back from people. Because of that, there are a lot of people who are praying for us right now. I can feel it. I am strengthened and sustained by the Divine Influence that supports our family, through their prayers.

There is power in the Holy Temple of God. I have been able to recognize this from an early age. And I can not deny it now. I know when that power is combined with true prayer, it is multiplied. I know, that by having our dear boy being prayed for – daily, frequently, sincerely – he is strengthened. We are strengthened.

I know that there are guardian angels watching over my family. I like to believe they are those in our family who have passed on ahead of us. Those with whom we have special ties. I like to believe that my parents and hubby’s grandparents are doing all they can to lift, protect and buoy those I love.

I know there is a mantle placed upon good, regular men that takes them from “ordinary” to God’s sacred servants. That the Bishop, being dedicated to the Lord, can turn those Keys he is given, in behalf of my family. That the words and comfort he offers can sustain and guide if we will heed them.

I am ever convinced that I am entirely inadequate as a parent. I can not do this enormous task given to me – not without help; sustaining help from my Heavenly Father. My sweet family is daily proof that it takes a village to raise a child. Without caring teachers, church leaders, friends, relatives and God Himself, my family would fail – miserably. My heart overflows with gratitude for those who have become our “village” and who offer their love and support.

I know, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father is aware of me and my family. He knows each of His children intimately and I am so grateful to be called “His”.

I know that this is the True and Living Gospel upon the earth. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness. We are led by a living Prophet of God. The Lords truth is on the earth. Those who struggle, wonder or feel despair, only need to embrace its truthfulness. Because it is here. All of it. The WHOLE Gospel of Christ. It is there for all those who desire to know more about it.

Thanks for letting me share these feelings with you. Have a happy day.

Things I see in my everyday life...

Aphrodite's Lunch

How can I possibly cook this potato?

Spoil of War
(look away if you're squeemish)

A freshly skinned coyote skull J brought home from his campout and left on our doorstep (notice the fuzz on the jaw?)... um, yeah, pardon me while I gag.

Nothing like freedom!

One of my kiddos (not saying which one) enjoying himself on the trampoline in his skivvies!

My Baby is THREE!!!

B cried for almost 2 hours after she was born. She was SSSOOOOO MAD we disturbed her. After that, she purred all night long. She came out making noise and she hasn't stopped since. You can always find her singing, just like her on her BIRTHday!

Man, I love her smile!!!

Happy Birthday to my little princess. Thank you for coming to our family!

And, the very most recent photo was taken at the Orthopedic's office. Yup, for those of you who remember B's birthday last year, you will notice a little tradition beginning here...

B was rough housing with her big brothers and her foot jsut couldn't keep up.

HEAVY

When I was 17, I had the grand idea to become a lifeguard. It would be a great summer job, I would keep fit and {maybe most importantly}be oh-so-very-cool. I trained hard and was able to pass every test “swimmingly”. That is except for one test.


Treading water for one minute holding a 10 pound brick overhead.

As hard as I trained, as often as I practiced, the stop watch would hit 45 seconds and I would start to go under; slowly sinking against the frantic kicking of my legs. Ten pounds never seemed so heavy. I would stretch my neck and lift my chin, trying desperately to keep my head above water. My legs ached, my arms burned from the weight of the brick (which seemed to get heavier with each passing second) Time after time, between 48 and 52 seconds, I would sink.

It was frustrating to me. It wasn’t as if I wasn’t trying. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t given everything I had. I was always convinced that I could do anything I set my mind to and I had totally set my mind to this. And yet I sunk.

Summer passed and I missed the opportunity to wear that red swimsuit, sunglasses on a whited nose and carry the red float while I blew the whistle at young troublemakers.

I survived. I got over it. But the memory of trying to tread water with a brick over head has forever been etched into the “object-lesson” corners of my mind.

There are so many times I have felt like I am symbolically treading water, doing all I can to stay afloat, and though I am frantically kicking, I am sinking against my will.

This is one of those times. For the whole family.

We knew, when we made the decision to move, that it would be hard. We just didn’t know HOW hard. We didn’t realize the effect that it would have on our very existence as a family. We didn’t realize how rooted we were into our old neighborhood and what a support everyone was. We thought we knew, but we really didn’t.

And my whole family is treading water with a brick over each of our heads.

I have never lived in an area as long as I had my last neighborhood. Eight years. That is longer than ANYWHERE I lived, even as a child. Friends became family – in every sense of the word – and life was comfortable.

The small amount of routine we had has been lost. The comfort of running to a neighbor when we need a shoulder to cry on is gone. The convenience of the kids being able to get themselves everywhere they need to go has changed. Everything is different.

Don’t get me wrong. We love this area (or at least Hubby and I do). We have been greeted with kindness from our new ward. We have had so many blessings here.

It is just different. Everything is different.

The kids are struggling {extremely}to adjust. Maybe because mom and dad are in such a conflicted stated of chaos, they are not adjusting as quickly or as well as we had hoped.

When you mix in the regular trials of life like broken bones, illnesses, long work days for hubby, kids coloring on walls or destroying parts of the home – it makes our virtual brick heavier. It gets us closer to that “52 seconds”, that mark that is just ALMOST – but not quite. That point when we sink.

And it is getting harder and harder to keep my head above water. It is getting more difficult to help my kids keep their heads above water. It is getting hard to help my sweet hubby keep his head above water.

So just what are you supposed to do when the whole family seems to be losing the battle with the brick?

We are trying to do the things we need to as a family. We are trying to do the things we need to as individuals. Hubby and I don’t doubt our decision to move. We still know it was right. But I ask myself every day, what is it that the Lord needs us to learn? How can we get back on our feet and be of service to Him? What is it that I can change?

Things just seem so heavy right now.

Never Forget

Remembering those who lost their life in innocence, those who braved the chaos and those who gave their life trying to defend our country.

9/11 is etched in the very core of my heart.

I will not forget the solemnity of that day or the united feeling of patriotism that followed.

God (please) Bless America!

A NOSE by any other name...

I hate elevators. Don’t get me wrong… anything that keeps me from climbing stairs is shear genius. However, these poorly ventilated boxes tend to retain smell.


From everyone.

Whether it is the ripeness of a baby’s diaper or the lingering scent from an overly perfumed college student. It’s there. It sits there; The Smell. Often curing in the Arizona heat. Waiting to test my “breath holding” skills.

And then, mix a little of the stale smell with the fresh smells that walk onto the elevator with you… it is enough to make anyone pass out.

I walked onto an elevator the other day with 6 other people. Three of them were older men, two (maybe) in their sixties and one (definitely-maybe) in his eighties. The other three were women.

The following conversation still disturbs me.

Lady #1 – Mmmm, one of you boys smell good. (by the way, NOBODY smelled good)

Lady #2 – (sniffing and sighing) Yeah

60 Yr old man #1 – (pointing to his 60 yr old buddy) Must be Jim, he always smells good.

60 yr old Jim – Can’t be me, I have been sweating.

80 yr old man – Me either, I have been sweating too.

Lady #1 – Well, one of y’alls smells nice.

80 year old man – I just smell like sweat.

60 yr old man #1 – You never know, they like that smell too.

WHAT????

Do men REALLY think women like the smell of sweat? Or worse, are there really women that are going around making men believe that they like that smell???

I was doing my best to hold my breath and, once the elevator stopped, was quite inconsiderate as I hurried from my temporary prison in front of all the sweet, smelly elderly people.

Shhhhh, I am talking about THE BROADCAST

I will be the first to admit I am not crazy about the current administration that runs our government. I didn’t vote for Barack Obama and I don’t care for most of his ideas.


That being said, I will restate what I have said before, he is still our president and there is some amount of respect that should be given to those who hold that office. Until Mr. Obama goes against the “voice of the people” I will offer my support (not to be confused with agreement) to my nation and its government.

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.” (Articles of Faith #12)

As long as our President is listening to his nation and following the will of its citizens, he is breaking no law. If I don’t like his agenda or goals, it isn’t my job to shout empty words of disgust to the world. Instead, it is my job to help gather the voice of the people together to support ideas that would improve our government.

I have been keenly interested in the controversy surrounding the upcoming Presidential Address to the nation’s children at school. I have heard angry parents claiming to pull their children from school that day. I have heard parents state their children are not allowed to listen to “this man” and assuming he has nothing of value to say.

Admittedly, I was nervous when I heard about the speech. I talked with some very important people in my life and began to form an opinion. Here are some basic points of interest that helped me arrive at my decision.

• Obama isn’t the first President to address school children.
• He is too smart to play any “pied piper” role over the air.
• If a couple kids actually listen and are inspired to do better in school, that could change generations… and that is a good thing.
• I not only have the opportunity to “opt out” I can see the broadcast on C-Span and read the transcript.
• What a wonderful lesson for my children to listen, discuss and learn. I believe that by discussing the speech with my children, it would have a much stronger impact on them than yanking them out of school simply because I do not like the current Presidential Politics.

I wish people could step back a little and look at the bigger picture. It is possible to listen to someone you don’t agree with – even gleen bits of truth and inspiration – and still hold your own opinions.

So, long story short, my kiddos will be watching the Presidential Broadcast.

Rain, Rain, Never Go Away

My children have moods. Bad, bad moods.


I know it is hard to believe, but it is true.

This morning was one such morning. We woke up to pouring rain. You know, the kind of rain that rages so hard, you think it will shatter the windows.

In Arizona, it’s such a novelty, people get really excited about it.

So, this beautiful rainy morning, J had the grumps. About 20 minutes after the lightning and thunder had passed and the rain had stopped, my Grumpy J got really bad. I was hearing about a lot of mistakes I had been making as a mom. About the time I heard the word “hypocrite” I stopped him and said, “It’s time you go outside and calm down.”

Angry as ever J stomped outside. I was watching him with furrowed brow through the window. He had been outside about ten seconds when out of the currently silenced sky, the loudest, window rattling thunder clap roared through the heavens. The house vibrated, the dog howled, J nearly wet himself, and I laughed my head off. J’s frightened look quickly melted to laughter once he was safely inside.

I wasn’t about to waste this perfectly timed lesson and commented how “Heavenly Father doesn’t like it when he talks to his mom like that.”

After a good ten minutes of laughing together (and a very sincere apology) J had a wonderful day for the rest of the day. He was cheerful, helpful and even did some dishes.

I love the rain!

Deep Breaths

Ever feel like you are playing a game of DARTS...

And you are the DARTBOARD???