It's been a while--sorry! The family hasn't disappointed me with craziness and laughter. Santa brought only gifts that could be shared. It went over well. Once I figure out how to download stuff, I'll put up my "Naughty Santa" letter and the 2010 "Caring is Sharing" letter. I keep reminding the kids how much they'll value these memories one day.
I have a new calling at church--Relief Society Teacher (no pressure there!) I'm scared and excited all at the same time. I've been in Primary for the past 6 years! I called my mom for some sympathy and she said, "that's right up there with Gospel Doctrine"--not comforting. She said I have to pray, read scriptures and study the lessons or I'll be a flop. Obviously I know why I was called--it was inspired. I'm just a little bit independent. Ok, a lot independent. This will be good for me. I'm sure I'll bring a new perspective to the ladies. I'm not your typical working mom. I'm like, the coolest working mom! Back to my funny family...
Tomorrow I start working a couple days a week curbside-in the elements (cold). I told Gabby I bought a hat, gloves and scarf to wear outdoors. She asked cautiously what they looked like. She was not concerned with my protection from the elements, she was worried about the fashion statement I would be presenting. Why would she care? She may have friends who are taking a vacation and checking in curbside and may SEE HER MOTHER! (Gasp) Seriously! I'm so wrapped up out there-they better know the color of my eyes. She approved of my choices, as long as I sweep my bangs to one side.
Just a note-Every time my kids grunt and tell me they hate me, my heart gets all warm and fuzzy. It lets me know that I'm being a parent and not a friend!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sunday, October 31, 2010
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.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, October 25, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
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!
Coming soon--how motherhood and marriage is like an alien abduction!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
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!
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!
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