Wonders of the Universe

We found out Roo was a girl on The Big One's fifth birthday, four years ago last week. I remember crying, as I have mentioned before. "I can't have a daughter." Wahhh.

Samuel asked me right about this time, "How do you know it's a girl."

"They use a little machine that can see inside me. There they can tell if it's a boy or a girl." I explain.

"Oh. I see." Says Samuel. "You could see she had pig tails in there."

Me, laughing, "Something like that."

Simple Things

Do you know that Julie De Azevedo song about 'finding happiness in the simple things?" If you don't, it's a good one. From the 90's on her State of the Heart CD.

At any rate, listening to it this morning reminded me where I find happiness in the simple things of my life. Here are some of mine. What are some of yours?

A clean kitchen. (house would be nice, but these are 'simple' things, right?)

My kids in the yard, playing happily together.

Looking at pictures with my kids and family.

'Visiting' with my parents and siblings.

Watching my chickens in the yard.

Peter and I content in the same room, doing our own things. (reading, sewing, etc)

Kids reading, all enjoying their time in other lands.

My baby staring out the front window, looking into his favorite world; the outside.

Baby babbles in the early morning before they get up.

A clean car.

A freshly mowed lawn.

Our yard on warm, breezy, summer evenings.

My littles telling me they love me.

Peter flirting with me.

No laundry.

My homemade bread cooling on the kitchen counter.

Talking with a good friend.

Watching the mountain change from season to season out my back window.

Dimples in my kids hands.

Low tide.

A baby's toothless smile.

Washington sunsets over the Sound.

Watching my kids grow and learn.

A sun kissed face.

Finishing a project - any project.

A hand written note in the mail.

Watching my kids reaction each time their grandparents drive up.

Chubby baby toes, legs, cheeks, thighs.

The feeling when I walk in the Temple.

Being together with my husband and kids.

I am sure there are many more. But it's fun to think about ALL of the little things that bless my life daily and make me smile. I hope you find happiness in your simple things as well.

Busy Days

Kids not feeling well.

Three trips to the doctor since Saturday.

Three cakes, two showers, father's day and a party.

Sometimes I can hardly keep up.

Thanks to my wonderful sister, Minks, I was able to get the house ready for an evening of fun and still snuggle the Chubs while he's not feeling well.

Sisters. What would we do without them?

It was The Big One's birthday Saturday. (Gearing up for a late b-day post is how I discovered my severe tardiness in regards to Stacey - I'm bad, I know)

Coming soon! All about the first born. (I'm sure you're dying to learn more...)

So, 93 degrees, kitchen to clean, laundry to do, kids to cuddle.

I'm busy.

Talk to you soon!

Birthday Blog: Meet Stacey

OH

MY

GOSH!!

Once upon a time I was the absolute, number one, worst friend in the world.

And I mean, THE WORST!!!

I have a dear friend named Stacey. One of whom I count as a very best friend. We tell each other everything. We love each other to death. We talk all the time, even though she left me for AZ years ago.

I AM THE WORST FRIEND!!! (and she didn't even tell me)

I missed her birthday blog. (ohhh, I am seriously welling up, here) She taught me how to blog. Ohhhh. I am horrible!

AND! AND! I'm a almost a MONTH late in this awful discovery! Bad. Very bad.

Please, please, please forgive. Please?

She will, she's nice. I just talked to her today. WHY DIDN'T YOU REMIND ME!!??
Was it because I called you a day late, thinking it was the right day, to wish you a happy birthday? You know I have lost 98% of my brain cells, right? Come on, help a girl out. Would ya?

You're going to divorce me now. Aren't you?

Well - here goes.

Stacey is the female version of my soul mate. She laughs at my jokes, and is terribly funny herself. Loves to go for a treat. Is my drive by Nie friend (if I did that, which I'll never tell). Work out pal. (once upon a time) Hang out by the pool friend. My 'lets make something' friend. (last year on her annual visit we stayed up til two while she read me 'Seriously So Blessed', in her best Utah accent, and I sewed her a new bag - we're quite a team)

I met Stace while we were both 'sub dwellers.' (just a little term the RS pres in our ward coined for those who rented - she was sweet, huh?) We were both living in out respective parents basements. Both in the throws of baby's, life as a poor wife (not much changed there), making fun of our chubby selves, wrestling kids all day, and looking for a laugh. Ahh, playgroup. What would we have done without you? That's where we met.

Stacey is a mother of three darling girls and wife of her "Brenty" who she adores more than life itself. (he should count himself lucky to be SOOO adored - I could use a lesson of how to adore like she does) She went back to work full time this year, with a smile on her face - and is loving it. She's educated, smart and again, funny.

I'm thinking of some great stories about Stace. I for sure won't tell the one where she wet her pants in the car. Or was in numero dos? Hmm. I think it was...oh, well. That's a story for another day. (now she's really not talking to me)

She's the first native Utahan I've ever loved. (okay, she'll tell you she's not native - moved here at 10. But really? A Timpview grad is a Timpview grad - and she's one of 'em.) She taught me to find the good things of life here. Things she now makes fun of, since leaving Happy Valley.

She hates mornings, always thinks she has bad breath (which I have never noticed- not once), is a fantastic pianist, retired soccer and tennis star, (okay, played them in HS at least) amazing mother and wife, she can tackle anything, always moves on with a smile on her face, makes other feel at ease, and is the dearest friend.

I truly count Stacey as a blessing. I am SO thankful for her. She has been there for me through so very many ups and downs. She's the one I call in any kind of emergency, big or small. When I have something to tell someone, she's first on my list. When I'm sad, I want her to answer when I call! When I have a funny story - she's the one I need to tell. She was adopted and I like to think that somehow we're blood related. (I can dream)

If you can't decide how much she means to me, (obviously, since I totally forgot a birthday blog for her!!!!) (arghhh!), when she moved away four years ago I bought a head set for my home phone and my cell, so we could talk for hours every day. And until she left me for another (work!), we did. Her mother in law thinks we're joking about our phone frequency, but nope - it's true. We're chatters.

So there you have her. Stacey LaVon (LaVaughn?, hmmm. not sure how to spell that).

If you know her, you are lucky. If you are her friend, you are blessed.

I love you, Stace.

Happy VERY belated birthday.

(oh yeah, and be glad I didn't raid Vic's photo stash - I could have found some great ones!)

Problem Solved!

This was a comment left anonymously in my comment section. Whoever you are, I love you!!

"For Mother's Day, our ward gives us the whole hour of RS to chat and the men serve us cheesecake. What do you think of that?!"

You can bet your bottom dollar that I will start campaigning RIGHT NOW for this to be en stated for next year!

Thanks for solution to all my woes. (Geez Teresa, if all your woes are that you get a plant for Mothers Day instead of a treat, you have a pretty sorry life. I know.)

Why can't we have treats?

Today I made 200 gift tags to attach to the treats our ward will be handing out for Fathers Day. (not to mention the 100 shower invites for next week) I tell you this because I got something for the first time to day.

It's terrible.

I got a blister on my thumb - from stamping!

I don't even really like stamping. (craft snob, remember? stamping takes too much creativity out of the piece - but for look-a-like multiples, they're great)

I have to finish a quilt binding and make three cakes this weekend. I don't have time for a blister.

Fruuuum stamping!

Which leads me to my latest giant gripe:

Which is...(drum roll)...Why on earth do we get plants for Mothers Day and the men get COOKIES!?!?

I just want to know. That's all.

Is it because us moms just don't have enough to take care of? We're just not overwhelmed enough trying to keep our kids alive, let alone a plant?!

Is it because we need more guilt in our lives? "Boy, I better not let this thing die. Then I'll really look like a bad wife."

Is it because they think we're all too fat for cookies!?

Is it because the church needs to keep nursery's across Utah in business?!

Is it because the EQ Pres. just has to stop buy Lowe's and say, "Hmm. Yup, I'll take 200 of those there geraniums."

Is it because we have too many free hands while dragging all of our kids, their books and my bags, out to the car after church?

(this post may get me in some trouble - remember, it's all in fun)

But I just want you to know that I put my vote in early this year. I told the Bishop, in a ward leadership meeting - "We want food! Not plants!"

Cookies, chocolate, candy, you name it - we'll take it. Right, ladies?! Are you with me?!

Apparently not. Nope. Not this year.

We got...(drum roll again, but much weaker)...geraniums.

There's always next year.

The RS is in charge for the men.

They're all getting a giant homemade cookie. And a pen. (pen, per request)

I voted to give them a taste of their own medicine. "Here's your plant brother Jones." But let's admit it, the flowers wouldn't make it past the front seat of their car, where they forgot to take it into the house. SO... Sister Jones would take it in, water it, and on Monday (NOT Sunday mind you) she'd plant it for him.

Yep. I forgot mine under my chair in RS this year. Too many things to carry. See how much easier a cookie would be? I wouldn't have left it anywhere. Well, anywhere except my stomach.

I'll start dreaming for next year.

If you see a woman picketing in front of a red brick church with a sign that says, "We want food, not plants!" You'll know it's just me.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Good grief! I could hardly remember my log in info. That means it's been a long time since a post. What can I say? Do things ever slow down? Of course not.

Great trip to the Northwest.

Grandparents. Uncles, aunts, cousins.

Lots of friends.

Lots of food.

Mmmmm. Food. (I think I may be Homer in a girl form)

Lots of sun and water.

Lots of car. (NOT so fun)

A wonderful time.

Home just in time for a wedding to do. Cake and flowers. Two days of craziness.

An evening of pizza, friends and a parade.

Taught relief society on Sunday.

Re group this week.

Summer school started for the boys (I know, I'm a mean mom to make them go. But it was SO inexpensive, 9 hours a week, and just for fun - sorry guys. You'll thank me in Medical School), and dance for Roo. Finished building a chicken coup for 'the girls.' (thanks to my great and ever handy neighbor, and previous work out pal, Amy -we got it done in an afternoon)

It's been a crazy few weeks and I'm glad to be settling for the summer. Nice and cool out, rainy days with sun now and then. It's a little like being home. (the NW, that is)

Did you know chicken poop is like really Stinky cement? The Girls got out of their "bin" a lot while we were gone. Wandering the garage at will. Which means, pooping at will. We finally got them out, into their own little space and scraped and sprayed down the garage. (thanks to the Scout Master) I'll post a picture of their humble abode as soon as I can borrow a camera. Mine broke upon arrival home from the 9 million hour car ride. Maybe we'll get a new one - soon.

Why is it that your car stinks so bad after a trip? I swear. It totally wreaks. I guess living out of it for ten days will do that. But really? Woof.

I was on the wagon, but fell terribly on our trip. So terribly that it rolled over me and left me behind. Behind in a pile of Countryside Donuts, Dick's Drive in Cheese Burgers, Pen Thai Crispy Garlic Chicken, Tai Ho pot stickers...you name it - I ate it! It was glorious!

But alas, I am home. And back in the saddle again.

(Just for the sake of my one blog follower - if you paid attention to the beginning of my journey, last fall. The demise of heffer-ella, I started the first of November when I weaned Chubbles. I have officially lost 37 pounds. It's been long and slow - but it's coming. I still have a LONG way to go!)

Well. Enough rambling for now. I have much to say - shocker! So for now. It's nice to be home and resuming my gathering of memories.

10-4 Good buddy.

Hey! We're on vay-cay! (that's vacation to any of you that missed the 80's valley girl era)

I'll post soon.

I promise!

Schools out.

Summer school starts in a week.

We have to play now!

See you soon.

Love ya!

10-4 good buddy, over and out.

For now.

Painting Life

Planting my garden.

Chickens pecking in the yard, clucking, scurrying around my cherry tree.

Roo telling me, "I'm baby sitting 'the girls'." (chickens)

Chubs, toddling around 'the girls' babbling away. Trying to touch them and talk to them.

The sun shining bright against the bright blue Rocky Mountain sky.

A break, laying on may back with Roo, watching the lovely green trees dance in the breeze against the perfect blue sky.

I am one that has lived my life wanting to live in paintings of times gone past.

Today I did.

The Small Creator

While Simon was doing this...

Coloring the inner workings of the human hand.

I was doing this...

Sharpening some of my favorite things ever. Colored pencils.

Don't you love a perfectly, freshly sharpened pencil? Oooh. I know I do. And a whole pencil box full? Mmmm. And colored? Yep. I died and went to heaven. Nothing like a little rectangle box full of enough colors to make ANY THING YOU WANT. It's all about where those little wooden sticks can take you.

Anywhere.

Si enjoys my love to create. He loves to imagine, create, and complete a project. As you may have noticed by the fact that a Kindergarten-er could sit down and complete a page out of the Anatomy Coloring book. (we figure, if he's going to be busy coloring meticulously, we may as well be making a doctor out of him - right?) And he loves it. He's since finished the feet and is working on the arm. And he can tell you most of the parts and how many bones are in each appendage.

This is how he unloads the dishwasher. I always know who finished last. The boys take turns with racks of the washer, Si usually last. Because, of course, he's younger. But don't you love how he stacks them all? I don't make him climb up to put things away - he's a bit of a shorty. So he's supposed to stack them neatly on the counter.

I love how 'neatly stack' translates to a six year old. As you can see, it means 'built into something really cool.'

He is a very particular child. He opened the freezer the other day and saw the carton of ice cream that read. "Deluxe Ice Cream." (that's the cheap Kroger brand trying to be fancy) He says to me, 'Mom, I'd like some Deluxe Ice Cream please.' Not, 'mint chocolate chip' mind you. But, 'Deluxe.'

He must always have the last word. No matter what! He corrects people day in and day out. I say 'freeze pop' he says, 'it's called an otter pop.' He uses the phrase, "...you mean a ..." a lot. I tell him, "I mean what I say, so don't correct."

He's learned to be kind and loving from his brother and dad. He's a bit of a worrier, loves to create, is particular and likes things certain ways. Hmmm. Wonder where he gets that from?

Summa, summa (like 'summer', you know)

Last week of school and what’d we do?

Pull the kids out early for a trip to the zoo.

Nice.

Last day of school means – ‘Let’s celebrate!’

We had breakfast for lunch; pancakes, butter, syrup, whipped cream, bacon and orange juice. (We’re all about heart attacks around here)

I gave them their ‘welcome summer’ gifts. Which consisted of:

Squirt guns

Sidewalk chalk

Bubble wands

Color/work books (they didn’t touch these – hmm wonder why?)

We had a water balloon fight, got out the slip in slide and welcomed summer the best way we knew how.

In our swim suits!

(even me – yikes!)