Older and Wiser

It's interesting to look back on your childhood and take notice of the memories that come to mind. I remember my mom standing at the stove, making hot fudge. I also remember that at the end of a hot summer day, we would bathe and then sit at the counter while she cut up strawberries and placed them in milk. To this day, the smell of strawberries reminds me of summer.

I also remember watching my mom prepare for church lessons, and I can still vividly see the quilt she made before my sister was born. Always present in my childhood thoughts, are those moments when she would smack the wooden spoon on the counter to try and get us to "knock it off". What I can't recall, is if that tactic ever worked.

My mom moved me into my college dorm and in unison, we stared in awe at my roommate who was the absolute opposite of me. She called, she wrote checks and I'm sure she prayed. A lot. She came when my life got messy and she stayed away when she knew I had to learn and grow on my own. She has held every one of my newborns and stayed up late into the night. For better or worse, she has even taught a grandchild or two a potty word.

She has hiked The Narrows in Zions Canyon and she has traveled to Australia, London and Dubai. Each night, before she falls asleep, she lists each LDS temple based on its geographic location. In her normal, everyday communication, she tends to use the word 'anyways' way too much. Oh, and she has an inclination to use a ridiculous amount of bowls when she cooks.

Today is my mom's birthday. I'm thrilled for her, because this year she is an 'even' number. She says she is just one year closer to 70 (which is another 'even' number, I reminded her). But today, as I celebrate her, I also look back at the time she was a mother who was facing the same stages I face now. And in my reminiscing, I don't remember much of the fighting or the times we were mad at one another. I simply remember that she was there. Always. Doing the little things, like cutting up strawberries and placing them in a bowl of milk. Somehow all her little things now seem like big things. And that, is something to celebrate.

Happy Birthday Mom.
Enjoy your Even year.

What Works

There is this blog I read here. I look at it daily. Mostly because each post usually contains cookies. Dreamy, frosted, sugar cookies. Sometimes I feel like licking the screen. But I don't. Maybe.

Each Wednesday, this cookie blog links up to 'Works For Me Wednesday'. Today she posted that she always bakes extra cookies. That's what works for her. Then she has them at the ready, just in case she messes up the frosting. I think her idea works for me too. I bake extra cookies. Just about every other night. But, I don't save them for a backup plan. I eat them. All. That's why it works for me.

As I'm sitting here, I've started to wonder what else works for me. I've had to concentrate super hard on this. But, here's what I've come up with:

• I let my kids play on the treadmill. Yes, I know it's dangerous. It wears them out and they get tired faster.
  
• I have specific days for specific laundry. I rarely deviate.
• When I have a bunch of things that need to be taken upstairs, I walk them up one at a time. This makes my brain feel like I have exercised. But I haven't.
• I only go to Hobby Lobby when I have a coupon. That way I'm saving tons of money.
• I wear a headband when I don't want to wash my hair.
• I buy my peanut M&Ms in bulk. I am saving the environment with fewer trips to the store.
• I make my kids make their bed everyday. I'm really strict about it. I've even had to take away a cell phone. An unmade bed makes me cringe.
• When I need to feel love, or to feel like I add any value to the world, I go and see the twins. They love me. They can't help it.

That's enough for now. I've gotta save up something to think about next Wednesday. I think it might involve sugar. Yep, definitely sugar.

Experiment Upon The Word

This morning, I decided to focus on words. An experiment. I decided that for one day, I would make an effort to listen to what was being said all around me. With all the words spoken, I would commit to memory those statements which stood out. Those words that seemed to ring louder in my mind. An experiment upon the word.

In no particular order, here are the words that seemed to find place in my mind today:

"The choices we make everyday have the undeniable power to change our lives."

"Be strong."

"Hey, I just found underwear under the bed."

"In it's light, choose the right."

"You're never dumb. Just a weirdo."

Words can have a powerful effect. We are surrounded by them continually. Today I took the time to really focus on which of those words stuck out loud enough to take up residence in my thoughts.

What words are we gathering each day? I guess that depends on where you're at and who you're with. Maybe that's even more important than the words themselves. Our minds will take in what we hear. So I guess we better make sure we're in a place to hear good words.

But maybe the real experiment comes in the words we speak ourselves. Do the words we offer ring true to those who hear them? Will our words be spoken for good? Will they be spoken to encourage? Will they be spoken to sustain or defend? Will they be spoken with love? I guess that's the real test. Our own, personal, lifelong experiment upon OUR word.

Christmas In April

Great love stories are depicted in many ways. Song, poetry, a romantic movie. My love story can be captured in a snapshot:

It's a s'more maker for the microwave. Charming, isn't it. Todd pulled this out of the closet this week. He giggled as he handed it to me. He said, "Hey, I bought this for you for Christmas. Last Christmas. I forgot." My love story. Summed up right there.

Years ago, Todd and I were driving in the car near our house. I decided to get sentimental, and I proceeded to pour out my love to him. He remained quiet, eyes watching out the window. I could tell he was concentrating. I knew he was soaking in all my eloquent words while at the same time, realizing how lucky he was to have married me. In the middle of my love speech, Todd gasped and his arm shot across me so that he could point out the window. "Oh my gosh, the A&W is now open!!!" I remained silent after that. Words lost all meaning.

On another special occasion, I was again, mid sentence in telling Todd of my love for him. He simply stared at me intently. That was my cue to keep going, so I did. Gush, gush, gush. Finally, he tilted his head to the side and said, "you know, sometimes when you talk, your tooth looks like a little piece of corn." Again, silence.

So, imagine my surprise when Todd pulled out the s'more maker and wished me a Merry Christmas. No surprise at all really. I've grown used to the way my love story ebbs and flows. In truth, I've come to love my own love story. It's quirky and humorous and full of unexpected moments. Not everyone gets a Christmas gift in April. Not everyone has teeth that look like corn. And not everyone gets to have a love story that is so deeply wound together in a perfect fit, and bundled for eternity. I do. And along the way, I just may microwave a s'more or two.

From My Mother

She emailed this out today. I have no idea where she got it. Maybe she made it up. She can be wise with words. Enjoy:

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY... Women are angels, and when someone breaks our wings..... We simply continue to fly....on a broomstick... We're flexible like that.

Wax Lips, Anyone?

My mom found a retro candy store. She plopped several packages of wax lips on the counter, and my girls just stared at them. "Ew. What are they?", they exclaimed. I totally got excited. I immediately reminisced about the treats of my childhood.

Big League Chew was the greatest gum ever. But yet, we were banned from the candy cigarettes. I'm not quite sure why we could chew the fake tobacco, but could not eat the fake cigarettes. I loved getting one of those long, huge Laffy Taffys. I can still smell the grape flavor. Several years ago, Todd scoured the internet to find Kit candy. I'd never heard of it until it arrived on our doorstep. Kits were way before my time.

I wonder what my kids will reminisce about? Reese's cups in the shape of christmas trees or easter eggs? Gummy lifesavers? SpongeBob crabby patties? Whose knows...

One of my kids eventually started chewing on parts of the wax lips. They just looked at me, puzzled, "It doesn't taste like anything", she said. "I know, it's kindof like chewing on a birthday candle", I told her. But then again, maybe they do have a taste. One that brings back memories of a more care free time of life. And that, couldn't be sweeter.

Pucker Up

Blowing bubbles never looked so delightful. I could eat her right off the screen.