Going Crazy and Having Fun

Ben was a late sleeper this morning. He slept through all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for school and when I went to wake him up I thought that he just looked too cute not to take a picture of. I cracked up when I went in his room and saw how he was sleeping. I just love how he scooted down so that he only takes up half the bed and I love love love his sweet sleeping face.

Well just as my impromptu photo shoot was starting Sarah broke down into hysterics. In fact I was a bit annoyed because I knew her crying was going to wake Ben up and mess up my photo shoot. (I know. I'm a good mom.) After getting over my annoyance, I was so glad I had the camera out because when else do you get a picture like this?
Why you ask was my sweet little girl so sad?
Our T.V. quit working just moments after we started Phineas and Ferb. It's her favorite show, which I know an odd choice for a two year old, but what can I say? She loves it. But she really doesn't love it when our T.V. is broken. She has been telling her sad, sad story to everyone who will listen. Today I think it's funny, but tonight, well, I might be in the same boat. After all, what I am going to do without Biggest Looser to keep me company, and then there's American Idol, the other half of Dancing with the Stars I need to finish, and the rest of the unwatched shows on my TiVo? Maybe I relate to Sarah more than I thought!

Being a 9 year old sports fan comes with a few interesting side effects. Case in point.
Due to the fact that there are so many games on this time of year, the TV is on a little bit more than usual. And due to the fact that it's not as fun to watch the TiVo'd version, we have to deal with commercials.
And due to the fact that we have to deal with commercials, there has been some exposure to things that Andrew would not have otherwise seen.
Here's the story...
Friday night my whole family was at my parent's house to celebrate a couple of things. Of course the TV was tuned to the games the whole night. At one point in the evening Craig, Andrew and my dad were downstairs watching a game. Enter commercial break...
My dad described it as a a REALLY long commercial where he and Craig just kept looking up in the air trying to pass the time and avoid the issue. Toward the end of the commercial the announcer said "if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours, speak with your doctor..."
Without skipping a beat Andrew replied
"Oh, I better ask my doctor about that!"
He knew he was trying to be funny. I just don't think he has any idea of how funny he really was!

And I can't wait for his next check up!

This is a somewhat new thing for him as this is the first year he has taken a big interest in the sporting world. It has been so fun to watch as he's gotten really passionate about it. He's particularly fond of NCAA sports. I don't know what it was that triggered his little brain, but I love seeing it in action. His interest was peaked during football season. At the beginning of the season he was excited to see that both BYU and the UTES (his favorite) were nationally ranked and it all kind of blossomed from there. By mid season, he was keeping updated on all the scores and rankings and by the end of the season he knew players names and could even give me some of their stats. And come bowl time--he was in heaven. He watched every game he could get his hands on and drove his siblings nuts changing the channel to check the scores. I absolutely loved letting him stay up late Jan 3rd to watch the Sugar Bowl--and what a good bowl it was :-) He was a bit sad when football season was over and basketball season didn't seem to capture his interest the same way......until tourney time!
Every year, my dad sponsors (and funds) a family bracket pool and so I knew that when it came time to fill out brackets again that interest would be peaked. And I wasn't wrong. Andrew has been totally up to date on the scores, the stats and the teams. He would sit and watch every minute of every game if I let him. When I don't he makes sure to check the scores as often as he can on the computer or wherever else he can. He knows who all the good players are and can recited statistics on a lot of them and give me pretty good game recaps on almost every game.
I love how much fun he's having with this and I love seeing him find something to be passionate about. It's fun to see him growing up and the little man that he's becoming!
Maybe it's time for me to introduce him to ESPN....

Tonight I am thinking about friendship in general. Throughout my life I have been blessed with some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for. I have also had those really sad and hard moments when I didn't have those relationships and it really is a crushing blow. When I have been at those places, I feel like a hollowed out version of myself and I am so glad that it has been a long time since I have been in that place. I firmly believe that good friends are as essential to a woman's life as an anchor is to a ship or a needle to a compass. They can guide us when we're lost and hold us steady when we feel like we're drifting away. I can't even imagine being a wife or a mother without the strength and support I find in my friendships and my heart really goes out to those women who don't have those relationships in their lives.

I am currently blessed with some of the greatest friends around. I am surrounded by strong women who lift me up and make me feel good about myself all while challenging me to be a better version of myself. I have 3 sisters who are each my best friend in their own way. I have the greatest running friends in the world! I have a fantastic friend who make me dinner twice a week. And on top of that I have been blessed with countless friends who have come in to my life and are constantly there to uplift and inspire me. And truth be told, I am having fun meeting a few new blogging friends as well. I'm truly blessed and frequently inspired by each and every relationship and I don't know what I would do without the lifeline they provide me with. So to all of you who are part of my life, thank you for being my friend!

Tonight however, my thoughts are centered around those friends of mine, four in particular, who still mean the world to me, but for one reason or another we seem to have lost touch or just grown apart. All of them are friends that will always mean the world to me. All of them have changed my life for the better and made a lasting imprint on my heart. Two of them I know that if we were stuck in the same room tomorrow, we could pick up right where we left off and it would seem like nothing changed. But things have changed and tonight I am just sad that I have let the excuse of a busy life and different directions get in the way of that. I wish that life didn't happen and that distance didn't seem like such an easy excuse, but it does, and I use it far to often. But the fact of the matter is that a friendship that's important is worth fighting for. And I'm making a commitment tonight to try harder, so if you haven't heard from me in a while, and you get a call over the next couple of days, just know that it's because I think you're worth fighting for and that I miss you!

And she's going to be in a play. It's a short play (about 40 min) called Pirates the Musical, it's super cute and she has the lead roll. We tried to keep that little tidbit a secret from her, but finally last week after about six weeks of rehearsals, she figured it out. Because she figured it out, she's also more nervous than before and she would love to be able to see a few familiar faces in the audience. The play is on Monday April 6th and Tuesday April 7th at 7:00 p.m. It would make a great FHE activity..hint hint, wink wink. The tickets are $4.00 for kids and $6.00 for adults. If you are interested in coming...and if I happen to actually physically know you...yeah that's right, I'm not crazy enough to invite just anyone to come see my daughter on stage...give me a call or leave me your e-mail and I will give you all the details. And if you do decide to come, thank you in advance, it really means a lot to Madeline.

Rather than give a play by play of our evening tonight, I thought I would just share our schedule:

4:00 p.m.
Drop Madeline off at her Showteam class

4:15-4:45 p.m.
Take Andrew shoe shopping. Drag Sarah and Ben along. Find a great deal on his new running shoes.

4:45-5:05 p.m.
Feed kids fabulous dinner of leftovers. (I'm not even sure all of them were safe)

5:10 p.m
Craig comes home. Changes into sexy new cub scout shirt and takes Andrew to set up for pinewood derby. Sarah cries about being left behind. Becca stays home with Ben and Madeline

5:30 p.m.
Get Ben ready for 6:30 soccer game

6:00 p.m.
Pick Madeline up from Showteam. Drive to soccer fields

6:15 p.m.
Arrive at soccer field. Realize it's too cold to play outside and turn on TV for kids to watch while we wait.

6:30 p.m.
Ben's soccer game starts. Becca stays outside to watch. Sarah, Madeline and a few friends sit in the van watching a movie.

6:55 p.m.
Madeline comes out of van to let me know that the movie stopped working

6:58 p.m.
I realize the battery is dead, but am grateful to know that we are parked next to friends who can jump us and sitting next to friends who have jumper cables. I just have to wait for the soccer game to finish.

7:25 p.m.
Games over. Friends try to jump us. Nothing happens.

7:26 p.m.
Friends try to jump us. Nothing happens.

7:27 p.m.
Friends try to jump us. Nothing happens.

7:28 p.m.
Friends try to jump us. Nothing happens.

7:29 p.m.
Friends try to jump us. Nothing happens.

7:30 p.m.
We realize nothing is going to happen with this battery, so we leave the car at the soccer park and Ben, Sarah, Madeline and I bum a ride off another friend and try to make it to the end of the pinewood derby.

7:40 p.m.
Race in to the church. Pinewood derby over and done with. Missed the whole thing. Thankfully the friend we bummed a ride off of is smarter than I am and wouldn't leave until she was sure that Craig was at the church--good thing too, because she had to take us home.

7:50 p.m.
Arrrive home. Tell Craig story of our evening at the soccer park. And realize that we have a new prediciment. We need a new battery, from Costco which closes at 8:30, Andrew has to be to a thing at the library at 8:15 and it's bedtime for everyone. Plus we still need to go back to the soccer park, install new battery and get home.

7:50-8:00 p.m.
Frantically try to find a babysitter for the youngest three to get to our house five minutes ago. (Thanks Becca) Shove all the kids at her and ask her to stick them in bed. Sarah cries, screams and clings. I throw Sarah at her.

8:05 p.m.
Pull out of the driveway with Andrew and Craig. Feel bad that we left a SCREAMING Sarah. Pull back in and take her with us.

8:13 p.m.
Craig drops Becca and Andrew off at the library for Andrew to do his storytelling performance.

8:15 p.m.
Andrew performs his story...The Belly Button Monster and does a great job while Craig and Sarah race to Costco to buy a battery.

8:35 p.m.
Craig picks us up at the library. Head to soccer fields and install a new battery while Sarah listens to Radio Disney in the car and Andrew tries to kick goals in the dark. I play the role of Vanna Light.

9:15 p.m.
Craig finishes installing the new battery and we head home for the night.

9:30 p.m.
Put Sarah and Andrew to be grateful this evening is over, and think twice about letting the kids watch a movie in the car while it isn't on!

And that my friends is just basically a slice of every day life around here!

My last post was about my sister's birthday. This year as siblings we decided we were grown up enough to not have to give presents to each other anymore. I HATE IT! We've only had 2 sibling birthday's but I feel sad every time one rolls around knowing that I would be breaking the newly agreed upon status if I were to purchase gifts. (I don't know if I will agree to this plan for next year. I don't expect them to get me presents, but I REALLY miss buying gifts for them). So in the spirit of not giving presents, I wanted to do something for Heather, so I copied and pasted this from her blog. She is a special education teacher (a really good one too) and is very passionate about this topic. Please take time to read the rest of this post and think about how you use this word and then pledge to stop using it!
Thanks!

Spread the Word to End the Word is a National Awareness Day to raise awareness of the hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. On 31 March 2009, young people across the country will lead local efforts to raise awareness and collect pledges from peers and the community to vow not to use the R-word.


So as a special education teacher I am very passionate about a few things with my students and other people with disabilities. One of them being respect to individuals with disabilities. I HATE it when people use the "R-word." I realize that most people don't intend to be mean when they use it and I know that in the past I used it without really thinking about the connotations or meaning but now I do my best to educate others on why we should not use the "R-word." My good friends JaNea and LeAnne showed me this and now I am passing it on to others so you too can spread the word and be aware of how it affects others. I little change from a lot of people makes a big difference! Take a look at the video clip and we can start to make a change. Thanks for your support!!!

Go here to see a video clip of her talking about this on Fox 13 news.

1. We had a fun primary activity this morning and I loved seeing the newer kids in our ward in a non church setting. Seeing them in a different light helped me get to know a few of them a little better and I know it helped me get a few more of their names down. (It's really hard getting to know 40 new kids all at once) And for the record my secretary ROCKS--she spent 9 hours yesterday cutting out paper dolls and their clothes and accessories with her Cricut--we owe a great activity to her!

2. We went to Cafe Rio tonight and I changed things up a bit--instead of my normal flour tortilla, I opted for the whole wheat one. I thought I might be disappointed, but I really liked it! Well done Cafe Rio.

3. We spent the day involved in a big backyard project. We now have an official garden. Thankfully we also have many great neighbors who helped out by lending us trucks, coming over with a roto-tiller, and loaning us their children for free manual labor (thanks Chris). We also planted two rows of peas in our brand new, first ever vegetable garden. I can't wait to see them grow--Wish them luck.

4. Madeline played with a friend from school today. I don't really know her family but these two have been wanting to play together for a couple of months now, so I gave in. I let her go, but it made me uncomfortable the whole time she was gone. I really don't like not knowing the people my kids are playing with. In fact, the only reason I let her go there was because I know that the mom helps out in their first grade class every now and then and to me that was a decent sign. However, next time--it's our house for sure. (She was however a different mom than I thought she was and that warrented at least one quick phone call.)

5. My favorite part of the primary activity was playing hammer, hammer, nail with the kids. (Think duck, duck, goose with construction hats.)

6. My legs are tired--so is the rest of me, but I guess that's what happens when you go to bed at midnight and get up at quarter to six then work hard ALL DAY LONG!

7. Spring makes me happy!

8. My sister Kristy came to visit me today and it was fun to just hang out for no reason at all.

9. Andrew is totally intrigued with March Madness. He is constantly checking in on the games, either on the computer or TV, and I really think he would watch every minute of every game it we let him. I guess it doesn't hurt that Grandpa funds a family bracket contest every year. But it has been fun to see him get more into sports this year. That boy's growing up!

10. I'm really excited that we don't have church until 10:30 tomorrow. I'm even more excited that we don't have Primary tomorrow. Now that's what I call a day of REST!

This morning I went running. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that it was the hardest training run I have ever been on. The crazy thing is I'm not even training for anything. I just did this for fun. The run was 11 miles and I am nearly certain that only 4 or so of those miles were not hills. Sure there were some rolling hills, and some gradual inclines, but most of the hills were the big giant, make you hurt, wear you out, and bug your eyes out of your head kind of hills. It was nuts, and it was hard and I don't plan on doing it anytime again in the near future. But then again, I'm crazy and anything can be fun with the right attitude and the right people, so who knows! Thanks Cami--you kicked my butt and I love you for it!

If you wanted to get new shoes....
but didn't have an income to purchase said shoes.....
You'd need a plan....
maybe even a sneaky one...
For those of you who don't know how to be sneaky...
let me (or rather her) enlighten you.
Step One:
Have your mother watch you put these onStep Two:
A.F.T.E.R. she's sure you're wearing appropriate footwear and sends you to the car....put these on insteadStep Three:*
Get in your car seat...have your brother buckle you in....and sit there like the sweet little girl you sometimes know how to be.

Step Four:
Shock your mom when you arrive at the Children's Museum and she notices your fancy feet!

Step Five:
Be grateful that the Children's Museum is surrounded by many fine retail establishments...and that these were on sale!
*Step Three should have tipped me off. That girl NEVER gets in her car seat without a minor battle. And once shes in, she never just sits there. She always tries to schmooze her way into sitting in someone else's spot. I always have to wrestle her into he car seat. Silly me, I thought she was just being sweet...I should have know better)

**If you think I'm crazy for racing out and buying new shoes instead of making her wear the other ones then I have just one question for you: Have you ever tried to walk around with a 2 year old who was wearing shoes that were at least 4 sizes too big? If the answer is no...then just zip it!

Continuing with the thread of my last post, I need to mock yet another news story. Yesterday, I heard at least three times that our president would be making history that evening.
What historic occasion had the news media all excited you might ask?
President Obama was the first ever sitting president to appear on the tonight show.

What. The. Crap?

History...I think not.

News...I think not again.

Something our president should be doing....I DEFINITELY think not!

Really people? This is what go my panties in a bunch a few days ago. Our president should be more concerned with doing his job than making a fool of himself history. Perhaps the reason that Obama was able to make this kind of "history" last night was simply that all our other sitting presidents have been more interested with DOING THEIR JOBS than trying to feed their already over inflated egos.

And guess what...panties bunched even tighter now. On that tonight show apperance, President Obama, in an effort to make fun of his bowling skills, stuck his foot in his mouth by comparing them to the Special Olympics. Seriously? I. Am. So. Mad. I have a special spot in my heart for anyone with disabilities due to the fact that I grew up surrounded by people with them. (I have a post coming up on that one soon) The people I know with disabilities are the most
people I have ever met and they teach others to love in ways that are not possible anywhere else. To make fun of them or treat their situation with ignorance disgusts me! To make light of their challenges and even accomplishments in any way shape or form disgusts me even more. I am ashamed that our president....who constantly preached his own personal brand of tolerance on the campaign trail....would stoop to that level! I guess he only wants us to tolerate him and his rise to fame and fortune the oval office and the crap he is shoving down our throats!

All I have left to say is that I'm worried about the direction this country is heading...but I will continue to hope and pray for the best!

*What started out as a jest at the news has turned into a long winded and possibly boring RANT about the news in this country and politics in general. Consider yourselves warned, and I won't feel bad if you skip this one!

I like the news. I watch it every night and listen to it on and off throughout the day. On more than one occasion there have been strongly voiced (and sometimes dramatic) requests from the back of the car that sound a little like this:

"NO! Not the news!"
or this...
"Can we listen to something less boring?"

If I'm in the room, there usually is some form of news on. In the morning it's the Today show in the background while I get ready. (That is until Sarah comes in and confiscates my T.V. with her typical complaint; "'Dis is bowing") After that it's off to the kitchen where I get breakfasts and school lunch boxes...all while listening to my cool radio that should play music but is always tuned to the TV channel where the news is playing. If we go anywhere in the morning...you guessed it...talk radio (I prefer the news, but I'll settle for the Doug Wright show...sometimes.)

When I'm making lunch I tune the TV to the noon news and when Sarah goes down for her nap...Fox news is the "bowing" white noise that comes from my bedroom...and, frequently distracts me. Driving the kids around in the afternoon, we either tune in to Sean Hannity or local news radio...depending on the time...and the kids tolerance levels. And in the evening, while making dinner, I once again use my handy dandy kitchen radio to keep me updated on all the days events--both local and national depending on how early we eat. And finally, many a night goes by where I end my day (or start my night, depending on the morning's plans) watching the TiVo'd version of the 10:00 news.

Like I said--I like the news. I like being informed. I like knowing what's happening and feeling up to speed. I even like listening to the familiar voices tell me what's going on in this crazy world of ours and in some cases, helping me analyze it. (This like of mine however, does not in any way shape or form make me as aware or educated as I would like to be, but it's a start).

Anyway, back to my post title...I remember being in 7th grade and working on a current events unit. We talked about the news. We were told that the most important current events are typically the lead story on the news. We even had an assignment to watch a national news broadcast and answer several questions about what was reported. I had to re-do that assignment because I watched the local news and was informed that to know what was really happening in our country and our world, I had to watch the national news. Ever since then I guess that I have held the national news in higher regard...but not now. Today was my final straw. Now don't get me wrong, I have been wary of the extremely biased way in which the news has been reported for a while, but today I am finally annoyed enough about it to do something more. Here is what pushed me over the edge:

Today when I was driving home at 6:00 p.m. the little gong for "national news time" came on letting us know that the day's most important stories were coming our way. There was only o.n.e. national story in the top of the hour update; the report of actress Natasha Richardson's untimely passing. Now don't get me wrong, it's sad and even tragic and my heart goes out to her husband and her children. But really? THAT was the one news story of the day that the big wigs at the national news headquarters felt we all needed to know about. Just when did the national (and even local) news turn into co-conspirators with the National Enquirer? Who cares about AIG, the horrendous bailout package, the fact that morals and values in our country are declining faster than we can figure out how to fight them, and everything else that really matters in our lives? As long as we're up to date on what's happening in Hollywood and what celebrity hybrid named couple is the new hot item, than we can consider ourselves an educated and informed nation.

No wonder our country is in a downward spiral...somewhere along the line, some idiot decided that we need to covet and worship Hollywood royalty. Then somewhere else along the line celebrities realized that and took the bull by the horns and decided that they could determine the political future of this country simply by backing the candidate who best appeals to their lives and lifestyle. And the sad thing is...they were right...America listened and for the first time ever a president has achieved "rock star status." The sad thing is...I don't know of many rock stars who can capably manage their own lives, let alone anything else. I hope against hope that our rock star president will prove me wrong and be able to do something with the mess our country is in. However, seeing that he has been elevated to that rock star status terrifies me. Seeing that our main branches of news media are the ones who put him there terrifies me even more. I'm worried for our country and where it is going and just hope that some way, some how, somewhere we can fix this mess and quit making our founding fathers roll over in their graves!

I like any excuse to celebrate, but come St. Patty's day, there is one thing we don't do.....
Let's just say it wouldn't sit well with this group. Knowing this, my mom came up with a much appreciated alternative a few years ago. It has stuck and we love it. What is it you ask?

Sadly, I have to report that there is an e.v.i.l. influence running amuck in my house. It's causing all sorts of pain, and gulit, and yes, even torture! Want to know what it is?

There you have it.

I. CAN'T. RESIST.
That smooth chocolaty goodness calls my name. That hard crunchy shell speaks to my soul. I am trapped. And I am in trouble!

Really it's a loose loose situation:

If I have them, I eat them. If I eat them, I feel guilty. If I feel guilty, I start to analyze where they are going to end up...today, its the bubble gut! If I feel guilty, I figure, it can't get much worse....so.....I eat more. And it starts all. over. again. The only difference is where I imagine they end up...soon I'm going to think they're hanging out in that flabby spot under my arms that waves right along with me.

If I don't have them...I c.r.a.v.e them. I want them. I obsess over them and agonize about them. I imagine their deliciously sweet yet crunchy shell dissolving in my mouth; giving way to that sweet, smooth, wonderful chocolate that I love oh so much. And then...I buy them...

and then I have them...and then I eat them...and, well you know the rest of the story!

Let's just hope Easter comes quick, because I know I can't stop until they're off the shelves!

And yes, I ate half the bag tonight!

Thanks Janae

After a few comments left on the last post I feel a need to clarify:
The ;-) mentioned in the previous post only applies to men working with the youth!
Sorry for any confusion.

After my last post, my new blogging friend, Barbaraloot Suit, brought something very important to my attention!

Someone else likes exclamation points too!!!!!
No, it's not the guy in the picture! (He kind of hates them!)
Want to know who?!
OK, go see!

If you looked really closely you would realize that she was the General Primary President at the time the article was written!
(OK, if you looked really closely, you probably read the article, not just the first line! Shhh, don't tell my bishop!)

This careful study made me realize something! Apparently an overuse of exclamation points is a requirement for the job! (local or general!)
Which makes me wonder?! If exclamation points are a prerequisite for the PP job (that's right, all the cool kids call me the PP;) then what other punctuation fits a calling perfectly?!

Perhaps the overuse of the question mark would land me the position of Sunday school teacher! Or if I used the @ too much, I might be the librarian! The % is sure to land me the financial clerk job! (That is after a minor surgery or two)! This one ;-) will help insure that you never end up working with the youth! And of course the combination of :-) is a surefire way to get stuck in nursery! Who knows what else...the possibilities are endless!

And while my brain is on the subject of puncuation, maybe, just maybe if I added a few more of these
@#*#
to my repetoire (which by the way is a very difficult word to spell) I would get a different job all together!

I feel like posting. . .the trouble is. . . .my brain can't form, let alone keep a coherent thought tonight. Really it's one of those night's where I would loose my head if it wasn't attached. So in an effort to just get something down I am going to sit here and type whatever comes to mind...
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still waiting....
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Rubik Cubes make me feel dumb....
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I don't really like store brand "scotch" tape
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My cat is shedding hair all over the garage, and it kind of grosses me out!
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I ate WAY too much crap today
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I had to clean up the dead bird on our lawn today. At least I think it was dead, but when I picked it up it had been there for several hours and it was still all limp and wiggly (still gives me the heebie jeebies) instead of stiff and dead like I expected it to be
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Craig looks like a ghost. (He's sanding the sheetrock mud in the laundry room.)
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ben's ears. (Really they are fantastic, I need to do a post dedicate just to them!)
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Sometimes I think my kids are smarter than I am.....then it totally freaks me out to think of them and their smartness as teenagers...heaven help me!
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I want to go to the beach!
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I wish that my jeans would fit both my thighs and my waist....but on the plus side the extra room in the waist means that I can eat more crap and not have to buy bigger pants.
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I think I overuse !exclamation! !points!...but I like them and so I don't care!!!!!
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I don't really like cleaning
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THE END!