It seems as I get older the years seem to go faster. The more I want to squish in a day, but seem to get sidetracked with the 'not really important stuff'. This 4th of July was all about my family - the MOST important stuff! :)
Sunday, August 29, 2010
4th of July
I'm a little late - life is crazy and it never seems to slow down. 4th of July this year was VERY low key. I loved every minute of it. The last few years I have helped with the City's celebration - this year I got the year off! The city had several events, although I was out of town on Saturday and on Sunday, we celebrated by having our own small fireworks display Saturday night. Jared was working through most of the fireworks, but showed up for the grand finale (well, as grande as it got!). Luckily Jaxon and Trevor were very happy to light the fireworks while I supervised the large group that gathered!! On Sunday we celebrated by going to church and then going to see the city's firework show. Sadly, now that I know how much it costs to put on a 25 minute fireworks display, I'll probably never enjoye them quite the same...
It seems as I get older the years seem to go faster. The more I want to squish in a day, but seem to get sidetracked with the 'not really important stuff'. This 4th of July was all about my family - the MOST important stuff! :)
It seems as I get older the years seem to go faster. The more I want to squish in a day, but seem to get sidetracked with the 'not really important stuff'. This 4th of July was all about my family - the MOST important stuff! :)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Monica's Travels
**Disclaimer** I believe myself to be a good mother. What I am about to relate, will probably prove me wrong - BUT, I love my daughter and feel absolutely horrible.
Flying is an exciting thing. Something I didn't do until I was 19. First time, didn't think it was all that great - well, except to get from here to there relatively quickly..... Not so for my kids. Not only have they loved air travel, they don't get sick and find the whole adventure lots of fun!
My sister graciously invited Monica and Jaxon to come to California to visit her and her family. Jaxon went first and his travels were uneventful. The only thing that made me laugh really hard from his trip was his comment, "Mom, I owe Melissa $7.00."
Me, "Why?".
Jaxon, "Because I have to pay her a quarter for every time I say 'I know.'"
Me, "I'd be rich." Walking away laughing.
Jaxon flight came in on Saturday around 3:30. Monica's flight was supposed to leave around 4:30. Monica and I drove in, did a little Sam's Club shopping (10 gallons of milk are MUCH cheaper at Sam's Club), then headed to the airport. We checked Monica in, went through security, walked the two miles (maybe not quite that far) to Jaxon's gate. Picked him up. Walked the two miles again to Monica's gate, seriously, couldn't have been much further apart. Said our goodbyes - headed out with Jaxon. Here's where the disclaimer comes in. Had I have known what was going to happen, I would NOT have left her. But, since she's flown before (okay - never alone), but she knew what to do, I left. The reason why - no babysitter at home. Gunnar is responsible, but not for three little brothers and an extended time period. I needed to get home so there wasn't much time from when Jared went to work and I made it home.
5:15 - Monica calls, I'm half way across the flats. She says they've delayed the flight. I tell her, no problem - keep me updated..... flight is schedule to leave now at 7:30, 7:30 comes and goes..... now they're talking about an 8:30 flight. She had a connection in Vegas. No connecting flight out of Vegas after 7:30... Hmmm, being stuck in Vegas, waiting at Salt Lake airport for mom.... No brainer. Flight gets cancelled. Melissa tries another airline. They have a ticket - but won't let her on without my signature releasing her to fly. Nothing but being there in person will work. Flight leaves. Oh, luggage is already on it's way to San Diego. Now it's 10, the power in Wendover is out. Cell phone reception is terrible. Nothing going through....
I have to admit - for being 14 she held her composure and took everything in stride. Until she realized it would be another two hours before I could get there. No flight, no luggage, leaves secure area, everything closed - can't even buy food..... now the breakdown begins.
Thank goodness for friends (another sister!). My other sister named Michelle was in Salt Lake with her two girls. 20 minutes away from airport. YEAH!! They picked Monica up, took her to Ogden, spent the night and delivered her the next day for a flight that actually arrived in Orange County!
Luggage was located in San Diego - flown to Orange County, everything there, although had a sticker that said he had been searched. I kept telling Monica it will be a great story in the future. Probably not now.
Monica was amazing. She managed a situation that most of us would have fallen apart in. She handled herself well and made very smart decisions. She really is amazing and I am very proud to call her my daughter. (She's probably not so proud to call me her mom, since I left her, but hopefully she'll forgive me!). She's probably saved all her receipts and I'll have to reimburse her for 'unplanned expenses'!!
Flying is an exciting thing. Something I didn't do until I was 19. First time, didn't think it was all that great - well, except to get from here to there relatively quickly..... Not so for my kids. Not only have they loved air travel, they don't get sick and find the whole adventure lots of fun!
My sister graciously invited Monica and Jaxon to come to California to visit her and her family. Jaxon went first and his travels were uneventful. The only thing that made me laugh really hard from his trip was his comment, "Mom, I owe Melissa $7.00."
Me, "Why?".
Jaxon, "Because I have to pay her a quarter for every time I say 'I know.'"
Me, "I'd be rich." Walking away laughing.
Jaxon flight came in on Saturday around 3:30. Monica's flight was supposed to leave around 4:30. Monica and I drove in, did a little Sam's Club shopping (10 gallons of milk are MUCH cheaper at Sam's Club), then headed to the airport. We checked Monica in, went through security, walked the two miles (maybe not quite that far) to Jaxon's gate. Picked him up. Walked the two miles again to Monica's gate, seriously, couldn't have been much further apart. Said our goodbyes - headed out with Jaxon. Here's where the disclaimer comes in. Had I have known what was going to happen, I would NOT have left her. But, since she's flown before (okay - never alone), but she knew what to do, I left. The reason why - no babysitter at home. Gunnar is responsible, but not for three little brothers and an extended time period. I needed to get home so there wasn't much time from when Jared went to work and I made it home.
5:15 - Monica calls, I'm half way across the flats. She says they've delayed the flight. I tell her, no problem - keep me updated..... flight is schedule to leave now at 7:30, 7:30 comes and goes..... now they're talking about an 8:30 flight. She had a connection in Vegas. No connecting flight out of Vegas after 7:30... Hmmm, being stuck in Vegas, waiting at Salt Lake airport for mom.... No brainer. Flight gets cancelled. Melissa tries another airline. They have a ticket - but won't let her on without my signature releasing her to fly. Nothing but being there in person will work. Flight leaves. Oh, luggage is already on it's way to San Diego. Now it's 10, the power in Wendover is out. Cell phone reception is terrible. Nothing going through....
I have to admit - for being 14 she held her composure and took everything in stride. Until she realized it would be another two hours before I could get there. No flight, no luggage, leaves secure area, everything closed - can't even buy food..... now the breakdown begins.
Thank goodness for friends (another sister!). My other sister named Michelle was in Salt Lake with her two girls. 20 minutes away from airport. YEAH!! They picked Monica up, took her to Ogden, spent the night and delivered her the next day for a flight that actually arrived in Orange County!
Luggage was located in San Diego - flown to Orange County, everything there, although had a sticker that said he had been searched. I kept telling Monica it will be a great story in the future. Probably not now.
Monica was amazing. She managed a situation that most of us would have fallen apart in. She handled herself well and made very smart decisions. She really is amazing and I am very proud to call her my daughter. (She's probably not so proud to call me her mom, since I left her, but hopefully she'll forgive me!). She's probably saved all her receipts and I'll have to reimburse her for 'unplanned expenses'!!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Pictures
I love photograhy - I just need to find a little more time in my day to pursue another hobby. Luckily pictures include my kids, which makes it a pretty good hobby! Cannon has become an escape artist. He can open the doors outside and loves to be outside with all the kids, even when no kids are around to watch him. It has caused a few panic attacks as we have realized he is not where we thought he was. He's quick! I spent tonight outside with him and my camera. Lots of pictures of my flowers (trying to hide the weeds) and a few of the baby!
The other night we had a nice thunderstorm, I had Jared take me up above Anna Smith and I took pictures of the lightning storm. I took lots of pictures, but only a few with lightning... you have to be quick! Luckily I came away with a few good pictures.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Now until eternity
This last Thursday, my niece, Aspen, passed away. She was involved in a accident last year which required a tracheotomy. She had that removed on Tuesday and due to some complication, passed away during the night.
We are devastated. Our family cannot possibly imagine how my brother and his wife must be feeling. We can only imagine and even that cannot come close.
Aspen was a lively 10 year old with an incredible ability to bring a smile to all those around. She had beautiful red hair that any women would die for. She could light up a room. We will miss her.
I created a scrapbook for the funeral and I have relished my time spent with my memories of her. We are lucky, our family has many. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to know her and feel of her spirit for the short time she was on this earth.
We also know that this is not the end. We can be together again, the gospel of Jesus Christ tells us this. Death is not an end, but a beginning. We will certainly miss her, but we look forward to spending eternity with her.
Until we meet again - we love you Aspen.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Motherhood Moments
This month has been a busy one. Jaxon's birthday, family party, swim lessons, work, driving kids around everywhere, well, the typical mother's life! So there will be more posts to come and I try to update everything in our crazy lives. Not to take away anything from the fun things we've done - this one deserves it's own post.
We are driving up the hill going into Sardine Canyon...... my son, you can guess, says, "Dad, is this the butt crack?" At this point, all I do is look over at Jared. His comment is, "I can't believe that they're sponges." Nothing we do is without a 'story' this trip was no exception!
Apparently the last time that Jared took the kids up to Logan (I stayed home), they (the boys) are asking when they are going to get to Grandma's. Dad says that they have to go through the canyon and then they'll be there. No one is quite sure what a canyon is (comes from living in the flat desert) - so Jared says, "See over there (pointing to the canyon), where it looks like a butt." He's now demonstrating how exactly he was doing the 'M' shape........ he tells the boys, "We're going through the butt crack."
Can I just say - SERIOUSLY, as if they're not going to remember this ever again. I can't even respond to any of them. I just keep glaring at Jared. Really, was that the best way he could have described it. His response, "Well, it looks like a butt crack." The minds of boys! Of course, now every time we go through a canyon, which happened two more times - they comment about the butt crack.... this is probably never going away.
Okay, it is a little funny - as long as it's not your kids saying this. They're still young, what's going to happen when they're older . . . I either need a good set of ear plugs, or lots of drugs.... thinking Valium might be a good choice!!
We are driving up the hill going into Sardine Canyon...... my son, you can guess, says, "Dad, is this the butt crack?" At this point, all I do is look over at Jared. His comment is, "I can't believe that they're sponges." Nothing we do is without a 'story' this trip was no exception!
Apparently the last time that Jared took the kids up to Logan (I stayed home), they (the boys) are asking when they are going to get to Grandma's. Dad says that they have to go through the canyon and then they'll be there. No one is quite sure what a canyon is (comes from living in the flat desert) - so Jared says, "See over there (pointing to the canyon), where it looks like a butt." He's now demonstrating how exactly he was doing the 'M' shape........ he tells the boys, "We're going through the butt crack."
Can I just say - SERIOUSLY, as if they're not going to remember this ever again. I can't even respond to any of them. I just keep glaring at Jared. Really, was that the best way he could have described it. His response, "Well, it looks like a butt crack." The minds of boys! Of course, now every time we go through a canyon, which happened two more times - they comment about the butt crack.... this is probably never going away.
Okay, it is a little funny - as long as it's not your kids saying this. They're still young, what's going to happen when they're older . . . I either need a good set of ear plugs, or lots of drugs.... thinking Valium might be a good choice!!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Tiger Lilly
We've added a member to our family. She's adorable and A GIRL!! Monica and I are way out numbered!! Now if the kitten can survive Matches (the other super mean cat) and being mauled by the boys - we'll be in the money! Cannon has taken quite a liking to our new furry friend!! She's super friendly, eats food off the floor (macaroni and cheese), and loves to lay on her back to have her belly rubbed. My kind of cat! Now if I can just have a turn to hold her.........
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sucker Mishap
Confession time - I overcommit. No big surprise for anyone who knows me. This week was an exceptionaly challenging week and the sucker mishap was the end of the road...
Between two baseball games, t-ball party at my house, getting Jax ready for scout camp, sleepovers, lots of neighbor kids, parents coming to watch baseball games and have barbeque, cleaning off counter that seemed a mile high, scrapbook workshop, and a week from, well you know where, at work, I committed to make suckers - 200 - for a friend's daughters for the 4th of July park fundraiser. Yes, 200 homemade suckers.
Fast forward to tonight, I thought I was mostly done - lots of nights staying up to do 'just one more batch' of suckers. I pulled out the first batch in the kitchen and this is what I found . . .
Panic moment - are all of my suckers melted?? I frantically start pulling the containers out of the cabinet (secret hiding place). Luckily, it was only this one batch. But it was the icing on the cake. The only thing to do was laugh. Seriously, how did this happen? Now that I've watched Monica eat the entire 'sucker' - totally stuck together. You needed a hacksaw to pry them apart. I realized that this was the batch that I tripled, it boiled over probably ruining it, but I kept going, I figured, oh well, it was a triple batch...... apparently there is some 'secret' in keeping everything in the pan. :) Hind sight....
So, it's midnight, all 200 suckers are done, seven colors, seven flavors, all bagged and beautified. I hope every loves them and they bring in lots of money for the junior class!! And I WOULD do it all again! I don't always get a chance to truly thank the teachers who make the difference with my kids - but this teacher (aka mom of girls) has! She has been wonderful - she's survived two of my boys and I requested her again for another. (Hopefully not punishment). This is my one little way of saying, "thank you!"
Between two baseball games, t-ball party at my house, getting Jax ready for scout camp, sleepovers, lots of neighbor kids, parents coming to watch baseball games and have barbeque, cleaning off counter that seemed a mile high, scrapbook workshop, and a week from, well you know where, at work, I committed to make suckers - 200 - for a friend's daughters for the 4th of July park fundraiser. Yes, 200 homemade suckers.
Fast forward to tonight, I thought I was mostly done - lots of nights staying up to do 'just one more batch' of suckers. I pulled out the first batch in the kitchen and this is what I found . . .
Panic moment - are all of my suckers melted?? I frantically start pulling the containers out of the cabinet (secret hiding place). Luckily, it was only this one batch. But it was the icing on the cake. The only thing to do was laugh. Seriously, how did this happen? Now that I've watched Monica eat the entire 'sucker' - totally stuck together. You needed a hacksaw to pry them apart. I realized that this was the batch that I tripled, it boiled over probably ruining it, but I kept going, I figured, oh well, it was a triple batch...... apparently there is some 'secret' in keeping everything in the pan. :) Hind sight....
So, it's midnight, all 200 suckers are done, seven colors, seven flavors, all bagged and beautified. I hope every loves them and they bring in lots of money for the junior class!! And I WOULD do it all again! I don't always get a chance to truly thank the teachers who make the difference with my kids - but this teacher (aka mom of girls) has! She has been wonderful - she's survived two of my boys and I requested her again for another. (Hopefully not punishment). This is my one little way of saying, "thank you!"
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