No, you have it

This morning started out like all others: hurry and get dressed, eat your breakfast, stop playing and get busy...all the same things.  After family prayer, we always go to the table to read scriptures.  We pretty much have "spots" at the table.  The only problem is that Bo and Katy like the same spot.  She mostly sits there but occasionally Bo wants it and then we have an ordeal.  The thing is is that it's the spot right next to me.  So it makes me have to choose, which totally sucks.  Today, they both had one cheek on the chair waiting for the other to give in.  Glade took the "you know you are putting your mom in a bad position" route this morning.  After explaining how this can't end with anyone happy, he asked them to figure out a solution.

Bo offers up the "switch every day" solution.  Katy doesn't think that sounds so great since she is being booted.  I suggest maybe a weekly basis.  That she can sit there for today since it's the last day of the week and then Bo can have it next week.  She gets up and comes to me crying on my shoulder.  I explain to her that she should think of making Bo happy and that she still gets it for today.  It was then that she raised her head and mumbles "I want Bo to have it today".  I tell her it's ok, she can finish out the week and still have it but she insists he sit there instead.  She continues in her soft crying as we praise her for being so sweet.  This starts the tears for Bo and he comes over and joins in our hug.  Now we're all crying, including most everyone else at the table.  I let her know that Jesus is smiling down on her right now because she is acting just like He would and that's how we're supposed to be.  We then sing the little line of the song that says "I'm trying to be like Jesus...".  We continued in our little three hug for another minute as we got control of our sniffles and then she walked over to the other chair and let Bo have hers.



I don't think a Mormon Ad could have been scripted any better.  What a beautiful experience to watch your little ones feel the Spirit and learn sharing and  sacrifice at such a young age.  I know those lessons are ones that need practice our whole lives, but they are off to a good start. ♥

To go or Not to go

I was faced with an awful decision this weekend.  Some good friends of ours are thinking of buying some property in Colorado and are going to see it this weekend.  Glade is going with and offered for me to come as well.  Hello?? Four days in the beautiful (and cool) mountains of Colorado... Yes!!  But then came the kink.  Rhett has his first high school cross country meet this Saturday.  He's really nervous about the whole thing.  He has been amazing at getting up every day at 4:45 to get himself ready to go to practice.  I've been shocked and very proud of his dedication.  He is the fastest one on his team and he's only a freshman.

This doesn't actually equate to much.  The tough part is that he's had no one to push him or pace him.  So he's going into this meet completely blind.  He could give someone a run for their money or come in dead last.  We have no idea.  I wouldn't miss a weekend away in Colorado for very many things, but I really feel like he needs me right now.  It's a super hard position to be in.  Not many people understand Rhett like I do or know the things to say to get him to be in a good place emotionally.  I'll be surprised if he gets through this meet without tears.  Maybe he'll prove me totally wrong and be just great, but I'm afraid to put that to the test.  So I send my sweet husband to a place it's killing me to miss, all alone.  He's going to enjoy green, 70 degree weather while I'm stuck here.  Oh the torture!

My Obsession Continues

You'd think a long night's sleep would take care of my previous day's craziness.  Nope.  Actually my day only got better yesterday because I got to go help Jenny get her Bunko gift.  We went to Kirklands, Big Lots and Joann's.  That's where my today's adventures actually began.  I'd been looking for a new fall wreath, but they are so expensive!  When I really looked at one I liked, it was just a string of leaves on a wreath.  I have an unused wreath exactly like that at home!  So I bought an $8 string of sparkly leaves to make my own wreath.  Whitley helped me put it all together this morning so naturally, we had to try it out.  How could I take it down after it fit so nicely on my front door???  So I didn't. Ü

Then we started peeling pears so we could can them.  I bought a big box yesterday.  Well, they are still not ripe enough.  We had already peeled four or five so now what to do.  I looked up pear recipes and found this pear raisin cookie recipe.  It was actually really good!  I need to go buy more raisins and walnuts to make another batch now.  Yum!

And of course, since the oven was on and my kids had already devoured the bread I made the other day, I had to whip up a few more of these.  I started adding gluten to my recipes so maybe that has helped make it a little less crumbly and more soft. I dunno, but really tasty.

So while I should have been on the treadmill, I was filling my kitchen (and belly) with all these delicious little treats.  Now I feel like a big fat toad.  Blah!  I also tried burning my itty bitty candle and couldn't smell a thing.  Glad I didn't spend any money on that one.  Tonight I make taco soup to take to bunko and drool over all the fun fall gifts that will probably show up.  Tomorrow I'm going to go to dinner to eat butternut squash with my mom and then it's probably back to my hot hellish reality.... It's not fall where I live.  It won't be for a very long time.  But for now it's been a fun couple of days pretending. ♥

I'm a Freak

I'm wondering if I've used that title before, it fits me a little too often I'm afraid.  As I get older, I get weirder. Today I made arrangements for Whitley to take care of Katy so I could go to the MALL.  I haven't been there in forever.  I happened to get an email from Bath and Body works offering a free candle with any $10 purchase. I'm a sucker for free.  AND, I just happen to need a $10 Bunko gift for next week.  Seems logical to me!  So I met mom at the mall and we spent a good 40 minutes sniffing things.  Apparently I'm a little too in touch with my olfactory sense.  I love to smell things.  Well, not all things... but anyway, we smelled every new candle/soap they have.  Spicy pumpkin, Cinnamon apple, Fall leaves... you get the idea.  The decision was a tough one!  I brought home two little candles (one for me and one for bunko) and a candle holder (also for bunko).  Now where's my free candle??  It was the tiniest little thing you ever saw.  Seriously, like a tea light but slightly taller.  Total disappointment.  But now I have to decide which one to keep.  Oy.

On the way home, I passed by the airport I will be using in December and got all choked up about going home again. This could be a long 3 months.  I needed to pick some things up from my friends house and while there, we discussed my candle dilemma.  Which got me thinking about the boutique I go to every fall.  There I go again, getting all mushy about the boutique coming up!  I can't even imagine how these  next few months are going to be if I get all crybaby like this.  Then I started stressing out about being all emotional the whole time and that it's probably going to just fly by and then it will just be summer all over again!!  Did I mention I'm a freak?  Breathe...inhale the spicy pumpkin... enjoy. ♥

PS.  When I got home, the fall issue of Everyday with Rachel Ray was in my mailbox.  Oh ya!! (this was the first issue I ever got, it was when we went to San Fran last year.)

Labor Day Weekend

What a fabulous long weekend!  Friday started it with a nice date night with good friends seeing the movie The Odd Life of Timothy Greene.  So cute!  Saturday I stayed home most of the day doing nothing and little projects. I painted my half wall in my kitchen, don't love it, and my entry table.  We made homemade pizza and stayed in for the evening.  Sunday was fast Sunday and my allergies were going crazy!  Makes it hard to stay focused on your fast when your sneezing every 15 seconds.  Not fun at all.  That night we all went to Smith's for dinner.  That was a really  nice night, almost the entire family was actually there!  Kent even came.  It was nice to see him again.

Monday, being Labor Day... I made the kids work all morning!  They did really well in getting all the jobs done without too much prodding and whining.  Since they were all so helpful, I took them to Taco Bell for lunch.  Ulterior motive there, kitchen stayed clean.  Stephen, Nick and Dalin all went with Glade to help him paint cabinets at the rental house.  They had worked all day Saturday and part of the afternoon Monday putting in planters out front of our house as well.  They look really good and I'm excited to actually get some plants in there!

That morning we had done a little work on the treadmill.  Saturday morning Rhett went out running with Jake so Jake could pace him a little faster than what he gets at his normal practices.  He did really well, despite the tears.  This morning I had him do sprints.  He was running one minute at a time as we increased his speed.  His last one, he did at 12 mph.  He only lasted 30 seconds on that one, but he did it.  He only cried once this time.  When I asked why he was upset, he said he wasn't.  Then I asked why he was crying and he said he didn't know.  I told him he should be feeling so strong and proud right now, but for some reason... doing hard things makes him cry.  Even when he's successful!  I was very proud of him.  His first meet is next Saturday.  I also had a great morning on the treadmill!  I was supposed to do 3/4 of a mile today.  I upped my speed a little and went for a mile and half!!  I was so super deduper happy.  And sore the next day.  BUT, I'm doing it.  Now, my back is a little sore today so I'm going to take it easy tomorrow when I get back on, but so very exciting for me!

That afternoon we went to the Bryants for a swim party and then back to our house for a BBQ.  I think we ended up with ten families there.  It was crowded and busy, but I think everyone had a really good time. I did at least. We broke out the water bottle launcher and that was a huge hit.  The kids had a blast, ended up soaked and even the adults enjoyed watching.  One of my favorite things is being surrounded by such great people who I adore!  If only I had taken a few pictures...

Forever in my Mind... Hopefully

Bo got to go to a birthday party this weekend at an indoor skate park.  I was a nervous wreck leaving him there.  The very first line of the waiver I signed mentioned highly likely... death... permanent paralysis...  All scary stuff.  We outfitted him with knee and elbow pads, a big helmet and his scooter.  This place was designed for littler kids so that made it a little better.  I did leave him with a plea that he not try anything tricky or try to do things other kids were doing and reminded him of how much Rhett hated wearing a cast on his arm.  I kissed him soundly, professed my love for him and headed home.

Upon my return, I got to watch him for just a minute before I let him know I was there.  First, I was grateful the whole way there that my phone had not rung so nothing too bad must have happened.  As I watched him scooter up and down the ramps, I was impressed with how easily he got on and off the scooter without interfering with the flow of traffic.  The song "Party Rock" was playing and just as the part says "Every day I'm shuffling..." and the music gets all fun, he drops his scooter, hops up onto the platform and starts completely jamming out.  Helmet, pads and all.. that kids was groovin!  Then in a final show of coolness, he does a giant tuck jump off the platform and gets back on his scooter to finish his ride.  It lasted all of 20 seconds and I, of course, have no record of it.  Only in my mind.  That little toothless cutie puttin it all out there.  I'm so grateful for those little moments. ♥

Crazy Scout Mom

I'm on a mission.  My next two boys (Rhett and Dalin) will get their Eagle Scout awards ASAP.  I hate scouts.  I think it's great for them and I understand why it's important, but it doesn't make me hate it any less.  We tried with Stephen and Nick to do the "driving as an incentive" approach and failed miserably.  They don't care at 14.  We were not going to earn it for them so we stayed completely on the sidelines.  Well guess what?  I have an almost 18 year old and a 16 1/2 year old with no licenses.  Without a license it's also hard to get a job or go on dates.  Two things I think are important.  So I'm doing it differently with the next two.  When they joke about Mom earning an eagle award, I'll proudly say "yes I did!"  I don't care.

We spent Sunday morning, 2 1/2 hours of it, filling out merit badge packets.  Looking up information no 11 year old needs to understand and trying to write it in a 3 line space.  I have scoured the internet for any Merit badge clinic in the vicinity for them to attend and bugging the crap out of all our leaders to make sure everything gets recorded and handed to the right person.  The beauty of this tactic is 1) Dalin still enjoys doing it and actually feels excitement and pride in earning them 2) He and Rhett can do most of it together, two birds.. one long stone.

Nick has done everything to earn his Eagle except all the final paperwork.  We have resorted to grounding him until it all gets finished.  No more sidelines for me, cracking my whip. If Stephen wants to have any time behind the wheel, he has to have shown me some progress on his.  He has one more merit badge to earn and  a few to get signed off.  Then he has to actually do the eagle project.  Seriously, let's get this show on the road!  The part of me that hates conformity is in a serious uproar right now.