Houdini

One of my small pleasures in life is watching "CBS Sunday Morning". I never watch it live--always on DVR. This morning was no different. I made some quick cinnamon rolls and started the recording. There was a story on Houdini and how he garnished crowds with his escape artistry. The story made a brief reference to disappearing. An observation was made by my husband and I about how Paxton "disappears" every time a chore needed to be completed. Gabby remarked that having Paxton gone would be like having a "hole in our house". For a brief second I was humbled by her affection for her brother and how she would miss him. Then she continued. "And then the light would shine through and the angels would sing!" I told you--it was only for a second.

Paper Products

When I left for work Sunday afternoon, the Sunday paper was still on the driveway with another publication. I didn't much worry about it because I left 2 teenagers and and 1 adult (to the adults defense--he was under the weather) home with no responsiblities or chores for the remainder of the day. Shocker! The papers were there when I rolled up at 11:30pm. The next morning, when I went to bring in the papers, they weren't there--nor were they in the house. They had been taken to our recycling bins on the side of the house. Who could have done this? My mother-in-law, whom we have a strained relationship. You see, she collects cans on her morning walk and deposits them neatly on the side of our house. She rarely comes to the door to chat or say hi. Her service is all done in stealth. So today, I would like to thank her for her stealth service.

Today I wake up to a dish towel that looks like it was used to clean up a murder crime scene lying next to a roll of paper towels, still in the package, inches from the empty roll still on its holder. And you thought sitting on the toilet to find an empty roll when there a freshly packaged roll in the vanity infuriating. Men might me simple and are most happy when they are properly "loved" and fed. Women would just like our landfilling paper products replaced properly. Perhaps as a punishment they could repeat that 5 times fast! As a personal note--could my family add paper plates, cups, plastic spoons and tissue to the list.

Claim checks or ID's please

I work for the best airline in the USA. They train us on policy and procedure, thoroughly, and expect us to adhere to those guidelines. This was the case in the baggage office the other day. We often get bags in on earlier flights than the passengers. Our policy dictates that when we have retained possession of any bag we must ask for identification or claim ticket to retrieve the bag from our possession. There is a specific employee assingned to monitor the unclaimed bags and follow the procedure as outlined by the company. Just the other day, our office encountered about 20 large sports duffel bags. They all looked the same in color and logo. After we had them for a short time a young man in a sports suit in the same color of the bags and same logo on his shirt approached the mountain of duffels and gestured to the other 19 team mates that he had found their loot. Knowing that the bags belonged to them, they went to grab the bags. The employee monitoring the bags lept into action, asking each team member for an ID or claim ticket. I thought this almost comical. I have seen pictures of the people who have been caught stealing bags, and I'm here to tell you--they do not travel in packs, wearing sport suits and furthermore--other than golf clubs, sports equipment does not yield a hefty price at a pawn shop. My mind raced at the thought of an Ocean's Eleven type of group planning their theft--coordinating the outfits, manpower and arranging for the getaway box truck. But this employee did what she had been instruced to do perfectly and each bag was matched to a player.

How often do we teach our children personal policy and procedures for thwarting the adversary. We tell them to ask questions about ratings on movies and games at friends houses, but how often do they think to ask those questions at an obviously "good" household. To often we and our families become complacent with our surroundings and scoff at those that are doing as they'd been taught when it seem obvious there is no danger. There is always danger. Anyone of those bags could have been given to a perfect stranger. Anyone of our childrens friends could receive a text, game or email from a third party and pass it along in innocence. We must constantly reinforce our personal policy and procedures when it comes to overcoming the adversary. He constantly has an army of Ocean's Eleven type groups waiting and coordinating their efforts to lead us astray. I hope we can all follow the example and diligence of that one faithful employee, and check ID's and claim tickets every time--obvious or not.

Halloween Candy

I'm not at work 30 minutes when I get a voicemail from Paxton. "Hey, why did you take my candy! What about Gabby's candy! That's messed up!" I took three pieces of his trunk -or-treat candy, which he was probably too old to participate in anyway. I quickly responded, "Yours was the only candy left in my room. Had Gabby's been there I would have gladly helped myself to hers as well." Lesson learned--keep YOUR candy in YOUR room--please.

Coming soon--how motherhood and marriage is like an alien abduction!

Lessons Learned

Paxton fought me tooth and nail about giving his talk on Mother's Day. I handed him the prose I had written for him to recite and sent him to the stand. It was obvious that he read it for the first time during the opening announcements. He muddled through and filled about 5 minutes of time. Whew! Glad that's over! He didn't receive the "great talk" response he revelled in 6 months earlier. Instead it was, "You could have read it more than once before stepping up to the pulpit." He knew he deserved every jab. I used this as a teaching moment. I asked him to think about how he prepared for each talk. With the first, we worked on it together. He came up with points and stories and I fine tuned the execution. This time it was only my ideas--my words. He immediately felt the difference. He decided that he would never give a talk in which he had no input. Of course his first choice would be to have no more speaking engagements. But that's not going to happen. The church uses the infamous "2 1/2 minute talk" to groom the youth for future leadership positions. It's a good thing!
Funny story--I had worked until very early in the morning and then had to take David to the airport so he could do roll call for Local 11. The kids were both taking the bus to school. When I came home from the airport I fell into bed, thrilled that Gabby was awake--she would make sure Paxton made it to the bus stop on time. I lay in bed listening with a half-awake mother's ear and I hear Paxton ask Gabby, "Did you know it's pajama day at school?" Gabby responded "No." He urged her on and let her know that it was announced on yesterday's announcements. She asked numerous questions trying to see if he was being completely honest. All I could do was hope I didn't have to get out of bed to take 2 kids to school because they showed up at the bus stop in sleepwear on the wrong day. After about 10 minutes of back and forth questioning it was revealed that in fact it was not pajama day, Paxton just wanted to see how far he could run with the story. Gabby had a tote with a change of PJ's, just in case.
Live and learn! I guess that's what this life is all about!

Women's Conference

Wow! I have been working 6 days a week and just had a week off. I went to Women's Conference at BYU with my mom, sisters and cousin. We had a blast and learned so much. I am excited to start living and trying the words of wisdom I received. It snowed the entire time we were there, which was a nice change from the Vegas heat. Patti, my cousin, introduced us to quilt store shopping. We had to lure her out of the last one with promises of a Diet Coke. She has inspired me to take out my sewing machine I bought 2 years ago and do something with it. Seeing my sisters all together was a thrill. With one in Salt Lake and one in Seattle, it is a blessing when we can all be together.
I learned that I am handling life's speed bumps just as I should. I promised a treasured friend that I would be more general in my statements, so as not to point fingers, but suffice it to say, I'm on the right track when it comes to them. The Conference stressed service and the best statement came from Dallin H. Oaks mother, "It's amazing how much you can get done when you don't worry about who gets the credit." Isn't that true? Just do the service! End of story! In every session I went to, the consistent advice was to pray, scripture study and temple attendance. That's what our leaders have always told us, and it still holds true.
We had mint brownies, chocolate cinnamon bears, kettle corn, Cafe Rio (St. George), and Creamery ice cream. I'm good for sugar for the next 6 months. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Some humor was a bit off base, but most was just good fun. I can't wait until next year.
My new work schedule should allow me to update my blog each week. The kids are good. Paxton is 5'8" and 115 lbs. My job this summer is to put weight on the boy. They are good kids that still need a little nagging from mom. Speaking of mothers; Happy Mothers Day to all the moms. Our ward choir is singing a beautiful arrangement that uses the best songs for the kids to sing so I had to be creative. Our primary children will be singing "Grandmas", "Quickly I Obey", and end with "When We're Helping We're Happy". This way they can have a strong finish with tra la la's. Paxton has to speak in Sacrament Meeting. I wrote him a wonderful talk on mothers from the scriptures and how they taught the youth strength and faith. (Seriously, do you really thing a 13yr old, semi active boy is going to sit down and write anything profound?) You know you all write your kids talks or at least sit with them as they are guided in their own writings. I just don't have to deal with a cranky teenager if I do it myself and have him practice days before. I do come off looking like a stellar mother!
Just one last thought, forgiveness! Please forgive and forget. It's the first step in getting your life back when you think others have control. It will clear your heart and open it to so many good things!

Family is Funny!

I am working way too much. But David and I are a team. Speaking of Dave---funny story number one. We had our taxes done and we owe a bit more than expected. As we left the tax guy Dave tells me, "We'll just have to file for divorce." I said "What!!" He said, "that's the only way I can get my Plan B money." I was baffled. He let me know that nothing would change except we would have the money for taxes. I didn't even consider it. He said that he knows guys that have done it. (I think he bluffing--he's probably read about guys doing it on the Internet) At any rate, I said absolutely not. He questioned again and said he wasn't sure how we would get the money. I gently told him it would be fine, we would find a way. He just couldn't see how and mentioned the divorce again. I set him straight and let him know that when we were married I made a promise that I would not have marital relations with anyone I am not legally and lawfully married to. He paused---and said, "I guess we could find another way."

Funny story number two. My mother is sometimes like an innocent child. She is the Young Women's president in her ward and made each of the girls a special treat for Valentine's Day. She was picking out treats and saw a display for M & M's stating that the new color of love is green. She thought she'd be hip and get some green M & M's. Yes, that's correct, each girl got foil hearts and green M & M's. Only after she gave out the treats did she discover that folk lore says that green M & M's make you horny. Good thing virtue is part of personal progress. I don't think the Beehives got it, but I'm sure the older girls giggled all the way home.

Catch up with you all when I'm not working soooo much!!

Down with the sickness!

I hate being sick! Last Tuesday I found myself at the family doctor at 2:30pm asking for anything to stop me from coughing so I could get my root canal at 5:00pm. He gave me some cough "pills". Who takes pills for a cough? When I filled the prescription, I asked the pharmacist just how good are those "pills". He said the codeine cough syrup was better. I had a bit of that at home. So to be safe in the dentist chair, I took a pill and a teaspoon of the syrup. Then just to be completely positive I wouldn't have a coughing fit, I tried to swallow the excess Novocaine as I was being numbed. It was a very comfortable 2 hours. I got home about 7:00pm, went to bed and back to work at 4:15am. What a trooper!

Now, a week later, I'm still not over the sickness. I was told I have an ear infection and was given the biggest, pink, horse-pill, antibiotic. I feel much better, but not 100 percent. Tomorrow will be my first "day-off" since January 13th. (Sundays don't count when you're Mormon--three hours of church, choir practice and maybe a meeting that night is not a day of rest) I did call out sick on Saturday, which made me sick. (That's not how I roll) I'm thinking the whole "get some rest" thing is a good thing. I try to sleep in till 6:30.
Of course, with me working so much, one must wonder how I manage to keep such a clean house and home cooked dinner on the table each night. Enter David! My husband is still a far better mother than I could ever hope to be. The kids grades are even better. I am so lucky. He has taken up the "protector of the neighborhood" role. There was a man parked across the street taking pictures of the houses. Dave marched out and asked who he was and what he was doing. The man said he was with "the bank". Dave asked which one and the man did not have an answer. He "encouraged" him to leave, which he did promptly. Of course Dave got his license plate number and called the fuzz. They showed up and Dave discovered an old friend is on the force. We now have a daily patrol.

We figure the guy taking pictures was with the HOA. We finished painting our chimney and he wanted "proof". The mail lady saw it all go down and mentioned that he needed to go two streets over and take a picture of the Hummer parked sideways on the driveway and rock lawn. Dave let her know that he would not be taking pictures of that because that was the HOA presidents house and they weren't subject to the same rules. Dave obviously made an impression on the fellow, we received a letter from the management company a few days ago saying that we did not do as we were told with our paint job and we owe $900.00 in fines. I'm not sure how you miss the fact that 5ft of off-white stucco is now brown. Perhaps he's colorblind. I can't wait till the next HOA meeting. There's more to the story--I'll say more when things get resolved.

All in all, things are good. We still thank our Heavenly Father for our blessings!

Stormy Weather

Out here in the desert, we just got a years worth of rain in 4 days. I was lucky enough to be working those 4 days. Weather and the airline industry are like oil and water. Thursday I started my day at 4:45am and walked out at 9:45pm. Yes, I liked the overtime pay, but man, I'm tired. I was at one gate all day. At about 7pm I get a call from home. Keep in mind that I've been starring at about 300 people in the boarding area all day and dealing with a 20+ person line since 5am. My son is on the other end of the phone full of excitement. "Hey mom, did you know that there were 190 flight delays today?" Really, are you serious. I begin to wonder if he really knows what I do for a living. "Yes," I say with a sigh, "I'm looking at all those inconvenienced people right now. Most are looking back as if they want to follow me to my car after work and do bodily harm." I'm sure he meant well, just keeping me informed. He needs to stick to weather reports. After about two days, everyone got where they were going.

Dave is still the better mom. He finished painting the house today, just in time for the HOA! He is determined to cut back and utilize all available resources. Let's begin with the fireplace. We are in a 20+ year old house. We were probably one of the last homes built with a wood burning fireplace. Well, we're burning wood; and pizza boxes, paper plates, newspaper, and anything else combustible. We were eating pizza the other night with a fire going. When the kids were finished, they threw their paper plates in the fireplace. I looked in horror. I asked them how much more hillbilly could we get. Then dad threw his in. This is now the running joke. They all know how to make me cringe. This morning after breakfast dad chimed that he would be taking care of the dishes, I handed him the long lighter.

All of us are doing well. The new homework rules are great. Paxton's teachers are shocked that he's turning in homework. He is now getting high B's and A's. Gabby learned that we mean what we say. She had one missing assignment and lost out on any weekend activities. They are learning.

We are dealing with Dave's unemployment and realizing how blessed we are. Things are so much worse for others without the security of a duel income. We give thanks daily for those simple blessings; again understanding that all we have, and have been blessed with, comes from our Heavenly father.

To tired to notice

Working 6 days a week stinks! This week I worked 5--I had a root canal on my only midweek day off. My dentist is the most patient man on earth. He and his staff have put up with me calling and coming in for the 4 crowns I've had done in the past three months. It's almost all over. Tomorrow I'll call to request the second root canal--I'm done with the throbbing pain. He has been very conservative with his treatment and for that I am grateful. But sometimes you have to bite the bullet and go for the big guns. Every time I go in, I think, "They must be sick of me," but they always greet me with a smile and assure me they would rather I call than be in discomfort. I guess I'll mention their name since I am such a satisfied customer, Sunstone Dental, the Welch brothers. I see Dr. Greg. The staff is awesome. Sometimes that's more important than the doctor. The bonus is that Dr. Greg is just as nice.


The bad part about working so much is that one day runs into another and you don't seem to notice the things that use to make you smile. Passengers and their crazy questions and silly predicaments are there everyday. That never changes. I guess I'm missing the silliness of my family. David is still the best housekeeper and for a better term, mother. The kids are finally turning to him for the everyday kind of questions. I still get the big stuff. I can't give you one funny story. Maybe next week.


I'm feeling somewhat blah. Could be the painkillers. Okay, one funny story. David and I stopped by our friends house to participate in her bake sale. She was selling treats for a dear friend with cancer. Her husband is a police officer and came out of the house with a box of treats and Dave commented on how he got roped into this activity. We chatted a bit and he asked about my teeth. I told him things were almost over but the painkillers were great. He placed his hand on my shoulder and starred into my eyes. "Yep, fixed and dilated", he said without skipping a beat. I'm sure he's seen plenty in his days. We got our treats and he let me get in the driver's seat. (Must not have been that bad) Can't say that I've ever been scrutinized by law enforcement.

I guess I'll end with thoughts and prayers for Haiti. We all need to pray for our brothers and sisters and hope that they get the life sustaining supplies they need in time for good. Living in the Las Vegas valley affords us the comfort of not having to deal with large natural disasters. Our biggest worries are flash floods, which I imagine we could see in the next week. Please think of those with nothing and pray that our Heavenly Father will give them comfort.

Working Girl

Well, it finally happened. Dave got laid off. Now don't freak out--we planned and saved. Everything is covered. I now work six days a week. I only work morning shifts, so the kids don't even notice I'm working more. The only difference to them is not hearing mom yell at them two mornings a week to get up and ready for school. Which brings me to a funny moment.

Dave texted me the moment he got his pink slip. I answered with, "hey, I'll call my dad and let him know he's off the hook taking Paxton to school for a while." He promptly replied, "you know I have to be to the hall at 8am." To which I answered, "no problem. He has to be to school at 7am." Really? You think you're going to get out of taking the kids to school?! He didn't. He has been wonderful. He has cleaned and cooked. Cooking, not my strong point. Which leads to another funny moment.

One day my kids were watching Family Feud. The question was, "Name something women do better than men." I immediately thought "cook". They went through the answers and of course "cooking" was number one. Both my kids gave a perplexed look at the television and responded with, "What?" You see, I don't cook. I mean, I do simple things (breakfast, spaghetti, chili), but I'm certainly not noted for a particular meal. There are no request for my home cooking at dinner time. I'm sure most of you hear, "hey mom, could you make this or that for dinner." Or maybe they squeal in delight knowing that the one dinner they love is on the menu that night. Not at my house. Left to me, it's Panda or Taco Bell. I may stretch my culinary talents and get something frozen from Costco and use the oven for that. I have cooked a Thanksgiving dinner and have a killer cinnamon roll recipe; but for the most part anything to write home about has come from dad. So for that I am grateful to have him home.

He has a long list of "honey do's" and the cash to get them done. He should be back to work by the end of February maybe March. We have been very blessed over the past year when so many were not. We were wise with our good fortune and know that as we continue to be thankful and generous, we will continue to have our needs and wants met. All we have comes from our Heavenly Father, we must keep this foremost in our minds.