hieroglyphic springs

We found some keys that said they were property of the state, but every number called can’t help.  Wonder what they open?  

All 3 kids did amazing on the hike.   Lainy pooped out near the end, and Jared needed some shouldering, but Jayce pretty much ran the 2 miles there and back. 

I looked up what these holes in the big rock along the way were and they were used by Indians to grind their grains. 

This was where we stopped.  Very cool rocks and much needed shade.  No hieroglyphics inside the cave, but there were a ton on the walls of the mountain nearby. 

The last time we took this hike, I went without a husband to help carry the load, I was 3 months pregnant, Lainy was nearly 18 months old and in a carrier on my back. I was told it was an easy hike and kids could do it. Ha! Not so much.  Meg and Bryan had the pleasure of being in that boat, with 2 little ones to carry the whole time.  Such troopers! 

This time, I had Jason with me, I am not pregnant, and instead of an 18 month old I had to carry Jared on my shoulders here and there. Needless to say I enjoyed this trip a whole lot better.

**We actually took this hike last month when it was not 100 degrees, but I am just now getting around to documenting it.

The itch has passed…

Jason and I are celebrating 8 years of marriage next week, and it will be filled with laughter. No, not because of the disbelief that we made it, but because Jason got us tickets to see Brian Regan! I am thrilled for several reasons. One, I think the guy is hilarious. Two, a very much needed date night. And Three, possibly the most important and best part, is that Jason remembered and planned something.

  

Jason isn't a romantic. He sometimes fumbles over expressing his feelings, and if I'm being honest, sometimes when he means to say something nice, it comes out sounding not so complimentary. I have come to love those moments.  But here's what I have learned in the 8 years since we wed...

• There's no faking. If he tells me I look good, I know I look good.
• When I need him, he is there. Period.
• He can't sleep without snuggling, until he starts twitching, then I'm done.
• His laugh is infectious.
• The man is a machine when it comes to work.
• While on the topic of machines, he works out daily and it pays off. Ü
• He knows the scriptures and loves the gospel.
• He is worthy the take me through the temple.
• He is quick to forgive, but never expects me to forgive quickly of him.
• He's a thinker. It took me a few years to figure out that his silence often just means he hasn't come up with the best answer yet. As much as I spout off as soon as I have a response to something, he takes the time to stop and reflect on what should be done or said. (This is not me saying he is always right, but sometimes he is!)

Thank you Jason for these 8 crazy years together. I love you.

Blah blah blah, blee blee blee. Mr. Bossy.

By nature I am fixer.   No waiting patiently by the sidelines to allow a person to figure things out for themselves.   No learning process for them.  If I know a better way, you need to know about it.  And follow through with it.   Ok, so some would call me bossy.  Whatever.  Jason talks me down so many times from making unnecessary phone calls or running my mouth off a little too long.  He has become my balancer.  

I have often said regarding someone who cannot get a hold on finances or life in general, “If I could just make an outline for this or that person, and they followed it,  everything would be perfect!”   Today when I said it, my brain must have made the obvious connection it had missed so many times before.   I am sure my Heavenly Father has said that at time or two on my behalf.   Except, He has made an outline for me and I still can’t get it right.

I have by no means mastered this process, but at least I am out of the denial phase.  Don’t they call denial the first step?  I can no longer deny that I can’t control or fix everyone.  Including my children.

Love Story meets Viva la Vida

Jon Schmidt.  Amazing pianist.  I have seen him in concert twice and will continue to go every year.  He’s the kind of musician that when I am listening live, or at home, I have a hard time keeping in my seat.   This is his brand new song.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

Triple threat

The first time I noticed it we were halfway across the country at a truck stop.  Poor Maple was in heat, and with a suburban full of kids, you can imagine the smell.   Mom had stopped to clean out the car, give my best friend Alaina and I break from each other and stretch our legs.  Our family used drive cross country from Cali to NY nearly every summer,   but that’s another story...   Mom walked around the car to get back in as a semi honked in the distance.  She repeated, “boop boop boop!” to herself.  As we laughed I don’t think we realized that boop boop boop would be repeated so many times over the years.  It was then we started to notice mom said things in multiples of three’s…     

Boy, is it hot today, hot hot hot. 

Please don’t fight with each other, we need to be nice.   Nice, nice, nice.

Yes, I have acquired the same repeating speech in coming into motherhood.  It also seems my children have caught on.   This morning I asked Jayce how his Fruit Loops were.  “Good good good”, he replied.

To yell or not to yell

I go back and forth on the yelling issue.  

Yelling:  You feel almost relief when you’ve told your child at least 20 times to stop making whatever repetitive noise they are making, and finally lose it and yell for them to stop.  Plus, they finally stop. 

Not yelling:  It takes so much more effort to try and distract them enough to forgot about the repetitive noise, and you have to repeat the request to shut it,  plus it takes way longer. 

I have learned that yelling all the time loses its affect quickly.  Soon your just a raging lunatic who yells when they blink at the wrong time.  And the added bonus that they seem to ‘talk’ in the same tone you are, back to you. 

I know patience is always the best answer.  I just haven’t mastered that one.  Sometimes yelling just makes me feel better.  At least for a minute. 

Elder James E. Talmage wrote, “No pang that is suffered by man or woman upon the earth will be without its compensating effect … if it be met with patience”  

Try try again…

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.