A Better Day...

I hadn't seen my sweet heart for a few days and we were reunited today. So happy to be together. We took the kids to an amazing Science museum! They were crying when we left 3 hours later! Tired tonight. Guess I didn't fully recover yet from the stomach flu that affected my south side! Now I have a headache too. But I did have a delightful day! So I am grateful for that and being back together with my sweetheart.

Happy Birthday Grandma Goudy/Nash (She would have been 90 this year...I miss her!)

P.S. A.W. & D.P. thanks for the love! I miss you and hope I can see each of you soon!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Oh NO!!!

Sick, Sick, Sick..
Bleh!!!
Hope I feel better soon!
Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Orange is in the air...

Yesterday (Sept 27, 2010) was a funny school day...
We started art journals...
We listened to spooky music...
The children did a "spook house" for us...
And we learned about the life cycle of the pumpkin...
My kind of day!!!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!


HAPPY FALL!!! (TODAY...SEPT. 28, 2010)
Fall was my mother's favorite time of year. She loved California but missed having seasons (she grew up in Kansas). She was most in her element when she could go to the East Coast to see her brother (My Unlce Tommy), enjoy the fall leaves, bask in the crisp evenings and hug her niece. Things are slower where he moved to, and people actually do sit on back porches and chop wood, string peas and chat. The Piggly Wiggly serves nothing healthy, but it is so yummy and there is a sense of community. Neighbors know one another and care about one another. I have enjoyed the visits there so much and hope someday to take my children to visit. Mother loved each of us kids (for those who don't know our family well, many she acquired as teenagers...but her love was endless and knew no boundaries.)

This is naturally why fall and the change (which hasn't happened yet in California) of weather and leaves always takes me back to mom. I think of hot chocolate, which we never ran short on, mom kept boxes of it in the pantry. The smell of halloween, cinnamon, pumpkins comes to mind. She threw some of the best halloween parties. Pumpkin carving, Bobbing for apples, witches brew, and ghoulish treats where the menu of the day. Laughter and spooky music. Even the year before her death she dressed up for, and amazingly got my father too as well. Then they took grandchildren trick or treating. What a fun memory. And when I look at the pictures of my two pirate parents I smile.

This time of year is when our church does something called General Conference. We are instructed by church leaders about matters like coming closer to Christ, being better mothers and fathers, wives and husbands. We are taught to be aware of our behaviors and to be the kind of friend we want others to be to us. The simple truths of the scriptures are expounded to us every 6 months, OCTOBER, and APRIL..and then of course every week at church as well. But October conference was especially close to mom's heart. She loved times with my oldest sister, going to conference instead of just watching the satelite broadcast. Her Cedar Breaks trip with my sister and brother in law and the times she had traveling with one of her best friends, LP, were found memories to her.

I hope my children will be able to remember the happy halloween, Thanksgiving and fall memories that their grandmother established for them and I hope that they will continue in the festivities and make new ones as well. Happy Fall everyone!

What reaches you?

The human is such an interesting creature...

Unlike the rest of the animal kingdom, our array of emotions is so wide spread. We feel love, hate, sorrow, gratitude, exhaustion, exilaration, happiness, sadness...and so on. Sometimes we clog up, close off and don't allow ourselves to feel anything. Other times we feel so much that we can't control it...it just bubbles over and out of us...anger, laughter, tears...both the sad and the joyful kind.

When I think of my mother I often experience this bubbling over of emotions. The tears still flow and this January she will have been gone from this earth 3 years. But usually I am not crying because I am depressed, or falling apart. Usually the tears follow something wonderful, like my daughter's baptism, a son's birthday party or some memorable event that she would have been to, were she physically present. I miss her. I miss her tender hugs and just cuddling up to her...which YES I still did at 35. Sometimes when Darling husband worked late and she stayed over we would lay in bed and hold hands and talk. I love those times, and when I think of them now a tear forms. It forms because of the gratitude that wells up in me that I had those opportunities, and it forms because I know it will be a long time before she and I are together again, at least I HOPE that my time on this earth is much longer to raise my own children.

Thinking and feeling, acting and reacting can separate us from the rest of the animal kingdom. And then there are the times we lose control and act like nothing more than animals. We degrade and tear down and we might as well be beasts, fighting in the jungle in the survival of the fittest. As I look at my life, the older I get, the more determined I am that I want to do better, be better. And though I am a "back slider" at times, I am trying. Even if it is two steps forward, one step back, at least I am making some ground.

Today I had the bubbling over emotion. We were sitting in Sunday School and discussing Isaiah. For those familiar with the Old Testament, he is no easy read. But I love Isaiah. I love the metaphors and descriptions that he uses. I love his passion for testifying of Christ. As we spoke of this my eyes welled up with tears. Do I have that kind of passion for my testimony? Am I willing to shout it from the house tops and not worry whom I offend? Well, I don't want to offend anyone, but I do hope my friends and loved ones know, I am firm in my faith that God our Heavenly Father, and his Beloved Son Jesus Christ love us...ALL OF US...Yes, that is right, the Muslim and the Christian, Black and White, Bond and Free...ALL ALIKE UNTO GOD. I love that. I am not perfect, but I do love freely and without reservation. I hope my friends will always feel that love, and not just the friends that share my faith, but all my friends. I love that bubbling over emotion, which I believe often is a fruit of the Spirit (Holy Ghost) that reminds us, we are human, this experience is real, and we are God's children and he is very close. I am so grateful for those deep feelings, even the ones that make me cry...because they remind me who I am, where I came from and where I hope to go after this life.

For those reading this that know me...KNOW THIS...you are loved so much! On my love you can rely!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

The Joy of Family Time...

Today is going to be brief. I am so grateful for family. I am especially grateful to be able to see some of my family this week that I don't usually get to see. Happy Times, laughter, stories, discussion, ideas, good food, good dessert...

Oh, the joy of family! FUN TIMES!

I am most blessed!

If only all my family lived in the same state like my husband's family. I am so jealous and I don't think they realize how very lucky that is!

Family: Isn't it about time?

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

The Hike

2010 09 24...Yesterday's blog...too tired to write last night...

Yesterday we went on an adventure with our friends. We drove to a wonderful hiking spot and tootled around while we waited for two of the 10 children we had with us to wake up...then we went on a cute little hike, which included crossing streams and small rivers. Eight years ago this mommy wouldn't have done it...but after raising a daughter that loves mud and four dirty boys on wheels...I finally plunged into the river with both feet in my new nikes. What a joy it was to watch these children tromp through the forest. I was singing the tune from Peter Pan inspite of the fact I only know a few of the words and that I should limit my singing to the shower. Tee Dum Tee Dee....These are the words we sing... We're following the leader, the leader, the leader, we're following the leader because he told us so.

Oh the joys and the carefree bliss of being young or young at heart. My three year old hestitated to put his hands in some mud at the end of the journey. But after some cheering and encouragement on my part, he finally plunged in both hands and rose with fists full of mud. He even slung some onto his sister which produced shreaks from her and outbursts of laughter from the two mommies in our little parade. I am so grateful to be a mother and to have a good mommy example...My friend has taught me that mud washes out and things get clean again, but memories of times like that never fade. They are etched in the hearts and minds of our little ones. I hope they will emulate this behavior one day and encourage their own children to play, get dirty and have a great deal of fun! (Thank you my friend for the lessons!)

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Lions and Tigers and Bears OH MY!

Well...not really...
But lots of monkeys, elephants, and other ZOO animals. We had a great adventure at the zoo today. I think the bats made my hair on my neck stand up. And the smell in the snake enclosure about knocked me over. But other than that what a great day it was with my kids and our good friends. We must be crazy, between us there was 9 little children. But watching them oh and awe...was so fun!
Great day!
Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow...or hail will do...

We Southerners don't get a whole lot of drastic and extreme weather. But occasionally I get away from my four wall abode and out into the big world. On one such trip we packed for a beautiful leave to a couple states away to see family and friends. The 10 day forecast was supposed to be between 75 and 85 degrees. Someone forgot to notify mother nature. The morning after our arrival it began to pour. Planning for hikes and trips to museums started to look glum. But then mother nature sent us some fun. Hail, Hail and MORE HAIL came pouring from the sky. My children and their playmates were scooping it up and having a great time. It was being piled on the trampoline and new games were invented. What started out as a wrench in our plans ended up being quite an exciting adventure via Mother Nature. So thank you for the surprise.

It just goes to show, it doesn't matter, where you are, or what the weather is like, if you are with people you love and have a good attitude you can make the most of a sticky or in this case COLD situation!
*And to my friend going hunting soon, Love you, be safe, and I hope for good weather! ;)
So make it a GOOD DAY! Only YOU can!

What a difference a day makes

There are days I wonder why I homeschool
There are days I wonder why I exist
There are days I don't sleep good at night
There are days that every sound out of my children's mouths sounds like screaming, even when it isn't.
There are days when I just want to hide in my room with starbucks hot chocolate and a book
There are days when I remember how easy college and single life was (even though it seemed hard then)
There are days that I look back and remember how easy having just ONE child was...and though I wouldn't change anything and adore my children, I laugh at myself for thinking THAT was hard.
There are so many days...
But what a difference a day makes when my sweetheart gives me a gift I really want
My Daughter writes me the best Mommy love note
My Darling sons behave, tell me that they love me
Darling #4 Repeats over and over how much he loves Jesus
And Darling#5 looks at me with that cute little smile that lights up my world...

That are DAYS! And some times "those" days get me down...
But what a difference a day can make!!!
So make it a great day! Only YOU can!!!

The gift...

Let me start by saying thank you for reading. If you are here and reading my little rantings from day today, it means a lot to me. Since my 2nd child was born I have battled with depression. My mood goes up and down. I usually do better when I have healthy food in my body and a good exercise routine going...but I am human and a mother of five so often it is drive thru and the exercise I get chasing children...

Life at best is often difficult. In the past SEVEN years since our sweet and Darling #2 has been born I have had many things happen that would make a girl a little down...

I have had a miscarriage (and though it was the year after #2 was born and I have been blessed with three children since then, it is funny that the memory and hurt of that still lingers a little).

I went through my parents getting divorced...

Then remarried! Long and strange story...

Then my mom being re-diagnosed with breast cancer.

Then a fabulous year before her decline.

A brother moving away.

Our mother past away.

Now that could get a girl a little down.

But since then let me tell you just a few of my joys:

A sister and I who had let our relationship slip were reunited.

My brother moved yet again (but closer and many of us siblings

have seen each other in the past two years).

I have had 3 more beautiful children, bringing our total to 5 amazing blessings.

I have grown more deeply in love with my husband through each passing day and week. That doesn't mean we get along perfect, so if you are having a bad husband day, don't get down on you...unless it is your fault...then say sorry and move forward ;)

I have seen weddings, cried at funerals, welcomed nieces and nephews into the world...

I have had family reunions, and park days, beach days, trips to visit loved ones.

I have witnessed my oldest child make a commitment to follow Christ and be baptized.

I could go on and on...but I think that you can see, my joys outweigh my sorrows.

There was once a hallmark commercial that talked about how a person goes to dozens of birthday parties, a hand full of weddings and a couple funerals in their life. Maybe it is because of our strong religious ties, our deep friendships, or bad luck...but I have been to more funerals than I can count. And if I didn't have a firm faith in God's plan and the path that keeps going after this...I would be writing from a funny farm and it would likely be gibberish. I am grateful for a beautiful plan that included eternal life, eternal families and a loving Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. It gets me through the bad days...and even the not bad, but just hard days.

This blog has been an amazing source of free therapy. Who would have thought sharing my funny, sometimes serious and often sarcastic side with all of you would be a vent that brought me joy but it has. My husband finds nothing of value here and I was having a little trouble with that, since I often pour my best self into these pages...

But recently I received a GIFT!

A friend copied the blog entries and pasted them into a beautiful journal for me to reflect back on. I was so touched by this time consuming and selfless act of service. She truly and deeply touched my heart and for her, I am so grateful. So my challenge to all of you reading this...find someone...and serve them. It can be anonymous or face to face...just serve. Get lost in the giving and you will feel so good that you will want to do it again and again! Thank you for the gift of being readers, you have boosted my confidence and joy the past month!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Gym...

Well I will be going to the gym at 4:15 am...I will let you all know if I survive! But since it is already almost 10pm...that is all the blog I have for you today. That and I had a fabulous day. Church was wonderful, some great sacrament speakers and I really enjoyed the concept of SAS...Secret Acts of Service...I am going to try that ;) Afternoon Sunday dinner was fantastic and the company was wonderful. Time with my brother and sister's family tonight was very nice. I married well, and Darling Husband reminds me how wonderful he is lest I forget ;) But also I got an incredible extended family and I am so thankful for those brothers and sisters, they bless my life! Life is so good! Tomorrow I will tell you about my fabulous present this weekend ;)

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Really????

Yep! That was my Saturday!

Early this morning my husband took my cute little mama mini van to the mechanic. It has been making a "noise" and they checked it out last week. It needed new brake pads and to have the rotor rotated what ever that means!

When he dropped it off it was supposed to be ready by 11:30am. Enough time to run the errands with the kids that my husband needed to run and be back in time to leave them with the sitter until I returned an hour later from a friend's this morning.

At 11:30am he learned they were no where near finished (I don't think they had started!) and he (furious) went and got the van to run errands and said he would be back with it. When he returned less than one hour later they said it would be ready around 4:30pm. After hearing nothing I called at 4:45pm to learn that they had to get a pick a part to fix it because they were trying to save me money. (I am still trying to figure out why they didn't ask me first...but I can't come up with anything. Though the gesture was nice, by now I was FRUSTRATED).

At 6pm when I was supposed to be at a wedding reception with my five children and a graduation party following that... I called and guess what? If you guessed that the car was not done you are a genius. I said, I have to be some place. I was told, "Well, honey rotors are serious stuff...they need to be done right." At 6:45 I actually took all five of my children and with two in the stroller, walked the block to the shop and figured with five little kids in their waiting room maybe I could MOTIVATE them. No luck there and surprise...It wasn't finished. This time the mechanic (who actually came in and said "Are these all your kids, you have A LOT of kids!") anyway he continued by explaining it was really the fault of the place where my rotors had to be lathed because they don't have that machine and the place doing it was running behind. He did offer me his car, but it only seats five...I said, thanks, but remember ALL THE CHILDREN ARE MINE.

I walked them half a block to the graduation party. Where I was greeted with so much love and help I wanted to cry! My children were swept up and fed. I borrowed a car and ran the present to the reception. When I got there I got a call that my car was ready if I could come right now...7:30pm. I hugged the bride, groom and mother of the bride and left. Low and behold I get to the shop and you wouldn't believe it... There is my van on blocks, no tire...not my definition of done by any stretch of any ones imagination! The woman who called me was mortified. She raised her voice at her son saying you told me it was ready for pick up! I threw my hands in the air and said, "I'll be back later."

When I called at 8pm she said that they would bring it to me and knock $30 off the price of the repair. Actually I learned a lot about rotors tonight and the one on my right side was SHOT! They likely saved my life and saved me another $80 by going to pick a part which they didn't charge me for. I could have gotten angry, I think I might have been justified in the eyes of most...

But really, I am trying to be like Jesus. And I wonder how he would have reacted. I said, No, No...I will pay the full $180. You did the work and got me a part. I appreciate it. We all have bad days, I am a homeschool mom of 5, I know how it goes. She responded, at least I can bring the car to you. To which I responded with gratitude.

What a day. Life is what happens. It is not what we plan. Usually what we plan is a joke. I heard it said once that we make plans and God laughs. I don't know about that. But I do know that God probably smiles as we anticipate this or that going just the way we want and He knows better. I did cry and lose sight of my emotions today, but I didn't lose my temper and for that I am grateful. I am trying to be like Jesus. I am not perfect and I don't get it right everyday. But today, I think He would be proud! And if my brakes work great, I might even go so far as to give them my business again...BUT NEVER ON A SATURDAY! :)

Make it a good day! Only YOU can!

Excellence...

Today was a wonderful day. We had the opportunity to go to our dear family friend's graduation from the Golden West Police Academy. Seeing him in that handsome uniform and cheering for him for the ups and down, pain, tears and sweat of the past 24 weeks was a complete rush. I am so happy to be his friend and so very proud of this endeavor in his life. He has not been hired on yet but took the initiative to go through the Academy on his own. It is bad enough to be yelled at, told you are fat, or slow, or skinny, or not to smile, when you are getting paid to hear it. But when you are on your own, I don't know that I would have the back bone to take it on my own dime. But he did. We prayed for him every day and sometimes my boys made sure we prayed for him 5 times a day or more. I know that the Lord answered our prayers and blessed him to do well through out the process. I told my boys and daughter this week, now lets pray for him to get a good job (the right job :)

As I sat there listening to the speeches and comments about honor and courage I thought... What great character traits, we could all learn something from these recruits. Imagine our lives and our country and our WORLD...if people exemplified honor, civility, courage, trust worthiness in all that they did. There would not be war, there would be peace. I am grateful for him and that he swore today in front of his leaders, family, friends, the community, but most importantly in front of God that he would keep the peace. May God bless you B.R.F. We are so very, very proud of you. Sometimes the lines between family and friends run very thinly and you are like one of our own. We love you very much. Congratulations, that was no easy task. You stuck with it and persevered. Way to go!!!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Funny Conversation

Today Darling daughter and I had a funny conversation.

She had done something wrong and I reprimanded her. She gave me the stink eye and I said how lucky she was because when I was her age I got in trouble so much more than her. And not because I did more, just because Grandma used to get made and yell at me. I said, well not all the time but a lot. And be glad too, because grandma could make you feel so bad when you do something wrong.

To which she replied, OH YOU can do that TOO!

LOL!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

I may never eat mayo again...

...at least not out of my fridge!!!

Today my 5 year old said he wanted to make his own "turkey" (actually ham...shhh!) sandwich. He said, "I know how to do it myself." So woo hoo, one more chore I could relinquish, I let him have at it. I got out a piece of cheese, 3 pieces of "turkey" (to which he said, WOO HOO, 3!!!) and the mayo. He said, "Where is the mustard?" I told you yesterday, different child. What kid likes, asks for mustard...mine ;)

I went about my business doing other things (you know the million chore list that never gets smaller it just keeps revolving...like those nasty cloth towels at old gas stations, that should be illegal).

I looked over and noticed a big glob of mustard on the middle of his sandwich and the only knife around stuck in the mayo jar. I was surprised to peak in the mayo jar and find that there wasn't really much mustard in it. I had expected the WHOLE mayo jar to be tainted with mustard from the looks of the sandwich so far. I did notice a little though and sometimes knowledge is power...other times it is just TMI. I should have kept my mouth shut and walked away. But since we are much like a teaching hospital at my house I thought I would pause to teach a lesson. I said, "Son, we wipe off the knife before we put it in the mayonaise. That way we don't get mustard in the mayonaise jar."

He said, "That's ok, I didn't [get mustard in the jar]. I just lick it off."

I said, "You lick it off? Like, lick it off and put it in the mayonaise."

He smiled and said, "Yes!"

Then darling #2 chimed in, "That is what I do with the Peanut Butter."

I responded, "Lick it and put it in the jelly?"

He laughed and said, "Nooooo, You KNOW I don't like jelly. (in a response tone like, mom that is just ridiculous...not because it is gross...but because jelly is gross.) "

Then he said, "See, it is a good thing I don't like jelly."

I need my own refrigderator and my own condaments...immediately!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

The little boy that could...

Today my darling husband started to sledge hammer a large square foot area of concrete that we needed to remove. We are adding a small strip of sod to our existing yard...long story.

I went out there and found him pounding away. I think the event was painfully reminding him that he is NOT in his 20's any more he is now in his 30's for sure! He was sweating profusely. He had told me that this unplanned event would take "a couple hours"... That is what he said the day he decided to sod cut the entire front yard. What he didn't take into account back then was what sod weighs. The problem was not far off that today. Concrete is not easily removed!!!

After about 2 hours the sledge hammer broke. My 5 year old came running in screaming "Dad's hammer broke! Dad's hammer broke! I thought it was a piece of concrete that flew across the yard, but it was DAD'S HAMMER!!!"

He came in and called and renting a sledge hammer was about $10. But renting a jack hammer was $60. He said, "I will just get the sledge hammer."

I begged, "Please get the jack hammer. Remember that Christmas present of mine you returned the other day...You can take that money and put it toward the rental."

He did and it still took several more hours and then there was the trip to the dump. At one point every one in our family except baby Derek was out there with shovels helping daddy. But my Darling #3 (the 5 year old) was out there on the job from beginning to end. He is a hard worker. He takes things VERY seriously and he is tough. Moving concrete, even small and medium size pieces is no small task, but he was doing better than I was. I am so proud of him. He is like the little train THAT COULD! Well, maybe more like the energizer bunny. I am so jealous.

Last night my husband and I had our couch talking time (we used to do this 2-5 times a week) but since an add on this summer life has been crazy. We usually face each other on the couch and talk about whatever is on our minds. He looked at me and said something I didn't expect... He said, "Where did #3 Darling come from? That kid is SOOOOO different than any of our other kids."

I laughed and started to say, "Well your mom and aunt would say..."

He interrupted and said, "Don't say it!"

I finished, "He is just like YOU!"

He laughed and said, "You're right, but #2 is just like you!"

Our children are so unique and yet, there is so much of each of us that I can see in them. They are such a joy, I am more blessed than I deserve, by ten fold!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Take me out to the ball game...

Today was a pretty special day for our good friend. For many years he has tried to break into the game that is America's favorite past time. Tonight we watched a replay of his first Major League Baseball game. He did a great job and we are so proud of him.

They kept announcing how his path to the major leagues had a lot of bends in the road, and he was one of the oldest pitchers his current team had. WHO CARES! He made it. He was there on the field, living a life long dream. He didn't give up. He didn't quit. There were times he should have wanted to. I think I would have. Two surgeries and jerked around from Double A, Triple A, Mexican League...etc. But he stuck it out. It says a lot about his character.

We could all take a lesson in perseverance. I will think twice about giving up. For anonymity...I will tell you my last name is "Smith". So many years ago I said to my daughter, when she wanted to quit, "You can't quit. Don't you know what our last name means?" She looked at me and said questioning, "Smith"...I said NO, it means Never Quit, Never Give UP! She said oh...I didn't know that. A year or more later her brother wanted to quit and she told him the same thing. Then she came to me and said, "Do all names do that mom?" I said, "Do what?" "Mean something? Like 'Smith' means Never Quit and Love means...Well Love... Do all names do that?" I hope they will grow up and Never Quit! I am grateful we have the wonderful example of perseverance in our dear friend for them to look too. Their Grandparents, Great Grandparents and Father (and myself too) have been good examples of never giving up.

Make it a good day! Only YOU can!

How do you know...

How do you know you have a true friend?

Is it the size of their birthday present, or that they lie and tell you that you look skinny in your jeans? Is it that they agree with you all the time, or don't dare to cross you?

Maybe I am wrong...but I would venture to say just the opposite. I think a true friend sometimes forgets your birthday...but they love you so much the other 364 days of the year that it doesn't matter. I think that when you ask...do these jeans make me look fat...they laugh and say we all have a little fat on us but I think you are wonderful anyway. I think a real friend will stand up to you when you are wrong without the fear that you are going to leave...and if you are a real friend back you won't just hear them, you will listen.

A real friend will tell you that you are brave when the crowd mocks you for standing up for your beliefs...even when your real friend doesn't believe the same way. A real friend will cry with you when your own tears aren't enough to get you through the sorrow of a lost parent, child, friend or even pet.

A real friend has seen you without make up on day 3 without showering and will still hug you anyway and not mention you have been in the same clothes for days (HEY, Don't judge...it happens sometimes...not often but occasionally! If you have lost someone you love...then you understand.)

A true friend knows your weaknesses and doesn't exploit them to others, but instead builds a fortress around you and tries to protect you from both yourself and those that don't love you enough to protect you, or not hurt you.

My mother loved the song "what a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bare...what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer." I am so grateful for that friendship too. But Jesus knows me well and knew that I would need angels here on earth to get me through, to get me back. Thank you my TRUE friends, my REAL friends. I love you!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!!!

So impressed...

My darling daughter, child #1 was recently asked to be in a "drug awareness" play that my friend choreographs. She was given a part and in days learned half of her 32 lines. It was the main part and I thought that was a little much for a 9 year old, but she was doing so well, that I was supportive. She learned her own little song and a dance with it too. This was all very cute to watch and though after hearing the music 400 times I want to rip the ears off the sides of my head, I am grateful she had the opportunity.

Well, this morning we got a call and the two things that followed impressed me. The choreographer called and had made a "horrible mistake" (her words). She had cast Darling Daughter without consulting her other nieces and nephews who had been helping her for four+ years. Her oldest niece was counting on this lead part "finally" being hers and my friend was calling to say how sorry she was and that she wondered if Darling Daughter would be willing to take a smaller part this year and do the bigger part next year or the year after that. She also wanted to know when she could come and discuss this with Darling Daughter. She said she thought it was important to talk to my daughter in person. How many adults would have shirked this responsibility and tried to have the parent "work it out". This impressed me a great deal.

The second thing that impressed me was my daughter. I sat her down and told her. She said how relieved that she was because there were so many lines and that it was "really stressing her out". I didn't even know that. Then she preceded to say she would do any part happily. When the choreographer came my daughter was such a little lady, polite, respectful and gracious. It was all the way around a beautiful experience. I learned things from both of them today that I hope will help make me a better person.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Freedom

I am grateful for every branch of the service. I am grateful for those I love who have given that service to our country. I am proud of a husband who works to keep the city he serves safe. The safest harbor on earth should be our homes but without our local police and our countries military so much of our freedom would be lost. As we remember the events that torched our hearts nine years ago, let us resolve to stand for truth and the American freedoms we have been so blessed to enjoy. Here are the words to the Marine Hymn. Every time I read them I think of my brothers and my brother in law and I get a little teary. May God Bless the men and women who serve us and guard our freedoms so that we can sleep peacefully at night. We the privileged Americans have no idea how good we have it...Let us try to reflect, to ponder the great good we have in this blessed situation. For a moment put aside party differences, religious controversy, and differing opinions and just be GRATEFUL we live in this great country!

The Marines Hymn

From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We fight our country's battles
On the land as on the sea.
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marines.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!!!

Blah, Blah, Blah

Ever have one of those blah days. It wasn't a particularly bad day...but it was just blah. Nothing was terribly wrong...just blah. The clock stopped working on the oven...but then it started again. The kids were a little grumpy and on edge. The boys were naughty when I had to go to Target to get a bridal shower gift. And I didn't eat dinner because I miss understood that there would be food (not desserts) at the shower. BLAH!!!

I know I tell you to make it a good day...and I really tried...but I guess I will be up in the morning trying again...BECAUSE TODAY WAS JUST BLAH!

The Doggy Toothfairy...what is she thinking?

The Doggy tooth fairy must drive a 1982, beat up old Corolla, because I guarantee she is BROKE. A few weeks ago our Darling Dog started losing teeth. The first time it happened I was on the phone with a friend. She started choking like she was going to cough up a lung and I freaked out. My friend said to sweep her mouth, and it must have gone down because she was fine. The next day the same thing happened but out popped a tooth on the floor.

My kids were so excited. "Where is the tooth box? Does the tooth fairy come for dogs too?" I don't know? Does the "tooth fairy" come for dogs??? Hmmm... I said, well, put it out and see. Now I am starting to wonder what the tooth fairy was thinking when she got into this line of work. Our dog has not lost one, two, three, four, five, six, or seven teeth in the past 3 weeks...SHE HAS LOST 8!!! By tooth five I AM SURE...the tooth fairy was tired and almost broke. I should know, I have boughten a few doggy toys in my day and lets say they aren't $1, like the buck my kids get from the KID "Tooth fairy". That poor dog tooth fairy, is probably rethinking her line of work, as I write this. I know if I were her, I would! :)

She did get a reprieve though. Darling Doggy got ahold of Darling #4's very cute and expensive head phones (the only kind that stay on a 3 year old's head). And Yep...she did what puppies do...Chew, Chew, Chew. I promptly went to Darling Daughter's room and told her, YOU BETTER RETRIEVE THAT TOOTH FROM THE BOX...that tooth fairy surely isn't coming tonight with that dog causing so much trouble.

One morning the kids woke up...I think it was tooth #3...and there was nothing and the tooth was still there. NOT TO WORRY THOUGH...around 10 am we got an email from "Happy Fairy" and she explained that dogs have been losing teeth like crazy and she was a little backed up! Thank heaven for emails, my kids were freaking out. Good thing she cleared all that up.

Now with all that...can I just say, one of the perks for me about homeschool has been that the innocence and joy of childhood lingers around my house a lot longer than most places I know...and as you can see...I like it that way!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

God Bless America

I think so often of our great nation and the freedoms we are afforded. If we do not know what we believe, if we do not know what we stand for...It can so easily be taken from us. My husband told me the other day...That all Hitler did was keep telling people that the Jews were responsible for all the problems. Hitler taught that if you tell people something long enough they will believe it. Well I for one am sick of hearing that this health care is going to save us and bailing out multi billion dollar companies with my tax dollars is a good idea...especially while I have to pay my city $20 a year just to own a dog!

Below are thoughts or clips that I have seen or written. Think about this great land you live in. Think about what you believe, what you are willing to defend, what you are willing to stand up for. Think about what America is...Land of the Free, Home of the Brave. We are only one step away from bondage if we give our freedom away.

This is a powerful short clip from an artist who paints the presidents past and how they might reflect, in his opinion, on current circumstances.

A Powerful Painting (Click to view link)

This is Red Skelton, standing up for the Pledge of Allegiance. And for what the "allegiance" means.

The Pledge of Allegiance (Click to view link)

I took the time to look up all the seemingly significant...and even some of the seemingly insignificant words in the Pledge of Allegiance. It has made me think. I will definitely say it next time with more intent...thought...and feeling. Here is what I found...

I pledge (A Solemn Promise or Undertaking) allegiance (Loyalty or Commitment) to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic (A state in which the supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives) for which it (The Flag) stands (Symbolizes...the Flag symbolizes the republic), one (ONE: identical and united, forming a unity) nation (A large aggregate of people united by common descent, history, culture or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory) under (Used to express dominance or control...Controlled by...) God, indivisible (incapable of being divided), with liberty (Freedom to act in society) and justice (The quality of being fair or reasonable) for all (Everyone, man, woman, child, every color, race, religion).

And here is the Preamble to the Constitution...I couldn't recite it all anymore...but it is good to reflect on it and be reminded of what we are doing here...

The Preamble:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

I have a father, brothers, a brother in law, and grandfathers and great cousins, and great uncles who have fought for, or even given their life for this great country, for me, for you...and for our freedom. May we always be reminded, lest we forget and lead ourselves to our own destruction.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!!!

Labor Day...

BBQ Chicken ✓

Baked Beans ✓

Salad ✓

Fruit Salad ✓

Potato Salad ✓

Lemon Bars ✓

Homemade Oreo Cookies ✓

Strawberry Lemonade ✓

BBQ Chips/Ruffles/Tortilla Chips ✓

Onion Dip (made by Darling #1) ✓

Ranch Salsa ✓

Pumpkin Pie ✓

All the fixings for Ice Cream Sundays...

Crushed:

Skor Bars

Nestle's Crunch

Kit Kat

York Patties

Reeses Cups

Whoppers

Oreos

Strawberry Wafers

✓✓✓✓✓✓✓✓

Cherries ✓

Whipped Cream ✓

Hot Fudge ✓

Carmel ✓

Pineapple Topping ✓

Crushed Cashews ✓

Bananas ✓

Breyers Vanilla Bean ✓

Best Sundays Ever ✓

Celebrating one of my favorite people's birthday ✓

Great Labor day with Friends and Family ✓

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Not invisible to me...

My friend sent me a link to a comedian act that had me cracking up. It was about being "invisible" but also addressed that though mothers sometimes seem invisible. They are never invisible to God.

My mother kept a journal the majority of her adult life. I have everyone of them (except the one she burned, her first year of marriage...guess she got a little too graphic and didn't want us reading it). I have read many entries, happy, sad, spiritual, frivolous...Sometimes my mother wrote about being mad at me. Those entries were hard to stomach when she was first gone. But can you imagine my arrogance? Of course she got mad at me sometimes. I sure know I got mad at her at times. But I know that to her dying breath she never doubted my love for her. And never, not even for a moment did I doubt her love for me. I didn't think she always went about things the right way. Now I get to be a parent and do everything the "right way" LOL! Hopefully I will learn from her mistakes...as I am already making lists of new mistakes of my own.

In Memory of Mother

The Keeper of Secrets

The Weaver of Dreams

The Spinner of Tales

So real it seemed

The giver of gifts

The kind wrapped in bows

And the kind you can't touch

If you're a mother you know!

The time spent listening

About a new boy each week

The 7-up and soup

When I was too sick to speak

The story time

When I was so very small

The story time

Even after I grew big and tall

The endless meals

That took so long to prepare

And the endless friends

She feed when they were there

The cards and stationary

Letters filled with love

That told us we were special

Gifts from God above

The endless hugs she gave us

Even when we let her down

Her love was unconditional

She never wore a frown

I never really noticed

All the endless time she spent

All the things that she did for us

All the places that she went

The years of taxi service

The melons cut just right

And the homemade popcorn

That was just out of sight

I wish that I had seen it

Wish I knew it at the time

I thought I was her best friend

Now I see that she was mine

And ohhhh how much I miss her

But all I can give now

Is to be the kind of mother

That each day she showed me how

She was by no means perfect

There were flaws, I'm sure it's true

But when your mom's not with you

You see everything from a different view

And now all I see is an angel

Who did her best to give

All the love she had

To all of us kids!

Love you mommy! Missing you so much!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

The Daddy Dance...

Today one of my beautiful friends was married. Another wonderful friend and I took pictures. She is an amazing photographer that doesn't give herself the credit she deserves (tee hee.. she will probably read this and can't argue with me here ;) I am good at following her around and getting the rest of stuff.

Anyway, the day was beautiful. The couple are both special needs. They are both in wheel chairs and life has had its share of challenges for them to be sure. But you wouldn't know it. My sweet friend is the epitome of love, kindness, happiness and gratitude. She exudes love. Just by being around her or in the same room you would feel happier. She is gentle and my babies have all loved being around her. They laugh and smile with her and hold her hand. There are those that would be inclined to not press her for more...but she has SOOO much to give the world. She is like the energizer bunny. I love her so much and feel richly blessed to have her in my life.

Tonight at the reception she danced with her daddy to the daddy and daughter song. He was so sweet with her and twirling her around the room in her chair, both with grins from ear to ear. Both with so much love and appreciation for one another. I had to keep wiping away the tears so I could see to get more pictures. Not everyone gets terrific parents. And I know from past jobs that not all children that come with special needs get the "special" parents they deserve. But it was clear tonight as I watch this daddy and daughter duo that they had both blessed each other.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Those Days...

Do you know those days where you wake up rested?

You do laundry and it practically folds itself?

Lunch works out perfectly?

No one has an accident?

Your children are respectful?

You don't get any bills in the mail?

You write your blog, because of course you remember everything!

Life goes forward without even a single hitch....

No? No?... you don't know one of those days....

Neither do I! :)

Make it a great day. Only YOU can!

EAT THAT CHICKEN!!!

Darling #3 is always up for testing me. He tests my patience more than and farther than I ever thought it would stretch. At dinner tonight he refused to eat his chicken. I said you will eat your chicken to which he replied at the top of his lungs, "I WON'T EAT MY CHICKEN, I WON'T, I WON'T, I WON'T. I WOOOOOOON'T EAT MY CHICKEN."

To which I replied go to your room and don't come out or speak to me until I call you.

Upon arriving in his room he said, "Can I get up now?"

I ignored him!

Then I turned to my husband and said, "He will eat his chicken if I have to blend it in the Vitamix and spoon feed it." I actually said something else (no cussing, just other words...but you never know who reads these blogs...so you get the idea!)

He came back to the table. I told him he had to eat his food and that we were going soon to get slurpees and he better eat.

He said, "I don't like that chicken."

I said, "You ARE going to eat it. You don't have to LIKE it, you just have to eat it!!!"

He started to yell again, "I hate it, it tastes gross!!!"

I said, "Who ever told you that you could act like this to your mother? Have you EVER seen anyone else treat their mother like this? (it was a rhetorical question...)

But he replied yes, "Fred and Wilma (names changed to protect their mother ;) talk to there mom like that all the time."

To this I replied, "Oh? I guess you will NEVER BE ALLOWED TO PLAY WITH FRED AND WILMA AGAIN!!!"

He said, "I am sorry, I am sorry, I am sorry!!! I will never do it again."

Hmmm...I guess he really likes Fred and Wilma. Regardless, he ate his CHICKEN! He didn't die from it either and we all had a lovely stroll to 7-11 to get Slurpees. Mine was Pina Colada, my very favorite flavor!

***Disclaimer...there are many nights the chicken does not go down this easily. Although it DOES go down. We won't go there, that is a blog for another day. This kid has gone without more dessert than I ever thought a kid would!

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Baby Boy

My baby boy turned 1 this week. Where did the year go? I am not sure! But I do know this....it rushed by and now he is beginning to walk. Oh how I love him. Oh how he has grown little tentacles around my heart and is forever a part of me, and I of him. He is my fifth child and some think you can't love five children as much as you love one. They obviously don't have five children (or more) so they can't possibly understand. One of my brothers says love is like a bucket that never empties, there is always more to share as you give it away. That is how I feel about all my children.

When I had my daughter (my first) from the time I knew I was pregnant I knew that it was a girl. Not like a voice from heaven or anything...just this inner peace preparing me for a daughter. I can't explain it very well, but if you have felt it YOU KNOW...if not I will just say it was a sweet experience. When they lay her in my arms you could hear my heart beat to a new tune...the tune of motherhood, I would never be the same after that. I would now put those around me first, I would now take the burnt bacon, or toast. Forever more I would be the singer of lullabies and the rocker of children. I would be the kisser of owwies and the mender of hearts. It is an amazing and lofty calling I often don't feel capable of fulfilling. But I tread forward and pray I don't mess them up too badly.

After Darling #1 I had some dreams and believed so very strongly that there was another girl coming. So did Darling #1... But instead one right after the other arrived... "Baby Boy", "Baby Boy", "Baby Boy", and "Baby Boy". Now she says mom, you should stop having babies all you know how to make now is "Baby BOYS!" I hug her and wipe away the tears of sorrow over the loss of what could have been (a baby sister). It isn't ruled out yet, but she is convinced it is impossible.

I wonder often, why so many baby boys? But recently the thought rushed over me... call it what you will but I believe it was an answer from God telling me that He needed me to raise these boys to be righteous and good men. He needed young men that would honor women and treat them with love and respect, that would work hard, and stand up for truth and justice. So I smiled. I get it now. I am so blessed to be the mother of nobel boys! I am grateful for all five of my beautiful babies. How or why God ever trusted me with so many of his precious children is beyond me, but I am sure glad that He did.

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!

Life Happens!

My firefighting day was not very extraordinary.

But looking back I guess it was a little entertaining.

Darling #4 poured his own milk! Yeah, good job! He convinced me to add a little chocolate milk to it. Yum! He preceded to "accidentally" spill it all over the fairly clean kitchen floor. Which then required IMMEDIATE MOPPING! Yeah! ....Or in my case "WHY DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE SO MANY MESSES FOR ME TO CLEAN UP?" To which he always responds...I don't know...or the "accident" thing. I wonder if they will ever realize I DON'T CARE that it was an accident.

An hour goes by. Darling #3 says, Oh No! I spilled! My daughter goes in the kitchen and screams. My five year old had for whatever reason...we still aren't sure...been unable to make it to the toilet and there was a huge puddle of pee. He said, "Sooooorrrrreeeee! It was just an accident." There is that darn word again! I clean it up and wonder what I would do someday if I didn't homeschool and all my kids were in school. I fight the thought since it might make me abandon ship today.

Then the dog decides to pee twice in her new, beautiful, giant kennel that I got for her so she could stretch out at night. Really? Seriously? I wonder to myself if the universe is out to get me personally, or if there is just a radar set on all mothers to make their days full of trying...ACCIDENTS!

I remember how excited Darling Husband and I were to get pregnant with each and every child. I reflect on the sorrow when we lost one pregnancy many years ago. I smile when I think... that getting them here was no accident. God knew exactly what he was doing. I try to take the day in stride and remember how good I have it.

The house is quiet. I get everyone in bed. There is a hush. It is only me and the snoring puppy in the room. I finish making my book on Picaboo with an hour to spare for upload. I sigh, I am happy! Life is good. Then the upload says it will take 6.5 hours and the coupon is going to expire. I have to laugh! What else can I do? "Life Happens!"

Make it a great day! Only YOU can!