Odds, and ends.....

This will probably be a lame post but I had a moment to spare and figured I would post. I was stalking all of your blogs (yes, all of you, my super great friends) and either it's late and I'm tired and everything seems funny or I'm just strange. Ultimately these are random thoughts that pop in my head and I think "hhmmm I should blog that"

1. I can often be found logging on to a few of your blogs while I'm on the computer just to listen to your music play lists. Silly I know, but I love some of the songs you've picked out. One day I was working out to a DVD on my computer and I must have had Ashley's (Shugee's) blog up on another tab. The workout DVD started and then all of the sudden one of my favorite songs by Rihanna started playing and I was thinking "Cool!!!! they've got some new music on this workout" Duh!!!

2. I had to run to the mall today for one item. I'm really not a huge shopper, I like to go, get what I came for and leave. Today as I passed by one store I noticed a really cool shirt in the window. For kicks I went in to get a closer look. I HATE it when the clothes on the manicans look great but when you look closer it's because they've got the darn thing pinned in the back. So obviously you think "hey! that would look great on me!" until you get it home and realize that it fits completely different than it did on the manican. False advertisement?? ha, ha

3. Speaking of malls. I particularly think it's like running the gauntlet trying to get past all of the mini kiosks without getting stopped by some sales person trying to get you to do your nails, buy soap, cell phones, or fake hair pieces. It's almost like live telemarketers only you can't hang up on them. I have to plan my route carefully and the biggest key to making it through without stopping is "DO NOT LOOK THEM IN THE EYES". I laugh because it reminds me of the movie Nanny McPhee when the oldest brother told the other kids not to look in her eyes because she must have some hypnotic powers. Too funny!!

4. A few weeks ago I finally purchased my re-usable shopping bags from my favorite grocery store. They were only .99 cents. Can't go wrong there. I was so pleased, they fit way more than a plastic or paper bag does. I keep them in my van by my center console so I won't forget to bring them in when I grocery shop. So a few days later I had to run into a totally different store. After parking I looked down at my bags and thought "Is it totally wrong to use a re-usable shopping bag with another stores name on it at a different store?" are there any etiquette rules to this whole "living green" thing? Oh well I thought, I am tired of plastic bags over running my house and the dump, so I slung that pretty puppy over my shoulders and proudly walked into the store. The funniest part was when I was checking out and I set the bag down on the bag holder. The cashier looked at it and me as if she had no clue what to do. I chuckled and told her that she could put EVERYTHING right in the green bag.

5. End of school fever. I think that I have it just as bad as my kids. It seems like the next few weeks will NEVER end. I am looking forward to summer break. I love having my kids home with our own schedule. Daria said the best part of summer break is that you get to sleep in. Now this is absolutely the funniest thing I've ever heard from a girl who probably has never slept in past 7am even on weekends. I can relate. I've never been able to sleep in. I've tried, it doesn't work. But there is something different about having to wake up early and waking up early without having a reason to. Go figure.

6. It's that time of year again. Daria and I will have another recital the first week in June. So far I'm not too stressed out about it. I suppose there is no sense in worrying about it any earlier than I need to. This time I've only got one piece. I'm not sure if Janalen planned that or if she forgot to assign me another piece but I'm not complaining or asking. I will be playing a lovely piece by Chopin, Nocturne in C sharp minor. i love this song, which is why I chose it. Somehow in the allure of the beauty of the song I didn't realize that near the end there is ONE measure where I have to get 35 notes in on my right hand in only 4 beats of my left hand. Tell me how am I going to be able to do that???? I don't think my hand can move that fast, and especially without mistakes. I think I'm a glutton for punishment, but everything is worth a try right? In some ways I feel lucky because Janalen originally wanted me to do a sonata (I think that's what it's called) but the pages scared the heck out of me! She's an amazing teacher, she can make you think you can accomplish anything!

This morning I couldn't stop yawning. You know when you yawn so much your eyes get watery. Now it's 9:45pm and I could be sleeping, but feel wide awake!!! I can't win for losin'

A wonderful Mother's Day

There are those times when you feel celebrated that for mother's comes very seldom and often is manifest within our own hearts when we see our children grow and succeed in life. I am glad we have days to celebrate one another such as Mother's Day. In fact I think birthday's are pretty cool to. I mean, life is hard, why shouldn't we be celebrated for another year of being alive and for being who we are.

I was looking forward to this Mother's Day. Why? because for at least a month and a half Daria and her neighbor friends have been secretly working on some special project for their mother's. I had no clue what it could be but most days after school and homework, the 4 girls would jet back and forth between each other's homes to work on the project. It took up Saturday's and some Saturday nights (mixed with playtime as well). Sometimes they would have things hidden in bags, sometimes they would have one of the dads tote them off to the store to buy more supplies (the girls called them the chauffeurs and financiers). The anticipation was endless.

Since our ward meets at 1pm this year, Ino said he would cook breakfast Sunday morning. I thought this meant that the three families would show up and eat. It turned out very differently. Daria and Dustin were up by 6:45am on Sunday morning and I heard the doors open and close. By 8:30a me, Jenni, and Michelle were summoned to breakfast. What we found was a table set up in Jenni's living room (she had been kicked out earlier in the morning to her parents house, so she wouldn't see the planned festivities), elegantly set with 3 plates, 3 bouquets of roses, and nice mood music in the background. Still in my pajamas I was feeling slightly under dressed. Chance, Logan, and Dustin were in their Sunday suits ready to wait on us, take our orders, and fill our water and orange juice cups. We were fed a delicious fruit plate, and all the pancakes, waffles, sausage, eggs, and bacon we could ask for if we wanted. The kids presented us with a few small gifts and left us there to chat while they ate outside and then cleaned up the kitchen. Wow! it was so amazing! I admit I was feeling pretty guilty and undeserving about enjoying this delicious special Mother's Day meal after throwing an adult tantrum the day before over kids not doing their chores. Ugh!!! whoever said mother's don't' ever loose their cool! Here are some pictures of the day. No there are none of me, I seriously looked like I rolled right out of bed. Only so many people are aloud to see me that way, and the worldwide web does not count. I wish I had a picture of Ken who spent so much time being chef.

The table

The waiters

some of the cooks

After a wonderful time at church, the celebration continued. Ken really went above and beyond the call of duty by preparing a delicious brisket and sausage on the green egg (this is about a 12 hour process), beans in the crock pot, homemade potato salad and homemade rolls. We went over to our neighbors house and enjoyed the company of 5 other families. Then came the moment we mothers had been waiting for. Our big surprise. Each of us were presented with a scrapbook, put together by each girl, comprising each of our families. It was so awesome!! Now I know why Kat spent several weeks taking pictures of every movement we made. It was so sweet and a gift I will treasure forever.

I think that this was by far the best Mother's Day I've ever experienced. It was special to think that I was being thought of all this time while Daria was making the project. Dustin also made some cute gifts and letters which of course I'll keep forever. I think one of the best parts was that the kids and husbands came up with these ideas on their own and worked very hard to make us feel celebrated.

........ I think to myself "how will I top that for Father's day??"

This past week we celebrated Daria's 9th birthday. Yes, you guessed it... "Where has the time gone!!!??" I am so amazed at the young lady that she is turning out to be. I must admit I am soaking in every moment of these young ages as I know they will not last long. I found myself reminiscing through photos of her when she was a baby, toddler, first starting school, and up until now. I admit I'm a sappy mom who misses the younger stages. After all, raising kids is the cutest and easiest from birth to about ages 4-5 I think. The biggest challenge was tantrums and lack of sleep. But, at the same time as Daria continues to grow I'm also enjoying our mother daughter relationship. Sometimes she outwits me, out challenges me and still has periodic tantrums, but most often she is a polite, loving, caring girl who has a lot more strengths than negatives. She often has a serious temperament like mine, yet she is also very light hearted. She thrives on structure and has often been found to have folded all of the laundry, cleaned her room, cleaned her fish tank and even helped Dustin clean his room, early on a Saturday morning without being asked.... so she can get a early start on "playing" all day long. I am pleased and comforted that she enjoys the gospel, the Faith in God girls program at church, family scripture study and Family Home Evening. I'm also starting to see glimpses of her mind "thinking of others." When I told the kids that our friend has cancer, Daria's first comment was "Well who is going to cook for her?" While I had a small lump in my throat, I was so thankful that she is beginning to understand others needs and the need for Christlike service.

With all her strides towards growing up Daria still loves to snuggle, and be hugged by her mom and dad. She still loves us to read her a book now and then, still loves to open the bus window as it's driving off and waive at me and motion "I love you!" in sign language. Still loves teddy bears, playing with her brother, singing, playing piano, horses, dogs, and cats. She still loves having Ken and I come to lunch with her at school, and still writes us notes now and then. So far she's still the right size for what she calls "Pick up Hugs".

If I could slow down this next year so she doesn't turn 10 so quickly I would, but then I'm reminded of a moment I had with her when she was 3 1/2. With her little purple ballet outfit on and some purple gauze butterfly wings she fluttered through the house. Standing on a stool I tried to pick her up and she said "No mom, let me down so I can fly" .......... and so we teach our children how, so one day they can fly!

Ok, enough of my sappiness....

Dustin has felt quite left out because he has not lost any teeth yet, as opposed to the rest of the kindergartners at school. I remember Daria had the same concern. Thursday Dustin got off the bus ran straight for Kat who happened to be standing there, grabbed her as he yelled at the top of his lungs "I've got a loose tooth!!!! my first loose tooth!!!" I don't think I've ever seen a boy that excited about a loose tooth. The excitement toned down later as he realized that once he looses his tooth he will look like "Uncle Louis" from Junie B. Jones. UUGGGHH, if all of you could know how much I detest Junie B. Jones!!! I told him that because I don't like Junie B. Jones books, he doesn't have to be worried about looking like her toothless uncle, he will just look like a toothless kindergartner.

I'm always amazed that Daria and Dustin are either getting along very well, or really not getting along well. On the mornings that they ride the bus it's a hot heated race to see who gets to the bus stop first in order to be first in line. On one particular day Dustin cried because he said he was trying to open the door for Daria (something he's been learning to do) when she pushed him aside to rush through the door. Now he does try hard to open doors for us but rarely if ever do I see him do it in the morning. It seemed a bit suspicious to me and had the words "I want to be first in line" written all over it. Unfortunately because this causes so much contention, both kids spent there time at the back of the line. Sometimes they compete over the silliest things. For instance, last Monday for family home evening we collected trash in our community. The kids have wanted to do this for some time and since we just had Earth Day it seemed like a perfect time. We set out with bags and gloves and enjoyed a lovely walk (seriously it was such a nice evening, a good family walk). The only glitch was that every time a piece of trash was spotted Daria and Dustin would run towards it screaming "That's mine!!! I got it first!" Oh my goodness!!! of all the things to fight over. Eventually they just grabbed the trash without complaining, but it did provide a few laughs for me.