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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Happy Birthday Mom


Today is my mom's birthday. Its not proper etiquette to talk about someone's age....but, it starts with a 6 and ends with an 0. So young and sassy, this Nana.

My sister, mom and I got pedicures for her birthday--AND we let her pay. It was a sacrifice, but my sister and I are just generous that way. I was trying to be really cool and pick a vibrant color. My toes are so orange that they could stop traffic in the dark.

My mom is an amazing lady. Of course she is, she didn't strangle me as a teenager, and she lets me call her and whine about my life. The older I get, the more I realize that she has taught me:
  • Being a stay-at-home mom matters--even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
  • "Isn't it great that we are all different. If we were all the same, the world would be quite boring."
  • There is ALWAYS a good reason to buy a new purse.
  • It is never gossip....it is information gathering.
  • Slapping the wooden spoon on the counter doesn't scare your children, it just makes them giggle.
  • Use your voice. Open your mouth and speak up. Speak up for whats right, speak up for your standards, speak up for your family, and speak up for yourself. Always.
Over this last year, I think the Lord is showing my mom that she is stronger than she thinks she is. She is an amazing example of pushing forward, even when you don't want to. And along the way, she'll have a cute purse, a good book, and even a nap or two. Maybe 60 is the new 30.

Love you mom, happy birthday.


Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Windy City

I've been away. In Chicago. WITHOUT CHILDREN. Aahhhh, feel the bliss.

It's my mom's birthday--so my siblings and spouses met in Chicago to celebrate. My brother Tyler lives there. He set up an amazing 5 days for us all. He lives in a much different world than I do (think: Walmart vs. Saks Fifth Avenue), and after living in his for a few days, I think I really like it. I asked him if he would ever consider living in the same city as me. His response, "yes, just as long as you never came over."--I really think he's warming up to me.

Being with my family is an all out event. Serious fun. So much laughter, you almost pee your pants or stop breathing. Here are a few snapshots of what we did:

My sister Emily and husband Travis in Chinatown.



Me, my mom, my sister at Wicked.
Elphaba and Glinda. Can't breathe...so fantastic...
This show was so amazing. Loved, Loved, Loved!



On the airplane.
I don't fly. I hate to fly. Wait, scratch that-I'm terrified to fly.
I just had to take a picture of myself to see what I look like when I'm terrified.
Just looking at this picture makes me feel like I'm going to barf on my keyboard.


Sister-in-law Vicki, Emily, Mom, Me
Downtown Chicago.



Private Museum Tour.
My mom and my brother Tyler.



All of us at a cooking class.
We cooked a 4 course meal and then got to eat it!!



Cooking class. Me, my sister, sister-in-law Vicki



Tuesday, April 22, 2008

It's My Fault

I'm a loser. Its official. I'm just letting you know, what you already knew....

My kids are out of control, and I've come to believe that it's a result of their parenting. It's the only answer. I think its because I yell too much....and let them eat cake batter.

A friend met us for dinner last night. Adam. He and his family used to live across the street from us in Draper. We miss them. So, Adam is in town for work and comes to our house and then we all journey out for Texas barbeque. Easy enough plan, should be a fun and enjoyable evening.

The first thing my kids say to Adam is, "hey, you have gray hair". He smiles and laughs. He knows what these girls are like, I think it's all coming back to him. We talk for a little bit and then drive to the restaurant....in one car. Oh yes, nothing screams, 'we're so glad to see you', like riding in a dirty van with 3 girls that are fighting over where to sit.
At the restaurant, the fighting continues. We are still fighting over where to sit. Addie and Makell have decided they want to sit on booster seats when they are really too big to sit in them. They keep holding the seats in their hands and trying to spin them in the air. Then Addie starts yelling at Todd that she didn't want Sprite to drink and Makell is farting and smiling. After I tell Adam 382 times that I'm sorry, he just keeps smiling and silently laughing.

By now, Makell and Addie have crawled under the table to get out of the booth. They have ventured over to the kiddie play section. I made the mistake of letting my guard down. I look over and Makell has figured out how to stand on the rim of the long chalkboard that is mounted to the wall. She is walking on the rim (you know, the piece of wood where you set the chalk!) and she is rubbing her entire body across the chalkboard so that she is completely covered in chalk dust. She is giggling so hard that she can't hear me yelling at her.

The evening just keeps moving along with this kind of joy....somewhere in there Makell and Addie started playing tag and throwing chalk at each other--long distance.
Once we finally get home, I tell everyone to get into the bathtub. No one listens. They just stand there and stare at me like I'm an idiot--which I am, because I actually continue to talk to these 3 people who don't listen to one word that comes out of my mouth.
Everthing came to a full crescendo when Addie kept hanging on Adam's legs, Makell was telling us how she called the mean boys on the bus 'rotten bananas', and Sam started singing a solo.

So...just in case anyone was thinking about going to dinner with us...you better pray about it. And even then, you better take a nap and drink some hard liquor before heading out.

I should start selling tickets.

Monday, April 21, 2008

My House

I have had numerous requests for pictures of my house. But, I've been hesitant. In honesty, I'm quite uncomfortable with my new house. Odd, isn't it.
The last year of my life has changed me. To my core. Irreversible change, I think.
My house is beautiful. Its new. Its lovely. I am immensely grateful.
But, it's all relative. I would give it all up and live in a trailer, if I could have my dad back. I have a new house and some new furnishings, and I love them. But the value they hold is not what it would have held in my life a year ago.

So, on that note--my cute house:




Kitchen


Family Room


Entry


Should be the Dining Room. We call it the Locker Room.
This is one of the best purchases I have made.
Each child has a shoe bin and a locker for jackets and backpacks.


Upstairs Family Room/Playroom

Friday, April 18, 2008

Contest

Last night, I announced we were having a contest. A cookie eating contest. "Let's just see who can eat the most." I knew I'd win, without hesitation. There are just some things in life that you know without a doubt. Winning a cookie eating contest is one of them. Todd just rolled his eyes and looked at me like I was a moron.

Now, these cookies are sumptuous. Seriously (I'm posting the recipe below-I don't take credit, I copied it from a friend). I make these so often I could honestly make them with my eyes closed. Warm out of the oven....ready for a contest.

Some family members did not present their best effort. Addie ate half a cookie. Todd ate 3. I ate 9. I'm the winner! I did a cheer for myself. And yes, I honestly ate 9.

The scriptures talk often about spiritual gifts and talents. I have a few of them, but one of my best, is dessert eating. If you've ever eaten dessert with me, you know this is true. And like all talents, it takes practice to perfect. Thus...9 cookies. I am anything if not hard working.

I'm thinking of making the cookie eating contest a tradition. Fond memories for the future. Do you remember when you got the top score in Pac Man and you could enter your initials alongside your score? Maybe I should set up something like that. It will give everyone a visual reminder to work harder.

My philosophy is--the bigger the dessert you eat, the happier you are. Who knows, maybe tonight I'll try for 10!


Best Chocolate Chip Cookies!

1 stick of Butter Crisco
3/4 C. dark brown sugar
3/4 C. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
2 t. vanilla
2 1/4 C. flour
1 C. chocolate chips

Bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Let cool on the tray. Have a contest.



Thursday, April 17, 2008

She's Not Heavy, She's My Sister


I am constantly wondering how she broke her backpack......