We surprised our kids with a trip to Disneyland last week. On Monday morning we told the kids that they were taking the day off school and going to visit Grandma E. When we got there she had a sign that said "Let's go to Disneyland, okay?" The didn't believe it. In fact it took a couple minutes for it to sink in that we were really going. They wondered about clothes, school, and everything, and that convinced them that we weren't going. What they didn't realize was that our clothes are were packed and ready to go in the basement.
We piled in the car and headed out after fixing a picnic lunch that we'd eat in Fillmore. Amazingly they didn't watch movies for a long time. I think having Grandma in the car and the excitement kept them entertained enough. We did end up watching a couple of movies before we got to Buffalo Bill's hotel in Primm, though.
A couple of hints: 1. Do not rent/buy or entertain even the idea of the movie Spooky Buddies. You'll agree with me if you've seen it. 2. Buffalo Bill's is NOT where you want to stay! Go to Whiskey Pete's. If you can't get a reservation, just try dropping in. Once again DO NOT STAY A BUFFALO BILLS!
The first night we were in Anaheim we used the pool. It was so nice for the kids to swim and play, and get out all those pent up wiggles. And it tired them out so they could sleep, which we didn't do well the night before.
Disneyland was still there in all it's glory. Grandma E hasn't been there in ten years or so. In fact it's been so long that Disney's California Adventure wasn't even there yet. It was like watching our kids discover the park all over again. Jason was nearly as excited as the kids were! Of course that was cause it was Halloween time at Disneyland.
And having my parents, sister, grandma, aunt, and cousin show up was so great! It's nice to have so much family around while you're there. My sister, in particular, is super fun to be in Disneyland with. I love it. I'm really looking forward to January!
We had such a great time! The weather was perfect, we got to just enjoy time with our kids, getting to play with them. Oh, man I want to go back now. Anyone willing to pay for me to go? Anyone?
November 02, 2011
October 11, 2011
SO MUCH TO DO!!
Life is crazy. Just when you think you're in a groove something comes along and throws you off course.
Last night my sweet H had a bunch of nightmares. Or maybe one several times. It seemed that just as I was back to sleep I heard a small voice calling "Mommy" and crying. Needless to say today "Mommy" is extremely tired.
I've go so much going on right now, that I think I'll never get it all done. Yesterday was supposed to be my catch up day. But then I didn't get any of it done. My sweet hubby had a doctor's appointment, so needless to say I didn't get much taken care of. He's an amazing guy, but when he's around I don't get to my chores. I'd much rather spend my time with him.
M also had a doctor's appointment. After only four and a half weeks his cast is off!! Can you believe it? His arm is healed. His elbow is a little stiff and he can't completely rotate his hand, so he'll need to do some exercises to strengthen and loosen it up. And that adds more to my daily to-do list. Yay.
Currently I've got a sink full of tomatoes waiting for me to blanch, peel, drain, crush, and bottle. I also need to make a couple dozen cupcakes, clean the house, make sure my kids do their homework when they get home. Not only that, I've got to get started packing for the kids' surprise trip with their grandma without them getting a hint of something going on. YIKES!
My life is crazy and hectic all at once. But do I want to trade them for anything? Not on your life. There's something to be said for having a house full of kids that is good for the soul, even if it isn't good for fighting exhaustion. Good thing love makes up for it.
Last night my sweet H had a bunch of nightmares. Or maybe one several times. It seemed that just as I was back to sleep I heard a small voice calling "Mommy" and crying. Needless to say today "Mommy" is extremely tired.
I've go so much going on right now, that I think I'll never get it all done. Yesterday was supposed to be my catch up day. But then I didn't get any of it done. My sweet hubby had a doctor's appointment, so needless to say I didn't get much taken care of. He's an amazing guy, but when he's around I don't get to my chores. I'd much rather spend my time with him.
M also had a doctor's appointment. After only four and a half weeks his cast is off!! Can you believe it? His arm is healed. His elbow is a little stiff and he can't completely rotate his hand, so he'll need to do some exercises to strengthen and loosen it up. And that adds more to my daily to-do list. Yay.
Currently I've got a sink full of tomatoes waiting for me to blanch, peel, drain, crush, and bottle. I also need to make a couple dozen cupcakes, clean the house, make sure my kids do their homework when they get home. Not only that, I've got to get started packing for the kids' surprise trip with their grandma without them getting a hint of something going on. YIKES!
My life is crazy and hectic all at once. But do I want to trade them for anything? Not on your life. There's something to be said for having a house full of kids that is good for the soul, even if it isn't good for fighting exhaustion. Good thing love makes up for it.
September 30, 2011
Why Did I Stay Away So Long
Oh, swimming pool, I have missed you. I didn't even realize how much, or that I even did. I love everything you give to me, and am looking forward to taking advantage of it all.
I missed the way my arms felt tired for the rest of the day. I missed how tall I feel in the water. I missed the way my body would glide through the water. I missed the weightlessness. I missed my swim cap and goggles. I missed the little dent my goggles left on the bridge of my nose. I missed the paddles that made my arms extra tired. I missed the kickboard. I missed the pull-bouys. I even missed the way I could constantly smell chlorine in my hair.
Now I am experiencing it all over again. My body remembers everything, so that means I get to skip the "new swimmer" soreness. I get to jump in and swim a couple thousand yards a day right off the bat. It's going to take some time to re-adjust, but I've loved every yard I've done this week! I get to push harder sooner than I would have thought.
Oh, swimming pool, I'm glad we're friends again!
I missed the way my arms felt tired for the rest of the day. I missed how tall I feel in the water. I missed the way my body would glide through the water. I missed the weightlessness. I missed my swim cap and goggles. I missed the little dent my goggles left on the bridge of my nose. I missed the paddles that made my arms extra tired. I missed the kickboard. I missed the pull-bouys. I even missed the way I could constantly smell chlorine in my hair.
Now I am experiencing it all over again. My body remembers everything, so that means I get to skip the "new swimmer" soreness. I get to jump in and swim a couple thousand yards a day right off the bat. It's going to take some time to re-adjust, but I've loved every yard I've done this week! I get to push harder sooner than I would have thought.
Oh, swimming pool, I'm glad we're friends again!
September 21, 2011
It's been a long time!
So much has happened in the last month and a half that I feel like such a slacker for not posting it all.
The week before school started the girls went karaoke-ing, and let me tell you I just love it. My friends are awesome. It's so nice to be able to get some girl time in with the ladies!! And no matter how late we stay (we usually close Appleby's) I feel better the next day.
August came and school started up again, and yes that did make for one happy me. As much as I love my kids, I am always happy to see them have something more to do than just watch TV and play all day long. I know I could come up with activities, but since I'm still so tired the energy drain just knocks me out for the week.
Then for my sister Charity's birthday/Labor Day we did the traditional Bonneville Chevy Classic Fun Run at Lagoon!! My dad always says he's not sure he wants to do it this year, but none of us will let him. We all have our different reasons, but my biggest reason is my brother Bryce. It's the one party we have all year that he wouldn't miss. No matter what he had going on, he was there. I love and miss him very much.
Oh, yeah then came this: M's broken arm! I know, right? He broke the ulna and dislocated the radius a couple inches from the elbow of his right arm. Yep that's right, my right-handed kindergartener is now having to learn to write with his left hand first. My guess is that either he'll come away in six weeks being left-handed, or he'll write backwards with his right hand. We're waiting on word to see if it's healing properly. Oi!
Then last weekend I did the Dirty Dash. It's that glorious 10K run through an obstacle course coated with mud! It was my first time, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait until next year to do it again. The only downside was that I tweaked my knee, and can't run at the moment. But every day it's feeling better and I'm hoping by next week I'll be back running every day.
I've learned to take one day at a time, because you don't know what will be coming at you next. Now I'll try putting that lesson into practice.
The week before school started the girls went karaoke-ing, and let me tell you I just love it. My friends are awesome. It's so nice to be able to get some girl time in with the ladies!! And no matter how late we stay (we usually close Appleby's) I feel better the next day.
August came and school started up again, and yes that did make for one happy me. As much as I love my kids, I am always happy to see them have something more to do than just watch TV and play all day long. I know I could come up with activities, but since I'm still so tired the energy drain just knocks me out for the week.
Then for my sister Charity's birthday/Labor Day we did the traditional Bonneville Chevy Classic Fun Run at Lagoon!! My dad always says he's not sure he wants to do it this year, but none of us will let him. We all have our different reasons, but my biggest reason is my brother Bryce. It's the one party we have all year that he wouldn't miss. No matter what he had going on, he was there. I love and miss him very much.
Oh, yeah then came this: M's broken arm! I know, right? He broke the ulna and dislocated the radius a couple inches from the elbow of his right arm. Yep that's right, my right-handed kindergartener is now having to learn to write with his left hand first. My guess is that either he'll come away in six weeks being left-handed, or he'll write backwards with his right hand. We're waiting on word to see if it's healing properly. Oi!
Then last weekend I did the Dirty Dash. It's that glorious 10K run through an obstacle course coated with mud! It was my first time, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait until next year to do it again. The only downside was that I tweaked my knee, and can't run at the moment. But every day it's feeling better and I'm hoping by next week I'll be back running every day.
I've learned to take one day at a time, because you don't know what will be coming at you next. Now I'll try putting that lesson into practice.
July 31, 2011
Injury Report
The last week has made me truly grateful for my blessings. My sweet little M had a rough few days. Last Saturday he was jumping in a bounce house at a block birthday party. When we started getting ready to go home he complained that putting on his socks and shoes hurt. Later that evening his pinkie toe was swelling an a bruise was spreading across his foot. I took him in to the urgent care clinic and lo and behold his toe was broken. They bound it up and sent us on our way, with the advice to keep it bandaged and shoes on for the next three weeks at least.
The next day at church he was running in the halls! Oi!!
Then there was Tuesday. The neighbor kids had come over to so I could babysit them, and about fifteen minutes into it they come running in saying that M is bleeding. "Well send him in, and I'll take a look," I said. In my head I grumbled "a scrape doesn't usually bleed." Ten seconds later M comes in covered in blood! I had no idea where to start. He told me it was his head, so I started mopping up his face. What I saw was a deep cut, at least a half in long. Finally J came in, bawling harder than M, and I was able to find out the story. Apparently a golf club to the head is not a good thing, and we were off to the urgent care clinic again.
As for the others, H got a sunburn that blistered but is looking much better, J has received countless emotional wounds in the line of play, and C as always is just fine. The hubby's sunburn is all gone but the itchies. Now if I can find a cheap cure for my aching feet, we'll all be close to 100%. Hooray!!
There's nothing like a head wound to make you realize just how lucky your family has been.
The next day at church he was running in the halls! Oi!!
Then there was Tuesday. The neighbor kids had come over to so I could babysit them, and about fifteen minutes into it they come running in saying that M is bleeding. "Well send him in, and I'll take a look," I said. In my head I grumbled "a scrape doesn't usually bleed." Ten seconds later M comes in covered in blood! I had no idea where to start. He told me it was his head, so I started mopping up his face. What I saw was a deep cut, at least a half in long. Finally J came in, bawling harder than M, and I was able to find out the story. Apparently a golf club to the head is not a good thing, and we were off to the urgent care clinic again.
As for the others, H got a sunburn that blistered but is looking much better, J has received countless emotional wounds in the line of play, and C as always is just fine. The hubby's sunburn is all gone but the itchies. Now if I can find a cheap cure for my aching feet, we'll all be close to 100%. Hooray!!
There's nothing like a head wound to make you realize just how lucky your family has been.
July 18, 2011
Re-Starting the Journey
The best thing about camping is the people. But two weeks in a row being gone, Wednesday to Saturday, is hard to come back from. I spent the last two weeks doing just that, first with the Young Women from my ward, and just last week with my family.
Now it's back to reality. There are a couple things I'm going to be starting up.You might call the first thing "diet and exercise", but I'm going with "health plan." Yep, a health plan. My kids won't kick up too much of a fuss, probably, since they're weird and like to snack on fruit and veggies. All I have to do is train my sugar-loving-self to avoid buying the sweets and stuff.
What I'll be doing over the next 10 days will be strict vegetarian as a sort of detox. I'm going to be following a diet plan written by a doctor and everything! What I love about this plan is that it's based on reality. You don't cut anything out of your life permanently. When I'm done I'll be able to have pizza, ice-cream, and all the other stuff I love, but I'll have learned portion control and have trained my body to crave the veggies and fruits it needs.
And I'll be working out, too. Nothing too fancy just walking, until I can get new running shoes, and swimming laps at the local pool. Oh, how I'm looking forward to the swimming pool. I've missed it!
The second thing I'm getting back to reality is a schedule for my kiddos. They'll have to wake up at the same time every day, chores, playing outside, and a bedtime. Bedtime might have to be put off this week though, since C's baseball team is in a tournament that will be finished this week. But other than that my kids will have their life back to normal. They'll not be happy at first, but in the end they'll be happier and healthier, too.
And isn't that what it's about? Happiness and Health.
Now it's back to reality. There are a couple things I'm going to be starting up.You might call the first thing "diet and exercise", but I'm going with "health plan." Yep, a health plan. My kids won't kick up too much of a fuss, probably, since they're weird and like to snack on fruit and veggies. All I have to do is train my sugar-loving-self to avoid buying the sweets and stuff.
What I'll be doing over the next 10 days will be strict vegetarian as a sort of detox. I'm going to be following a diet plan written by a doctor and everything! What I love about this plan is that it's based on reality. You don't cut anything out of your life permanently. When I'm done I'll be able to have pizza, ice-cream, and all the other stuff I love, but I'll have learned portion control and have trained my body to crave the veggies and fruits it needs.
And I'll be working out, too. Nothing too fancy just walking, until I can get new running shoes, and swimming laps at the local pool. Oh, how I'm looking forward to the swimming pool. I've missed it!
The second thing I'm getting back to reality is a schedule for my kiddos. They'll have to wake up at the same time every day, chores, playing outside, and a bedtime. Bedtime might have to be put off this week though, since C's baseball team is in a tournament that will be finished this week. But other than that my kids will have their life back to normal. They'll not be happy at first, but in the end they'll be happier and healthier, too.
And isn't that what it's about? Happiness and Health.
July 10, 2011
Love is the answer...
Yesterday I got back from Young Women's camp. We spent a few days on the shores of Bear Lake canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and sailing.
While everyone learned a lot about themselves, I think I came away with the most. What I came away with is love. Love of God, love of others, love of friends, and love of self.
As usual my girls have taught me more than I could ever teach them. They are normal teenagers, but they're also very non-normal, too. We had none of the usual ignoring girls, or teasing, or making one another feel unwelcome. And if you know girls there are always a couple that people want to cut out of the crowd. All of the girls took time out to make each other feel welcome and loved. There is nothing so great in life as love.
Then when I got home my kids taught me that same lesson. M & H had a hard time leaving my side last night. In fact M had a "nightmare" at about four this morning and needed me to sleep with him. Even as cranky as I was running on way too little sleep they wanted me around.
So in the words of Weezer "Love is the answer. Makes no difference what you have heard."
While everyone learned a lot about themselves, I think I came away with the most. What I came away with is love. Love of God, love of others, love of friends, and love of self.
As usual my girls have taught me more than I could ever teach them. They are normal teenagers, but they're also very non-normal, too. We had none of the usual ignoring girls, or teasing, or making one another feel unwelcome. And if you know girls there are always a couple that people want to cut out of the crowd. All of the girls took time out to make each other feel welcome and loved. There is nothing so great in life as love.
Then when I got home my kids taught me that same lesson. M & H had a hard time leaving my side last night. In fact M had a "nightmare" at about four this morning and needed me to sleep with him. Even as cranky as I was running on way too little sleep they wanted me around.
So in the words of Weezer "Love is the answer. Makes no difference what you have heard."
June 28, 2011
What a Crappy Friend I've Been
"Pity, party of one!" Hey, that's been me these last couple of weeks. I see all these friends posting on facebook about how much fun they've had hanging out together. And not just at the park, but at each other's houses.
So I started wondering "Where's my invite? What have I done to alienate all these people? They don't even call me anymore." Then it starts into a downward spiral from there: "Am I not cool enough? Is it cause I'm bossy and annoying? Is it cause they don't like me anymore?" And from there the inevitable "Nobody likes me. Everybody hates me. I'm going to the garden to eat worms." But when I get there even the worms aren't around!
Then I realized that it wasn't that my friends have forgotten me. It's that I FORGOT THEM. If I want people to hang out with I should call them. Sure I've put the generic "let's meet at the park for lunch" out there on FB for everyone, but I haven't talked to anyone.
Even my best friend. I've completely ignored her for a while. Why? I have no idea! She didn't do anything to me, she's always been there for me. If I called her up right now and said "Hey let's do lunch" she would probably be here at noon.
The truth is I'm just plain selfish. I want people to want to hang out with me enough that THEY'LL go out of their way to ask ME. But if you think about it look at what I've been posting on FB. "Can anyone help me? What can you do for me?"
So with apologies to my many friends, okay ALL my friends, I'll try to be a better friend.
June 22, 2011
Starting at the Beginning
Today I begin a journey that's been a long time coming. This journey will take me from "cranky me" to "happy me." Yeah, I know what your thinking, "She's not cranky, is she?" It's called acting, and I do the happy act well. It's not like I'm depressed or anything, I just get frustrated so quickly, and all the time.
So my journey begins, one step at a time. I'm journeying to find a happier, healthier me. So here I am, being brutally honest. This isn't a pity party, it's a reality check.
I weigh 170 pounds.
I over-eat, but I don't stop when I know I should.
I don't read my scriptures regularly.
I don't pray regularly.
I yell at my kids, a lot!
My house isn't a pig-sty, but it's embarrassing when people show up unexpectedly.
I spend too much time reading.
I waste more time than I care to admit online.
I don't appreciate my hubby as much as I could (notice how far down that one occurred to me).
My self-confidence is shot. If people don't seek me out I feel un-loved.
In order to find the "happier me" I'm going to work on each of these problems. I know I'll have set-backs. I know that it looks like I'm trying to eat the elephant. The process will be slow and sometimes painful as I take a look at myself with a magnifying glass. But if I can get even half of these things worked out I'll be happy.
So please join me as I'm "Just Chasing a Happier Me." I'll need your encouragement, love, and support.
So my journey begins, one step at a time. I'm journeying to find a happier, healthier me. So here I am, being brutally honest. This isn't a pity party, it's a reality check.
I weigh 170 pounds.
I over-eat, but I don't stop when I know I should.
I don't read my scriptures regularly.
I don't pray regularly.
I yell at my kids, a lot!
My house isn't a pig-sty, but it's embarrassing when people show up unexpectedly.
I spend too much time reading.
I waste more time than I care to admit online.
I don't appreciate my hubby as much as I could (notice how far down that one occurred to me).
My self-confidence is shot. If people don't seek me out I feel un-loved.
In order to find the "happier me" I'm going to work on each of these problems. I know I'll have set-backs. I know that it looks like I'm trying to eat the elephant. The process will be slow and sometimes painful as I take a look at myself with a magnifying glass. But if I can get even half of these things worked out I'll be happy.
So please join me as I'm "Just Chasing a Happier Me." I'll need your encouragement, love, and support.
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