Eggstremely long post ahead…

Easter started and ended well.  Friday the festivities started at Shelli’s for an egg hunt.  She has an acre so we had lots of fun places to hide them!

It went well, until I caved in to the begging and drove home with a blue chick.  Yes, you heard me.  Dipped chicks.  It was quickly returned to it’s original owner later that day.  That night we (and when I say we, I mean I) got through the motions of making our traditional Easter cookies.  Some years are better than others.  It wasn’t as reverent as I had envisioned when I was snapping at one or another of the kids to sit or not play in the ingredients halfway through a scripture.

Saturday was Easter dinner with the fam, and it was divine. 

Then the annual hunt at Grammy’s.   There are still some eggs hidden there I know they missed.   It was always fun when we were kids to find eggs throughout the year when you pulled out a book, or were cleaning the couch, or in the plants.  Mom and dad are pros at good hiding spots.  I think the money egg was in the mailbox one year… 

Slinkies were a hit.  Once we realized we could hold them in our eye socket and fling them around, each were begging for a try.  Ok, so it was only those pictured.

 

Easter Sunday.  Calm.  The Easter Bunny had arrived that night and doesn’t do a whole lot of hullabaloo so, it was a quiet excitement over his footprints and if the baskets were equal in it’s contents, and off to church we went without taking a picture.

We took Rachel and Martha Stewarts idea of Tie-dying Easter eggs and they turned out awesome.  Well, half did.   The half that wasn’t real silk ties stayed white.   Ah well.   It was way easier and less messy than dipping eggs in dye.  

Happy Easter!

Patience goo

Thank you Jensa for this lovely, probably new family tradition.   I made several batches for conference weekend.   It got played with.   But by the adults.   It’s such an interesting texture.   It reminds me very much of ‘Gak’.  But it takes quite a bit of patience to play with it.   You have to manipulate it slowly or it breaks and crumbles.  The boys found some very interesting things to do with it.  We started calling it goo, and it stuck. 

Here's the recipe:
1 ½ cups water (divided)
2 tsp. Borax cleaner (you'll find it next to the laundry detergent)
½ cup white glue
food coloring (optional)

Mix 1 cup water with the Borax. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ½ cup water with glue until combined. Add food coloring if desired. Slowly pour the Borax water into the bowl of glue water. Stir for about a minute or until the mixture hardens. Pull the putty out of the excess water (there will be lots) and let drip dry in your hands. Pat dry with a paper towel if needed. Putty can be stored in a Ziploc bag.

Mother Dear

It had happened.  My seventh grade boyfriend with the sparkling blue eyes and brace covered perfect teeth had kissed me.  For real.  I ran the entire nearly mile home.  As Shannon and I were chattering in hushed whispers about what it was like, and how long it lasted, suddenly mom was there.  Standing over us.   Busted.   I knew 16 was the legal kissing age.  She could have given me the speech right there, but at that moment she chose to sit down on the floor with us and ask why I hadn’t shared my happy news with her. 

This was the moment I knew my mother was safe.  She had always been an incredible mother, but as a confidant and a friend without judgment, I knew she would be there.  She knew that I knew my standards.  She had taught me well.   She also knew the gift of giving enough teenage space.  I don’t think she knew that day that I had stamped upon her the ‘safety label’ making her not only approachable in the future with bigger and scarier issues, but she created a trust that made me want to confide in her.  

I can only hope to follow my mom in her gentle loving footsteps in raising my own daughter.  Thank you mom.  

Happy Birthday. 

Mrs. H, third grade teacher.

Names have been withheld to protect me from getting in huge trouble, since I just found out that this teacher still asks about me from time to time. 

Large gray haired woman.  Large brightly colored Hawaiian moo moo’s.  Large amounts of hair unshaven under arms. 

I was scared out of my little 3rd grade mind when I read my name under hers on the classroom list.  I did NOT want to be in her class.  She was scary and big and loud and mean. 

She sat on Eddie that first week.  I remember seeing his scrawny little twig like arms and legs sticking out from behind her body on that chair in the front of the room.  I thought Eddie was going to die that day.  He shaped up real quick. We came in another day and wondered at the large glass of water on the desk of a student in the front row.  Once she popped out her false teeth and dropped them in, the wondering ceased.   We learned to use the restroom before class or risk not being able to go, and peeing in our chair like Ryan. 

It didn’t take long to win her over though.   I was a whiz at math, and Mrs. H liked do-gooders. She also liked a healthy competition.  I soon became the one to beat in timed times tables.  She would bring anyone who wished to challenge me and set us in the front of the class with her brightly colored paper she found at a recycler, set the timer and GO!   My fingers flew.  I was shy, but math I knew.  I loved her that day and from that day forward.  I was her friend whether I won (which I usually did)  or lost.  And I do believe she sparked the beginning of my love for competition. 

I went back to visit every so often for a few years, and she never lost her quirkiness.  Thank you Mrs. H for the memories and now that I am an adult, the laughter.

Brother of Jared

Jayce was named partly after his dad.  We liked the name and were running out of J names that we agreed on.   Jared was in the same boat.  (pun, ha ha)  Not my or Jason’s favorite name, but it fit the J theme and we both could deal with it.   My feelings on their names have changed over the years.  I have come to have such a love for the story of the ‘Brother of Jared’ in the scriptures.  It started since I had a Jared and I had a brother of Jared. 

Our stake president  spoke several months ago about this story. (Click here for more info)  He talked about the barges they built to get to the promised land.  Sometimes the wind would blow and the ships would plunge underwater.  Even with the winds blowing all around them and I imagine it must have seemed like they were just floating at the mercy of the sea, but the barges always pushed toward the Promised Land.  He likened that to our lives.   There are moments and days and years even that seem like we are spinning and we are at the mercy of this crazy frenzied world, but when we are given that small glimpse at our life as a whole, we realize we are moving forward.  He explained our trials and tribulations perfectly.  He said it so much better, but I was trying frantically to get it all down. 

Trials are the things that the Lord gives to make us stronger.

Troubles are the things we inflict on ourselves because of choices we make.

Afflictions are things inflicted upon us by the choices of others.

Spanishy

Lainy: (Showing off her flip flops)  These are my flippy floppies.  

Bo:  Is that how you say it in Spanish?

Lainy: uh huh.

Where is Mary Poppins when you need her?

 Just when I thought my day couldn’t get any longer…

poof!

 

 

Yes, baby powder.  So much that you could taste it as you walked.   I don’t yell at these two very often, but you can by the concern in this picture that I was indeed yelling.

Inadequacy

In my comfort zone, with my friends, and with my children.   No wonder Heavenly Father decided to shake things up a bit.  I was released from my Primary counselor calling recently and I cried.  A lot. I miss it already.   Young women’s laurel advisor is where He dropped me.  Already I feel the strength of those girls.  I feel so small and inadequate.  So much like the little girl I was who tried so hard to fit in.  So far out of my comfort zone.  Mostly I feel overwhelmed at the amount of faith I know is needed since I will led by the Lord.  I am directionless on my own.  Wish me luck,  Heaven knows I need it.

A few of my favorite things...

 

Thank you my friend for thinking of me today.   I was doing hair in the back and she swooped in, mended and befriended and swooped right back out.  Today this girl in a matter of minutes, corralled my children, handed me a plateful of brownies and cake, changed my sons diaper, and left a box of flowers on my porch.  I called Jason later and let him know, and he laughed and commented on what a good friend Shelli has become, and such a good spouse to both of us!   Brought me flowers and Jason brownies!  Thanks Shelli!  

Unexpected, but undeniable friends

 

Georgette (who is now 38 pounds lighter and will kill me for using this the only recent picture I have of her)  and I spent the day together yesterday, singing in the Rain.   Rain?  In Arizona you ask?   Yes, on stage and phenomenal.  Georgette took me to the Broadway Palms dinner theater to see Singin' in the Rain.  We had lunch and dessert and then sat at out table and watched.  Other than the occasional gagging as the lady in front of us reapplied her perfume several times during the show, it was a delightful day.  I brought my camera, and wouldn't you know, I never took it out and got a picture of Georgette and I together. 

Some of you may already know about the Two sisters one heart campaign for the twins out here in our area who were born conjoined and sharing a heart.   This dinner theater we went to started their own One heart Umbrella Campaign to benefit these girls as well.   With the theme being Singin' in the Rain, they asked a ton of celebrities to autograph umbrellas to auction off on Ebay.  So, if anyone needs a new umbrella, or wants to see a show that will benefit a fantastic charity, check out the links strewn about this post. 

Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Georgette!

Double talk

While discussing animal groups during dinner, I asked Jayce which category ostriches were in.  Birds.   Then we talked about bears and squirrels being mammals, and lizards and snakes being reptiles.   We got to Gecko.  Who knows what a gecko is?   Jayce excitedly waves his hand through the air.  "It's when your voice says the same thing twice."

No Vacancy

It seems as though as soon as one thing is clean, something else has to fill it's vacancy on the dirty list.   I clean 3 bathrooms and Lainy waits until the last minute and pees right in front of the toilet. 

I wash my van and turn around just in time for the mud fest. 

They sure had a great time...   until I told them I was hosing them off on the porch.  The weather may be in the 80's here, but the water is still pretty cold!

Zoo Experience

I had the pleasure of joining Jayce and his first grade class to the zoo last week. Each parent was assigned 6 kids and sent off to explore the zoo for the day.  The bus ride there was nearly uneventful, we sung a little, worried a little about Renee looking a little fluish, but she kindly let us know it was because "I just didn't get very much sleep last night."  Still I kept a bag ready. 

We headed across the little bridge and started mapping out our plans for the day.  Renee says "Hey!  I've been here before.  In fact, I've been here twice.  I won't get lost, I know this place like the tip of my tongue."  Before I could stifle a laugh, Lauren piped in "Oh, well I've been here 4 times.  No, 10!  We come here all the time!"   It was then I knew this day would be far from boring. 

We saw all the must see animals, but the Mandrill's seemed to be the favorite.  As soon as they were within sight whispers became belly laughter, and all I could make out was "Rainbow butt,  look at the rainbow butt"   As another group came near, my group made sure they were aware they were looking at a rainbow butts.   Nice. 

Squirrels were very friendly and ate right out of our hands!  Well, Renee's hand, she had the chip crumbs and courage.

Off to the Zebras.  Again, Renee enlightened me with her wisdom.  "I just love those zebras.  You know those?  They are the ones with the stripes.  The black and vanilla ice cream colored stripes."  I hadn't the heart to tell her they were normally white and that she just liked the dirty ones. 

After lunch, I let them run through the splash pad and get soaked.  Another mom was appalled they they had gotten all wet.  But they were happy and we had 2 whole hours to dry off before we had to board the bus again. 

Cotton candy was a rip off at $6 a bag, and of course the kids wanted some.  Once we got to the stand I asked Clay for his money, knowing he didn't have any.  He turned to Cade and asked him is he had any money, and around the group the question went, until we all realized we didn't have any money.  I must admit, it was a great way to take the heat off myself for not wanting to shell out all that cash.

We had a great day and Jayce and I got to spend some much needed mom/son time together.

 

Ode to the man

Here's to the man who loves me.

Here's to the man who is filled with patience for my fly off the handle moments.

Here's to the man who I caught sword fighting in the kitchen alone with my butcher knives.

Here's to the man who has mastered organization, and so kindly let me know I had not.

Here's to the man who has a love and knowledge of the scriptures that I can only dream of. Thank you for teaching me.

Here's to the man who after 'learning' from the site The Great Throwdini, decided it would be a good idea to practice knife throwing on a stack of computer paper wrapped in cardboard propped up against the couch.

Here's to the man who has been known to leave flowers he picked on the way home in the fridge for me to find.

Here's to the man who drives to the nearest store at any time of night to get me my sugar crave combo- milk duds and licorice.

Here's to the man who thought it would be fun to practice shooting his pellet gun on a piece of sheet rock propped against my living room wall.

Here's to the man who got new throwing stars and decided to try them out in our bedroom. (I have little holes in the walls and blinds to prove it)

Here's to the man I love. Happy Birthday sweetie. Thanks for being so wonderful to me and keeping me on my toes.

A mothers panic

It finally happened. We knew it was inevitable. It was only a matter of time. And now we have to move. Jared is officially Arizonized. That's right, you heard me. It's like when you become part of a gang or a tribe. When you get stung by a scorpion, you are Arizonized. My poor little baby stepped on one of those awful creatures that can only have been sent from hell itself. I had a client (of course) and thank goodness Jason was home, he did enough panicking for the both of us. I went straight to my cupboard and made a mess looking for my french green clay. Yes, it's a must for any Arizona home. A friend gave it to me long ago and it works like a charm. I frantically mixed that stuff and drown Jared's tiny foot in it. He stopped crying! He of course whimpered for a half hour until he fell asleep. But it's been 2 hours, he is awake and feeling fine! Well, cranky, but who wouldn't be??

Mountain man on my porch

Tuesday morning I was doing my friend Laurie's hair, the doorbell rang and I ran to the door mumbling something about the kids locking themselves out again. I flung open the door and standing on my porch was a fully bearded long haired stranger... beneath his whiskers he was smiling. Before I had a chance to feel fear, I felt complete joy! My father in law was standing on my porch. He laughed that wonderful familiar laugh I hear so often in my own home from my sweet husband. The disbelief took a few moments to subside as we hugged and laughed, and I took him outside to see the kids. As soon as I announced grandpa was here, Lainy came running. I can't imagine she recognized him really, since he was all covered in hair, but none the less they embraced as if they were long lost friends. Laurie's son Bo followed suit and Joe got a big hug from him as well. (Thanks Laurie for waiting through all of this!) I called Jason, he didn't answer. We have a rule that if one of us calls the other once, and no answer, then twice right after, there is something important. Second call he answered. I told him he needed to come home. That everyone was alright, but he needed to come right home. (I wish I had sense enough to have grabbed my video camera) When Jason walked into the backyard where the kids were playing picnic with play food, he looked over at me like I was a lunatic. He said something about what was a strange man doing back here with his kids... We stood there a minute more until Jason had a chance to stop and really listen to the conversation going on underneath the slide. He couldn't get a view of the man's face being shielded by the slide. As soon as Jason heard that familiar twang, his head started to whip back and forth between my eyes and what sounded VERY familiar. He was next to his dad in 2 strides and I watched the reunion.

Joe had come to surprise his son for his birthday. It was so fun to have him here and talk and enjoy one another. Thank you so much Joe for your wonderful surprise. My kids sure love you, and miss you already.

Woe is me

 Monday morning.  Screaming coming from Lainy's room.   Jared banging on the door to get in.  Lainy intensely holding it closed from the other side.  I walk in, she breaks down in sobbing tears.  I hug her and ask what's wrong, she yells in exasperation, "The boogers won't come out of my nose!"   Her whole body slumps down as she continues to cry.  Again, "I just can't get them out of one side and I can't breathe!"   As I try not to giggle at her obvious discomfort,  I tell her it will go away soon enough, and I am so sorry for her stuffy nose.  I leave her to her misery and Jared takes over comforting her.   I hear her through sniffles and tears tell him she loves him and that he is her best friend, but to please leave so she can have some  'lonely' time. 

Slow down there fella

 Jayce was star student this week and I had the chance to go in and read the class a short story and watch Jayce tell his classmates all about himself.   Then the class has a few minutes to ask him anything they want to.  What's your favorite ice cream, your favorite animal etc.  Jayce did well when asked  "Who's your favorite person in the class?"  He said he couldn't choose.  I read them my most favorite children's book called 'Who will tuck me in tonight?'  By Carol Roth.  That was the day when I looked over at Jayce standing next to that huge chalkboard, reading his poster that I wondered when did he get so big?  And so smart, and when did the extra 50 freckles sprinkling his little nose show up?  

I was helping out with scouts last week and Jayce wanted so badly to participate so I let him hop in there on some of the activities.  Push ups, long jump, and learning how to start a race.

 

This is my good friend Robyn and she was teaching them the long jump. Realizing Jayce wouldn't be able to jump as far as the bigger boys she surprised him with...

 

A jump surpassing all other jumps!  She's the best. 

My sweet Jayce, slow down little man, you are growing up too fast for your mama!  I love you buddy.

BFF

I never want to forget what great friends these two are.  Jared came flying around the corner in Lainy's Jammies and I stopped in short and for a minute realizing it was Jared in front of me and not that Lainy had just cut off all her hair.                (Which she did last week, thankfully only a few in the front and she is getting better at blending)   

Jason later mentioned that Lainy and Jared were having a 'fashion show' trying on all of Lainy's clothes.  They have fun no matter what they are doing.  And a quarrel lasts only a moment (usually) since they go something like this:  Jared screaming for the giant exercise ball and Lainy sitting atop it calmly responding "Now let's sit and talk about this, I am sure we can work something out."  But they also create enough mischief together to shave a few years off my life.  This week:

• Requiring the need for a replacement head on my electric toothbrush when I heard them laughing while running behind my poor dog trying to 'get him on the butt'. 
• Making 'soup' with cups of water and toothpaste and stirring with toothbrushes. 
• Bathtub covered in mango lip gloss.  At least they got some on their lips...

                   

• Strawberries and sugar: Take a bite and chuck it across the room.  Swish and toss sugar until mom walks in screaming. 

I think my lists are getting shorter...  silver lining right?

Vocabulary lesson

There are a few words that when your kids learn to talk and they alter a bit to fit sometimes consonant-lacking vocabulary that you don't correct when they say them since they are so sweet.  Here are some of mine I want to remember.

Grnuckle - Granola bar.  Jayce started saying this very young and now all my children call them this.

Wormaid - Mermaid  (Lainy)

Spreeschool - preschool  (Lainy)

Wainy- Lainy  (Jared)

Seehide - Somehow this was derived from a form of hide and seek, it's where they pull all the cushions off the couch (at least 14 pillows!) and jump and hide in them.

Finding annoyance

While watching Finding Nemo tonight with the kids, I noticed a similarity between one of the characters and an American Idol contestant...  Deb (and Flo) from the fish tank gang, and Tatiana from AI have the same laugh.

Who knew?

Who Knew By PINK
You took my hand  You showed me how
You promised me you'd be around
Uh huh That's right
I took your words And I believed
In everything You said to me
Yeah huh That's right
If someone said three years from now
You'd be long gone I'd stand up and punch them out
Cause they're all wrong I know better
Cause you said forever  And ever
Who knew
Remember when we were such fools
And so convinced and just too cool
Oh no No no
I wish I could touch you again
I wish I could still call you friend
I'd give anything
When someone said count your blessings now
'fore they're long gone I guess I  just didn't know how
I was all wrong They knew better
Still you said forever And ever
Who knew
Yeah yeah
I'll keep you locked in my head
Until we meet again

And I won't forget you my friend What happened
If someone said three years from now You'd be long gone
I'd stand up and punch them out Cause they're all wrong and                           That last kiss I'll cherish Until we meet again
And time makes It harder I wish I could remember
But I keep Your memory You visit me in my sleep

Our children listen to us, even when they don't seem to be.   This song was on the radio today and Lainy was just sitting quietly in her seat, and halfway through the song said  "Mom?  She is sad because her friend died huh?"   Our children hear things we don't ask them to listen to.  They see us when we sit and pray on our own.  What books we choose to read and enjoy.  When I see some of the local leaders of our church and the spiritual giants they are, I want so badly to someday attain that closeness they have to the Savior. I often wonder what they read in their spare time.   What they listen to during their commute.  It comes back to what is good, better and best.  Pink is good, but not the best.  Ü   I really like her spunk and wildness, but I have to remind myself that those are not the things I need to fill the majority of my time with.  A splash of pink (at least the clean versions) is sometimes what we need. 

I'm not very good at it yet, but I know when I fill my life with the best  things, even though my trials don't go away, they are somehow rounded out and easier to overcome. 

Lainy's Plea

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this day.

Please help us to grow flowers and grass out back. 

Please bless our family. 

Please help us to be big...  like 5. 

Please help us to be saved.

(she means safe, but I'll take saved)

Oh, and please bless this food. 

In the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

I love the prayer of a child.

Wise Nanner

I should begin by dedicating this to my oldest sister.   You might recall a previous post concerning the drama of my oldest child.  After that day I went on a hunt.  A search to find any and all info about parenting and how to 'fix' my child.  Shannon relayed a story that at the time she told me, wasn't very effective in helping me in my quest.  It was when I repeated the story to Jason, I realized it's high 'duh Julia' status.  It was about a mother who fostered a child who had a problem with lying.   Everything this child said or did was a lie or was leading up to a lie.  After 6 months or so, this mother brought the child back to social services and told him that she couldn't handle him anymore.  When asked why, she told him that she couldn't fix him.  The man asked how often the child had lied when he first came to her home.  Everyday. All the time.   And how often does he lie now?  Her answer was once every few weeks.  So often we forget to look at our children's progress since we are so programmed to jump on the misbehaviors.   I am a 'fixer' by nature and forget that a child isn't meant to be fixed, but loved and taught.

Balancing act

When life's business starts, blogging comes to a halt. I have been feeling a bit... lacking in certain areas of my life as of late. Motherhood topping that list. It seems as though when you add too many things to your palate of 'doings' instead of succeeding in all of them, they each seem to sag just a bit. Balance is the word I am looking for. A client recently asked me a thought provoking question about raising a daughter. She asked more or less how to teach a girl how to want to be self sufficient and support herself, but not take away from the desire to be a mother. Balance was all I told her. How can you teach balance without having learned it myself? I love being able to work, and feeling like I can tangibly see my efforts paying off. But I don't love it as much as I love my children. Work was creeping up and trying to overtake first place on my priority list. So, thank you to that client who unknowingly helped me start to get things back in balance and remind me of what needs to be tipping the scales and what should not be weighing me down.

Oh the drama!

Who knew that a 6 year old boy was capable of so much drama?  So much in fact, that I have blown my top a time or two in the last 2 days in response to just his speech!  I started to keep track of when he talked, how much of his vocabulary was said in whine mode.   ALL OF IT.  And how did my kid become such a control freak?  He seems to think he has the power and authority to tell the other children when they can look in stove window, which color cup they are allowed to use, if they can touch the couch as they walk by...  REALLY CHILD?  Where oh where has my happy boy gone?   This had better be a phase...

Fluish

I am a terrible sick person.  You give me a million things to do in a small amount of time and I can usually get it done and not be in too terrible of sorts.  But when I get sick, I turn into the biggest wuss.  A lot of times, men get painted as the babies when it comes to sickness.  Not my husband.  We got sick the same day and he took to it much better than I did.  I like to think I got hit harder than he did, since I took more down time than he did.   I moan and complain and 'woe is me' my way though the duration of the flu and from him I never hear a word of complaint.  Poor Jayce got the worst of it though,  the kid has hardly moved since yesterday.  So many friends offered to take Lainy and Jared this week, but for fear of spreading this yuck all around I thought it best they stay home.  Those two have been my little angels running around half dressed and completely disheveled.  They have taken it upon themselves to take care of each other.  Health (and cleanliness) will soon be returning to my home and I will be sure to remember to be grateful for it!

So long, Farewell.

I have never been a fan of dragging stuffed animals, or blankies around the house and trying to pry them from screaming hands so we can go to church or the store.  Somehow it happened with this one.  This vibrant pink and yellow worm grabbed as a last minute gift from Walmart has been attached to Lainy's side for 3 years and today Lainy said goodbye to her 'wormy'.  She cried.  I cried with her.   I knew that even though it was a stinky faded unrecognizable, half stuffed piece of fabric now, that she loved it and she was going to miss it.  I'm not such a mean mom that I would just take it away from her, it was in it's typical once a week wash cycle, it exploded. 

So, goodbye wormy, and thanks for the memories. 

London's Run

London was the daughter of a local family here battling cancer and the charity has continued for a few years since her passing, benefiting other children and their families in similar situations.   The race went well, the weather was chilly, but after the race began was perfect.  I beat my previous time by 3 minutes finishing in 58 minutes.  Running the first two miles is the toughest for me, while my body adjusts to the pace.  The hype up time and the anticipation fades about the 3rd mile...   into why why why am I doing this AGAIN?   Then by mile 5, exhaustion has made you delirious enough to think you need to push a little harder since you're almost done and the faster you get there the faster you finish.  Having friends train and run with you is where the joy is for me.  Although each time I have run that last stretch before crossing the finish line seems to make it all worth it too.  My mom surprised me at the finish line,  I hadn't realized until then how wonderful it is to have someone cheering you on as you come in.  Thanks mom! Mom snapped a couple pictures, and here is one as I am headed down the last stretch.  Two more weeks to rest up and run on Valentine's day for a charity benefiting a family in our old ward who has conjoined twins that share a heart and liver.