Prod, nudge, hint hint

Every day I pass them. A uniformed man or woman sitting outside the two empty homes across from our subdivision. They are there at 7 in the morning. They are still there at 3. Still at 7 at night, they sit. There position throughout the day shifts only with the shade they are trying to stay protected by. Equipped with a cooler, an iPod and lawn chair, these folks sit one at a time in front of empty homes. This has been going for the last two or three weeks.


Finally, my curiosity got the best of me. I had to ask.

“What on earth are you guys doing around here?????”

Evidently, they are a security company, who has been hired to send out security guards to prevent break-ins and vandalism by watching over these homes.

ALL DAY LONG. In 110 degree heat.

And, get this… in this neighboring subdivision there are 32 empty homes they are hired to watch over ALL DAY LONG.

THIRTY TWO!

Thirty two, brand new, empty homes. I think the whole subdivision only has 50 homes (well maybe a little more, but it is small)

So, here is my question… Why are all my friends still in MESA???

There is plenty of room out here!!! Come on over – you can have your pick, get an amazing deal and be near the new temple!!!

I’m just saying…

It's MAGIC!

Can someone explain, exactly, how a mom is supposed to sit through a wonderful magic show presented by her children, encouraging them, smiling and not completely freak out about the mess being made right before her eyes?


R & T spent the day setting up a magic show in T’s room. The whole day. T’s room was clean this morning. Not so much now.

About 5:30 we began to find notes scattered around the house that said “Magic Show 6:00” The two boys had donned the magician’s uniform (which actually looked a lot like Karate Uniforms) and were ready to go.

We filed expectantly to T’s bedroom, now strewn with sheets, boxes, markers, paper… and a few other things I’m not sure I can identify. Settling ourselves in the corner we began to watch the show.

This show included small containers overflowing with dyed water. Dusty boxes retrieved from the garage, lizards being dropped into these said boxes (I wasn’t supposed to see that one) and much more.

I tried really hard to smile, nod and gush. But inside I was thinking about the purple water that had spilled all over T’s bed, or the marker stains now dotting his once clean sheets. I tried not to notice that every toy in the room was now on the floor or that the boys were dangerously close to knocking over the lizard’s meal box full of live crickets. I tried really hard not to worry that scorpions were in those dusty boxes littered throughout the room and especially tried not to think about the amount of laundry this one magic show would afford.

But R & T were so proud. SOOOO proud. So, does a little mess matter all that much when your child is transported into an imaginary realm for a few hours? Probably not. I just wish I could transport with them so I don’t worry about the reality they leave behind.

I LOVE to see the TEMPLE!!!!

As some of you may know, our new home came with a view. Out of my kitchen window I see this:

This is a view of the same field from my upstairs window.

Here is another view from over my backyard wall.

“So what’s the big deal?” You ask.

This.

That’s right folks, the new LDS temple will be built on these very acres I look out at right now. We are going to get to see the Temple of the Lord being constructed – from ground breaking to dedication.

I am SOOO excited!!

I have decided to visually track this progress on a new blog called http://www.gilbertldstemple.blogspot.com/. It’s not an opinion blog, only a visual record of what I can see from my window and nearby corners. I am not official in any way and won’t have any information for people, other than my photos.

Add this blog to your roll so you can see the temples progress!!!

Even an Old Barn looks better with a coat of paint...

AAAAAAAHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh!

There are some advantages of having your baby in pre-school!

Happy Birthday!

We were a young, engaged couple at BYU, living in neighboring apartment complexes. We had already pooled our money to make it stretch a bit further and had been out grocery shopping together.

One of the perks of being a young, broke couple at BYU was that we had ample opportunity to ride the UTA buses all over the Orem/Provo area. (Much to the worry of our parents, we not only were unemployed, we had no car)

On this particular bus ride, we lugged our groceries from Food4Less back to our respective apartments. Hobbling off the bus, we waited for the light to change so we could cross.

Darling Hubby carried the bulk of the groceries because he is just that kind of guy. For some reason, we were either moving slowly or the light was timed fast because suddenly we got the “Flashing Hand” warning us our crossing time was nearing an end.

I picked up speed and was nearly across the street when I heard a crash – not from a car, but from the groceries Hubby had been carrying. As I turned to look, I realized that Hubby’s bag had ripped and ALL its contents landed smack in the middle of the crosswalk. Frozen burritos, Ramen Noodles, jelly, pickles, etc… EVERYWHERE!

Now, because I was the thoughtful, kind fiancé everyone should be, I didn’t just want to leave him hanging… so I did what any sympathetic companion would do (insert appropriate sarcasm). I quickly finished crossing the street, turned around and laughed at Hubby. But, lest you think I didn’t help him, I did. I kept telling him to hurry because the light was changing. Of course, I had to keep laughing because, well, who wouldn’t?

As I lovingly waved him across, telling him to pick up the ketchup and put the canned fruit in the other already-bulging bags, watching as he fretted over the falling groceries, the light changed. Hubby helplessly stood in the middle of the crosswalk, blocking two lanes of impatient drivers, stuck in their track by college food. He couldn’t bear to leave the food behind because we had spent a whopping $30 on the food, and it had to last a while.

Eventually, and it really seemed like forever, Hubby made it safely across. Only losing one jar of jelly, if I remember correctly. I never did go out and help him pick up the food. I just laughed. But, because Hubby is who he is, he laughed too (years later, that is)

And you know what? He still married me. Can you believe it? I would have been so mad if the roles were reversed. But that is just the kind of person Hubby is. He didn’t hold it against me that I just stood on the corner and laughed at his predicament.

So, today is Hubby’s birthday! And I think, after 16 years, I am finally ready to say… as my gift to him, “I will never leave you standing in the middle of the street with groceries all over the ground again!”

I love you sweetie!! Thanks for marrying me anyway! Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Here's a couple snapshots of Hubby with each of our children at various times in their lives. I love these because it reminds me what a loving father he is to our children...

Too many legs...

Somehow “Absolutely NO MORE PETS!” and “We are never having another animal in the house again!” turned into one puppy and two lizards.

How? I am not sure.

Last time I checked, I was pretty adamant about it. I really thought I was anyway.

But we have a furry little fuzz-ball puppy that seems to be adjusting fairly well (knock on wood) and two new reptilian additions.

T constantly was asking for a Komodo Dragon, or a Bearded Dragon, or a chameleon or something that was scaly and gross. In fact, it has been ALL he has been talking about for months. But there was no way in the world I was ever going to get one of those things. EVER!

Imagine his absolute seven year old euphoria when we discovered a huge ugly lizard actually fell into one of our moving boxes we left outside and got stuck. The poor thing was cooking in the Arizona sun. It was the least we could do to move it to the shade. And water. And branches and rocks and bugs and attention.

After all the tough talk about T desiring a scary reptile, guess what he names it???

Flicky.

Well, being the appropriately paranoid mom that I am, I worried about all the diseases this lizard might carry and was BEYOND nervous for my kiddos to handle this thing. I am not sure if lizards can bite, but I am pretty sure that if they could, Flicky would. And hard. Then my sweet little boys would be stricken with some horrible frothing at the mouth disease and their skin would fall off. I was pretty sure of it.

I used typical mom logic and applied large amounts of guilt (after all, Flicky really wanted to get back to his family) and we let him go… with the promise that I would make a lizard run to the local Petsmart. And because R was with me, they both got a 10 dollar lizard. Free of disease.

I am pretty sure pets weren’t in the job description when I applied for this Mom job. But the kiddos look so happy when they play with them. What could do?

BTW, T’s new lizard earned the slightly tougher name of Drag-O. R’s remains unnamed.

It's Contagious!

"The spirit and practice of friendship, my brothers and sisters, is contagious." Joseph Smith

The subject of friendship has been on my mind a lot lately. Missing my old friends, looking forward to make new ones, hoping my children will find true ones.

Friendship is a powerful thing and there is no question, for those who have been reading my blog for a while, how good friends have impacted my life.

I am pretty sure that God gives us friends, like family, to help us through this life. Which, let’s all face it, is downright horrible sometimes.

Today in Relief Society we discussed this topic that has been on my mind for the last few weeks, and I found my heart and mind flooded with many thoughts about my friends; old, new and yet-to-come.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mormon History, Joseph Smith was instrumental in the gospel being restored and in officially organizing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There were a lot of people who didn’t like the Mormon’s (as we were nicknamed) and MANY more hated Joseph Smith and sought to destroy him. Horribly, sought to destroy him.

And there were times that Joseph’s friends buoyed him up. Strengthened him.

The lesson, taken from the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, discussed how wonderful good friends are. It spoke of the necessity of friends sustaining us in our trials, and we likewise, sustaining our friends. There were tender accounts of people close to the Prophet Joseph being a true friend to him.

My thoughts turned to our Dear Savior, Jesus Christ. He who was the Truest Friend of all. He who gave all He had for his friends. Those He loved. And my mind was taken back to this talk by Jeffery R Holland; None Were With Him.

Elder Holland says in regards to the Savior’s last few days, “Thus, of divine necessity, the supporting circle around Jesus gets smaller and smaller and smaller…” Our Savior knew what it was like to be friendless. He felt the painful loneliness of being without that support of Friendship.

Consequently, He understood what it was like for Job to lose his family and friends. He understood the pain Joseph Smith felt when some of his dear friends betrayed him. And He knows what it is like for someone to be lonely. He knows what it is like for a teen-aged boy to leave the comfort and love of many friends to move with his family somewhere utterly unknown.

He knows this. To be friendless. To cry bitter tears of solitude. To be lonely.

And because He knows this, He knows how much we all need friends (and family) to help us get from Point A to Point B. He knows what it is like to be judged, misunderstood, gossiped about and hurt. Because He knows this, He doesn’t want us to experience it if possible. So He asks us to be good Friends, to emulate His life. To show others the kindness and understanding that He showed for fellow man.

I looked around today during the Relief Society Lesson at all the women around me. People I don’t know or am just beginning to know and I felt grateful for the Gospel of Christ that unified us in spirit. I wondered who, in a year or so, would I be close friends with. I felt so comforted by my smiling new friends on either side of me. I am pretty sure they were completely unaware of how much I felt wrapped in the warm blanket of friendship just because they chose to sit by me. Although I barely know them, I felt a small sustaining influence with just their presence.

I realized, then, that is how it is supposed to work. We are supposed to give that little sustaining influence to those around us. Being friends. Overlooking shortcomings. Loving each other as our Dear Savior would love us.

My life has ever been changed by my dear, dear friends, whom I miss terribly. I think often on the examples they left for me and how they made me a better person. And, as I tiptoe forward into new social territory, I relish the thought of making new friends. True, dear friends. I hope and pray that my sweet children will make true and lasting friends. Ones who are fiercely loyal to the Lord and to them.

When we are friends, we gain friends. When we gain friends, we are better friends. I love it.

Friendship is just beautiful.

A shameless plug for which I recieve no credit...

My memories as a child of dental visits were traumatizing. So much so that even as a twenty-five year old, I would find myself terrified to tears each time I settled into that hydraulic recliner.

Well, we have been blessed. Our family has found a WONDERFUL pediatric dentist. Did I should that loud enough? I mean WONDERFUL!!!

We have been seeing him for years! And when in Mesa, I never felt regretful for the ½ hour drive it took to see him. Now, we are just 7 minutes away. Even better!!!

My children will never experience the same experiences I did as a child in the dentist’s chair.

They love this place. There are movies, a playhouse and video games. But best of all is the dentist. He is kind and careful. It is obvious, through his and his staff's caring attentiveness, that they love the children they see.

Yesterday, B had to have 2 root canals and one filling. I kid you not. My little two-almost-three-year-old has little teeth that refuse to form properly. So, they basically crumble.

B had to be completely sedated with general anesthesia. Scary!! But I have to tell you, I always knew my baby was in good hands.

Hubby and I were able to hold her and cuddle her while she was going under. That was an experience I won’t soon forget. They gave her a shot instead of a mask. She cried for a few seconds, then started laughing her head off, then suddenly, completely out. With her eyes open. SO WEIRD!

Anyway, the anesthesiologist carried her off like she was his own little girl and pretty soon, we had our little girl back in our arms. With her teeth all fixed.

I am so grateful for skillful and kind doctors. Grateful B’s teeth are going to be well cared for. And SOOO grateful for Dr. Bret Quackenbush at Timber Falls Pediatric Dentistry. I can’t say enough!! Email me if you want the contact info!

Now, if B will stop playing with the little-itty-bitty silver crowns in the back of her mouth!

A little different than planned

Well, I would have to say that the start of the school year plowed us over with the force beyond our capacity to withstand. Three words come to mind to describe the last week.

Chaotic. Emotional. Stressful.

And that description would the most inadequate understatement of the year!

I didn’t get pictures of the kids. Not because I forgot like last year, but because I was just wanting us all to survive – that was my only goal. (This is also the reason I have been completely absent from the blog world for the last week.)

The first day school is usually the one day a year I make a killer breakfast. This year? Breakfast bars (for those who actually ate)

I can’t go into detail, but let’s just say that the year did NOT start off like we were hoping. The kids were new to the area, the school, the ward and didn’t know anyone. Some of them had a difficult time.

Thankfully, things are improving. Settling. The smiles around the house are increasing more and more – as are the frequency of the hugs.

The kid’s schools are AWESOME! They all love their teachers. And there is a whole year ahead to make improvements.

Mystery Kid

Not quite sure who this shaggy, tow-headed teenager is.

But I love him.

At church the other day, he came and grabbed my 14 year old and said, "Come with me."

(Those have to be a mom's most favorite words when her son is trying to find his place.)

Then, last night at the High School's open house, this same mystery kid "punched" my son on the shoulder greeted him with a "hey" and big, brace filled smile.

I don't know that boy. S doesn't even know his name. But I love him already.

So, who ever he is (and I hope we find out soon), thanks for being so friendly!

Better Than Cookies

My sister once said, "Hugs are better than cookies."

And, if you knew how much she and I loved cookies, you would understand the significance of the statement!

Today, in between buying school shoes and running T to the doctor, we had a few minutes to kill, so we spontaneously stopped by Mickey D's. Suddenly, our "errands" turned into an "outing". All day since, T has slathered me with hugs. Saying things like, "I really liked our outing, mom." He has just been hugging me over and over. And I love it.

Then tonight, while watching a movie as a family, he and R cuddled up to me. Hugging me. Loving me. And I loved it.

All the long days of summer disappeared and immediately the pending school year approached to soon.

And, I am pretty sure, as this sleepy boy hugs me good night, that Hugs are TOTALLY better than cookies!