What a Week!

Remember how I was going to show you my fridge? Well, here it is:



It was a very "aftful" season by both girls. I think my favorite was Bug's card to her dad: it read "I would hope you would keep this card." He did.


Well, it's been a crazy busy week. I'm sure all of you felt the same way. It started out with dinner with my friends, including my friend who is leaving in a few weeks for Afhghanistan. I tried to hide her suitcase but she went back to D.C. anyway to get ready. We'll keep her in our thoughts and prayers ever day until she comes back in the summer.


Next up was dinner with my parents and siblings. My nieces and nephews are all quite a bit older than my kids, but they are so fabulous to play and have fun and make them feel a part. We have a delicious dinner, a program, and (of course) presents. I think the girls' favorite part was decorating a gingerbread house.



I need to add that our gingerbread house had some structural integrity issue and did not make it home intact. But we enjoyed snacking on it for the next two days.


That night, Erin came to town. We have had such a great time being with her and Kara and Bri and Adam. I think our favorite part was decorating sugar cookies (our favorites seem to be focusing around food here . . . interesting). I think the adults had as much fun as the kids, but The Guy seemed to think it was OK. Christmas Eve brought another program and another fabulous dinner (yep, more food), courtesy of Erin and Kara.



Christmas day was very fun, except for the seven year-old curled up in a ball in the corner and running for the bathroom every thirty minutes (too much food? nah). Merry Christmas. "Santa" resolved to keep things very simple this year. The kids got one small toy each and a new set of sheets. Funny thing is, by the time we were all done opening presents from Nanas and Grandpas and Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles . . . well, I'm still digging out. But such fun gifts, such generous and loving family. We are truly blessed.


So, there's my week in a nutshell. I'm just about finished digging out from all our "festivating", and, strangely, enjoying putting the Christmas decorations away and getting simplified and organized. It's been so chaotic for two weeks, it's really refreshing to get put back together and hit the new year running.


Question for the Week: Where do you all stand on New Year's resolutions? Mine usually last about five minutes, so I've strayed from them the past few years. I love the idea of making a new start in the new year. I just think it's become very cliche and very few of us really intend to making meaningful changes in the upcoming year. What do you think?


I'm hoping to feel much less fried and much more creative next week so I can dazzle you all with my wit and keen grasp of syntax and grammer. Until then, I'm off to take a nap.


Happy New Year!

Christmas Traditions: Reads For The Adults!

My reading list for adults is very short, probably because at Christmas time, the last thing I have time to do is read. Particularly because this year I've embarked in the secret crafty present thing. More on that later.

My favorite Christmas reads:

A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens (I usually read this one upstairs in the library, wearing my smoking jacket, which would I'm sure be much more impressive if I actually smoked)
Two From Galillee, by Marjorie Holmes (my sister-in-law gave this to me when she was my youth-group leader about 18 year ago -- it's a sweet story about the love between Mary and Joseph)

So, there's my list. Now I need your help to add to my list. What do you read at Christmas time, besides credit card statements? Help me out!

Sidenote: I have a new addiction, this show. OK, so this show's choir led by Blake Shelton. Go team Shelton! It's good to know I'm in good company. Check out Erin and Kara's posts too.

Next Up: A Virtual Fridge, full of my girl's artwork! I bet you can't wait, can you?!

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: Listen To The Music!

I'm a music nut. Especially at Christmas time. While my DH (ok, my husband . . . the DH thing is just too weird for me) decorates earlier and earlier each year, I turn on the music earlier and earlier each year. Seem fair, don't you think?

My brother called me last week and offered us tickets to go here last Saturday night, but after taking 45 minutes to travel four blocks, we missed it. The bug was sad she couldn't pretend she was eight. After discussing the moral ramifications of fudging my daughters age by seven months, we determined we were in better shape than the people who were auctioning off free tickets to a Temple Square concert for $100 a pop to "help out a family in need." Yeah, right. I need a Wii. But after it was all said and done, it just strengthened our resolve to try to go next year, and the violin on the tree at Little America where Bug and I took our picture after dinner was as musical as our evening got.

Yesterday, however, we added a little more music to our world. I know, I know, again with the shameless child parading, but I love her and I love Christmas music. So it works. Hey Mom, don't you think Bug's teacher looks like my teacher when I was her age?

All in all, a pretty musical weekend. Now I should share with you some of my favorite CD's in our Christmas box. Here goes:

1. Josh Groban "Noel". Sigh.
2. Bing Crobsy Christmas Collection
3. The Carpenters. Actually my husband made me say that. I'm not a fan. But it's in our box.
4. Anything by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We had one Christmas record growing up. I'm surprised I didn't wear it out. But I've always associated Christmas with "the choir."
5. Jim Brickman "The Gift."
6. Johnny Mathis Christmas collection. Again, more bretto's favorite than mine.
7. David Foster "The Christmas Album." So fun. However, currently AWOL. I think one of the kids ate it.
8. Charlotte Church "Dream a Dream." It's just fun to watch DH run screaming from the room.

And we've got a couple more that we listen to selected tracks from. And thank you to radio stations who now start playing Christmas music in August. There's just something about Christmas music that makes your house a home and makes everything seem cosy, warm and inviting. Don't you think?

Up Next: Christmas Reads for the Adults!

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: Movietime!

My hubs and I have always been big fans of television. I'm sorry to say we don't run marathons and we don't have any plans to start a couples bowling league. We're working on that one (the running part, not the bowling). We have always especially loved watching Christmas shows and movies. The kids all love popping some popcorn and curling up with the tree lights on and just being together. Here are some of our favorites:

-- White Christmas (ok, my favorite -- hubs won't even be in the same room)
-- It's a Wonderful Life (turned this one into a FHE last year, probably reaching a bit, don't you think?)
-- Polar Express (we all love the story even if some of the animation is very strange in a way I have yet to identify)
-- Christmas Vacation (no cats were harmed in the making of this movie)
-- The Grinch (this one creeps me out a little but the kids really like it)
-- Christmas With the Kranks (an exact, and humorous, picture of what has gone seriously wrong with Christmas)
-- Santa Clause 3 (our addition this year, both of our girls really love it)

We also enjoy watching the made-for-tv movies on the cable networks. Wouldn't it be great if all of our problems in life could be solved in two hours, not counting the commercials?!

OK, so now here's the deal. Everyone who reads this entry is officially "tagged" to respond or post on your own blog your favorite Christmas movies or television shows. So what are your favorites?

See you next time for my personal favorite part of Christmas: MUSIC!!! (hint: Josh Groban, anyone?!)

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: Breakfast at Tiffany's

Well, it wasn't really breakfast, it was brunch. And it wasn't at Tiffany's, either. It was at the Little America, but you get the idea. It's times like these when I need Erin and Kara to give me a cool quote from a Jane Austen novel to use as the title for my blog post.



These young women and I have known each other for a very long time. Since we were all 12, to be exact. (And no, I won't be doing any math for you. I'm 29 years old. I like this age and I'm sticking with it. It's worked really well for me for a while now.) We get together for birthdays and at Christmastime, swap work and home stories, cry a little over the trials life has handed each one of us, and laugh over the silly memories we have, when all we had to worry about was how to get our hair to be the biggest in the group. And just so you know, I would always win. We're missing a couple members of our group, one who is living in Washington, D.C. and heading out with the U.S. State Department to Afhghanistan in January to work on the government's justice programs over there, and one who is living in Denver with her family. I love each one of my friends, mostly because I feel younger when I'm with them. Each of our lives is unfolding in different ways, but we have a commond bond of shared memories and a desire to keep our friendship going. Even when it takes three weeks, five calendars and a note from our mothers to get together, right ladies?! So I'm very thankful today for good friends to laugh and cry with and also for patient husbands who take over at home so I can have a lunch without my children. Thanks, honey!



Stay tuned for Christmas Movie time!

Hello, I'm a Children's Book Addict

Doesn't the saying go that "Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery." Well, here's my problem:

But, when your kids curl up in your lap every night to read a Christmas book, how can you resist? The girls never miss a night with one of their Christmas stories. In all fairness, my illness is not entirely of my own making. For our first three or four Christmas seasons after the Bug was born, my darling mother-in-law would send us clues to books she was sending to us. My mom also got into the act with several selections of her own. And I just had to have a few from a sale at the local book-selling giant. So, you can see how things got a little out of control. But I love every one of our Christmas books.

Some of our favorites:

Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera

Auntie Claus and the Key to Christmas by Elise Primavera

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett

Angelina's Christmas by Katherine Holabird

The Polar Express by Chris Van Alsburg

Christmas in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

A Snowman Named Just Bob by Mark Kimball Moulton

Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood

Dream Snow by Eric Carle

Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold

The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

I'll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie

Eloise at Christmastime by Kay Thoompson

Sorry, I must go now. My sponsor is calling.

Stay tuned for the Ladies' Brunch!

Christmas Traditions: CHRISTMAS CHAINS!

I want you to know that I hesitated to put up pictures of the girls' Christmas chains. I would never want anyone to feel inadequate in the face of my own creative abilities. I feel each one of us has unique gifts. Mine just happens to be the incredible talent of stapling strips of paper together.

Each night the girls count to three and tear off their ring at the same time, like they were watching the ball drop on Times Square or something. It's really fun to watch.

A Mother's Prayer: May my children always be this easily impressed and entertained.

Next Up: Children's Books (or a plea for a "Party of Five Intervention")

Christmas Traditions: DINNER and DECORATING at GRANDMA and GRANDPAS!

We get together with my parents and siblings on the first Sunday of every month for dinner. We usually get a pretty good group, everyone comes when they can. In December, we help my Mom and Dad pull out their Christmas tree from storage and put up their train. Now mind you, this is no regular train. This is a very fancy, very fun, very pricey big train. They now have two engines, a shed to park one of the cars in, and track that goes around most of the family room downstairs. It is a ton of fun. Just ask The Guy.

My nephews are usually in charge of putting up the train. The minute they pulled out the boxes, Guy started screaming "Toot Toot . . . Toot Toot." It was so darling. We think he'll do fine, once it's up and going and he can see not to touch it. I really hope.

The girls were in charge of the Avon nativity, circa 1984, and handing ornaments to the tree decoraters. They just love to help. I wish I could bottle that love for when they turn 13.

So, we're looking pretty festive around here and Grandma and Grandpa's house is looking pretty fun too. Now is when I start skipping around the house singing "The Christmas Song" and listening to Christmas music 24/7. Did I mention I love this time of year?!

Stay tuned for Christmas Chains!

Christmas Traditions: SNOWFLAKES!

I thought I would let you, my blogging public (I think I'm into 10's of loyal fans all over the globe now! Yeah me!) in on some of the things we are doing with our family this year to celebrate Christmas. I must say the first order of business for any parent who wants to keep their sanity at Christmas time is to put on lots of recorded shows when their children watch TV. No commercials! If I hear "OOH, that looks great! I want that!" one more time, the next picture posted on my blog will be of our beautiful TV with a screwdriver through the screen! But I digress . . .

We participated in two of our favorite Christmas activities this weekend, the first of which I'll show you today. I love making snowflakes and the girls really got into it this year (The Guy wasn't interest in the snowflakes but played nearby with his trains, one for each hand, naturally). Number 1 did some great work, Number 2 needs to work on actually cutting pieces out of her snowflakes instead of just cutting into them! Here are some before and after shots:

I wish these photos were better. They don't really do justice to our collective creative genius. But serious backlighting + amateur photographer = sketchy pictures.

Oh, and don't forget the celebratory eating of ice cream (we think The Guy's ice cream was dirt flavored or something, from the look on that face). Anyone who knows my husband's family knows that most activities are followed by eating ice cream. Make snowflakes, eat ice cream . . . play in the snow, eat ice cream . . . get out of bed in the morning, eat ice cream . . . get the picture? I think we're the only home on the block where ice cream is listed on our food storage list. Wheat, check! Oats, check! Honey, check! Rocky Road, check!

So we're looking even more festive around here today. Aren't these original snowflakes fun?

Next up, dinner and decorating at Grandma and Grandpa's house!

What A Way To Ring In The Season!

As if on cue, we were pounded by the white stuff this morning. We couldn't have ordered anything more fun. However, since I was hosting two music recitals at my home this morning, I would have preferred an afternoon snowstorm, rather than a morning slammer. And just to make us all really nervous, the snow blower had a hard time getting started. It was still hibernating for the summer, I think. But My Guy (not to be confused with The Guy, who is two and does not currently understand what a bed is for) won out and convinced it to start. So we cleared the driveway, the recitals were fabulous and now we're all settling down for a movie, some twinkling tree lights and a quiet evening at home.

I'm so excited for this holiday season. We have family coming into town and we're already starting to make fun plans and looking forward to great traditions with Brett-o's side of the family, my side of the family, and some of our own traditions, too! Speaking of traditions, our first one of the season will be making snowflakes tonight. I'll post some pictures soon. I think the girls are going to get a kick out of it. So, put on a pot of a warm beverage of your choice, curl up with a good book or movie and enjoy this splendid season!

Merry Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you had fabulous Thanksgiving celebrations, wherever you were and whatever you were doing. I thought I would post a couple of pictures of our day.

This is my Uncle Leon. He will be 100 next July. He didn't seem to mind The Bug telling him all of her latest adventures. He's normally pretty quiet but visited with her quite a bit. It was a lot of fun to watch them interact together.

Note to Self: NEVER let your niece get a hold of your camera. One would think her upcoming marriage would sober her up a little. 'Guess not. I'm holding on to this one to go on her fiance's first CD. Watch for it.

I teased our cousin last week about decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Ever since we got married, it has been a tug-of-war over when to decorate. My family never decorated until almost the middle of December and my husband's family was all done decorating by the time the turkey was cold. Also, I think I've always rooted for the underdog holiday of Thanksgiving. I feel bad that it gets sidelined while Halloween and Christmas get to make the big (and expensive) plays. (Whoa! Too much football for you, young lady.)

However, my DNA has been dramatically altered. When we left for Thanksgiving dinner at my parents home, guess what our living room looked like?

So, no more teasing.

Now I'm off to do some holiday planning. Every year I promise myself I will be more organized, spend less money, and generally be less stressed about this holiday. This should be a wonderful memory every year, not something that stresses mom out and makes her cranky. Nobody likes that!

I . . . Need . . . A . . . Nap

My day was so laughably insane yesterday, I had to write about it. I take very seriously the counsel of "good, better, best," and try to not to be involved in a million different things just for the sake of being involved in a million different things. I multi-task out of necessity, not because I like it or am particularly good at it, and try to avoid it wherever possible. Which was why yesterday was such a joke. So, here was my day:



6 a.m.: Wake up! It's time to greet the day. (OK, so it was 6 a.m. plus two lovely snooze buttons.)



7 a.m.: I'm ready to go. Time to get the girls up. #2 is not wearing pull-ups at night, so we can't let her sleep in, or . . . well, you get the idea.



7:30 a.m.: time to teach music lessons for a half an hour. Try to not think about the crash coming from the girls' bedroom while you're supposed to focusing on your student.



8:00 a.m.: time for breakfast, scriptures and family prayer before #1 chases the bus down the street to the bus stop.



9:00 - 9:45 a.m.: make calls, receive calls regarding a service project you're in charge of at the church this evening. Everyone who said they would get you materials, etc. last week is bringing them this morning, which means you only have today to iron, cut and piece fabric together to make quilts, make sure you have enough batting and thread, make sure people are bringing their quilting frames . . . blah blah blah, yada yada. Talk with the people who are helping you about 10 times each, possibly 100.



10-12 a.m.: playgroup for #2! Yeah me! Step on 8 legos, mediate 3 fights, make sure no one is being left out and host 5 preschooler games. Oh, and don't forget the 20 more phone calls regarding tonight's project. (Remember how everyone is just brining their material to you today?!) Oh, yeah, and don't forget the PTA Board. Yep, make sure the teachers have dinner for parent-teacher conferences tonight. Call caterer (well, mom who can cook for a crowd really well) and school to make sure there are enough plates, cups, etc. Five phone calls (and two new music students later -yeah!) you just about have that one done.



12-2 p.m.: Feed lunch to preschoolers and the 2 year-old. There's a friend staying after play group for a while, so make sure the sandwiches are 1: white bread, 2: smooth peanut butter, 3: the peanut butter is exactly to all sides of the bread, no cheating! And don't forget the yogurt. Fight with the two year-old over nap time. I will be victorius! Three more PTA phone calls, 30 more church phone calls.



1:45 p.m.: Forget that #1 is coming home early until she knocks on the door. A good mother would watch for her to walk from the bus stop, wouldn't she?!



2 - 4 p.m. Frantically iron, cut fabric and batting, and organize materials. Realize that the batting off the roll is 45" instead of 60" wide, so you'll be short and won't have enough available for all of the fabric you have. Further realize that at 2:00 in the afternoon of your project, there is nothing you can do about this. During this same time, try to supervise #1's piano practicing and homework, preparing her for her lesson today (of course!).



4:25 p.m. The calvary arrives! Tum tum tum tah! Darling husband (oh wait, this is cyberspace . . . aren't I supposed to call him DH or something?), sensing the impending mega-meltdown, arrives to take #1 to piano.



5:00 p.m. Arrive at church to set up quilting frames that no one has brought yet. Me worry? Nah.



5:50 p.m. In keeping with the theme of this day, of course we have parent teacher conferences today. So I abandon the ladies at church and run down to school. #1's doing great, I think her teacher wants her to be a writer. I definitely think she's got the genes for that, don't you?



Oh, and remember the dinner for the teachers at school? That's right. You have to take all of the dishes and extra food back to the mother who prepared it for you. Granted, a whole lot better than doing it yourself! At this point, all your DH (did I do that right?) can do is laugh as you babble to yourself.



6:45 p.m. Back at church. Things are going just fine (I knew they would). We're ready to go, a few quilting frames short, but still doable.



At this point, you realize all you've eaten today is half a peanut butter sandwich.



9:30 p.m. Arrive home, kiss your floor, put the 2 year-old to bed, clean the kitchen, straighten the tornado enough to not step on any more legos, kiss your girls (they're asleep, yeah Dad!) and eat ice cream while watching "Biggest Loser." Laugh at the irony.



For some people, this is normal. For me, this is a need for hospitalization. I thrive on routine and schedules and lists (don't get DH started). Any deviation gives me hives. I think yesterday was one of those painful teaching days. Organize as much as you can and prepare for the unexpected!

p.s. Fast-forward to this morning. DH calls at 7:40 a.m., shortly after leaving for work, reporting he has a flat tire in rush hour traffic. Throw children in car with a Go-Gurt and a banana and go rescue said DH from side of freeway. Will I ever learn?!

Teach Them While They're Young

My family got together today and assembled some hygiene kits, clothes and fun little toys to send to Cambodia, where my nephew is currently serving an L.D.S. mission. It was a great morning. I think the girls were more spectators, but we talked a lot to them about how blessed we are and how there are a lot of people who aren't so lucky and it's our job to help them as much as we can. I think they understood, and we'll keep working on it.

Here's the bug displaying some of our work.

Aren't my nephews cute? They had a great time packing the boxes. Pray everything makes it to Cambodia in one piece!

And here's our group:

The credit for this operation goes to my sister-in-law. I can't imagine the work, organization and expense of putting this together. We showed up to pack everything, but she had it all ready to go for us. Thanks!

By the way, I've got a big craft bug buzzing around in my ear. Now if I can get over my head-cold long enough to have enough energy to make it to the end of the day and some possible craft time, won't that be great! My sister crocheted the most unbelievable afhghan for my niece and her fiance. My jaw just hit the floor when I saw it. I must have one for me! She's so generous, there's no way I could have parted with a masterpiece like that. Stay tuned!

Dust Off Those Walking Shoes -- An Update

Here's a link to the 2008 MS Walk information. My dream is to get a great team together and show hubby how much he is loved and supported. Check it out here. Let's do it, team!

OK, So The Five Browns We're Not, But . . .

WARNING: Blatant Child Parading, Read At Your Own Risk.

The Bug had an ensemble recital last week (duet). Five grand pianos, ten kids playing . . . very cool. Dad didn't have the camera with him to take pictures . . . kind of a bummer. But we did take these videos at a family party over the weekend. I realize that watching videos of my child play the piano may be only for immediate relatives, but we're pretty proud of our girl.

And for those of you who just didn't get enough, here's her second number.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the gym. Nothing like a video of your backside to motivate you to get on that treadmill.

Boo!

As promised, here are some highlight pics from our Halloween 2007. It is so much fun to have children this age, who get such a kick out of just dressing up, candy or no.

Bug's school does not do the Halloween parade thing, so she was itching to get into her costume after school. My sister made that dress for my niece who is now a senior in High School. However, she was three years older when she wore it. Bless those aunties for their height gene! May you never be an adult climbing onto a counter to reach to the top of a cupboard!

We kept trying to get The Guy to put on his hood so he looked like Spider Man and not a toddler in a leisure suit, but no dice. Hopefully you get the whole super-hero theme going on here.

Here is a picture from Bells parade at preschool. Actually, it was more like walk in a circle on the front lawn and sing some songs from the front porch, but she was in heaven.

Have a great weekend everyone!

5 Things I Think My Children Should Know

Our cousin posted this entry on her blog over the weekend and it really got me thinking about the 5 most important things I want my children to know. So, here goes:

1. You are adored by two parents who want nothing but great things for you. This love is not conditional upon you acting a certain way or achieving certain things in life. This does not mean, however, that you will never be sent to your room.

2. Life is a journey, not a destination.

3. Work hard at your education, your careers, and any other pursuits you undertake.

4. Be honest. Especially when it's hard.

5. Be reliable. Be the person people can count on to do what you say you'll do.

And, sorry, I have to add a six and even a seven.

6. Tell the people you love that you love them. Thinking you're showing them doesn't count, they have to hear the words come from you.

And, shoutout to my husband's genes:

7. Yes, kids, you do have chocolate running through your veins.

Happy Haunting! We'll post some trick-or-treating pics later this week.

Simple Pleasures

-- A beautiful, crisp fall day with beautiful colors and delicious smells, where the air is so clean, you can see forever;

-- Finding enough change in your cupholder for a soda for mom and a slurpee for the 4 year-old;

-- My husband's chocolate chip cookies;

-- The Harry Potter books;

-- Recording your favorite show on the DVR and watching it, uninterupted by your kids, without commercials;

-- An empty sink and an empty dishwasher;

-- My favorite pajamas and my favorite sheets;

-- Knowing my alarm won't be going off at 6:00 tomorrow morning (the Guy may just let me sleep until 7:00!);

-- Listening to my oldest play her favorite primary songs on the piano;

-- Naps (for both mom and kids)!

What are your favorite simple pleasures?

Happy Fall, Y'all!!

They Call Me the Little Red Hen

Remember the story of the Little Red Hen who grinds her wheat and bakes bread for her family, who squeal in delight at what a domestic goddess their mother is? Well, move over, Chicken, 'cause there's a new sheriff in town. Check it out, but please . . . don't lick the screen.

I didn't take a picture of me grinding the wheat with my mom's wheat grinder. I have such great memories of that thing. It was always my job to grind the wheat on bread-making day. I remembered every sound the machine made.

Note to self: half this recipe next time. Yes, folks, that is what 8 loaves of bread look like.

And, drum roll please . . .

Now, I realize this is wheat bread, not cold fusion. But to me, I always thought of making home-made bread as the pinaccle of the "domestic arts." I was extremely proud of myself. Just ask anyone in my family and they'll tell you. And as an added bonus, my 4 year-old ate it! And she asked for more. That, my friends, is a victory.

Have a great week everyone!

Time to Put on Those Walking Shoes (Dust Them Off If You Need To)

I'm starting my training right now for the MS Walk in the spring. Trust me, it will take that long to get me into any sort of shape to walk, let alone run, a considerable distance. I hope you will all join me and bring along all of your friends. As you know, my darling husband was diagnosed with MS about two and a half years ago. There are good treatments available, but we can really do a whole lot more. So, bug your friends, enemies, co-workers, neighbors, people in line with you at the grocery store check-out line. If each of us can all raise a little and participate in this event, it will add up so quick. And it will let all the people who live with this disease every day know that we love them, support them, and will do anything we can to help.



Join me!

What About Bob?!

Meet our new family mascot . . . Bob, the incredibly large, run away screaming, shield your children's eyes spider. These pictures I'm including are not very good and do not give you the full sense of either Bob's size or his true creepiness. I was not about to get close enough to this little guy to get a good picture. So not worth it. I truly was expecting him to look at me and ask me to pass the ketchup. We think he's the muscle for a spider mob.

The kids were fascinated with Bob when we saw him outside our living room window yesterday. The guy even has a new phrase -- "Where's Bob?" We had a very educational talk about how spiders spin webs, what they eat (in this case, hopefully not the children), how many legs they have, you know. But now, it's time for Bob to go . . . very, very, very far away.

Reason number 5 (well, maybe 2) on the list of reasons why I love my husband: I am terrified of spiders and he kills them for me. Early in our relationship he was dubbed "bug boy." And the nickname stuck. Today, he has truly earned his boy scout badge in arachnid removal. I can very often pull myself together enough to kill spiders when he's not around, but there is no way (repeat, no way) I was going after this bad boy.

And so, farewell, Bob. Alas, we hardly knew ye.

postscript:

Bob has been successfully relocated in a spider-mob witness protection program. He is now living in Rhode Island under the assumed name of Harrison.

What a Peach of a Day!

Today was one of those totally unplanned, totally spontaneous days that give you and your children great memories of growing up. I was cutting up some peaches for breakfast and was less than thrilled with them, and I mentioned to my cute husband, "You know, we should go up to Peach Days in Brigham City and get some real peaches." To my surprise, he said "Sure. Let's go." We had such a great day. I think I was born about 60 years to late, because I love the small town, know everyone around you, real sense of community that we seem to have lost in our bigger cities. I mean, I almost teared up when I saw the Rotary Club selling raffle tickets to raise money to buy new dictionaries for the 3rd grade at the local elementary school. None of the buildings in town were over three stories tall, there was a statue of the city's founder in front of city hall, where, by the way, the high school orchestra was performing for the crowd. I was truly in my element.

After we ate some lunch -- the peach cobbler and peach fritters were absolutely sinful -- and rode the rides for a while, we started to notice something a little strange: there were no actual peaches at Peach Days. Thinking we must be not looking in the right place, we asked one of the festival staff (probably the Peach Days queen or the mayor). Turns out, Peach Days is kind of a misnomer: it really should be called "we used to have peaches at Peach Days but our town has grown and a lot of the peach groves have been cut down and now most of the peaches we do grow we sell to large grocery chains and they ship them out to the bigger cities" days. The closest we came to peaches was our cobbler and the fritters Kara had with her pulled pork sandwich. Good thing I didn't pass them up, right? Still, totally fun, still dying to go again next year (I'm planning on going early to see the parade, buy my kids cotton candy, wave flags, and possibly run for city council). But I won't plan on coming home with any peaches.

I think the best part of today was it wasn't really planned. We didn't worry about if the guy would get his afternoon nap or if my list of Saturday chores would get done as I had planned or if that church flyer would be completely prepared and ready to give out tomorrow. The best thing about today was being totally happy with my family and totally in the moment. So often we are so busy planning our next great move that we forget how wonderful right now is. So as I stood between my daughters, laughing as they rode the carousel, and watched my son perched on his dad's shoulders, I was happy, right now.

So, next time you have a chance to do something unplanned, worry a little less about crossing off tasks on a to-do list and enjoy the fabulous life you've been given -- right now.

Back (sniff) to School (sniff)

We're back to school here. This year, both my girls are school-bound. OK, so Ells-bells goes to school for 2 hours 3 days a week, but it's still school, and soon she'll be grown up and living on the other side of the country and she won't need me any more and I'll be old and grey . . . ok, deep breaths now.

The girls are really loving school. And I'm loving having them in school. We're very lucky that we haven't had any of the back-to-school drama a lot of kids put their parents through. We're lucky they're very intelligent and get along great both academically and socially. We're lucky we live close to good schools with people who love our children (almost) as much as we do. We're just lucky. And I only tear up about 8 times a day now missing then when they're gone. But that's the essence of a mother's role: hopefully we work ourselves out of a job.

So here are some back to school picks. Now, I know everyone thinks their kids are beautiful, intelligent and just about perfect, but I honestly just can't imagine more beautiful children than mine. Isn't genetics a hoot?

Why Insomnia Is A Bad Thing

The night before my oldest started school, my youngest decided it was time to party. He was up at 11, 1:30, 3:00, 4:00 . . . well, you get the idea. Inbetween acts, because I was now so wound up, I couldn't sleep either. And this is what my tortured mind came up with:


Earlier that evening, my husband was watching one of his favorite reality shows, LA Ink, on TLC. Now I will be the first to tell you these tattoo artists are truly artists. The designs they come up with are great. Me personally, I like my art on canvas or photo paper, or carved into stone, not injected into my skin. That's just me. But as I was laying awake at 2:30 in the morning, a little voice said to me "Hey, if you were to get a tattoo, what would you get?" Now, bear in mind, I will never get a tattoo. Remember the part where they inject it into your skin? No thanks. But, hypothetically speaking, what kind of tattoo would I get? (Now is probably a good time to pause for a moment and let my mother and my mother-in-law's breathing come back to normal . . . ok, how ya doin? good, let's move on) Again, this is completely hypoethical, but I did think of some designs I think Kat Von D and her crew could work up rather nicely for me.


a: Rosie the Riveter, symbolizing strength, determination and a strong work ethic.


b: A Gardenia blossom. Gardenias have been one of my favorite flowers since I first visited Hawaii. I even tried to grow them in my desert of a back yard once. Guess how that one worked out?


c: A picture of my children. I'll never again have to say "sorry, I forgot my pictures." Remember, they inject them into your skin.


d: Something on my lower back. Nothing says class like a picture of Hello Kitty tattooed onto your lower back.


So, since I will never actually be getting a tattoo, I can enjoy designing the perfect one in my head. Let's hope my little guy sleeps through the night tonight. I don't think my mom could handle me even thinking hypothetically about random body piercings.

Impress Your Friends with Black Forest Torte Cupcakes

OK, so I went to a ladies' dinner group this week in our neighborhood, and we had these fabulous cupcakes. They taste just like Ding-Dongs. There is some assembly involved, but they're really very easy and very good. Here's the recipe. I've added some editorial comments in []. Enjoy!

In a large bowl place 8T. cocoa and enough water to dissolve cocoa (approx. 1/4 C.) Then add:

2/3 C. shortening
1 3/4 C. sugar
1 t. salt
1 1/4 C. water
1 3/4 C. flour
1 1/4 t. soda
1/4 t. baking powder
1 t. vanilla.

Beat at low speed to blend. Add 3 eggs, beat until blended. Pour into paper lined cupcake pans. And bake at 350 for 15-18 min. Allow to cool completely.

Filling:

1/2 C. margarine
2 large Hershey bars
1 tub of cool whip (or whipping cream, if you prefer)

Melt chocolate and margaring very slowly over low heat or in double boiler. Cool but don't allow to harden [don't skip -- the chocolate shouldn't be too runny, you don't want it to run off the cupcakes, so let the chocolate set a bit]. Remove cupcakes from paper liners and cut in half. On bottom half drizzle some chocolate [very little or it will run over the sides] and place a small spoonful of whipped cream. Put the top on, drizzle some more chocolate and another small spoon of whipped cream. Grate chocolate on top for a garnish.

Very yummy!

Moment of Truth

All right, so I have a confession to make . . . I'm a starter, (good) but not a finisher (very bad). I get very excited and "concerned over a great many things." (five points for anyone who can catch that biblical reference.) However, within an embarassingly short amount of time, I have lost my motivation or belief that I can actually accomplish what I set out to do. My husband has banned me from all craft stores until I finish the thirty unfinished projects sitting in our office. I make lists and schedules with all of the best intentions of doing fabulous things with our home and our kids only to find that at 3 o'clock in the afternoon many days all my children have done is watch every episode of "Hanna Montana" that was on that day. So, I'm enlisting all of you to be my sponsors by admitting my faults and making (another) attempt to be much better. In that spirit, I am going to show you two "finishes" this week. Yeah me! (ok, that's from "Suite Life of Zack and Cody", please help me!) . . .



Well, it isn't a complete life change, but it's a clean closet. There's a story behind why I chose my closet to overhaul, but I'm not ready to tell that embarassing story just yet. One fault at a time, right?

And here's another "finish" this week . . .


This little guy is now ready to mail to Colorado to one of my best friends who just had a baby girl. And the baby's not even ready to graduate from high school yet. Are you impressed?

So, here I am in all my honest glory, wanting to be more of a "finisher." And now that I know that I'll have all of you to answer to, I'm off to organize another closet. Yeah me!

It's That Time of Year Again!

No matter how old I get, I still get anxious in August and have an unexplainable urge to buy pencils and new underwear. My little bug is getting ready to start 2nd grade and her sister is diving into preschool this year (thank heavens for professional teachers who can successful unravel the complexities of the 4 year-old mind.) I came across a blog post at Rocks In My Dryer that I just love and I had to share it with all the parents out there, who are no longer anxious who they'll end up eating lunch by when school start, but are now worrying about their kids heading off to school. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go bleach my Keds and clean out my lunchbox . . .

Repeat After Me: I Am Not Old!

I keep having to remind myself of this fact lately, and I'm not sure why. My oldest niece called me last week with the fabulous news that she's engaged. I found myself, honestly and truthfully, saying "but you're only 12 years old." In truth, she's a beautiful young woman, ready in every way to start her life with her fiance. My niece and I basically grew up together, being closer in age than some siblings, so I have always thought of her as a little sister, not really a niece. And now that she's getting married, graduating from college and going off to grad. school, I'm just going to have to own up to the fact that I'm getting old . . . well, older. I can deal with that. But my hairdresser and I still have a secret code of honor "do not, I repeat, do not ever tell me you've found a grey hair . . . just color it and smile!" And, of course, make me look 10 years younger by the time she gets married in January. Easy, right?! I love you guys. Congrats!

(The newly-engaged's with future father-in-law lurking in the background. Interfering already, eh big brother?)

And she's not the only one making me feel old this week, either. My oldest nephew just turned 20 and is living in Cambodia right now. We correspond by e-mail mostly these days, but this week his mom sent me a picture of him and I just about fell out of my chair. When exactly did my nephew turn into Dr. McDreamy? He's so startingly handsome, I can hear my brother right now sharpening his stick to beat off the girls with when he comes home. I've been hearing the maturity in his e-mails, but to see it really threw me for a loop. In my mind, he's this cute little toddler running around our living room on Christmas day, shooting hoops with his new Nerf Basketball set. And then, as if I'm not feeling ancient enough as it is, two more of my nieces will be starting college this week at different universities in-state. Pass the prune-juice!

But, as a note of comfort, I have been reminded recently of two facts: 1) I am not yet old enough to run for President of the United States, and 2) I do not yet qualify for membership in the AARP. 'I'm sorry, you're just too young.' I think I might call them just for the ego boost. In the meantime, will my relatives please stop growing up?! You're making me look old!

Sushi Makes For Good Philosophy . . . At Least On Girl's Night

I had a fabulous night last night with some of my best friends from high school. I can't believe we now have master's degrees (one of us), 12 year-olds (one of us), and homeownership (all of us.) It seems like just yesterday that the greatest worry any of us had was whether so and so would hear our requested song on the radio and if we'd pass our AP tests.






One of the nice things about getting old is you can have fabulous dinners like these. Yes, those are edible flowers on my salad and in my friends' soup and tempura. We had dinner at a tres chic Japanese sushi restaurant. And I know that any of you who know me are saying "you ate raw fish? . . . really?" Have no fear, mine was the salad with steak, fully cooked, thank you very much. We followed up our fun dinner with cake at my best friends' new home. She has worked her knuckles raw, almost literally, cleaning up an old home. It was such a kick to hear her talk about caulk and electrical and water heater efficiency. Again, I don't really remember getting old!


Being with my friends reminded me of driving to my parents' home earlier that day. As we drove along their street we passed a temple where about three or four brides were having their pictures taken. Next door was a church where they were holding a funeral. My friends and I all seem to be, to me, right in the middle of life. But as I drove by the temple and the church I saw what were, again, to me, obvious beginnings and endings. But in reality, each of us is constantly experiencing beginnings and endings. Some are obvious like a wedding or a funeral, but most are very quiet, they happen just as we work through every day. We very often have the power to choose our beginnings and our endings. The ending of something in our life that is holding us back and the beginning of something that helps us progress.


And in the meantime, try the sushi -- it's delicious!

Hooray For The Birthday Boy!

I mentioned earlier that we've had several birthdays to celebrate this month. Two of my siblings, two of my uncles, my husband, my daughter, my father-in-law, by husband's grandfather . . . I hope I got them all. Plus my husband's parents celebrate their anniversary in July. Oh, and there's our nation and our state also celebrating their "birthdays." Kind of a birthday-budget-buster!

My husband is not a "celebrations" kind of guy, at least not for himself. He would much rather see someone else in the spotlight, and I kind of followed his lead on that and didn't make a big deal out of his birthday. Luckily, his sisters didn't, and we had a great time. Yes, the cake was brought home by darling Kara, complete with candles. And what birthday would be complete without dinner out? Briana and Adam thought we might score some free desert if they made it very clear that Brett was a birthday boy by brining balloons to dinner. Unfortunately, no dice, but we had a fabulous night out. Thank heavens for great siblings who still love to party!

Weddings and Birthdays and New Books, oh my!

We have had quite a week at our house. Our youngest sister was married last weekend. She was beautiful, he was handsome, it was just about as close to perfect as you can get. My kids were right in the middle, trying to make sure everyone noticed them, of course!

That day was also the release of that so-famous-I-won't-even-mention-it-by-name-but-my-life-wasn't-complete-until-I-read-the-last-page book. Five days later and I raced through 760 pages. I think that's a new record. As I told my best friend, "We now return you to your regularly scheduled life!"

This last week was my bug's 7th birthday. What a little grownup she's becoming. We have had several parties for her, so she was not short on attention, that's for sure. But she deserves it. Happy Birthday, my sweetheart!

Welcome!

I'm delving into the world of the blogs! After seeing all my family and friends fun blogs I just had to join the bandwagon. I'm very worried that I'm just not that interesting of a person and no one will want to read about me and my wonderful family, but we'll sure give it a try. Stay tuned everybody!