Being Mom

Some days, many in fact, are challenging. I won't lie to you. There are times, lately, I envision myself on a warm beach somewhere...anywhere, 

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I don't seem to care, drinking a virgin pina colada. And as one ends, the beach waiter (like in Mexico) brings me another. I just sit there, doing nothing. Not even reading. Just enjoying the sun on my skin and the drink in my hand. I'm just me for awhile. 

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No one yelling my name to get me this, or asking where is that, or blaming me for something they couldn't do on their own and, for some unknown reason beyond my understanding, I should'v known and been there to help, prevent mistakes or make things work out. But then reality hits.

 I'm back in my own busy, chaotic, hectic, crazy, on call 24/7 life. And I realize, that if I did leave, I might never return, 

                            and how that would be a shame. Because truly. 

          I'm where I want to be. I'm happy being Mom. No matter what that entails.

She Wears Curlers

 Is that a song? She wears Curlers? If it isn't, it ought to be. Sounds like a good one to play when a girl's getting ready, huh? The other day we I found some velcro type curlers at the thrift store. If you know me well, you know I love a good thrift shop trip. I found them so cheap, all of them were there, and they looked like they may have been used once. So for about 2 whole bucks, I got 'em.

                                                  Alyssa had said she wanted to try them.

 I thought Steve was going to roar with laughter when he walked by the bathroom and saw what I was doing.

The next thing I knew, he was showing me an old "for strength of youth" pamphlet that said that girls shouldn't leave the house wearing hair rollers. He was laughing because of how times have changed. 

 I have to admit it brought back memories of Sunday nights as a child. We would sit and watch love boat as my mother would roll my hair in sponge rollers. If they came out in the night, I would walk to her room in the dark to re-roll them. She was amazing! 

The girls got impatient with the process and asked for me to take them out before they ever dried, so I don't have any "after pix" for you. Let's just say, I don't think they will be doing it again. Sponge rollers are much nicer. (These ripped the hair upon removal-accompanied with a lot of screaming and crying. Poor girls!). 

I gotta say, though, it was worth the pictures! 

What They Say Wednesday

"I spy my little eye, Apple Jacks!"

                                                                                                                                      ~Amy

"I'm going to be a fairy when I grow up."
                                               

                                                                                            ~Amy

Girl Time

There was a time when the Father and Sons outing would come along that I would bide my time alone. I never really thought it would be different, but fantasized having a couple girls to enjoy the night with. I just couldn't see the future. I wouldn't have been able to wait had I known that these two darlings would be a part of my life, making my girls' night alone so much more special.

We started out the night with a trip to the store and picked up this fun and princess girly tea set.

Then we went to the dollar store and picked up the girls' favorite treats:

And had a fun night including a tea party, nail painting and Barbie movie watching {not pictured, we were having to much fun to remember to take pix ;)}. 

It was the BEST "girl time" I've EVER HAD.

I look forward to more in the future!

July 4th- with 7 camping guidelines

There are certain traditions we just can't (or don't want to) get away from. We have a few of those on the 4th of July. Every year we decorate the children's bikes and head out to the flag raising and ward breakfast. 

In the past, Bryon has been the one to decorate the bikes with the children. I was worried this year and new we would miss his help and enthusiasm. As it turns out, though, Alyssa pulled through. I didn't have to worry about a thing! She decorated she and Amy's bikes and paraded that parking lot in 

 STYLE!

 I thought she had Amy looking like Ms. Liberty.

 Michael enthusiastically helped Amy around that parade. 

 Justin took off so quickly, I never could get a still shot of him. It was a lot of fun to watch the children enjoy their traditional ritual. 

We left a little after the breakfast to Newport, which we had done a couple years ago. We decided this time to camp at South Beach and watch the fireworks from the pier again. I told Steve that if we are to camp, we are to do it my way. Anyone that knows me well, knows that I'm no happy camper. The majority of my experiences have been poor, to say the least. Steve was willing to do just about anything to help me have a positive experience. I really appreciate that, because this time I truly walked away wanting to do it again! 

Here are the steps to a good camping experience:

1. Have somebody willing to go ahead, set up camp before you arrive-The boys came up ahead of us, so by the time we got to the campsite they had the tent almost up. Steve helped them finish the job. 

2. Only take food that is easy to prepare- Steve and the children roasted hot dogs and had them in buns with ketchup and mustard. My feeling is, if you can't cook it over the fire with ease, why are you taking it camping? 

I couldn't eat hot dogs without a penalty on my feel great in 8 challenge, so I prepared chicken shish-kabobs before hand. They were all wrapped in foil and ready to go on site. They were OH, SO GOOD!

3. Have fun-We enjoyed some time together and roasted s'mores after we ate dinner. 

Amy is Tyler's little shadow when we go places. She loves her big brother!

4. Enjoy the scenery-While we were sitting on the dock, Tyler told me to look at the boat. We were amazed to see a boat named the same EXACT name as our cute daughter Alyssa. Isn't that cool?! We wouldn't have noticed this had we not been enjoying our surroundings. 

5. Have fun- While waiting for the fireworks, the children made goofy faces and goofed around with each other.

Notice the guy in the background, he even got involved!

 6. Have activities prepared- When the children got wrestless, we always had an activity to capture their interest, first it pictures, then pop-its, then it was mini snickers (after clean up), glow sticks came after dark, potty trips

                                                      after which the fireworks began.

 7. Do things you all enjoy- Nothing like a good smooch with your honey...

eating candy...

 and taking your own fun photos. 

 Follow these guidelines and you are sure to have a wonderful camping experience!

Que valle bien!;)

Learning through illness

I have had a great deal of learning in the last two weeks. With all the busy going on and all the desire to get things done, I fell sick two weeks ago today. You'd think that by now I would be well, but I'm not. The symptoms have only been added upon, making it difficult to do much more than to rest and do the minimum required, and I don't mean a load of laundry and dishes. I mean getting a child dressed and then doing their hair after a 15 min. break. 

 It all started with a cough and congestion, two days flat in bed. Feeling like I was on the mend by one week's time, I figured it ran it's course. Amy and Steve had it as well and I had taken Amy in for an ear infection she ended up having in both ears. She woke up today announcing she felt good.

 I see this as a positive thing. Steve had two days where he was weak, so he went to bed early. He never takes time off, so that wasn't so unusual. He has to cough and spit a lot. It's become the norm around here for all of us. The chorus grows in voices each day. It's nice to have someone that has overcome it and left it behind (Amy). I felt good enough on Mon. to think I could go on my regular walk.

 It left me drained, so I took it easy the rest of the day. Tues. I started vomiting and diarrhea together with a migraine (which thankfully my neighbor gave me medicine for that kicked it). As of three days ago, I was down 7 lbs. The symptoms let up a little here and there, making me think it would go away, only to realize I was wrong. It's disappointing and often difficult to get through a day. I decided one day that I was weak due to undernourishment, although I've been able to keep down plenty of water. Standing for 3-5 min. is the max for me, so I started trying to eat more and regularly after a blessing Steve gave me told me I'd know what to eat. Turns out, I do. Problem is, my stomach hurts for at least an hour afterwords and it's everything I can do to make it stay down. 

The reason I'm telling you all of this is that I'm learning to enjoy the little things. I'm learning that when I look into my children's faces when they speak, and enjoy what they have to say, I find true joy. Complete, true, joy is something that isn't experienced all too often in this life. I don't believe we will really know it until we reach the other side, having completed our work here on this earth. But it is found in the quiet moments that are not rushed. Although this has been a challenge, I'm grateful to be reminded that it is the smaller things that bring us true happiness.

 I'm so caught up in the big things so much of the time, that I tend to forget to take time out and just enjoy each and every treasure the Lord has set before me each and every day. 

Hydrangea picking (left to right: Amy, Alyssa, Jalihya)

What a gift.