I have 2o bazillion things that I should be doing to get ready for Moxies big day tomorrow. Instead I am sitting her blogging and playing with my photos. Jefe rented a carpet cleaner to clean our carpets. The carpets are diseased! But, here I sit.

My neighbor brought me these darling burp cloths. They were embroidered with her real name, but at the bottom of the pile, this was the last one there. I squealed with delight!! How adorable is it that we have our own little Moxie burp cloths? I am thrilled to death with this gift!
Thanks Big Burley neighbors! You are the best!

I forgot all about Throwback Thursday. Well. Not really. I was just wicked busy, and unable to sit down long enough to put something together. The photos needed some serious editing, and I just didn't have the time. I was helping ima10cow out by babysitting, and Moxie is being very needy right now. (could it be teeth time already?and really, I don't mind her being needy. some day she won't be needy, and I will be wishing she needed me just a little more!)
Anyway.
My mind has been on graduation lately. Last night was the high school graduation for the high school I attended. There are several of my YW that are graduating, and its exciting to see them going off into the "real world".

Graduation was such an exciting time... with exciting changes for us all. Do you remember graduation? The excitement? Anticipation? Shock of it all? I sure do. I remember I sent off a missionary shortly after I graduated with the understanding that I would "wait" for him. I went on a date 2 days after he left. I didn't do so hot in the waiting department. My friends were all heading off in different directions. We all vowed to stay best friends, and keeping in touch... then we all just sort of drifted apart. Life has a way of doing that.


I have always admired, and felt a little jealous of people, who have been friends from birth, and are still best friends. Thats not me. I went off to school, and had the attitude of "don't let the door hit me on the way out!" I didn't attend any of my friends weddings-- in my defense most of them got married while I was on my mission. I did try hard to attend my friend Eleas' ( there in the middle with black hair) wedding in Michigan back in 2000. I tried. We were living in Chicago, and after I had sat in traffic for 2 hours with 2 screaming kids... I turned around and went home. I heard shes an attorney living in San Diego now.
Anyway.

Graduation. It's such an exciting time. If I could go back in time, I would tell my past self to not be in such a hurry to grow up. Keep those old friends... the time you have invested in them is worth something. And quit worrying so much. You really are OK, and everything will turn out just as it should.

"There's an old saying about those who forget history. I don't remember it, but it's good." - Stephen Colbert

It's the last day of school. Do you remember the sheer joy of that day? I do. Getting your yearbook. Having every single person in the entire school sign your book:"Have a great summer! Stay cute & call me! We'll do tons!"
Every.Single.Person. writes the same thing.
Did we mean it? Probably at the moment. But, did we do it? Heavens no. That would mean we were desperate for friends, wouldn't it?

Then, the walking all over town... invading the town really. Making it impossible for adults to drive anywhere because of the hoards of teenagers everywhere!

Thing 2 doesn't want anyone to know (so I am broadcasting it to internet land) that he is actually a little sad that its the last day. He loves his 3rd grade teacher, and she is retiring this year. He is so tender hearted! He loves his friends in his little class. He said that he will really miss his teacher and his classmates. Oh. How cute is that? Thing 1 on the other hand doesn't want to let the door hit her on the way out. She can't wait for school to be out today-- I'm not sure what she thinks this summer is going to hold for her... I am seeing lots of chores. (not really. ok. there WILL be chores. but not endless chores. unless she takes all! freaking! day! to do them...)

Anyway people. It is official. Summer has begun. The blissful days of sleeping in, sitting by the pool, reading until the cows come home and happy kids, holding hands singing kumbaya... Thats my dream summer. Whats yours?

Here's my random 10 Friday. Have a wonderful weekend!

1. Voice Inside My Head - Dixie Chicks
2. Hold You In My Arms - Ray Lamontagne
3. When The Stars Go Blue - Ryan Adams
4. Life Is A Highway - Chris LeDoux
5. Bella Luna - Jason Mraz
6. Hello Again - Dave Matthews Band
7. I'm Movin' On - Rascal Flatts
8. Thank U - Alanis Morisette
9. What Do You Do With A B.A. In English/It Sucks To Be Me! - Avenue Q Original Broadway cast *this is a great song!*
10. Where The Green Grass Grows - Tim McGraw

Bonus: Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

When I was telling my sister about this book that I was reading, she looked at me like I was crazy... why would you read something that sounds totally depressing? The truth is, the subject matter of this book is quite depressing, and yet Jeanette Walls has a way of making this depressing story be entertaining and at times quite funny. I found this book to be a wonderful reminder that we all have things to be grateful for.

I saw a documentary on this woman several years ago ( I tried to find a snippet of the documentary on the internet... but was unable to), and then read the book. I am actually quite glad that I did it backwards this time... I think I might have been a little skeptical had I not seen the show first. The documentary really made the book come to life for me...

I was astounded with the creativity these kids had to come up with to eat, stay warm and basically take care of themselves. In the movie, Jeanette takes the crew to walk along the train tracks where she would gather coal to heat her house . As she was walking along the tracks talking, she was absentmindedly picking up pieces of coal. She stopped and was really excited about a huge piece she found and she commented about how long that piece of coal would heat their home. She then showed them her home (?) from Welch, and holy cow! How does someone live in something like that? I mean really?! She then took them to see the various garbage cans they would forage through, and showed them the “best” garbage cans to get the best food. That right there is just astounding to me. She had such an amazing attitude about the whole thing. She had come to peace with her past and her “roots”. I heard her say that everyone has some sort of past, and you can either rise above it or let it control you. She chose to rise above it and be thankful for the experiences she has had. That to me is the gem of the entire book.

We all have reasons to moan and groan and complain; Reasons to get “stuck” and not progress. Jeanette shows us that it is entirely up to you, how you choose to view life. Her candor, and at times humor with her upbringing are astounding. I heard a quote once from a very famous woman in my church, she said: “I can either laugh or cry, and crying gives me a headache, and so I choose to laugh.” I think Jeanette chose to laugh as well. She realized that she COULD cry over her childhood, and not one person would begrudge her. She had it rough, and terrible. However, she chose to laugh and rise above it. Her childhood dose not define her. It helped to shape her, but it does not define her.

I loved this book. It was not only just a fascinating read, it also helped me to realize that I am ok. I am a good parent. I haven't let one of my kids fall out of the car, I didn't leave them with their insanely angry grandmother, and my children have never foraged for food... in dumpsters.( I better add-- they forage in the cupboards, but thats ok... right?!) This book helped me. I am a good parent. And really, Jeanette's parents did the best they could with what they were.

Alcoholism is a terrible demon to battle. And add mental illness into the mix, and you have a recipe for disaster. I really do think that some of her mothers issues were a direct result of her fathers alcoholism and his trying to kill her on several occasions. How could that NOT make you go just a little crazy? Hearing first hand experiences from my Mother on life with an alcoholic... I have greater respect not only for my own Mother, but also Ms. Walls. It is easy for us all to be judgmental and say we would do this and we would do that... when really we just don't know what we would do. My hats off to Ms. Walls, (and my Mom for that matter) for turning out so seemingly “normal”, and lacking in the emotional scars that seem to plague people with this kind of upbringing. I find her success, attitude and outlook on life amazing and inspiring.

I also found myself wondering about my children... Have I done enough to teach them how to work? Do they know the value of work? Or, are they lazy? I especially wonder this when my oldest was informed she needed to work to earn her ticket to see her cousins in Seattle this summer. You would have thought I told her she was going to have to donate her left eye to
charity.

Anyway.

I loved this book. It was a great read! I would, without hesitation, recommend this book to anyone. You will be so glad you read it!

Watch this interview with Ms. Walls. There are several others listed as well, here and here. They are quite insightful.

To read more great reviews of this book, go HERE. This is part of our online book group, and I am so glad to be apart of it! These women are fantastically smart, and you will come away wiser for the read.
Thanks girls!

"Yo Yo Yiggady Yo... " Juno the movie

I watched part of Juno this week. I still have to finish it, seeing how I feel asleep and all. It starts out a little startling; however, I really liked it. Mostly because of the way these silly teenagers talked.
It Schizzle badizzled me! Wizard!
If you want something light, and silly. This is it. It's sort of along the lines of Napolean Dynamite, but just a little more intelligent, and with actors that are more well known! (Go Justin Bateman! You still got it!)

We have all sorts of family get togethers over the next couple of weeks. My sister, ima10cow, is blessing their baby this weekend. Then we bless Moxie next weekend. I'm excited. She has the most AMAZING blessing dress! You will be speechless when I post those photos.
Really.
Its incredible.

I love the fact that my kids will come to me and tell me "So and so wants me to do this, but I don't want to. Will you tell me I can't so that I don't have to do it?" What parent wouldn't love that? Every single one of my kids does that.
Well.
Except Moxie.
Thing 1 wanted to stay home and hang out with us, and asked me to tell her she had to stay home and take care of her siblings.
Done.
Thing 2 didn't want to play with the boy that came over, and asked me to tell him that he needed to stay home.
Double done.
Thing 3 begged to go to her friends house.
Well.
I guess you can't win them all. Right?!?

I bought this baby wearing device from my sisters friend yesterday. My sisters baby LOVES it, and I thought I might be able to get more done if I got one for Moxie. I love it, and even better Moxie loves it! Remember that song from the 90's that had that line in it "everyone needs a Bosom for a pillow?" That song was totally written for Moxie.
Doesn't she look content??
Yeah. That's how she is.
All the time.

Have a wicked weekend, and don't be getting into any shenanigans!
What's your random 10, people?
You listening to anything good??

1. 19 Somethin' - Mark Wills
2. Get Out While You Can - Starsailor
3. Gotta Stay High - New Radicals
4. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (acoustic) - John Mayer
5. American Baby - Dave Matthews Band
6. Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
7. When The Sand Runs Out - Rascal Flatts
8. This Womans Work - Kate Bush
9. Complicated - Robin Thicke
10. Pinch Me - Barenaked Ladies

Bonus: Feels Like Tonight - Daughtry

I have been looking for a particular set of photos for Throwback Thursday today... but have not been able to locate them. My brain is tired from trying to remember where I saw them, ( i have been in the process of putting all of these photos into proper storage thingers) but no such luck yet. They are from my mission, and I really hope that I didn't loose them. I will be so sad. One of the photos in question, has been enlarged to a ridiculous size and is hanging on the wall of the missionary department at my churches headquarters. I was/am flattered... but how retarded will I look if I have to go down there and take a photo of Me?

Anyway.
Here were are... a more 'recent' Throwback Thursday. These photos are from my mission. (I served in the Washington, Spokane Mission from 1992-1994) For all my friends who are not of my faith, a mission is a voluntary thing that people can do. You pay your own way, and the boys go for 2 years and the girls go for 18 months (I actually served 19 months). The girls have to be 21 years old to be eligible to go, and the boys are 19 when they go. You do not get to pick where you go; you are assigned, and you go and teach people about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and render service where you can. It was a great time in my life! I had a wonderful time, and it was a lot of hard work. I never understood that scripture that says work with all your heart might mind and strength until I came home. I was pooped! I just wanted to sleep all the time. It truly was the best thing I had ever done! I do not regret it one bit, and I find myself reflecting on experiences I had there almost daily. It really did change my life, how I view life and how I choose to live my life.

I have been a faithful American Idol watcher this year. I usually only pick up watching it around the top 12... simply because I find the whole audition experience nauseating. I get so embarrassed for the people making fools of themselves that I have to actually change the channel. Or watch with my ears plugged singing my own la la la... However, this year I watched from beginning to end.

Last night we had all sorts of end of term projects that HAD to get done. (read:due today. dang teenagers!) I didn't want Thing 1 to be sidetracked with AI, so I taped it to watch later. She just got online and checked to see who won, but I again plugged my ears and sang my own la la la.

Everyone was nestled snug in their own little beds, and I settled into my bed to watch. I thought it was a great show. It was fun to see all of the top 12 there again... and I LOVED the guest artists they had. George Michael, I am ashamed to say, rocks my world.

I was happily watching, all the way predicting that Archie would win. He totally out sang Cook. Imagine my complete HORROR when the last image I see is this one, and the last thing I hear is "and the winner is David... "
The DVR quit recording.
QUIT RECORDING!
Let me say that one more time.
My DVR quit FREAKING recording.
Yes. I know. I missed the best part of the whole show. The whole reason we have been watching. To see who won.
It wouldn't have been so bad if there had been someone other than 2 Davids. Hearing the words "and the winner is David..." wouldn't have had quite the same effect as did with there being 2 Davids. You should have seen my face. My jaw dropped, and Jefe looked at me and started laughing his head off. I must have looked quite the sight! He said, I know who wins... so. I had to find out the winner of American Idol from Jefe. Which in and of itself isn't bad... its just not getting to see the reaction.
Ho. Hum

I have to agree with Simon. Either David would have been a great American Idol. Cookie is edgey, and Archie is awesome with the ballads. I still prefer Archies voice over Cooks, but whatever. They will both go REALLY far.

As I was watching one of the numbers with the top 6 men... I thought that Archie would be completely amazing in the Broadway show Jersey Boys!(the musical about the 4 seasons) Can't you see him singing "Who Loves you?" He would be amazing with that! Archie would be amazing in any Broadway show!

So. American Idol is over. Now we can find something else to obsess over.

Like Lost.

Thing 2: Mom, I had a nightmare last night.

Me: Oh no. You did? Why didn't you come get me? What did you do?

Thing 2: Oh. I woke up Thing 3 and told her I was scared. She said, "that's ok Thing 2, I get scared all the time." And I slept with her, holding her hand.

Me: (trying to keep the tears from showing) Ohh. Thats so great you have a sister to help you.

Thing 2: I know. Don't tell, but I really love her.

Thing 3: Mom, it was so fun today playing Thelma's cousin. He is SO cool. He does whatever I tell him to do, and he knows lots of Swear words.

Me: What? He knows swear words?

Thing 3: Yeah. He is really cool to play with.

Me: What kind of swear words did he say?

Thing3: Oh. You know. The usual.

Me: Umm. What are the usual swear words, Thing 3?

Thing3: Stupid (said whispering in my ear, cause she doesn't swear) We say dumb instead, right?!? (very long pause) Are you mad?

Me: Whew. No. Absolutely not!

I totally remember this little outfit. I remember being completely 100% stoked that I had my own set of cowboy boots. You see, I wanted to be a cowgirl (baby!) and spend my day riding horses. I was probably around 3 in this photo. I would have eat, slept and breathed horses... if it would have been at all possible. I was completely disgusted that my parents wouldn't let me have a horse in our backyard. It was a huge source of irritation for me. Luckily for me, I had several Uncles that had lots of horses that they would let me ride.

One of my earliest memories (read: 2-3 years old) is riding down the interstate, in the back of my parents Ford Ltd (sans seatbelt, mind you) and this song came on the AM radio. My Mom turned the radio up, and hollered out to me that *my song* was on. I can remember jumping up into the front of the car to sing along to the radio with my mom.

When I finally had all the words memorized, I would sing this song over and over and over...
All. The. Time.
I really did want to be a rhinestone cowboy. That was my whole life's ambition right there...

I still like cowboy boots... especially on my man. Oooo - Weeee... I'm telling you.
That's hot right there! (Jefe thinks otherwise!)
Anyway.
I guess I've outed myself now. I like most country music (along with pretty much every other kind of music there is), I still like boots.
And secretly, I still want to be that Rhinestone Cowgirl!

I am embarrassed to admit this little nugget... but here goes.
I like Kid Rock. (isn't that such a dirty little secret??)
Not all of his songs, granted. Some of them are pretty gross.
But. There are some that are just plain awesome. When he puts his mind to it, he is a pretty good artist.
He has this new song out that my sister, ima10cow, and I were sort of getting a little ga-ga over. We didn't know who was singing it, or even what it was called. I remembered the day that we heard in on the radio station, and roughly what time... so I scrolled through their play lists until I saw/heard a song that was our little baby.
Yeah.
I am TOTALLY digging this song (all summer long).
The sampling in this song is wicked awesome! He has sampled 2 songs... do you hear them? I had to actually do a little research to figure out exactly which ones he sampled.. but they are there. ( I promise ima10cow... there really are 2!)

Give it a listen and see what you think. If you hear the 2 songs, leave me a comment with the correct names of the 2 songs... I just may have a prize (read: gift card!) for you!

Raise your hand if hanging out at a PTA convention sounds boring.
Yeah.
I thought so.
I spent all day yesterday on the campus of BYU attending a statewide PTA convention. This is the 1st time I have been involved with this organization, and I think I went a little overboard-- I am on the board of not only the Elementary school, but the board of the Junior High school as well.
I know. I know.

My main reason for going? Well the food of course. We got to eat all sorts of great food-- on someone else's dime. Why would I not go? I would be bored yes... but bored on a very full, happy stomach!

Imagine my complete surprise when I ran into Jenny. I have known her pretty much my entire life. She lived, for a time, next door to my Uncle & Aunt, and we would play together when I would go to visit. We had were in the same 3rd grade class but 7th grade was when we became best friends. We both played the flute in the band, and we rode the ski bus together. I had never been skiing, and my parents *MADE* me ride the bus every Saturday to go skiing (yes. i know. poor picked on me!). I was such a shy kid, and I knew no one that was riding that bus except for Jenny. She took me under her wing, and was quite literally my savior that year. I was having such a difficult time with friends, making them, keeping them, and Jenny quite literally saved me from it all. We went skiing together for years.(every Saturday from 7th through 10th grades). I have so many memories that involve her. From getting dropped off at various concerts-- Howard Jones, Chicago...
yes.
DROPPED OFF.
Can you imagine now doing such a thing? I know. We went to many a concert together, and swam together, and chased silly, stupid boys together.
Her grandma lived around the corner from me, and we would hang out every time she came to see her grandma. She spent many a day at my home, she was like another sister in our home. We were best friends all through Junior High School and our Sophomore year in high school. We were always there for each other, and good friends--- we just started getting involved in different things. But, I always thought of her as my best friend, even though we had other friends. Make sense? I always knew that she was there for me... whenever I needed her, and vice versa.

The second time she saved me was after we graduated from high school, and she *MADE* me go to the singles ward with her. She actually came to my house, got me out of bed and waited while I got dressed to go to church with her. She did that for several weeks until I could drag my lazy butt there on my own. She saved me from myself again. And I feel so grateful for her impact in my life.

After she got married, and I went on my mission, we lost touch. I would often think about her, and even a few times tried to Google her. I had really wanted to re-connect... but was at a loss as to how to find her.

Well.
I found her at the PTA convention. We sat and visited (much to the annoyance, i am sure of the other class attendees) and laughed, giggled and caught up on the last 15 years!! I am thrilled that I found her again!! I hope that we can re-connect and stay in touch this time. She was such an important part of my childhood, it would be nice to have a friend in my life that knows me, and will accept me... flaws and all.

We were both lost. But now we're found.
(And that was cheesy).

Some things have to be believed to be seen. - Ralph Hodgson

What a lovely day it is this morning already. I woke up to birds singing... what a wonderful way to wake up! It is supposed to be around 79 today.
79!!
Hallelujah! Praise Allah! Pass the eggnog!
I think a park visit will be in order... So Thing 3 can ride like the wind on her new 2 wheel bike. Well, its not new, but she has learned how to ride without training wheels... needless to say she has found a new freedom... and a new love.

But, first things first. What's your Random 10 Friday folks?
Have a lovely,fun filled warm day!

1. The Little Things - Colbie Caillat
2. Cold Roses - Ryan Adams
3. Mr. Curiosity - Jason Mraz
4. I Melt - Rascal Flatts
5. Violet Hill - Coldplay
6. Flowers - New Radicals
7. Medicate the Kids - Gavin DeGraw
8. So Hard - Dixie Chicks
9. I Want You To Want Me - Chris Isaak
10. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

Bonus: Love Is A Losing Game - Amy Winehouse

This is my Grandma... my Dad's mom. She died while I was on my mission, and it was really difficult for me. Right before she died, she sort of lost her mind a little bit. She would call my sister, islandmom, Trixie and I was Felicia. We thought that was hysterical... and my sister called me that for YEARS... sometimes still does. We would refer to those names as our "lady of the night names"... that is until my Dad informed us that those 2 names were the names of his horses.
Uhh. Ok?!
My Grandpa, My Dad's Dad. He had the greatest sense of humor. He would always tell me that he took Hay to bed with him. Every night. Then I was supposed to ask why, and he would say "why to feed my Charlie horses and your grandma's night mares." He wrote poems, and riddles and jokes. Recently, one year for Christmas, my Dad had all of Grandpa's writings typed and put into book form. I read it from cover to cover in 1 day. It is my treasure. At his funeral, my Dad told all of his favorite poems that Grandpa had written. He was always cold, so he would wear these wool long sleeved shirts and hide under his afghan. Even in the middle of the 100 degree summers.
My Grandpa died my senior year in high school, on Halloween. We all thought that was fitting because he was such a prankster. My Grandma had fallen 2 days before and broke her hip... and Grandpa died 2 days later... I really think he thought my Grandma had died, and died of a broken heart. I remember staying with him the night before he died until my Dad could get there. He slept a lot, and kept waking up to ask if my Dad was there yet. I really think he was waiting for him. He would smile and pat my hand and tell me he loved me and my Dad very much, then go back to sleep.

Right before my Grandma died, my Dad was video taping everyone to send to me on my mission... he had her say something and she quoted this particular hymn. My Dad says that he took her to church, and she would mostly sleep, but then again before she died, she wanted to bear her testimony. My Dad wheeled her up, and again, she quoted this particular hymn. Needless to say, it is one of my favorites.

Hymn # 240 Know This That Every Soul Is Free
Know this, that every soul is free
To choose his life, and what he'll be;
For this eternal truth is giv'n
That God will force no man to heav'n

He'll call persuade, direct aright,
And bless with wisdom, love and light,
In nameless ways be good and kind,
But never force the human mind.

Freedom and reason make us men;
Take these away, what are we then?
Mere animals, and just as well
The beasts may think of heav'n or hell.

May we no more our pow'rs abuse,
But ways of truth and goodness choose;
Our God is pleased when we improve
His grace and seek his perfect love.

I won this from my friend Michelle (she really is my friend. I've known her since like birth.) She had a give away on her blog from her etsy shop. These dolls are adorable, and the cards are amazing! I can't wait until I have a reason to use them! Go check out her site... I am thinking I want to buy some more of those dolls, cause Thing 3 is in HEAVEN!

Then imagine my surprise when I got another email saying I had won my friend Tiffany's give away on her blog from her etsy shop... It was this little package. Needless to say, I was estactic.

It was from my friend Tiffany... she too is a childhood friend. I stumbled onto her blog recently, and she makes these hand painted love boxes! I had admired them from afar, but after getting this in the mail I have to say that I am STUNNED at the beauty of these little boxes. The detail is incredible, and I can not even begin to imagine the amount of time she puts into every single box and every single detail!
They are absolutely stunning. The photos do not do this little box justice! It is incredible!

My first memory of Tiffany is trick or treating at her home. She and her siblings took us into their basement to go through their haunted house. Her father has a very, very deep voice, and he acted as "the tour guide... the creepy tour guide"(remember I was like 6... so everything is creepy to a 6 year old!) I remember we had to put our hands in a bowl of spaghetti, peeled grapes and other such scary things. We couldn't have our candy until we finished the haunted house. She was also my locker partner in high school, and I recently found all the old notes that she and I used to write to each other (yes. I am a pack rat); her Father was my stake president, and issued my call to serve my mission for my church.
Anyway.
There is history here. It has been wonderful to reconnect with her and I am thrilled to have won this little box, but not only the box, but my favorite candy on the this whole planet!! AND to find out this candy has only 100 calories??... Aww. Can you imagine my sheer joy??

Anyway. I won these fabulous gifts from some very old friends of mine. Go check out their shops... you won't regret it!

I have a bunch of stuff rambling around in my brain screaming to be let out... either that or its the crazylady rattling her cage... either way hang on, cause its purging time!

Moxie is only 2 months old and after 1 week home we had to run out and purchase a giant stash of binkies. She only likes the giant green plug kind... you've seen them, I'm sure. Jefe bought 8 packages of binkies. We thought "surely this will be enough binkies to get us through to the millenium" (there were 2 in each package!) Ohhh. NOooo... you would be SO wrong. Where do those stinking binkies go?? I don't understand it. We are down to the last 2 binkies... and its only been 6 weeks. Seriously people. Even with those handy dandy new fandangled clipy things, we have still lost them. I think someone is stealing them!

I have this basket full of socks. Most of the socks don't have mates. Where do the missing socks go? Really. My kids have taken to making hand puppets with the socks with no mates... My favorite is how the Great Salt Lake got made. (did you know that it involved wrestling?)

How does my house go from spotless when I go to bed to filthy dirty when I wake up? Are my children having secret parties while I sleep? Or is the dog inviting all her doggie friends over for a bash? I really don't understand it. I work hard all day to clean my house (someone asked if that to do list from last week was a day list or week list... it was my day list. I know. Scary), and seriously, when I wake up in the morning its been trashed. How does this happen??

I'm starting to see a pattern here...
It seems that I have a problem with gnomes... how does one go about de-gnoming their house? Cause this is getting a little ridiculous!

I want to get a couple of these retro phones to put in the various phone jacks I have around here. Why? Because retro is cool, and these are awesome! Wouldn't that be fun to see sitting on your kitchen counter? No?
Well, how about MY kitchen counter? Yes!
Besides, we still do have power outages, and a solid land line would be nice (instead of one that is plugged into electricity!)

My sister, islandmom, has a wicked sense of humor! (in teenage speak that means awesome!)
She got my dad one of THESE for his birthday one year. We had a total blast with it. He would have people call his cell phone and ask for the person sitting next to him and then he would hand the phone over to that person. I swear. It was the funniest thing I have seen in a LOONnnnggg time! Can you imagine the fun you could have with this?
Good times.
Yeah.
Good times.

Have you seen Jenna Bush's wedding photos?
Wowzers!
She is beautiful.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Bush clan-- hey! i'm a poet, and didn't know it!-- but she made an amazingly beautiful bride. On this same subject, did you hear Dubya's speech he gave at the white house correspondents dinner? I have to admit that I laughed at that one! Not because he was a dork, but because he was VERY funny. I have to admit, he does have a sense of humor, that one. Did you see the dinner where he had the bush impersonator come and speak WITH him?
Yeah.
Funny.

I hate arguing with my dog. It's difficult enough to have kids that want to express their opinions-- hourly. But, to have a DOG do the same?? Thats obnoxious. I found myself, this morning, arguing with crazy boxer dog. I wanted her to go outside to use the potty. When I told her to go outside, she immediately ran into her room. Yes. She does have her own room.

Technically, its my office, but she has commandeered the window seat in there... thus we call the room the dogs room. If I'm honest with you, its rather nice for her to have her own room. When the doorbell rings, she barks and runs to her room. When people come over, we tell her to "run to your room crazy boxer dog" and she does. This is also the same room that she ate the blinds in... because I forgot to raise them.

I do the Elementary school choir, and its held at 7:30 in the morning 2x a week. When I forget to pull the blinds in the dogs room... she gets a little upset. She wants to see out the window at the passing world. I guess I forgot to pull the blinds 1 too many times, because she ate the blinds.
Dumb dog.
Which leads me to my next gripe about the dog... What would compel a dog to eat a tape dispenser AND hot glue sticks? In the same day?!
I mean really.
Thats just weird.

Mom's.

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a Mom. And further, what this whole Mother's Day thing is all about. I have come to the conclusion that really, Mother's Day is about teaching Children to show love to their Mothers. I have come to this conclusion by default actually. Let me explain.

I loved Mother's Day when I was a kid. I loved making things for my mom, writing her letters and telling her how wonderful she is. My sisters and I would try to make the day special for her... and then when Monday rolled around, we would go back to "normal". Being the silly, drama ridden girls that we were.

When I "grew-up" Mother's Day became sort of a painful day. I felt like I was not measuring up, ever, to that imaginary stick that was being placed next to me. I hated going to church and hearing about all the other Mothers, and all the amazing things they were doing. For me, keeping my head above water was sometimes more than I could manage. Going to church and hearing all the "ode to mothers" did not have the affect on me that I think the Men were wanting. I hated going. I hated the guilt. I knew what I wasn't doing, and hearing all the stuff that others WERE doing, made me feel guilty and very very sad.


Last year, my sisters, Mother and I went on vacation together for Mother's Day. It was a formal protest to the holiday, and it was a wonderful weekend spent just hanging out... with no guilt. I mentioned this fact to Jefe, and said that I wished I could be there again this year, because I hated Mothers Day. He said, but you weren't with any of the people who this day is for.

That's when it hit me.

This Day, this celebration of Mothers, really isn't about Me. It is about my Children. Helping them to remember, appreciate and to vocalize it.

Realizing this fact, and changing the way I think about Mother's day has helped significantly.

So.
I found this song, In My daughters Eyes, by Martina McBride. I love this song. It makes me tear up whenever I hear it sung. It says so beautifully how I feel about my children. But, the thing that I have realized is my own mother has those same feelings for me, and my sisters. When I listened to the song, trying to see it from her perspective... Well. It made me quite weepy.



I have been going through the old photos of my childhood, and seeing my Mothers eyes hit me with the fact that she had the same feelings, hopes and desires for me as a small baby, child and adolescent that I do for my children. I can look in My Mother's eyes and see my eyes... Just the same as when I look in my daughters eyes.



My Mother is a beautiful woman who is very talented. She is extremely dedicated to her beliefs. She has a firm testimony of The Lord and His plan. She loves her children and grandchildren fiercely, and does it the very best way that she knows how. I know that I haven't taken the time to appreciate her for her goodness as much as I should. And for that, I am sorry.

I love my Mother. There is nothing that she cannot do. Jefe jokes that she is the renaissance woman. If she wants something done... she just does it. She doesn't wait around for someone to help her, or show her how she just figures it out and does it.

I went off to school one day with my house looking one way and came home to walls ripped out, carpet gone, and new walls put up. She can build anything, make anything grow, out sew the best designers, and cook better than Rachael Ray.

So, this post is for you Mom (even though I know you don't read my blog). In my eyes you are a hero... A hero that is strong and wise.

I hope that in my own daughters eyes they will feel the same.

You are a good Mother, Mom and I love you.

I think Superman should go on the Larry King show and announce that he would come back to life if people in all 50 states wanted him to. - Dave Barry

I am crazy busy today. Thats good. It keeps me out of trouble. And away from the food!

I have all sorts of posts rumbling around in my brain. Some are written, some are just ideas. I find myself constantly writing stuff in my mind. While I do the dishes, formulating ideas, putting my thoughts to words... Finding better words . While I am driving, I think of things that I would like to tell the universe (send me a million dollars please!). I am constantly working on some sort of post in my brain. Then I have to finally just sit down and write them all out, so that I can think clearly. It's weird, I know. But, I hear the words rumbling around... waving their hands crazily as if to get my attention and vomit them out.
Eww.
That was a gross metaphor.

My cousin & I were chatting last night about blogging. She was telling me that she keeps her camera with her where ever she goes (yeah. me too) and I confessed that I have started keeping a notebook handy so that when something funny happens, or a thought pops into my brain... I can write it down to use later to blog. I'm old. So, I totally forget these amazing ideas that pop into my brain (at least they are amazing to me).

I can't keep track of stuff, and keeping lists is sort of my "thing". I will get up in the morning, and do a ton of stuff, THEN go make a list so that their is already stuff to cross off. It makes me feel more productive... and it acts as a motivator. "Wow. look at all the stuff I already got done! I totally rock today!" Then I move on to another project. It's weird, but it works.

What's on your list today?? Hopefully, its playing random 10 Friday with me!
De-lurk and post your random 10 from your MP3 player... the first 10 songs that come up on random play. It's fun! Comment if you play!

1. La La La La Lemon - Barenaked Ladies
2. Last Dollar (Fly Away) - Tim McGraw
3. One - U2
4. Don't Drink The Water (Live) - Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
5. Simplify - Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband
6. Closer To Free - The BoDeans (they're on Prairie Home Companion this weekend! Its our favorite way to spend a Saturday night!)
7. Walk Forever By My side - The Alarm
8. Gravity - Sara Bareilles
9. Cecilia - Simon & Garfunkel
10. Bless The Broken Road - Rascal Flatts

Bonus: Home - Daughtry

It's Throwback Thursday again. I have such a hard time picking which photo I want to use. Then I get sidetracked, looking at the photos... remembering. It's always fun to walk down memory lane. I picked 2 groups today. The first on is this photo of me on my 2nd birthday. Now, what it is that caught my eye are the 2 little dolls. A blue little boy doll and a yellow little girl doll. I got a little excited when I saw this photo...


These dolls survived me, my sisters and now are lovies for my girls. The girls love to play with them... and put them with all the stuffed animals. They are the perfect size to be the zoo keeper at Thing 3's zoo... and soon Moxies zoo too!



My Dad looks like he's about 12 here. (why do all the photos from the 70's have the parents holding the babies like this?) Thing 3 wanted to know who that guy was holding Moxie... when I told her it was her Pappy, and he was holding me... She started laughing and walked out the door. I don't think she believed me. I pointed out to Thing 1 that this was her Pappy... she YELLED "Pappy!! Holy Cow!" That made me laugh. It's fun to see the kids reactions to photos of me & Jefe. I think that they think we were always old, and that we really don't know what its like to be their age. Its good for them to see us as children, and hear "our stories". You know?!
That clock back there totally steals the show... I think I want one for MY wall!

To be able to have these photos, and write the stories and memories that I have of them, is priceless. I wish I could get my parents to keep a blog, with all the old photos. I would love to hear the stories that go with all of them. Someday, they (my parents) will be gone, and all we will have is a box of photos that we know nothing about. And that, my friends, will be a tragedy!

Since we are down to the final 4, and they each get to sing twice, I decided that I would post the 2 songs that I liked the most. They could be from the same artist, or not.
But first I just have this to say... Randy!
WTH??!
You made her cry. Dirt bag!

OK. I feel better now.

Now, all I have to say is this:
Dude! David ARCHULETA!


Holy Windpipes, Batman!!
That boy can sing. Seriously sing.
His voice is like butter! Butter, I'm telling you!




Is it weird that I totally want this 17 year old to come and sing me to sleep at night? Not in some creepy, weird stalker way either.

update: thank heavens all those silly 6th grade girls either were in bed, or they finally got a clue, and sent Jason packing. That one was a no-brainer!
whew.