Simple Pleasure

A simple pleasure about being a mom: catching a poopy diaper before it gets sat in!

Rumor is we got away

Brian and I have been married for nine years. It's been a really good nine years, but man, we were ready for a get-away. It was our first two-night weekend away from any kind of responsibilities - mainly kids.

We spent the weekend in Park City while the Palmers took care of our 3 little ones. Thank you Tasha and Greg!!

We enjoyed beautiful
scenery, good food, swimming, shopping, watching movies, sleeping in and just being together. It was soooooo nice! I can't wait to do it again.

Rumor is Fall is here

On our property we have just one tree. Its kind of a lonely tree, but it looks nice in the front yard.
Most of the time I am sad about our one tree. I especially wish for shade in the backyard on hot summer days. But when its fall time, I am grateful that we only have one lonely tree.

One of those yucky days

I'm sure many of you have had a similar experience.

My little Levi was having a rough day. Crying inconsolably and I wish I knew why. Maybe it was a new tooth? Naps were my only savior that day.

I had to present some thoughts at a stake auxiliary training meeting that night. I found the one outfit I actually feel confident in, did my hair and make-up and felt ready to go. Levi fussed and I picked him up. He puked all over me and him. I stood there in shock, feeling sorry for myself and wondering what I was going to wear now. He puked again and then I just felt disgusted - Brian is usually the one that deals with throw-up.

I gave strict orders to the big kids not to walk into the kitchen while I undressed myself and Levi and threw him in the bathtub. I quickly wiped up the floor and threw the clothes in the washer. I came back to the tub and found Levi poking around at some weird floaties. Throw-up? No....poop. Clean the tub, clean Levi, but don't have time to clean me. Just put on some less-cute clothes and go.

It was just one of those days.

Letter M

Ashby's preschool was at our house this week.
We had a Monster Mash.

Everyone decorated paper bag Masks.
We played Musical Chairs and practiced making monster growls.

We decorated the letter M with marshmallows and frosting
But first we had melons for a snack.

The kids filled up water bottles decorated with tissue paper and modge-podge
with beans and rice to make maracas.

We used all different instruments to make music.

We also read "There's a Monster at the end of this Book", and practiced writing the letter M.
I think it was a successful preschool day.

Don't you just love the prophet?

My first encounter with Pres. Monson occurred in England when I was sixteen. We were visiting my Dad's old mission and attended the Preston England temple dedication. Pres. Hinckley and Pres. Monson walked into the room where we were. I remember Pres. Monson looking directly at me and smiling as he walked down the hall. I was overwhelmed with the spirit and I knew he was called of God. Even if it was just a brief glance in my direction, I feel a special connection to Pres. Monson. He is a wonderful man and a chosen prophet for all of us.

make sure you stay tuned, till the very end of the video.

Thrive v. Survive

I think I can boil down my life into two categories - Thrive or Survive.

It comes in waves.

There are periods of time when I am strictly on survival mode and just getting through one day at a time. I feel accomplished if I can take a shower that day.

Then there are times when my schedule would make me think I should be overwhelmed, yet I thrive.

I think the stages of my kids have a lot to do with these waves. I felt like I was in survival mode for about the last year. Its always kind of a depressing feeling because there is so much more you want to be able to do.

Right now I'm feeling good though.

Here are some of the things on my schedule:

• Working part-time from home
• Teaching kickboxing at stake aerobics
• Teaching co-op preschool
• Heading up YW volleyball
• Playing in a softball league
  
• Taking Meteorology and Astronomy classes
• Setting the curve in my classes
• Taking organ lessons
• Managing the rental of my dad's condo
  
• Making meals for service
• Trading off babysitting
• Making dinner for my family each night

I know my thriving time won't last forever. But its nice to know that I really can do it. At least until the tides change.

Rumor is I don't know

How is it that I'm supposed to know all the answers?

Many times a day my kids will come up and ask me something. My usual response is, "I don't know."

But its not like they are asking me what the square root of pi is, or about the Egyptian mummies - they merely want to know if they can have another snack, or play on the computer.

These are questions I should probably be able to answer, yet I just don't know.

How much is too much? When is avoiding a fight reasonable justification? What are my other options?

These are things experienced moms know.

Which is why I often end up replying, "I don't care", and my daughter jumps around the house exclaiming, "Mommy doesn't care! Mommy doesn't care!"

Ashby the athlete

Ashby scored 2 goals at his very first ever soccer game.
He was in Start Smart soccer, which is for 3-5 year olds. He is only 3 but man, is he an athlete! The game was pretty much him against a 5 year old girl. They were the only ones going for the ball. Ashby did such a good job taking the ball away and dribbling down the field. He never even got confused about which goal was his. He amazes me and Brian. He is so coordinated and good at every sport he tries. I wonder which one he will want to focus on. I'm excited for him to develop this talent and see where it takes him.