Loving my Inner Martyr

Visiting "All Tucked In", one of my favorite local bookstores, I came across a great little book:


Here is the thought from page 1:

"On this day I will look at my past mistakes and project them onto the future."

"Today I will creat a crisis situation so I can feel really alive."

I think I'm going to love this book!!

Memorial Weekend

We had an awesome weekend and much needed get-a-way over the long Memorial weekend.

Thursday afternoon the kids got out of school early to help me pack the car and boat. We picked Kent up on the way out of town (funny how that works) and ventured South. We hit Beaver for a quick dinner at Subway and continued our drive to St. George. Thanks to Papa Mac and Val for letting us crash for the night.

Friday and Saturday were spent on Lake Mead and they were glorious. The water temp was around 77 and the air 100 +. The water was like glass (rare for Mead this time of year). Needless to say we had a blast and the new boat works great. Saturday we met up with one of Kent's mission buddies (after almost 30 years) and his family, and really enjoyed spending time with them and teaching their kids to ski. We didn't get off the lake until late, stopped at their house to change out of our suits and to see where they lived, and then traveled back to St. George with a 10 pm stop for dinner at Del Taco in Mesquite. We were exhausted when we pulled into St. George around midnight.

Church was early (darn), but we left after the main meeting to come back to the condo and relax. Relaxing for my family is a little bit of tossing a football, scooter rides, DVD's. Val fixed us a great dinner and then we worked it off at the lawn bowling green. I think the only time that game comes out is when we are visiting, but we have really grown to enjoy it.

Monday we split up with half hitting the golf course and the others hanging at the pool. We lunched at Marv's, more scooter rides and relaxing, before packing up and making the trek back home. We hit a rainstorm halfway home and had to scramble to get the cover on the boat before everything inside was soaked. We are adventurous diners as dinner was again at Subway, but this time in Nephi.

Traveling with big people is a far cry from the days of crying and whining. We traveled the five hour drive in silence as individuals had books, ipods tucked in their ears, or slept. What happened to meaningful conversations, singing and fun? You know the saying where you can be alone in a crowd? This mom for one was a little lonely.

What's a Mother to do?

What do you do when you prepare a nice pancake breakfast for your children; leaving them to eat while ponder how wonderful and kind and generous their mother is to fix them breakfast (it doesn't happen often) while you run upstairs to get dressed so as to not embarrass them by driving carpool in your pajamas again?

I'll tell you what!! You come down stairs to find them playing baseball with the leftover pancakes!! McKenzie with a place mat in one hand while Avery pitches the pancakes!

You turn around and walk back upstairs; calmly telling them that if there is one speck of food anywhere in my kitchen they are in BIG trouble!!

"Don't worry Mom, we'll let the dog in".

Comforting!!

Mother's Day

After reading several posts I realize I need to post about my mother's day. Not for me but to recognize my sweet family.

Sunday mornings are busy at our house. Church is at nine so there is barely time for breakfast or anything else other than getting yourself ready. Thank goodness my kids can take care of themselves cause if I had to get them ready as well as myself we would never be on time. Although, I used to be able to do it...I am just so grateful they are big now.

After staying up really late watching a movie with her dad; my McKenzie got up extra early to fix her mommy breakfast: Amish Baked Oatmeal with fresh sliced strawberries and raspberries. I was suppose to be at the church at 8:30 to go over the songs our choir was singing that day, but I didn't go as the oatmeal was waiting.

I am in charge of teaching the youth (12 & under) music. They were singing to their mothers and I was to lead. My two girls said they were going to lead for me and did a great job. I asked Avery if she knew the song they were singing since she was leading. She said no!! The kids sang very quietly, but did OK. We will have to prepare better for Father's day!!

Avery took over singing time for me, and I think realized how hard it is to teach and lead a bunch of kids in singing. Wow!!

After church we piled in the car and went to visit Nana's grave and place flowers there for her. We were amazed how crowded it was, and Nate thought it was a little creepy that people brought their lounge chairs and balls with mitts and spent the afternoon hanging out in the cemetery.

We ventured home where dinner was prepared while I sat on the deck and read a book and sipped a Diet Coke. They made a lovely dinner of barbecue chicken, grilled new potatoes, salad and rolls, with a lemonade pie for dessert. Everything turned out great!!

Gifts were presented. I pleaded that the new boat be my only gift, but they added a few little surprises. Flowers for my yard:

A new flag for my pole:

and M&M's (my favorite)

Avery requested a re-match of Phase 10. We even got Nate to join us as a special request for Mother's Day. He hates playing games with us and was quite humorously vocal about it the entire game. He of course won the game which did not make his sister very happy!! There's always next week.

We had a Netflix movie of "Tale of Desperoux" and decided to cap off the evening watching it. Everyone fell asleep except Avery and I, and we finished the movie. It was really kind of slow and if you hadn't read the book might not be as enjoyable.

All in all a very peaceful, pleasant day spent with my awesome family. Thanks guys for not only showing my your love today, but every day!!

Family Picture

My children are relentless. "We need a new family picture," they whine. "People tease us about the photos in our family room." Well, I like the pictures. They remind me of when my kids were young, and sweet, and less demanding.

Finally we relented, and last night the beautiful, and talented and VERY prego Andrea (my neice) accompanied us to Memory Grove for some family fun time. We have never ventured to this park (I don't know why, it's beautiful) with our clan and though it would be a great place for pic's. Holy Cow!! We were not the only people with the same idea. There were at least five bride getting bridals done, an actual reception at the reception hall (or whatever it's called), engagement pictures, and many more general people like us. As well as the local hikers and dog walkers.

Things were a little tense before we left home. Great, I thought, nothing better than pictures with people who can't stand next to each other!! Everyone put on their happy faces (smile with your eyes) and Andrea made it very enjoyable.

The Arrival

The Malibu has finally arrived!!


Last Saturday, in a torrential downpour, we swapped out the Chaparral for the new boat:

Fare thee well our little boaty...

Welcome Malibu:

Swine Flu = Avoiding Contact with Pigs

Best way to avoid catching Swine Flu:

I know this is making the rounds on the internet but I couldn't resist.

Spring Cleaning

How can an innocent task of cleaning the wood floors in my kitchen turn into a 12-hour Spring cleaning project?

This is exactly what happened yesterday. I pulled out the vacuum to start on the wood floor when I remembered I was going to clean the windows... Maybe I should do that before the floor so I started pulling up blinds... Boy were they dusty, I will just grab the vacuum attachment and get those done first. It is a time consuming task to vacuum/dust each slat of wood blinds when one has alot of windows.

Blinds dusted, check. Windows cleaned (at least on the inside), check. There is dust and cobwebs on my valences. Down they come and up to the dryer for some dusting of their own.

Now with all the dust and scraps of cleaning matter on the carpet it will need to vacuumed. Maybe I should just move the furniture and get underneath, it's been awhile. While I'm at it, maybe I should just rearrange the furniture. I love to change things around and it gives such a clean look.

There are of course lunch breaks (thanks McKenzie) and kids to carpool and get to swimming breaks, then it's back to work to complete the project. Once the family room is done, minus re-hanging the drapery, it's time to move on to the kitchen. More windows to clean and blinds to dust in the bay window. Another trip to pick up kids from swimming and back to cleaning so the project can be done before the hubby returns from golfing.

Vacuum the wood floor, search for a bucket, search for the "Murphy's Oil Wood Soap", find them all when the kids start asking "what's for dinner". Send the girls to pick up pizza, quickly start on the floor so as to be done before they get home. Wishing I could find the knee pads as the floor is not comfortable on my knees (how did my mom do this each week? She did not think mops got the floors clean enough). You know I polish my floors frequently with a spray and cloth (yes, on a mop), but a good wipe down cleaning, not so often. You know it's never just the floor as there are baseboards and walls that need a good wipe down as well. I do not finish the floor before the girls get home, darn.

Now there's a table to set and a salad to make. Don't you just hate it when food gets in the way of a good project?

Dinner is done, hubby is home. I always love his response to my cleaning and changing things around (he's one who does not relish change), and the kids anticipate his facial expressions and reaction. His words upon entering the house: Oh no!! Not what the kids were hoping for, but after 23 years I think he's getting use to me.

Finally the project is finished as there is a knock on the door and my church lady visitors are calling. I totally forgot about the appointment and they get to see me in all my cleaning glory. Thanks Candace and Annie for not caring how I looked!! You two are awesome!!

The family says it's time to stop, I think a soak in the hot tub is just what this sore body needs.

Day 2: I had to finish the floors while I had the supplies handy so the mudroom and bathroom got a good scrub down...the office, living room and dining room will have to wait until Saturday...my girls are thrilled.